So you finally got that degree you were told would make you more employable. You spent three years of your life aiming towards that bright career you had all mapped out. 

But now you are back to the place where you started. Living at home with your parents in your small room (except now with three years of stuff that you’ve accumulated) with even less money than you started out with, and still no signs of that dream job you had set your heart on.

Welcome to the position that so many graduates have found themselves in. With 40,000 graduates entering unemployment this year, you are definitely not alone.

It’s not fun or pretty, but we have to cope with it. 

Lets look at it this way. You could have parents that won’t welcome you back to the family home, you could have to take the first cleaning job that comes your way, and live in the smallest dingiest studio flat you can afford. So actually, as demoralising as it is, it’s not really that bad.

You have the opportunity to better yourself while you’re searching for a job. You could take on a volunteer role that would help towards the career you had in mind. You could find some free college courses. Maybe even try a gap year abroad if you can afford it? Even if you end up in a job just to pay bills, you can still look for that dream job and take an evening class if necessary.

I am one of those graduates, that have had to join the thousands of job seekers on the lookout for a job, that will get me out of my parents house and back on my own two feet. So believe me, I know what the rest of you are going through.

I know it can make you feel as though you are heading into an abyss of nothingness. But it honestly won’t be forever.

I’ve decided to learn new things each day. A week ago I finally taught myself to use HTML (I know, get with the times, right?) I’m getting back into my old hobbies, and finding new ones in between looking for work. Because I don’t have to worry about an essay being due (which I’m sure you’ll agree is an odd feeling after three years), so now have some free time in the evening to do what I want to do, rather than what I have to do.

It can also be hard to keep a good relationship with your parents after having three years of independence and freedom, and sparks do begin to fly. 

When you left home, in your parents eyes you were the baby flying the nest. When you came back to the ‘nest’ your parents still see their baby who left home and find it hard to see the new independent you. So maybe it’s time to sit down and talk about where you are and how you all feel, rather than just letting the emotions build and build until there is one humongous row.

Make sure you do pull your weight around the house. Make dinner at least once a week for them, do some cleaning now and again. This will help them see that you’ve grown up. You no longer need telling what to do and when to do it, and you are not just the slob in the spare room eating all the food.

All you can do for now is keep looking and try to keep your spirits up. Don’t get into the routine of sitting in the house all day. Yes, job hunt through the day, but when you get the chance, go out for an hour and see an old friend. Trust me it makes life at home more bearable.

In the mean time here are some sites I have found useful.

www.directgov.co.uk

Good for career advice, jobseekers and general info

www.jobs.guardian.co.uk

Well the address gives it away really…

www.reed.co.uk

Good job agency