8 Hacks to Help You Find a Job Quickly in South Africa

Finding a job in the forever competitive South African job market can prove to be a very stressful mission. Job hunting can be hard even when you are new to the job hunting scene or you are a seasoned worker looking to change roles, it is best to find a working strategy that can help you find a job quickly in South Africa. Below are eight hacks that have proven to be effective when you want to find a job quickly in South Africa.

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1. Tailor Design Your CV for Every Application

Benefits:

Every job posting has specific requirements that employers are looking for, and a CV that highlights those skills and requirements needed can stand out and catch the employer’s interest. 

What to Do:

• List all  the skills and experiences you have that are mentioned on the job posting
• Study the keywords used on the job post and use them on your CV
• Be short and precise; your CV should not be more than 2 pages

Pro Tip: Research the company you are applying for and include a strong personal statement that aligns with the company’s values and work ethic.

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2. Navigate Job Portals and Alerts

Benefits:

Join and register with South African job portals like PNet, Careers24 and Indeed to always have intel on new job opportunities. Narrow it down to the industry you are interested in to always get job alerts as soon as they are posted.

What To Do:

• Search for job portals in South Africa and sign up to multiple of them.
• When registering, mention the industry you are interested in, the role, and set up alerts so that you’re informed every time a job opportunity appears.
• Applying for the job as soon as it’s posted can be an advantage.

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3. Network Like a Pro in South Africa

Benefits:

Studies have shown a high number of job vacancies are filled through networking; joining networking groups in your area and signing up for portals like LinkedIn can open up doors for you that you never knew existed.

What To Do:

• Research and join networking events and job fairs in your local area
• Connect with recruiters in your field through LinkedIn and make connections
• A lot of employers give priority to referred candidates so ask for referrals from anyone you know when job hunting so that they can recommend you when something comes up

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4. Apply For Temporary or Freelance Roles

Benefits:

While waiting for something better, consider temporary or freelance jobs since they can lead to permanent employment or increase your experience and polish your skills while also earning an income. Mention how flexible you are to changing environments in a fast paced workplace.

Where to Look:

• Register with Temp Agencies; e.g. Quest Staffing Solutions. 
• Register and apply on Freelance Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr for remote job opportunities.

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5. Upskill to Stand Out

Benefits:

Getting an extra short course relevant to your role can help you stand out and give employers an impression that you are able to push yourself and stay updated in your industry.

What To Do:

• Find an online course that can be beneficial to your role through platforms like Coursera, Udemy or LinkedIn Learning.
• Choose a course that will equip you with in-demand skills in your industry.
• Mention your certifications and what skills you got from them in your CV and your LinkedIn profile.

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6. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Benefits:

Employers usually search for your profile on your LinkedIn profile and it will be an advantage if they find your profile updated with your skills, experiences, qualifications and certifications.

What to Do:

• Add an “open to work” frame on your picture
• Upload profile picture in your professional clothes and in a professional environment
• Briefly mention your achievements and experiences
• Stay visible by engaging with other professional by sharing your thoughts on professional topics in your industry
• Have a catchy headline (e.g., “Customer Service Specialist | Passionate About Solving Problems”).

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7. Thoroughly Prepare for Interviews

Benefits:

Preparing for an interview builds confidence and gives you a chance to practice how you will handle yourself during an interview in South Africa.

What to Do:

• Research everything about the company that you might need when answering your questions. E.g company values, mission and recent achievements.
• Find out the most commonly asked questions during an interview in South Africa in your industry and practice how to answer them. E’g “Why should we hire you”
• Dress professionally according to the profession you are in.

Pro Tip: Be ready to answer questions like “What does success look like in this role?”

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8. Beware Of Job Scams

Benefits:

Look out for job opportunities that look too good to be true, there are a lot of job scams in South Africa that might steal from you or use your personal information for criminal activities.

How to Spot Scams:

• Job opportunities that ask you to pay for something to get hired
• Check if the company that is offering you a job exists and has an official verified website
• Search for job opportunities in reputable South African job portals and agencies

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Bonus Tip: Stay Persistent and Positive

As much as job hunting can be hard, persistence can give you remarkable results. Keep trying out new approaches until you land that dream job.

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Final Thoughts

If you are willing to find a job quickly in South Africa, you have to put in the work and consider the strategies mentioned above. With determination and strategies like networking like a pro, Upskilling and gaining more experience through temporary work, tailoring your CV would be the icing on the cake. Goodluck on that job hunt.