HOW TO MOTIVATE AND MARKET YOURSELF TO AN EMPLOYER

1. HOW TO MOTIVATE AND MARKET YOURSELF TO AN EMPLOYER

2. YOUR CVIS THE FIRST STEP IN MARKETING YOURSELF! • A professional-looking, clear, informative CV is vital • For each position you have held state: • Company Name • Brief Description of the Company • Period Employed • Position/ Title • Duties • The CV MUST be very easy to read

3. CV TIPS • The Front Page of your CV should contain your personal details • Name • Address • Full Contact Details • Education Level • Eg – Matric 1999 – Durban Girls High • BSc – 2002 – Durban University • BSc Hons – 2003 – Durban University

4. CV TIPS • Start your CV with your Current Position and work backwards • The CV should be written in Point Form • Do not use the First person (I) • Do not use Capitals only • List your special achievements eg • Head Prefect in Matric • Won SAAFoST Award for NPD - 2009

5. EXAMPLE OF A BADLY PRESENTED CV • EMPLOYER XXXX LOGISTICS (FLEET MANAGEMENT &RESOURCE • (BEE APPROVED) CENTRE PROVIDING AN RECRUITMENT FUNCTION BETWEEN THE CLIENT & OWNER DRIVERS) • CORE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES : EMPLOYING DRIVERS THAT ARE ABLE TO CARRY FREIGHT AND FINDING CLIENTS THAT NEED BULK TRANSPORTATION LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE • POSITION HELD-16/02/09 : HUMAN RESOURCE AND OPERATIONS PLAN, ORGANISE, LEAD AND CONTROL OPERATIONS INTERVIEWING & RECRUITING OWNER DRIVERS DAILY FROM ½TON, 1, 2,4,6,8 TO 12TON-OVER 350 DRIVER BASE DATA CAPTURING OF DRIVERS DETAILS ON SYSTEM COMPLETION & AUDITING FILES FOR ERRORS AND OMMISIONS AND REVISING ALL LEGAL/CERTIFIED DOCUMENTATION DOING INSURANCE QUOTES FOR DRIVERS VEHICLES & GOODS IN TRANSIT FROM IN OUR HOUSE BROKERS DOING CRIMINAL CHECKS ON ALL EMPLOYEES. (KRS) CO-ORDINATING SPECIFIC VEHICLES TO CLIENTS CALCULATING LOGISTICS OF LOAD SIZES & WEIGHT APPOINTING & MONITORING DRIVERS TO LOADS. IN CHARGE OF DAILY COST OF SALES AND JOB CARDS CALCULATING INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS WAGES MONTHLY COMMUNICATING WITH CLIENTS AND SUPPLIERS CLIENT ON-SITE SUPERVISION SUPERVISION AND DISCIPLINE OF XXX DRIVERS CHECKING OF ALL PODS & INVOICES RETURNED BY DRIVERS CO-ORDINATING & PLANNING OF ROUTES TO MAX PERFORMANCE CONTROLLING & ARRANGING ADHOC VEHICLES. ARRANGING & MONITORING VEHICLE ASSESMENTS MAINTAINING & UPDATING SUPPLIER DATABASE COMPLETION & PRESENTATION OF MANAGEMENT REPORT. CALL-OUTS WHEN NECESSARY. • OTHER DUTIES 9/03/09 : ATTENDING TO CLIENTS • PUTTING ADVERTISEMENTS (INTERNET) • RESEARCHING, CREATING ADDITIONAL SERVICES

6. EXAMPLE OF A WELL-PRESENTED CV XXXXX (PTY) LTD, DURBAN January 2004 to October 2007 Manufacturers of canned products, spices and seasonings, gravies, desserts, baking chemicals, sauces and pickles Food Technologist Duties • Quality Assurance: good assertiveness and problem solving skills. • Inspection of packaging materials received • Organoleptic evaluation of raw materials received • Procurement samples (Sensory Analysis) • Auditing of finished goods prior to distribution • Drain mass, screen test analysis & retort cooking analysis of chart records) • Conducting Bulk density tests, pH and moisture analysis • Approval/rejection of blended products (Organoleptic evaluation) • Sensory Analysis of all batches prior to packing, mainly-canning • Auditing of process flow: on-line inspections (weights, packaging/labeling and coding) • QA auditing of meat received and meat handling • QA auditing of fresh fruits & vegetable received and handling • Monitoring storage conditions for meat, fresh fruits, fresh & dehydrated vegetables, chemicals and other dry raw materials • Reformulation of existing products and cost saving projects • Comparative testing against competitors • Auditing of pest control treatments, sanitation and hygiene • Receiving telephonic consumer complaints and follow up • Liaising with Planning, Buying, Production and Logistics • Good analytical, numerical, oral, written and communication skills and computer literate. • Good teamwork skills. • HACCP implementation - procedures • Supervision of QA assistants and training experiential trainees

7. INTERVIEW STAGE • PRE-INTERVIEW • Go onto the internet and get as much data as you can about the company that will be doing the interview. • This will show that you have initiative and will give you a valuable discussion topic at the interview

8. INTERVIEW STAGE • Appointment Time • Be very sure you are on time and rather arrive 5 minutes early to be certain. Don’t be late • Appearance • Dress the part of the Position you are applying for • In the Food Industry, this would be smart-casual – no jeans. • Nails to be neat • No gum in the interview • No cellphones on in the interview • Whichever way you dress, your clothes should be clean and neat

9. INTERVIEW TIPS • Attitude • Be confident without being arrogant • During the interview, if you decide the position is not for you, continue to sell yourself – there may be another opening • The Interview • Give the interviewer the idea that he’s in control • Ensure you understand the question posed and answer it clearly and to the point. Do not rattle on and on. • Ask questions about the company • Be Interested. Do not try and be Interesting!

10. HAPPY HUNTING!