The Citizen (KZN)

10 realistic job-hunting tips

HOW TO GET YOURSELF INTO A CAREER FASTEST – AND WITH ATTITUDE

- Be confident! Network, network, network Your job is to yourself a job find Get your CV and references in order Look where the jobs are Go English! Beware of social media The best tip for last

Ctips. ongratulat­ions! You’ve completed matric. And good luck… because now you need to find a job! Here are 10 important

Confident people stand out from the crowd. Here’s a little trick to help you even when you’re feeling nervous: stand up straight with your feet apart, your shoulders back and your fists on your hips. This is called the power pose. Believe in yourself and your unique gifts. Ask EVERYONE you know if they know about any jobs you could apply for, and ask them to introduce you to other people who might know about jobs. Looking for work is a full time job until you find it! So you need to work on this every single day as hard as you can. Read job ads online or in the newspaper and apply for the ones that look right for you. Keep talking to everyone you meet about your job search. Do voluntary work and keep your CV updated. Knock on business doors and hand out your CV. A wise employer will be impressed by your attitude.

You need a written CV. If your English is not very good, have someone check your spelling and grammar! Your CV can be short and should include:

Personal details (date of birth, contact details) Education Any actual work experience you have, including holiday jobs and volunteer work

Any notable achievemen­ts: awards, pass marks, sporting achievemen­ts

Any experience that shows your character such as taking care of others, roles within church, your family or your community

References. Even if you’ve never worked, you can get references from teachers, church leaders, employers of your parents who know you, etc.

About 80% of entry-level jobs are in the service and sales industries like retail, restaurant­s and hotels. Also look out for small businesses that hire young, enthusiast­ic people. Be prepared to start as a junior at entry-level. We all have to prove ourselves. fully charged and answer calls politely. If your number does change, make sure you change it on your CV. You also need an email address. It’s easy to set up a free @gmail account.

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Generally, English is the language of choice for businesses in much of the world and South Africa is no different. Watch English TV, listen to English radio stations, read magazines and newspapers and speak to friends and family in English. Practice every day.

Potential employers will look you up on social media before they interview or employ you. If you don’t want people, especially employers to know something about you, then don’t post it.

For help with job hunting, register on www. harambee.mobi. Harambee is a 100% free network that helps first-time work seekers. – Citizen reporter

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Picture: iStock

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