How to find work in SA

[Waffle-butt]

I've just joined this forum follwing an internet search.

I would like to ask a quertion if I may.

I've been looking for a job in SA for about 2 years and have never had a success. The employment agencies have all said that I will have no chance because I will never get a work permit - I have no family living in SA and consequently any application for a work permit would be denied so no companies will consider my application.

I am a UK chartered accountant with 15 years experience and am at the Finance director / CFO level. I currently live / work in Switzerland.

Does anyone have any advice for me - or do you know any agencies that could help me?

Thanks

Mark

PS - I've been visiting SA for over 10 years (2 or 3 times a year as a tourist) as I'm a wildlife photographer who pays for his hobby by being a CA.

[Daxk]

Google National scarce Skills list za, you will see that they are desperate
for Financial and audit managers at Municipal level.
Then go to Employment Equity Act and Amendments and download the Employment Equity Act

Now before anyone can hire you or even give you a work permit,they have to hire one of the following CA's
All SA Citizens,first choice is a Black Disabled female,then a Black Disabled Man then a Black Female Then a Black Male, then a Disabled coloured Female, Disabled Coloured male etc etc... through about 20 choices till they finally come to a white able male.
Now if there are none of the above available or suitably qualified you will then be given a chance.
See if there are short term contracts available till someone wants you badly enough, no company is going to go through all that hassle for someone they dont know.

[Anu]

True Daxk very True!!!!

Even i tried for job for few months... but no success.. finally i have applied for US visa...

My case was bit better.. as company knew me..as worked there for 2 years.. but still they were not able to provide all documents as needed.. Though they were very much interested...

But Top management is handled by some people.. I dont want to comment abt them... Every one is intelligent enough

Best of luck for job search Mark!!!!

Cheers
Anu

[Michele-In-SA]

Originally Posted by Waffle-butt

I've just joined this forum follwing an internet search.

I would like to ask a quertion if I may.

I've been looking for a job in SA for about 2 years and have never had a success. The employment agencies have all said that I will have no chance because I will never get a work permit - I have no family living in SA and consequently any application for a work permit would be denied so no companies will consider my application.

I am a UK chartered accountant with 15 years experience and am at the Finance director / CFO level. I currently live / work in Switzerland.

Does anyone have any advice for me - or do you know any agencies that could help me?

Thanks

Mark

PS - I've been visiting SA for over 10 years (2 or 3 times a year as a tourist) as I'm a wildlife photographer who pays for his hobby by being a CA.

Hi Mark,

I have actually been contacted by a number of people to help them find work, and yes, it is extremely difficult. Unelss you have an edge, like one of my clients who spoke Russian, you will no dbout be at this for a while BUT perseverance does pay off. Try contacting companies directly instead of gonig through agencies. And re-look at yourself, your CV etc. - what's your egde?

Love your hobby by the way, would love to do something like that. However I am sure you know pics like that are well sought after in this coutrny and the USA? You could make a forune just on that!

All the best!
Michele

[Chantal]

Hey Daxk - been following your posts on S.A. Read your one post where you were defending yourself on the fact that you are NOT BITTER towards S.A. I am a fellow citizen myself and I have a good laugh on your posts for the simple reason that they are so true and few people understand the ridiculous nature of my country, having said that I really do love my country. Unfortunaltey stating the true facts on S.A. can come across as one being bitter, but listen up all ye non South Africans. . . it's fact and not bitterness!!! Black people do get first opportunities, criminals even have more rights than victims, only a South African can feel safe in S.A. It's the only country where if a criminal is pointing a gun at you that you can not shoot first otherwise YOU will be charged with murder - self defense is virtually done away with here. This country is beyond ridiculous, it's as weird as Alice in Wonderland, but I LOVE IT!

[Waffle-butt]

I do speak french and have 15 years corporate finance / banking experience. So far it hasn't got me any where. I'm also applying for senior positions (Finance director level) but again no joy whatsoever. I was thinking of contacting an immigration consultant for help regarding work permits - do you think it would do any good?

[Chantal]

Any reason why South Africa? You do realise that everthing Daxk has said is TRUE. I'm a fellow citizen and would like to assist you but I'm not sure if it's worth all the effort, it isn't great here if you're an expat. One really has to be brought up here in order to enjoy it in relaxation. If you're a tourist or expat then you will have to look carefully into the do's and dont's of S.A. Are you sure you have done this and have decided that this is for you?

[Waffle-butt]

Originally Posted by Chantal

Any reason why South Africa? You do realise that everthing Daxk has said is TRUE. I'm a fellow citizen and would like to assist you but I'm not sure if it's worth all the effort, it isn't great here if you're an expat. One really has to be brought up here in order to enjoy it in relaxation. If you're a tourist or expat then you will have to look carefully into the do's and dont's of S.A. Are you sure you have done this and have decided that this is for you?

Hi Chantal,

I've got SA in my blood having first visited 10 years ago. I have many friends in JHB/CT and have been visiting several times a year since my first visit. I've probably spent over 6 months in SA over the years in total. I was also brought up in the Middle East so SA doesn't scare me - though I'm not that arrogant to ignore the dangers. I've had my fair share of scary moments when I was a child to make me pretty street wise.

I would move to SA tomorrow if I could find a job. I've got friends on the ground trying to help but so far no luck. Not one of my friends is a recruitment consultant - I know lots of wildlife photographers though. I'm at what you could call the end of the road / end of my tether - I've getting sick of banging my head against a brick wall.

Anyone know of any agencies that might have vacancies where they would entertain applications from well qualified/experienced foreigners? I always thought SA would welcome well qualified people who wanted to settle in SA - fresh blood and all that - how far from the truth its turned out to be.

You won't find a more obessed individual when it comes to being committed to moving to SA should the opportunity be there.

Hope this gets the message across a bit better.....

Cheers

Mark

[Chantal]

Nice to hear that there are people out there that understand S.A. it really is a great place. My cousin owns a web site I think you should tap into called 'Job Portal', have you tried it? I can always ask him to priorotise your situation for you. You really need to send me your email address, I have connections in the Government, might cost you a small fee but you'll only have to pay AFTER you get your work visa, who knows, it could even be done for free. However if you would like, you could send me your c.v. and I could then send it to all my clients in my outlook address folder as there are over 1000 contacts there.

[Daxk]

Lets see, how many people actually run businesses on here helping people to move to SA?
Chantal has a brother who has a website,Michelle is happy to help with a very good idea about doing the running around,there's a Paula in there somewhere too.
Bovine rebel was trying to convince his Korean GF that SA was safe...

I have no axe to grind,in fact its better for me the more people and skills go to SA, but I dont care wether they do or dont..
who else can say the same? That you have nil business or personal gain from posting on here?
That helping someone you interact with from here will cost them Zero!