Finding Employment In Port Elizabeth

[W33KND]

I matriculated last year (unfortunately no bachelor's degree... long story) and have spent the last six months looking for a job after moving from EL to PE. University is not an option due to a lack of funding and my grades in high school, so getting a job was and still is the number one priority.

I've looked at online work but I'm finding it really difficult and don't fancy the idea of sitting behind a computer all day. Did that too much as a kid. I don't have any family or friends who have businesses or employment opportunities, so it's down to me.

As it currently stands, my phone was just stolen, I owe money to all my family members and I was an idiot who racked up R1k in speeding fines which I'm yet to pay off. (I do have my own car, it was my grandparent's old car - can't sell it)

Staying with my grandparents as I have no money for my own place. But at this point I feel like I'm a burden on them and I need to move out ASAP.

I browse Indeed, Gumtree and Careers24 virtually daily but of course there are few jobs available for someone with no experience or qualifications. And I'm not exactly the type of demographic who can easily get a job without experience or qualifications if you know what I mean.

I know my CV is solid and my communication skills are adequate. I've spent plenty of time working on that.

So far I've been to three interviews. Two were as a delivery driver, but I found out through some online research that both were practically scams. Mr Delivery was another one that wanted to hire me but after a day out with one of the drivers, I could see it was a waste of time. The poor dude probably spent around R1k on fuel that week and went home with R500. He had one whole delivery for his 12 hour shift that day.

Other interview was at a coffee shop. Spent petrol money driving all the way there, they showed me around the whole day and then I never heard from them again. Fair enough, someone more experienced likely showed up and that's just fine.

Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. I really don't know what to do. I've looked at this Au Pair thing that's super popular right now but I don't believe I posses the necessary qualities and skills to work with kids.

Cheers!

 

[Sumen]

I matriculated last year (unfortunately no bachelor's degree... long story) and have spent the last six months looking for a job after moving from EL to PE. University is not an option due to a lack of funding and my grades in high school, so getting a job was and still is the number one priority.

I've looked at online work but I'm finding it really difficult and don't fancy the idea of sitting behind a computer all day. Did that too much as a kid. I don't have any family or friends who have businesses or employment opportunities, so it's down to me.

As it currently stands, my phone was just stolen, I owe money to all my family members and I was an idiot who racked up R1k in speeding fines which I'm yet to pay off. (I do have my own car, it was my grandparent's old car - can't sell it)

Staying with my grandparents as I have no money for my own place. But at this point I feel like I'm a burden on them and I need to move out ASAP.

I browse Indeed, Gumtree and Careers24 virtually daily but of course there are few jobs available for someone with no experience or qualifications. And I'm not exactly the type of demographic who can easily get a job without experience or qualifications if you know what I mean.

I know my CV is solid and my communication skills are adequate. I've spent plenty of time working on that.

So far I've been to three interviews. Two were as a delivery driver, but I found out through some online research that both were practically scams. Mr Delivery was another one that wanted to hire me but after a day out with one of the drivers, I could see it was a waste of time. The poor dude probably spent around R1k on fuel that week and went home with R500. He had one whole delivery for his 12 hour shift that day.

Other interview was at a coffee shop. Spent petrol money driving all the way there, they showed me around the whole day and then I never heard from them again. Fair enough, someone more experienced likely showed up and that's just fine.

Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. I really don't know what to do. I've looked at this Au Pair thing that's super popular right now but I don't believe I posses the necessary qualities and skills to work with kids.

Cheers!

Maybe look at call centre jobs https://g.co/kgs/hpsqdW

And then save your money and study at a private institution.

 

[PhireSide]

What are your interests and your skillset?

I know you do feel like a burden on your grandparents, but maybe after finding a job, come to an agreement with them for you to stay there until you find your feet? I am sure you can contribute an amount for food and electricity and water and they probably enjoy your company.

Moving out on your own is going to be a bigger financial knock than most people think. Paying rent each month is one thing, but you will probably need to put down a deposit of 1x or 1.5x the amount to start off with. Then, you will be lucky to find a place that is fully furnished so you will need to budget for furniture, cutlery and crockery, appliances (fridge, microwave and washing machine at the very least), and budget for fuel to work and back, groceries, insurance for your household contents, utilities like water and electricity...it adds up quick

 

[W33KND]

What are your interests and your skillset?

I know you do feel like a burden on your grandparents, but maybe after finding a job, come to an agreement with them for you to stay there until you find your feet? I am sure you can contribute an amount for food and electricity and water and they probably enjoy your company.

Moving out on your own is going to be a bigger financial knock than most people think. Paying rent each month is one thing, but you will probably need to put down a deposit of 1x or 1.5x the amount to start off with. Then, you will be lucky to find a place that is fully furnished so you will need to budget for furniture, cutlery and crockery, appliances (fridge, microwave and washing machine at the very least), and budget for fuel to work and back, groceries, insurance for your household contents, utilities like water and electricity...it adds up quick

To be honest I'd be okay with any job within reason at this stage, regardless of whether it's something I'm interested in or not. I like the world of finance and stock markets and such, but of course jobs in that field are difficult to find at entry level. Especially having not studied those subjects further.

My grandparents are okay with it and of course I'd contribute every cent I can the moment I get a job. But I'd like to move out before the end of the year. I reckon it'll be possible!

EDIT: I did promise everyone that I'd move out within the first three months of the year. Guess I didn't really anticipate finding a job to be so difficult lol

 

[PhireSide]

To be honest I'd be okay with any job within reason at this stage, regardless of whether it's something I'm interested in or not. I like the world of finance and stock markets and such, but of course jobs in that field are difficult to find at entry level. Especially having not studied those subjects further.

At this stage of the fight I would suggest perhaps looking to see which local companies offer internships or apprenticeships for you to do. Buy yourself a cheapy R99 phone to get by and be contactable on in the mean time, and start looking for companies more or less in line with what you want to do. As you said, entering a financial career as someone with no experience nor qualifications is going to be tough, especially in PE. If you are good with people, perhaps a job in sales just to get you on your feet so long? Gumtree also has a few available, get your CV out there and see what you can find! https://www.gumtree.co.za/s-jobs/port-elizabeth/v1c8l3100306p1

My grandparents are okay with it and of course I'd contribute every cent I can the moment I get a job. But I'd like to move out before the end of the year. I reckon it'll be possible!

EDIT: I did promise everyone that I'd move out within the first three months of the year. Guess I didn't really anticipate finding a job to be so difficult lol

Don't be too hard on yourself. Set goals and milestones but make them achievable. I said I would buy a house within five years after I started working (lol) and here I am eight years later, still renting. All in good time though - just keep your chin up!

 

[scudsucker]

To be honest I'd be okay with any job within reason at this stage, regardless of whether it's something I'm interested in or not. I like the world of finance and stock markets and such, but of course jobs in that field are difficult to find at entry level. Especially having not studied those subjects further.

My grandparents are okay with it and of course I'd contribute every cent I can the moment I get a job. But I'd like to move out before the end of the year. I reckon it'll be possible!

EDIT: I did promise everyone that I'd move out within the first three months of the year. Guess I didn't really anticipate finding a job to be so difficult lol

Many people, myself included, managed to reach middle management level by starting at the bottom.

Contact all your local restaurants to see if they have openings for waiters.

As a first job it can actually get be very lucrative, if you are good enough. In the early 2000s I was making 800-1000 per shift and working 7 shifts a week, so enough to pay my rent and party. And I did a lot of partying.

 

[W33KND]

At this stage of the fight I would suggest perhaps looking to see which local companies offer internships or apprenticeships for you to do. Buy yourself a cheapy R99 phone to get by and be contactable on in the mean time, and start looking for companies more or less in line with what you want to do. As you said, entering a financial career as someone with no experience nor qualifications is going to be tough, especially in PE. If you are good with people, perhaps a job in sales just to get you on your feet so long? Gumtree also has a few available, get your CV out there and see what you can find! https://www.gumtree.co.za/s-jobs/port-elizabeth/v1c8l3100306p1



Don't be too hard on yourself. Set goals and milestones but make them achievable. I said I would buy a house within five years after I started working (lol) and here I am eight years later, still renting. All in good time though - just keep your chin up!

Much appreciated, thank you

 

[now05ster]

PM sent.

 

[GhostSixFour]

Also, if you have access to an internet connection, you can upskill yourself in a lot of different areas.

 

[bchip]

I like the world of finance and stock markets and such, but of course jobs in that field are difficult to find at entry level. Especially having not studied those subjects further.

As someone who has a lot of experience in that industry I can tell you that it is incredibly tough
to get into if you dont have either CA, CFA, BCOM Statistic, BSc IT or BSC Mathematics or Actuarial Sciences.

There is almost no demand for staff in this country, only a bit in Joburg and in Cape Town and considering
how many people fight for it they only take BEE candidates with those qualifications.
Performance also means nothing, as Ive seen time and time again they would rather hire somebody thats an actuary than somebody has a 100% performance, because you can sell the idea of a qualified team easier than the idea of a star performer.
And at the end of the day that industry is only about Sales!

Ironically to do well in the stock markets its better NOT to have one of those qualifications.
Even in the book Trading in the Zone (by Mark Douglas) did he learn that people in those institutions
only ended up making years of losses...

 

[bchip]

Interesting as well about the industry, they fire star performers.

If an employee outperforms it meant he is not staying within his bands of estimated returns,
they also assume they are not staying within their mandates.
It throws out their own calculations.

Except in certain circumstances its most likely that a star performer will get fired for outperforming.
At the end of the day your job is literally not to think, only to sell and be predictable.

Its MUCH better being part of the market on the sidelines, ie not necessarily working in that industry.
You just need to find the right people to chat to about what to do and not do.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

eish, seems quite a few people are trying to make ends met,

can only imagine how hard it must be, not being in a big city, like JHB/CPT/DBN.

 

[maumau]

OP, I'm sure your grand parents love having you around and are proud to be able to offer you accommodation.

Spend an hour with them every evening, listen to their stories and maybe help a bit around the house and garden. It will more than repay them.

 

[Papsak]

Waitron - not a job you want to do forever, hard work but the money can be really good if you get into the right resturant. Not a job that is usually advertised - so hand in your CV to all. Try middle to upper restuarants - IMO - Spur only if you have to. And find out if tips are shares or yours and how they hand tips on card.

And just try help out lot at home - dishes, chores ect. Moving out costs a bomb - esp on a meagre pay packet.

 

[Barbarian Conan]

I don't know if micro jobbing is still a thing. Maybe see if it is?

Sitting behind a computer all day is sadly the reality of working for most jobs that aren't manual labour these days.

 

[ChocolateBadger]

PE has a tiny economy and its difficult to find work even with a degree. Might have a better time in Joburg.

 

[PhireSide]

OP, how is this going? Could you find anything?