Dear Recruiter

I write this letter with the best intent and I sincerely hope that you can understand where this is coming from.  This letter is presented to you to better understand what a person like me (i.e. a Job Seeker is looking for in a job advertisement).

So without further delay let’s kick of the list of 10 things jobseekers look for in a Job advertisement:

1.  Job Title:

Job title is always a good start… it tells me what I will be doing for your company to make the company run like a well oiled machine, and thus be profitable.

2. Company / Client Name:

Please inform be who I will be working for. Come on there is no life threatening reason why your company / client name should be the best kept secret since the Coke a Cola recipe.  This way I can do some research about the company and be more prepared for my interview, which will mean that you’ll be able to hire me on the spot without delay and save time and money by not interviewing endless amount of Job Seekers.

3.  Location of the Position:

Location, location, location… If you just list ‘Gauteng’ as the location that leaves my mind to wonder, and that is a very dangerous thing.  Gauteng is a vast space of real estate and guess work is not by strongest point!  Let me know the location so I can start planning the shortest route to work to prevent always having to blame the traffic for being late for work.

4.  Salary Range & Benefits:

Is this job going to be worth my while?  This is the type of question I ask when I look at the job. The salary – and of course additional benefits – is always a top selling point, even if it just says that there is a coffee stand close to my desk (a major plus for any worker, caffeine keeps us peppy and happy staff are profitable staff).

5.  Job Requirements:

Am I qualified for this job?  I need numbers and minimum qualifications please… Minimum number of years experience to know how well qualified I am for this position.

6.  Job Description:

What are my duties?  How will my performance be measured?  What can I do for you and how can I add value to your business?

7.  Short listing questions:

Challenge me with some good questions regarding the job spec.  Let me prove to you that I’m suitable for this position by asking me a couple of challenging questions when I apply to the position.

8.  More useful information:

Please tell me more about my working conditions.  What kind of company will I be spending most of my day with?  Who will I be reporting to?  Let me get to know the company before I apply so that you and I know that I already appreciate your culture and business environment, hence I don’t waste your time in applying if I am not the right fit.

9.  Etiquette:

Please refrain for using CAPITAL letters and too many exclamation marks throughout the job spec. I know that you are very excited to hire a great Job Seeker like me, but this will seem to me that you are shouting at me before you’ve even hired me. Let’s be honest, the shouting may only start once you’ve actually hired me (and of course if I’ve done something wrong, which won’t happen because I’ll be peppy due to all the coffee you have provided me).

10.  Conclusion:

If you can please follow these guidelines then I’ll have all the information that I need to prepare my application to the best of my ability so as not to dissappoint you either before or after the job interview.

Also please be so kind as to let me know whether I was successful (or not) in my application.  There is nothing worse for us Job Seekers so as not to get feedback on the status of our application.  Please, Please, Please at least do us the courtesy of letting us know.

Thank you for your time to read my plea.

Hope to here for you soon.

Best regards

All Job Seekers Everywhere.

Written by Hane Calitz, Jobs.co.za

On CBC News: Ottawa at Six (June 16, 2009)

SEO Developer
South Africa – Western Cape – Cape Town
Salary: R15000.00 to R18000.00 MONTHLY

Senior Linux Systems Administrator
South Africa – Gauteng – Bryanston
Salary: R360000.00 to R440000.00 ANNUALLY

Customer Services Manager
South Africa – Gauteng – Johannesburg
Salary: R40000.00 to R45000.00 MONTHLY

Retail Branch Manager
South Africa – Mpumalanga – Hazyview
Salary: R17000.00 to R25000.00 MONTHLY

Senior C/C Developer
South Africa – Gauteng – Sandton
Salary: R5000.00 to R50000.00 MONTHLY

Brand Manager
South Africa – Gauteng – Bryanston
Salary: R400000.00 to R500000.00 ANNUALLY

IT Sales Executives
South Africa – Gauteng – Midrand
Salary: R18000.00 to R25000.00 MONTHLY

Sales Executive – Car Care/Motor Industry
South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
Salary: R6000.00 to R10000.00 MONTHLY

External Junior Sales Reps
South Africa – Gauteng – Sandton
Salary: R4000.00 to R6000.00 MONTHLY

Java Developer
South Africa – Gauteng – Sandton
Salary: R15000.00 to R30000.00 MONTHLY

Vehicle Branding Sales Executive
South Africa – Western Cape – Cape Town
Salary: R10000.00 to R20000.00

Account Manager – PR
South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
Salary: R10000.00 to R15000.00 MONTHLY

Office Automation Sales Agents
South Africa – Gauteng – Sandton
Salary: R5000.00 to R10000.00 MONTHLY

Graduate Finance Clerk
South Africa – Gauteng – Rivonia
Salary: R10000.00 to R10000.00 MONTHLY

Sales & Marketing Manager
South Africa – Gauteng – Roodepoort
Salary: R45000.00 to R55000.00 MONTHLY

Health Service Manager
South Africa – Gauteng – Sandton
Salary: R30000.00 to R30000.00 MONTHLY

Vehicle Branding Sales Executive
South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal – Durban
Salary: R10000.00 to R20000.00 MONTHLY

Web Graphic Designer (CS3)
South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
Salary: R15000.00 to R20000.00 MONTHLY

Receptionist / WIP Controller
South Africa – Gauteng – Johannesburg
Salary: R5000.00 to R7500.00 MONTHLY

Graduate Finance Clerk
South Africa – Gauteng – Rivonia
Salary: R10000.00 to R10000.00 MONTHLY

Storeman
South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
Salary: R6000.00 to R9000.00 MONTHLY

Online Advertising Sales Executive
South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
Salary: R8000.00 to R8000.00 MONTHLY

Sales Representative – Courier Industry
South Africa – Gauteng – Johannesburg
Salary: R15000.00 to R25000.00 MONTHLY

Graduate Finance Clerk
South Africa – Gauteng – Rivonia
Salary: R10000.00 to R10000.00 MONTHLY

• Sales Executive Learning and Training Job in South Africa – Gauteng – Bryanston
• Privaty Equity Associate Job in South Africa – Gauteng – Sandton
• New Business Sales Executive Job in South Africa – Gauteng – Bryanston
• Flash Developer (Freelance/Contract) Job in South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
• Health Actuary Job in South Africa – Western Cape – Cape Town
• Fleet Mechanic Job in  South Africa – Gauteng – Midrand
• C# Developer Job in  South Africa – Gauteng – Randburg
• Master IT EngineerJob in South Africa – North-West – Rustenburg
• J2ME Job in South Africa – Gauteng – Johannesburg

This is how it goes:
“Job ads” (and I use this term very loosely here as you’ll see from the rest of my post that this is no “job”) wherever there is an opportunity to advertise for free whether online or in print, passing their little scam off as a real job opportunity to poor unsuspecting Job Seekers. The advertisers paint a colorful picture of the “perfect” work from home opportunity.

…Waking up late doing a bit of work and receiving a fat check at the end of the week having free time to live your life and spending time with your loved ones…

You immediately decide to apply to the ‘dream come true’ opportunity.

*Glass shatter*

Little do you know at this point that this is all just a scam and you have sadly been tricked!

After “applying to the job” you receive an email informing you that you have been successful (even though you have not been for a job interview or spoken to anyone about the job). You – and many others – are informed in a standard letter that you are perfect for this position, and blah-blah … Such rubbish! In the very same letter they ask you (oh so matter of factly) to deposit X amount into the banking details provided. This amount can range from R10-R300 (depending on how greedy these people are) this amount is for a “Training Manual”. “Training Manual” my… cat’s toes!!!

In this “Training Manual” they tell you the following: And I quote “This training manual will teach you how to have your own successful business via the internet. Read your manual thoroughly. It’s as easy as 1,2,3”

1. Create a new email address
2. Placing Ads
3. Response Letters

In this “Training Manual” they teach and “advise” you on how to cheat the next innocent Job Seeker out of X amount by doing exactly what they’ve just done to you: Luring innocent Job Seekers into believing that they are applying to a “real” job opportunity that does in fact not really exist!

With this warning I leave you: If you’ve applied for a “Work from home data entry” or similar position and you received and email that asks you to deposit money in a bank account for whatever reason, please do not do so unless you are sure that this is not a scam, some positions are legit but you never know if the next person is trying to cheat you out of your hard earned cash!!!

We here at Jobs.co.za will do our utmost best to prevent these people from advertising on our website.

If you are aware of any suspicious behaviour or are unsure about anything that appears unusual then please let us know at support@jobs.co.za

June went for a job interview the very same day of her make-over and got the job! It just goes to show what a good CV coupled with a professional image can do for your self-confidence.  Read June’s amazing success story.

June’s dream come true experience – and a job ‘in the bag’ to write home about!

“I would like to thank Jobs.co.za for the most wonderful prize that every woman only dreams of winning.   My dream came through and started on Thursday, 28 May 2009. I arrived at Image Excellence Consulting Services offices in Randburg and it seems as if the entire office was awaiting my arrival, the front office staff with the warmest and friendliest smiles.  This already made me relax and felt very welcomed.

I was then taken and introduced to Hennie, who I instantly adored, not only by his professional appearance but the professional manner  in which he conducts himself,  which made me even more confident knowing this is the gentleman who will be changing my appearance.  A brief discussion with Hennie about myself realised that I spoke my heart out.  Hennie giving me some Self Image tips.  We then took some photos of myself (the before).

We were off to North Gate Shopping Centre, Stopping at the coffee shop indulging in a cup of  cappuccino and again Hennie giving me self esteem tips  – which I had lost somewhere within the last 3 weeks.  We then went to have my hair done.  Coloured, Cut & Blow dry.

We were then off to Sandton City – the highlight of the day (the biggest dream) we walked into ALDO’s Shoe Store, I wanted to scream with excitement, but managed to keep myself together, fitting on all the shoes was just one thing, finding the most beautiful stiletto’s and purchasing two pairs was just unbelievable, I had to pinch myself to make sure this is reality.  Off to purchase some outfits, tried on quite a few outfits in various stores with loads of fun, and eventually got the perfect Suit, Blouses, and Scarf & Accessory.  Famished, we headed to the restaurant where we had lunch, relaxing as I felt my self esteem & confidence return to me.

We then headed back to E Consulting’s offices where the final part of the makeover was to take place – The Facial Make-over.   A consultant from Estee Lauder – with extensive knowledge of the products, ran thru everything step by step as she was going about doing the make-up.    I then had the privilege of meeting the lovely photographer again taking the after photos.

What I thought is impossible, became possible within just a couple of hours, I regained my self worth, self image, Confidence and looked and felt like a million dollar person ready to take on the whole world , believing that I could achieve anything I want, including reaching for the stars and catching it.   I actually had a Job Interview the same evening  – and guess what – Just like Henie predicted and made me tell myself (That I will get that Job)……….   I did

From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank Jobs.co.za for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime as well as an experience most women only dream of. You have no idea what value, mentally, physically and emotionally this had empowered myself which I am sooooooooo grateful for!

Thank you that I could find myself again better than every before!

Thanking you,”
June Veeran

]]> http://www.jobs.co.za/job-blog/2009/06/08/winner-of-the-r10000-professional-make-over-a-dream-come-true/feed/ 0 http://www.jobs.co.za/job-blog/2009/04/05/are-you-in-a-recession-proof-career/ http://www.jobs.co.za/job-blog/2009/04/05/are-you-in-a-recession-proof-career/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:39:14 +0000 admin http://www.jobs.co.za/job-blog/?p=161 After last weeks Sunday Times Careers front-page article referring to the Jobs Bloodbath I thought it would be inevitable that this week would follow suit with more articles spreading the doom and gloom of the job situation in South Africa. So, I went out and got the Sunday Times first thing today and true to form, the front-page of the Careers section headline read ‘Recession Busters’. This article however placed a more positive employment spin for those holding “in demand” qualifications, trades and skills.

So what are these “in demand” qualifications, trades and skills?
According to the article (and subsequent articles carried throughout the same publication), the most in-demand careers for South Africa are:

1. Those holding specific trades such as artisans, plumbers and electricians.
2. Engineers; Specifically mechanical, civil and then electrical engineers.
3. Information Technology skills such as software engineers, developers, network engineers & administrators as well as those IT Managers who can demonstrate that they are able to align IT strategies with strategic business objectives.
4. Sharp managers! Meaning those managers that are able to communicate, motivate and build high-performance organisations through strong leadership.
5. Academics, teachers, nurses and doctors will always be in demand in South Africa as a result of the former brain drain that literally ‘drained’ South Africa of these most needed (but often underpaid) skills.

What do the job advertisements say?
After reading the predictions of two articles for two consecutive weeks regarding who will survive the recession and who should be concerned, I decided to flip through the rest of the Careers section. Pen in hand, I circled those jobs and qualifications or trades that appeared most frequently under this week’s vacancies. On page 1, just slightly below the ‘Recession Busters’ article was a fairly large ad for a mining giant promoting bursaries offering hope to Matriculants holding a 60% average in maths and science for a future in Mining, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering as well as other promising careers in the mining industry. This being an industry identified in last week’s publication as one of those who are most likely to lay-off employees during the coming Recession. Alongside the mining advertisement was another large advertisement recruiting for an Information Services Architect in the Petroleum industry, who should hold a degree or 3-year diploma in Computer Science or Information Technology accompanied with no less than 7 years technology architecture experience.

So that’s what the front page of the Careers section said, but what about the rest of the publication? A number of positions popped up frequently for Financial Managers – qualified CA’s – with between 5 to 7 years experience. This was not identified as one of the ‘in-demand’ skills, however judging by the number of job advertisements for Financial Managers; this too might be a promising career. I also spotted at least five job advertisements hiring CEO’s of medium to large size organisations with most of these vacancies requiring no less than a post-graduate qualification in business administration, or more specifically and MBA with 10 years plus experience.

What about all those Government Positions? Over the last few months or even years I have grown quite accustomed to seeing the majority of job advertisements in the Sunday Times Careers being for Government positions. I was surprised to see that the number of vacancies being advertised for the Government had reduced significantly – and as a result, so had the number of pages of the Career’s section. What did stand out is that the Department of Health is still advertising a large number of health jobs in the publication. Positions for Academics and teachers are also still featured rather prominently throughout the publication.

In support of last week’s predictions that the pharmaceutical and medical industries will not be retrenching, I noticed quite a few job advertisements in these industries. I also noticed that throughout the Careers section there was definitely an increase in the demand for Engineers holding BSc degrees with between 5 to 15 years experience, therefore supporting the comments in the headline article stating that those engineers with qualifications and skills will be more likely to survive the recession.

Looking at the content of the job advertisements throughout the publication it clearly demonstrated that those ‘in-demand’ careers mentioned above are, well … clearly in demand.

Although the job advertisement may seem rather legitimate, this is indeed a scam. The official Climax Oil company has posted a Scam Warning on their own website. Please read it to find out more details regarding the nature of the scam.

The nature of the scam is where a phony job advertisement is placed on job web sites, promising positions at Climax Oil. The applicant receives an email with a job offer and requests that the applicant pays an up-front fee to a travel & tour company for assistance in getting a working Visa and to make arrangements for the applicant to get to the foreign country (i.e. Nigeria).

Please note that this is indeed a scam and Climax Oil dissociate themselves entirely from any of these emails or job advertisements as they believe it is an attempt to perpetrate Advance Fee Fraud (popularly known as “419”) on unsuspecting members of the public. In the event that you have received any emails from the company described above, please visit the official website for contact details to take further action.

Please be aware that this is becoming a common scam and Jobs.co.za advises that you never pay any monies over to anyone unless you have met face-to-face and have thoroughly done your research on the company to whom you are paying monies (telephonically or in person) to be assured that the company that you are dealing with has a legitimate job offer on hand.

I have some exciting employment opportunities available at Jobs.co.za to scoop about with you fine job hunting hounds.

As you would be aware by now Jobs.co.za has recently re-launched its sophisticate, uncomplicated and enhanced website to the South African Online Job Market.

What’s more is, after having launched our new website in August this year; we have experienced what could be the most rapid paced growth I have ever been witness to.

Due to our expansion, we are currently looking to recruit some more troops to join our team and make South Africa’s Online Job Portal bigger better and bolder than before.

To follow are some short descriptions of the roles that Jobs.co.za is currently recruiting for, as well as the links to the jobs adverts as listed on the Jobs website.

If you feel that your skills, knowledge, experience and know how  would be both relevant and fitting to apply to any of these roles, please, by all means apply to the role and we will get back to you in response to your application as soon as we have finished short listing suitable candidates for these roles.

Sales Consultant – Recruitment Agency Services
South Africa – Gauteng – Bryanston
Jobs.co.za, South Africa’s Online Job Portal has recently been re-launched and is growing rapidly. To commensurate with this growth we have a requirement for a target-driven, professional sales consultant to grow our Recruitment Agency client base.

Industry: Recruitment
Job Function: Sales
Salary: NEGOTIABLE
Job Type: Permanent

Event and Sponsorship Manager: Online (Virtual) Job Fairs

South Africa – Gauteng – Bryanston

We are looking for an unusually diverse candidate that can take on the role of project, event & sponsorship management for our new Virtual Expo’s business unit.

Industry: Recruitment

Job Function: Event Management

Salary: NEGOTIABLE

Job Type: Contract

Job Advertising Telesales Consultant

We are looking for strong telesales consultants who are passionate about sales and are successful in exceeding minimum quotas and targets. This role is not for entry/ junior telesales people. This is a role for a professional individual with strong business acumen and an unquestionably convincing telephone manner.

Industry: Advertising and Media

Job Function: Telesales

Salary: NEGOTIABLE

Job Type: Permanent

Once again, please send through a top selling cover letter along with your application when applying online to each of these 3 Hot Jo’burg based jobs and I’ll be sure to hold my fingers and toes.

P.S.  In case you were wondering it just so happens that I might just be open to a few forms of bribery or gentle enticement you’d be willing to offer….it all depends on how badly you want the job :”)

You know where you can find me and best of luck with your application.

Namaste’

Jo Open to Bribery Blog

joblog@jobs.co.za

Phew, politics, my single most hated topic in the universe. While this is so, how can I ignore the fact that as it sits…South Africa is President-less.

Huh? What was that? No President…our president has resigned?

How does that happen and who is left in charge to take care of our beautiful country.

Well as concerning as this all may be, plans to swear in a standby president or rather caretaker president will take place on Thursday.

The man chosen for the job is Deputy Chief of the African National Congress, Kgalema Motlanthe.

Motlanthe will act as caretaker president until the June elections in 2009. Thereafter a new president will be democratically voted in by participating South Africans.

Kgalema Motlanthe is an ex Mineworkers union leader at a grounded age of 59. He has been associated with the African National Party as far back as 1970, where back then, he was imprisoned and persecuted for being an ally of Mr Steve Biko.

Mr Motlanthe was imprisoned at Robben Island for 10 years for having been associated and Mr Biko. After being released from prison Mr Motlanthe joined the National Union of Mineworkers and soon became their leader.

In the last year Kgalema Motlanthe has advanced from secretary-general of the African National Congress to deputy leader and Member of Parliament.

There are high hopes of the soon to be caretaker president, Kgalema Motlanthe to fill the shoes of our missing president and while things may be a little unsettled at the moment, they say a change is as good as a holiday.

Funny, I spoke to a friend of mine earlier today and we were discussing change and the stars, astronomy and Chinese star signs (that’s what gurus talk about most of the time) and he explained to me that according to the stars, as we move into 2009, the year of the Dragon is indicative of change and evolution.

Let’s hope that the changes that happen are the right ones for all of us South Africans and the country in general.

In the meantime I promise to keep abreast of the news and keep you updated as to what’s happening in our country and how this incident could impact on South Africa’s employment market.

Anyway, until then take care and Ill speak to you again soon.

Peace out

Jo Blog

joblog@jobs.co.za