Working in Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the commercial centre of South Africa and home to its core industries, including mining, finance and telecommunications. The work environment is extremely competitive, aggressive and demanding.
If looking to advance your career or gain experience in reputable, well-managed organisations there’s no better South African city to settle in.
Johannesburg has an incredibly high rate of unemployment and many locals migrate to the centre in order to find jobs, although the majority of these individuals are unskilled and uneducated. Within the professional world, however, there is underemployment – and hence plenty of demand and opportunities for skilled workers.
Another aspect that expats will need to learn to negotiate is the government policy of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This initiative was put into place to redress economic imbalances created by Aparthied policies. BEE ensures preferred treatment for businesses with black ownership, and rewards the recruitment of black employees. If you have been relocated to Johannesburg by your company, BEE will not affect you, but if you are seeking work here it may limit your prospects.
The best approach to finding a suitable position is to be resourceful and to tap into as many word-of-mouth networks as possible.
Contact the local Chamber of Commerce for a business directory and approach decision-makers within the listed companies with ways in which you can benefit their firm. Network with other members of the already established expat communities within the city; there is often a spirit of understood camaraderie here where foreign nationals are more than willing to assist each other whenever possible.
Alternatively, Gumtree and Bizcommunity are well-respected online job recruitment sites. While Gumtree is a general site, Bizcommunity focuses on public relations, marketing, advertising and media job opportunities.
The Mail and Guardian, the nation’s most reputable newspaper, also lists jobs opportunities as does the Sunday Times. The Mail and Guardian is released weekly on Fridays and the Sunday Times weekly on Sunday.
You are required to have a work visa to be valid for employment. This can be applied for at the South African consulate in your country or at the Department of Home Affairs in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
If looking to advance your career or gain experience in reputable, well-managed organisations there’s no better South African city to settle in.
Johannesburg has an incredibly high rate of unemployment and many locals migrate to the centre in order to find jobs, although the majority of these individuals are unskilled and uneducated. Within the professional world, however, there is underemployment – and hence plenty of demand and opportunities for skilled workers.
Another aspect that expats will need to learn to negotiate is the government policy of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This initiative was put into place to redress economic imbalances created by Aparthied policies. BEE ensures preferred treatment for businesses with black ownership, and rewards the recruitment of black employees. If you have been relocated to Johannesburg by your company, BEE will not affect you, but if you are seeking work here it may limit your prospects.
The best approach to finding a suitable position is to be resourceful and to tap into as many word-of-mouth networks as possible.
Contact the local Chamber of Commerce for a business directory and approach decision-makers within the listed companies with ways in which you can benefit their firm. Network with other members of the already established expat communities within the city; there is often a spirit of understood camaraderie here where foreign nationals are more than willing to assist each other whenever possible.
Alternatively, Gumtree and Bizcommunity are well-respected online job recruitment sites. While Gumtree is a general site, Bizcommunity focuses on public relations, marketing, advertising and media job opportunities.
The Mail and Guardian, the nation’s most reputable newspaper, also lists jobs opportunities as does the Sunday Times. The Mail and Guardian is released weekly on Fridays and the Sunday Times weekly on Sunday.
You are required to have a work visa to be valid for employment. This can be applied for at the South African consulate in your country or at the Department of Home Affairs in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
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