FINDING A JOB IN SOUTH AFRICA

Finding a job in South Africa can be quite daunting, due to the fairly high unemployment rate. The latest 2022 statistics indicate that it is hovering around 40%+ of the working population. Most alarmingly is that if one looks at the sub-sector of youth (jobseekers under 35 years of age), this unemployment figure sits in excess of 55%. 

If you are looking for a job in South Africa therefore, you better be prepared for many months of waiting. Foreigners are even more limited as many employers are extremely cautious about recruiting immigrants due to the many legal issues and bureaucratic hurdles. For skilled professionals looking for a job in South Africa, the chances are significantly better though, especially if you fall into the “scarce skills” category, for which the government has made some exemptions.

Another sticking point in South Africa is that labour brokers have been getting much negative publicity with trade unions and the government has vowed to eradicate them. The reality however is that labour brokers are still doing a booming trade in South Africa. Despite the strict labour laws many South African employers can still bypass much of these regulations by employing contract workers via a labour broker. This might work against you as a job seeker but if you have the necessary skills and a good work ethic, you may be able to eventually secure a good position, especially where the employer has a desperate need.

What Is The Best Way To Find A Job In South Africa?

We all know that looking for a job can be a very daunting task indeed, especially when it comes to the endless searching part and numerous application forms that need to be dealt with. In order to assist, we list at the bottom of this article, an under-rated yet highly resourceful job-finding website that is bound to become a household name in South Africa soon.

Which Career Has The Most JobOpportunities In South Africa?

CareerJunction regularly publishes an Index, showing which job skills are most in-demand in South Africa at that particular time. This jobs portal noted that the seasonally-adjusted demand profile for jobs in South Africa increased by 6% in January, while job search activity increased by 8% during 2021.

There was an evident uptake in hiring for professionals within medical & health, sales, marketing, and architecture & engineering over the recent months. Another focus is on trending jobs which provide an indication of vacancies that have become more popular in the online job market and have seen a recent increase in demand. CareerJunction said that it is very latest research shows that the following occupational fields are currently deemed as the most sought-after skill sets in the job market:

Software Development – Although there is a declining trend in hiring activity, software developers remain in high demand within the local job market.

Middle / Departmental Management – The demand for middle and department managers have not seen any significant change since December 2020. Middle management skills are, however, still in demand.

Representative / Sales Consulting – Although there is a dip in demand, sales representatives remain in high demand as business owners need to ensure that their products and services get the attention of potential clients.

What Is The Best Strategy For Finding A Job?

a) Know What You Want

One of the most important parts of formulating a job search strategy is to figure out not only what kind of job you want but also what type. You need to be clear on whether it is going to be full-time, part-time, freelance, remote, or a combination of on-site and remote, etc.

Additional questions include, what type of company do you want to work for—a non-profit, an agency, a firm in a specific industry, a small company, a large corporation, etc.? Are you looking for a traditional 9-to-5 schedule, or seek alternative hours where you work late or overnight? Do you want to work on weekends, or only the normal Monday through to Friday?

b) Build Your Portfolio

This is often overlooked, due to the simplicity of a portfolio essentially consisting of samples of your work. This can include links to articles that you have written, screenshots of a project you completed, a report you compiled, a video you created, and anything else that authentically showcases your talents. Depending on the type of role you are seeking, having samples of your work will either be a top or lower priority for a potential employer. For example, a graphic designer or a writer will most definitely need examples to work that they have created, whilst a sales professional may not be requested to provide any such samples.

Portfolios can take the form of a personal website, a splash page, or even a section on your LinkedIn profile. Take full advantage of this opportunity to shine a huge spotlight on your personal brand and what makes you a unique candidate, compared to others vying for the same position.

c) Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter

There is a very good reason why this tip is being consistently highlighted in most media. If you are simply swapping out the job title and company name in your cover letter and sending it off, you are starting off on the wrong path.

Many astute companies nowadays use applicant tracking systems to filter qualified and non-qualified candidates. It is advisable that you include keywords that are relevant to your title and industry in any online application. Read the submission requirements carefully and follow closely the formatting instructions. It is safer to not upload any materials until you’ve verified the exact requirements, or else the online system may not be able to properly register them.

If you make it past the tracking system and your application is in front of human eyes, the departmental head or hiring manager will be looking for signs that you researched the company and that you are truly interested in the role being advertised. Include pertinent points and reasons for why you want to work at this company and in this role, by explicitly telling them what they will stand to gain if you become their preferred candidate.

Which Website Is Best For JobSearch In South Africa?

Are you looking to start a new job, but feel overwhelmed with the many job sites available, or do not know the right job site to search for your ideal work?

Do not despair as we do have you covered. In order to help make your task of choosing from the endless list of options easier, we have done all the hard work for you and recommend the following Jobsite:

===>https://findalljobs.co.za

The website is authentic, tried, tested, and very easy to navigate. You do not need all the bells and whistles, or distractions found on other websites. After all, time is money, and you need to find that new job soonest and without any fuss.