Johannesburg - As the new year approaches, you're probably trying to find your first job and are keen to launch your career and start earning money. It is important to remember your first job may not be exactly what you had in mind, but that you will learn a lot of invaluable skills and gain experience that will be helpful for your future career.
Your first job is usually not in your chosen field, but rather a stepping stone on the career path that takes you where you want to be.
What kind of entry-level jobs are available for first-time work-seekers?
There are opportunities across all sectors for first-time job-seekers. In the retail and hospitality sector these jobs include sales staff, cashiers, hotel and restaurant staff and delivery and scooter drivers.
There are also positions for butchers, baristas and bakers. In the corporate sector there are opportunities in sales and service contact centres, as well as admin-related jobs.
In the industrial sector you could look for a job in manufacturing and construction or as a technician. Don’t forget about looking for a job with a small business, as SMEs provide more than 50 percent of South Africa’s jobs.
It’s important to remember that volunteering - if you can't immediately find work - is also a good way to learn skills and gain experience to add to your CV.
A volunteer job may also become a permanent job over time.
You can find volunteering opportunities on www.myhandsandheart.org, or simply approach a business near to where you live and offer to work for free in order to gain experience.
Where can young people look for first-time jobs?
As a first-time work-seeker you can look for a job in the workplace section of newspapers, online job portals such as www.pnet.co.za, www.jobmail.co.za, www.careerjet.co.za, www.career24.co.za and www.bestjobs.co.za, or register with a recruitment agency.
Don’t forget to develop a LinkedIn profile where you can look for jobs too.
You can also apply at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator - a free service to young South Africans that helps you find a job.
If you have a matric, a valid South African ID, are between 18 and 34 years old, have not been permanently employed for more than 12 months and do not have a criminal record you can apply to Harambee for free on www.harambee.mobi
Five lessons you’ll learn from your first job
* You’ll learn how to communicate with different people - people skills are 90 percent of any job.
* You’ll learn how to manage your time and stay organised.
* You’ll learn that hard work pays off and that opportunities look a lot like hard work! When it comes time for an increase or bonus, hard work will stand you in good stead.
* You’ll learn not to burn bridges along the way - no matter how much you dislike your boss, customers or colleagues, you never know when you may need them.
* You’ll learn how to be customer-centric as well as how to deal with difficult customers.
Remember that even chief executives and other leaders started out at the bottom of the ladder. If you'd like to watch a few videos of successful people, including our Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, sharing their first job stories, visit YouTube and search for the HarambeWorkForWork channel.
THE STAR