Charles van Heerden's Profile

Job Search Information & Resources

Experience, advice, and assistance in searching and finding the right job.

Charles is an international career advice expert with a strong focus on job search, empowering individuals to develop and grow their careers. He has written many articles and blogs on job search and HR in general. He has been quoted in articles, books and websites as an expert. Most recently he has completed an eBook on Job Search Secrets.

As a result of living in various countries, he had to rebuild his networks twice from the ground up. He has personal experience of being retrenched and rebuilding his career. Working with hundreds of job seekers, he is well regarded as a thought leader for his expertise and effective career advice. 

As Charles has been an HR Director in three countries, he has an international perspective and a strategic approach to recruitment and career development. His successful HR career of 30 years includes a multiplicity of industries and sectors:

•  Institutional sector (Air Force, a scientific research company, an university) – using the intricacies of precedents to develop policies;
•  Services sector (two IT companies) – trying to understand the complexities of frame relay systems;
•  The tough world of manufacturing (a secondary steelmaking operation – explaining the shaking of the office building during interviews after the pouring of each heat; and a carpet manufacturer – getting used to the smells of making rubber underlay);
•  The dangerous mining sector (drilling, shaft sinking and tunneling group – going 2 miles underground in a new gold mine shaft);
•  A major stint in FMCG (two dairy companies and an international brewer – hearing 30,000 bottles filling per hour on the packaging line and developing an incredible thirst).

As a senior line manager, he had full profit responsibility for a multi-million dollar business within the demanding service industry, building enduring relationships with hundreds of customers and managing teams at multiple sites.

He is also a seasoned change/OD consultant and executive coach. He holds degrees in Psychology Industrial Relations, and has completed advanced studies in HR and change management

Charles is married to Marianne, with two daughters, Tanya and Leana, and lives in Melbourne, Australia.