\u201cYou have to approach the job search with a plan, rather than falling into it haphazardly, as the latter can quickly lead to frustration and disappointment,\u201d said Wonga Ntshinga, senior head of programme: faculty of ICT at The Independent Institute of Education, SA\u2019s largest and most accredited private higher education institution.<\/p>\n
Ntshinga explained when the economy is constrained, as it currently is in South Africa, finding a job can be hard even for those with experience, but that it can be especially daunting for first-time job seekers who are not yet familiar with the processes related to searching for work.<\/p>
\u201cFirst of all, recent graduates must keep an open mind and stay alert for potential opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get stuck on the idea that there is just one specific kind of job for you and that if you don\u2019t find the exact role that you intended stepping into after graduation, you need to keep looking until you do.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstand that you may need to get a foot in a door first, and that once you\u2019ve done so and proved yourself, you may start encountering more desirable opportunities in the environment you find yourself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ntshinga explained it is very important for graduates to use their time as productively as possible, and go searching for opportunities rather than waiting for them to come knocking.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy following the steps below, you will be in a much better position to realise success on your job search journey,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Encourage your children to start saving early<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nLay the groundwork:<\/strong><\/p>\nIt may sound obvious, but many don\u2019t realise the importance of getting the slog out of the way before they start submitting applications, Ntshinga said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to make sure that all your paperwork is in order, such as copies of your ID, academic transcripts, your degree, and so forth.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepending on your field, you may need additional documentation specific to your industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsure that you have these in hard and digital format, ready to submit when required.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen, of course, you need to get your CV in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can\u2019t be stressed enough that it needs to be neat, concise and without any errors such as incorrect dates or grammatical slip-ups.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always a good idea to get a set of expert eyes on your CV before sending it off, so approach your graduate institution\u2019s career centre for assistance in this regard,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Set goals:<\/strong><\/p>\nNtshinga explained one should spend a few hours every day on the search, and not leave it for when you feel like it.<\/p>\n
\u201cInspiration may never hit, so don\u2019t wait for it. Set out each day with the aim of finding and applying for a certain number of opportunities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cScour online job listings, widen your net to related vacancies even if it is not a 100 per cent match to your preferred position, and cold call companies\u2019 HR departments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you send in an application for a vacancy, or your CV to the HR department to keep on file, remember to tailor your covering letter and experience to the specific company and position and very importantly, keep a detailed and updated spreadsheet indicating where you applied, what you applied for, date of application and contact details of the person to whom you submitted the application.<\/p>\n
This may be useful later when you need to follow up on an application, or even when you want test the waters in future about potential vacancies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rope in the experts:<\/strong><\/p>\nThe job search will feel lonely at times, but you don\u2019t have to go it alone, said Ntshinga.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoin forces with recruitment agencies and approach your graduate institution for help with your search,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n
\u201cA good institution will have specialist resources to help you prepare your CV, practise your interview skills, and assist you in identifying where you might need to strengthen or alter your approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also many public, private and online resources dedicated to assisting job-seekers, so identify and connect with those in your area.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/strong>\u00a0Understanding the importance of setting up a trust<\/a><\/h4>\nGrow professionally while you wait:<\/strong><\/p>\nNtshinga explained it is vitally important not to stagnate professionally, particularly if the job-search takes a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou absolutely must stay on top of developments in your profession, by networking and developing your relevant skills,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpend some time every week honing your professional skills by applying what you learnt during your studies.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteer your services in your community, go to industry networking events, and stay sharp.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso consider gaining a complementary skill to boost your CV and your range of competence. If you keep going and keep growing, the doors of opportunity will start opening for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nAlso follow us on:<\/p>\n
It may sound obvious, but many don\u2019t realise the importance of getting the slog out of the way before they start submitting applications, Ntshinga said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to make sure that all your paperwork is in order, such as copies of your ID, academic transcripts, your degree, and so forth.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepending on your field, you may need additional documentation specific to your industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsure that you have these in hard and digital format, ready to submit when required.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen, of course, you need to get your CV in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can\u2019t be stressed enough that it needs to be neat, concise and without any errors such as incorrect dates or grammatical slip-ups.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always a good idea to get a set of expert eyes on your CV before sending it off, so approach your graduate institution\u2019s career centre for assistance in this regard,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Set goals:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ntshinga explained one should spend a few hours every day on the search, and not leave it for when you feel like it.<\/p>\n \u201cInspiration may never hit, so don\u2019t wait for it. Set out each day with the aim of finding and applying for a certain number of opportunities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cScour online job listings, widen your net to related vacancies even if it is not a 100 per cent match to your preferred position, and cold call companies\u2019 HR departments.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you send in an application for a vacancy, or your CV to the HR department to keep on file, remember to tailor your covering letter and experience to the specific company and position and very importantly, keep a detailed and updated spreadsheet indicating where you applied, what you applied for, date of application and contact details of the person to whom you submitted the application.<\/p>\n This may be useful later when you need to follow up on an application, or even when you want test the waters in future about potential vacancies.\u201d<\/p>\n Rope in the experts:<\/strong><\/p>\n The job search will feel lonely at times, but you don\u2019t have to go it alone, said Ntshinga.<\/p>\n \u201cJoin forces with recruitment agencies and approach your graduate institution for help with your search,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n \u201cA good institution will have specialist resources to help you prepare your CV, practise your interview skills, and assist you in identifying where you might need to strengthen or alter your approach.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are also many public, private and online resources dedicated to assisting job-seekers, so identify and connect with those in your area.\u201d<\/p>\n Grow professionally while you wait:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ntshinga explained it is vitally important not to stagnate professionally, particularly if the job-search takes a while.<\/p>\n \u201cYou absolutely must stay on top of developments in your profession, by networking and developing your relevant skills,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSpend some time every week honing your professional skills by applying what you learnt during your studies.<\/p>\n \u201cVolunteer your services in your community, go to industry networking events, and stay sharp.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso consider gaining a complementary skill to boost your CV and your range of competence. If you keep going and keep growing, the doors of opportunity will start opening for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\nALSO READ:<\/strong>\u00a0Understanding the importance of setting up a trust<\/a><\/h4>\n
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