Page 32 - TODAY Magazine Issue 1 2022 - Old Mutual

USEFUL LINKS
• SA Youth is a zero-rated mobisite with job opportunities, guidance and advice: sayouth.mobi
• Nedbank’s DigiSkills offers free online courses in software development, data analytics and IT administration as well as project management and customer service in partnership with Microsoft and AfrikaTikkun: digiskills.careers
• The government’s National Youth Development Agency offers life skills courses and has a database with job opportunities:
nyda.gov.za
• Yes4Youth is a zero-rated website
that connects jobseekers with full-time and part-time jobs, learnerships, volunteering and learning opportunities: Yes4Youth.co.za
YOUR CAREER STARTING OUT
‘Communication skills are essential to building relationships with colleagues, understanding objectives and instructions, and executing tasks,’ she says. Being able to communicate clearly and concisely, whether it’s
in an email to a colleague or a client presentation, has become doubly important now that many people are working from home. It will not only get your message across, but will also make a good impression. Ellenise also points out grit and resilience – two skills that will see you through difficult times, be it a demanding project or a pandemic.
‘To demonstrate that you have these skills if you don’t have any work experience, start with your CV. Formulate it in such a way that it shows that you can communicate well and highlight work, academic or life experiences that required grit and resilience. It could be getting up at 4am every day
to train for the Comrades or persevering until your application to a specific college was accepted,’ she explains.
Other skills she highlights are being able to manage yourself, solve problems and understand the business environment. ‘They will help you to be organised and add value to your employer’s business. Having good time- and people-management skills on top of that will allow you to meet deadlines without making colleagues anxious that you
might not deliver.’
How can you get these skills?
Janet Labberté, previously a high-level recruiter and
now a career guidance counsellor at Career Avenues, believes that there’s a lot you can do to improve your soft skills. She has the following tips for students:
• Use long holidays to do volunteer work or to intern or
job shadow. This will give you commercial awareness that graduates often lack and will also help to develop your teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, and make you more resilient.
• Go to industry-related events and meetings to learn more.
• Once you’ve graduated, ensure that you include
all your holiday work experience in an impressive
LinkedIn profile.
• Tailor your application to the specific role you are
applying for. Analyse the keywords used in the job advertisement and highlight the soft and hard skills asked for in your CV, covering letter and interview.
• Before going for an interview, thoroughly research the company and its competitors.
• Be aware that you may need to adjust your expectations relating to both the type of role and the remuneration. Once you have that entry-level experience under your belt, you can start motivating for an increase, or move to a position that is more in line with what you want to do and earn.
OPPORTUNITIES AT OLD MUTUAL
Click here to learn more about Old Mutual’s internships and learnerships for graduates.
30 | ISSUE ONE 2022
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