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How to Find a Job in Another Province in South Africa—Before Moving There

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Introduction

Just the thought of working in a new environment and moving from a small town to a city or from one city to the other always seems exciting but nerve-wracking too. The possibility of meeting new people and finding work in another city can both be challenging and exciting. It would be wise to first find a job before moving to that city. The question is, how do you stand out and be given the same opportunity given to the locals while you are in a different city? This guide will give you tips on landing a job in another city before moving there.

1. Research the Job Market in Your Target Province

After choosing the kind of city or town you want to move to, find out which jobs or industries are popularly hiring. Industry popularity differs from one city to the other in South Africa. You can even choose a city by finding out where your role is mostly in demand.

Major Job Market Insights:

  • Gauteng is known as the business hub, with finance, IT, engineering, and corporate jobs in demand.
  • The Western Cape is known for having strong tourism job offers alongside hospitality, tech startups, and a high demand in creative industries.
  • KwaZulu-Natal is famous for manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture jobs.
  • The Eastern Cape has a high demand for automotive and industrial sector personnel. 

Tip: Use job sites like Lynn Fitho’s Job Board, Careers24, PNet, and LinkedIn to find out which jobs are in demand in your province.

2. Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter to Mention Relocation

Employers may give priority to people who are nearer and in the same city as their offices. When writing your CV and application letter, do not forget to mention your plans of relocating so that they know you will be available as soon as you are needed.

How do you professionally mention your relocation plans in your cover letter?

  • Mention how you have been planning to move and already in the process of doing that.
  • Cement that you are ready to travel for an interview whenever you will be called and would also not mind a virtual interview.
  • Be convincing on how your relocation will not affect your start date.

Example:
“I am relocating to Cape Town at the beginning of August 2024 and I cannot wait to share my expertise in customer service to your team. I am available for either a virtual interview or in person interview at your earliest convenience and can accommodate a seamless transition to begin work.”

3. Leverage Online Job Boards with Filters

Use online job boards that give you an opportunity to filter or choose which locations you want to receive job alerts in. The following top South African jobs boards will help you filter jobs by location:

  • Lynn Fitho Job Board: Shows you various job listings from zero-experience roles to highly skilled roles.
  • LinkedIn: Search jobs by location under the jobs feature and connect with recruiters from those locations.
  • PNet and Careers24: They both allow location-specific job searches.

Tip: Fix your setting to receive job alert notifications for roles in the location you wish to move to.

4. Network With People in Your Target Province

One of the most effective job hunting strategies is making connections, and it would be wise to start networking with other professionals in your industry, especially in your desired location.

Tips on Efficient Networking:

  • LinkedIn: Look for professionals in your industry, connect with them, and send them a personalized message showing interest in working in their location and your plan to relocate.
  • Join local Facebook groups in your desired location: Groups like “Cape Town Job seekers”, “Durban Jobs” etc.
  • Attend Virtual Networking Events with platforms that host online events, e.g  Meetup and Eventbrite
  • Alert your past coworkers, family and old contacts in your desired province know that you are looking for a job

5. Work With Recruitment Agencies

You can trust top recruitment agencies to have local connections and hire intel in their base region. They can be helpful when you are looking for a job in a different province.

Trustworthy Recruitment Agencies in South Africa:

  • Michael Page Recruitment Agency: provides tailored solutions for temporary, contract, and permanent placement under executive and professional roles.
  • Robert Walters: provides placement services, especially in finance, HR, and IT positions.
  • Adcorp: provides workforce solutions and labor hire services in a variety of industries in South Africa.
  • Kelly Recruitment: specializes in entry-level and administrative role placements.

Tip: Tailor your CV and mention your relocation plans to agencies.

6. Be Ready for Virtual Interviews

Prepare well in time for virtual interviews, as employers usually prefer them when hiring someone from a different province. Prepare the following:

  • Make sure your internet connection is strong with a backup; have a visible in-built or laptop camera
  • Create a little professional corner that looks presentable and is the quietest area in the house
  • Practice popular interview answers mainly asked in your role, including questions like “why are you moving to this province?”

Tip: Explain how moving to the said province will benefit you and the company you will be working for and show enthusiasm for starting.

7. Target Companies That Hire Nationwide

Companies or businesses that have offices in multiple locations tend to be more open-minded when it comes to hiring a candidate from a different province.

Some of the Top Companies Hiring Nationwide:

  • Nedbank, Standard Bank, and FNB
  • Shoprite and Pick n Pay
  • MTN and Vodacom
  • Discovery and Momentum
  • Government Departments and NGOs

8. Secure Short-Term Housing

Go the extra mile for that job you need and secure a temporary address or short-term housing, as some employees are skeptical about hiring candidates who do not have addresses of the new province they are willing to move to.

Examples of Short-Term Accommodations You Can Choose from:

  • Airbnb
  • Guesthouses or serviced apartments
  • Explore Accommodation apps like Gumtree and Property24

9. Plan Your Finances for Relocation To A New Province For Work

Start saving in advance and make plans for extra costs that come with relocation, like moving costs, travelling for interviews, and housing deposits.

How to stay in budget during relocation for work:

  • Find out if the company hiring you provides relocation assistance as some companies do
  • Move during non-busy times as prices are lower than when the demand is high
  • Declutter: get rid of items you won’t necessarily need either by donation or selling.

10. Be Persistent and Stay Positive

No matter how many rejections you get, dust yourself and remind yourself why you need the job. Change strategies until you find what works for you.

Conclusion

It is possible to find a job in another province in South Africa before you move. Tailor your CV, mention relocation plans in your application letter, and use trusted recruitment sites like Lynn Fitho’s Job Board, LinkedIn, and Careers24 to find jobs in your desired location. Join networking platforms, connect with recruiters, and prepare for virtual interviews, and you may have a high chance of securing a job before you move.

Looking for more job-seeking tips and free CV templates? Visit the Lynn Fitho Career Blog for expert advice to land your dream job quickly.

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