One of the biggest challenges facing new Graduates and Matriculants is finding employment without having any previous working experience.

“Every job ad wants at least some experience so I get turned down, but how will I get experience if no one is willing to employ me and allow me to get working experience?” I regularly hear young applicants lament.

This of course is true and it is a very real problem facing new applicants to the job market.

But this is not only a South African problem; worldwide a degree no longer guarantees immediate employment. Companies are also opting for candidates who already have relevant working experience to avoid the additional cost of training because of the very tight and extended economic conditions that started as far back as 2008.

That does not imply that all hope is lost for young job seekers though. It just means that the job market is much more competitive than it has ever been before, and as an inexperienced applicant you have to find ways to stand out and get noticed in order firstly, to secure and interview and then to be successful in your application and get the job.

In order to achieve this there are a few hard and fast rules that cannot be overlooked:

·         A job is a privilege, not a right and every opportunity given to you should be seized with enthusiasm and appreciation

·         Make sure that your expectations are in line with your skills and experience

·         Nobody owes you anything at all – your success is up to you and you alone

·         Every opportunity that you overlook will gladly be seized by someone else in the blink of an eye

·         Although you don’t have the working experience, at least you can look and act the part – always present yourself in a professional manner

·         If you get an opportunity for an interview be keen, show enthusiasm and on the day - get up, dress up and show up – no matter what

·         The business world does not revolve around you, your schedules and your problems; sort these issues out, rise above them and show a professional face without inconveniencing anyone else

·         Take the time to prepare a professional CV detailing your skills and qualifications and include a professional photograph of yourself

Believe me, first impressions count and as a recruiter, when I’m reading through countless CV’s, it is the well spaced, well written CV’s that draw attention. Any CV that is difficult to read, poorly written, filled with spelling mistakes, etc almost automatically gets binned!

Is that fair – no? Is it fact –yes! Why? Because it is not up to the reader to figure out your CV and application, nor to search and find the hidden talent; it is up to you to showcase your skills, detail your experience and reveal your talents on your CV so that your application will stand out and get noticed.

Bev Campling (30^th April 2013)
Recruitment Specialist
Owner of Bion Search & Selection
Innovator of Bion Future Focus