Is Your Joblessness Self-Inflicted? Here’s What You Can Do.

Anyone reading this understands that life after NYSC for many graduates in Nigeria is a nightmare. This is because at least while they were still in school, they received handouts from family members, friends and others. But now that they are graduates, they are expected to fend for themselves and if possible and where applicable, return the gesture. However, this is usually not the case especially with the way unemployment is plaguing the country.

Many are frustrated, depressed and miserable because they are unable to secure a decent job. This makes them begin to ask why fate has not been kind to them. Some even conclude that their ‘village people or ancestors’ are on the prowl to make things miserable for them.

However, my grouse is that some of the harrowing experience of joblessness is self-inflicted. A friend pleaded with me to notify him whenever my organization was recruiting so that he could ask his friend to apply. I told him to forward his friend’s resume and when I learnt there was a vacancy, I submitted his. Shortly afterwards, he was contacted.

I called and informed him to check his mail. He saw the invite and I started coaching him on the phone. I had not met him before but because of my friend, I hosted him in my house as he came all the way from Abuja. I was amazed that he wore shabby clothes for the interview. During our dry rehearsals, I asked him what he knows about my organization but he was just blabbing. He didn’t even come with a necktie (knowing full well where he applied). I gave him my feedback and he assured me that he would do well.

After the interview, I asked my colleagues that interviewed him about his performance and they gave me bad feedback. In fact, the one I had to convince before accepting his cv was highly disappointed- to the extent that she started asking me ‘funny’ questions. She was very disappointed because of the way I convinced her that he could do it. How do I convince her to accept a resume from me again in future?

This is just one of many instances. Some job seekers are unaware of the kind of efforts people put in to get an invite for them and because of their ignorance, they blow up the opportunity. Is this not self-inflicted joblessness?

Here are a few random suggestions  for you to help become employable;

1. Volunteer and Intern.

Volunteering or Interning for a company similar to where you would like to work helps you hone your skill, build a portfolio, get exposed to the industry. Yea you would need to transport yourself to your ‘office’ but look at it this way skill is only sharpened when in use. You get better by working plus you are growing your experience which makes you more employable.

2. Learn a skill.

While waiting for that dream job, learn to acquire a separate skill aside from your regular career. It might turn out to be an additional stream of income. It may cost a lot to learn from the big names but start somewhere. For example, if you like to make footwear and you can’t pay to learn from the big brands start with the roadside cobbler close to you, the basics are always almost the same thing.

3. Improve Yourself (Fuel your hustle with google)

Thank God for the internet you can learn everything and anything, grow yourself with the small data you can get. Go online take free certifications or pay for an online class you will be adding value to yourself and your resume of course.

4. Advance your education.

This, of course, depends on the career field you have. Some career opportunities are more accessible to people with a postgraduate qualification, or a certification. So research about your chosen career field. Maybe it’s more education you need and not a job.

Guys, above all whatever your hands find to do, do it diligently.

All the best in your search.

Written by Onoja Emmanuel

Read also; The Desperation of the Unemployed

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