Top tips for job seekers this Youth Month

News24

a day ago

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Entering the job market is no walk in the park.
Youth unemployment is still a huge concern for South Africans, with recent statistics showing that the youth unemployment rate has gone up to 46.1 percent of the youth population, with a whopping 4.8 million young people out of work.
This Youth Month, it's important now more than ever to highlight the challenges that Mzansi's youth face when trying to enter the job market.
Sandi Richardson, the human resources executive at financial services company RCS, explains to TRUELOVE that these challenges are usually around the lack of practical navigation skills on how exactly to get job searching.
Empowering the youth with information
Sandi shares some examples on some of the challenges young people face.
'Firstly, limited financial literacy. Many young individuals enter adulthood without a foundational understanding of budgeting, saving or the responsible use of credit. This impacts their ability to manage the income they do earn, plan for the future or even understand remuneration packages.
'Secondly, there's often a gap in guidance on personal and professional growth. Beyond academic qualifications, many young people lack mentorship or coaching to understand how to develop crucial soft skills like self-advocacy, resilience and effective communication – skills that are absolutely vital for workplace success and progression.'
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Getting into the job market can also be very intimidating, Sandi says.
'Without prior experience, the process of crafting a CV, interviewing and even understanding workplace culture can feel overwhelming, leading to a lack of confidence and initiative. We need to equip our youth with the tools and belief that they can succeed,' she implores.
Sandi's tips to prepare for and enter the job market
1. Don't knock entry-level job opportunities like retail and call centres.
'While the job market can be daunting, industries like retail and call/contact centres continue to offer starting points for young South Africans. These sectors offer flexible entry-level opportunities that often require little more than a matric certificate. Seasonal work, part-time jobs, and shifts that work around study schedules make these ideal stepping stones.'
2. Keep learning and developing your skills.
Workshops like RCS's partnership with the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) teach effective communication, bouncing back from setbacks and pitching for yourself for roles, promotions or learnerships.
Power moves to get working
Sandi highlights three moves every young jobseeker should be doing to improve their chances of success in today's world of work:
1. Spotlight soft skills when building your CV
Soft skills like being a hard worker or eager to learn are good ways to show recruiters what you have to offer if work experience is lacking.
'If you have little to no working experience, spotlight 'soft skills' like willingness to learn or your ability to take initiative. You could also add in any teamwork experience you have (including sports and hobbies) as well as any volunteer work you've done,' Sandi advises.
'Volunteer work not only helps you develop valuable skills – like leadership, teamwork and problem solving – but also boosts your CV by showcasing your initiative and commitment to making a difference. Highlight any digital skills, such as social media management and include computer programmes you are literate in. Websites like Resume-Now offer easy to use, free templates to build your CV.'
2. Search online
The internet will be your best friend while job seeking. If connectivity is an issue, look around your neighbourhood for internet cafes and printing shops, they usually offer a small fee for using their resources.
Sandi says, 'Portals like Careers24, Pnet and JobMail are great sources of entry level jobs such as store assistants, cashiers and customer service agents. Some of these portals even allow you to add a 'no experience' filter to narrow down your search.'
3. Tap into your network
Social networking sites aren't just for catching up with friends and family.
'A social media platform like LinkedIn will help find and reach out to connections and people you may know in these industries,' Sandi explains.
'Create or update your LinkedIn profile, connect with former teachers, family friends or ex-colleagues and ask for informational interviews. If someone you know can provide you with a referral or recommendation, that could simplify and fast-track the process.'