How to find work after matriculating

The class of 2019 will know their fate this week with the release of the matric results.

More than 790 000 learners wrote exams and not all of them will be studying further.

Here are nine tips to help young job seekers find work:

1. 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 business doors and hand out your CV. At least one employer will be impressed by your attitude and your confidence.

2. 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 other people who might know about jobs.

3. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to gain experience which is something that most employers look for when hiring. Offer to help out at your church, community centre or sports club. Any kind of job counts as experience and can be added to your CV. You could also offer to work for free at businesses in your area, but be very clear about your reasons for doing this: you want to gain experience or you hope the business will hire you. Only do this while you’re learning – not forever.

Also read:

Counselling is available for matrics that need it

4. 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).

• Contact information. Always use the same cell phone number. Keep your phone on and fully charged and answer calls politely. If your number does change, make sure you change it on your CV. You also need an email address to send your CV out. If you don’t have one, it’s easy to set up a free gmail account.

• Education, and any actual work experience you have, including holiday jobs 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 testimony of your strengths and capabilities.

5. Look where the jobs are

A lot of entry-level jobs are in the service and sales industries like retail, restaurants and hotels. 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 at an entry-level. We all have to go through this invaluable time to gain experience and prove ourselves.

Also read:

Matric survival tips for parents and learners

6. Look for work close to where you live

If you have to travel further than one taxi, bus or train ride to get to your place of work you will be spending too much of your salary on transport, so try start the job search as close to home as possible.

7. 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. After all, employers value candidates with courage and resilience.

8. 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.

9. Beware of social media

Potential employers will look you up on social media before they interview or employ you. Remember this when you’re posting. The rule of social media is that if you don’t want people (especially employers) to know something about you, then don’t put it on social media.

Follow us on our social media platforms: