Being a working mom comes with its unique challenges, but your job search doesn’t have to be one of them. It’s natural to want to cast a wide net and apply for every job you see — more applications mean more chances, right? But here's the secret: focusing your energy on the jobs you can do can actually boost your chances of success and save you precious time and energy.
We know you’ve heard it before: tailor your CV to each job you apply for. It sounds like a daunting task, especially with a busy schedule. Furthermore, it’s important to recognise that the job search can take time — sometimes months. Constantly tweaking your CV can lead to job search fatigue, making the whole process feel overwhelming.
But here’s the good news — you don’t need to exhaust yourself in the process. Let’s explore a smarter, more sustainable approach.
The key is to focus on jobs that align with your skills and experience. Knowing what you’re qualified for and experienced in, and crafting a strong base CV, can reduce the stress and help you stay on track on finding that perfect job.
What to Look For in the Right Job
Here are a few tips to help you identify the jobs that will be the best match for you:
1. Skills Alignment
When you read a job description, you want to feel confident that you can perform most of the tasks listed. Keep in mind that other candidates may already have hands-on experience with everything in the job spec. That’s okay. If there are skills you don’t have, make sure you shine in the areas where you do.
2. Job Seniority
Take note of the level of experience required for the position—whether it’s junior, mid-level, or senior. Aiming for jobs that align with your current stage in your career will maximise your chances. While moving from a junior to mid-level position is a natural progression, jumping from entry-level to senior can be tough and less likely to be successful. Focus on opportunities within reach to avoid disappointment.
3. Salary as a Guide
Sometimes the job description doesn’t specify the level of seniority, but the salary can provide a helpful clue. If the salary seems low for your experience, the job might not be the right fit for you. Keep in mind, part-time roles typically offer lower salaries, so consider your expectations accordingly.
Read: Factors Working Moms Should Consider When Evaluating a Salary Package
4. Industry Relevance
Many skills are transferable across industries, but some experience in the relevant sector can give you an edge. For instance, a bookkeeper with FinTech experience may not be the ideal candidate for a bookkeeping position at a plumbing company. Even if your skills align perfectly with the job spec, industry familiarity can make a difference.
5. Preferred Experience
If a job listing includes a “preferred experience” section, don’t worry if you don’t tick every box. However, if you do possess any of the preferred skills, your chances of being shortlisted increase significantly. It’s worth paying attention to this section and detailing your experience.
Show Employers That It's a Job You Can Do
In South Africa’s job market, unless you have a highly specialised skill, there are likely many other candidates with similar qualifications applying for the same role. Even if a job feels like it’s a perfect fit for you, there are definitely others who feel the same. But don’t be discouraged. When you tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the job description, you stand out from the crowd. And while competition is real, each application you fine-tune boosts your chances significantly.
In an online world where you are not able to “sell yourself” face to face, details of your duties and responsibilities to be listed are crucial for several reasons:
Demonstrating Skills and Experience: By providing specific examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments, you can effectively showcase your skills and qualifications to potential employers. This helps them understand your capabilities and how they align with their needs.
Highlighting Achievements: Detailing your job descriptions allows you to highlight specific achievements and contributions that demonstrate your value. This can include projects you led, challenges you overcame, or positive outcomes you achieved.
Providing Context: Providing context around your previous roles helps potential employers understand the scope of your responsibilities and the environment in which you worked. This can be particularly important when discussing roles with unfamiliar titles or responsibilities.
Strengthening Your Application: A well-detailed job description can make your application stand out from the competition. It shows that you are organised, thoughtful, and able to articulate your experiences clearly.
Crafting a Winning CV
Once you’ve identified the types of jobs that align with your skills and experience, you can create a CV that reflects your strengths. This way, you’ll have a base CV ready to go, requiring only minor adjustments when needed. With this approach, you’ll be prepared to apply for jobs that suit you best—without the stress of constantly starting from scratch.
Have a look at our bank of common job descriptions. It can serve as a guide to understanding what roles might be the best fit for your expertise. Explore these resources to streamline your search process.
By focusing on what you qualify for and crafting a compelling CV, you can confidently apply for roles that align with your goals. You’ve got this. Stay positive, and remember that your next opportunity is just around the corner.
