The transition from being a student to a full-time worker can often be quite taxing – and a big part of that is often the job search itself.

Don’t underestimate your CV

Your CV is critical when searching for a job. Ask for help when compiling a CV: contact family members or friends who have created CV’s before, or if you’re enrolled at a University or College, contact the career office for help. Avoid silly errors like spelling mistakes and ensure that all information is accurate and up to date. Your CV is the first impression that prospective employers will get of you, so you want to be sure it sets a good precedent!

Network

Networking is invaluable when it comes to job-hunting, enabling you to build up contacts and gain guidance while searching for a job. An indirect approach is often best, reaching out to contacts for information and advice rather than directly asking for a job. Don’t forget to tell friends and family members that you’re looking for a job- you never know who might know of an open position or valuable contact!

Keep growing

During the job hunt, don’t become complacent and only rely on your previous training and experience. If you have the time and resources, search for new learning and training opportunities. Sign up for short courses, seek out internships or learnerships or try to get a mentor that can guide you through your career.

Reach out to a recruitment agency

Recruitment agencies are invaluable when it comes to job hunting! More and more companies are relying on recruitment agencies to fill their vacant positions, which means that recruitment agencies have increasing numbers of open positions! Recruitment agencies have an excellent knowledge of the skills market and are experts at identifying suitable opportunities and jobs. As they have extensive networks, these agencies can quickly get in contact with potential employers, and they are often the first to hear of open positions!  A good recruitment agency will alleviate a great deal of the job-hunt anxiety, allowing you to focus on preparing for interviews and expanding your knowledge!

And remember: stay positive. Hunting for a job can often be demoralising and draining, but it’s important to remain optimistic and keep on searching.

Professional Sourcing is a top-tier South African-based recruitment agency operating internationally, IPM accredited, LEVEL 2 BEE RATED and 51% Black Owned.

Our agency specialises in professional placements (senior and specialist talent) and exclusive skills recruitment to a wide range of industries, including JSE’s top 100 companies, SMEs and the Public Sector.