Every year we attract thousands of job applications at PTB Group. Our HR Department goes through each one in relation to the vacancies we list on websites like PNet or Indeed. It’s not always possible for us to give detailed feedback to candidates who don’t make it through the initial screening process so we created this article to help you understand what we’re looking for in potential employees.
If you’re looking to enter the logistics supply chain or hungry to be part of a fast-growing and innovative company, this article will go a long way in helping you improve your chances of doing this through Protea Truck and Bus Parts.
Application tips
Read carefully
We’re looking for people who pay careful attention to documents and instructions. Read the job overview and requirements carefully and be clear about which position you are applying for.
The same applies to your applications: check your documents and emails carefully, removing any spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes.
Comply with instructions
Reading carefully is one thing, but how well can you follow instructions?
Submit all of the required documents and look out for any particular details like file formats or subject lines to be used when submitting applications by email.
It’s also really important to allow enough time for your application to be processed. If you’d like to follow up on an email, don’t use the same email thread as your application because it can send the entire set of emails to the back of the processing queue!
Check your information
Sometimes we find great candidates whose contact numbers and email addresses don’t work.
There’s nothing more frustrating for an employer, or tragic for a candidate, than matching an application to an interview slot but not having functional contact details through which we can make the arrangements.
Be honest
Even if you rely on an AI tool to help you build your CV, make sure that everything you include in your application documents is 100% true.
Falsifying information on your CV is a criminal offence and it can lead to awkward and uncomfortable moments in your interview if you get selected: you could be asked about anything you include on your CV.
Not only are we listening to what you say — we’re paying attention to how you say it.
Do some research
Again, even if you’re just using an AI tool to learn more about us the day before your interview, make sure you verify what the AI tool tells you.
If you’re selected for an interview, you’ll be given the opportunity to ask us questions too.
Your approach in this section shows us how curious and attentive you are to what we know we’re publishing online from one week to the next, and your potential future with our company.
Present yourself professionally
If you are invited for an interview, make sure you look presentable. Have a shower, neaten your hair and use clean undamaged clothing.
Arrive on time and answer questions respectfully and with honesty. If you truly don’t know the answer to a question, after giving it some thought, say so. Your interviewer/s may ask the question in a different way to help you along.
Embrace constructive criticism
If you don’t proceed beyond the first interview, your rejection notice may contain insights as to why.
It might hurt your feelings if you’ve tried really hard to prepare for the interview, but how you engage with this feedback might help keep the door slightly open for you in the future — becoming angry, threatening violence or slandering people and business online because you didn’t get a job is a sure way to drive out any other opportunities.
Qualities and qualifications
Our business was built by commitment to a clear concept and hard work over several decades.
Every bit of advice we’ve shared so far in this article is based on how our leadership team has approached work over all these years.
Your qualifications have value, but do not guarantee an open door for you. You need to demonstrate the right values and characteristics.
It’s up to you to demonstrate the link between any qualifications and experience you have, with the path you’d like to take within PTB Group.
We’re on the hunt for these qualities
More important that what you come into the team knowing is your attitude to learning new things.
From our entry level positions to our company directors, every single person in our company learns new things every day.
Our values are always available online so you can decide how closely you align with us already — there’s room for good honest people who embrace challenges and are willing to do the required work to reach shared goals.
You need to be individually competent and at the same time you must be a good team player.
We’re looking for disciplined people who can respect the mission and each other as teammates. ■
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