How to Get a Job With No Experience in South Africa

Some jobs are built for first-timers and train you on the job. Focus your energy here:

• General worker and warehouse roles
• Cleaner and domestic work
• Petrol attendant and forecourt roles
• Security (you will need a PSIRA certificate)
• Cashier and retail assistant
• Call centre agent
• Learnerships and internships

Many of these are open to candidates with no experience and no matric. Browse jobs for matriculants too.

You have more to offer than you think. On your CV and in interviews, highlight:

• Soft skills: reliability, punctuality, a good attitude, willingness to learn.
• Informal experience: helping in a family business, gardening, selling, hair, repairs, childminding.
• School and community: sports teams, leadership, volunteering, church activities.
• Short courses and certificates: even a free online course shows initiative.

Employers hiring for entry-level roles care far more about attitude than a long CV. Show up on time, be polite, and be honest.

Flip the usual order. Lead with a strong personal summary and your skills, then education, then any informal or volunteer work.

Example summary: "Hardworking and reliable matriculant looking for my first job. Quick to learn, comfortable with hard physical work, available immediately in Durban. Never late."

Our full CV guide has a free template designed for first jobs.

• Learnerships pay you a small stipend while you train and earn a qualification. Many lead to permanent jobs.
• Internships give you real workplace experience to put on your CV.
• Volunteering builds skills and references fast.
• Temporary and seasonal work (festive season retail, harvests, events) often turns into permanent roles for those who impress.

Any of these turns "no experience" into "experience" within months.

• Apply widely but read each advert. Match your summary to the role.
• Apply early. Roles for beginners attract many applicants, so be among the first.
• Follow up politely if you have a contact.
• Ask people you know. Many entry-level jobs are filled by word of mouth. Tell family, neighbours and former teachers you are looking.
• Set up free job alerts so you see new vacancies the day they post.

Stay safe while you apply: read our job scams guide, because beginners are targeted most.

Rejection is part of the process, not a verdict on you. Treat job hunting like a job: set a daily target of applications, keep a simple list of where you applied, and celebrate small wins like a callback or an interview. The person who keeps applying, calmly and consistently, is the one who gets hired.