I finished university TWO YEARS ago, first class degree, great uni, but have been struggling immensely to get a proper job. I have been working as a steward for G4S for 2 years, minimum wage, 0 hour contract, sometimes months without doing anything for them.
Living with my parents. I was getting to the point where I couldn't enjoy life because I felt guilty if I was having fun, I should be looking for a job! I was starting to think something about me was unhireable, is my accent putting everyone off? Do I have a bad personality? Is everyone just miles better than me? I started to think, its been 2 years since I started looking for a job, anyone I'm applying too now knows that, even if I'm great will they still think there must be something wrong with me that they haven't seen, otherwise why wouldn't I already have a job? These and much more thoughts like them. It was getting so hard to continue sticking to my principals, being perfectly honest in interviews, only applying for jobs which I love and know I would enjoy, following my passions.
I can however proudly say that over 2 years after starting my search, I have been offered pretty much my dream job (maybe the pay isn't dreamy, but that comes later in the career I think). I was offered the role 2 days after interviewing, because they were so keen to get me before anyone else did. Being told that, after all I have been through was surreal.
Point I am making, to anyone that reads this who is in the position I was, do not give up hope. Do not give in to the thoughts that there is something wrong with you and you should just lower your ambitions. You are great, and you are perfect for the role you are meant for, you just have to find it. It may take some time, but it will for most, people going straight into jobs while you are still looking are extremely lucky, but so are you, they won't develop the same resilience as you, the same appreciation for work or the same passion. Embrace the adversity, let it make you stronger, keep honing interview skills at every interview you get, do something simple - stewarding, bar work - that will give you competency examples like teamwork, decision making and communication.
Hope at least one person reads this who it helps, I know reading things like this, that simply confirmed there were others in my shoes struggling to get a "real" job after uni, really made me feel a bit better.