The initial intro to this blog set the tone for all things pleasant and joyous with the approach of Yuletide festivities. But when a certain state parastatal suddenly hit us with the extreme Stage 6 phase of power cuts, the load shedding elephant could not be ignored. And I’m sure many of you, myself included, quickly transformed into grump-angry mode, much like the green coloured main character of the Christmas-themed animation, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. But in a time of literal darkness, there have been glimpses of light. People reported spending time with loved ones in the glimmer of LED or candlelight and taking a tech break from all the “gramming” on Insta and the check-ins and selfie posts on Facebook. Yes, like with all unexpected rough and tumble stumbling blocks of life, there is always a little light at the end of the tunnel. And, it is with this philosophy, that I urge we not let the current electricity woes spoil our festive fun. We have been engineered to weather the storms and we survive. Let’s spare a thought for those who managed to get a job after a lengthy spell of unemployment after countless applications and unsuccessful…
In that extremely incredible and proud moment when the 2019 Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup was boosted high into the air after the SA Rugby team bagged a well-deserved win, it felt like the entire country’s spirit and morale simultaneously lifted to the heavens. It was a glorious moment indeed. Being awarded that trophy is symbolic of a dream each and every one of those Springbok rugby players had and was one of the driving forces which motivated them with each game, each practice, each injury sustained, each fitness test, each loss and each time spent away from loved ones. It starts with a dream but to attain those soaring heights of their sporting career and any other job doesn’t come easy. It means putting in the hard sweat and tears and fighting for that dream. Even if you’re not a rugby enthusiast like my dad whose so proud you’d swear those rugby boys were his own kin, you must have been touched even a tiny bit by the inspiring display of a team and a country united. I say today when you’re contemplating applying for that dream job, you click and you click with the belief, that that “cup”…
This month Datafin has much cause for celebration. We just turned 20! Yaaaassssssss & Yaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!! Along the way Datafin has taken the hand of many a candidate, leading them to a different workplace, more suited to their culture or work ethic and enabling them to grow their skillset and abilities. So, what’s it like for a business which has reached its 20th year milestone? We asked Datafin’s co-owners and sisters Lindy and Bev, to give us some insights into the company’s endurance. I’m sure reaching 20 years in a business is no easy feat. How does this amazing accomplishment feel? Bev: “On the one hand it feels like it has flown by, and on the other hand all the effort and work that has gone into getting us to where we are today feels like quite an intense journey. It definitely feels like an achievement, every day we keep working to maintain our position in the IT recruitment field as one of the top companies.” Lindy: “It’s incredibly meaningful to have improved so many people’s lives and given them an opportunity to grow and learn.” What would you note as a few pockets of excellence during Datafin’s 20 year-journey? This…
Having to impress one person might not be as daunting as when you enter the room for an interview and you quickly see there is more than one set of critical eyes (maybe warmer and inviting if you’re lucky) all zoomed in on you. For most, an overwhelming feeling of panic sets in, did the whole company have to be included?? Welcome to the Panel Interview. Some companies unfortunately don’t inform you beforehand that you will face a panel. If this is the case, like with any interview, strong preparation is crucial to beating the nerves and ultimately acing your interview. You should view it much the same as a one-on-one interview – an opportunity to prove your worth as to why you are the right person for the job. But if you have been informed that you are scheduled for a panel interview, here are a few tricks to ease the process – You’re just inches away from the finishing line – Keep this front of mind when you hear panel interview because it most probably means you are one of the top candidates on the shortlist as many companies will not waste time arranging to have more than…
We work. We mother. Some amongst us even floss. And when I say floss, I’m not talking about the dental hygiene kind. Neither the fluffy pink sugar on a stick which despite bringing back fond memories of school carnivals, I now avoid knowing better that being the sweet tooth I am, diabetes is coming for me. But back to flossing. For those moms with kids who game you know what I’m talking about. It’s that quite complex (I found after my own failed attempts) clenched fists, hands swinging side to side with simultaneous hip shake dance move which went viral after being popularized by the video game Fortnite. My boss, Bev, came to work one day proudly showing off a pretty impressive rendition – thanks of course to a good trainer – her 8-year-old son. You can’t deny that a mom who can floss, is one cool chick. And getting your floss on is only one of the gazillion things the working mom of today has got covered, full-time job, kids, and all. Let’s dub her after the worker bee – Worker Mom. The worker mom is a title I now hold after I recently became what I like to…
Use these 5 tips to help ease youR way through any virtual interview and into your dream job Interviews have long ago been warped into the virtual realm whether it be ZOOM, MS TEams or a Google Hangout. But as with face-to-face ones, you can still be wracked with nerves. So we have come to your aid to help rock your next digital interview with These 5 tips. Tip 1 – Dress to impress, avoid colours that may be too bright & be fully dressed You wouldn’t want your potential employer to catch a sneak peak of your favourite undies. Also maintain a professional dress code and try to avoid colours that may cause a glare for the person on the other side. Tip 2 – Make your digital first impression count There are no hands to shake so you almost have to think of it as a “love at first sight” scenario. According to muse.com, you need to give slow, firm nods while you “focus on keeping your eyes on the camera—not on the view from your screen”. Tip 3 – Don’t just move your lips, engage fully You are not trying to mimick a statue, you are trying…
If the boss called me now, she may have mistakenly thought I was at the Killarney racetrack chilling with a cold refreshment as the blaring sound of super cars would be on full blast in the background. If my colleagues saw me now, they may have questioned my choice of pjs (which unashamedly may be Christmas-themed, but who knows, there’s no visual proof now is there). I may also be loudly munching like a “hungry lion” on a big Lays party pack. So, let’s clear this picture a bit. I’m actually half watching an episode of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” which delves into the behind-the-scenes world of F1 racing, sitting in a onesie and eating a huge pack of chips (guilt-free because there are no judgemental eyes around). But all of this is being done while working. Remote work that is, all in the comfort of my own home. It’s becoming more and more requested by candidates for a company to allow them to work from home. Many cite being fed-up with daily long commutes due to gridlocked traffic while others simply want the freedom to manage their own work day as the reason they’re opting to work remotely. Some…
So you’ve sold your candidate on making a career move to Cape Town, usually sealing the deal with the jewels and charm of the Mother City’s scenic beauty, cosmopolitan culture and, justifiably named as one of the New7Wonders Nature, Table Mountain of course. But what exactly does such a trek involve for the person deciding to pack their bags and setup in a city they may have only “vacay’d” in before. One of my ex bosses always used to coin the phrase “Change is as good as a holiday” and it was with similar thought in mind that 33-year-old Phumzile Makhubo, a Product Owner, decided to take the leap to relocate from Sandton in Joburg to our shores – ironically one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. “I just wanted a change, meet new people and enjoy the Cape Town views.” The move was quite daunting for Makhubo, who not only had to find a new home but accompanied by only her beloved dogs, would face the challenges all by her lonesome. “I didn’t have any friends, family or support system in Cape Town, that was a bit worrying. I didn’t know how I would settle in the city.”…
Now that you have stopped mulling over the prospect of making a career move, or simply just threatening to get a new job, the time has come to put your thoughts into action. It may be daunting to some, tedious to others and downright stressful for a lot of us. But that’s what Datafin is here for. To ease the challenges (and sometimes horrors) of the employment process in your pursuit of attaining your dream career. Here are some useful tips we have put together to make the recruitment journey less painful and more rewarding: Mental Prep Once you commit to change jobs you need to be mentally prepared that it may take some time before we manage to secure you with the most suitable position. Compiling/Updating your CV CVs need to be factual to the tee and have your most current jobs and contact details. But there should also be a hint of the type of employee you want the boss to perceive you as. This initial intro to you is often key to whether the company will view you as the right culture fit. Two MinutesThat’s the typical time it takes for your CV to be reviewed so…
Benji’s Success Story Luthando Benjamin “Benji” Pato (22) – Content & WordPress Developer Langa He may not have his Maybach yet, the German luxury car many men probably dream of, but when it comes to his work environment, he feels his expectations were exceeded. And offices are where we spend the majority of our lives and if the culture fits, most employees could attest to thriving careers, just as 22-year-old Luthando aka “Benji” Pato does after being placed by Datafin. Before his current position as a Content/WordPress Developer, Benji had dreams of becoming a Chemical Engineer. He decided to take a gap year after matric to improve his results and in the meantime started selling insurance to make money. He says he literally woke up one morning and decided that his then sales vocation, was definitely “not what I really wanted to do with my life”. He quickly learnt about a coding school in Langa where he stays and decided to join. And later with his newfound development skills, he managed to secure a freelance job building a website for a friend of his mom’s who owns an interior design & décor business. The business owner must have been impressed…