The hidden costs of finding a job in South Africa

Although you should never pay a company to consider a job application, that doesn't mean finding a job is free.

Spending hours browsing online websites for jobs leads to data loss, traveling for interviews isn't free, and neither is calling a prospective employer back. It all starts to add up quickly, and if you're not careful, you could end up spending thousands looking for a job.

“Research shows that the cost of finding a job can reach R1 500 per month, meaning that many job seekers face a stark choice between being able to afford their needs and investing in looking for a new job,” explains Nolundi Matomen, talent acquisition manager at Peanet.

Transportation is the biggest hurdle for job seekers. Not only are the costs of transportation increasing, but it is also difficult to find reliable transportation. Job seekers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected by this because if they cannot access public transport, they may miss an opportunity.

“Transportation costs can account for more than half of the cost of finding employment, with costs rising sharply due to recent fuel increases. Many young people need to borrow money from family, friends or even loan sharks to afford the return trip to interviews,” says Matomen.

And if public transportation is operational, it could take a job seeker up to four hours to get to and from the interview, leaving the candidate exhausted before even meeting his or her potential employer.

This can cause job seekers to become discouraged, or worse, discouraged because finding a job is not economically viable.

Pinet is giving away Uber vouchers for Youth Month. These vouchers are for job seekers who have had the opportunity to interview at PNET. There is a form to fill in and it asks for a lot of information including who will be interviewing, their full name and contact details. The voucher is worth Rs 130, but there is only a chance to win, no guarantee.

If you want to be in with a chance of winning a voucher, Go to this form and complete it.

“Succeeding a job interview is a real accomplishment. We want to make sure it counts,” says Matomen. “If a young South African has worked hard to create a profile, apply for a role and get to an interview, the cost of getting there should not come between them and that opportunity.”

Employers would also do well to consider the situation of job seekers. Instead of insisting on an in-person interview, consider conducting the initial interview via telephone or video call. This can help in finding better candidates who may be in trouble because they cannot afford Rs 1,500 per month to find a job.