JOBJACK Report Reveals Entry-Level Hiring Trends

A new study of over 867,000 job seekers in South Africa highlights significant hurdles for young people entering the workforce.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Job Search

Isometric editorial illustration of a single metal filing cabinet drawer in a minimalist room, representing labor market barriers. — A new report from JOBJACK highlights a severe mismatch in South Africa's labor market, where only 0.7% of applicants secured entry-level employment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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JOBJACK released a comprehensive report detailing the struggles of entry-level job seekers in South Africa between July 2025 and July 2026. The data reveals that only 6,566 out of 867,706 registered applicants secured employment despite submitting nearly five million applications.

Why it matters

The findings underscore a systemic preference by employers for candidates with prior work experience, which leaves many young, qualified applicants behind. This trend exacerbates the challenges for the country's youth, who are navigating an environment where the unemployment rate currently sits at 47.4%.

Applicants faced a success rate of 1 in 132 for job appointments. Candidates with prior work history were hired at 11 times the rate of those without, despite 77.1% of all applicants possessing a Matric certificate.

The players

JOBJACK

JOBJACK is a digital platform in South Africa that connects entry-level job seekers with employment opportunities.

The details

The study tracked a cohort with a median age of 24, finding that while 72.5% of applicants have previous experience, success remains elusive for the vast majority. Furthermore, 82.4% of unemployed respondents indicated that they prioritize long-term growth opportunities over immediate salary concerns.

The hiring system study took place from 1 July 2025 to 31 July 2026.
The findings were officially published on 20 October 2026.

Market Landscape

This data highlights the widening gap between the aspirations of a young workforce and the rigid requirements of the current South African labour market. It suggests that employers are increasingly filtering for experience, which creates a cycle that disadvantages those outside the established system.

For job seekers, these figures demonstrate that gaining even minimal work experience is critical to increasing hiring probability in a highly competitive environment. Applicants may need to adjust expectations by focusing on roles that offer training or growth potential rather than high starting wages.

The takeaway

The report suggests that the primary barrier for young people is a lack of work history rather than a lack of educational attainment. Candidates are advised to pursue volunteer or internship roles that provide the necessary experience to stand out to potential employers.