As a job-seeking woman in South Africa, you bring ambition, resilience, and talent, so do not underestimate your worth! We know that navigating the workplace landscape can be challenging, especially when your needs and aspirations are misunderstood or overlooked. Using vital data and insights from the Working Women Report 2024, we want to show you how to leverage this information to transform your work-life outlook.
Women Are Ambitious – And Employers Are Noticing
Did you know that 78% of women across all age categories aspire to grow in their careers? This statistic is a testament to women's drive and ambition in the workforce.
As a job seeker, this insight underscores the importance of clearly articulating your career goals to prospective employers. Highlighting your ambition during interviews or in your CV positions you as a valuable candidate and encourages companies to consider career advancement opportunities tailored for women like you.
Career Breaks Are Not A Career Killer
Almost half of all skilled women have experienced career pauses for reasons ranging from motherhood and mental health to retrenchments and further studies. The good news? 95% of these women returned to the workforce.
This data challenges the outdated stigma surrounding career breaks. When applying for jobs, confidently frame your career pause as a time of growth or skill-building - you do not need to hide it. Employers increasingly recognise that career breaks can enrich an individual's perspective and resilience, making them an asset in the workplace.
What Women Want: Benefits That Matter
While 21% of women in the workforce are actively seeking new jobs, their focus isn't just on salary. The top benefits women value are:
- Medical aid contributions
- Pension/provident fund contributions
- Bonuses
- Training and development opportunities
Surprisingly, benefits like paid maternity leave (3%) and childcare support (3%) have less influence on decision-making, highlighting the importance of negotiating benefits that align with your needs, such as healthcare and financial security.
Flexibility Is the Game-Changer
Flexibility in work arrangements is a top priority for South African women:
- 59% prefer hybrid work models
- 33% prefer remote work
- Only 8% prefer in-office roles
Moreover, 92% of women want flexibility that accommodates their dual roles as professionals and caregivers. Whether working full-time hours with a reduced work week or balancing part-time hours, flexibility enables women to thrive both at home and at work.
As one mom shared:
"To be a present mom when my child is sick, as opposed to taking a full day off work, and being able to plan my day according to my most productive hours—it's about balancing being a single mom and a career woman."
How This Data Impacts Your Job Search
Understanding this data isn't just enlightening—it's empowering. When you know what women like you are asking for, you can:
- Speak up for your needs: During interviews, articulate how flexibility or specific benefits would enhance your productivity and well-being.
- Negotiate smarter: Focus on high-value benefits like medical aid and training opportunities instead of settling for perks that don't align with your priorities.
- Challenge misconceptions: Address biases about career breaks by emphasising the skills and growth gained during those periods.
Your Voice Matters
Research like this shapes the future of work for women. By participating in surveys, sharing your experiences, or even speaking up in interviews, you contribute to the collective voice employers are listening to. Platforms like Cape Talk, ENCA, The Expresso Show, and The Citizen are amplifying these insights, showing that women's needs are being heard—but there's still work to do.
Build the Future Together
The gap between how women currently work and how they want to work has narrowed - and we can continue. By understanding your worth, articulating your needs, and making informed decisions, you're not just finding a job—you're paving the way for a work-life balance that benefits you and the generations to come.
Your ambition, voice, and resilience drive the change needed to create a more inclusive and empowering workplace. As working women, let's build that future together for the next generations!
