Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'jobhunting'.
Found 1 result
-
Hello Ladies, A lot of people go through school like everyone else failing to realise that the times are stiffer, the labour market is fiercer and more competitive and the best jobs go to those who have been deliberate and consistent in setting themselves apart. I know what you are thinking and it isn't true. "The best jobs are already given out to those with influential backgrounds". Not true. They may get a leg up and they may most certainly get into your government agencies with ease but the top roles (in notable or career worthy companies), are by merit and reserved for the best. What a lot of fresh out of school graduates fail to realise is that those from these sort of influential backgrounds have been set up to succeed a lot of the time. They've gone to the right schools, they've done internships in fortune 500 countries across the globe (a different company every year). Upon graduation, most often than not, they have a very solid CV. So what can you do if you aren't from an influential background? There's a whole lot you can do! Once you decide that the corporate life is for you (the earlier you do this the better), then you must start to look out for opportunities to stand out. Every opportunity to stand out! The easiest route is to be the top of your class. Or at least in the range of CPGA that qualifies you to be approached in your final year by recruiters. Yup. This happens but it isn't open to everyone. Usually they go for the best 5 in each class. Some restrict it to the top 2 or only first class etc... This is by far the easiest route (but of course, it takes work and dedication). It is doable! I may need to delve into that in another post.. But even before all of these, you need to be more resourceful with your holidays. Don't waste them! Intern for free. A lot of companies in corporate Nigeria would have you! Use your links, church, family friends, lecturers etc... (lecturers do have a network of past students who are successful that they can link you up with. The thing is that, you must show yourself worthy of such access). The last thing you want to be is to be an unsociable geek and so what the experience does for you is to acquaint you with the work environment while building the foundation for your work ethic. Another route is to write! There are so many problems out there looking for a solution! It is that simple. Simply put your thesis writing skills to use and put together a proposal for how to solve a problem that interests an organisation. This works like magic. Send it to the leaders of your chosen organizations. You will be contacted. Everyone loves initiative. Are you wondering how to get their email addresses? Lol. Easy! I won't solve this puzzle for you. Use your graduate brains for this... *wink* Okay okay.... all you need do is to know the email address pattern of the company and simply use it. Better still, if you know someone who works there, ask. I would have suggested LinkedIn but it's been so abused that people would rarely respond to you on there. Good luck with that. After all said and done, you need to be prepared. You can't escape GMATS so the earlier you start to master the questions the better for you. Buy at least 2 editions and make it your new devotional. Because, it's one thing to get yourself an email to attend an assessment and it is quite another to ace it and make it to the interview stage. The same goes for interviews. Rehearse, rehearse rehearse. You need to have an example of how you accomplished every behavioural achievement or skill you've put on your CV. You also need to do your homework about the company wrt what to expect in interviews. Speak to current employees who will always be willing to give you tips. Be unique. Be confident. Be exceptional. The above list isn't exhaustive but if you can put those into action, you'll be alright. I would put together another post to cater to those who have missed the above opportunity and those who have gaps on their CV (i.e. haven't been in corporate Nigeria for many years). Rememeber, corporate Nigeria isn't the be all and end all -as a matter of fact, being on payroll has its own limitations. There are numerous paths to being successful.
