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…

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….

Alarm snooze button pushed for the 3rd and final time………that dreaded thought of ‘Can’t today be Friday already? Why can’t I sleep late for once?’ All too familiar questions asked to ourselves lately! Yes, my fellow workers, it is the ‘Third Quarter Slump’  blues that have hit us all! Let’s face it, we have all had a stressful, demanding year thus far and we are somewhere in between the middle and end of it. A kind of nowhere land! I think back to my previous boss who made it his mission to fly down every year this time to give us the…

This month Datafin Recruitment has much cause for celebration. We just turned 20! Along the way Datafin Recruitment 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:…

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…

Interviews have long ago been warped into the virtual realm whether it be Skype, video conferencing or Google Hangouts. But just as with face-to-face ones, you can still be wracked with nerves for which proper prep can help combat. No overly bright colours and be fully clothed – 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.   Make your digital first impression count – There are no hands to shake…

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…

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”…

Most dreaming is done in the dark when the lights are out and you’re finally fast asleep.  There your mind designs a realm where you go to work with a smile on your dial and you have the career you’ve always wanted. But in the real world if you’re trying to find your dream job in the dark when Eskom has announced yet another round of Stage 4 load shedding, it can be super frustrating to say the least. Despite the schlep, load shedding has indeed breathed new life into the action of preparation when it comes to our daily…

1. If you’re looking to apply for a job where your current duties do not match the job specification (even if you have a qualification in line with the role) do not apply. Companies want to spend as little on training as possible these days. If you are trying to break into an industry and have mismatched experience, try shadowing and document reports on your CV instead. Try applying for internships. Try approaching small start-ups (LinkedIn is a thing in the business world guys) and see if you can assist in starting up a department and doing some free stuff…