How to start a job search: a practical first-month plan

To start a job search, decide what kind of work you are aiming for, get a CV and a short message ready, choose a few places to look, set a weekly routine, and keep a simple record of every application. A steady routine usually works better than occasional bursts of effort.

Key points

• Start by deciding which jobs you are looking for, so your search has a direction.
• Prepare a CV and basic documents first, so you can apply the same day you see an advert.
• Use several channels, and tell people what you are looking for.
• Set a weekly routine with small, repeatable tasks.
• Track every application and review what is working each week.

Where do I begin when I have no plan?

Begin with a half-hour of thinking before you open a job site. Write answers to three questions: what work can I do now, what work would I like to do, and what is not negotiable (travel distance, hours, type of contract). This stops you from applying for everything and getting nowhere.

Then pick one or two target job titles to start with. A person with a shop and customer service background might choose "retail assistant" and "customer service agent". Add a few alternative names for the same work, because employers use different labels. These become your search terms.

What should I get ready before I apply?

Get a small package ready so you can respond quickly when you find an opening.

• CV: a current, clear version in PDF, and a Word copy if needed.
• Cover message: a short email or message template with your name, the role and a line about why you fit. Change the details each time.
• Documents: a scanned copy of your ID, certificates, licence and any references, in one folder on your phone or computer. Name each file clearly.
• Contact details: a working phone number and a professional email address. Check your voicemail greeting.
• References: two or three people who have agreed, with their contact details.

When this is ready, an application takes minutes rather than hours.

How do I work out what I can offer?

Make a list of what you have done: jobs, unpaid work, courses, tools, licences, languages. Next to each, note what it shows you can do. Then look at adverts for your target job and mark which of their requirements you meet.

This shows you where you are strong, and where there are gaps. If a gap appears again and again, it may be worth a short course or some volunteer experience. If there are no gaps, you know you can apply with confidence.

Where should I look for jobs?

Use a mix of channels. Each one reaches different employers.

Channel	What it is good for
Job boards	A wide range of advertised roles, with alerts
Company career pages	Roles posted by the employer, sometimes first
Agencies	Temporary, contract and some permanent roles
Personal contacts	Unadvertised or quickly filled roles
Walk-ins	Shops, restaurants, workshops and small businesses
Community groups	Local casual and entry-level work

Start with two or three that fit your field and add more once your routine is working. The article on where to find jobs in South Africa covers each one.

What should a weekly routine look like?

A routine helps because job searching can feel endless. Break it into set sessions. Here is an example you can adjust to your time:

• Monday: check job boards and alerts, shortlist suitable adverts.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: tailor your CV and send applications.
• Thursday: contact people in your network, visit local businesses, update agencies.
• Friday: follow up on earlier applications, update your tracker, plan next week.

If you have limited time or data, choose two sessions of an hour each. Consistency matters more than length.

How many applications should I send?

Aim for quality first. A few well-matched applications usually do more than many copies of the same CV. Send an application when you meet most of the main requirements, and tailor the profile and top bullets to the advert. The article on how many jobs to apply for gives a way to think about it.

If you find yourself applying for jobs that you clearly do not qualify for, step back and adjust your search terms.

How do I tailor my CV quickly?

Keep a master CV with all your facts. For each advert, copy it and do three things: change the profile so it names the job, move the most relevant bullets higher, and use the advert's own words for tasks and tools where they are true for you. This takes about ten minutes once the master exists. See the article on tailoring your CV.

How do I tell people I am looking?

Tell family, friends, former colleagues, teachers, church or community contacts, and neighbours. Be specific: say the job title, the area and when you can start. Ask them to tell you if they hear of anything or know someone who might talk to you.

If you are comfortable, post a short note on a professional profile or a community group. Keep it positive and clear. Avoid sharing your phone number publicly. Share it directly with people you trust.

How do I keep track of my search?

Use a simple table on paper, in a notes app or in a spreadsheet:

Date	Employer	Role	Where found	What I sent	Next step
3 June	Example Retail	Cashier	Job board	CV v2	Follow up on Friday

Review the table once a week. Notice which channels give replies. Note which version of the CV was sent. If you reach interviews but not offers, look at your interview preparation. If you get no replies at all, look at your CV and where you apply.

What does a first four weeks look like?

If you are starting from nothing, a month gives you enough time to build a base and begin getting responses. Treat this as a template and adjust it.

Week one: foundations

• Decide your target job titles and travel limits.
• Write or update your CV and gather documents.
• Set up an email address you will use for all applications.
• Tell your close contacts what you are looking for.

Week two: start applying

• Set up alerts on one or two job boards.
• Make a list of local employers and check their career pages.
• Register with two agencies that cover your field.
• Send your first five to ten tailored applications.

Week three: widen and follow up

• Add one new channel, such as a community group or walk-ins.
• Follow up politely on week-two applications where the advert allows.
• Ask someone to read your CV and give feedback.
• Practise two interview answers aloud.

Week four: review and adjust

• Look at your tracker. Which channels gave replies?
• Change one thing: titles searched, CV profile or the places you look.
• Plan the next four weeks.

What if I am searching on a phone with limited data?

Many people search entirely on a phone. It is possible, and a few habits help. Keep your CV saved in your phone's files in PDF form. Use a notes app as a tracker. Switch off image loading in a browser if data is short, or search at times and places with Wi-Fi. Use one email account that works well with your phone's mail app. The article on applying for jobs on a phone gives more detail.

What are the most common starting situations?

If you are...	Start with
A school leaver	A one-page CV, learnership and entry-level adverts, local walk-ins
A graduate	Graduate programmes, career office, professional networks, a tailored CV
Employed but looking	Quiet applications outside work hours, careful use of contacts
Returning after a break	A clear CV with a short explanation, refreshed skills, agencies for contract work
Changing field	A bridging profile, short courses, entry-level roles in the new area

How do I stay safe while searching?

Check that an advert is real and that the employer exists. Be wary of anyone who asks for money, banking details or a copy of your full ID before you have been interviewed. Genuine employers and agencies do not charge you to apply. If a message seems too good, rushed or vague, stop and verify. The article on job scams lists warning signs.

How do I decide between "any job" and the right job?

If money is tight, you may need to take work quickly, and that is a reasonable choice. A useful approach is to run two tracks at once. Track one is bridging work: casual, temporary or part-time jobs that pay something now. Track two is your target: the roles that build towards what you want. Spend most of your search time on track two and keep a small part for track one. Put bridging work on your CV honestly, and it will still show reliability and effort.

What if nothing is happening?

It is common to wait weeks without replies. Review three things: are your applications matched to the adverts, is your CV easy to read, and are you using enough channels? Try changing one thing at a time. Ask a trusted person to read your CV. Add a short course or volunteer role if a gap keeps appearing. Take care of your own wellbeing, and rest between sessions, as job searching can be tiring and discouraging.

If it is affecting how you feel day to day, talk to someone you trust or a qualified helper.

What should I do when I feel overwhelmed by choices?

Pick one job title, one channel and one day, and do only that today. A search feels large because everything is open at once. Narrowing it to a single small task lets you finish something, and finished tasks add up to a routine.

How do I prepare for what comes next?

Replies sometimes arrive quickly, so keep your phone charged, check your email daily, and have a plan for interviews: a smart outfit, a route and a few practised stories. Read the article on preparing for an interview before you need it. When you are offered an interview, you will be glad you prepared.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first step in a job search?

The first step is to decide what kind of job you are looking for and what you can offer. With that clear, prepare a CV and basic documents, then choose a few places to look. Starting without a direction usually leads to scattered applications.

How many hours a week should I spend on a job search?

It depends on your situation. If you are unemployed, treating it like part-time work, with set sessions each day, helps. If you are working, a few focused hours a week can be enough. Regular, planned effort is more useful than long but irregular sessions.

Should I apply to every job I see?

No. Apply to jobs where you meet most of the requirements and can explain why you fit. Tailoring a CV for fewer, better-matched jobs generally serves you better than sending the same CV to many roles.

How do I keep going when I get rejected?

Treat each rejection as information rather than a verdict. Keep a routine, adjust one thing at a time, ask for feedback where it is offered and take breaks. Talk to people you trust, and remember that the number of applicants for a job is often high.

Next steps

Today, write down your two target job titles, gather your documents in one folder and book three job search sessions in your calendar for this week. If you want a guided way to put this together, you can build your CV step by step with CV Sorted: it is free to build and preview.