Statistics show that at least 24% of South Africans are unemployed. A big challenge for many young school-leavers is finding employment. What makes things more difficult for South Africans is that even graduates are no longer guaranteed a job following getting their qualification.
They have to compete with many other job-seekers who are looking for any type of employment to put food on the table.
In South Africa, most graduate entry-level jobs lie in engineering, accounting, finance, IT, sales, HR and recruitment sectors. There is high demand for skilled employees in engineering, economics, medical and the finance sectors.
In Gauteng, the best city for financial and technical jobs is Johannesburg, while Pretoria is better positioned for engineering.
Popular entry-level jobs in Gauteng include:
Junior Personal Assistant – this position is usually for providing assistance to company CEOs or Directors.
Administrator – this position may involve paperwork and filing and general office duties.
Data Capturer/Clerk – involves general admin work with good typing skills usually a pre-requisite.
Retail assistants – popular with school –leavers, this position is usually offered by many retail outlets such as clothing shops.
Sales and marketing – many people seeking employment may qualify for positions in this field, based on ability to sell and meet targets.
Customer Service Consultants – a growing industry, customer service requires individuals with a skill set that can be taught through training, such as improved time management, clear communication and extensive product knowledge.
Promoters – companies relay on promoters to increase sales, by doing activations in malls and busy intersections.
Common requirements for these positions:
- They are usually positions reserved for individuals with a matric/grade 12 certificate or a tertiary qualification
- Little to no experience is required
- Training is usually provided by the employer
- Minimal skills are required, such as typing skills, filing skills, general telephone etiquette and customer service skills