The Job Market and Its Ever Changing Landscape

Written by: Chane da Costa

Gone are the days of landing jobs via your personal network and newspapers. Embracing the digital era, we adjust our job search by applying electronically via email and job portals. There has been a substantial transformation in the landscape of the job market and what hiring managers look for in the digital era. Are you prepared?

Before the convenience of the World Wide Web (WWW), there weren’t as many job opportunities or means in which to apply for them. People used to get jobs at the same company a family member was working at, through a friend or acquaintance and by means of going to the company and having a chat to the manager for a possible position available. There also used to be job advertisements pinned up on community notice boards and advertised in the local newspaper. In 1989 when the WWW was invented we saw the beginning of the Digital Era, when CV’s were neatly created on a computer and faxed and emailed to hiring employers. A gap in the recruitment was then seen and online community and business job portals were then created. So all very well that we know the evolution of applying for jobs, but how does this affect us as individuals?

Advantages of the changed market landscape

•  It is convenient to apply on online job portals.
• It provides easy access to research the company’s information and background for interviews
• It grants you, as the candidate, the opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader and ultimately build and maintain a robust network of contacts through establishing connections via social media. This also serves to reflect your personal brand and provides hiring managers with more insight into determining if you are the right fit for their company culture.
• It is part of the “Green Initiative” and does not waste paper.
•  It saves time, by uploading your CV onto the portal and applying for jobs that are suitable for you.
• You have access to markets/industries you never thought you would be able to be in.
• You are able to apply for positions across local and geographical borders. It also allows for electronic interviews to be conducted via Skype or other useful electronic platforms.
• There is a larger variety of positions that you gain access to.

Disadvantages of the changed market landscape:

• Your CV gets lost in the database because of the abundance of applications each role receives.
• The format of the CV may distort on the hiring managers computer and then be disposed of.
• There are many other candidates who are exposed to that position, which will be competition for you.
• Companies who have access to the databases may call you for a position that you may not be interested in which can be a nuisance.
•  Hiring managers may search your online personal reputation; this may assist or forfeit your chances of landing the position.
• It is easy to misrepresent yourself by creating an alternate online reputation that does not align in reality.
• You constantly have to update your CV on all the job and social media platforms for personal brand consistency. Just ensure that you are active on these platforms so that you can respond to hiring managers within time.

Having noted the advantages and disadvantages of the changed market landscape, you may ask the question – How do I use this to my advantage to land the perfect position? Well whether or not you are a graduate or someone who has been in the working world for a while, these tips will definitely differentiate you in this digital era. 

• Do not be afraid to start at the bottom in a career that you are passionate about. It is better to do what you love and love what you do, than to work in a job that you do half-heartedly because it is not where your interests are.
• Get involved in your community. Hiring employers like to see that their employees are well rounded individuals and are involved in activities outside work. By having a well-balanced life you show that you are able to apply the same practicality in the working environment.
• Ensure that your full profile is featured on top recruitment boards with a comprehensive and complete CV and portfolio if you have one.
• Ensure your social media is not thwarting your job search. Manage your online reputation with a complete LinkedIn profile for hiring managers to view your professional experience.
•  If you have a Facebook, Twitter and other social media or blog platforms make sure it is in line with employers expectations and that there is no explicit or inappropriate content exposed online for their viewing.
• Use these tools to your advantage. Create an online personal brand and position yourself as the person you would like others to view you as. Whether you’re a passionate foodie who knows how to code or a geek who works in hospitality, allow room for a balanced lifestyle and don’t be afraid to reflect those quirky aspects of yourself.

·         Remember hiring managers are also human, so whatever is on your social media platforms doesn’t necessarily have to be work orientated, but represent who you are and the values you would like to reflect. Hiring managers look to employ those with a bit more substance than the ‘sleep-eat-work routine’ type.

·         Make yourself available. If you aren’t able to answer your phone, email or social media platforms hiring managers will simply move on to the next available person.

These aren’t the only aspects that hiring managers are now taking into consideration in the changed job market landscape. Employers now want employees who aren’t programmed to complete certain tasks but look for future employees who are fast on their feet and out the box thinkers. People who are complex and individualistic and are proud to be different compared to the average Joe. These are also people who have interest in working in teams and present leadership potential. At the end of the day it all falls down to individuals who are hungry for success and seek more responsibility.

So do yourself a favour and Google yourself to see if the content that comes up with your name, represents and matches who you truly are in reality. The WWW is like a highway of content, your online representation is like a massive billboard – would you really like to see yourself posted on a an advertisement across the N1 with a duck-face pose and bathroom tiles in the background, while the caption read ‘hire me’?

Finding the Right Fit. Pursuing your Passion.

Written by: Chane da Costa

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined” a quote by Henry David Thoreau. Many people make the mistake of choosing a career based on the salary they will be getting at the end of the month. By choosing a career based solely on the money you get is the biggest mistake anyone could ever make. Being unsatisfied in your career takes a negative toll on one’s mind, body and health. This will not only affect you in your career but in your personal life as well, where you will permanently feel burned out, frustrated, anxious and depressed. The importance of finding the right position is not based on salary expectations but more on what truly satisfies you as an individual.

In this blog I will take you through the criteria you need to consider when deciding what position is the right fit for you in an attempt to explain how true job satisfaction can be achieved, beyond the measure of financial gains. Some people have no clue what they want to do and where they want to be. Others feel like they have it all figured out. For most the answers don’t always come easily.

For about two years I, myself had made the mistake of setting my mind on an industry and company I would dream to work at. Having thought I figured out the direction my career was going in, I had limited myself to what was actually out there and many other areas that I have passion for. I neglected many other areas of my interest but I do not regret it. The point I am trying to make is that there is a lot more out there for you than what you think there is. Having discovered my true calling (at least for now), my best advice is to first discover your passion and purpose. You need to uncover what activities get you excited, bring you joy and what really drives you.

When choosing the right career considering your interests, aptitude, personality and values are vital.  These personal aspects also help determine what drives you professionally and where exactly your passion lies. By doing something you are passionate about, you are motivated and inspired to do better than yesterday, to push yourself beyond your boundaries and in essence to challenge yourself to become greater than you ever thought. Passion is when you work long hours and go the extra mile for your job with a smile on your face and no complaints and people look at you as if you are crazy. To have passion for your work is what will make you successful, not the money you receive at the end of the month.

Once you have discovered what you are passionate about, it is important to gather information about these career options that align with these interests as well as your values and set of principles. Learn about what it takes to succeed in these areas of interest and the skill set required to grow into positions within your chosen niche. Creating a career map would be the best option to start with. A career map is a road map of your career. By gathering job specifications of the positions you are interested in, you can determine the education, training and experience level you should be at. Design your career map from your first entry level position and indicate the direction you would like to go into. This will also help you determine what you should do to grow professionally. This will also give you good insight into the day to day responsibilities you will have and what you should expect salary wise.

A trap that many graduates fall in is think that they should only work for big well established brands that will look good on their CVs. I, myself, fell into that trap not realising that working for a small start-up company opens up many more doors than just a name on your CV. 

Don’t get demotivated by not getting a position at a company you have dreamed on for many years. Chances of another opportunity you are passionate will most likely come your way.  When this opportunity comes around, just ensure that it is in line with your interests, aptitude, personality and values before accepting the offer. Success is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.

10 Ways Jobseekers Can Benefit From UPSKILL Solutions

Written by: Chane da Costa

Having recently read a blog post – “A Guide for Young People: What to Do with Your Life” by Leo Babauta, I realised how relevant our new service ‘UPSkill Solutions’ really is. I am not saying this simply because it is my job to do so as a Marketer, but more because I can relate to that lost & confused feeling and often wished I had some answers or advice when deciding what to do with my life.

As we grow older, we realise the pressures of having a good education, job and life. How to get there and where to start, we don't know. By being actively involved in the recruitment side of things as well, I have discovered that even some of my more experienced candidates have very little direction in terms of their career objectives. The truth is, most of us have not been provided with clear guidance and understanding of how to direct our life and career in a direction where we can find the sweet spot that lies between what you’re good at, what you are passionate about and something someone is willing to pay you to do.

This is where Upskill fits in. The programme irons out the creases and provides you with the tools to discover direction and motivation. Even if you have experience and think you have things figured out, I can guarantee that UPSKILL Solutions will open your eyes to gaps in your personal brand or career that help differentiate you from your competition. The infographic below describes exactly what there is to gain through the Electus UPSkill personalised courses.

Please contact one of our consultants if you would like more information on UPSKILL Solutions: info@electusrecruitment.co.za

A Guide for Young People: What to Do With Your Life by Leo Babauta

How to Have a Work Life Balance

Written by: Chane da Costa

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. A quote we hear so often, but don't take it to heart. Living a balanced lifestyle assists you in feeling self fulfilled. According to Maslow's  hierarchy of needs the top three needs are social needs, self esteem and self actualization. In essence this means that you can only feel fully motivated and fulfilled once your basic needs have been satisfied. 

Where social needs come first satisfying your need to be part of a social group as well as having family and spiritual times comes first before self esteem and self actualization. Then comes self esteem and self actualization where by taking care of yourself and work needs come in. This shows you that having social needs is just as important as your work and by tending to both you have a perfectly balanced lifestyle whereby you are self fulfilled and motivated.

Below is an infographic on areas of a work life balance that you need to fulfill.