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> WINTER 2014
YOUR WINTER CAREER GUIDE ESSENTIAL CV TIPS / WRITING COVER LETTERS / COOL JOB SEARCH TOOLS / INTERVIEW GUIDELINES / AMAZING CAREER RESOURCES
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> Winter 2014 / Hello there
WE KNOW THE JOB MARKET CAN BE A COLD DARK PLACE We understand, it’s not easy to venture out into today’s competitive job market. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Get ahead of the competition and take your career to new heights. Our guide has been specifically created for today’s professional, to take you through every step of the way; from creating an online CV; searching and applying for jobs online, writing a knock-out cover letter, overcoming your interview fears and furthering your career development. Don’t be left out in the cold and rock a new job this winter season.
CONTENTS 03 05 06 07 09 11 13 14 15 18 19
Create an online CV and be found Top 10 online CV must-haves Say hello in style Your cover letter forecast Go fish! Searching jobs online The right way to apply for jobs Get to know your job lingo Survive your interview Your essential 6-point checklist Upskill & stay in the game Community & career resources
> THE SMALL BUT IMPORTANT STUFF
The CareerJunction Team Better jobs. More often. www.careerjunction.co.za
All information provided in our Winter Career Guide 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 our Winter Career Guide are subject to change without prior notice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained within our Winter Career Guide is accurate and up to date, neither CareerJunction 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 our Winter Career Guide. The information in our Winter Career Guide 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 our Winter Career Guide, please let us know and contact marketing@careerjunction.co.za so a representative can help you.
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> Winter 2014 / A great CV is so important
AVOID GETTING THE COLD SHOULDER. CREATE AN ONLINE CV AND BE FOUND Your online CV is your passport to a better career. It’s also your first chance to make a bright and positive first impression on Recruiters. So, to melt even the iciest king or queen’s heart, your online CV needs to shine, right from the start.
Now, let’s get started!
COOLTIP Recruiters spend less than 1 minute checking your CV. In that time, you need to WOW them and make certain you get invited for an interview.
> Winter 2014 / It’s all in the details
PERSONAL DETAILS
EDUCATION HISTORY
WORK EXPERIENCE
This forms the first part of your CV and therefore the first thing a Recruiter will see. Get the basics 100% correct. Any mistake, like missing a digit in your mobile number, is a big no-no. List the following:
This forms a very important part of your CV. If it’s not included, your CV might be binned. Even if you do not have a tertiary qualification, you are still required to complete this field. Start by listing recent qualifications:
Your work experience will have a big influence on whether you make it to the next stage or not, depending on the type of job you are applying for. Start off by listing your most recent work experience:
> First name & surname > Main contact details > Email address > Location (where you live) > Nationality > ID Number or birth date > EE/AA Status > Drivers licence details
> Title of qualification > Where you studied > Date of completion > Skills & final grades
> Your full job title > Company you worked for > Your start and finish dates > Your salary/cost-to-company > A brief summary of duties > Achievements (if any) > Notice period > Reason for leaving > Trusted reference contact
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NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO FORCE YOU TO GIVE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LOGIN DETAILS TO THEM.
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SOME JOB SITES ALLOW YOU TO INCLUDE A PHOTO OF YOURSELF + LINKS TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. IF YOU ARE NOT 100% COMFORTABLE WITH IT, THEN DO NOT PUT IT ON YOUR ONLINE CV.
If you are currently studying, include it. Just make sure that you mention the completion date.
SO YOU DON’T HAVE A TERTIARY QUALIFICATION, NOW WHAT? A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO STUDY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET A GOOD EDUCATION THROUGH CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS AND ONLINE SOURCES AT A MINIMAL FEE. > Check out online courses. > View learnerships.
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IF YOU HAVE LITTLE TO NO WORK EXPERIENCE, BULK UP YOUR CV BY GIVING MORE DETAILS ABOUT YOUR STUDIES. YOU CAN ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE SKILLS YOU LEARNED AND EXPLAIN HOW THEY CAN HELP YOU IN THE JOB YOU ARE APPLYING FOR. DID YOU EVER VOLUNTEER OR JOB-SHADOW A PERSON? DID YOU WORK PART-TIME OR FREELANCE FOR A FRIEND? ADD IT TOO.
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> Winter 2014 / Top 10 online CV essentials
10 TOP
ONLINE CV
MUST-HAVES
COOLTIP
1. Keep it short - 2 A4 pages or less. 2. List your education history. 3. Clearly list your work experience. 4. Be consistent with your format. 5. Use positive terms and good English. 6. Spell check your CV before using it. 7. Get a friend to proofread it for you. 8. Edit your CV for each job application. 9. Ensure your contact details are 100% correct. 10. Keep your online CV up-to-date.
Are you willing to relocate? Many Recruiters will consider you for a position if your CV blows them away and you are willing to work in another city. Make sure you tell them on your CV.
MORE ADVICE HERE
POWER TOOLS FOR YOUR ONLINE CV BE SEEN.
Make sure your online CV on CareerJunction is searchable and can be found and matched to jobs by Recruiters. Make it unsearchable anytime you want to. YES, UPDATE NOW
APPLY.
Once you have a completed CareerJunction online CV, you can apply for jobs you see on CareerJunction or you can attach your online CV as a Word/PDF file. COOL, LET’S GO
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SAY HELLO IN STYLE Your cover letter introduces you to the person who’s doing the hiring. In less than 30 seconds they would have most probably decided to invite you to an interview... or not. That’s why making a first impression is so important when applying for a job, and why a knock-out cover letter is essential in getting you noticed for all the right reasons.
To help you create a cover letter that outshines the rest, we’re giving you a forecast of what (and what not) to include.
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> Winter 2014 / Be covered
YOUR COVER LETTER
FORECAST DANGEROUS
Don’t send a generic (copy and paste) cover letter. A personalised message is what will set your CV apart from the other job seekers. It’s a pain, but try writing a unique cover for every job application.
CAUTION
Keep it short and powerful and use bullet points where possible. Make sure your message is 100% error-free; one spelling error is going to erase your chances of being invited to an interview.
BEWARE
Don’t oversell yourself and focus on the position you are applying for. Explain why you are a good fit, and how you can add benefit to the company.
THAT’S PROMISING
Learn more about the company before you apply. It might come in handy when writing your cover letter and even more so when you’re invited for an interview.
LOOKING GOOD
Get right to it. Raise the criteria listed in the job advert and how your skills/experience match what is required. It’s also a great idea to mention achievements relevant to this criteria.
AWESOMENESS
Go the extra mile. Find out what the Recruiter’s name is and personalise your cover letter. It will show that you are proactive. Do not start with “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear (Name)”.
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> Winter 2014 / Sell yourself
Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Identify the job that will allow you to do great things. Work with people who value you. Understand what the market will value most about you.
COOLTIPS THE CULTURE
Do your research on the company. This is where your personality comes into play. What attributes do you have that match the company’s environment? Tell them why you’ll be a good fit.
SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS
What exactly does the job demand of you? Does it match your current skills and/or work experience. What do you have that will give you an edge in getting an interview?
SHARE SUCCESSES
Any great work or life achievements? Don’t feel shy mentioning that you were employee of the month or brought a big client on board. This will help the Recruiter learn more about you and your potential.
CHECK BEFORE YOU SEND
Before applying for the job with your 100% error-free CV, also check that the great cover letter you just wrote is perfect, short and to the point.
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GO FISH! SEARCH FRESH JOBS ONLINE Searching for a job online can be overwhelming at times. There’s a vast ocean filled with endless opportunities, just waiting for you to find the right one. Knowing how to navigate these deep waters when job-hunting is just as important as having a great-looking online CV.
Using the Internet to find and apply for jobs is by far the easiest way to discover many job openings in a short amount of time. You can even search for jobs using your PC, mobile or tablet.
SEARCH JOBS
REGISTER. IT’S SAFE AND WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY. CareerJunction participates in the TRUSTe Privacy Programme, a nonprofit initiative whose mission is to build users’ trust and confidence in the Internet environment.
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> Winter 2014 / Search fresh jobs online
ADVANCED JOB SEARCH TIPS SEARCH WIDE THEN FILTER Most good job sites allow you to cast your net wide and filter down to more specific jobs to help save you time. With your next job search, play around with keywords and possibly filter your results by: > Location of the job > Specific industry (e.g. IT) > Job level (e.g. skilled/senior) > Job type (e.g. permanent)
KEYWORDS VS FILTERS
> >
PLAY WITH KEYWORDS
To broaden your search and avoid missing out on relevant jobs, use different variants of your job title. You might call yourself a “branch manager” but others may refer to you as a “shop manager”, “floor manager”, “frontline manager” etc. Use as many variants as you can.
USING FILTERS
Using filters is important, but over-use can be a bad thing. Don’t limit your search results too much. You never know, there might be a need for your skills in other areas.
CHILL WITH EMAIL JOB ALERTS Sit back and let the right job find you. Setting up job alerts is the easiest way to be matched to relevant jobs using your criteria; saving you time. Every time a suitable job becomes available, you will be notified via email.
GET JOB ALERTS
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THE RIGHT WAY TO APPLY FOR JOBS In order to apply for jobs online, you will need Internet access (PC, mobile or tablet), a valid email address (to register and be contacted on), a recently updated CV and a basic cover letter. To get started and search/apply for jobs online you need to register an account on a job site, like www.careerjunction.co.za, using a valid email address. This will allow you to apply for jobs and give Recruiters the opportunity to contact you for available positions. Make sure you are logged in before hitting the Apply button.
REGISTER NOW
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> Winter 2014 / Applying for jobs online
CREATE AN ONLINE CV This is the preferred way to apply for jobs online. It’s easy and enables you to apply for positions at the click of a button, instead of uploading your MS Word/PDF CV. What’s more, Recruiters are able to export your information into a format and layout they desire.
MAKE YOUR ONLINE CV SEARCHABLE Don’t forget to make your online CV searchable on your profile. This will allow Recruiters to find you and match you to suitable positions, increasing your odds of landing your dream job.
HAVE A COPY OF YOUR WORD CV NEARBY
PREPARE A SHORT COVER LETTER
If you do not have an online CV, make sure you have an updated version of your CV (MS Word/PDF) CV ready to upload before you start looking for jobs.
Prepare a short cover letter, using the tips in this guide, to send off along with your CV.
Save your CV as your name and surname so the Recruiter will know it’s yours when they review it.
KNOW YOUR AVAILABILITY Some companies may want you to start immediately. If your current employer requires a calendar month notice period, think carefully before applying. Some companies are willing to use your available leave days to shorten your notice period.
Customise your cover letter for every job you apply for - don’t just copy and paste and hope for the best.
JOB APPLICATION FOLLOW-UP You’ve applied for a job and you are now waiting in anticipation to find out if you have made the cut or not. Give Recruiters a day or two and contact them via phone or email to find out if your application was received. If yes, wait at least a week before contacting them again. The recruitment cycle can take days or weeks so be respectful of their time.
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> Winter 2014 / Learn a new language
GET TO KNOW YOUR JOB LINGO While looking for a job, you’re probably going to come across some unfamiliar words and phrases. Below are the most popular job lingo, explained in plain English. > COST TO COMPANY (CTC)
> EE/AA POSITION
This refers to the total amount that an employer is prepared to pay for you, including all benefits. Your Net salary (this is what you take home) will be significantly less than the CTC due to deductions such as tax, UIF, pension and possibly medical aid contributions.
EE or AA jobs promote equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace through elimination of discrimination by redressing the disadvantages in employment experienced by designated groups and ensuring their equitable representation of the workforce.
> PREFERRED vs REQUIRED SKILLS
> EXPERIENCED vs ENTRY LEVEL
Required skills
Entry-level professionals comprise those who have less than 2 years of work experience in a specific field of work. Experienced professionals include all professionals with 2 or more years of work experience in a specific field of work.
“You’d better have this, or don’t bother applying.”
Preferred skills “We’d really like it if you have this because it’s important.”
> CAREER OBJECTIVE Career objective is the most important part of a CV which describes your motive for the job. A brief statement of your career direction or a specific career goal that you would like to achieve. It is a personalised statement that clearly defines what you want to achieve if you got the job.
If you are looking for something more specific, check out our community stocked with career news and advice. MORE ADVICE HERE
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SURVIVING YOUR INTERVIEW Interviews can be daunting, but mastering the interview process is really quite simple. The interview is where the real selling takes place. Remember, Recruiters don’t only hire the most qualified person; they also look at other qualities and hire the person who’s got the whole package. Your online CV has already proven that you are capable of doing the job, so relax and showcase your awesome personality.
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> Winter 2014 / Interview essentials checklist
YOUR ESSENTIAL 6-POINT CHECKLIST 1
GET THE RIGHT MESSAGE ACROSS
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GET THE BASICS RIGHT FIRST
Think of 3 reasons why you want to work for the company and make sure these come across in your interview.
Weather the storm and practice the basics. There are 1000’s of articles that list the most common interview questions.
This will help you with answering basic questions. For example, when asked “What is your reason for leaving?”, use phrases like “This position offers me the opportunity to...”.
Stumbling over typical interview questions is a big no-no. Go through a few commonly asked interview questions (there are tons of examples online) and practice your answers.
This will show the interviewers that you are passionate about the company and the position.
Focus on the most important ones like your work history, current job responsibilities and the team you work with.
MORE ADVICE HERE
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> Winter 2014 / Interview essentials checklist
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DRESS TO IMPRESS
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BE CONFIDENT
Whether you are being interviewed for a temporary or full-time job, make sure you are presentable and make a good first impression.
Make sure your voice is heard during your interview. Be polite and humble but don’t be afraid to speak up. Confidence is key.
How you present yourself in an interview says a lot about you. Avoid dressing inappropriately, chewing gum, smelling of smoke or wearing too much perfume/cologne.
Make sure you know the names of the people who will be interviewing you. Speak clearly and kick-start the interview with a firm handshake.
EPIC INTERVIEW FAILS Arrive late / change CV facts / talk too much - stay on topic / bad-mouth past employers or colleagues / use bad language / have bad breath / answer your phone / look at your watch / take a selfie (kidding - but don’t)
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> Winter 2014 / Interview essentials checklist
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UNDERSTAND THE POSITION
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MAKE A STYLISH EXIT
Make sure you have read and fully understand the job description. Use your knowledge of the job to state your case and motivate why you are the best fit for the job.
Get ready to close the deal. Reassure the interviewers that you are passionate about the role and why you believe you would be perfect for the position.
The interview also provides you with an opportunity to learn more about the position, the company and their working culture (and taste if their coffee is any good). Remember to have some questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. It shows that you are pro-active and have a real interest in the job.
End the interview with a firm handshake, smile and don’t forget to thank them for their time and opportunity to meet. If possible, send an email to thank the Recruiter who put you forward for the position and secured you an interview. It’s a great way to let the Recruiter know that the interview went well and get feedback.
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UPSKILL & STAY IN THE GAME Upskilling is a very important strategy for personal and professional growth and a sure-fire for you stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market.
BROWSE SOME OF SA’S MOST TRUSTED COURSE PROVIDERS
VIEW ALL COURSES
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> Winter 2014 / Knowledge is power
COMMUNITY & CAREER RESOURCES CAREER NEWS & ADVICE LINKS > > > > > > >
Career Advice / www.careerjunction.co.za/community Career Coaching / www.patwork.co.za Career Guidance / ncap.careerhelp.org.za/ Labour & Salary trends / www.careerjunction.co.za/cji SA Labour Law / www.labour.gov.za SA Labour Court / www.justice.gov.za/labourcourt CCMA / www.ccma.org.za
DON’T WAIT FOR A JOB. CREATE YOUR OWN AND BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR. > Small Business Funding www.sefa.org.za > Industrial Development Corporation www.idc.co.za/development-funds/gro-e-scheme
> Small Enterprise Development Agency www.seda.org.za
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SALARY ADVICE & LABOUR TRENDS
Check out CareerJunction’s Salary review which focuses on the top 10 most popular sectors in the South African job market.
www.careerjunction.co.za/cji
> Entrepreneur Magazine www.entrepreneurmag.co.za > SME Toolkit southafrica.smetoolkit.org/sa/en SM
> To Build A Start-up (free course) www.udacity.com/course/ep245
CHECK OUT OUR MEDIA PARTNER SITES FOR NEWS + TOOLS.
POP IN AND SAY HELLO ON
www.careerjunction.co.za
#SurviveTheWinter
ABOUT CAREERJUNCTION CareerJunction enjoys a great market share in South Africa with over 3,000 Recruiters advertising on our website and using various recruitment tools which we offer over and above our normal ‘Job Board’ service. Enjoy considerable exposure for a wide range of positions through our online and mobile reach. Job Ads you publish are automatically distributed to hand-picked Media and Industry network sites, our own very popular mobile site + top International Job Aggregators (at no additional charge to you). Speak to us for a tailor-made solution. Call us on 087 232 2020 for assistance, or mail us at clientservices@careerjunction.co.za.