South Africa's economy has been enjoying a long stretch of growth
Good news for those missing home: South Africa is experiencing record economic growth — and a shortage of talent.
Ask any South African living abroad what he or she misses most about 'back home' and you'll get reasonably consistent answers: the sunshine, the food and a great outdoor lifestyle.
Of course, there's also a list of things people don't miss, but one long-running complaint has disappeared in recent years: strong work opportunities.
South Africa's economy has been enjoying one of the longest stretches of growth in its history. Booming commodity prices, the upcoming 2010 Fifa World Cup and a rapidly emerging black middle class are all contributing.
This has ransformed job prospects in recent years, but also exposed a critical lack of talent.
"There's a major skills shortage," says Robert Ridout, CEO of headhunting firm The Ridout Group. The country's newspapers are filled with job adverts for anyone with good qualifications and experience.
"We are witnessing a surge in employment opportunities," says Penny Chaskelson, MD of recruitment agency The Personnel Concept.
"Any candidates with niche specialisations, good academics and experience are in high demand."
For South Africans living abroad and missing home, this is great news. Prospects are good in everything from education to retail, with the following sectors offering the hottest opportunities.
Construction and engineering
Winning the chance to host the 2010 football World Cup has merely added to an ongoing construction boom. Visitors see the evidence first-hand, with new malls, housing complexes and offices popping up everywhere.
The most high-profile project is the Gautrain—a train link that will initially connect Johannesburg's main airport to the city centre.
"With upcoming projects such as Gautrain and [the] 2010 World Cup, the labour market is under pressure to deliver high level specialists," says Chaskelton.
For example, Oliver Wade, a 29-year-old planning engineer in London commanding a six-figure salary, was approached by a Gautrain head hunter who offered to match his UK wage and pay for his family's relocation.
"There's plenty of opportunity in South Africa right now," Wade says.
"And those doors are mainly open to me because of the work I've been doing in the UK. "It's how the big international companies, like Murray & Roberts or Group Five, hear about you in the market."
Junior engineers can expect to enter the market on about R195,000 a year, while those with more experience get up to R700,000 — and top candidates can command more than R1m.
Finance and financial services
South Africa's financial services industry is also experiencing a boom, which is financing an upsurge in the housing market and offering services to the expanding middle class. "Retail banking is a very sexy place to be right now," says Ridout.
It's also the sector that has become the most competitive in the hunt for talent. "Banks pay most aggressively," he says.
The sector's skills shortage has even led to an increase in firms offering candidates signing-on bonuses.
These typically compensate high flyers for any bonuses they might lose out on at their current job — and highlight the fight for skills.
Pay prospects are excellent, not just for bankers, but for anyone in finance. The entry level for financial management accountants is about R400,000, while a group financial manager will be on about R800,000. High-end chartered accountants can expect between R1m and R1.3m.
IT and telecoms
Africa was the world's fastest-growing continent for mobile phone connections in 2007, and South Africa's telecom giants are enjoying record growth.
Beyond telecoms, a wide range of opportunities exist for IT workers, from programming to networking.
The pay is good and opportunities abound, says Ridout. "For example, a major bank and telco firm have 2000 places available between them, right now, which they can't fill," he says.
IT developers can expect to start on about R180,000, while more senior programmers can get R400,000. Management prospects are even better, from R450,000 to R850,000.
Happier back home
Ronel Lemmen, 40, a visual communications lecturer, got sick of the UK and moved back to South Africa. She now works for a private university in Pretoria.
"I bumped into an old colleague and she asked me if I was interested in a job again. She made some calls and the next thing I got a few offers. People think you're the bee's knees when you come back, because you've got this overseas experience. All institutions here are hard-up for people who've gone and gotten experience. It's difficult to find good candidates. Our whole arts industry — music, fashion, jewellery, ceramics — is exploding. The world is sitting up and taking notice of the talent in this country. We can do with people coming back and sharing their experience here."
For jobnews specific to South Africa, visit the South African Times .
Going back?
South African recruitment experts answer your questions
What are companies looking for in candidates? There is an emphasis on tertiary qualifications and further studies, says Penny Chaskelson, MD of The Personnel Concept. "The need to differentiate is the main focus," she says.
How are returning South Africans viewed by companies? It used to be a negative in the past, but not any more, according to Robert Ridout, CEO of The Ridout Group. "Local companies recognise overseas experience as an advantage."
How should I prepare my CV? "Emphasise your exact experience, saying if you've managed five people, or been responsible for a certain budget," says Ridout. See How to write a CV
That said, keep it short and sweet — one page will do.
Interested in working overseas? See the TNT Magazine Working Abroad section, everything you need to know before making the big move.
