The class of 2019 learnt their fate this week with the release of the 2019 matric results.
More than 790 000 learners wrote exams but not all of them will be studying further.
Here are some tips to help young job seekers find work:
• Your job is to find yourself a job.
Looking for work is a full-time job until you find it. So, you need to work on this every single day, as hard as you can.
Read job ads online or in the newspaper and apply for the ones that look right for you.
Keep talking to everyone you meet about your job search.
Knock on doors and hand out your CV.
At least one employer will be impressed by your attitude and your confidence.
Also read: Five ways in which local communities can help the youth find jobs
• Network, network, network
This is one of the most important things you can do when looking for work. Ask everyone you know if they know about any jobs you could apply for and ask them to introduce you to people who might know about jobs.
• Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, which is something that most employers look for when hiring. Any kind of job counts as experience and can be added to your CV. You could also offer to work for free at companies in your area, but be clear about your reasons for doing this, you want to gain experience or hope the business will hire you.
• Get your CV and references in order
You need a written CV. If your English is not very good, ask someone to check your spelling and grammar.
Your CV can be short and should include:
• Personal details (date of birth, ID number) and contact information.
Always use the same cellphone number. Keep your phone on and fully charged and answer calls politely. If your number changes, ensure you change it on your CV. You also need an email address to send your CV out and can easily set one up on G-mail if you don’t have an email address.
• Education, and any work experience you have, including holiday and volunteer work.
• Any achievements: awards, pass marks, sporting achievements.
• Any experience that shows your character, such as taking care of others, roles within church, your family or your community.
• References. Even if you’ve never worked, you can ask teachers, church leaders or even an employer of your parents who knows you to provide a reference.
• Look where the jobs are
A lot of entry-level jobs are in the service and sales industries. Also look out for small businesses that hire young, enthusiastic people who are willing to learn and grow with the business. Be prepared to start as a junior. We all have to go through this invaluable time to gain experience and prove ourselves.
• Look for work close to where you live
If you have to travel further than one taxi, bus or train ride to get to work, you will be spending too much of your salary on transport.
• Learn how to package yourself
Most of us have tons of life experiences – even if it’s not formal work experience. However, we often don’t know how to sell it to potential employers. Think about your responsibilities in your home and community and talk about these skills when selling yourself because employers value candidates with courage and resilience.
Also read: Young and retrenched – how to bounce back
• Speak clearly and confidently
Employers value good spoken English – it’s recognised as confidence and can really help in the job-hunting process. So be clear and confident in who you are, look your interviewer in the eye and communicate clearly about your abilities and the benefits you will bring to any job.
• Beware of social media
Potential employers will look you up on social media before they interview or employ you, so remember, the rule of social media is if you don’t want people to know something about you, don’t post it.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za
or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za
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