ISSUE 2 VOLUME 2 2010

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF GRADUATES AND PLANTING

THE SEEDS FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT.
Career
focus
More jobs for graduates
South Africa’s leading employers are set to increase the
number of vacancies for university graduates by 17% next
year, new research reveals. The SAGRA Graduate Re-
cruitment Survey 2010 also alleviates some graduates'
fears over starting salaries. Nearly two-thirds of employers
expect to increase graduates' salaries, based on cost-of-
living increase. No organisation in the survey is planning
to reduce graduate salaries moving into 2011.
The survey was conducted by High Fliers Research, a spe-
cialist graduate-research company, on behalf of the South
African Graduate Recruiters Association (SAGRA) in April.
Seventy of the largest and well-known graduate employers
in South Africa took part.
The increase in vacancies is set to take place in nine of the
12 sectors that are tracked, including the accounting and
professional services firms, which are the largest recruiters
of graduates. The commercial banks are set to up their in-
take by 20%, while, sadly, the mining and oil companies,
also big recruiters, are set to decrease their vacancies
for graduates by 16%.
It is very positive to see so many major employers remain-
ing committed to bringing quality graduates into their or-
ganisation, and increasing the number of vacancies for
2011.

The survey is also accessible through Student Online Services (SOS) on http://www.up.ac.za or copy and paste the link into your browser:
http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p1292382825.aspx?reid=13

Career Office, Client Service Centre 4-30/31, University of Pretoria

PRETORIA 0002, Republic of South Africa
Phone +27 (0)12 420 5294/6438 Fax +27 (0)12 420 4192 Email cpc@up.ac.za
 Career Focus 2010 Issue 2 Volume 2

2010 MAGNET STUDENT SURVEY

Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine your ideal career. Are you
picturing a large salary, flexible working hours, an office with a view, a Another Gold
company car? South Africa’s top employers want to know! for UP!
Tell us about your ideal career by participating in the 2010 Magnet Student The University of Pretoria
Survey and you could stand the chance to win an Apple Macbook laptop, received the Gold Award for
Visa Gift Cards worth R 1 000 each, Apple iPods, vouchers for books & contributing the most online
more! responses for the 2009 Magnet
Student Survey. Thanks to
To enter into the draw, simply complete the online Magnet Student Survey everyone who participated.
by clicking on this link:
Make your voice heard and help
http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p1292382825.aspx?reid=13 us maintain the No. 1 position.
Complete the online survey today!
Results from this survey are delivered to South Africa's top employers, as well Rather prefer the paper
as to your University. If you have any questions or comments regarding the version? Be on the lookout for
survey, or if you would like to unsubscribe from receiving this annual survey, the Magnet Brand Ambassadors
please contact research@magnetcomm.co.za on campus from 22 July - 31 Au-
gust 2010.
Please note: the survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Don’t forget, there are lots of
prizes up for grabs!

This glossary of job-, career- , and employment related terms was designed by Quintessential Careers to give job-seekers a quick definition of
terms used in the job market. Each newsletter will cover five terms with explanations.

Corporate Culture The collection of beliefs, expectations, and values shared by an organisation’s members and transmitted from one gen-
eration of employees to another. The culture sets norms (rules of conduct) that define acceptable behaviour of employees of the organisa-
tion. It’s important for job-seekers to understand the culture of an organisation before accepting a job.
Counter Offer A salary negotiation technique used by job-seekers when a job offer is not at an acceptable level. Almost all elements of a job
offer are negotiable, including the salary, non-salary compensation, moving expenses, benefits and job-specific issues.
Cover Letter Should always accompany your resume when you contact a potential employer. A good cover letter opens a window to your
personality. It should entice the employer to read your resume.
Declining Letter A letter sent to an employer to turn down a job offer. The writer should keep the door open in case he or she would like to
approach the employer again someday.
Dress for success Signifies tailoring one’s attire, grooming, and overall appearance toward making a great first impression in a job interview
as well as maintaining a professional look while on the job to aid career advancement.

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 Career Focus 2010 Issue 2 Volume 2

Jobs Currently on the Student Career Portal

Candidate attorney
1 Market Related CTC at Eversheds
Permanent junior level position in the Legal sector at Eversheds in Sandton, Johannesburg in South Africa (Gauteng).
Posted by University of Pretoria on 12/08/2010 , Ref 764.

2011 Student Position

2 Market Related Basic Salary at University of Pretoria
Casual entry level position in the Education sector at University of Pretoria in Hatfield, Pretoria in South Africa
(Gauteng). Benefits: Tuition. Posted by University of Pretoria on 12/08/2010 , Ref 783. Monitor Group Applications
Stock Packer
3 R120 Per Day at F.H Chamberlain Kindly note that there was a typing error in the
Casual entry level position in the FMCG, Retail & Wholesale sector at F.H Chamberlain in Waterkloof, Pretoria in recent Employer Directory with the Monitor
South Africa (Gauteng). Posted by University of Pretoria on 05/08/2010 , Ref 779.
Group Listing.
Trainee Course Coordinator
4 Market Related Basic Salary at University of Pretoria
Applications should either be submitted
Permanent junior level position in the Education sector at University of Pretoria in Hatfield, Pretoria in South Africa
(Gauteng). Posted by University of Pretoria on 05/08/2010 , Ref 780. online at www.monitor.com or emailed to
Graduate Internship Programme 2011 recruitment_johannesburg@monitor.com
5 None at Business Edge
Internship/Vacation position in the Information Technology sector at Business Edge in Sandton in South Africa Please also note that the closing date for
(Gauteng). Posted by Business Edge on 05/08/2010.
their applications is 13 August 2010.
Food Evaluators - Post graduates
6 Market Related CTC at University of Pretoria
The Monitor Group will be on campus on
Casual entry level position in the Education sector at University of Pretoria in Pretoria in South Africa (Gauteng).
Posted by University of Pretoria on 04/08/2010 , Ref 778. Wednesday 28 July 2010, 12h30 - 13h30
SAIPA Trainees
in IT 2-27 to deliver a presentation.
7 Market Related CTC at SAIPA Students from any degree within Engineer-
Permanent junior level position in the Financial sector at SAIPA in South Africa in South Africa (Gauteng). Posted by ing and Commerce are welcome to at-
University of Pretoria on 03/08/2010 , Ref 777. tend.
Checker
8 Market Related CTC at IEB
Casual entry level position in the Education sector at IEB in Johannesburg in South Africa (Gauteng). Posted by Uni-
versity of Pretoria on 01/08/2010 , Ref 771. Alexander Forbes Graduate Training
DANVILLE KINDER PROJEK (Vrywilligers)
Programme 2011
9 Market Related CTC at University of Pretoria
Casual entry level position in the Education sector at University of Pretoria in Danville in South Africa (Gauteng). Applications are open for the 2011 Alexander
Posted by University of Pretoria on 30/07/2010 , Ref 774.
Forbes Graduate Training Programme.
HR Graduate
10 None at Lonmin Platinum
Application forms are available from
Development Programme position in the Mining sector at Lonmin Platinum in Marikana - 40kms from Rustenburg in
South Africa (Gauteng). Posted by Lonmin Platinum on 26/07/2010. cpc@up.ac.za or obtain a hard copy from the
Article Clerk - SAIPA and SAICA Trainees
Career Office, CSC 4-31.
11 None at F & S Accounting CC
Internship/Vacation position in the Business & Management sector at F & S Accounting CC in Centurion in South Extension on UNILEVER applications
Africa (Gauteng). Posted by F & S Registered Accountants CC on 22/07/2010.

Graduate Opportunity Due to public demand, applications for the

12 Market Related CTC at Siyasiza
Unilever Graduate Programme has been
Development Programme entry level position in the FMCG, Retail & Wholesale sector at Siyasiza in Pretoria in South
Africa (Gauteng). Posted by University of Pretoria on 21/07/2010 , Ref 609. extended to 23 August 2010.
Java Developers and System Engineers
13 None at S1 Global Ltd Employer Directory
Graduate position at S1 Global Ltd in . in South Africa (Gauteng,Western Cape). Posted by S1 Global Ltd on
21/07/2010.
A directory with employer details can obtained
Graduate, Intern & TOPP Programme from the Career Office. Request your free
14 Market Related CTC at Public Investment Corporation
copy from cpc@up.ac.za.
Casual entry level position in the Financial sector at Public Investment Corporation in Pretoria in South Africa
(Gauteng). Posted by University of Pretoria on 20/07/2010 , Ref 772.

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Anglo American Graduate Programme 2010 Career Guide
None at Anglo American
Graduate position in the Mining sector at Anglo American in Anywhere in South Africa where skills are required in
South Africa (Eastern Cape,Free State,Gauteng,Western Cape,KwaZulu-Natal,Limpopo,Mpumalanga,North The 2010 Career Guide is now available in an
West,Northern Cape). Posted by Anglo American on 15/07/2010.
e-Magazine format.

Log onto www.up.ac.za or copy and paste the

Visit the Career Portal for these and other job opportunities. following link into your browser:
• Go to www.up.ac.za
• Log in with your student number and password http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p1292382825.aspx?
• Click on My Career & CV (left-hand menu) reid=13
Or CLICK HERE

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 Career Focus 2010 Issue 2 Volume 2

Research our company in depth

• Preparation is key to the success of the interview
• Thoroughly review our entire website
• Talk to some of our current associates, if possible

Identify your skills

• Identify your top 3 skills or experiences you can offer to the employer
• Identify your top 3 opportunities for improvement
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and sell yourself

Prepare experiences and examples

• Think about some actual stories you can tell from previous work experiences to back up your claims with evidence
• Be prepared to prove your ability to work in teams, experience with conflict resolution, communication skills and decision-making skills
• Consider developing a career portfolio and using it as a presentation prop during the interview
• Know what you want to do as you start your career
• Recognize that although how well you do in school is important, providing evidence of skills, experience and capabilities will separate
you from the others

Present a polished appearance

• Dress professionally
• Make sure your cell phone/mobile/Blackberry is turned off in advance of your interview

Get directions in advance and be clear that you understand them

• Get directions to the company ahead of time and, if you can, practice travelling to the location
• Know where you are meeting your interviewer

Get enough rest

• Get a good night's sleep so you'll be as physically, psychologically and emotionally at your best for the interview

Bring your resume or CV

• Bring several copies of your resume or CV

Make a solid first impression

• Offer a firm handshake, good eye contact, confident body language
• Answer questions with confidence; if you are unsure of an answer be honest about it
• First impressions count, so the first 30 seconds are crucial

Prepare questions
• Ask informed questions to demonstrate your level of interest in the position
• Prepare questions that will help you decide if the opportunity is a good fit
• Consider questions that are related to typical work assignments, the corporate culture, growth potential, team structure, new technologies,
new products and travel
• Be original — don't ask the obvious questions

Practice closing your interview

• Practice closing your interview to win the job
• Sign up for mock interview sessions with a career counsellor on campus
• Thank the interviewer for their time and inquire about the next steps

Be ready for surprises

• You may take a pre-employment/assessment test or interview with more than one person
• It’s always a good idea to ask what to expect prior to the interview

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