In this lesson: You will gather the documents employers ask for and keep safe digital copies on your phone, so you can apply the same day you see a job.
When a good job appears, the closing date is often only a week or two away, and some employers fill posts before the closing date. Have your documents ready before you need them.
The documents most employers ask for
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Your ID — a clear copy of your green ID book or smart ID card (both sides of the card)
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Matric certificate or your latest school report if you are still waiting for it
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Other qualifications — college certificates, short course certificates (including the one you will get for this course)
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Driver’s licence, if you have one
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References — two or three people who can confirm you are reliable (more in Topic 2.4)
Keep digital copies on your phone
Scan each document with your phone. Free scanner apps, or the scan option in Google Drive or your phone’s notes app, give a straight, clear PDF. Save them in one folder with clear names, such as Thandi-Mokoena-ID.pdf and Thandi-Mokoena-Matric.pdf. Also email them to yourself so you never lose them if your phone is stolen.
Certified copies
Some employers, especially government, ask for certified copies — copies stamped and signed by a commissioner of oaths. Police stations do this for free. Read each advert carefully: many employers now only ask for certified copies once you are shortlisted. Do not spend money on certifying until the advert asks.
Protect your information
Your ID number and copies of your ID are valuable to criminals. Only send them to employers you have checked are real (see Chapter 4) and never post them on social media or in public WhatsApp groups.
Key takeaways
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Have your ID, matric certificate, other certificates and references ready before you need them.
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Scan everything into one folder on your phone and email copies to yourself.
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Only certify copies when an advert asks — and only share your ID with employers you have checked.
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