Tips to landing that one perfect position

ONLINE: JOB HUNTING IS NO LONGER DONE ON A DOOR-TO-DOOR BASIS

Employment environment is very competitive so it is vital to stand out from the rest to create a favourable impression.

Gone are the days of going door-to-door with CV in-hand looking for employment. Online is now the primary space to search for jobs and to advertise yourself.

Claire Cobbledick, Head of Core Business for Gumtree SA, says: “The employment environment is very competitive so it’s vital to list an ad that stands out from the rest and showcases all the necessary information your potential employer might need”.

She offers the following simple steps to creating a job seeker ad. 1. Take an appropriate photo Avoid uploading a casual image of yourself, a selfie will not do. If you don’t have an appropriate picture, get one taken standing against a solid-coloured wall, and wearing suitable clothing 2. Create a strong title The title is the first thing that potential employers will see when browsing through the thousands of ads on the site. Make sure it is catchy and informative so that you can grab their attention and set yourself apart from the rest. 3. Pay a ention to detail

When completing your profile, include all relevant information – location, full name, a contact number and an e-mail address. Treat the description section as a cover letter – write a short motivation as to why someone should employ you. 4. Respond quickly

From the moment you post your ad, make sure to keep on high alert. A swift response back to potential employers demonstrates your enthusiasm and attention to detail, a slow one could mean you miss the chance. 5. Clean up your social profiles Before potential employers respond, they might want to check you out on social media. Make sure your privacy settings are in place on every platform that you use and that anything accessible publicly represents you in a good light.