Orientation « Careers SA

Which industry will best match your personal preferences and values, in terms of culture and responsibilities? What type of work will make you happiest, and what kind of colleagues will you work most comfortably alongside? What kind of atmosphere do you need to be optimally productive?

Ideal career or job

Unless you’ve accumulated some experience, you might struggle to decide what type of work, or position, will suit you best. It may help to compile a shortlist of careers or jobs you find appealing. Now, make contact with people who are employed in these positions, and ask them about their duties and what their role entails.

Networking

You may find it useful to develop a professional network, especially since many employers prefer to hire people who have received personal recommendations. It’s a good idea to start building your network as soon as you graduate.There are different types of networks which may partly overlap: click on the link below to find out more

Employment agencies & Job websites

Finding the right person for a position isn’t always a simple task. Many companies therefore use the services of specialised employment agencies, such as temporary employment agencies, secondment agencies, recruitment and selection agencies and executive search companies.

Careers SA has gone all out to present you with a comprehensive snapshot of the working world.

Tip: Be selective about the information you post on social media sites like Facebook and Linkedin and remember to check your privacy settings. Recruiters may check out your profile, and you don’t want them to get the wrong idea from pictures or information you’ve posted online.

Start your career plan now
As a graduate, you have a lot to offer potential employers. When submitting job applications, market yourself effectively by identifying skills sought by employers. Draw attention to these skills in your cover letter and CV, and be well prepared for interviews. Be proactive when looking for employment opportunities: networking, responding to advertised vacancies and accessing the hidden job market all have a part to play in effective job search. Attend workshops and careers fairs on campus. Meet with a Careers Advisor to discuss future options, and use the Career Services on your campus. They’ll be able to help you make effective career decisions; develop and identify skills; access opportunities and make effective job applications; develop a successful interview technique and prepare for graduate study or time out. Whatever you intend doing when you complete your studies, the time to develop a career action plan is now.
David Casey, Director, UCT Careers Service