9 useful tips for Matrics entering the job market

So, you’ve finally passed Matric and you are looking towards your future. You are most probably also asking yourself questions like “Does my personality really match my career choice?”, “Have I chosen the right career path?”, “Will I find a job?”, “Should I really go study?” or “Should I take a gap year before I do anything?”.  Some of you are probably also curious and scared at the same time when you think of the working world and the challenges and opportunities that are lying ahead of you.

If you are expressing these feelings or asking yourself questions like these, don’t worry – it’s perfectly human. We all go through these motions when we finish Matric, you’re not alone. Great news is that Job Mail is here to help you: We’re giving Matrics who are entering the job market this year 9 useful tips, check them out below:

1. Make sure that your CV is professional and not too long. It’s not necessary to include your certificates or copy of your ID (unless a potential employer asks for it). Also remember that your CV should tell potential employers why they must hire you, not what you want.
2. In this day and age chances are huge that a potential employer will “Google” you before they consider you for an interview. Make sure that your digital footprint is clean. Delete or un-tag those photos that your mates posted of you on Matric holiday on Facebook – make sure that there isn’t any content or photos online that could make you look bad or unprofessional. Some studies have shown that up to 75% of employers check potential candidate’s social media profiles.
3. Join online forums that discuss topics relevant to your field and engage with like-minded people online. Chances are that you learn a lot from people that you engage with.
4. If you don’t have a Twitter account yet, create one and start following people that are gurus, experts or know a lot about the industry that you’re thinking of getting into – you will learn a lot from them. Also take note that Twitter is one of the best networking tools around.
5. If you do get called for an interview make sure that you do research about the company. Make sure you know what the company does and for which position they are considering you. Getting asked a question about your potential employer is not uncommon in interviews. Being prepared will show them you’re passionate about them and what they do and they might just hire you when they realize that. Also familiarize yourself with other common interview questions and ways to answer them.
6. Think twice before you enroll in a course. Make sure you’re absolutely sure about the job field you want to move into. Don’t enroll in a course just because all your friends are doing it.
7. Consider taking a gap year and go work abroad. Travelling might not be the cheapest option, but you can do a lot of things. You can go work on a Kibbutz in Israel, Au Pair in Europe or America, teach English in a foreign country, etc – the opportunities are truly endless.
8. Consider volunteering in your community, at a hospital or NGO. There are many non-profit organisations in communities that are waiting for you to volunteer your time. You won’t get paid for this, but you’ll get a chance to meet new people, work with animals, children or people in need of your help. The bonus is that this is a rewarding feeling and it will help you gain new skills that could assist you in the working world one day.
9. Start by looking for part time / casual work. Remember that you are probably not going to walk into your dream job right away, every one has to start somewhere in the job market. Look for work as a shop assistant, cashier, waiter or promotional work. If you do a good job and keep at it for more than 3 months you could be appointed in a permanent position by the company that you work for.

Well, there you have it, 9 useful tips for Matrics entering the job market. Did you find this advice useful or not? Leave a comment and let us know if you have any feedback – it’s appreciated. If you find these tips useful, feel free to share this article with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Remember: Sharing is Caring. Sharing this might be the reason that you help someone to find the job they’ve been looking for.

If you’re new to the job market, register your profile and CV on Job Mail NOW! Kick-start your job hunting journey, it’s the right thing to do.

Watch this space for regular updates for Job Seekers on the Job Mail Blog.