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In South Africa, the best places to search for vacancies without paying are official portals: SA Youth for young people, ESSA from the Department of Employment and Labour, and government vacancies published by DPSA.
This guide shows how each one works, who can register and the step-by-step process to apply.
How it works
Freeno portal charges a fee
Official portalslinked to the government
Mobile without using dataon the SA Youth website
Public sector vacanciesnew list every week
Types of opportunity
Employmentformal vacancies
Learnershipslearn while working
Work experiencefor young people
Volunteeringto gain experience
Public servicegovernment departments
Entrepreneurshipopportunities to start a business
Who can apply
Everything you need to know
SA Youth: for young people aged 18 to 34
SA Youth is part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and is supported by Harambee and the Department of Employment and Labour, among others. It brings together job vacancies, learnerships, youth programs and training opportunities.
The website says it's 100% free and doesn't use data on MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom operators.
ESSA: the Department of Employment and Labour portal
ESSA is the public system that connects job seekers with company vacancies. You create a profile, upload your resume and search for vacancies.
The Department warns that it does not charge job seekers.
DPSA: government vacancies
DPSA publishes the Public Service Vacancy Circular every week, with vacancies from national and provincial departments. There is no circular in December.
To apply, use the new Z83 form, along with your resume, and send it to the department that posted the vacancy.
Private portals
Sites like PNet, Careers24, Indeed and LinkedIn also publish company vacancies. Use them alongside official portals.
On any website, be suspicious of vacancies that charge a fee to hire.
How to protect yourself
Serious recruitment doesn't charge a fee. Never pay to guarantee a vacancy or provide your bank password.
Fake degrees in public sector vacancies become police cases, according to the government circular itself.