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Career guides

Practical help for South African job seekers

How government and company hiring really works, how to fill in the forms, what to expect at interviews, and how to stay safe from scams. Written in plain language, free to read.

Government jobs

  1. How to Apply for Jobs at the Department of Correctional ServicesCorrectional Services is one of the largest public service employers, with posts in correctional centres and community corrections offices across the country. Here is what they hire for and how to apply.6 min read
  2. How to Find and Apply for Government Jobs on the DPSA Vacancy CircularHundreds of government posts are advertised every week in one document that most job seekers never learn to read properly. Here is how the DPSA circular works and how to turn it into interviews.9 min read
  3. Government Salary Levels Explained: What Level 5, Level 9 and Level 11 Really MeanEvery government advert names a salary level, but few explain what it means. This guide turns 'Salary: R237 453 per annum (Level 05)' into something you can plan around.6 min read
  4. Nursing Jobs in the Public Sector: Registration, Grades and How to ApplyProvincial health departments advertise nursing posts every week. Knowing your category, your grade and exactly what the advert asks for makes the difference between being shortlisted and being overlooked.7 min read
  5. How to Apply for the SAPS Police Trainee ProgrammeEvery year thousands of young South Africans apply to join the police, and most are turned away for mistakes they could have avoided. Here is how the trainee intake really works, from the form to the academy.11 min read
  6. How to Become a Traffic Officer in South AfricaTraffic officers keep South Africa's roads safe, and trainee posts attract thousands of applicants. Here is how the career works and how to give yourself the best chance.7 min read
  7. The Z83 Form ExplainedIf you're applying for a South African government job, the Z83 is compulsory. Fill it in wrong and your application is thrown out before it's even read.4 min read
  8. Z83 Mistakes That Get Government Applications DisqualifiedShortlisting panels in the public service often start by setting aside every application that breaks a rule. These are the mistakes that put good candidates in that pile, and how to stay out of it.8 min read

Company and graduate jobs

  1. Bank Jobs in South Africa: Entry Routes at Capitec, FNB and Standard BankBanks hire thousands of people every year, from branch and call centre staff to data analysts and software engineers. Here is how to get in, and the checks you need to be ready for.6 min read
  2. How to Get a Job at Eskom: Graduate, Apprentice and Experienced PostsEskom is one of the largest employers of engineers, technicians and artisans in South Africa. This is how its hiring works, what its programmes involve and how to give your application the best chance.7 min read
  3. Graduate Programmes in South Africa: Who Runs Them and How to Get InFor many new graduates, a structured graduate programme is the fastest way into a real career. Here is how they work, who runs them and what selectors look for.6 min read
  4. Getting a Retail Job at Pick n Pay, TFG and Other Big StoresRetail is one of the biggest sources of entry-level jobs in South Africa, and also one of the best places to build a career from the shop floor up. Here is how store hiring works and how to stand out.6 min read
  5. How Transnet Recruits: Divisions, Grades and the Talent PortalTransnet runs South Africa's freight rail, ports and fuel pipelines, and hires everyone from train drivers and marine engineers to HR specialists. Here is how its recruitment works and how to read its adverts.6 min read

CVs and applications

  1. How to Pass the ATS Every TimeMost CVs in South Africa are rejected by software before a human ever sees them. Here's exactly how the system works, and how to beat it.5 min read
  2. Certified Copies for Job Applications: When You Need Them and How to Get Them RightCertified copies cause more confusion than almost any other part of applying for a job. This guide explains when you need them, where to get them and what a valid certification looks like.6 min read
  3. How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets ReadA good cover letter is short, specific and written for one job. This guide shows you exactly how to build one, with an example you can adapt.7 min read
  4. How to Write a CV When You Have No Work ExperienceEveryone starts with no experience. This guide shows you how to build a first CV that proves you are reliable, capable and ready to learn.6 min read

Interviews

  1. Acing Your First Job InterviewYour first interview is nerve-wracking, but it's also completely learnable. Prepare well and you'll walk in calm, ready, and ahead of most other candidates.4 min read
  2. Government Job Interviews: Common Questions and How to Answer ThemA government interview is usually a panel, a fixed set of questions and a scoring sheet. Once you understand how it works, you can prepare for it properly.8 min read

Learnerships and training

  1. Becoming an Artisan: From Apprenticeship to Trade Test and Red SealQualified artisans are among the most employable people in South Africa. This guide explains every route to the trade certificate, from school leaver to experienced worker without papers.6 min read
  2. Learnership Allowances: How Much Learners Are Paid and WhyA learnership pays you while you learn, but the amount can be confusing. This guide explains the legal minimums, what affects your allowance and what to expect on your bank statement.5 min read
  3. Learnerships vs Internships vs ApprenticeshipsThey sound similar, but they're not the same, and choosing the right one can shape your whole career. Here's exactly what each means in South Africa, who qualifies, how the money works, and how to apply.6 min read

Studying and bursaries

  1. How to Apply for Bursaries in South AfricaA bursary can pay for your studies and set up your career, but the good ones are competitive and the deadlines are strict. Here's how to give yourself the best possible chance.5 min read

Money and rights

  1. How to Claim UIF After Losing Your JobIf you have lost your job, UIF can give you an income while you look for the next one. Here is how to check whether you qualify and how to claim without delays.6 min read

Staying safe

  1. How to Spot and Avoid Job Scams in South AfricaDesperation for work is exactly what scammers prey on. Learn the warning signs so you never lose money, or your identity, chasing a job that doesn't exist.4 min read
  2. How to Tell if a Job Advert Is RealFake job adverts waste your time, your money and sometimes your identity. This checklist shows you how to confirm an advert is real in a few minutes, before you send anything.6 min read