Today’s post comes from Ryley Amond, an experienced content creator in the automation and technology landscape with a background in educational environments. The views expressed are his own.

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The job search process can be stressful, and it’s something that every new graduate has in their mind upon graduation. It’s an amalgamation of various websites, numerous forms to fill out, and repeatedly answering many of the same questions. Hopefully, there will be interviews at many of these points, either in-person or over virtual. That being said, the job search process is often a lot of time spent waiting. Preparing yourself can help reduce the stress, and help move you towards that rewarding outcome.

Know what you’re looking for in a job

Many job seekers fresh upon graduation start throwing themselves into the application process, and often don’t slow down to really think if they’d be happy at any of the positions. The process of reviewing jobs can become tedious, and there’s increased pressure to find a job quickly after graduation. However, identifying key aspects of your “ideal” career can help you narrow your search.

There are many things that can be an alluring factor for a company—from flexible work hours to utilizing new and advanced technologies like robotic process automation —pinpoint what matters to you the most, and start filtering out job descriptions that don’t fit your criteria. Making sure that your job search includes fulfilling careers with upward mobility is a great place to start.

Don’t be afraid of being “underqualified”

Companies almost always post job advertisements for their ideal candidate, but realistically, it’s very rare that they will actually hire someone that fits all of their requirements. Know this ahead of time when you’re searching for jobs, and understand that if you’re 60-80% qualified for the position, then you should apply. If it’s a position that you’re passionate about, put the onus on them to make the decision either way.

If you’re worried about being under-qualified due to a limited amount of years in the job market,  quite often, relevant knowledge can often replace actual on-the-job experience. This can include, hobbies, interests, passions, or even extra-curricular activities, various ways to show your interest in a relevant field, and certain skill sets that would greatly benefit you on the job.

Be accepting of rejection, or maybe nothing at all

Statistically, you won’t get every job you apply for, and that’s okay. A lot of the job search process is a numbers game, and sometimes those numbers don’t go in your favor. This is normal for everyone, and shouldn’t discourage you in the slightest. In many cases, rejection can be helpful. Weeding out jobs that aren’t a good fit for you early on in the process can help you put more time and effort into the ones that matter most.

Try to relax, and know that the right job for you is out there. Identify your key “wants,” apply even if you think you’re “underqualified,” and learn from previous opportunities to help better prepare you for the job hunt.