Publications
Partners
- A viral tweet by a South African CEO recently created a hot debate on career advice and the realities of job applicants in South Africa.
- Mike Sharman refused to accept an application sent by a jobseeker's mother.
- A local youth employment expert has some advice for desperate applicants.
- For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.
A local CEO's refusal to consider a job application sent by a prospective candidate's mother has sparked a furious debate about job-seeking etiquette - but also about the constraints young people face in South Africa.
This week, Mike Sharman, founder and CEO of the brand agency Retroviral, as well as the sports branding group MatchKit, tweeted that his companies won't consider employing someone whose mom sent his application.
"We received a job application today from someone who has a sports science undergrad, and a Masters from one of SA's top universities. The candidates mom sent the mail," Sharman tweeted. "What the actual f***. If you're making your mom send your application, we're not even considering you."
Critics condemned him for being tone-deaf in a country where some job seekers face many constraints.
"I can't tell you how many times I've collated CV's for family members and sent through their job applications because they either didn't have access to a computer or to a stable internet connection," Twitter user Skhora Wora (@Skhora_) commented.
"Sometimes people don’t send applications because of fear of rejection, access to internet and now load shedding," tweeted politician Mmusi Maimane.
Writer Taariq Moosa tweeted: "If a person is qualified, it shows they are hardworking and clearly dedicated. Sounds like a great candidate. Your lines seem arbitrary unless you have a proper reason and might lead to excluding people who are struggling in various ways."
Others came to his defence, saying that the prospective employee lacked initiative. One described it as a "red flag".
‘I am an advocate of excellence’
In an interview with News24, Sharman defended his tweet, saying that it was taken out of context.
Sharman said his intention was to show that the candidate showed a lack of initiative to find a job.
He also describes himself as an "advocate for excellence" and that South Africans are accustomed to mediocrity, particularly from its politicians.
Sharman says that he also acknowledges the problems that South Africans, particularly South African youth.
"There is so much anger and discontentment, and people are struggling. People are living below the breadline [...] South Africa is in a difficult place right now," he says.
In a country with such insane amounts of unemployment, you *have to* stand out. A CV isn't a differentiator. The thing most people are missing in my earlier tweet is that companies care more about stuff other than credentials and theory. People hire people, not paper.
— Mike Sharman (@mikesharman) February 15, 2023
However, Sharman said that there was no indication that this specific candidate was struggling.
He believes sending an application from your own email address shows professionalism. "Employers want to see that you are hungry, that you care about their company."
The barriers to employment
Employers need to understand that young jobseekers face enormous barriers, says to Zengeziwe Msimang, Harambee’s chief communications officer. Harambee is a South African youth unemployment agency.
"Young people need data and the costs of data is so expensive. The average young person uses R1 300 just looking for work, printing out paper to photocopy their CVs. They don't have an income. Young people also don't have clothes for job interviews. Young people need to understand how to improve their CVs and know how to dress."
However, even with these challenges, it is important for candidates to look for solutions, says Mmsimang.
"Employers don't want to hire someone with no experience, but volunteering, especially for young people, is considered experience because it shows willingness to engage. [That is something] to grow your CV and push you closer in a long line towards employment.
"Strong communication skills are important [as is] showing good CV writing skills," she says.
Mmsimang says that it is important jobseekers do proper research and understand the company they want to work for, and that the candidate remains determined to find employment.
"There is a real fear ... but you need to just do it [and apply]," she says.
Mmsimang also encourages people to find creative ways using ordinary skills to gain such employment such as braiding hair or becoming a vendor.
"There is a woman who we have worked with [at Harambee] who started washing cars on Sundays. She made R90 and then she started doing it more and doing laundry as well. It is not always about having a degree – it is about courage to find a job," she adds.
