In this #AbsaSmallBizFriday interview, we find out more about Christiaan van den Berg (Co-CEO), his business journey and why he believes South Africa should support small business.
JOBJACK is an online platform that automates the entry-level recruitment process, not only easing the process for employers but making jobs more accessible to those who need it most by connecting job seekers to relevant opportunities whilst eliminating cost and access barriers.
Christiaan says that South African job seekers don’t have the means to effectively look for jobs due to the costs and access constraints as printing a CV and using public transport cost them R500-R950 per month to look for jobs. Thus, many stay home jobless. The unemployment cycle continues. Employers on the other hand are only exposed to the job seekers that can afford to reach them, they are then sitting with thousands of paper or pdf CV’s (which POPIA has also brought a stop to) that takes them hours to try sift through to identify relevant candidates and try arrange interviews.
He explains how JOBJACK is solving unemployment by not only automating the process for employers with their filtering system and job seekers database but by creating free access to relevant opportunities to those who need it most, through their mobile-first online platform that helps job seekers set up an online ‘cv’ and connects them to relevant opportunities.
Why did you start your business?
As mentioned above, there exists a major disconnect in our society and the rest of the world between the low-income job seeker market and relevant employers and I knew there could be a way to address this problem at scale. Every hard-working and honest person should have access to opportunities.
What do you love the most about running your business?
I love growing our team and having people join our mission to employ the world. I really also enjoy working towards and seeing the impact that our solution is making – thousands of people receiving job opportunities.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learnt on your business journey?
You need to surround yourselves with like-minded, goal-sharing, hard-working problem solvers if you want to achieve something amazing – we were not made to run the race alone.
What is your why? Why do you do what you do and what do you focus on to help you persevere and get through tough times?
Employ the world. That is our why and remembering that goal and seeing the families that have been benefited by our service motives the entire team.
Why should South Africa support small businesses now and beyond?
Small businesses are the foundation of innovation and supporting small businesses fuels a society that is not afraid to try new things, take risks, work hard without feeling entitled and most important advances its people to new heights.
JOBJACK was the Winner of a Top 20 Award at the South African Small Business Awards.
JOBJACK is a proud Member of the NSBC.
This Small Business Friday feature is proudly sponsored by Absa.
