The Ultimate Guide on how to apply for a government job in South Africa.
The government is the largest employer in South Africa. Millions of South Africans work in the public sector. The government has vacancies in every industry with Schools, councils, and hospitals at the forefront, but there are also many private-sector jobs found in the public sector. Getting a job in the government has its own benefits and can be rewarding and fulfilling. However, applying for one can be tricky. There are too many processes involved, from figuring out where to find the open vacancies, writing an appropriate CV, to filling out a government application form correctly. Career digest is here to help you with your application. Here is a guide on how to apply for a government job in South Africa.
First and Foremost
Firstly, before anything else you need to assess yourself and figure out what skillset you have and what job that skillset fits into. Most people make the mistake of throwing in applications for any open vacancy they find. This is not the most efficient way of applying for a job. Take some time to figure out what you are good at, your goals, and all your strengths and weaknesses. Doing this will improve your application chances as you will be able to communicate to the recruiter why you are the best person for the job.
If you find that you do not fit the skillset required for the job you want, you can improve your skills in different ways, from taking short courses to taking internships. All this is done to put yourself in a good position to get the job over your competition.
Where can I find open South African government vacancies?
So, you have figured out what you want to do, now the next step is to go job hunting. Most people do not know where they can find open government jobs. We are here to help. Most South African government vacancies are advertised online on websites and social media channels. Websites like Career digest and Pnet advertises credible job vacancies, so you can start by checking those out. However, you can also find government vacancies in your local newspapers. The likes of the Vuk’uzenzele newspaper always advertise government vacancies.
You have found the job you want, now what?
Now that you have found a government job in South Africa you want then what. Look at the job description and examine what the job recruiters are looking for, by doing so you will be able to match your skills with the requirements of the recruiter. Remember, the main aim here is to show and prove that you are the right person for the job, so you need as much information available as possible.
Create a tailor-made CV and Cover letter
Always make sure your CV and Cover letter are tailor-made according to the job you are applying for. For each job, there are different requirements, and it is best for you to make sure that your CV meets those requirements.
Complete the required paperwork
Government jobs require you to fill out a Z83 application form. A Z83 application form is an application form issued by the South African Government. The document is there to assist government recruiters in selecting the right candidate for the job. For more info on how to fill out a Z83 form check out our previous article on the topic here.
Attach the required documents
Apart from a Z83 form, there are other documents that are usually required when applying for a government position in South Africa. Certified copies of documents like school certificates, ID, driver’s license, and work permits will be required when applying for a government job. So, look at the job description carefully and include everything required by the recruiter in your application.
Summing it all up
This might seem like too long of a process, but in the end, it is all worth it. Job searching can be anxiety-triggering but it’s part of the journey to your preferred career. Just remember to follow all these steps above and continually refer back to the job description so you do not skip anything. Good luck with your job search.
