Business leaders in Australia and around the globe continue in their war for talent, vying to recruit skilled employees. At a time when many in the baby boomer generation are approaching retirement, it is very important that businesses build and preserve a cache of talented candidates so they can effectively compete in, and fuel the global economy.

Employment readiness is defined as being capable, with slight or no external assistance, to locate, obtain, and keep a suitable occupation as well as being able to change over to new professions. Being employment-ready includes ensuring you can effectively sustain the following three goals:

1. Self-sufficiency in four employability dimensions:
− Planning and pre-employment
− Job search
− Skills/qualifications
− Career decision making

2. Understanding and accepting the specific pressures or challenges one confronts.

3. Efficiently managing the stresses or tasks one faces

Before you jump into applying for employment, you should ensure that you possess the right skills and qualifications to enable you to fulfill the essential criteria for your future profession. This simple six stage process is a guide for anyone that is looking to start their journey towards becoming job ready.

1. Find a career path: If you are just starting university or making an occupation change, you should outline a career path to support the accomplishment of your career objectives.

2. Evaluate your interests: Consider what you appreciate, enjoy and what you are best at doing. Take career ability tests to determine if you have the type of character and values that are needed to meet your job goal. Understand your ‘thinking preference’ – a great tool to do this is the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), a system used to analyze and describe thinking preferences in people. Understand your personality by using assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Learning Orientation Questionnaire, DISC assessment etc.

3. Investigate potential jobs and businesses: Look into professions in your area of choice. Decide if the employment potential, remuneration and work conditions are suitable for you. Finally, narrow down the emphasis to one or two explicit opportunities in the selected occupational field.

4. Set a career goal: Research the kind of preparation, abilities and education required to reach the set goal. Plan a clear proccess map on how you will achieve your career outline.

5. Select a training or educational facility: Find a university, trade school or preparation program that will help plan for the occupation or profession that you have decided to work to¬wards.

6. Attend classes: Finish your training, up-skilling or degree. While at school, take the opportunity to practice and be better by applying and taking part-time jobs or internships in a career that most interests and benefits you.

Begin the job hunt: Prior to graduation time, plan your CV and get the best career guidance possible. Talk to a counselor or maybe an experienced friend or acquaintance for help with CV tips, potential jobs in your field of interest and interview advice and procedures