Interview Questions – Top 10 to Prepare
2 years ago
We’ve said it before & we’ll say it again
… the key to success is preparation!
Interviews can be nerve racking events. But with our list of Top 10 Interview Questions and tips for your answers, you can be well prepared and sail through with ease!
Q: Tell me a bit about yourself.
Tip The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. This is usually asked in terms of your career, so keep it work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Starting with your earliest role, talk about what you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for.
Q: What do you like about your current role?
Tip: This is a great opportunity to highlight what you really enjoy about your role and ensure the list of skills you mention match those that the interviewers are looking for in this role! They may follow with the question why do you want to leave (see below).
Q: What do you dislike about your present job?
Tip: Be cautious with this answer and don’t be tempted to get into personal details or trivial issues. We suggest you choose a characteristic of your present company, such as its size or slow decision-making processes etc. Give your responses with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.
Q: Why do you want to leave your current role?
Tip: Again, be careful here. State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment. Do not be negative in your reasons for leaving. It is rarely appropriate to cite salary as your primary motivator.
Q Why did you leave your last job?
Tip Never slate a previous role or employer or raise issues with regard to the management or colleagues you worked with. It is the quickest way to fail any interview. Instead smile and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as career progression, better opportunities or other positive reasons.
Q: What do you know about this organization?
Tip: We’ve warned you … know your stuff! This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?
Q: Why have you applied for this particular job?
Tip: The employer is looking for confirmation that the job suits you and fits in with your long-term goals. Make sure you have a good understanding of the role and the company and describe the attributes of the company that interest you most.
Q: What experience do you have in this field?
Tip: Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have previous experience, get as close as you can by giving examples to support your answer. Show that you are passionate about this choice of career.
Q: What are your strengths?
Tip: This is another favourite so be prepared! Focus on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies e.g. your ability to learn quickly, positive attitude, determination to succeed, your ability to relate to people or work as a team player. You may be asked to give examples of the above so have some ready.
Q: What is your greatest weakness?
Tip: Again, you need to be careful here. Everyone has weaknesses so saying ‘none’ won’t work. Instead chose a weakness such as a lack of experience on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. Alternatively, describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength and the steps you have taken to combat it. An example would be: “I know I can be a perfectionist and drive my team hard, but I’m finding it easier to get the balance right”.
Staying Motivated
2 years ago
Job searching is rarely quick or easy.
That initial burst of enthusiasm and drive
– often disappears all too soon!
To keep you motivated, we’ve listed out some simple tips to keep you positive along the way.
Be realistic from the start Many people have high expectations when it comes to job searching and expect that new role to land on their lap within weeks. This is not realistic and finding the right job can take many weeks or months. Dedication and commitment to the task are vital. It’s easy to start off full of drive, but maintaining it can be hard. Being realistic from the start will help avoid disappointment - it may take a while before you see results.
Commitment is key Once you’ve completed your Winning CV and decided on clear career goals, commitment to the task in hand is key. Be organized in your approach, keeping track of your applications and ensuring you follow up on each one. Be consistent and constantly learn and adapt along the way.
Turn rejection into a positive Dislike of rejection is one of the main reasons people give up quickly and stay stuck in their career. Getting rejected for a role often means it is not the right role for you, or that your CV did not represent you properly.
Rather than allowing this to get you down, use it as a positive! Review your CV and double check that it really shows all your skills and abilities. Check through the job spec for that role again, did your CV show that you had experience in the listed skills required? It may simply be that you are applying for the wrong roles or not representing yourself properly but you can take action to ensure this does not happen again.
Learn from your mistakes Ask for feedback along the way. Whether you weren’t successful in an initial application stage or at the final interview, ask for feedback on where you fell down. Recruiters are more than happy to give you honest feedback if you ask. Get as much detail as you can, as this can prove valuable in ensuring you don’t make the same mistakes. It’s a simple thing to do but many candidates don’t think to ask.
Look to your future, not your past When difficulties arise, you may convince yourself that it is easier to stay put in your current role. Remember why you started your career search and keep focused. Write a list of the reasons you want to move on and the be clear about the career path you want to follow . When in doubt, take that list out.
Improve your Interview technique Your job search will lead you to many interviews. The key here is practice, they really do get easier the more often you do them. A few trial runs in front of friends or family can give great results and make the process on the day far less daunting. Don’t take any negative feedback personally, instead take it on board and do better next time. Before long you will be a pro.
Decide ‘no more’ excuses We all make excuses to put off making the calls or writing the letters we need to write. It’s not about being in the right mood. You have to just commit to your search and remind yourself of the reward at the end of it.
Exercise It doesn’t matter what you do, or how long you do it. Just getting the blood moving through your veins will make you feel better physically and mentally. When you feel stressed, go for a workout or a nice long walk. Everything will seem better afterwards.
Reward Yourself along the way Celebrate every success, no matter how small. Focus on the good and treat yourself along the way. We are often quite hard on ourselves and focus on what we haven’t achieved … instead focus on the good. When we are happy, this comes across and you are more likely to see positive results.
Eat Healthy, Exercise & Sleep Well Yes, it sounds like common sense, but a healthy mind needs a healthy body. Most people tend to eat badly when stressed, which leads to a tired and unproductive mind. Good eating habits, some exercise to release stress and getting to bed at a reasonable hour will give you all the energy and zest you need to succeed in your job search.
Finally, remember you’re not alone!! The challenges you face are experienced by all other job seekers, so you’re in good company. Stick with it and it will pay off.
GOOD LUCK!
Winning CV
2 years ago
You may have all the skills and experience required for a role,
..but if you submit a poor CV
you are unlikely to get called for an interview.
There are many types of CV’s out there. The following CV Scale should help you identify your CV type:
Poor CV Spelling and grammar errors. Very little information about the candidate’s career and out of date contact details.
Average CV The majority fall into this category. The basics are covered, in terms of education and previous employment, but simple errors such as spelling & grammar mistakes or gaps in their career not accounted for.
Good CV Thankfully more people are realizing the need to put effort into their CV so the spelling errors and gaps are being removed!
Great CV A great CV is well laid out, covers off all the important information that recruiters look for , is free of obvious spelling and grammar mistakes and allows the reader to get a good insight into their full range of skills & experience to date – with ease!
Winning CV This category of CV refers to those CV’s, which are not only great, but which result in the applicant being called for an interview when applying for jobs.
Note: The above scale relates to the format and layout of the CV itself, as opposed to the individuals’ skills & experience gained by each candidate.
Our aim is simple…
we want to help you achieve a Winning CV!
Writing a Winning CV
The benefits of doing your CV properly cannot be stated clearly enough. While a poor CV will result in little or no response to your job applications, a well written CV will usually result in being called for an interview.
Most people now have their CV on their PC or registered online with agencies or job boards. This makes it much easier to amend and keep up to date than ever before.
Printed CV Tips
Not all South Africans have a computer and many people still apply for jobs such as shop assistant, bar work or restaurant work in person. For our career seekers in this situation who use a hard copy, the following simple tips apply:
Get your layout right. Follow the above layout tips for your CV and ensure it’s not too long. Ideally 2 pages should be enough.
Check for any spelling or grammar errors This cannot be stressed enough. Read it yourself several times and ask friends or family members to read it again. Often we don’t see our own mistakes!
Keep it simple and easy to read Avoid fancy images, busy borders or fancy font styles. These attract attention, but for the wrong reasons. Keep your CV clean and simple and use plain fonts such as Arial or Verdana.
Attach a cover sheet State your name, contact details and the role you wish to apply for clearly on a cover page so that your CV will not get lost in the HR office. You want them to find you easily when a role becomes available.
Black & White Print your CV in black ink on white paper. Coloured ink or paper makes it more difficult to read.
Make a good impression When handing out your CV to businesses, remember first impressions last. Ensure that you are well presented, smile and be polite and ask for the manager (if available) , communicate clearly and confidently and depart with a handshake and a smile!
Follow up You are in control of your own destiny. Keep track of where you drop your CV and note the telephone number and person to contact in each place. Following up a week later is your first step and then stay in contact every month or so. Do not harass, but politely remind them of your interest and let them know you are still available should a role become vacant.
From the Thirst4Work Team – Good Luck
Coming soon!
More advice and information on constructing your Winning CV.
Recruitment Agencies
2 years ago
by brad
in Career Seekers
Recruitment Agencies are there to help you! With a little research you can find the right one for your career choice and your recruitment agent will become your best friend ..….
Check back soon for some amazing tips on how to find the right agency for you!
Welcome……
2 years ago
Welcome to the
www.THIRST4WORK .com
Career Blog
South Africa’s NEW, FUNKY career site & job board!
With a host of career experts and tips straight from employers – we’re as serious about your career as you are!
Don’t be left behind – Register Today!
How? It’s quick, it’s easy just click on SIGN UP on our home page.
Before you do, get some tips from our blog articles, to ensure your CV will stand out. See our Winning CV article for more advice.
Why? This will ensure that you will have a head start when all of our new jobs are activated.
Thank you for joining , we hope you enjoy it as much as we do, and we wish you every success in your career.
The Team
Thirst4Work
Recruiter Profile – Zethembe Recruitment, Durban
32 years ago
by brad
in Recruitment Agencies
Recruiter Profile
This months Recruiter Profile comes from Muziwandile Duma at Zethembe Recruitment. At 28, Muziwandile is the COO of Zethembe Recruitment Services in Durban. He lives on Ridge road, enjoys networking, Good TV and his morning jogs!
Having started his career working in call centres’ for the big telecommunications companies, Muziwandile then followed his passion into recruitment. He is now the Chief Operations Officer and Co-owner of Zethembe Recruitment Services along with his Partner Menzi Nene ( CEO) whom he has been friends with since primary school.
Tell us a little bit about your agency?
Zethembe is a Zulu word, meaning being confident/ believing in yourself. We pride ourselves with providing a perfect mixture between experience and youth, doing the normal more efficiently and always coming up with innovative programs to keep ahead of our competitors. The core of the company revolves around upliftment, whether it is for our clients, our candidates or our staff. The communities we come from and the general public, which is clearly expressed in our motto “a better life with us”. We are involved with NGO’s such as Peace Players International (PPI) in training their staff to be more marketable in the corporate world. We have also introduced programs aimed at uplifting learners and students seeking to be employable (project name: LIAISE), as well as our SMME program where our recruitment services are offered at discounted rates (JOB ASSIST)
When did you join & what is your role here?
I’ve been with the company since its inception. I’m currently in charge of all operations, responsible for both the day-to-day running of the company and developing business plans for the long-term future of the organization. Looking after the company’s assets and running the company in the most profitable and successful way for the benefit of its shareholders. Implementing frameworks of law within which to manage the company’s, affairs
What made you decide upon a career in recruiting?
There’s a great fulfillment that comes with finding someone employment, giving them a livelihood.
What advice would you give to others who would like a career in recruitment?
It’s not a numbers game – like we have all been led to believe. It’s all about planning, research and innovation. It’s still one of those industries that require people that are passionate about helping others.
What are the main challenges your agency face when placing candidates?
Your CV is your life’s portrait so make it show your best side. Your CV should account for every aspect of your working life (this includes times that you were not employed), so make it as detailed as possible. It then becomes my job as a recruiter to present it in a manner that my client will understand. Utilizing Thirst4work’s CV building tool is a great way start.
How can candidates assist in the process?
The time for being lucky and getting a particular job is long over. All job advertisements mention the minimum requirements needed for that job, if you don’t meet them then don’t apply. It will create a bad image of you.
Finally, any parting words to our candidates?
Life is all about selling yourself; people buy something because they believe in you as a person, than they buy your product.
Resign In Style
2 years ago
by brad
in Career Seekers
You’ve had enough!
After much thought, you’re ready to resign!
Before you storm your boss’s office, take a moment and remember, how you quit can have a big impact on your future job prospects.
Take a deep breath and read our tips on how to quit …. the SMART way!
Be Sure! Make sure you are leaving for the right reasons and not acting on impulse or having a bad day! Sometimes a change is all that is needed and moving department or going for a promotion within the business would resolve your itchy feet. Before you type up your final words, consider a confidential chat with your HR representative and discuss your options. You may come out with a change of heart.
Every action … creates a reaction! Most resignations come as a shock to their employer, so be prepared for a range of reactions, from positive encouragement to angry silence! This is not a good time to respond with your list of complaints and frustrations about your role. Instead, be prepared and remain calm and professional. Simply state clearly your reasons for leaving and assure your employer that you wish to leave on good terms.
Fulfill your obligations. Each role has a different notice period. Know what yours is and any other outstanding holidays due etc. You can clarify this with your union or HR department if you are unsure.
Never burn your bridges. While venting frustrations can be therapeutic, be very careful. Ranting to colleagues or directly to your boss may mean losing a valuable reference when you leave. It may also make it difficult to return should you ever need to. Also, your work colleagues here may also move job and be your work colleagues in another company!
With these tips in mind, you can ensure you’re doing the right thing and resign in style! Good luck.
Featured Employer – Estate Press Publications by Justin Scott
0Employer Profile
Running through a profile of yourself always seems a little indulgent, so I hope I do this justice and give you a feel of my background without making it sound like a speech or rattled off CV.
Firstly, I am a husband to Lorinda and a father to three great kids (Ceagan, Roxann and Datin). I’ve studied Land Surveying, BComm (Business Management), ADCPM at Unisa’s Business Management School and also run through a Leadership Develop Program via GIBS. Career wise, I started out in the telecommunications industry working in Supply Chain Management before moving into the IT Industry. I cut my teeth and earned my stripes working for and starting IT businesses during which time I’ve been fortunate enough to work with companies like Microsoft, PWC, Alexander Forbes, Adcorp, Derivco and many others.
Currently Lorinda and I own Estate Press Publications where I am a director/editor. The business produces close on 20 different publications (including TheBallito) and is based in Ballito.
When I’m not being a husband, dad or business owner I try relax by reading as much as I can or keeping myself as young as possible through FIFA soccer on Playstation (i’m still able to whip the kids!)
What is your role in the business and how long have you worked here?
In our business roles seem to blur depending on deadlines and making sure we look after our advertising customers, but on a normal day (not that there are many of those) I look after operations and projects related to our portfolio of magazines. The job spans everything from handling sales with the sales team, through to project managing content from all the great people who contribute to the magazines. It’s a great job and every day brings a new challenge.
How would you describe your work environment?
It’s definitely interesting. The buzz of the sales team in the office brings such great energy to the business, and then we have the creative contribution of our design team which is a catalyst to the creative thinking that happens. The offices are open plan, so communication is easy (yes, we talk across the office even although we shouldn’t!) and the business is transparent. Even our board room is open plan which is different. Our approach to this open environment has challenges but it’s created an honest, open and passionate work space for the team.
Was it a clear career path, which you planned carefully, or did it evolve over time?
My career was definitely opportunistic. I’d love to say it was carefully mastered and planned but really it was more driven by a passion I had for wanting to be a part of making business happen, as opposed to finding a career. What I know is that each opportunity I’ve had has taught me something new, and I’ve always committed to what I do heart and soul, trying to get the most out of it while putting the very best of myself into it. It always sounds like a cliché but a career path is exactly that…a path, not a destination.
What are the main challenges you face in your role day to day?
Trying to find time to get to everything we want to do. Between our current magazines, new magazines being launched and a specific drive to grow our presence on the web, there just isn’t enough time in a day. I also have an amazing family and when hours are limited there is a tendency to steal time from them, which is wrong since family is the most valuable thing we have. That all said, those are the same challenges we all face, so I consider myself blessed to only have to worry about those – there are many more people out there with bigger challenges than mine!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I think there are two things. The first is how the team’s creativity produces something that appeals to others, starting from an idea and seeing the finished result. The second is working with people and trying to get them to be the best they can, everyday.
If people wish to work at Estate Press, what process do they need to follow?
Apply! Seriously though, it depends on the role we have open at the time. For the more design orientated stuff candidates would need to have some design training behind them, and a portfolio of work they’ve done. Experience is always great, but if a candidate expresses an exceptional creative flair we’d be willing to invest in them. Our sales team on the other hand need to be able to connect with people, understand business and want to build relationships. We’re less worried about qualifications in sales and more focused on the ability to connect over task. You can also check out Thirst4work.com for positions we have from time to time and send your CV online.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting a career as an Editor?
Give it a shot. Be driven to succeed but appreciate that you’re faliable and you will make mistakes. As an editor you have many customers, so be approachable and open to advice and criticism, its part of the journey and if you can take it constructively, your product will be successful because your readers will see your heart and intent.
Any parting tips or words of wisdom?
I’ve had some great advice from people in my career, to whom I am still very appreciative. Perhaps the best has been the following;
In 5 years from now you’ll be the same person you are except for 2 things…the people you meet and the books you read.
“find a mentor, hook onto them and their train and learn as much as you can, as fast as you can”, and lastly
…………. Some think, some do, some both but often few !