Finding Work In The Finance Sector

There's a trick to choosing the right job. Deciding on the correct carreer, getting qualified, locating the right job for you and then nailing the interview. Each step is equally important, as one without the other will inevitably result in not obtaining work which of course is the goal.

Of course, some jobs offer a more stable lifestyle than others and jobs in the finance sector generally tend to be stable and rewarding. Your location will also play a role in the availability of jobs. For instance if you're looking for finance jobs in Pretoria or FMCG jobs in Johannesburg, you might have more luck than if you were looking in Piketburg.

Either way if you're looking for a solid carreer path, these would be good options to consider for your future.

Ford Kuga Hits Local Shores!

The all-new Ford Kuga is now available. Sharper new styling aside, the second-generation Kuga also ushers in a host of new safety technologies, EcoBoost powerplants and a new intelligent all-wheel drive system.

While the outgoing car was eye-catching in its own right, the new Kuga’s adoption of a more purposeful take on Ford’s kinetic design language moves the car further in line with more contemporary offerings such as the new Focus.

Among the highlights are a steeply raked windshield, a more aggressive front airdam and headlamp treatment, raised beltline and large wheel arches.

Three engine options are offered – a 1,6-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol in two states of tune and a 2,0-litre TDCi turbodiesel. The entry-level petrol unit is coupled to a front-wheel drivetrain and produces 110 kW. Mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, this engine returns a combined fuel consumption of 6,6 litres/100 km. This particular setup is augmented by a start/stop system.

Next up is a 134 kW version of the same engine. This unit is coupled to a six-speed, develops 240 N.m of torque and consumes 7,7 litres/100 km.

The 2,0-litre turbodiesel is mated with ford’s Powershift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission and makes 120 kW and 340 N.m. The claimed fuel consumption for this model is 6,2 litres/100 km.

The new adaptive all-wheel drive system reacts within milliseconds to assess terrain conditions and splits drive between the front and rear axles accordingly. In a more dynamic driving scenario it works in tandem with Ford’s Curve Control system, which applies controlled braking when the system detects that a driver has carried too much speed into a corner to counter excessive understeer. This is further augmented by a torque vectoring system first seen in the Focus that applies a small degree of braking to an inside wheel under cornering to draw the nose in line.

In terms of trim the Kuga range kicks off with Ambiente, which incorporates front/rear foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, cruise control and an audio system with Bluetooth and voice control.

Trend specification adds rear parking sensors, leather sports seats, electrically folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control and a nine-speaker Sony audio system with TFT screen.

Range-topping Titanium specification adds bi-Xenon auto headlamps with auto high beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, curve control and a hands-free motorised tailgate.

Titanium-spec models can be further kitted up with the R35 000 Titanium Option Pack comprising radar-actuated braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Pricing:

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Ambiente FWD - R289 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend FWD - R324 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend AT AWD - R364 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Titanium AT AWD - R398 900

Kuga 2,0 TDCi Trend Powershift AWD - R384 900

Kuga 2,0 TDCi Titanium Powershift AWD - R428 900

Pricing includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year service plan (80 000 km on petrols and 90 000 km for diesels) and a 3-year roadside assist plan. Service intervals are 20 000 km for petrols and 15 000 km for diesels.

For more Ford reviews visit carmag.coza

Original Source: Car Mag

Choosing the Right Hospitality Course in South Africa

Deciding what to do after you leave high school can be really tough. Some people are lucky and know exactly where they want to go and what they want to do. Others are faced with sleepless nights, tossing and turning over which course they want to take and whether or not this is the right plan for them. Below are a few tips that will prove useful to anyone who finds themself in such a position.

• What?

It is of utmost importance to make sure that the course of study chosen is one that you will enjoy. This will help to keep your levels of motivation up throughout the course, as the idea of the final outcome is something to look forward to, whether it’s a career in surgery or hotel management.

• Where?

Choosing an institution that you think you will be happy in is just as important as choosing one with a good reputation. Considering the department, lecturers and programmes are all important factors in making the decision regarding which environment suits you best. For example, if you want to get your international hospitality management degree, you need to consider which institutions provide practical experience and are recognised overseas.

• How?

One of the most difficult aspects of furthering one’s education is figuring out how to fund it. The cost of tertiary education has shot up drastically in the past few years, with the average undergraduate degree now costing roughly R80 000. Student loans, bank loans and part-time jobs are most definitely options that need to be considered.

• When?

One of the biggest mistakes that school-leavers make is thinking that they have to go and study straight away. Some people need to take a year or two’s gap between Grade 12 and 1^st year. This allows them to gain some perspective and decide whether or not they are going into the right field of study. Furthermore, it gives them time to earn some money in a part or full-time job, helping them to reduce the financial pressures that first year can bring.

Too many people leave too much riding on the fact that they will figure out which career path they are best suited to on their first attempt. What is important to remember is that universities and colleges can generally be very flexible and accommodating with students who wish to change direction at a later stage (with a few exceptions, depending on how big the change is.). Stressing about the initial decision will only lead to panic and irrational thought, causing many people to choose a path that they are simply unhappy with.

Original Source: How 2

A world of hospitality opportunities

At the time of a global economic recession, hotel management courses became one of the most popular electives at tertiary education institutions the world over. The speculation about why this is so centred around the fact that careers in the hospitality industry, such as hotel management or working as a chef in the hotel’s restaurant, open up doors to so many opportunities. The possibilities of where a young graduate could go with a qualification in hospitality are endless.

Source: http://www.smaak-hospitality.co.za/a-world-of-hospitality-opportunities/

Winter Road Tripping

Road tripping through South Africa during winter can be amazing. While the rain doesn’t always make for favourable conditions, the scenery is breathtaking as mountainsides are filled with waterfalls and grass plains are deep green and filled with life. However, while it may make for optimal sightseeing, driving in winter can be a difficult task and it’s important to consider a few things before embarking in your South Africa car rental with unlimited mileage.

It’s important to remember the rules of the road in unfavourable weather – something that should be done all year round. Pay special attention to speed limits and following distance. Often it may be difficult to see on a typical winter day and it’s important to drive with your headlights on and be on the constant look out for brake lights ahead of you. Ensure that you’re break lights are working before hitting the road – just one of the many checks you should carry out before leaving.

Ensure you can see optimally at all times. Replace your windscreen wipers before you leave if need be and top up the wiper fluid to make sure your vision really is crystal clear. Concentrate on the road ahead of you at all times and if you find yourself getting tired or your vision blurry then ask someone else to drive for a while.

It’s important to keep stimulated during a road trip, especially during winter. However, often the line between stimulated and distracted can be blurred when making use of long term car hire in Cape Town and surrounds. Ensure that there is a constant flow of music or a radio channel that you like – it’s especially useful to tune into a channel that provides up to date traffic reports.

Traffic during winter is particularly hectic and this is when having music in the background is useful. Avoid the traffic all together and pull over in a safe and preferably dry spot to enjoy the contents of that flask or to study the map for the duration of the journey. If you do plan to stop off on the side of the road then don’t stop on a shoulder, especially in bad weather. Ensure that your car is completely off the road and remember that a yellow line should only be used for emergencies.

When it’s cold we expend more energy and so do our cars which is why you need to keep supplies for both people and the car itself in the event of an emergency or just to hold both over on a long trip. At least if you make use of reputable car hire in South Africa you can rest assured that your car will be in good condition from the moment you embark on your winter road trip.

Original Source: I Need A Car

Disability insurance policy

Many people don’t comprehend how costly becoming permanently disabled can be. Not only could you be rendered unable to work in your current job, but you could also be saddled with extra medical bills. On top of this, you still have to be able to afford your regular bills and expenses. If you don’t have reliable Disability Cover to back you up in these unfortunate circumstances, you run the risk of plunging yourself and your loved ones into financial hardship. Researching and implementing an effective Disability Cover scheme is wise, especially if you’re the primary breadwinner in your family. Equally important is researching life insurance.

Some reputable insurance providers will pay out a cash lump sum of up to R5 000 000 if you’re disabled and unable to work in your current job or any job for which you are trained, qualified or educated. You can use this money to pay debts, adjust your lifestyle or use it to supplement your future income.

Why Disability Cover is a good idea

To best explain the advantages of having disability cover, you should look at the consequences of becoming disabled and being unable to earn a living (without having an effective cover scheme in place) could entail:

• Lack of employer coverage – Some businesses don’t offer their employees any kind of disability cover. While some may continue to pay your salary in the hopes that you will recover and return to work, a permanent disability could leave you completely unable to work in your current position. How long would your employer continue to pay you if you’re unable to work? If your employer decides to hire a replacement while you’re out of commission, you should be prepared for the possibility that they won’t be able to keep your position indefinitely.

• Wasted savings – Hypothetically, if you’ve saved 10% of your income each year, one year of disability could eradicate 10 years’ worth of savings. If you can’t afford to lose that much, then a disability policy is a good option.

• Burden on spouse or partner – It’s a large burden for your significant other to be expected to support you financially, be a parent, and help you to adjust at the same time. This can put unnecessary strain on the relationships that are the most valuable to you. This financial burden can be compared to that of a household losing a breadwinner and missing out on the financial aid of life cover.

• Selling investments – Although selling off assets or liquidating investments is an option, it may not be the best time to do so. As a result, you may not realise their true value. Relying on the hopes that your investments will be enough to cover you if you’re disabled is a risk best avoided with Disability Cover.

Looking at the consequences of becoming permanently disabled, you can see that Disability Cover is in both your and your family’s best interests.

Source: http://www.saindustries.co.za/the-benefits-of-a-direct-disability-insurance-policy/