You should make sure that you have an overall appreciation of the recruitment and selection process for graduates as well as a general understanding of what employers want.

Most large employers base their recruitment and selection on competences, and you need to make sure that you understand both the principles and how these are applied in the selection process.

When you are applying for a specific job or postgraduate course/research, you will have to identify detail of what is involved and what competences are required and Analysing jobs and employers  gives you a framework for this activity.

Of equal importance is detailed knowledge about your own competences – your knowledge, skills and personal qualities; identifying your evidence will help you gather together all of the information you will require for the next application stage of the process.

Use the job hunting section of the Graduate Prospects website which provides tips and tricks to help you stay focused on your goals.

Also see What do graduates do? on the Graduate Prospects website that provides information on UK graduates' career destinations, and their page on what employers want.