Page 42 - Graduate Recruitment Handbook 2025

PKF Samantha Senekal
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To start, please tell us about yourself, your
organisation, and the areas or fields you recruit
for.
Our competent and experienced staff have been
servicing entrepreneurs and the business community
for over 60 years. Our clients include subsidiaries
of listed companies, family-owned businesses of
all sizes, non-profit organisations, government
agencies, schools, professional partnerships, and
sole traders.

PKF is one of the largest mid-tier accounting firms
in South Africa, making us big enough to provide
an excellent career foundation, and small enough
for you to make a difference. Develop your true 6. Being Overconfident or Underselling
potential and receive unique opportunities needed Themselves:
for your personal growth and development as a • Either coming across as arrogant or lacking
trainee accountant. confidence altogether.

List of career opportunities available to students: CV Mistakes:
• SAICA Articles 1. Too Much Irrelevant Information:
• SAIPA Articles • Including part-time jobs or school
• SAIT Articles achievements that don’t relate to the job
applied for.
What common mistakes do recent graduates • Listing every course ever taken instead of
make on their CV’s or during interviews? focusing on those most relevant.
Interview Mistakes: 2. Lack of Focus or Structure:
1. Lack of Preparation: • CVs that lack clear headings or consistent
• Not researching the company or the role. formatting.
• Failing to understand the job description or • No summary or personal statement to guide
how their skills apply. the reader.
2. Weak Self-Introduction: 3. Typos and Grammatical Errors:
• Struggling to articulate who they are, their • Spelling mistakes, bad grammar, or
strengths, and what value they bring. inconsistent tense usage make a poor
3.b Over-Emphasizing Grades: impression.
• Relying solely on academic success without 4. Overuse of Buzzwords:
demonstrating soft skills or experience. • Using terms like “team player” or “hard-
4. Poor Body Language: working” without examples to back them up.
• Lack of eye contact, slouching, fidgeting, or 5. Poor Design or Length:
appearing disinterested. • CVs that are too long (more than 2 pages) or
5. Not Asking Questions: crammed with text and hard to read.
• Not preparing thoughtful questions for the
interviewer, which shows a lack of interest.

42 2025/26 Graduate Recruitment Handbook