City of Cape Town Link

Tips for standing out in the job market

Cape Town’s economy is the second largest in South Africa and employs more people than any other municipality in the country. Part of getting the job you want is knowing where to find job vacancies, how to sell yourself and how to act in an interview. Below are some basic tips to give you the right start.

Creating a great CV

A CV (sometimes called a resume) is a summary of your most important personal and professional information: who you are, your education, your employment or work experience, and how it makes you right for a job you are applying for. An excellent CV increases your chances of being noticed – and hired – by a potential employer.

Remember

If you would like to be considered for job vacancies at the City, you can register for e-Services and apply for a position. You can also register on the job seekers database at your nearest subcouncil office. We use this database to hire people for our community-based programmes, as well as specific City and EPWP projects.

10 tips for a successful CV:

Put yourself in the mind of the reader – your potential employer – who may have received hundreds of applications. There is a good chance your CV will be read very quickly, rather than read in great detail. By using clear language and good formatting (like bullet points), you can make it easy for your reader to quickly find the information they need.
Keep it short – preferably no more than three pages.
Adapt your CV to each job application. This may involve small tweaks (e.g. emphasising a different skill learnt on a job) or major changes in focus (e.g. leaving out a job if it’s not relevant to the position you’re applying for).
Help the reader close the loop. It's not enough to write that you worked in a bakery – mention the skills you learned there and how this makes you perfect for this job.
Be specific. For example, instead of listing “supervision” as a job duty, state “supervised the work of ten bricklayers working on community project”.
Be creative, especially if you want to work in a creative industry. Being creative will also help you stand out in other industries.
Stay focused by asking yourself: “How is this information/skill/previous job relevant to this job vacancy?”
If your spelling isn’t great, ask someone to check your CV before you send it.
Submit your CV in the right format, to the right person and, of course, before the deadline. This shows that you have properly read and understood the advert and that you are able to follow instructions.
Make sure you submit all documents requested in the job advert (e.g. certificates), if applicable.

Preparing for a job interview

**Job interviews: the do's and don'ts**
Do	Don'ts
Research the company before your interview to show your interest in them and to see if they are right for you. Arrive on time. Make sure you know the exact location for the interview, who you are seeing, what their position is within the company and how to pronounce their names. Prepare questions beforehand – this shows that you are curious and interested in the company and job. Dress neatly and properly for the potential position. Listen to questions carefully before responding. Sit upright, be aware of your body language and make eye contact. Have a positive attitude. Show confidence, be enthusiastic and smile. Market yourself, but without being over the top. Show how your experience would benefit the company.	Never leave your cellphone on or chew gum during the interview. Do not gossip about previous employers. Do not give vague responses to questions. Be clear about what you want from the job, but don’t come across as aggressive. Do not express strong prejudices and don’t come across as intolerant of others. Do not criticise the company or position you have applied for. You can always turn the job down if it is offered to you. Don’t over-emphasise money. Usually the potential employer will open the discussion about your salary. Don’t talk too much or gush, even if you’re feeling nervous.

Source: Adapted from South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

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