Before you even start looking for that next job, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of success. Going into a job search without a plan is like jumping from a ship without a life vest…you may be able to tread water for a while, but eventually you will sink.

So, if you want to prepare yourself you need to define what you have to offer your new employer. This is not only something you will use to find the right job, but you’ll also use this when you go for interviews.

Organisations are looking for quality people who will use their skills and talent to help the company grow therefore they will invest a lot of time and resources into finding the right candidate for a job, hence why it is only right that you spend careful time and attention into preparing yourself and delivering yourself in a way that will highlight your relevant experience and attributes for the role. Competition is stiff and that’s why you need to stand out from the crowed. In fact one company in 2012 had 60 openings and they received over 6,000 CV’s. It can be tough, but with the right CV and plan you can be noticed.

So how can you know what you have to offer your new employer? Start by defining your skills. Are you a great leader? A great creator? A great administrator? Think about how your skills helped in your previous jobs. Think of awards or recognitions you received at previous jobs. Write all of this information down.

Sometimes boasting about yourself can be humiliating, but on this instance it is totally acceptable so don’t hold back. If you made an impact at your last job, you can make an impact at your next job, but you need to be ready to use this information to your advantage during your job hunt and interviews.

There are millions of jobs open right now, but there are many more people looking to land those jobs. Just believing you’re the right person for the job won’t guarantee your success – you have to prove you’re the right person for the job by being able to clearly communicate what you have to offer your new employer. Otherwise, you may tread the job waters for a while, but eventually you will sink.