Written by May Audu January 25, 2016
The rate of unemployment is increasing by the day, to capture the attention of your future employers therefore; you have to do things differently to distinguish yourself from the crowd. As a young school leaver/ job seeker in Nigeria, there are several things you can do to boost your skills, maximize your strengths and prepare yourself adequately for the job market.
Here are a couple of tips that have worked for others over time:
1) Invest in yourself by attending relevant courses and trainings
Lots of people say that trainings and courses in Nigeria are expensive but a quick search on Google or just taking time out to make enquiries in some training institutes will show you free courses and trainings within your neighborhood that are geared towards making you more “employable”, helping you acquire more skills and giving you an edge over other job seekers.
Lots of people say that trainings and courses in Nigeria are expensive but a quick search on Google or just taking time out to make enquiries in some training institutes will show you free courses and trainings within your neighborhood that are geared towards making you more “employable”, helping you acquire more skills and giving you an edge over other job seekers.
2) Volunteer or do a free internship
While waiting to land the dream job, strategic volunteering increases your chances at getting employed. Unemployed Journalist? Volunteer to a local media house. You can also offer pro bono services to NGO’s to ensure that your skills are up-to-date.
While waiting to land the dream job, strategic volunteering increases your chances at getting employed. Unemployed Journalist? Volunteer to a local media house. You can also offer pro bono services to NGO’s to ensure that your skills are up-to-date.
3) Network and Optimize your Circle of influence
If you have worked before, this is the time to pull out your diary and get in touch with ex-clients, ex- partners, internship supervisors and ex-colleagues and spread the word about your search for a job.
If you have worked before, this is the time to pull out your diary and get in touch with ex-clients, ex- partners, internship supervisors and ex-colleagues and spread the word about your search for a job.
As a young school leaver however, you can speak to your friends and those within your social circle; church groups, gyms, online forums, e.t.c. You will be surprised that someone may just have the perfect job for you.
Also attend events sponsored by your alumni, go to lectures and relevant events organized for your industry. These events are perfect for meeting future employers and also exchanging ideas with people of like-mind.
4) Freelance
In this age of the internet, you can stay home and earn a living. So how about offering your skills on some freelance websites? Freelancing will increase your experience, skill, resume, income and self-confidence.
In this age of the internet, you can stay home and earn a living. So how about offering your skills on some freelance websites? Freelancing will increase your experience, skill, resume, income and self-confidence.
5)Build an online presence
How about using the online platforms like Facebook and Blogs to talk about your passion?
How about using the online platforms like Facebook and Blogs to talk about your passion?
6) Take Care of yourself
Job-hunting can be tiring and draining as long hours are put into searching and applying for suitable positions; it’s advisable that you take some time out and focus on what you love doing. Be it singing, dancing, going to see a new movie, or just hanging out with supportive friends. Exercising it also a good way of ensuring that you stay healthy, positive and determined.
Job-hunting can be tiring and draining as long hours are put into searching and applying for suitable positions; it’s advisable that you take some time out and focus on what you love doing. Be it singing, dancing, going to see a new movie, or just hanging out with supportive friends. Exercising it also a good way of ensuring that you stay healthy, positive and determined.
7) Entrepreneurship
You can also be your own BOSS by going into business whether small scale or big depending on your capital,by this you don't have to answer to anyone. Develop your ideas for services that will be desperately needed in the future.
You can also be your own BOSS by going into business whether small scale or big depending on your capital,by this you don't have to answer to anyone. Develop your ideas for services that will be desperately needed in the future.
