Increase your success in the hunt for work by going the extra mile

MALALANE – At the start of the new year, many newly graduated students and matriculants are sending out scores of CVs in the hopes of finding their dream job.

Job seekers may feel demotivated when they don’t get any feedback. Due to the tough market, a degree or high marks don’t guarantee that you’ll get an amazing job.

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Wonga Ntshinga of The Independent Institute of Education explained that graduates have to ensure that their application stands out.

“You have to approach the job search with the mindset that the search is your job, for now, until you convert your CV into an interview, and your interview into a job offer,” he said.

Ntshinga advised job seekers to constantly polish their CV, skills and experience during the job search.

Here are five of his tips to increase success in the job hunt:

• Review your CV

It is the first impression you make on prospective employers. Make sure it is structured so that it is easy to read, contains all the necessary information and has all your relevant experience and qualifications.

It is also very important to ensure your CV does not contain any spelling or grammar errors.

If you are struggling to compile your CV, ask for help from friends, family or your higher education institution’s career centre. The career centre could even help you find potential employers.

Remember to personalise your CV and to include a cover letter for every job you apply for. Ensure that your skills related to the specific job are highlighted.

Ntshinga explained that generic CVs that don’t address the specific position advertised usually end up in a recruiter or potential employer’s recycle bin.

• Look for opportunities

You can’t just sit and wait for opportunities to arrive. Load your CV onto career websites, join Facebook or WhatsApp groups that advertise jobs or send your résumé to recruiters to get your profile on the job market.

If you’re interested in a specific career, Ntshinga recommended that you join professional organisations which offer networking events, industry newsletters or even mentorship programmes.

Mentors are experienced professionals who can give graduates or job seekers practical and industry-specific advice on career options, skills they may need or occasionally tips on possible job opportunities.

• Establish your personal brand

These days, prospective employers check applicants’ Facebook pages or do an Internet search to see which information they can come up with. It’s a good idea to ensure that there are no pictures or information on your profiles that can reflect negatively on you.

Join professional sites such as LinkedIn and try to build a positive and professional image of yourself and your capabilities on the social media sites you are active on.

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• Keep improving your skills

The job market is constantly evolving and many career opportunities increasingly demand that you have excellent digital and computer knowledge and skills.

Make sure you stay up to date with the newest trends in your industry and keep up with the necessary certification and courses to stay in top form.

It’s a great idea to do any extra courses employers offer or that catch your eye while you’re still job hunting.

This can be added to your CV and shows potential employers that you are eager to learn and knowledgeable in your field.

While job hunting, Ntshinga advised that you volunteer your time and services in a field related to your qualification by, for example, interning or job shadowing. This can add to the much-needed experience many vacancies require.

• Don’t get discouraged

The job hunt can be very stressful, depending on which career path you’ve chosen and the current job market.

Don’t take each rejection personally but use it as an opportunity to learn and change your tactics. If you struggle to find a job, set time aside to look for one but also maintain other activities such as getting enough exercise and rest and time with family.

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If your job search doesn’t deliver results, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Many institutions, including government ones, offer opportunities and advice to job seekers such as portals to connect employers and job seekers, funding for entrepreneurs or learnerships and internships.

These institutions, including tertiary institutions’ career centres will also be able to tell you which jobs are in high demand among employers and guide you on which skills to hone.