From 2018 to 2020, my partner and me, bless our socks, crafted up to 500 job applications each per month, driven by our emigration plans. Having access to tools similar to Cultivated Culture or Rezi would have been a downright miracle then, as most nights were spent writing cover letter after cover letter, and adapting resumes for jobs in Canada and New Zealand.

To anyone on a similar quest, I wish you nothing but success. Remember to take a moment to assess the situation from a distance. If anything feels wrong, investigate it. When dealing with paid programs promising emigration and/or employment, conduct thorough due diligence. Verify every claim, no exceptions. Check that your immigratioon agent is licensed in the country you are emigrating to. If they use an agency, that also have to be registered as either an immigration agent or as a company assisting said immigration agent. Both have to be registered.

Had we been less naive, we could have saved ourselves significant time and financial losses from fraudulent emigration attempts. We lost a great deal of our retirement savings, and more importantly, precious time.

Applying for Jobs: Africa, Canada to New Zealand

Because of the emigration journey, my partner and I became prolific job application aficionados between 2017 and 2019, sending thousands of applications worldwide. We were hunting for work from South Africa, Namibia, Canada all the way up to New Zealand.

Some South African employers contacted us during the lockdown periods, often offering salaries akin to post-college earnings – living with parents might’ve been necessary to afford to pay rent. Living with parents was not an option available in this scenario.

Instead, we were travelling through South Africa and Namibia while volunteering at various hosts that found us on WorkAway, in exchange for accommodation and food. In-between volunteering, we were doing genealogical research, visiting towns, cities, and provinces where me and my family originated from in South Africa and Namibia.

We were gathering as many records and local information from places where I knew my parents worked at, or lived in, as I could remember from the tales and stories I was told in my childhood. The sole purpose of the trip, to proof Namibian Citizenship. The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek refused to issue my ID Card and Passport when I applied for it, claiming that my father was in the South African Military when we lived in Namibia, which was untrue.

When lodging a complaint at the Namibian Ombudsman, their offices indicated I had to gather all documents proving the contradiction to that claim, and apply through the Namibian Ministrial Officies to reinstate Namibian Citizenship, and issue a Certificate of Citizenship before I will be able to apply to have the relevant documents issued. I was an expensive trip, and it took almost two years before that certificate was issued after it was submitted to the Namibian Minister of Home Affairs.

Occasionally, a company from Canada or New Zealand would contact us with a job offer, which would have been a good starting point if you could get on a plane to enter another country, cross the border, or if you are already there. A short-term solution if you can manage to get a work visa, though.

Working Your Way Up

When you start working in a foreign country, there is an expectation that your hourly income exceed a certain amount after a short period of time. If not, you won’t be able to apply for citizenship or permanent residency, even though you may qualify for a work permit. Likely, the first position that you get offered when you relocate to a different country, will be a short stay if the remuneration offered does not fall in that income gap. It is a stepping stone, allowing you the time to get some ducks in a row.

Other responses? Sporadically, a polite “thanks but no, thanks,” or “BEE Only.” More frequently? Silence or specifics like “locals only” or “citizens preferred,” or “Are you in the country?” Trying to crack Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and tailor applications to endless roles was an Asgardian task. At times, we gave up, sending batch applications—most of them vanishing into thin air.

The Job Hunt Maze

Job market complexities are a riddle, both locally and internationally. Even back then, some basic positions demanded a master’s degree, from janitorial roles to trash collectors. Now, it’s worse. I saw a position advertised for a cleaning person in early 2023. The recruiter required somebody with an MBA degree for the position. It was not just an assumption based on the grocery list of requirements expected, it was asked for in the advert, in writing. My reaction, “Huh, guess I won’t be applying for that one any time soon.”

Salary details? Typically, MIA. Asking about remuneration? Cue the crickets. Generally, there is no response forthcoming, and that application may get rejected before you pass the robot-queue because you asked the question. Seems outlandish, Oliver Twist, the boy who asked for more.

A chat with a recruiting friend a few years ago unveiled a bizarre truth about that: companies prefer applicants not to ask about salary upfront. Confounding, right? Don’t both parties want cash? One is hiring because they want to make as much of a profit as possible by utilising the skills of an employee; the applicant is applying because they wish to earn an income. That is the white elephant in the room that nobody wishes to discuss when an advertisement is placed to fill an open position. Enlighten me if I’m off track!

Job Application Tango

After all that, crafting tailored resumes, outsmarting ATS, and crafting cover letters is akin to threading a needle blindfolded. Bonus points for adding a video intro—some gigs demand it. The secret sauce? Apparently, it’s a hirer’s love for a charming video persona.

Tips for Survival based on Reading too many Articles:

• Hunt for HR contacts; impress them with charm. Network.
• Research companies thoroughly; align yourself cleverly. LinkedIn is a good place to start.
• Keyword-load resumes for ATS survival; don’t forget to add the achievements, preferably in measurable numbers. Do not exceed two pages, or you will be excommunicated on the spot.
• Allow that pensively professional cover photo to shine you on, get a photographer to shoot if it doesn’t. In Canada, recruiters would rather not see your charming mugshot, just the facts.
• Always craft a cover letter that is job-specific that screams, “Hire me!” Well, unless the vacancy posting states not to submit a cover letter at all.
• Sprinkle in a video intro; it may not always be a requirement, but it might work wonders.
• Politely prod HR or the recruiter for application acknowledgement.
• Follow up gently, stalking’s not cool.
• Expect ghosting; they’re possibly swamped or, let’s face it, not that much into you.

Intruders Syndrome

Let’s not forget the new buzz words that reared their ugly head over the last few years. When you are faced with rejection after rejection, or just being ignored after sending off dozens of applications for positions you know you are perfectly capable of doing, you start doubting yourself.

Every application seems to become an unsurmountable hurdle as the self-doubt and worry starts weighing down on you. Facing the challenges of applying for jobs is already a head-scratcher. Navigating this maze is a lot of work, and confoundingly confusing, even without feeling depressed. Well, sunshine, unless you’re your boss, buckle up! Some help may be needed.

Cultivated Culture: Tools Assisting in the Rollercoaster Ride

Heard about Cultivated Culture on LinkedIn? Rumour has it, they’re the Sherpas of job hunting, wielding tools to revolutionise your career quest, or coaching you to ace it, possibly even without applying for that coveted position you aspire to.

If the grapevines’ accurate, Cultivated Culture could be your guiding wand, illuminating the path toward your career dream. It could assist you with manoeuvring at least some of that confounding maze of job applications and career opportunities where resumes, cover letters, and keywords come to play.

Tools for Job Seekers: A Silver Lining!

For jobseekers navigating this maze, there are invaluable tools available on the Cultivated Culture platform:

• Free Resume Builder with Templates: Create a job-winning resume using proven templates.
• Mailscoop.io (Email Finder): Discover anyone’s email address in seconds. To craft connections before applying and follow up, not to stalk. That one.
• ResyMatch.io (Resume Scanner): Evaluate your resume’s match with your target role.
• ResyBullet.io (Bullet Analyser): Craft effective resume bullets that captivate attention.

Cultivated Culture offers an extensive suite of meticulously designed tools:

• Resume and Cover Letter Builders: Craft stand out application materials tailored to your target roles and industries.
• Interview Preparation Resources: Access articles and strategies for confident interviews.
• Networking Strategies: Unlock new opportunities by expanding your professional network.
• Career Growth and Advice: Continuous professional development articles and courses.
• Job Search Optimisation: Insights into optimising job search strategies.
• Personal Branding Insights: Create a unique brand in today’s competitive market.

Unlock Premium Benefits

The Unlimited Account elevates your job search game with Cultivated Culture’s coaching:

• Exclusive Courses: Specialised courses refining job search strategies and essential skills.
• Even More Advanced Tools: Access powerful tools for elevated resumes and job search tactics.
• Personalised Coaching: Tailored advice aligned with career goals.

How Cultivated Culture Boosts Your Job Hunt

• Craft Polished Application Materials.
• Prepare Confidently for Interviews.
• Expand Your Professional Network.
• Foster Continuous Career Growth.
• Master Strategic Job Search Tactics

Referral Link Benefits

A Little Extra for us both if you consider using the referral link:

• Earn Free Credits: Refer friends and earn credits with discounts on Unlimited Plans.
• Enjoy Discounts: Get 10% off Unlimited Plans for 12 months after a successful referral.

Conclusion

Improve your career search today by unleashing the power of Cultivated Culture’s career-enhancing tools and support system. Click the link to sign up and transform your job hunt into a journey toward the career you aspire to. Use the free tools to help you navigate the pitfalls associated with keywords, cover letters and Applicant Tracking Systems.

Similar to Rezi, the backend of the Cultivated Culture Site will assist you in making the task seem less like an unsurmountable hurdle. It will offer suggestions and make recommendations on how to optimise your resume and cover letter after scanning your existing resume.

It will also guide you through the process of applying for specific positions when you enter the advert into the system on the dashboard. Go a step further, sign up for the Unlimited Package for some one-to-one coaching, but it will cost you a few bucks.

With coaching from the Cultivated Culture Team, you may be able to ace that application without even applying for it, according to the Cultivated Culture website. Whichever you decide. I do hope this piece assists you in making the job hunt easier. If it does, drop a note below.