POLOKWANE – With the high rate of unemployment in the country, 26-year-old Monama, who is an Employee Relations Specialist from Mankweng, says that being in the human resource industry has afforded her an opportunity to learn and to understand more about human behaviour in the workplace.
“I decided to study B.Tech in HR (Human Resource Management) at TUT (Tshwane University of Technology) because I wanted to help decrease the number of unemployed people in my community and ever since I have been formally employed in this industry, I have come to realise that a lot of people make small mistakes or neglect and take for granted when applying for a job that lowers their chances of acquiring a job. Things such as forgetting to submit certain documents such as cover letters and registering their names and surnames and giving in their signatures for record purposes because they do check for those things when appointing people to jobs advertised,” she explained.
Monama shared the following tips and advice on job hunting and application in order for one to succeed:
- Make your CV short and straight to the point. “It shouldn’t be too many pages, include only important relevant updated information. Never ever lie about qualifications obtained specific or places where one last worked because we do background checks,” she explained.
- Wrong spelling of names, qualifications as well as places where one worked also play a major role in someone not getting a job. “I wouldn’t advise anyone to include their hobbies in their CVs. As HR consultants, we are only interested in what qualifications and potential skills one possess. Also take into account what the requirements for a certain job application needs and include only those,” said Monama.
- Have an account on LinkedIn. “Nowadays employers use technology and search for potential candidates online, so it’s helpful to register your CV online.”
- Watch what you post on social media. “People say unnecessary things on social media which might lead them not getting the job. Keep your social and work life separate.” she explained.
- Be prepared for your interview. “Be you and be original. Be professional and respectful at all time. The answer will automatically sound original. The minute the recruiter picks up that you rehearsed, he will reserve the post for the next available person,” she concluded.
