Talent Trader is an online graduate recruitment website which aims to provide all individuals with the advice and assistance that will help choose a successful career path. It focuses on advice for post-matric study choices in an attempt to link these choices with future career prospects. Talent Trader is a partner of Premier Personnel a successful recruitment agency established in 1982. Premier Personnel is the leading recruitment agency in Banking, Finance, IT, Marketing, Management Consulting, Accounting, Telecoms and Executive office support.
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   FAQ's
   Making it work
   Influences
   Misrepresenting your CV
My Blog 
 
Creating a communication platform between all interested candidates/graduates and Talent Trader, by answering some of the most frequently asked questions in today's world of career/job choice and to give reasonable and appropriate advice to individuals who are trying to map out their career paths.
 
  • Many scholars and potential graduates face much confusion when deciding what to study and where to work. They turn to the family for advice, but also have their own ideas as to what they want to do. Often it goes horribly wrong with students changing their study courses and taking a year or two longer at significant cost to the family and a high degree of frustration resulting in self doubt.  It is therefore imperative that the correct choice is made the first time round!
  • Many individuals have messed up their academics by listening to/and taking advice from the wrong people! This discussion portal aims to clarify and simplify this process. Some common vital questions which are highlighted below.
  • The first, and probably the most asked question by the learner is "what should I study when I've finished school?" This question often results in major confusion and frustration on the part of the scholar as he/she is being told something different by every person. Family advice and guidance is of paramount importance but at the end of the day, it's what YOU want to study and what you will enjoy! 
    • Just because Dad is a doctor or accountant, doesn't mean that you must also become a doctor or accountant. 
    • Do what you are going to enjoy but remember one thing... don't take the easy way out! If you have a brain on you, do yourself a favour and use it!
    • Don't go and study 'simply to get a degree or diploma' if you have an ability to stretch yourself.  Don’t waste your time when you could be studying something a bit more challenging and a qualification which is in demand at the larger firms, financial institutions and corporates. 
  • What we are saying is that it would benefit a bright individual to study a challenging degree which they enjoy. This will show potential employers that you are energetic, hungry and generally have what it takes to work in the real world and add value to their businesses.
  • Collect information on your areas of interest; visit the guidance

counselor and psychologists--- it all helps!

  • At the end of the day, listen to the advice everyone is giving you, but make your own decision when it comes to your future! It will benefit you more than you'll realise!

 

Another commonly asked question:  how to prepare a good CV and how to handle yourself in your first interview (interview tips, dress code etc).

 

  • When compiling a great CV, the first thing which comes to mind is the cover note as this is what is normally seen first by the consultant or employer. A cover note gives an executive summary of what you studied, your experience and a mention of your achievements – academically, sporting, culturally and socially – and how these have prepared you for the role for which you will be interviewing. A good cover note lends to your personality and indicates what you are looking to do in terms of job opportunities.
  • Do research on your prospective employer/company. Ask pertinent questions. Know why you want to join that specific organization.
  • Ask the agency consultant about the company and try to get a profile on the people who will be interviewing you.
  • When dressing for your first interview (or any interview for that matter), always consider a formal dress code which would normally be a suit for a man and a smart dress (or suit) for a woman. Appropriate attire will project a positive image and the effort put into looking good will always pay off. Always remember to be correctly groomed at all times.
  • Give yourself time to get to your appointment on time. Switch off the cellphone.
  • How to handle yourself in your first interview. Upon meeting the person who will be interviewing you, stand up and great them with a firm handshake. Be confident and make eye contact with them, this shows that you are interested and serious about your future.
  • Listen, Listen, Listen. Remember this is a two way street. You must feel confident about accepting the role.
  • Use the recruitment agency. They will give you feedback; they are there to help you succeed. Remember this is a ‘long term relationship’

 
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……..Do I stay or do I go? Europe and UK calls!
 

South Africa is limited in terms of growing its own talent. All we read about is skills development and what must be done.

I believe that we will go a long way in solving our skills shortage problems if we look to what we have. We need to understand where we are before we decide on where we want to be.

The emphasis must be on retaining skills in SA. “Before we build a higher dam wall we must look at plugging the leaks”.

There are enormous opportunities in SA. The planned infrastructural spend and estimated private spend, over the next fifteen years, exceeds R1 trillion – yes! You read it right, R1 followed by twelve zeros. In order to manage this economic growth SA is going to need hundreds of thousands skilled people at different levels. It’s happening here in SA!

It’s a risk return decision, - Finance or Eco’s 101. The growth is on the cards and you can be part of it. Simply put opportunities are here and this is your territory. It’s more cost effective to retain the skills that we have and then add to that talent pool through ‘up-skilling’ by using those skilled workers to train new talent.

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Making it work.

 

Who would ever believe that I would still be working in the same job I entered after graduation?  Bizarre, certainly not trendy, in this day and age of mobility of two year stints and then move on, to climb that corporate ladder! Perhaps I am one of those lucky few who found their calling early in life. Not sure, but if I can give any advice as you embark on the hunt for the right career,… MAKE THE WHOLE PROCESS WORK FROM THE START.

 

-     Make sure your CV is well formatted, neat, and easy to read.

-     Highlight your achievements.

-     Highlight your skills

-     Screen adverts carefully and respond accordingly. Don’t mail your CV to numerous adverts, hoping for the best. Carefully read the criteria stated on the advert and respond only if you genuinely feel that your CV matches the criteria in the advert.

-     Once you have secured an interview, prepare in detail. Research the company and people who will be interviewing you, prepare intelligent questions, know where the interview will take place, arrive on time and dress to impress.

-     During the interview be yourself, sell you but be true to your values and abilities.

 

Let me jump ahead and presume that you have now been offered and accepted your first job. From day one ADOPT THE RIGHT ATTITUDE. This role may not be everything you imagined your first role to be but remember, the admin and basic skills you learn in job number one are important. It will provide you with the necessary foundations so essential for any future role you may take on. In this role, work hard, show management that you want to get your hands dirty and that you are willing to learn and take on every task given to you enthusiastically, no matter how small.

Dedication and hard work will pay off. I guarantee you that if you follow this recipe; it will not be long before you are leaping up the career ladder. Good luck, have fun and who knows like me, maybe you will be one of the lucky ones!

 

Nikki Hansell

Operations Manager: Premier Personnel

(BA, Hon- Psych)
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What influences one’s field of study or How do you decide what to study?

Do you sometimes wonder whether the degree you have chosen is the right one for you. Have you ever felt like you should change your field of study to something more suited to your skills / personality.

Many students regard their first year as the infamous ‘Gap Year’

Your first choice is generally the most difficult course and very few students study more difficult courses at their second attempt.

Your first step would be to

·     Identify your skills – ask advice from people who know you

·     Ask yourself what you are good at – you may have great quantitative skills but will you be able sit behind a desk all day. A good orator does not necessarily qualify you as a budding lawyer

·     What you enjoy

·     Find out what the job market is like- ‘engineers don’t build bridges anymore’

·     What you ideally want to achieve

·     Your parents or family are not studying, you are!

·      Even with all this you will need to ‘LEARN , UNLEARN AND RE-LEARN’

Think carefully before making the choice. Initiative and knowing what you want is important. Completing your degree displays your capacity to learn, to stick with something until the end and the ability to grasp basic theoretical and practical concepts of a specific field. Your completed degree is only the beginning in “managing your career”.

To be SUCCESSFUL you must have the SKILL to do the job, be reasonably REWARDED and LOVE what you do.

Should you need any advice email us on blogresponse@talenttrader.co.za

 
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Misrepresenting your CV

Being a newly qualified graduate, it may be quite difficult to break into the work environment. Most organisations are either looking for top notch academics or work experience. So, if you don’t have the best academics and little or no work experience, the biggest mistakes you can make is to fabricate or alter information to add to your CV. Most agencies and organisations have strict policies regarding background checking. Any fake transcripts, reference embellishment of work experience or fake driver’s licenses will be found out.  The number of checks carried out on a candidate by the agency and in many instances the employers will highlight discrepancies. Exaggerating your experience/ academics could prove disastrous as the agency and the potential employer will record their findings for future reference.

Should you require any advice email us on

blogresponse@talenttrader.co.za

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 Blog
FAQ's
……..Do I stay or do I go? Europe and UK calls!   South Africa is limited in terms of growing its own talent. All we read about is skills development and what must be done. I believe that we will go a long way in solving our skills short...
2008/11/14
Making it work
Making it work.   Who would ever believe that I would still be working in the same job I entered after graduation?  Bizarre, certainly not trendy, in this day and age of mobility of two year stints and then move on, to climb that corpo...
2010/11/22
Influences
What influences one’s field of study or How do you decide what to study? Do you sometimes wonder whether the degree you have chosen is the right one for you. Have you ever felt like you should change your field of study to something more suited ...
2010/11/22
Misrepresenting your CV
Misrepresenting your CV Being a newly qualified graduate, it may be quite difficult to break into the work environment. Most organisations are either looking for top notch academics or work experience. So, if you don’t have the best academics and...
2010/11/22
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