Career Resources

Practical advice, templates, and safety guidance for young South African job seekers.

CV WRITING

Writing a Professional CV

Your CV is your personal marketing document. Keep it concise (2 pages maximum) and structure it logically.

Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, professional email, and location.
Personal Statement: Write a short summary of your career goals and key strengths.
Education: Detail your highest completed qualification, school or institution name, and year completed.
Skills & Achievements: List relevant computer skills, languages, certifications, projects, and volunteer activities.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Preparation can help you feel more confident during an interview. Follow these core steps before meeting an employer.

Research the Organisation: Understand what services or products the organisation provides.
Practice "Tell Me About Yourself": Keep your introduction under 90 seconds and focus on your education, skills, experience, and career goals.
Prepare Questions: Think of relevant questions you can ask the interviewer about the role and organisation.
Punctuality: Arrive early for in-person interviews or test your internet connection before an online interview.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

A professional online profile can help employers and recruiters learn more about your skills, education, projects, and career interests.

Use a Professional Photo: Choose a clear, recent photo with a simple background.
Create a Clear Headline: State your career area, important skills, or the type of opportunity you are looking for.
Write an About Section: Briefly describe your education, skills, experience, interests, and career goals.
Add Education and Skills: Include relevant qualifications, technical skills, certifications, and training.
Show Your Projects: Add links to relevant projects, your GitHub profile, portfolio, or other professional work.
Keep Your Profile Updated: Regularly update your skills, qualifications, projects, certifications, and experience.

EMPLOYMENT SCAMS

Protect yourself from scams that target people looking for employment and other opportunities.

Red Flag 1 - Money Requests: Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay a fee to apply, secure a job, attend an interview, or receive an offer.
Red Flag 2 - Suspicious Locations: Be careful when an interview is arranged at a private home or another location that does not appear connected to the organisation.
Red Flag 3 - Unofficial Communication: Verify recruiters and organisations through their official websites or other trusted sources before sharing personal information.
Red Flag 4 - Unrealistic Promises: Be cautious of opportunities that promise unusually high salaries or guaranteed employment without a normal recruitment process.

COVER LETTERS

A cover letter explains why you are interested in a specific opportunity and how your skills and experience relate to the requirements.

Address the letter directly to the hiring manager or company HR department when possible.
Match your skills directly to the requirements listed in the opportunity.
Give specific examples of your education, experience, projects, or achievements.
Keep it brief and organised, usually around 3 to 4 short paragraphs on one page.
Proofread your cover letter before submitting it.

DOCUMENT PREPARATION

Keep digital copies of important documents ready so you can apply for opportunities efficiently.

Updated CV: Save your CV as a professional PDF and make sure your contact details are current.
Identification: Keep an appropriate copy of your identification document available when an application legitimately requires it.
Qualifications: Keep copies of your Matric certificate, academic records, certificates, or other relevant qualifications.
Cover Letter: Prepare a general template that can be adapted for different opportunities.
Portfolio or GitHub: If relevant to the opportunity, keep your portfolio, GitHub profile, or examples of your work updated.