Fighting to be seen: Bloemfontein graduate’s struggle in a crowded job market

For years, a Bloemfontein graduate has tried everything in his power to find a job. He decided to do something out of the ordinary in the hope that a passerby would notice his sign and offer him employment.

The Bloemfontein Courant reports that Odirile Mokale is an unemployed University of the Free State graduate from Thaba Nchu. The Petunia Secondary School matriculant has been standing at the Parfitt Avenue and Victoria Road intersection in Bloemfontein for a few months, with a placard and his higher certificate in humanities in his hand.

Graduate dreams of permanent employment

Mokale graduated in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic as well as his brother’s suicide during the same time, prevented him from further studies. He did some handy work to sustain himself, but he always had dreams of working a formal job.

“I am trying to show people that I am trying to get a job. I can’t just sit at home or randomly ask people for money. I need to do something for myself,” he said.

Mokale said securing a permanent job in a warehouse or in retail would make a significant difference in his life. He has taken the initiative to learn additional skills to become a more competitive candidate in the job market.

“I encourage students not to compare themselves with others. Instead, they should research thoroughly what they want to study,” he said.

Passion + the right skills = success

Alex Tlhobo, the head of recruitment and implementation at Training Portal, an institution focussed on skills development and training solutions, echoed this sentiment by stating that passion combined with skills can set any jobseeker apart from the rest.

“It gives you a sense of purpose, helps you stay motivated and allows you to build expertise that employers value. When your training matches your career goals, you’re more likely to enjoy your work, grow in your role and create a long-term career path,” he said.

Make sure you choose the right course

He added that being part of the right institutions can assist with building practical work experience for potential job placements in the rapidly changing job market.

“Research is key. Not all courses are created equal, and it’s important to make sure the programme you choose is relevant and aligned with your goals. By checking course outcomes, industry recognition and how it connects to job opportunities, you avoid wasting time and money.”

Experience is essential

Juanita Callis from recruitment agency WorkersWeb said Bloemfontein’s job market has shown steady growth, particularly in the retail, fast-moving consumer goods, distribution and agricultural sectors.

However, she noted that many graduates lack sufficient experience when applying for their first jobs. Their clients are seeking individuals who are skilled, capable and job ready.

Her advice to graduates like Mokale is to tailor their CVs to reflect their true selves.

“The CV must speak for them when they’re not in the room,” she said. “Common mistakes we’ve observed in interviews with job seekers and graduates include poor communication skills and an unwillingness to start at the bottom and work their way up.”