For many of us, the concept of work seems a million miles away, absorbed, as we are in school, our friends, our gimiks. But sooner than later, we all must leave the familiar grounds of our universities and join the world of work. Let this work primer arm you with the basics of a fruitful job hunt.

Where to look: Keep your search as broad and as diverse as you can by tapping different sources of job leads. These include:

• Your college career counseling office
• Job fairs (inside and outside the campus)
• Online job sites such as JobStreet.com
• Newspaper and other print ads
• Network of family, friends and other contacts
• Company websites and bulletin boards
• Government websites and bulletin boards

Resume 101: In a nutshell, never send a template resume-make sure to customize your resume to the particular job. If you lack work experience, emphasize a combination of academic and extracurricular achievements and soft skills that shows you will be a great addition to the company. Keep your resume neat, well written and error-free. Show dynamism through use of active verbs and punchy phrases.

Interview skills: Make up for a lack of experience with youthful enthusiasm, eagerness and a willingness to learn. Make a good first impression by being punctual, being suited well and smiling warmly. Prepare for the meeting by doing research about the company and rehearsing what you are going to say.

Keep your chin up It may seem contradictory, but the best attitude to take when you’re on the market is to give it your best shot yet to expect the worst. Here, more tips from the career experts:

• Give it time. To keep your spirits up, be realistic. Don’t expect to find your dream career in a week’s-or even a month’s-time. It can be a drawn-out affair that can take months on end. Approach the search as a challenge and find useful lessons from every setback to improve yourself.

• Be special. To graduate from a good university with good grades is no longer enough in an arena filled with thousands of competitors. Demonstrate to the employer that you have unique skills that will add value to your chosen company.

• Be all business. Go through the search in a systematic, professional, business-like manner, with specific goals and plan of action. Don’t leave it up to luck. Job hunters can’t afford to be laid back, disorganized, sloppy or sensitive.

• Never give up. Nobody said that life is easy; finding a job isn’t a walk in the park, even for the most experienced and qualified. Keep yourself physically and mentally fit for the rigorous task at hand. And don’t go it alone. Find sustenance from the support and encouragement of family and friends.