Proofreader Kim Hatchuel is inspired to support school-leavers, helping them enter the job market with confidence and clarity.
Johannesburg, South Africa (20 April 2025) – In the heart of Johannesburg, where the rhythms of the city pulse with ambition and challenge in equal measure, there’s a quiet force for good making a difference in ways that truly matter. Her name is Kim Hatchuel, and for the past decade, she’s been immersed in the fine art of language – a professional proofreader and the founder of A-Proofed, a business built on the belief that words, when polished and purposeful, have the power to open doors.
Kim’s love for language runs deep. Grammar, clarity, structure – she sees beauty in it all. To her, there’s magic in transforming a rough sentence into a clear, compelling message. It’s not just about perfection; it’s about helping someone’s voice be heard the way it was meant to be. Her work has touched countless documents, from business proposals to academic theses, each one handled with care, precision, and the quiet pride of someone who knows that good communication can change everything.
But Kim’s passion doesn’t stop there. Alongside her proofreading work, she’s also built a recruitment agency, drawing on her keen understanding of what employers are truly looking for. She’s seen firsthand how the right words on a CV can open doors – and how the wrong ones, or no guidance at all, can keep them firmly shut.
It’s this combination – a love for language and an insider’s view of recruitment – that recently sparked something deeper in Kim. A calling, even.
And so, she decided to do something about it.
After meeting Brent Lindeque, the founder of Good Things Guy, at a recent concert, inspiration struck.
“I’ve felt a strong pull to support school-leavers as they take their first steps into the world of work. Writing a CV can be daunting when you’re just starting out – especially when you feel like you don’t have much to put in.”
Through a heartfelt connection with Good Things Guy, Kim is now offering pro bono CV support for school-leavers and recent graduates. Her mission is simple but profound: to replace confusion with confidence, and to help young people step into the job market with clarity, pride, and a sense of possibility.
For Kim, this work is personal. It’s her way of giving back – of making sure that a young person’s first step into the working world feels less like a leap into the unknown and more like a bold stride toward their future.
If you know of a young school-leaver looking for a helping hand, feel free to reach out to Kim via email and let her know you were sent by us. And for those who may feel shy in reaching out, worry not, Kim has advice for you too:
“School-leavers and recent university graduates might worry they haven’t achieved enough to deserve a CV. No job history, no degrees yet, maybe just a few extracurriculars – they might feel like there’s nothing to put down, which leads to hesitation. I’d like to remind them that they don’t need to have it all figured out – that’s what this process is for.
They may feel self-conscious about how they write or communicate, especially if they’ve struggled with language or grammar at school. My job is to assist with that and they shouldn’t feel worried they’ll sound silly or make mistakes.
It can feel exposing to say, “I don’t have a CV” – like admitting you’re behind or unprepared. It takes a bit of courage to ask for help when you’re starting at square one.
They may not realise that everyone starts somewhere, and they’re comparing their non-existent CV to polished, professional ones they’ve seen online. That gap can be intimidating.”
In a world that often demands experience before giving opportunity, Kim is choosing to offer belief instead. Belief that a well-told story can change a life. Belief that guidance, when freely given, can lift someone up. And the belief that good things truly grow when we share what we know.
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