Page 44 - Graduate Recruitment Handbook 2025

NOV Nava Govender

To start, please tell us about yourself, your
organisation, and the areas or fields you recruit
for.
I’m a Regional In-House Talent Acquisition Specialist
at NOV. NOV is a leading provider of technology,
equipment, and services to the global energy
industry. We recruit mainly within Engineering
(Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulics & Software);
additionally Human Resources; Logistics and
Finance.

What common mistakes do recent graduates
make on their CV’s or during interviews?
One of the most common mistakes I see is listing
every course they’ve taken, rather than clearly What are the top three skills you believe are
highlighting relevant skills, achievements, or essential for recent graduates to succeed in
practical experiences—even if those experiences today’s job market?
come from internships, volunteer work, or university Adaptability and Willingness to Learn – The ability
projects. Employers are looking for transferable to quickly adapt to new environments, tools, and
skills, so it’s important to demonstrate problem- ways of working is critical.
solving, communication, teamwork, etc.
Communication Skills – Being able to communicate
Another frequent CV issue is poor formatting— clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing,
cluttered layouts, inconsistent fonts, or grammatical is a major asset. Good communication also reflects
errors can create a negative first impression. A clean, emotional intelligence and professionalism.
concise, and tailored CV always stands out more
than a generic or overly detailed one. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking – Employers
are looking for people who can approach challenges
How can graduates make their CV’s and cover with a solution-oriented mindset.
letters stand out to you?
A good CV is one that is well-structured, free of What advice would you give students to help
errors, and clearly tailored to the role. For me, them improve their chances of getting hired?
it’s important to see more than just academic My key advice to students looking to improve their
achievements—we look for examples of practical chances of getting hired is to be proactive and
application of the theory learned which can be intentional in how they build and present their
through Projects completed. experience.
A cover letter, when used effectively, can make a
big difference. It should never be a copy of the Gain practical exposure – Whether it’s internships,
CV. Instead, it should explain why the candidate is volunteering, part-time jobs, or university projects,
genuinely interested in the role and in NOV as an any hands-on experience helps. It shows initiative
organisation. I appreciate it when someone shows and provides real-world examples to draw from
they’ve researched the company and can clearly during interviews.
connect their goals and values to our mission and
culture. Build soft skills early – Technical knowledge is

44 2025/26 Graduate Recruitment Handbook