More and more South African employers arrange interviews and shifts over WhatsApp. The way you write to a friend and the way you write to a manager are different, and the difference is easy to learn.
An employer messages: Can you come Tuesday 9am?
What happens: It answers the question but tells them nothing. Did you understand the time? Do you know where to go? Some managers read this as careless.
What happens: Confirms the detail, asks the one useful question, and takes four seconds longer to type.
Greet them. Use full words rather than shorthand. Answer the actual question. Say thank you. And reply during working hours where you can, because a message at 11pm reads as careless even when you were only being quick.
Voice notes are risky. Many managers cannot listen at their desk. Send text unless they send you a voice note first.
Should I change my profile picture?
Look at it as an employer would. If it is a photo of you that you would be comfortable showing at an interview, it is fine. If it is a party photo, change it while you are job hunting. Your About line matters too, for the same reason.
They added me to a work group. What are the rules?
Read more than you write. Do not send jokes, chain messages or good morning images. Only post what is relevant to the group. In a work group, everything you send is seen by people who decide whether you keep your job.
Before you move on
- Check your profile picture as an employer would see it
- Check your About line
- Reply to your next work message with a greeting
Check what you know
3 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.
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