Rules to Remember when Looking for a Job

 

  1. Smile.  On the phone, when typing your emails, and when you arrive at the interview.  People like happy people.
  2. If you are phoning to book an interview or ask for an email address, have a pen and paper handy BEFORE you make the call.
  3. Treat EVERY interview like it is the most important interview ever, or you will not get to the next round of interviews.
  4. When you send an email from your phone, don’t forget that it will be read on a computer.
  5. Your CV is an indication of the pride you take in your work and should be the best piece of work you produce.  If you cannot take the time to type, proofread and save it, what will you produce when you get the job?
  6. No recruiter has ever short listed someone for an interview purely based on their hobbies… Recruiters are interested in your skills and experience.  Focus your CV on what you have to offer.
  7. Showing off your WordArt and ClipArt skills on your CV will probably not impress anyone.
  8. Answering “Not Applicable” (n/a) to a relevant question, or deleting it, will not go unnoticed.
  9. Everyone says that they are a fast learner.
  10. When asked about salary, answer with Gross or Cost to Company, not what arrives in your bank account at the end of the month.
  11. No one cares what salary you need to live the lifestyle you want.  They care about what your skills and experience are worth, and what their budget allows them to pay.
  12. Good old-fashioned manners count for a lot.
  13. First impressions are made the minute the interviewer sees you (and whoever you bring along to the interview) and last long after you have left.  This means that the loud music, smoking in the parking lot, kids crying in the car, and playing on your cell phone in reception remain fast in the recruiter’s mind.
  14. If you smell strongly of cigarette smoke (because you had a quick one before the interview or your driver did), no one will believe that you are a ‘social smoker’.
  15. Never arrive more than 15 minutes early for an interview.
  16. Shake hands firmly and make eye contact.
  17. Dress to impress.  Jeans, shorts, slops and evening attire are not appropriate.  This is the best you will ever dress if you get the job, because you are supposed to be trying to impress.
  18. Don’t forget that you are in a job interview! Not a therapy session, not a date, not a chat with a friend…
  19. Switch your cell phone OFF.  Your phone vibrating in your bag or on the table is just as bad as if it rang.
  20. Save any controversial topics (criminal or ITC records, dismissals, holiday or study commitments) to the end of the interview, after you have “sold yourself” for the job.  Don’t close the door before its even open by leading with the negative.
  21. Do not focus on the reasons that have driven you to look for a job. Rather focus on your skills, achievements and what you have to offer the company. You will only be employed on the latter.
  22. Your lies will always come out in the end. Always.
  23.  Looking for a job is a “stats game”.  The more you apply, the more chances you have of getting an interview.  The more interviews you attend, the more chance you have of getting an offer of employment.  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, and don’t expect to get the first job you apply for.
  24. Unsuccessful applications can be positive, in that they provide an opportunity for growth. If you ask for feedback, use it.  Sometimes things happen for a reason!
  25. If it seems too good to be true… it generally is.
  26. Walking out on a company without notice, in order to be available immediately, is an indication of how you will treat the company interviewing you when it is time for you to leave them.
  27. Put your most recent job first on your CV.
  28. If you want feedback, ask for it.
  29. If you want to be remembered, remind people that you are still looking.
  30. Landing that dream job, is your dream!  Act like it and own it!  You can’t apply for a job or go for an interview, and then expect someone else to care more about your dream than you do.

 

Keeping up with the Recruitment Times

The Job Market has changed almost as much as the media has, in the last twenty years.  Twenty years ago (if you were looking for a job then, or your parents who are helping you look for a job today, were), the internet was not a factor.  CV’s were two pages long because they were faxed, positions were advertised in special sections of the newspaper on a Wednesday and Sunday, and you applied for a job on a Monday morning telephonically.

 

There have been amazing growth in the recruitment process over the past twenty years, some positive and some negative, so I thought that I would highlight a few things that you may want to consider when starting your job search.  Sometimes we have to move with the times, but sometimes it is also important to not forget the basics.

 

  1. 2 Page CV’s are out of fashion!

2 Page CV’s come from the days when you faxed your CV.  It’s a long time since I received a faxed CV … we don’t even own one at RESOURCE recruitment anymore.  Today, short listing candidates comes from searching for key words.  Whether I am on an Internet Job Portal, MS Office or a data base management system, I just have to type in words like “Syspro” and “Matric” and all the applicants without these words, will disappear!  If those key words are not on your CV, in theory you do not have the skills, and your application will not show in the search.  You do not want to confuse the reader with pages of information, irrelevant hobbies and achievements, and long “stories”; but you do want to include as much information as possible, in concise, point form.  You will find more detail on preparing a CV on our website www.2r.co.za

TIP: When applying for a job, look at the job description or advert, and make sure that all “key words” in the advert, are in your CV, if you have the skills.  I.e. If they are wanting someone who has worked on an ISO Environment, and you have, then make sure that “ISO” appears in your CV.

  1. Use the Internet… all of it.

Google is amazing.  Do a search and heaps of opportunities come up.  It’s tempting to get caught up on the first website or job portal, and then focus all of your time and efforts there.  Set yourself a goal to spend a certain amount of time each day or week on the internet, trying different searches and registering on different sights.  The more people who have your CV, the faster you will find a new job.

TIP: If everyone else is focusing on the first page of results on their Google search, there will be a lot less competition for the jobs on the second and third pages!

  1. Use Social Media… but be careful.

Have you ever run a search on the internet for your name?  Like or not, you will probably come up.  I would say that about 75% of my clients run a Face Book Search on applicants before interviewing or employing them.  International companies check CV’s against LinkedIn Profiles.  Make sure that your profiles are up to date, and your privacy settings are implemented so that prospective employers only see what you want them to.

  1. Employment Relations are about relationships.

It is important to follow the recruitment process by emailing your CV if requested, or applying on line.  But the second the recruiter starts communicating with you, pick up the phone.  Do it yourself- don’t get your wife or boyfriend to do it.  It’s easier and safer to hide behind your emails, but picking up the phone starts a relationship and speeds up the recruitment process.  Make the effort.

TIP: When you pick up the phone- have a pen and paper handy.  You are anticipating an interview and you need to take down the address!!

  1. Network

Looking for a job is not about what you know, it’s about who you know, and who knows you.  If you are not employed, start temping.  It’s a great way to extend your professional network.  Join social and community functions/ groups, and make a point of introducing yourself.  Join Social Media Groups and Whatsapp Forums.  It’s often scary to put yourself out there, but the more people who know you are looking for a job, the more people there will be to help you get a job!

 

 

What to do when you start a New Job

Congratulations!  You landed your dream job.  But now the scary part begins.  In South Africa, people normally start a new job on a probation period or contract basis, so the first three months of a new job should be seen as an extension of the interview.  Getting offered the job after the interview, is just the first step.

 

But as scary as it is starting a new job, it is also a chance for you to re-invent yourself, start with a good reputation and good habits.

 

Here are a few pointers to assist you in the first three months of your new job.

 

Introduce Yourself to EVERYONE

Don’t assume that because you are the new person, it is up to everyone else to make you feel welcome.  They may be new themselves, or the company large, and they have no idea who you are or that you are new.  Introduce yourself to everyone- manager and colleagues in all departments that you come into contact with, clients and suppliers.   This is the ideal opportunity for you to start networking.  Try prepare an introduction beforehand, so that you have a short, powerful first impression with appropriate answers to the common questions.

 

Study the Office Culture

Every company has a different culture, and every manager a different management style.  Take a little time to sit back and observe how different levels communicate with each other.  Does management like to take the lead, or are the happy for staff to run with new ideas?  Learn the unwritten rules.  These are often the most important rules.  (When are smoke breaks allowed; do staff go out for lunch or eat at their desks; who has a special coffee mug and can you use any kitchen if the company has several).

 

Make Friends at Every Level

Get to know your colleagues, but also the people more junior and senior, and in other departments.  Identify the company “Know It All” who you can go to with the silly questions, and who can assist you with office culture, without annoying your manager.  Be careful of getting in with the “office gossips and underachievers”.  Possibly ask your manager who would be a good mentor to show you around.  A good way to get to know people is offering to assist others with simple tasks- relief on switchboard; making coffee or maybe filling envelopes at lunch time.

 

Fitting In is More Important than Sticking Out

In fact- sometimes fitting into the office culture is what will make you stand out!  Take time to observe and build credibility, before trying to change things.  If you start offending staff who have been with the company a long time, you are sure to end up the outsider.  Before you criticise, ask questions.  They may have a good reason for doing things the way that they do.  Don’t be above starting at the bottom or having to prove yourself, but don’t get caught just doing the menial tasks- ask for more when you have completed the first task.  Tell co-workers that you are open to and welcome feedback on how you are doing.  Be willing, motivated and excited about the job!

 

Don’t Expect your Manager to Manage.

Yes, the majority of Managers out there are brilliant at what they do… but not very good recruitment managers.  They assume that once they have completed the interview process, you will magically appear and be fully productive…. And then are disappointed that you do not perform to their expectations.  Ask on the first day what is expected of you in the first two weeks, month and three months.  And when you have achieved this, give them feedback, and ask what’s next.  Request regular meetings, even over a cup of coffee, to get feedback on how you are doing.  Respect experience, even at a more junior level than you- the veterans can teach you more than anyone else!

 

Know when to ask questions and when to jump in and go it alone.

The single most important piece of advice you will get out of this article is, WRITE IT DOWN.  The first few days or weeks of a job, is information overload!  You are constantly being given random pieces of information- from how to log into a new computer system, and how to make coffee; to a trick in unlocking the door; or who to contact to order new stationery.  Write it down, and take it home and make more clear notes for yourself.  It can get very irritating constantly being asked the same thing.  It can also be very irritating when someone does not ask, and makes a mess of things!  You need to pace yourself and find the balance.

If you promised certain skills and experience in the interview, you need to start demonstrating them as soon as appropriate.  If you said that you were a go-getter, a social media whizz or that you loved getting things up to date and in order- now is the time to show what you are made of!!  The sooner you start delivering the goods, the sooner who will stop being watched.

 

Do worry about the little things.

A year down the line, no one will worry about the little mistakes, but for the first 30 days, the spot light is on you, and every little spelling mistake; mixed up order; or time you are late for work is noticed.  You may need to put in a little extra time and go the extra mile until you get into the swing of things.  Make sure that you know the working hours and are there 15 minutes early, and leave when you have tied up the days urgent tasks.  Don’t go home on time and leave someone else to clean up your mess.  Switch your cell phone off, never go onto whatsapp chats or personal social media during business hours, and keep any urgent personal calls as short as possible.  Try not take ANY annual leave or sick leave in the first few weeks, and keep smoke breaks to as little as absolutely possible!  Remember- now is the time to re-invent yourself, make good habits and a brilliant first impression!

 

Connect with past and present managers and colleagues.

Drop your previous employer an email and thank them for what they have taught you and the opportunity to work for them.  It’s the right thing to do and feels good ending on a good note, and you never know when you may need to network with them.    Now is also a good time to request a written reference, if you have not already, for your files.

Start connecting with current colleagues on Social Media and build your network.  LinkedIn is considered appropriate, but consider if Facebook and Instagram are suitable (and if you want your managers to see what you get up to over the weekend).  It’s important to be a “casual professional”, not “all work, no play”, but be discerning about what you tell about your personal life!

 

Good luck, and if you work hard, go the extra mile and keep positive, you will be a huge success!