Careerseek 14th Edition

Your guide to a great career

January 2014 14th Edition

LOOK WHO’S HIRING! 8 HIRING EXPERTS

REVEAL THEIR FAVOURITE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

10 PROGRAMMING CODES YOU SHOULD LEARN IN 2014

HOW TO ACE

THE JOB INTERVIEW

HOT JOBS

FOR 2014

Featured Career

Wannabe A model/actor/character

14th Edition: 2014 WITH A BANG!

Welcome

Most companies have just re-evaluated their budget and departmental needs, and are looking to bring in new employees. If you are ready for change, there is simply no better time to apply for a new job.

Read our latest edition of CareerSeek online and get great tips and information to help you master the job search, application, CV and interview processes.

Don’t forget to share your favourite movie with us and stand a chance to win Nu Metro movie tickets!

Have a prosperous 2014 The CareerJunction Team

Here’s what you have to look forward to: CareerSeek 15th Edition “Exploring the Possibilities”

email us with your suggestions or your story.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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CONTENTS featured articles

what’s inside...

New Year, new Career: How to land your dream job in 2014

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Surviving the MBA

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10 Tips for starting a business in South Africa

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Why We Heart It Could Be the Next Big Social Network

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Brenda Young: Turning her passion into a successful business

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Healthy Mind: Could meditation help treat depression?

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Selling yourself to others

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This month’s must-watch movies

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The 3 things your future employer wants to know about you

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10 000 Love strokes in honour of Nelson Mandela

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How to get a job without experience

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10 Tips for starting a business in South Africa

35

Busting career myths: Finding the perfect job to suit your personality

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Potential at Work: Career Makeover Programme

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14 10 Programming Languages

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you should learn in 2014

Starting out: Here’s how to make it big

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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4

Hot Jobs

for 2014

Look Who’s Hiring

8 Hiring Experts

reveal their favourite interview questions

How to Ace

the job interview

Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained within this online magazine is accurate and up to date, neither our online magazine nor its parent company Times Media Group is to be held liable for inaccuracies in information, prices and conditions products and services being advertised in this magazine.

The information in this online magazine is subject to human error in the input of data concerning our products and services and as such cannot be used as a valid source of information. If there is any doubt concerning the accuracy of the information contained within this online magazine, please contact marketing@careerjunction.co.za so a representative can help you.

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All information provided in our online magazine is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract between CareerJunction nor its parent company Times Media Group and any person or entity unless otherwise specified. Information, pricing and conditions in CareerSeek online magazine are subject to change without prior notice.

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Featured Career

NEW YEAR R E E R A C W E N 14 0 2 in b jo m a re d r u o y d n la how to 6

CareerSeek

Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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Author: Nicole Fallon

Source: Business News Daily

Link: www.mashable.com

FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR CAREER, JANUARY IS A GREAT TIME TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THEIR EFFORTS, AND JUMP-START THEIR JOB SEARCH. BY THIS TIME, THE HOLIDAYS WILL BE OVER, AND BOTH JOB HUNTERS AND EMPLOYERS WILL BE READY TO START THE NEW YEAR BY SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES. “Oftentimes, companies have just re-evaluated their budget and departmental needs, and are prepared to bring in new employees at the beginning of the year,” said Thomas Moran, CEO of staffing firm Addison Group. “There are easy ways for applicants to stand out and show that they’re a great fit for the job.”

MORAN OFFERED THESE FIVE TIPS FOR LANDING YOUR DREAM JOB IN 2014:

Revamp your résumé. Tailor résumés to specific positions, and include keywords from the actual job posting. Your accomplishments and skills should match the requirements set in the job description.

Focus. Determine what your career goals are before beginning the application process. While many people may think they can do everything, flexibility is not the right answer when determining job-search goals. Having targeted, focused and specific job goals will help ensure a successful search process.

Clean up your online presence. Understand the differences among the various social-media sites, and use them appropriately. Refrain from posting questionable content, remove any inappropriate or explicit content, and avoid posting content that is too personal. For a professional site like LinkedIn, be active and post engaging, thought-provoking content that is relevant to your desired position or industry.

Identify key professional groups and events. Networking is key in today’s competitive environment. Take the time to locate events that are attended by individuals in your ideal profession.

Once there, present yourself in a professional manner, have talking points ready and know how to pitch yourself in a way that highlights your skills and accomplishments.

Copyright ©1997-2014 ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Recruit help. A staffing firm is a great place to start your job search. Many companies utilize staffing firms as a way to funnel job postings and weed through the mass of applicants.

In addition, a recruiter will help locate positions that align with applicants’ goals and skills, thus doing a lot of the legwork for job seekers.

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Author: Thomas Backlund

Source: www.fm.co.za

Link: www.junction.co.za

HOW TO SURVIVE THE MBA In the US (where else?), there is a body called the Marriage Breakers Association, or MBA. Actually, it doesn’t officially exist. It’s the name given by a fundamentalist Christian group to “evil” people who try to split married couples.

According to the group’s “prophetess in the making”, Bridget Elesin, MBA members “pray for men and women to enter into error and are like Delilah seducing unguarded men and women to fall into sexual sin, making sure they are finished like Samson”.

No-one would suggest business schools are trying to seduce their students into sin but it’s appropriate that the “evil” MBA should share the initials of the master’s in business administration degree. For the academic MBA has itself been called the “marriage breaker”.

Students are subject to mental and emotional pressures that can undermine personal relationships. Those undertaking part-time degrees are usually considered most at risk. On top of their regular jobs, they must commit to hours of weekly study, as well as regular evening and weekend classroom sessions. Coursework deadlines must be met; students often work in syndicates with classmates, so one nonperformer may affect everyone.

Even full-time students, who have given up their jobs or taken a sabbatical to concentrate on their studies, can run into trouble.

The MBA’s reputation may owe something to urban legend.

Helena van Zyl, director of Free State University’s School of Management and chair of the SA Business Schools Association, says: “People often come to me and ask if it’s true that the MBA is the divorce course.”

Viveka Christierson, a lecturer at Wits Business School and a qualified industrial psychologist, says: “I’m not sure the reputation isn’t a bit of a myth. I have seen little evidence of marriage breakdowns.”

However, Henley Business School dean Jon Foster-Pedley says: “Research has clearly shown that MBAs put pressure on relationships. As schools, we must do something because it affects people’s lives.”

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Most schools say they do pay attention to this, and that induction sessions inform students – and sometimes partners – of the pressures that are to come. They aren’t all like the overseas MBA director who, according to Stellenbosch Business School director John Powell, invited incoming students and their spouses to a get-together where he told them: “Look into each other’s eyes and say goodbye.”

However, Foster-Pedley says: “People still come with a picture of their wife and family and are told, ‘put that in your back pocket for two years and forget them’.” Powell says schools must be honest with students and families about the pressures to come. Schools are there to teach, not to act as marriage guidance counsellors, but they must be sensitive to students’ emotional state and step in with support where necessary.

Van Zyl says: “Students are never 100% prepared for what is waiting for them in an MBA.” Benita Pretorius, who has six months to go on her Henley part-time MBA, will vouch for that. An executive with a logistics company, she has been in a relationship for seven years. Though she and her partner have no children, he runs his own business so he has time pressures of his own.

“My studying has added a layer of complexity to the relationship,” says Pretorius. “If he wants us to do something together or go out with friends, I have to check my schedule first. I’ll always try to compromise but sometimes it’s impossible. The December holidays are worst. That’s when I’ve had to do my assignments. So there has been resentment. Most of the time it’s silent but now and again it explodes.”

She admits: “We’ve had discussions about our future but now the end of my MBA is in sight and we’ll survive.”

Marina Bidoli, a partner in the Brunswick communications group, completed her MBA at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs) in 2004. She says: “Nothing quite prepares you for the intensity and volume of work, which one lecturer warned us upfront was akin to trying to drink >> Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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Many students aren’t ready for the personal pressures of an MBA. David Furlonger asks what schools should be doing to help them cope.

Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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>> water from a fire hydrant. Had I believed him, I would have had reservations about embarking on this journey, particularly as my son was only five years old at the time.”

Some argue MBAs are meant to prepare executives for high-pressure leadership and decision making. If you can’t handle one relationship, are you fit to manage a company affecting thousands?

Mark Stoddard, of the international accreditation body, the Association of MBAs (Amba), says: “The MBA often intentionally creates a high-pressure environment which reflects the environment found in senior organisational leadership positions.”

Johan Coetzee, a practising psychologist and academic who has lectured at business schools for many years, says some schools downplay the pressures of MBA programmes because of the potential impact on applications. “Schools should warn students aggressively of the dangers. But they don’t because they want the revenue.”

Christierson says that because SA MBA students are generally older than those in other countries (most SA schools demand several years’ work and management experience as an entry requirement), relationships tend to be more established and therefore less liable to collapse.

Coetzee responds: “In some cases, yes. But because the relationship is more mature, it often means there are children. With the student spending evenings and often weekends away, you create a single-parent family and the relationship collapse can be dramatic.”

Coetzee says that in some of the classes he has taught, he has counselled over 50% of students for stress and relationship issues.

Where family relationships are in danger, Coetzee says the simplest intervention is for the student to take a break from the programme. “Take a short sabbatical; get out of the environment that is causing you problems.”

However, experience shows that less than 20% of executives in stressful personal situations will follow the rehabilitation process suggested by psychologists. “The other 83% will continue with their own demise.”

Walter Baets, director of Cape Town University’s Graduate School of Business, says the MBA can expose cracks already existing in a relationship. “Some people do an MBA almost as a pre-midlife crisis test. Their business experience is not completely disconnected from the curve of their marriage.”

It’s a theory that finds favour with Hélène Smit, a business school lecturer and specialist in personal development and interpersonal relationships.

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“By the time someone decides to do an MBA, they are already looking for change in their lives,” she says. “They might articulate that they want to change their career path but in reality they could be bored and frustrated. They are psychologically ready for a change. They are restless. They are questioning all their choices and relationships.”

Most people pursuing MBAs are inquiring and hungry for knowledge, she says. When they begin their MBA, they find themselves surrounded by others on the same quest. “They are all on the same adrenaline rush. Suddenly life becomes very stimulating.”

There is the added intimacy of intensive late-night and weekend study. “Even for those who don’t stray, it is easy to develop relationships under these circumstances,” says Smit.

Valiant Clapper, acting CEO of Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership, says: “I used to tell my first-year students, ‘You will meet so many interesting people here that when you go home, the person waiting for you there will seem boring.’ I was joking … I think.”

It might not be as bad as described on a US MBA blog – “The MBA is a dating market filled with gifted, exotic and interesting people, several of whom are either single or soon-to-be single” – but with students becoming closer and partners feeling excluded, “the ground is fertile” for relationship strain, says Smit.

Though it is not necessarily a school’s responsibility to repair relationships, Foster-Pedley says it should do all it can to stop them breaking in the first place. “We can’t create a stress situation and then ignore the consequences.”

Under Henley’s new “family-friendly” MBA, he says, families and friends will be encouraged to attend MBA inductions so they understand what the student will be experiencing. “How can we increase information so families know what’s coming up and how to handle it?”

Henley will warn families about the main stress points during an MBA – for example the first assignment and first exam – so they are prepared for the student’s behaviour. Then there will be partner programmes such as wellness, study skills and positive parenting. Foster-Pedley talks of support groups and community. “People say ‘Toughen up!’ for an MBA. We say ‘Smarten up!’”

Other schools may not go that far but all recognise the need for education. “It’s the responsibility of the student to manage work and personal life, ours to highlight the challenges,” says Gibs dean Nick Binedell.

“Leadership is complex and demanding. One thing a good MBA teaches you is effective time management. It puts you under pressure. So though stress is part of the MBA myth, it’s also part of the ethos.”

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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STARTING OUT HERE’S HOW TO MAKE IT BIG

Source: All4Women

Link: www.all4women.co.za

First published on www.all4women.co.za

A story is always best told by someone who experienced it firsthand. Second-hand stories simply do not have the same credibility.

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Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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The same is true of management, it is far easier to follow instructions and take guidance from a person who once did what you are now doing, than it is from someone who has no practical knowledge of what you do.

There is no substitute for experience If you dream of one day being that manager, that executive, the person in charge, earning the big money, making the decisions, then apply the same thinking, and realise that you will have to work for that respect and success, sometimes starting at the bottom.

Start from the bottom and work your way up The founder of Dell, Michael Dell, started working as a dish washer in a Chinese restaurant.

Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, milked the family cows, bottled the milk and delivered it to customers and later sold magazine subscriptions, before making it big.

start at the bottom, keen to demonstrate their determination and commitment and to work hard always giving of their best, are quickly noticed and promoted.

“In the current unemployment situation, we have hundreds, sometimes thousands of candidates applying for positions. Once the screening process has been completed and we have our shortlist of eligible candidates, attitude is everything,” says Kay Vittee.

Reality shows and pop culture create unrealistic expectations Perhaps it is the modern pop culture punctuated by famous-for-being-famous reality shows and multimillion dollar talent shows such as Idols and X Factor that create the expectation of fast tracking to the top.

However there is no equivalent quick-route-tosuccess in the working world, it takes good oldfashioned hard work and time.

Be driven by what you do, not your pay cheque

Oprah Winfrey’s first job was as a grocery store clerk, and George Lucas was a teaching assistant.

The examples are plentiful and although each of these people’s paths is different, they were all prepared to do whatever they had to do to get started on their journey to success.

Growing sense of entitlement amongst young South Africans “There is a growing sense of entitlement amongst the young men and women who register with us,” says Kay Vittee, CEO of Quest Staffing Solutions, Africa’s leading staffing solutions company within the white-collar recruitment industry. “Their expectations of positions and remuneration are often unrealistic and not aligned to what they are qualified and experienced to do and to earn.”

If you’re keen, you’ll be promoted quickly In contrast to these individuals, those who are eager to get their foot in the door, prepared to

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

“The best managers and executives are those who have worked their way to the top, developing an understanding and passion for what they do,” says Kay Vittee. “Driven by the love for what they do, rather than purely motivated by status and money.”

Bill Gates started out as a computer programmer, and Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, got a summer job at Hewlett-Packard while still in high school. Both started at the bottom and went on to become icons in their industry, perhaps better known for their passion than for their wealth.

“We have many success stories within Quest.

Candidates who started out as bank tellers, call centre agents, data capturers, admin assistants etc. who are today our clients - team leaders, supervisors, managers and executives,” concludes Kay Vittee. “Clients who have been there and done that.”

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10 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES YOU SHOULD LEARN in 2014 The tech sector is booming. If you’ve used a smartphone or logged on to a computer at least once in the last few years, you’ve probably noticed this.

As a result, coding skills are in high demand, with programming jobs paying significantly more than the average position. Even beyond the tech world, an understanding of at least one programming language makes an impressive addition to any resumé.

Author: Rebecca Hiscott

Source: Mashable

Link: www.mashable.com

The in-vogue languages vary by employment sector. Financial and enterprise systems need to perform complicated functions and remain highly organized, requiring languages like Java and C#. Media- and design-related webpages and software will require dynamic, versatile and functional languages with minimal code, such as Ruby, PHP, JavaScript and Objective-C. With some help from Lynda.com, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the most sought-after programming languages to get you up to speed.

1. Java What it is: Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in the 1990s.

It’s one of the most in-demand programming languages, a standard for enterprise software, web-based content, games and mobile apps, as well as the Android operating system.

Java is designed to work across multiple software platforms, meaning a program written on Mac OS X, for example, could also run on Windows.

Where to learn it: Udemy, Lynda.com, Oracle.com, LearnJavaOnline.org.

2. C Language What it is: A general-purpose, imperative programming language developed in the early ‘70s, C is the oldest and most widely used language, providing the building blocks for other popular languages, such as C#, Java, JavaScript and Python.

C is mostly used for implementing operating systems and embedded applications.

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Because it provides the foundation for many other languages, it is advisable to learn C (and C++) before moving on to others.

Where to learn it: Learn-C, Introduction To Programming, Lynda.com, CProgramming.com, Learn C The Hard Way.

3. C++ What it is: C++ is an intermediate-level language with object-oriented programming features, originally designed to enhance the C language. C++ powers major software like Firefox, Winamp and Adobe programs. It’s used to develop systems software, application software, highperformance server and client applications and video games.

Where to learn it: Udemy, Lynda.com, CPlusPlus.com, LearnCpp.com, CProgramming.com.

4. C# What it is: Pronounced “C-sharp,” C# is a multi-paradigm language developed by Microsoft as part of its .NET initiative. Combining principles from C and C++, C# is a general-purpose language used to develop software for Microsoft and Windows platforms.

Where to learn it: Udemy, Lynda.com, Microsoft Virtual Academy, TutorialsPoint.com.

5. Objective-C What it is: Objective-C is a general-purpose, objectoriented programming language used by the Apple Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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operating system. It powers Apple’s OS X and iOS, as well as its APIs, and can be used to create iPhone apps, which has generated a huge demand for this once-outmoded programming language.

Where to learn it: Udemy, Lynda.com, Mac Developer Library, Cocoa Dev Central, Mobile Tuts+.

6. PHP What it is: PHP (Hypertext Processor) is a free, server-side scripting language designed for dynamic websites and app development. It can be directly embedded into an HTML source document rather than an external file, which has made it a popular programming language for web developers. PHP powers more than 200 million websites, including Wordpress, Digg and Facebook.

Where to learn it: Udemy, Codecademy, Lynda.com, Treehouse, Zend Developer Zone, PHP.net.

7. Python What it is: Python is a high-level, server-side scripting language for websites and mobile apps. It’s considered a fairly easy language for beginners due to its readability and compact syntax, meaning developers can use fewer lines of code to express a concept than they would in other languages.

It powers the web apps for Instagram, Pinterest and Rdio through its associated web framework, Django, and is used by Google, Yahoo! and NASA. Where to learn it: Udemy, Codecademy, Lynda.com, LearnPython.org, Python.org.

Rails) framework, which is used on Scribd, GitHub, Groupon and Shopify. Like Python, Ruby is considered a fairly userfriendly language for beginners.

Where to learn it: Codecademy, Code School, TryRuby.org, RubyMonk.

9. JavaScript What it is: JavaScript is a client and server-side scripting language developed by Netscape that derives much of its syntax from C. It can be used across multiple web browsers and is considered essential for developing interactive or animated web functions. It is also used in game development and writing desktop applications. JavaScript interpreters are embedded in Google’s Chrome extensions, Apple’s Safari extensions, Adobe Acrobat and Reader, and Adobe’s Creative Suite.

Where to learn it: Codecademy, Lynda.com, Code School, Treehouse, Learn-JS.org.

10. SQL What it is: Structured Query Language (SQL) is a specialpurpose language for managing data in relational database management systems. It is most commonly used for its “Query” function, which searches informational databases.

SQL was standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the 1980s.

Where to learn it: Lynda.com, SQLCourse.com, TutorialsPoint.com, SQLZoo.net.

8. Ruby What it is: A dynamic, object-oriented scripting language for developing websites and mobile apps, Ruby was designed to be simple and easy to write. It powers the Ruby on Rails (or Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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Featured Career

Author: Kurt Wagner

Source: Mashable

Source: www.mashable.com

For a taste of who uses the image-based social network We Heart It, look no further than Facebook.

A simple Graph Search query for “People who work at We Heart It” returns hundreds of results, many of them young females with titles like “Boss,” “Heartbreaker,” and even “Chief Executive Officer,” all claiming to work at the 2-year-old startup.

U O C T I T R A E H E W Y WH This list is not the actual staff roster from the San Francisco-based social network. In fact, We Heart It has only 18 employees. Instead, these are the platform’s loyal users, and the counterfeit job titles somewhat baffle, but ultimately please, the startup’s actual CEO, Ranah Edelin.

“It’s one of the proof points about how special this community and service really are,” says Edelin. “We’ve never done anything to prompt or ask anybody to do that. They just are finding outlets to say that ‘We Heart It is my favorite service.’”

If you aren’t familiar with We Heart It, there’s a relatively good reason.

The company didn’t share a single press release until last June, when it

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announced 20 million monthly active users and $8 million in funding. That monthly actives number is up to 25 million, and the Pinterest look-alike is adding well over one million new users each month.

We Heart It isn’t simply collecting users, however. The social network is collecting the most coveted users available to social media platforms: the ever-important, mobile-savvy teenagers.

Roughly 80% of We Heart It’s monthly users are under the age of 24 Roughly 80% of We Heart It’s monthly users are under the age of 24, and the same percentage of the platform’s activity comes from users on mobile devices. Pinterest’s demographic is very much the opposite. Roughly 80% of Pinterest users are over the age

of 24. (Pinterest has similar mobile usage — more than 75%, according to a spokesperson.)

And with teenagers reportedly leaving other larger social networks like Facebook behind, We Heart It hopes to be there to catch them.

“Because [Facebook] is so large, it cannot be cool to the younger demographic that thrives on finding places to call their own, that are cool” says Edelin. “[Places] that their mother, grandmother, uncle and everybody else aren’t on. That’s not Facebook’s fault, that’s just human nature.”

This younger user base, and the types of content that come with it, are what separate We Heart It and Pinterest, two otherwise similar platforms, says Edelin.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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X E N E H T ULD BE We Heart It works and feels like a younger, artsier Pinterest, where images of beautiful celebrities and peaceful sunsets replace the wedding dresses and home cooked masterpieces synonymous with the more established network. Board member Alex Rosen of IDG Ventures describes the images as “positive and inspirational,” and indeed many of the photos have text overlay containing motivational messages and quotes.

“This is very different from productoriented, quasi-catalogue [images] that you get on Pinterest,” he says.

The platforms do have a few other differences. Instead of a profile page and Pin Boards, We Heart It users have a “canvas” and “collections.” We Heart It users can only “Heart” photos, which automatically adds the photo to their canvas. Comments are not allowed to ensure no bullying or negativity

K R O W T E N L A I C O S T BIG

occurs, says Edelin. We Heart It users can tag photos; Pinterest users add descriptions only.

We Heart It was incorporated in the United States in 2011, but the original site was built after a designer in Brazil started collecting images that inspired his work back in 2007. By the time the company officially formed, it was not alone in the realm of image-based social networks. Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram were all relevant, but that didn’t dissuade Rosen from showing interest in We Heart It. In fact, it inspired him.

“Frankly, this entire market didn’t exist eight years ago [or] 10 years ago,” he says. “There are opportunities for half a dozen to a dozen billion dollar outcomes, and the fact that there were some already out there didn’t discourage us, if anything it encouraged us.”

expansion. It announced its first round of formal partnerships in December, and now has a half dozen partners including publications like Teen Vogue and Lucky.

These relationships are not financiallydriven, but they do demonstrate that We Heart It is commanding outside interest from other brands.

Edelin also says that We Heart It will look to take an additional round of funding, possibly in 2014.

With a growing audience, a slew of new partnerships, and the potential for more investors on the way, perhaps We Heart It will have room to make some of its “employees” on Facebook a real job offer.

We Heart It is in the process of making the next step in the company’s

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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First published on www.all4women.co.za

Brenda Young

TURNING HER PASSION INTO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Source: All4Women

Link: www.all4women.co.za

Brenda Young recently opened her own contemporary chic vintage-style furniture shop in Woodstock, Cape Town.

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After retiring, Brenda decided to take her passion for restoring furniture and turn it into more than a hobby. This was how Living Legends was born.

Inspired by homes, hotels and museums around the world The furniture and decor at Living Legends is inspired by interiors Brenda has seen in homes, hotels and museums around the world and is thrilled to have found a home for her shop in Woodstock, where creative juices abound!

“I have always collected interesting pieces of furniture and have been inspired by furniture from all parts of the world. I started decorating and restoring pieces of furniture in my spare time and really began to enjoy the process of buying old pieces and revamping them and trying new techniques,” says Brenda.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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The secret to chasing your dreams All4Women interviewed Brenda about how she took the brave step of chasing her dreams, and turning her passion into a successful business: 1. You spent most of your career in clothing manufacturing, what made you take the leap into furniture? And where did you get the confidence to know that it would be a successful business venture?

I have always been interested in homes and interiors and I started restoring furniture at home to give old pieces a new look. When I retired last year I decided to find a location to showcase my pieces. I was encouraged enormously by my three daughters to do so.

2. What financial/business support did you receive when starting your business? (Did you get support from any banks/institutions that helped you put together a good business plan etc…)

I have always managed my own money quite well and had saved enough over the years for an opportunity like this to start my own business.

3. You started off restoring furniture as a hobby – at what point did you consider the possibility that it could be a career? And how does it feel to have turned your hobby into a successful business?

When I began restoring the furniture, at no point did I envisage turning the project into a successful business, and it is probably one of the most exciting things I have done.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

4. Who is on the Living Legends team? What is your secret to working together successfully?

One of my daughters is an interior designer, and together with her and two artisans who work for me, we decide on pieces, colours, embellishments and any techniqueing if required.

They are all very good at what they do and that makes it much easier to work together successfully.

5. You say that you are committed to supporting local talent – how do you do this through Living Legends?

I wanted to make a concerted effort to employ and use only local talent, from purchasing products from the second-hand furniture shops, to the cabinet maker, to the artefacts for sale within the shop. It is all only local.

6. What advice do you have for other women out there who want to transform their hobby into their business?

I am so inspired by peoples’ creativity and talent and I know there are a lot of women out there who are at home creating, and coming up with wonderful ideas and products, and don’t have the confidence to showcase them. Never be afraid to go out there and do what you love doing, because there is a market for all of us.

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Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Could meditation help treat depression?

Source: All4Women

Link: www.all4women.co.za

First published on www.all4women.co.za

Could just 30 minutes of daily meditation ease symptoms of anxiety and depression? Read on to find out if meditation could improve your life.

Have you tried meditation?

“Many people use meditation, but it’s not a practice considered part of mainstream medical therapy for anything,” says Madhav Goyal, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine “But in our study, meditation appeared to provide as much relief from some anxiety and depression symptoms as other studies have found using antidepressants. These patients did not typically have full-blown anxiety or depression.“ says Dr Goyal, leader of the latest Johns Hopkins analysis of previously published research published online January 6 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The researchers evaluated the degree to which those symptoms changed in people who had a variety of medical conditions, such as insomnia or fibromyalgia, although only a minority had been diagnosed with a mental illness.

Mindful meditation alleviates pain and stress Dr. Goyal and his colleagues found that so-called “mindfulness meditation” - a form of Buddhist selfawareness designed to focus precise, non-judgmental attention on the moment at hand - also showed promise in alleviating some pain symptoms as well as stress.

The findings held even as the researchers controlled for the possibility of the placebo effect, in which subjects in a study feel better even if they receive Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

no active treatment, because they perceive they are getting help for what ails them.

Depression, anxiety and pain eased after eight weeks of meditation To conduct their review, the investigators focused on 47 clinical trials performed through June 2013, among 3 515 participants, that involved meditation and various mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, substance use, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and chronic pain.

They found moderate evidence of improvement in symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain after participants underwent what was typically an eightweek training program in mindfulness meditation. In the studies that followed participants for six months, the improvements typically continued. They also found that no harm came from meditation.

How to meditate “Many people have this idea that meditation means sitting down and doing nothing,” Dr. Goyal says. “But that’s not true. Meditation is an active training of the mind to increase awareness, and different meditation programs approach this in different ways.”

Mindfulness meditation, the type that showed the most promise, is typically practiced for 30 to 40 minutes a day. It emphasises acceptance of feelings and thoughts without judgment, and relaxation of body and mind.

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It has been said that it takes just a few seconds for a person to form an opinion of you.

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SELLING YOURSELF Author: Chantelle Gradidge

Source: SowetanLive

The first impression is usually based on factors such as appearance, body language, attitude and, especially, elocution.

If you are not in control of the way you speak, it could result in doors of opportunity being closed to you.

The right tone of voice or the way you speak is crucial, if you want people to take you seriously in life, be it in personal relationships, during an interview, in the business world or even as a politician.

And, sadly, public speaking is something many of us fear.

We ask ourselves questions such as: “Will my speech be monotonous and uninspiring? Will I speak too quietly? Will it be obvious that I lack confidence? Will I talk too fast?”

This is where people like Julie Meyer can help. Julie is a senior voice training facilitator and branch manageress of The Voice Clinic in Pretoria. Voice coaches teach people how to speak eloquently and with clarity.

Featured Career

to others

Link: www.junction.co.za

Julie went on to obtain various other speech and drama qualifications and eventually entered the field of voice production training.

In 2000, she started work as a facilitator at The Voice Clinic.

“Training people is my passion,” says Julie. “I see so many people walking in here who lack confidence and self-esteem.

“After a few sessions, however, they slowly but surely become more self-assured, assertive, and able to communicate more effectively in all situations. It’s aweinspiring to see the growth that takes place within a person. As a voice coach, I teach people how to use various techniques, such as proper breathing, resonance, projection, articulation and modulation, to make the most of their voice.

“I teach people from all walks of life, be it a pastor from a church, a director in a boardroom, or those who just want to improve their general day-to-day conversational skills.

From the age of 11, Julie started attending music and drama classes. Her dream was to become an actress.

“My working day usually begins at 8am and ends around 5pm.

Training sessions are hourly, with a break for lunch. We do individual training at our offices, as well as group training at companies, and sometimes two-day seminars.

In 1996, she got together with a friend of hers to produce a drama, based on a book about a woman who went to live with San people to find out more about their lifestyle.

“I have travelled all over the country to train people, including a small village just outside Bloemfontein, where the only transport was donkey carts.

The play was very popular and well received by many.

“It’s essential that people learn to speak well, because one gets only one chance to make that first impression.”

Up your game in the New Year by furthering your skills or equipping yourself with a completely new skill set. Sign up for a short course; part-time course or full-time diploma/ degree with one of SA’s most reputable training providers.

It’s the easiest way to climb the corporate ladder at a place, pace and price that suits your needs.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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DRAMA / HISTORY

12 YEARS A SLAVE The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup The incredible true story of one man’s fight for freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner) and unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist forever alters his life.

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt BOOK NOW / WATCH TRAILER

97%

ACTION / SCI-FI

ROBOCOP Crime has a new enemy.

In RoboCop, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years—and it’s meant billions for OmniCorp’s bottom line. Now OmniCorp wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it.

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson , Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jennifer Ehle, Jay Baruchel 24

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BOOK NOW / WATCH TRAILER

98% Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Featured Career

BIOGRAPHY / CRIME / DRAMA

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Remember who the enemy is.

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, the film documents everything from his rise to wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Favreau, Spike Jonze BOOK NOW / WATCH TRAILER

82%

DRAMA

BLUE JASMINE After everything in her life falls to pieces, including her marriage to wealthy businessman Hal, elegant New York socialite Jasmine moves into her sister Ginger’s modest apartment in San Francisco to try to pull herself back together again.

ENTER NOW!

Cast: Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Louis C.K., Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Dice Clay, Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg BOOK NOW / WATCH TRAILER

82%

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careerjunction is giving away... free movie tickets to 2 lucky winners each month. all you have to do is tell us what your favourite movie is of all time and why!

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Featured Career

Author: George Egbuonu

Source: Brazen Life

Link: blog.brazencareerist.com

THE 3 THINGS YOUR FUTURE EMPLOYER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU To galvanize your job search and lead you to your new dream job, your communications with any prospective employer — whether via phone, email or during a job interview — must incorporate these three messages:

Here’s what I’ve got.

Here’s what I will do for you.

Here’s what I want you to do next for me.

Yes, it sounds extremely simple, but there’s an art and a science to effectively offering your time for money and getting that job. So let’s discuss what each of these bullet points mean.

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Featured Career

1. Here’s what I’ve got You’ll notice this isn’t “Here’s what I know.” Your employer doesn’t care about what you know. In fact, what you know has little relevance to your employer.

It’s what you can do with what you know that really counts.

(Click here to Tweet this thought.) Nothing else matters, but this is where the majority of people go wrong.

Just because you have specialized knowledge doesn’t mean you should be employed. You might think having a certain degree, qualifications or number of years of experience is sufficient enough to get you the job. Others believe the severity of their need will lead to someone taking pity on them and giving them a job.

This, again, is one main reason why many people have a hard time getting a job. In the midst of all these ideas about why they need a job, job seekers omit the specific reasons they’re valuable to prospective employers.

2. Here’s what I will do for you This is the step where you demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position. You can do this in a variety of ways: during your meeting or phone conversation or in your well-crafted cover letter and resume.

Your attitude will come through in your interactions, so being positive is important. A negative attitude can be poisonous in this step.

3. Here’s what I want you to do next for me During your interview, make sure your interviewer knows you’re interested in the job. Ask questions about the position and ask about next steps.

Don’t ask about compensation and benefits. Instead, let the interviewer broach those topics. Interviewers will often ask applicants what compensation they’re seeking. This is an area where many job seekers make a crucial misstep.

When asked this question, a lot of interviewees will say they don’t know or cite a too-high or too-low figure based on guesswork. They erroneously believe that if they admit they’ll accept any type of offer, they’ll seem more appealing to the person with the hiring power.

Other people believe their hardship, mortgage or childcare responsibilities will earn the sympathy of prospective employers and lead to a job offer. But this desperation invariably has the opposite effect, especially if you’re willing to accept a very low salary. This red flag makes employers think you may be under-qualified.

Of course, the other pitfall job seekers step into is asking for too much money, which will make employers hire someone less expensive. Both extremes illustrate a lack of preparedness and a lack of awareness about the position. Research the industry standard for a realistic expectation of what the salary for this position should be.

If you’re not positive, why would an employer hire you? Maintain a positive attitude at all times, even if you’re fearful or nervous.

Recruiters tend to avoid negative candidates who complain about the difficulties of the job market.

In summary, employers are mostly interested in what you can do for them. They really don’t care about your background, except with respect to how you can use it for their benefit.

They already have your resume and know enough about you to bring you in for an interview in the first place.

Keep in mind that many candidates have experienced the same hardships, but they bring positivity to their interviews. That positivity is not just contagious; it makes people want to work with you.

Employers are selfish. They’re looking out for their own interests. They don’t really care about you, your feelings or your current financial situation. All they care about is how you can help them achieve their objectives.

Save the pain and frustration of your job search for someone else. Don’t even bring it into the room. Of course, nervousness in an interview is natural. It’s OK to experience that as long as you have the right attitude.

This information is not meant to be discouraging. In fact, it’s mentioned to simplify things and distill your interview performance into one clear message: what you can offer your new boss.

And remember, the worst possible outcome is that you don’t get the job. Even if they don’t offer you a position, send the person who interviewed you a thank you note and wish them well. It will establish you as someone with impeccable manners and even confidence. You will put the idea in their mind that you’d be a good person to represent their company. The next time a job opens up, you’re more likely to be considered.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

About the author: George Egbuonu (MBA) is the bestselling author of the book How To Get A Job In 30 Days Or Less. To attend a free webinar on How To Get A Job In 30 Days Or Less, visit: http://helpingfeet.com/webinar.

THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON BRAZEN LIFE, A CAREERS BLOG FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.

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Featured Career Source: www.brettshuttleworth.com

10 000 LOVE STROKES in honour of Nelson Mandela

SA motivational entertainer, Brett Shuttleworth, steps out of his comfort zone to face the biggest challenge of his life...

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Combine courage with love and you have a sure recipe for success. It is exactly what the world famous ex-supermodel Brett Shuttleworth is planning to do. Shuttleworth has graced the catwalks, billboards and magazines of the world, but he has also known the darkness of being paralyzed.

2014 TIME TO STEP INTO YOUR GREATNESS AND MAKE YOUR SOUL SMILE :)

by Brett Shuttleworth

The past week he brought glamour to the sands of Clifton Beach while practicing for his forthcoming Robben Island crossing as a tribute to his hero.

2014 has kicked off, it’s a new year and its time to step into your greatness and celebrate the amazing you! If you are reading this, congratulations, you made it through 2013 regardless of your challenges, the same as you have done all the years before that. My invitation to you is to create and action a masterpiece that reflects your greatest values and makes your soul smile in 2014.

According to Shuttleworth his decision is threefold. It is to celebrate the life of our legendary former president, Nelson Mandela. To bring completion to his upcoming book, Handcuffed To Love, and as inspiration to the world, to show that the energy of love can get you through anything in life.

You have a blank canvas to create your masterpiece.

Consider the possibility that whatever makes your soul smile, will make other people’s souls smile. When we commit to this truth, the universe aligns with our intentions and something incredible happens!

On his blog of 3 January he wrote: “Ten thousand love strokes in honour if Nelson Mandela”.

All of the best things that have ever happened to me have come out of the blue: When I was searching for love I got my beautiful daughter. When I was homeless I became a supermodel and Hollywood actor, when I was jobless I became a sales director. However I get that with no action, we live off a drug called Hopium, we get addicted to this hope and before we know it our dreams dissolve in front of our eyes.

Shuttleworth (41) says he is facing the greatest challenge of his life yet and he plans to do the swim during the second week of February.

He has been training for the last three months. Rivers, dams and different beaches.

Madiba once said: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”.

This inspires Shuttleworth, an extraordinary journey of courage and hope. Three years, Shuttleworth was paralysed for 6 weeks and subsequently underwent a highly risky back operation with little chance of full recovery.

“Stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, I keep telling myself, at least 20% per day, the universe only applauds action.” Something worth while considering, if you starting anew. Wishing you all the best, the perfect opportunity is awaiting your action Since the earliest days that I can remember, I have always wanted or had a relentless urge to see, feel and conquer new territories, ways of thinking and doing things that I was scared of. I knew deep inside it would be worth it. Well, I believe we all have this innate quest tattooed deep inside of us to discover, create and experience life to the fullest. Which means we also have been given the ability to conquer them as well.

On the fashion front he was labeled the roughest supermodel in the world for many years. Overcoming some of his greatest hurdles, Shuttleworth continues to push his boundaries. He has taken on swimming the Robben Island crossing, on elf the most mentally and physically challenging swims, despite is deep fear of the elements - Great White sharks, blue bottles, ocean currents and the freezing cold waters of the Atlantic ocean.

“It’s time for us to celebrate Nelson Mandela. For me, 2014 is a personal tribute and celebration to our hero, Madiba, for sharing his love and courage across the globe. His awareness and commitment in living the message of “love is the ultimate success” has been my greatest realisation to date. And the least I could do is attempt this swim to say thank you and bring awareness to love, however big or small.

Click here to LIKE Ten Thousand Love Strokes Facebook page and follow Brett’s daily blog on training mentally and physically for his challenge.

The event will take in the last week of February.

For more details click here.

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Featured Career

How to

ACE A JOB INTERVIEW Interviews are two-way conversations designed to ascertain candidates’ skills and whether they will fit into an organisation. Interviews also give applicants a chance to understand the organisation.

Source: BDLive

Link: www.junction.co.za

“In most cases more than one person is short-listed for a position and it’s during the interview that the organisation is able to establish who the best candidate for the role and the organisation is,” said Liziwe Masoga, the head of recruitment and assessments at Discovery.

Here are some tips from Masoga on what to do in an interview: You stand a better chance of making the grade if you know what the company is looking for. Companies generally want to know whether the candidate can do the job based on educational background and experience; whether the candidate is likely to integrate into the culture; whether the candidate’s values are aligned to those of the organisation; and whether the candidate shows potential to do more, given the opportunities provided; Be as prepared as possible, so do some research before your interview. Find out about the role you will be interviewed for and the organisation. It’s important to familiarise yourself with it, including understanding how it is performing against competitors and the culture and values of the organisation;

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Contact people you know who work there so you can get first-hand information about what the company is like. Employees are usually the greatest ambassadors for organisations and they can be used to gauge what you can expect, especially when it comes to culture fit; During the interview, be calm and listen carefully to the questions. See the interview as a conversation with a potential employer that, if handled properly, could land you your dream job; Make sure your responses are well thought out and concise. There is nothing that beats answering the questions as honestly as possible. See the interview as a process of mutual selection; the company is evaluating you to see if you can do the job and integrate into their culture, and you are seeing whether this is the role and place you are interested in; and Beware of being overconfident. Confidence is important but arrogance can be a big turn-off in interviews.

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HOW TO

GET A JOB WITHOUT EXPERIENCE. What can jobseekers do when they can’t get work unless they have experience – but can only get experience if they have a job?

Source: TimesLive

Link: www.junction.com

Dr Felicity Coughlan, director of the Independent Institute of Education, said there were ways of gaining experience without having a post in the formal sector.

She said employers wanted candidates with experience, because this proved the person was able to manage themselves and could be trusted to make a contribution.

So, analyse the kind of work you want to do and then look for appropriate opportunities.

Journalism students, for example, could get involved in a student newspaper or offer to help a local nongovernmental organisation produce a newsletter.

In addition to industry-specific experience, employers looked for certain universal traits in their workers, such as: A strong work ethic. Be the person who volunteers to do more and don’t give up until the job is done. Demonstrate the ability to manage and motivate yourself by doing the job even when no one is watching;

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First published on www.all4women.co.za Reliability and dependability. Never let anyone down and always under-promise but over-deliver. You can show a potential employer these traits by, for example, being on time for your interview and having all the required documents available; A positive attitude. Look for solutions and don’t get caught in negative spirals; Resilience and adaptability. If circumstances change, change with them; Honesty and rectitude. Demonstrate these qualities when you volunteer for an organisation; Self-belief. Believe in yourself and your contribution, but do not become arrogant; and People skills. Make other people feel comfortable, cultivate the ability to work well with a range of different people, and manage conflict and disagreement positively.

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Copyright Š1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

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Featured Career

10 TIPS FOR STARTING A BUSINESS IN SA Kriya Gangiah, has collected ten insights from successful SA businessmen and women who have appeared on her show.

Every business owner starting or growing a business in South Africa knows how challenging and rewarding the experience can be.

Source: All4Women

Link: www.all4women.co.za

To try and cut through the clutter of what’s important to know about creating a successful business in SA, Kriya Gangiah, producer and presenter of Ballz Visual Radio’s The Business show, has collected the top ten insights from successful SA businessmen and women who have appeared on her show in recent times.

1. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint Do not expect your business to turn a profit in the first month. It will take time to grow and develop.

2. Find mentors to whom you can relate

First published on www.all4women.co.za

5. Employ people you trust You need to enjoy working with your employees: this will help you to avoid having to deal with inter-personal issues as well as work challenges.

6. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes Don’t be afraid to fail; it’s proof that you are meant to be a successful entrepreneur. The only difference between people who are hugely successful and those who aren’t is the time it takes them to get back up after getting knocked down.

Good mentors can help you identify and improve your areas of weakness and make learning fun. It never hurts to have someone hold your hand along your journey! A mentor means you will have someone to share ideas with and work out any kinks.

The only difference between people who are hugely successful and those who aren’t is the time it takes them to get back up after getting knocked down

3. Do what you love

Take advantage of social media as much as possible.

However make sure you do it in the right way. Research and find out how to best market your business before taking the plunge.

You’re going to devote a lot of time and energy to starting a business and building it into a successful enterprise, so it’s really important that you truly, deeply enjoy what you do. Whether it be running fishing charters, creating pottery or providing financial advice.

You’re going to devote a lot of time and energy to starting a business and building it into a successful enterprise, so it’s really important that you truly, deeply enjoy what you do.

4. Write a business plan

7. Use free advertising

8. Provide top-notch customer service No matter what. If you have a happy client there is a good chance they will become a loyal client and word of mouth is the best form of advertising.

9. Try and keep everything as simple as possible Over-complicating things is exactly that. Complicated!

The main reason for doing this first when you’re thinking of starting a business is that it will help you understand your needs and set clear goals.

10. Celebrate your success Even the small ones count. No matter how busy you are, be sure to celebrate when you, your employees and your business achieve important goals.

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Featured Career

Busting Career Myths: Finding the Perfect Job to Suit Your Personality

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Featured Career

Do you think you know everything about choosing a career?

Many people think they do, but often end up choosing a career that is unsatisfying.

Here are ten myths of choosing a career along with resources that can help you make an informed decision.

Choosing a career is an involved process and you should give it the time it deserves.

Source: Sowetan Live

Link: www.junction.com

Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning enough about yourself and the occupations which you are considering in order to make an informed decision.

A career counsellor can tell you what occupation to pick – career counsellors or career development professionals cannot tell you which career is best for you.

But they can provide you with guidance in choosing a career and help facilitate your decision.

I can’t make a living from my hobby – says who? When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to choose one that is related to what you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire.

In addition people tend to become very skilled in their hobbies, even though most of the skill is gained informally.

So follow your heart’s desire.

I should choose a career from a “Best Careers” list – Each year, especially during milestone years, like the beginning of a new decade, there are numerous articles and books that list what “the experts” predict will be “hot jobs”.

It won’t hurt to look at such lists – just to see if any of the careers listed appeal to you, but you should not use the list to dictate your choice.

Making a lot of money will make me happy – While making money is important, it isn’t the only factor you should look at when choosing a career.

Countless surveys have shown that money does not necessarily lead to job satisfaction. For many people enjoying what they do at work is much more important.

However, you should consider earnings, among other things, when evaluating an occupation.

Once I choose a career I’ll be stuck in it forever – Not true.

If you are not fulfilled in your chosen career, for any reason, you can always change it.

Copyright ©1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Many people change careers several times over the course of their life.

If I change careers my skills will go to waste – Your skills are yours to keep. You can take them from one job to another.

You may not use them in the exact same way, but they won’t go to waste.

If my best friend, sister, uncle or neighbour is happy in a particular field, I will be too – People are different, and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, even if that other person is someone with whom you have a a great deal in common.

If someone you know has a career that interests you, look into it, but be aware of the fact that it may not necessarily be a good fit for you.

All I have to do is pick an occupation … Things will fall into place after that – choosing an career is a great start, but there’s a lot more to do after that.

A career action plan is a road map that takes you from choosing a career to becoming employed in that occupation, and, onwards, up to the point of reaching your long-term career goals.

There is very little I can do to learn about an occupation without actually working in it – while first hand experience is great, there are other ways to explore an occupation.

You can read about it, either in books, newspapers or on the internet. You can also interview those working in that field. – www.about.com.

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Interviews are often stressful, but being prepared never hurts. Below, eight hiring experts share the questions they love to ask in interviews. com

Link: www.mashable.

Source: Business Week

S T R E P X E G N I 8 HIR e t i r u o v a F r i e h Reveal T s n o i t s e u Q w e i Interv Who do you most admire and why?

Michael Yormark, President, the Florida Panthers and Sunrise Sports & Entertainment

“The answer reveals a lot about who the candidate is, who she aspires to be, and whether she has the DNA to be part of a company’s culture. It will also force the interviewee to make a decision between brutal honesty and telling the interviewer what she believes he wants to hear.”

In your last employee review, what areas for improvement were identified?

Andrew Shapin, Chief Executive Officer, Long Tall Sally

“When candidates are honest, it illuminates self-awareness and potential weaknesses. It also helps ensure I get the best out of them. The response can easily be verified with the previous employer. I also ask what progress has been made.”

Why are you here?

Andrew Alexander, President, Red Roof Inn “I always ask this the minute a prospect sits down. After the initial shock wears off, I hope to hear a passion for the hospitality industry and a deep respect for customer service.

I find this to be a tremendously effective way to gauge whether the person is interested in working for us or simply seeking a job.”

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Featured Career

So you’re a Yankees fan. If you were their owner, how would you make the team better?

Bonnie Zaben, Chief Operating Officer, AC Lion Recruiting

“I ask the applicant about their hobbies, and then we do role-play. I want to see how they think quickly and compose coherent presentations. Are they recommending specific player changes? Can they quote stats to back up a position? Can they present a cogent argument in five minutes without dead air?

You’d be surprised.”

What is your passion?

Hilarie Bass, Co-president, Greenberg Traurig “Passion leads to success. I have turned folks away who could not frankly answer this. The people attracted to us must show absolute commitment to the practice of law and solving clients’ problems.”

You’re a project manager? Tell me about a time you had a delayed project.

Susy Dunn, Vice President of People, Jama Software

“I always have a candidate provide a past situation similar to what they will encounter in a new position. The answer provides huge insights into their level of critical thinking, adaptability, awareness of their impact, and creativity.”

Describe an environment in which you would not thrive.

Larry Drebes, CEO, Janrain

“The candidate is less likely to have a scripted answer, and you see some on-the-spot introspection. You can learn a remarkable amount about personality, as well as cultural and organizational impact, which is hugely important. If this question is asked early in an interview, it often yields color for a richer conversation.”

If you could do anything, what would be your ideal job?

Liz Bingham, Partner, Ernst & Young

“A resume can tell you about their previous experience, but this question helps indicate the individual’s passions and strengths and whether they’re well-matched to the job. From aspirations in politics, to cafe ownership, to entrepreneurship, the answers are revealing.”

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Have a look at some salary indicators for the top 10 industry sectors in this year’s Salary Review by the CareerJunction Index.

salary spy

it’s time to check out what you’re worth on the job market!

engineering

admin, office & support

building & construction

manufacturing & assembly

mining

sales

information technology

marketing

telecommunication

finance

* The findings are based on salary information gathered from job ads posted on CareerJunction during the last two quarters of 2014.

Learn even more about your industry.

Download the CJI monthly Executive Summary

www.cji.co.za

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Featured Career

Potential at Work

Career Makeover Programme Part 1

Here they are, Potential at Work’s two lucky finalists!

If you’re unsure of what to study or do after school or if you’re current profession isn’t satisfying enough and you need to find your ideal job, apply for our Career Makeover Programme at info@patwork.co.za or www.navigatingyourcareer.com (new website coming soon) in conjunction with Career Junction. You might be chosen as one of the lucky applicants to take part in our next programme.

Finalist 1

Finalist 2

Name: Rachael Age: 28 Education: IT Diploma Experience: 5 years as a License Consultant in a large South African corporate and is currently still employed there.

Current occupation: Software Licence Consultant Dilemma: Rachael feels that she is stagnating in her current role and is unsure of her next step.

Name: Innocent Age: 33 Education: Diploma in Law & a certificate in Video Technology Experience: Currently employed in a small business Current occupation: Printer Dilemma: Innocent would like to get an opportunity in a large corporate or call centre to work on clients’ legal queries.

Expert’s opinion “We spent time increasing Rachael’s self-understanding and awareness. Based on her career assessments we found that she has a creative side that she does not use sufficiently in her current role, leaving her to feel unfulfilled. We also found that she had not improved on her IT skills since her diploma and this was part of what was holding her back. Exploring the roles that she had enjoyed in the past and the activities in these roles that she found interesting, Rachael noticed how she naturally acts as a team leader and is a skilled communicator.

Rachael will now find out what would be required to secure more senior team leader roles in her current company and what roles in her current employer involve presenting and communication.”

What does Rachael have to say?

“The first session was awesome! Kerry gave me a lot to think about and to do which has been an interesting journey.

It’s amazing what your brain can do when you have a little direction.”

Make sure to catch Part 2 to find out what advice career guru Kerry Dawkins comes up with for the two finalists.

42

CareerSeek

Expert’s opinion “Innocent and I spent time looking at what he wanted in his career and where he was currently. He feels frustrated in his existing role and would like a more challenging job. Sending off his CV hoping that someone would notice him and give him a change, without any luck, has left him feeling very despondent. Innocent’s career assessments showed that he likes to solve complex problems. Ideally, he would like to use his legal diploma and solve people’s legal troubles and challenges.

Innocent will now put together a list of companies that may have his desired job or a possible opportunity that would interest him. He will find out what these companies require from their applicants and further his studies if needed, in order to comply with their requirements. Lastly, he will register with a recruitment company with the possibility of working in a call centre and getting some relevant experience.”

What does Innocent have to say?

“The session I had with Kerry was very interesting. It really opened my eyes! She made me realize a lot of different things about myself and my career path. I’m very happy with the way Potential at Work has communicated with me while helping me reach my full potential in terms of my career. You have given me a new perspective.”

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FINANCE SECTOR

Group Accountant

EE Internal Auditor

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

Market Related Cost To Company Neg

Market Related CTC Incl Benefits

Permanent skilled level position in the Financial industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Financial industry.

CJ Ref# 1599806

CJ Ref# 1563864

Assistant Accountant

Treasurer

Tax Specialist

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

R220,000-264,000 Per Annum CTC

R174,000-234,000 Per Annum Basic Salary Plus Benefits

R500,000-650,000 Per Annum CTC

Permanent skilled level position in the Financial industry.

Permanent skilled level position at drake in the Financial industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Financial industry.

CJ Ref# 1565880

ENGINEERING SECTOR

CJ Ref# 1599847

CJ Ref# 1599867

Design Draughtperson

Transportation Engineer

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

R200,000-400,000 Per Annum CTC

R750,000-950,000 Per Annum CTC Neg

Permanent senior level position in the Engineering industry.

Permanent senior level position in the Engineering industry.

CJ Ref# 1431069

CJ Ref# 1599623

Drill Rig Engineer

Waste Engineer

Junior Quantity Surveyor

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Western Cape)

Market Related Basic Salary Neg

R650,000-950,000 Per Annum CTC Incl Benefits

R15,000-18,000 Per Month Basic Salary

Permanent skilled level position in the Engineering industry.

Permanent senior level position in the Engineering (Civil) industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Building & Construction (Quantity Surveying) industry.

CJ Ref# 1084799

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

CJ Ref# 1599971

CJ Ref# 1457334

EE QA Engineer

Business Analyst

South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)

South Africa (Western Cape)

Market Related Basic Salary Neg

Market Related Basic Salary

Permanent skilled level position in the Information Technology industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Information Technology industry.

Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

CJ Ref# 1599981

CJ Ref# 1599975

CareerSeek 43

Featured Career

.NET Web Developer

Android / iOS Team Lead

Operations Analyst

South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

R39,000-40,000 Per Month CTC Incl Benefits

Up To R850,000 Per Annum Basic Salary

R400,000-750,000 Per Annum CTC Incl Benefits Neg

Permanent skilled level position in the Information Technology (Software) industry.

Permanent senior level position in the Information Technology (Software) industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Information Technology industry.

CJ Ref# 1599972

TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR

CJ Ref# 1594929

CJ Ref# 1599974

Senior Software Development Engineer

Senior Support Technician

South Africa (Western Cape)

South Africa (Western Cape)

Market Related CTC

Market Related CTC Incl Benefits

Permanent management level position in the Telecommunication industry.

Permanent senior level position in the Telecommunication industry.

CJ Ref# 1599264

J Ref# 1599060

Project Manager

VOIP Technician

LINUX Systems Engineer

South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

Market Related CTC Incl Benefits

R15,000-20,000 Per Month CTC Neg

Market Related CTC

Permanent management level position in the Telecommunication industry.

Temporary skilled level position in the Telecommunication industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Telecommunication industry.

CJ Ref# 1599266

Business Representative

EE AA Retail Sales Executive

SALES SECTOR

CJ Ref# 1593848

CJ Ref# 1599272

South Africa (Western Cape)

South Africa (Gauteng) Market Related CTC Neg

Market Related Commission Only

Permanent management level position in the Sales (Account Management) industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Sales industry.

EE Sales Representative

Channel Client Service Manager

EE Administrator

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

R14,000-15,000 Per Month Basic Plus Commission

R300,000-500,000 Per Annum CTC Incl Benefits

Market Related Basic Salary Neg

Contract skilled level position in the Sales industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Sales (Account Management) industry.

Contract junior level position in the Sales industry.

CJ Ref# 1599901

MARKETING SECTOR

CJ Ref# 1599422

CJ Ref# 1599254

Marketing Consultant

Traffic Manager

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

R24,500-25,000 Per Month Basic Salary

Market Related CTC

Permanent skilled level position in the Marketing industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Marketing (Advertising) industry.

CJ Ref# 1599896

CJ Ref# 1599942

Events Manager

Copywriter

Webmaster / Google SEO & PPC

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

Market Related Basic Salary

Market Related Basic Salary

Market Related Basic Plus Commission Neg

Permanent skilled level position in the Marketing industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Marketing (Public Relations) industry.

Permanent junior level position in the Marketing (Advertising) industry.

CJ Ref# 1599885

44 CareerSeek

CJ Ref# 1588467

CJ Ref# 1599422

Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

Featured Career

ADMIN, OFFICE & SUPPORT SECTOR

Personal / Business Assistant

EE Organisational Development Assistant

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

Market Related CTC Incl Benefits Neg

Market Related CTC

Permanent senior level position in the Admin, Office & Support industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Admin, Office & Support (Assistant) industry.

Accounts Clerk

Accounts Assistant to Financial Manager

Receptionist / Personal Assistant

South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)

South Africa (Western Cape)

South Africa (Gauteng)

Up To R7,000 Per Month CTC

R8,500-9,500 Per Month Basic Salary Plus Benefits

R7,000-7,500 Per Month Basic Salary

Temporary junior level position in the Admin, Office & Support industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Admin, Office & Support (Assistant) industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Admin, Office & Support (Assistant) industry.

CJ Ref# 1599117

CJ Ref# 1598899

CJ Ref# 1575218

CJ Ref# 1599694

CJ Ref# 1599279

Office Administrator

Legal Secretary

Office Manager

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Gauteng)

South Africa (Western Cape)

SAR6,000-6,100 Per Month Basic Salary

R15,000-23,000 Per Month Basic Salary

R10,000-14,500 Per Month CTC

Permanent junior level position in the Admin, Office & Support (Admin) industry.

Contract senior level position in the Admin, Office & Support industry.

Permanent skilled level position in the Admin, Office & Support (Admin) industry.

CJ Ref# 1599733

Copyright Š1997-2014 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.

CJ Ref# 1599778

CJ Ref# 1594868

CareerSeek 45

Featured Career