Looking for a job? Be flexible and adapt

Students should be flexible in their approach to the job market to get a foot in the door at a time when graduate unemployment is rife, according to an expert.

Graduates should understand that they have a lot to offer but that careers take time to establish and one starts at the bottom and works oneself to the top, said Sebastian Holscher, the chief operating officer at the Accurate Agent Group.

Holscher said that in line with the philosophy of “adapt, overcome, and make it work”, graduates who initially cannot find work, should never give up.

“It is not easy at the moment. As a consequence adapting might mean taking positions below the qualification level or becoming an entrepreneur. In today’s time, external and internal flexibility is needed and it is up to you as an individual to internalise the aspects.” he said.

From an economic standpoint, Covid-19 has ensured that the already saturated labour market can afford to be selective of who they want to employ and for how much.

The job supply is limited and as a consequence, the market dictates the parameters of employment. Companies can hire skilled individuals at reduced rates, or rather train existing staff to complete the additional workloads instead of appointing new people, said Holscher.

Hloni Putsoane an employer engagement consultant from the North-West University, said that a combination of factors contributes to the high unemployment rate such as the economic situation that does not allow companies to absorb all graduates and graduates who are not fully empowered and have not developed fully during their university years to be ready for the world of work.

“As a graduate, it is important to understand that it is okay to start somewhere in your working life and that not everyone will get the perfect job [from the outset],” Putsoane said.

Former BA Communication student, Refilwe Rakgomo (22), got a job immediately after she obtained her degree because she volunteered while studying and took positions that aligned with what she wanted to do.

She also volunteered at companies that needed exposure like her sister’s dècor company where she managed the company’s social media and increased the brand’s awareness.

Rakgomo advised students to look for opportunities while they study and she said “start early in your first year to reach out to companies to work at during the holidays, offer to intern for free (if you can) in order to learn about your career in a practical space.

“This will allow you to see if its something that you still want to pursue or help you transition to the workplace.” – Kelebogile Motshoari