Whether you’re preparing to write your exams or simply want a “brain-boost” to improve your performance at work, don’t fall into the trap we all do when the pressure is on; energy drinks don’t give you energy. Fast-food doesn’t make you work or think faster. Chocolate, crisps and gassy drinks are not going to help keep you alert and sharp. Without going into long and complicated recipes or shopping lists, Career Planet has prepared a short list of the most potent brain foods you can pop out and buy right now without breaking the bank. Oily fish Sardines on toast.…
Author: Career Planet
Leaving school can feel scary enough as it is, but if you add on the extra pressure of trying to get a job, things can soon feel like they are getting too much. Don’t despair though. There are lots of things you can do to ensure you stand the best chance of landing that dream first job. Know your weaknesses A lot of school leavers find themselves in a catch-22 situation; they don’t have any experience because they have just left school, but can’t seem to get their foot in the door because they have no experience. So you need…
Realize that not everyone is cut out to be a small-business owner. Take the time to explore whether you’re compatible with running your own Get your personal finances in order. Before you jump into the entrepreneurial world, get your own money matters squared away. Pick your niche. Take stock of your skills, interests, and employment history to select the business best suited to you. Choosing a niche that you can be passionate about will help improve your chances of succeeding. Remember: Many small-business owners succeed in businesses that are hardly unique or innovative. Benefit from your business plan. The exercise of creating your business plan pays…
Once you leave college or university, applying for your first real-world job can be a pretty daunting experience. You could be competing against hundreds of fellow graduates for that dream job, so you need to make your cover letter stand out, especially if you’ve got no, or very little, working experience. Here are some tips to get you started on the road to your first job. Is your degree directly relevant? Obviously, if you’re applying for a job in marketing and you have a marketing degree, it’ll be easier to talk about the skills and theories you’ve picked up which are directly…
When you’re looking for your first job after leaving school, it can be tricky knowing what to put on a cover letter, especially if you have little or no real-world work experience. However, there’s likely to be plenty you can draw from your experience at school, hobbies and social activities that can make your cover letter stand out from the crowd. Here are some top tips for creating that all-important first impression. Mention your exams, but don’t list every result There’s no need to waste valuable space on your cover letter listing every grade you got at school – that…
By Aaron Jacobson “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it” – Charles Swindoll Unemployment is at critical levels in South Africa and job opportunities are not necessarily speeding to catch up. It’s not always easy to stay positive when you’re dealing with uncertainty, particularly if you fell out of a comfortable situation and now have to adapt. But if you’re willing to see the experience as a challenge, and possibly even an opportunity, you can find a sense of peace and fulfillment—not just once you find work, but while you’re in the…
Leaving school can feel scary enough as it is, but if you add on the extra pressure of trying to get a job, things can soon feel like they are getting too much. Don’t despair though. There are lots of things you can do to ensure you stand the best chance of landing that dream first job. Know your weaknesses A lot of school leavers find themselves in a catch-22 situation; they don’t have any experience because they have just left school, but can’t seem to get their foot in the door because they have no experience. So you need…
Lots of people go into interviews thinking that they can just ‘wing it.’ After all, there are so many potential questions an interviewer can ask it’s almost impossible to predict, right? Wrong! Sure, some questions are always going to be a surprise but most questions, including difficult questions, can be prepared for. We tackle some toughies for you, here… So, tell us about yourself Often an interview opener – this is a question and trips most people up. It’s mainly used as an ice breaker to get the conversation flowing but don’t make the mistake of rambling. Instead, take your…
Various Universities and Universities of Technology offer courses or programmes to assist students who do not meet their requirements fully. This is usually determined via a Benchmark test. These options have various names, depending on the university or the faculty: Extended, Access, Engage, Augmented, Foundation programmes etc. NOTE: Does not apply when you do NOT have required subjects like Maths or Science. You would have to add them to your NSC. If your marks do not meet requirements you need to rewrite (up to 2 subjects). EXTENDED This option is the most common where usually an extra year is added to…
Various Universities and Universities of Technology offer courses or programmes to assist students who do not meet their requirements fully. This is usually determined via a Benchmark test. These options have various names, depending on the university or the faculty: Extended, Access, Engage, Augmented, Foundation programmes etc. NOTE: Does not apply when you do NOT have required subjects like Maths or Science. You would have to add them to your NSC. If your marks do not meet requirements you need to rewrite (up to 2 subjects). EXTENDED This option is the most common where usually an extra year is added to…