Come on. Get hired already!

Are you still wondering why you have not yet secured your dream job? Or even worse, why you are not even being called in for a job interview by the recruitment agency let alone the employer?

Well, have you taken a step back and looked at the package that you are offering and how you are presenting it? Maybe your offering is just not packaged together correctly which is why you are continuously being overlooked, even though you just know you are the right person for that job. With the unemployment rate in South Africa currently standing at 24,5%, there are millions of un-employed Job Seekers scouting the marketplace for their ideal job, and even more employed professionals applying for the same jobs, it is imperative that you take every effort of going above and beyond to ensure that you stand out from the crowds.

Let's start by considering the basics, Your CV. Clean up your CV and ensure that your CV is professionally put-together with no typographical, spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure that the layout and format conforms to that of a professional CV. Your strengths and key skills - as they relate specifically to the job that you are applying to - should be clearly highlighted and visible at a glance at the off-set. Be sure not to make silly CV Mistakes that can get you eliminated even before the short-list stage. Go through the CV Writing checklist to ensure that you have covered all essential aspects that make up a professional CV.

Next, submit a professional application. When applying to a job opportunity, please extend the recruiter the courtesy of ensuring that your skills do in fact meet the minimum requirements that they have set-out in the job advertisements. Do not apply to job advertisements that you are not suitably qualified for as this wastes both your time and that of the recruiter. If you do believe that you closely match the requirements and skills contained in the job advertisement, then be sure to create a professional, top-selling customised cover-note (not a standard one-size-fits-all) that is addressed personally to the hiring manager, if possible, and that refers to the job title and where you saw the job advertised and on which date. Then immediately get to the point and explain briefly why your skills best match the job and why you should be considered. End off by thanking the recruiter for their time. Be sure to include any relevant documentation or information that the recruiter might have asked for in the job advertisement.

Finally, present yourself in the most professional manner. Should you be fortunate enough to secure an interview either with a recruitment agency or the employer directly, be sure that the product (you) matches the brochure (your CV) in the most professional manner. Be mindful of your interview manners but most importantly, dress appropriately for the job interview. Remember to prepare to dazzle in the job interview by researching the company, understanding the job requirements and knowing your strengths and how to communicate these effectively and in context to the job that you are being interviewed for. Consider carefully the type of interview body language that you are giving off and be careful to avoid - as far as possible - making any of the common job interview mistakes. Come prepared with a set of interview questions yourself. Job seekers who attend a job interview with a well prepared set of interviewee questions are always most successful.

Remember, every job interview is an employment opportunity. Should you be called back for a second interview, take just as much time preparing for the second job interview as you would on the initial meeting. When getting a call back for a second job interview ask the interviewer if there is anything that you specifically need to prepare for. Without being over confident, attend your second job interview with the same intention as you did the first. Carry yourself with poise and professionalism.

The best way to prepare is by anticipating securing your dream job. Good luck. Now go and secure that job already!

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