How do I work for a UK company from South Africa? Advice from 3 South Africans who do

Thinking about remote working for a company in the UK? How does it work?

Here’s advice from three South Africans who do.

South Africans are finding it easier to get remote jobs in the UK in a post-Brexit Britain. 

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MICHELLE BOTHA FROM ST HELENA BAY WORKS FOR A WIMBLEDON-BASED MANUFACTURER

Michelle Botha works remotely as a Planning & Client Service Coordinator for London-based company Mustard Foods. Mustard Foods has a food production facility supplying wholesale meals and sauces to leading UK hotels and restaurants. Botha says the shift to remote work was seamless due to in-depth training from the UK head office.

“The high level of training and overall support enables me to effectively do the work as if I was based at the Head Office,” says Botha. 

Botha’s advice for remote work seekers…

Firstly, prepare your home or office. Make sure you have everything in place, especially sufficient internet connection and power supply during load shedding. You need to be prepared.  

Secondly, register your resume on all the networks that advertise positions. Make sure your resume is updated, correct and to the point. And thirdly, be available.

“I honestly think there are more pros than cons working remotely. The positives are that you have more time in the day to get the assignments done with no distractions. You have better work-life balance and there is an increase in productivity,” says Botha. 

“There is definitely a culture difference, especially when it comes to language.  We speak the same language but the different pronunciation can come as a shock to a rookie South African,” says Botha.

GEMMA GARMAN FROM JOHANNESBURG WORKS FOR A LONDON-BASED EVENTS AGENCY

Gemma Garman works remotely as a Design & Content Manager and enjoys a better work-life balance.

“Working from home allows you more flexibility, and more control over your time and how you use it. Because Covid forced businesses to embrace remote work, teams are now set up for this, and it’s incredibly easy to jump online with your colleagues from anywhere in the world,” says Garman. 

“I’ve experienced a greater appreciation for work/life balance in UK offices. This also may be a result of Covid, but I found that people are far more cognisant of employee’s personal lives and responsibilities and make more concessions for this,” says Garman.

Garman’s advice for remote work seekers…

“Have good WiFi and a comfortable set-up. It also puts people at ease if you’ve done remote work before and can prove that you’re able to manage all the tasks handed to you without direct oversight,” says Garman.

“Some businesses are still nervous about remote working, especially if you’re not in the same city or country. You’ll need to adjust your working hours to match your employers in-office hours, which can take some getting used to”

SANEAH DOLLEY FROM CAPE TOWN WORKS FOR A LONDON-BASED DIRECTOR

Saneah Dolley works remotely as a Personal Assistant to a UK Director.

“I love the flexibility of working from home. I can be present at home, especially with a baby. And I love not having to dress corporate, I don’t have to wear heels everyday,” says Dolley. 

Dolley’s advice for remote work seekers…

UK individuals are more hard working and driven than some South Africans. Some young South African individuals tend to lack drive, in fact they have more of a sense of entitlement than drive. They won’t go the extra mile, or work the extra hours without looking for credit. Whereas individuals in the UK are young, working long hours, doing hard labour but showing up and getting the job done! You’ll need to match that commitment and drive,” says Dolley. (Xanax)  

In short, if you want to work for a UK company from South Africa, make sure you have a home office with good WiFi, back-up power, and the drive to work hard.

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