Starting your job search straight out of school or varsity can feel like walking into a cinema halfway through the film – everyone else seems to understand the plot, and you’re still trying to figure out where to sit. That underqualified panic is completely normal, and December is a brilliant month to begin. Less competition, more breathing room, and a fresh year waiting for you on the other side.
Let’s make starting your job search feel less terrifying and a lot more doable.
Why You Feel Underqualified (And Why It’s Normal)
South Africa’s youth unemployment sits around 44%, which means competition is tough and confidence takes a knock early. But here’s the truth: employers know entry-level candidates are, well, entry-level. They’re not looking for a decade of experience. They’re looking for potential, reliability, and attitude.
Feeling underqualified doesn’t mean you are underqualified – it usually means you’re new, and new is allowed.
Where to Start When Starting Your Job Search
Think of it like a three-step process: prepare, apply smart, and follow up.
Step 1: Prepare Properly (This Builds Your Confidence Fast)
Before you fire off applications, figure out what you actually bring to the table. Not degrees – skills. Transferable ones.
Communication. Time management. Teamwork. Problem-solving. These come from school, sports, hobbies, side gigs, and life in general. And they matter – 92% of employers say soft skills are as important as hard skills.
Now pair those skills with a clean CV. Most early-career CVs fall apart because of tiny errors: layout issues, weak summaries, missing contact details. Recruiters skim in ten seconds. Make yours easy to read, and your confidence will climb immediately.
Step 2: Apply Smart (Not Everywhere at Once)
Spamming 200 job ads doesn’t work. It exhausts you and hides your potential.
Instead:
- Pick a few industries or roles you’re curious about.
- Tailor your CV slightly for each one.
- Don’t panic if you don’t meet every requirement – job specs are wish lists, not ultimatums.
If you match around 60% of a job description, you’re worth considering.
And remember the hidden job market – up to 80% of roles are filled before they’re posted. Get onto talent platforms like Job Crystal, build a LinkedIn profile, and connect with recruiters. Sometimes being findable is half the job.
Step 3: Follow Up (The Most Underrated Confidence Move)
A simple follow-up message a week after applying makes a huge difference. Candidates who follow up get noticed more often – somewhere between 20–30% more.
Keep it short:
Mention the role, express interest, thank them. Professional, confident, done.
Handling Interviews Without Freezing Up
Interviews feel scary until you realise they’re just structured conversations.
A helpful trick is saying your answers out loud beforehand. Not rehearsing in your head – speaking aloud. It helps your brain settle into the rhythm of answering.
Start with basics:
- Tell me about yourself
- Why this role
- What strengths do you bring
- What did you learn at school or varsity that helps in the workplace
Prepared candidates perform better. It’s not confidence – it’s practice wearing a brave face.
Growing Confidence While Starting Your Job Search
Confidence doesn’t show up magically. It grows in layers:
- A neat CV.
- A clearer idea of what you can do.
- A targeted application.
- A follow-up message.
- A rehearsed interview answer.
You don’t need to overhaul your personality to feel ready. You just need a few solid steps that give you momentum.
And starting your job search in December means you’re ahead of the January flood. Recruiters are prepping for 2026 hires now – this is your moment to sneak in early. Finish strong this year, so you can start even stronger next year.
About Job Crystal
At Job Crystal, we’re revolutionising recruitment with AI that’s swift and precise. Our mission? To supercharge hiring without compromising the human touch. By fusing cutting-edge tech with transparency and collaboration, we deliver AI-driven solutions that take care of the hard stuff, giving you more time for the parts of hiring a machine just can’t do.
About The Author
Catherine Goldie, Design & Marketing
With a background in writing, design, and marketing, Catherine has spent years crafting compelling content to help job seekers stand out. As part of Job Crystal, she combines creativity and industry knowledge to provide expert job search advice, from CV revamps to insightful blog and social media posts.
