You've polished up your CV. You've hit up your contacts for glowing recommendations. You've nailed every interview. But, you're still not getting the job you want. Maybe it's not you but the city you're in.
Location, location, location isn't simply about the home you buy or rent. It also applies to where you build your career. Some places are just better for your employability. In South Africa, the latest research says Gauteng is the best province to land your dream job.
Know this Adzuna study
Job advert search engine, Adzuna, ranked the top 10 cities in South Africa by comparing vacancies in their comprehensive search index of over 140 000 live jobs to the number of claimants in each city from their latest data. They also analysed the distribution of job titles and categories to determine which jobs are highest in demand in each city and province.
Adzuna found that Johannesburg is the go-to city for job seekers in the country. Over 16 000 jobs were advertised for in the city of gold at the end of September 2019. Pretoria followed in third place with over 4000 positions on offer.
If you want to work in IT, finance or engineering, Johannesburg has a high supply of jobs in these sectors. Pretoria has a high demand for IT professionals.
Adzuna also looked at the chance you'd have of securing your job when applying for it. To do this, they looked at population stats which determines how many applicants there are to each job listed in South Africa's major cities. Johannesburg and Pretoria ranked in the top four cities that will give you your best shot.
Beyond Adzuna's findings, there are other factors you should consider.
Education
Whether you're looking to get new skills or future-proof yourself, Gauteng is the place to be.
Johannesburg: The city made the top ten of the QS Best Student Cities index for its affordability. You can also complete part-time courses at the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg or a college like Boston City Campus.
Pretoria: The city is home to award-winning institutions like the University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology, and Varsity College.
Work opportunities
Gauteng's cities have prioritised job creation. Here's what's been done to help professionals.
Johannesburg: Johannesburg created 110 000 jobs net year-on-year. They've also launched Opportunity Centres to help aspiring entrepreneurs and revitalised the inner city to attract investment property developers.
Pretoria: Ford SA and the local government partnered to create 7 000 jobs to boost the economy.
Great salary
If you're looking for a competitive paycheck, Gauteng has you covered.
Johannesburg: The city is South Africa's highest-earning city. People earn an average income of R447 857 per year.
Pretoria: The city also ranks as one of the top-earning cities in the country. People earn an average income of R316 198 per year.
Cost of living
A high salary is great. But, if your housing costs and expenses are even higher, it may not be worth it. Luckily, Gauteng won't break your bank balance.
Johannesburg: According to Adzuna, Johannesburg's job opportunities, average salary, and house affordability make it a winner.
Pretoria: The city is also a great choice for a favourable cost of living. Renters, for example, spend only 19% of their annual salary on rent.
Quality of life
The Gauteng lifestyle is affordable. But, it's also a fantastic province to put down roots.
Johannesburg: Filled with towering trees, this urban jungle boasts fresh air and beauty. Getting around is simple with buses, taxis, the Metrorail, and even international flights. Play as hard as you work? The city has the best in restaurants, malls, casinos, and more. Thanks to efforts by local police, crime is also being contained.
Pretoria: The city is known for its delightful jacaranda displays. Like Johannesburg, your transport options range from buses to international flights. For fun, you can explore Pretoria's nature reserves, malls, and museums. Your safety is of utmost importance. In fact, a new 24-hour police station was recently opened in the Hatfield suburb.
All these city factors make Gauteng a great place to power up your career. Whether you're a fresh-faced matriculant or an ambitious veteran, it pays to be relentless. Just ask our SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.™ property professionals. They've helped top professionals settle in the province. They're ready to help you. View our Johannesburg or Pretoria listings and make contact ASAP.