South Africa is a conducive environment to work and study among African countries. Because many employers in South Africa now operate remote and hybrid work, which gives room to work from home and office, and it has a reasonable cost of living for students.
Also, the Education system in South Africa allows students to work while studying and is home to some of the best Universities in Africa. Five of the 6 highest ranked Universities in Africa are from South Africa.
How Do Students Get Hired In South Africa?
Getting hired as a student is easy since most companies run remote work.
The easiest way to find a job as an international student in south Africa is through job agencies/employment agencies.
The role of employment agencies consists of providing search, selection, payroll, advice to candidates on CVs and interviews, and even additional training for workers. Sometimes the agency’s role consists of finding extended appointments or stable positions that correspond to candidates’ expectations and profiles.
There are steps to be taken to guarantee a job as a student. Which are.
Connect With People Around
If you are staying at one, connect with people around you, your classmates, roommates, and hostel mates. Ask your lecturers if there is an opportunity for you or if they are familiar with your target company.
They can serve as your reference as the human resource manager can check the reference before giving out the job, especially as an international student. Though most jobs are online these days, good connections can give you an upper hand.
Prepare A Good Rèsumè
Please make sure the information you want to provide is perfect for the job you are applying for, i.e., tailor your resume to the job description and ensure it is up to date.
Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out
Even though some companies might not request a cover letter, in case there is, make sure your cover letter is convincing as you will not be the only one applying. You don’t have all the necessary experience, but a good cover letter can guarantee the job. In your cover letter, make sure you connect your knowledge, pen down all your achievements in your past jobs, and how you intend to use your skills to impact the proposed job.
Know About The Company
Make sure you research where you intend to work. Their work ethics and their glimpse of the culture. Visit their company website to read more about what they do.
Prepare Well For An Interview
He who fails to prepare prepares to fail. Make sure you are fully prepared for the interview. Search for frequently asked interview questions and how to respond. Ask your friends to practice with you to build your confidence, practice written tests, and you can source samples from search engines.
Can I Work As A Student In South Africa?
Like any other country, South Africa allows students to study and work, including international students. Foreign citizens who wish to move to South Africa to work should apply for a relevant work permit. Foreign student visas are allowed to work part-time while in South Africa for up to 20 hours a week.
Students’ Visa In South Africa
International students wanting to study in South African Institutions must apply for a student visa.
However, as an international student, you are allowed to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week until the expiration of your student visa. The study permit will be valid for the duration of the degree or course of study to which the learner has been accepted.
What Are The Best Jobs For Students In South Africa
Here are the best jobs for students in South Africa.
Bookkeeper
A Bookkeeper is responsible for doing quotes, admin work, banking, accounts, etc. This position could be either half day (from 08h00 – 12h00) or three full days a week. This type of job will give enough time for learning activities.
Student Marketeer
The Student Marketeer program aims to reach new consumers, excite university students, and increase sales. This job is one of the easiest jobs to find for students because it involves relationships with students.
Housekeeper
This job can be done during the weekends or during holiday time and does not mostly require experience. And it is easy to find as most people need a helping hand.
Typist
This job is one of the best for students as employees can work remotely. And most hours of work are 25 hours per week.
Shop Assistant
Most private industry uses to hire students as shop assistants. The working hours are most likely to be 4 hours per day.
Customer Service (Call Centre)
A customer service representative handles customer questions and concerns via phone, email, chat, or person. They also give advice and guidance on products or services, update customer records, and help customers complete a purchase, return, or other transaction.
Salesman
This is just like the shop assistant; the duty is to attend to customers’ wants, stock products, help maintain exhibition areas, greet customers, answer customer questions, and assist them in finding products.
Waiter/waitress
A waitress/waiter must serve, set tables, take food and drink orders, answer menu inquiries, give recommendations, communicate orders to kitchen staff, and serve them after they’re prepared.
Nanny
A nanny gives childcare within a client’s home and is responsible for feeding, bathing, and laying children down for siestas. They also organize activities, oversee playtime, and may be charged with driving children to and from school or extracurricular activities.
Tutor
You can also work as a home tutor, going to houses for after-school academic activities for primary and secondary school students to help them improve their academic performance.
Telemarketer
A telemarketer dials customers, receive inbound calls, and solicits orders for products and services.
Transcriptionist
A transcriptionist listens to live or recorded speeches or conversations and transcribes them into readable text with proper syntax, spellings, and grammar.
Can Students Get Work Permits?
Students in South Africa that are willing to work can apply for a work permit. However, international students on student visas are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
Weekend Jobs For Students
There are a lot of jobs in South Africa that require less or no skill that students can do during the weekends. They include
- Waiters
- Cleaners
- Attendants
- Receptionist
You do not need a lot of skills to do this job. All you need is a fair comprehension of the English language.
Can Foreign Students Work in South Africa?
International students on student visas in South Africa have limits on the kind of work they can do. Their primary aim in South Africa is to study. If you wish to work in South Africa, apply for a work permit. However, international students do part-time jobs for not more than 20 hours a week.
Part-Time Jobs For Students In South Africa
With the opportunity given to students to work in South Africa, some part-time jobs that they can do include;
- Library assistant
- Server
- Social media assistant
- Grocery store bagger
- Valet parking attendant
- Babysitter
These are some part-time jobs for students in South Africa.
Conclusion
This article has provided you with the necessary details needed by students seeking jobs in South Africa. Due to the South African educational setup, it will not be difficult for you as a student to acquire a job while studying.
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