Success Stories

2022

 

Sandile Mokoena - NWU Alumni

1. Which organization are you working for and what is your current job title?

  • PSG Wealth as an advisor assistant

2. After completing your studies, how was your first interview and how many interviews did you get invited to before getting a job offer?

  • The first interview was not good as I did not know what to expect and I had to do a video interview first and the app was not easy to navigate. The follow-up interview was on teams it was a bit better, but I was very envious and unsure of my answers.
  • I do not remember the number of interviews exactly, but I think it was between 10 to 13 interviews.

3. What would you say is the most important thing to do when going for an interview?

  • Prepare for possible questions and research the company beforehand. Make sure you know and understand what the company does.

4. Was it difficult to adapt from being a student to being a young professional?

  • Yes, as I was now used to studying from home and doing everything online, I had to get used to going to work every day. I also had to learn to effectively manage my finances in such a way that I ensure that my income last me the whole month. Once I started working family responsibilities increased which puts more pressure in me to succeed.

5. What key competencies do you use in your workplace every day?

  • Communication
  • Quick thinking/Learning
  • Teamwork
  • Planning and organizing
  • Client orientation

6. What do you enjoy most about your job and please share strategies you use to handle difficult situations?

The work environment is very healthy, relaxed and has a supportive structure.

  • I prepare ahead of time.
  • I make sure I fully understand my task and how to do it.
  • I ask as many questions as possible to get clarity.
  • I start with a task right away instead of putting it aside for later as the work may pill-up.
  • I do small and easy tasks first and prioritize urgent tasks to be done first.

7. What stood out for you during your years as a student at the NWU and what were your greatest lessons?

  • There are many social groups you can be a part of to grow, learn and interact with others. Like leadership or societies or library assistance and many more. I learned to priorities, multitask, help others and be financially independent as I was part of several educational initiatives like IS leader, tutoring, library assistance and leadership.