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What to Expect When Working with a Recruiter

What to Expect When Working with a Recruiter

Searching for a job can be a daunting process. With a competitive job market, having a degree from a top-tier university and a sparkling CV with glowing references won’t necessarily ensure you’ll get asked for an interview. So now what? You’ve tried everything from searching for jobs online, to reaching out to your network and approaching companies to find out if they’re hiring in hopes of landing a job. However, there may be one option you haven’t thought of – working with a recruiter or recruitment company to help you find the right role! You might hesitate to follow through with this option as you’re not sure what to expect, but that’s why AltGen is here to provide some clarity on the matter! Firstly, what does a recruiter actually do? Recruiters are hired by companies to assist with their hiring needs and help fill a vacancy which the client might not have the necessary resources or capacity to fill on their own. Recruiter’s source, screen and connect companies with top talent. Recruiters should also take the time to understand you as a candidate to ensure that they place you in the best role possible for your career growth. Secondly, it’s important to know the industry you’re aiming to enter to ensure you find a recruitment company who specializes in that industry. Working with a recruiter who specializes in recruitment in the medical industry won’t help you land a job in the finance industry. Here at AltGen, our recruitment team focuses on the Renewable Energy and Sustainability industry. From the recruitment of CEOs to Senior Project Developers and Financial Modelers right through to Engineers, we have recruited for a wide spectrum of vacancies within the Renewable Energy and Cleantech Industry. Once you’ve found the suitable recruiter to help you with your job search, you’ll want to ensure your CV and LinkedIn are up to date. Your recruiter won’t be able to find you a suitable role if previous work experience is missing from your CV. Also ensure your skills are listed, don’t shy away – your CV is a tool to help sell yourself as the ideal candidate and that’ll help your recruiter know what sort of position, you’ll be perfectly suited to. Next, your recruiter will take some time to get to know you, what your career goals are and where your interests lie. All of the questions they ask you is with the goal of understanding you better as person and in essence enabling them to map out your career trajectory. Once your recruiter knows you well, they can more accurately match you to the right company. When a position that matches your skillset and experience becomes available, your CV will then be sent to the client by your recruiter. The Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act that came into play in South Africa in July 2021, and you should always know who is representing you and what information they are sharing with who! AltGen Recruitment will never send your CV to a company without your permission. It is important that you make sure the recruiter you’re working with is POPIA compliant to avoid your CV and information being shared without your knowledge. If client is interested in you for their vacancy and wants to interview you, your recruiter will guide you through this process. Our recruiters at AltGen take you through an interview preparation process to help ensure you are as ready as you can be for your interview and to ensure you nail it! After successfully completing the interview process and the company is ready to offer you employment, your recruiter will guide you through the job offer stage and assist during the negotiation stages. One of the many benefits to having a recruiter help you with job hunting is they guide you through each step along the way. Searching for a job, especially if you have not been on the job market for a length of time, can leave you with a lot of uncertainty, and while using a recruitment company like AltGen doesn’t guarantee you a job, it definitely increases your chances as you are exposed to the company’s network of clients in the industry. It is your recruiters’ duty to act as your career advisor and representative. If you have any questions for us, have a look at our FAQ’s or get in touch with us at careers@altgen.com

Sean Gibson

Managing Director

“AltGen is all about effecting change, through people. With integrity, and passion”. 

Managing Director and Founder of the AltGen’ Group. Sean has played a pivotal role in steering and leading the vision and mission of AltGen, making AltGen the only highly specialist renewable energy recruitment firm operating within the renewable energy and sustainability space in Africa. Sean oversees the success of the entire group of AltGen companies.

Sean holds a Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University as well as an Honours degree from Rhodes University

Robert Veith

Sales Director

“Without quality and intelligent effort, there is no success and no reward.”

Joining AltGen in 2014, Robert started as a Recruitment Consultant and has since become our Recruitment Director overseeing the Recruitment and Executive Search division. Robert has extensive experience in securing talent for rare skills in the energy engineering market, including skills to the likes of Power System Engineers, SCADA Engineers, Project Developers and Electrical Engineering skills specific to design.

Through Robert’s leadership, each recruitment team is enabled to focus on their specific area of expertise, ensuring all client hiring needs are met. Through Robert’s years of dedication to sourcing and securing top talent in the industry, he has a wealth of insight into the skills market and provides our clients with a competitive advantage in a scarce skills environment enabling them to effectively execute on some of the most challenging renewable energy projects across Africa. Robert is also responsible for growth of the engineering recruitment team.

Robert holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management from UNISA as well as a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from CPUT.

Lindy Taylor

Business Development & Innovation Director

“The success of an organisation is defined by its people.”

As the Innovation & Business Development Manager, Lindy is responsible for the marketing and business development activities of AltGen. Through her big picture vision, Lindy has enabled AltGen to remain responsive in the cleantech space. She is responsible for engagements with new clients.
 
Lindy initially joined AltGen in 2015 and has grown into being an integral member of the senior management team. She ensures a collaborative approach with clients catering to their custom needs. Her focus is on attaining new clients, as well as handling contractual relationships with new and existing stakeholders.
 
Lindy holds a Bachelor’ Degree in Social Sciences from Rhodes University.

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Chris Roetz

Workforce Management Services: General Manager

“My goal is to deliver exceptional operational performance within AltGen – Northern Cape building on people, energy and sustainability”

Chris Roetz oversees AltGen’s Workforce Management division in the Northern Cape. He is responsible for the successful execution of HR advisory and management services for clients’ utility-scale projects in the region. Currently, Roetz mobilises an outsourced staff complement of over 200 employees. He also steers AltGen’s Solar Works programme in conjunction with his Pofadder based team.

Chris has 20 years of professional experience in an HR and outsourced staffing capacity within the energy environment and holds a National Diploma in Human Resource Management from UNISA.

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Muslim Janoowala

Consulting Services: Senior Consultant & Business Development Lead

“My focus is to be able to do impactful work, being in the front lines of the development sector finding solutions to safe and reliable drinking water, power and sanitation”

Muslim Janoowala drives AltGen’s consulting services arm. Muslim has 10+ years of experience in the renewable energy, water and general engineering space in Eastern Africa and has played an instrumental role in the success of AltGen consulting engagement on the AFD Green Mini-grid Programme in Kenya. His expertise caters to M&E activities, project management, impact analysis and assessments of funded water and renewable energy programmes that “enlighten” and uplift communities in rural Africa.

Muslim holds an MSc in Construction Management from Cass Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering in Architectural Environment Engineering from the University of Nottingham.

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Wiehahn de Jager

Senior Consultant & Team Lead

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

Wiehahn de Jager has specialist recruitment expertise in the finance sector and has worked on various mandates for large international and national clients on both a retained and contingency basis. Wiehahn has gained an in-depth understanding of the professional skills operating within the capital markets, fin-tech, and green finance space, with a keen focus on talented professionals within the African context. He has a strong track record successfully working on a range of skill levels, from Directors to Analysts, with a special focus on professionals from mid-level up to Corporate Executives.

Wiehahn holds a Bachelor in Law from the University of Stellenbosch.

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Robert Slater

Senior Consultant & Team Lead

“I love to serve people and be the steppingstone between them and their dream job.”

Robert Slater is an expert in the talent acquisition of carbon management, environmental and social governance-related professionals across Africa. Robert has successfully closed mandates for clients who are focused on sourcing skills with experience in climate change, clean cooking, sustainability, and agricultural environments.

Slater cares deeply for people and the planet, he has a Life Coach Training certification from New Insights and volunteers at ON A MISSION, an NPO which enables businesses and individuals to invest in carbon offset projects. He holds an Honours Degree in Environmental Management from UNISA.

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Natascha Marais

Consultant

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. I look for people who want to change the world and introduce them to like-minded companies.”

Natascha Marais is highly skilled when it comes to sourcing those “unicorns” for our clients in the OEM, AI and technology, economic development, and legal spaces.

Natascha has proven experience in identifying and onboarding professionals to the likes of business developers, sales, and account managers as well as technical sales or software developer skills.

Marais holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Law from Pearson Institute.

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