Job opportunities for a Ndip Civil Engineering and Adv Dip Real Estate holder

[u/SonLes]

Hi,

I hope everyone is doing well. If not, I pray you're able to keep your head above water.

I hold a National Diploma in Civil Engineering, with just over 3 years experience in sewer and water network installations and rehabilitation. I've gained this experience through companies that are in the stage of establishing themselves, so all employment contracts I signed were project based. With a promise that I'd be called back when a new project comes up. The lack of employment security has been frustrating...

My Uncle, who ran a property valuation company inspired me to enrol for a bachelor's and follow in his footsteps. Which I eventually did, and recently completed. He was going to employ, and mentor me on my path to professional registration. I was finally going to receive two things I've been yearning for in my professional career, employment security and a MENTOR. Unfortunately, he passed on.

It's been 6 months since my last contract, and are now asking for assistance in looking for work. I've been religiously applying, and have only received 1 interview, which didn't end up with an offer.

What am I doing wrong?

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[u/Dismal_Drummer3420]

The country is in a truly scary recession for one. However your qualifications should get you at least something. No work for half a year is crazy! I employ about 35 people so I'm reasonably experienced with the hiring process. Can you tell me exactly how you're proactively marketing yourself to as many employers as possible? Are you trying headhunters? I'm sure there is some kind of position for you man!

[u/SonLes → u/Dismal_Drummer3420]

I haven't done much marketing, just the usual posting on LinkedIn and Facebook Groups letting recruiters know that I'm open to job opportunities. I have sent direct messages to headhunters on LinkedIn, which would proceed with me sharing my CV, and usually a phone call would follow. Nothing much would come out of this... Besides what I've mentioned, I religiously apply to open vacancies (private and government), call companies to enquire about potential vacancies. I have even tried approaching companies with a CV in hand, it hasn't worked.

At this point I'd appreciate rejection emails, so that I know at least my CV is being reviewed.

[u/Dismal_Drummer3420 → u/SonLes]

Dammit my friend it does seem like you are being as proactive humanly possible. I've been self employed for so long I must be out of touch with the dire situation facing the job market currently. Where are you living? You might need to take a position outside of what you have qualified in, just to bring in a paycheck. How is your current financial situation?

[u/CalmdownpleaseII]

A lot of what I read on Reddit is diametrically opposed to my experiences of hiring people in South Africa.

I am not saying this is true of you OP but I have seen so many people just ignore interview requests, show up poorly prepared, 9/10 CVs are shoddy and generic, cover letters are for completely different jobs etc etc

Applying for jobs is a job and people show me examples of exactly how shoddy they are going to be. 

It’s frustrating and disappointing and I’ve hired everything from graduate roles to senior roles 

[u/SonLes → u/CalmdownpleaseII]

What would you like to see on a CV?

[u/CalmdownpleaseII → u/SonLes]

Honestly, some effort to stand out. Design it creatively, put in some effort in layout. Make a web version if you can, build a portfolio and showcase it.

As an engineer you have options here - build a website showing the projects you worked on. Go take pictures and talk about each project - what was your role, what were the challenges, what were the positives.

It’s just a question of standing out - I will receive on average 500 applications for any role. Some exceed 1000.

You need to be early and you need to be distinctive. 

Alternatively do some research and find people like me in your industry and reach out directly. It works, I have seen it work. Be actually proactive- just sending applications through with hope in your heart ain’t enough anymore.

[u/SonLes → u/CalmdownpleaseII]

May I share my CV, and have you critique it?

[u/CalmdownpleaseII → u/SonLes]

Of course, I would be happy to help. DM me and I’ll give you my email address 

[u/CalmdownpleaseII → u/SonLes]

Side note OP, in case you were looking for another example of why people make job hunting harder than it needs to be, let this be a lesson to you.

You asked for help and I was willing to help. The smart play would have been to jump on this opportunity. Instead it’s been almost 2 days with no sign of life from you.

From an employer stand point you can consider yourself weighed, measured and found wanting. 

Good luck with the job hunt. 

[u/SonLes → u/CalmdownpleaseII]

I sent you a message asking for your email address, you haven't responded.

[u/CalmdownpleaseII → u/SonLes]

I have checked twice and will in a sec again. If I’m shitting on you for no reason I’ll apologise. 

Edit: I apologise, it was sitting in an approvals queue

[u/SonLes → u/CalmdownpleaseII]

You haven't gotten back to me.

[u/CalmdownpleaseII → u/SonLes]

Traveling away from my laptop. I’ll drop you some suggestions by the weekend 

[u/SonLes → u/CalmdownpleaseII]

Okay.

[u/sp3rchrg3d → u/SonLes]

https://giphy.com/gifs/anYBNhqT2BYcg
You went from applying for jobs and being ghosted to cv reviews and being ghosted, life is tough..

[u/SonLes → u/sp3rchrg3d]

I received the review.

[u/Dismal_Drummer3420 → u/CalmdownpleaseII]

I like your style. I've also done a lot of hiring for my own company and I'm always looking for people that truly desire excellence in all they do. I can teach you everything about my industry, that's not an issue. All I need from you is an open mind and some drive and determination. I'm not some psycho boss who wants his staff to put his business before anything else in their lives. I don't require OT and weekends are optional, but from 7am-5pm we give it our everything.