Digital job security starts with self – SA stakeholders

QuirkStar Kat Scholtz, digital role model Nikki Cockroft and IT career specialist Samantha Harper spoke about securing a job in the digital industry, at the GGDCPT July event in Wembley Square, last night (Tuesday).

Scholtz motivated attendees to find a gap in the market and build personal skills.

“About breaking into the industry: You could find that niche that you are looking for and look for skills,” she said.

She advised aspiring digital role players to discover what they love and where digital can intersect with their passions in the search for a suitable position.

“Experience is valuable, but play around,” she continued. “Find out what you can create for yourself. See what you can start off on.”

As far as the X-factor when it comes to job selection is concerned, Harper deems attitude the key aspect.

“We have a lot of people who want to go into digital or grow their careers and their CVs show they have the passion, but they don’t have the foresight to create a portfolio or to possibly create an example of mock work to present to the client,” the founder of IT career specialist agency Nu Beginnings said.

The approach, rather than sufficient qualification or experience is considered of utter importance.

“Study hard, very hard and get lots of qualifications, but it is attitude, really,” she said.

Harper explained a good start is stating what gives you as a potential employee the edge in the application letter when job scouting.

Scholtz, teaching on e-learning platform Quirk Education, agreed, adding the display of willingness to learn will show a great attitude for gaining greater skills.

“Wanting to learn demonstrates the experience you are wanting to get,” she said, also recommending candidates to upskill themselves.

HumanIPO reported earlier this year on the promotion of social learning by Barbara Mallinson, founder of online learning tool Obami, also a previous speaker at GGDCPT.