South Africa needs critical skills. Do you have them?
Let’s be honest: With the unemployment rate at 29%, a volatile political climate, and a drop in investor confidence, finding a job in South Africa is harder than it was 10 years ago.
AI and automation are changing the way we work, and the tech and IT fields are in desperate need of the scarcely available skills of developers and data scientists.
So, if you’re looking for a career in dev or tech, here are some things to keep in mind.
You’re in the right place
A research report from MasterStart found that a mere 24% of employed South Africans believe that their skills will be enough to keep them employed in 10 years. But the report, which surveyed over 1,000 people from different industries, also found that 30% of IT and tech professionals felt that their specific scarce skills would survive the 10-year test.
Yes, automation is becoming more common – but those who have expertise in cloud engineering and C#, mobile, Python, or Java development, are still needed to create, run and maintain the software that drives it, which makes them critical to the industry.
Stand out from the field
The skills for jobs in tech may be scarce, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t several qualified people competing for the same job. The best developers and cloud engineers get snapped up quickly, so try to separate yourself from the field and up your chances.
Here’s how:
- Experience – Because most companies require a minimum of three to five years of experience, try to take every opportunity offered to you.
- CV – Don’t send out carbon copies of the same CV. Most companies don’t just want to know that you did a Python or mobile developer course in 2013; they want to know what projects you’ve worked on and how you can add value.
- Research – Learn everything you can about the company. It’ll show that you’re not only looking for an 8 to 5 job but that you really care about the role.
Stay up to date with trends
Trends are a great way to gauge how the industry is developing. Try to keep as current as possible. You’ll interview better, and you’ll be able to compare the prevailing trends with your own niche skills and experience and brush up where necessary.
Never forget to network
It’s tried, tested and a bit tired, but it’s true: “It’s who you know,” as well as what you know. Networking allows you to connect with people who have similar goals and aspirations, and lets you compare yourself with your peers. It could even lead to job opportunities.
We can help. Let’s connect.
Our mission is to bring people, possibility, planning, and potential together to drive personal and professional growth. This means that Adcorp can find a job that’s perfect for you if you have skills and experience in one of the roles below. Click the link and fill in the form so that we can get in touch to chat about your next career move.
Our place in the world is to help people find theirs. So, if a career in any of these fields is what you’re looking for be sure to submit your details.
Or, if you know someone who might be perfect for the job, share this post with them on your favourite social platform using the buttons below and the tag #ConnectingPotential.