"Looking for a job is already a job." It was with these words that the promoter of the Dakar Job Dating Fair, Amadou Lamine Fall, warned young people this Wednesday, during the opening of the first edition of Dakar Job Dating 2025 at the Grand Théâtre Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose.

In front of an audience of job seekers, project leaders, human resources directors and institutional leaders, the coordinator of Human Capital Performancy carried out "a diagnosis of a Senegalese labor market that is both demanding and competitive".

According to him, "unemployment cannot be explained solely by the lack of jobs, but also by a mismatch between available profiles and the real expectations of companies."

"If you don't have a profile that sells, while others are ready to be recruited, you will spend a lot of time unemployed," he explained.

Reflecting on the concept behind Dakar Job Dating, Amadou Lamine Fall explained that the initiative stemmed from several years of discussions with companies facing recruitment difficulties, despite strong job demand. He stated that he had "met many employers ready to recruit more, but held back by current economic constraints or a shortage of immediately employable candidates."

For him, the major challenge remains the connection between skills, guidance and opportunities. "The work exists. What is often lacking is preparation, understanding of the needs of companies and the ability to position oneself in a competitive market," he argued.

Furthermore, addressing young people and job seekers, the organizer of the job fair emphasized the need for strong personal commitment. He reminded them that "the state alone cannot guarantee employment for everyone and that professional success also depends on consistent individual effort." He specifically encouraged participants to view job searching as an active process requiring rigor, perseverance, and continuous self-evaluation. This approach, he explained, involves developing both technical skills and other aptitudes. "Looking for work is real-time work. It's work on oneself, dynamic work," he stressed, urging candidates to move beyond a passive, wait-and-see approach.

It should be noted that, over two days, the Dakar Job Dating Fair will bring together recruiting companies, human resources (HR) experts, training organizations, and institutional stakeholders committed to youth and women's employment. The program includes high-level panels, practical workshops on CVs and interviews, as well as masterclasses led by CEOs and HR directors.

The goal, explains Amadou Lamine Fall, is to enable participants to better understand the demands of the professional world. "You can't find a job if you don't know what companies are looking for," he emphasized, encouraging candidates to take full advantage of the discussions and training offered. "The road is long and complex, but it is possible," he concluded.