there's a new way of cutting some applicants out of the process, like making own transport or english home language as a pre-requisite - i mean, english as a first language and as a home language are two completely different things! there's no way a young black kid out of varsity will have a car! and which black person speaks english at home? unless, they're lost, i mean really!

Blackie you are spot on. Back in the day they used to insist that the applicants should be from certain residential/geographic areas. Now that some darkies are off-the hood they have devised another strategy. Not to worry dear - if you are true darkie like I am you definitely know the way around this ploy

I completely agree that all these things that are added to job posts are ways of excluding the 'disadvantaged' among us. I've been working in the media industry for 3 years and, given the low salary, still do not have a car. Now I'm suddenly excluded from a job post despite my experience and qualifications?

...not getting a job because you're not AA

Let me bring you back to reality. It never happens in this country.

Sales and Office Administrator

Office Administration (answering telephones,office admin, leave administration and equipment hire)
2yrs experience in a client service environment
Sales skills - Follow up with clients and process the sale
Understanding of marketing and internet is beneficial
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Highly driven and organized and a team player
MS office Skilled
Advantageous
Good negotiation skills as advantage

Details
Province: Gauteng
City: Rivonia
Education level: Diploma
Job level: JuniorMid
Own transport required: Yes
Type: Permanent

I mean this is an office based position...what the hell do u need a car for?

"Own transport" does not mean "own car" - it merely means that you need to have your own transport, i.e. be able to get yourself to work on your own, the company won't be responsible for it.

If you think you qualify for the job, apply! Don't let a stupid prerequisite stop you in your tracks. Or are you using it as an excuse to pull out the tired race card again? Just a thought.

If you are not willing to help then shut up!!!!!

Uh... I DID help by pointing out that you should not sell yourself short by thinking 'own transport' means you have to have a car, because that is not what it means (get a dictionary).
If you think you can do the job, you have to apply and convince the people that you are the best candidate!

Your last line was just wrong. And you are doing it again...telling me to get a 'dictionary'. What's that all about?
It's like saying "you look really beautiful but you ...".

Please refrain from posting on this topic if you are going to do that.

I don't understand what you are going on about. I am saying that applicants should not pay attention to one silly job prerequisite like 'own transport needed', and apply for the job anyway!
I am being encouraging by explaining that 'transport' does not mean 'car', so applicants should not worry about it and apply anyway.

Please refrain from commenting on posts you did not read properly.

And yes I know that own transport can mean mean that to have your own way of getting to work. But I also said that they don't even give you a chance to come for an interview. Obviously you didn't read that!!!

If you had read my whole argument you wouldn't have said"Or are you using it as an excuse to pull out the tired race card again? Just a thought". You are just showing your own ignorance which is so not needed here.

I repeat again,please stop posting on this topic!!!!

1. I can post wherever I want, you are not the forum moderator.
2. If you followed the thread, you would notice that I did not reply to your original post - I replied to the post "An example", which clearly showed that that particular commenter thought 'own transport' meant own car. I was trying to clear up the misunderstanding.
3. No-one owes you an interview. If you don't get invited for an interview, I can guarantee you that it has nothing to do with the fact that you don't have a car, but with the fact that the employer did not think you were the right fit for the job. This happens to everyone, get over it and move on. Stop looking for excuses.

I think you are both not being fair, first if "Own transport" doesn't mean having your own car then they shouldn't have included it because people who dont use their own cars obviously use public transport and everyone knows that

Secondly, Yes if you think you meet the requirements then you shouldn't be discouraged by one thing, candidates do not always meet the requirements 100%, even so, you can always call the consultant to find out more about the requirements in that way you show a bit of professionalism

Do not always put the blame on agencies because they also follow orders from their client

Some candidates take chances by applying for a "Business Analyst" position while the person only has matric and waitressing experience and they expect the agency to give them feedback, what do you call that???

Hope this helps

Thanks Popza for a sober & relevent comment.
It's very unfortunate that some 'people without names' will use every chance to tackle the man not the ball, then after that accuse the tackled of being a 'race card puller', although tis them who see things in black & white.

Could we be civilized and try to follow the discussion before posting. It's so tedious to hear about things that have nothing to do with the post, when there are valid issues that people need help with.

I have never allowed "own car or transport" to stop me from applying. And I do get called for interviews (accept when they ask me questions on the phone and ask if you have your own car", and then immediately I'm told that they are looking for a person with a car. And when I try to explain they say, "sorry sweetie".

When I'm asked if I have a car during the interview and I say no then I'm given the 'look'. And when I say I'm willing to relocate, I can sense that the person interviewing has losed focus all togher. Like they've written me off. And when you ask why you didn't get the job they tell you that "someone else was better qualified". What does that mean? I mean the reason that you applied was because the job "fits you like a glove" and they haven't posted other things that might disqualify you.

I know that it's not true that people don't always get a job because they are unqualified. The issue that I raised is becoming a problem for black applicants. It's not a race card issue, its the truth.

...Wait til they tell you that you must be from a certain region to apply. I applied for a job in PE and I was told that I should be a permanent residence of the Nelson Mandela Metro. I mean, what the heck? Anyways, they ended up employing an idiot who quit within 6 months.

I relocated 300km away from my home to my current job and they know I'm damn good at it and it doesn't matter if I'm originally from the Eastern Cape.

Mpho don't be so sensitive... The poster "without a name" is right, own transport doesn't mean your own car, it just means you are able to get yourself to work using whatever means of transport, including public transport. BTW I'm black.