Overview
FlySafair, one of South Africa’s leading low-cost airline carriers, is seeking a Temporary Administrative Assistant to join its Johannesburg team. This position is designed for a highly organized and adaptable individual who can provide administrative support across multiple departments, ensuring efficiency and operational continuity. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting teams experiencing capacity challenges, helping to maintain smooth workflows and high productivity levels.
This role is ideal for a self-motivated professional who thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities shift rapidly. The Administrative Assistant will handle a variety of tasks such as data entry, scheduling, document control, correspondence management, and departmental coordination. Working within a reputable and fast-paced aviation organization, the successful applicant will play an important part in maintaining the efficiency and integrity of FlySafair’s administrative processes. The role also offers valuable exposure to multiple business functions, providing a unique opportunity to develop diverse skills within a professional corporate structure.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 / Matric (Essential).
- Prior experience in administrative or clerical work preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Understanding of confidentiality, data privacy, and document management standards.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a proactive, problem-solving attitude.
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and adaptability.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Strong organizational and time management abilities.
- Accuracy in data entry, scheduling, and document filing.
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Ability to multitask and adapt to changing departmental needs.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality work.
- Initiative to identify and resolve administrative bottlenecks.
- Consistent reliability, accountability, and professional conduct.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure while meeting tight deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Act as a temporary administrative resource across multiple departments.
- Perform clerical duties, including filing, correspondence management, and data entry.
- Manage office workflows, ensuring smooth daily operations and administrative consistency.
- Schedule meetings, prepare reports, and assist with document compilation.
- Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive company and employee information.
- Transition seamlessly between departments to provide flexible support where required.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and share best practices across teams.
- Uphold company policies and contribute to maintaining an organized, productive workplace.
Important Notes
Email applications will not be accepted. Preference will be given to members of underrepresented designated groups. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If no feedback is received within two weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. FlySafair reserves the right not to proceed with this vacancy or to appoint candidates based on operational requirements.
🧾 ATS-Friendly CV Guide
In today’s digital job market, most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before human eyes ever see them. These systems are designed to scan documents for keywords, structure, and formatting that align with the job description. An ATS-friendly CV improves your chance of getting past automated filters and landing an interview. Whether you are applying for the Temporary Administrative Assistant Johannesburg position at FlySafair or another opportunity, your CV must speak both to machines and people. This guide walks you through proven strategies to optimize your CV from top to bottom, offering practical examples, formatting tips, and best practices to maximize your success.
1. âś… CV Structure
- Header: Example — Thabo Khumalo | 0612 74 1234 | [email protected] | Randburg, South Africa.
- Professional Summary: Tailored to the role. E.g., “Motivated customer service agent with 3+ years’ experience in retail and a track record of increasing client satisfaction scores by 25%.”
- Key Skills: Include 6–10 bullet points. E.g., Point of Sale (POS) systems, Inventory control, Conflict resolution, Merchandising, SAP, Microsoft Excel.
- Work Experience: Reverse-chronological. Example:
- Retail Assistant | Bradlows | Jan 2022 – Present
- • Assisted 40+ daily customers with purchases and queries.
- • Maintained 98% shelf availability by overseeing stock rotation.
- Education: Highest level first. E.g., “Diploma in Business Management, UNISA, 2021.”
- Certifications: “Occupational Health and Safety, 2023 (SASSETA)”
- References: “Available upon request” unless stated otherwise in job ad.
2. 🖋️ Typography & Formatting
- Font Choice: Use clean fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica — ATS systems can misread decorative fonts.
- Font Size: Body text should be 10.5pt–12pt; Headings 14pt–16pt for readability and emphasis.
- Spacing & Margins: Use 1.15–1.5 line spacing. Keep margins at 0.75–1 inch. This ensures text isn’t cramped and is easy to scan.
- Avoid: Tables, columns, headers/footers, text boxes — most ATS software can't interpret them properly.
- File Format: Save your CV as a PDF or DOCX — PDF preserves formatting across devices, DOCX is often required by ATS platforms.
3. ✏️ Content Best Practices
- Mirror Job Language: If the ad says “inventory management,” use that term instead of synonyms like “stock control.”
- Quantify Achievements: Numbers give weight. E.g., “Managed R50,000 monthly inventory with < 2% loss.”
- Tailor for Each Job: Don't send the same CV to every employer. Highlight different skills depending on the job ad.
- Be Clear, Not Clever: Avoid vague buzzwords. Say what you did and how it helped your company.
- Proofread! ATS won't reject for spelling — but hiring managers will. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway.
4. đź“· Photo?
- Photos are discouraged unless required. ATS software can’t read them and they can add bias.
- If required (e.g., acting, modeling), choose a neutral background, natural lighting, and professional attire.
- Ensure file size is small if embedded. Avoid image-heavy CVs as they increase loading time.
5. 🔍 ATS Keyword Optimization Tips
Copy the exact job description and extract nouns and verbs that repeat. For example, for a Retail Assistant post: “customer service,” “cash handling,” “inventory,” “POS,” “stocktaking,” “sales target,” “merchandising,” and “teamwork.”
6. ✅ Dos and ❌ Don’ts of ATS CVs
- âś… Use job-relevant keywords
- âś… Keep formatting simple and consistent
- âś… Quantify wherever possible
- ❌ Don’t include tables or graphics
- ❌ Don’t submit images or logos
- ❌ Don’t use colored or stylized fonts
7. đź’ľ File Naming & Saving Tips
- Name format: YourName_Temporary Administrative Assistant Johannesburg_CV.pdf
- Save as PDF unless job ad specifies otherwise
- Avoid spaces in filenames: Use underscores instead
- Check file size — keep it under 2MB
8. 🧠More about ATS
Your CV is the first impression recruiters and ATS software get of you. To pass the ATS filter, you must optimize your CV with clean formatting, appropriate keyword use, and targeted content. Focus on clearly structuring each section: headline, summary, skills, work experience, education, and certifications. Customize the content for every role by mirroring the terminology and phrasing used in the job advert. Quantify achievements wherever possible. Format with simplicity — avoid graphics and stick to standard fonts. Proofreading is non-negotiable: even small typos can disqualify you. Save and name your file properly to avoid compatibility issues. Remember, your CV must be easily readable by both algorithms and humans. By applying the principles in this guide, you will greatly improve your chances of being shortlisted for interviews and finding the right role for your skills.
Professional Summary Example
A highly adaptable and detail-oriented Administrative Assistant with a proven ability to manage diverse administrative functions across multiple departments. Skilled in coordinating office operations, handling correspondence, and maintaining accurate records while ensuring efficiency and compliance with organizational procedures. Adept at utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for data management, reporting, and scheduling, and experienced in supporting management teams with day-to-day operational needs. Known for professionalism, accuracy, and a strong commitment to service excellence, I thrive in structured, fast-paced environments where reliability and discretion are key.
I take pride in delivering efficient administrative support that aligns with organizational goals. My proactive approach allows me to anticipate team needs, streamline processes, and enhance workflow productivity. Guided by strong ethical standards and a dedication to continuous learning, I am committed to contributing to the success of any organization by ensuring seamless operations, effective communication, and quality service delivery.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates can apply directly via the FlySafair Careers Portal. Please include your updated CV, cover letter, and any relevant certificates. When submitting your application.
