tobybasten: bros, as you have truly given a nice advice to those that still have time 2 make changes concerning their grades in schl, i think ure over-hyping this your 2.1 of a thing. Obviously it gives one an edge in applying for jobs, but ii think that there are some professional courses that won't just employ uu coz you have a 2.1 n agriculture. If you are such a guru in strategic management, y study agric now? Anyway, i don't have any problem with grades, ii just think you're making too much out of it. It's somehow myopic, it's better 2 think about how one can make a difference. You see so many 2.1 and 1st class running back for masters because the education sectors seems 2be there best bet even in my field ( engineering). Does a 2.1 n soil science( no disregard o, just an example) makes you a genius?

RedBenson:

Why did you have to open a new account just to post this? I smell lies!

IIFY1: Hardwork including out of class talents and skills and God's favours are what one need to excel.Always aim at the best it always pays. I aimed at making first class, but made a very strong 2:1(4.45), I believed that God alone can position me .I did not know a single person in NNPC, but I was employed by them after two years of service, many of my colleagues are like that.Integrity and merit still exist.Make the best you can, God will do the rest.Am now 2 years working with the co- operation. God will see you through.

Olutola88: bro, you didn't communicate well. what exactly are you trying to say

femi4: Your 2.1 is a waste if you are above 27

Olutola88: why not. I'm sure you are aware of the fact that many good companies out there are just looking for smart and trainable individuals that can work excellent well in teams and deliver stupendous results for the company. let me relieve you by telling you that I'm also a graduate of Agriculture. what if I tell you that I assist people in business and social sciences with their projects, I write business proposals for people, I write advert proposals for people, I write, I communicate excellently well, I manage people very well, I Lead, plan and organize impressively and I could be very innovative and creative.

once you are useful, then the sky will be your beginning. companies are not looking for liabilities, all they want is asset and they are ready to pay you hundreds of thousands for the services you will render.

so far, I haven't applied to any Agric firm. I've been applying to consultancy firms, Banks, Fast Moving Consumer Goods etc and I've been doing excellently well at the recruitment stages.

once one has a 2,1, build an impressive CV, apply for as many jobs as possible cos your 2.1 will give you that privilege, learn how to pass aptitude tests, read about interview ethics, how to ace at Assessment centres and go in there to tell ur interviewer or employer what that he will never regret hiring. speak with confidence, look straight into the eyes of your interviewers, let them no you have a whole lot to ofeer but while you are doing all these, make sure you don't sound arrogant.

before and after you do all these, kneel down and tell baba God twale, tell HIM that you are a numbskull in HIS site, surrender yourself completely to him and KINGS will bow before you.

pardon me for any typo cos I have a lot of people to attend to.
thanks

safarigirl: If you're a law student, most likely, your University degree won't mean shiiit after law school. To enter law school, you not only have to fall between 2:1 and first class, you must be well known in the law faculty for a positive thing.

Else...pesin with Pass go just pass you

tobybasten: You are over-hyping the whole grade issue. I graduated from FUTA and while i was in schl, ii do marvel at the number of 2.1 and first class that do come back for masters so as to get into the educational system. Its very good 2 work hard, doesn't mean that a 2.2 graduate s lazy or not intelligent. I believe your potentials will make uu go places. And for your information, do uu know banks really love people with ND? Coz they pay meagre allowances and they believe they are contended with what they have. Seems sucess is defined by your blazers and tie around here though

Acidosis:

I can only blame the government. Besides, not everyone is interested in the corporate private jobs. Some people are good with promising government jobs (considering the incentives, retirement package, flexibility, etc). We can only blame the government as most private organisations have made it look like people without 1st class and strong 2-1 degrees are worthless. They employ the "best", in some cases, use and dum.p; and even in most cases, salary packages in these corporate entities may not (even) be in par with those in government parastasals.

Although I'm not a 'job' person, but if given the chance, I'd happily pick a promising government job anyday over a private package.

If only the government can pave way for more jobs; I mean sensible jobs (not failed programmes). Graduates do not deserve these segregation/undue competitions/ and sheer stu.pidities.

If appropriate steps is not geared; these private organisations would ridicule our first class graduates faster than I envisage. Some of them would start asking for 4-8 - 5.0 grades.

If I'm asked, I'd say the fact that one is a graduate is enough reason to get a good job.

RedBenson:

The question should be best answered by you. Abi are you not the one who initiated the supposed lies of graduating with 2:1?

Olutola88: don't get it twisted bro. Banks will never hire ND holders as graduate trainees. the best ND holders can do is to be teller staff. and that position is an insult to the personality of graduates . so, leave the teller position for ND holders

Olutola88: kindly send me a personal message

Olutola88: well said bro. As to my CV, it's a very simple one without grammatical and spelling errors,with my full name boldly written ontop, a permanent home address, with an email address that carries my first and last name, with two telephone numbers, a short and catchy personal statement, about two work experience and my achievements in those positions(I change this to suit the job I'm applying for), a column for education with dates, I have a column for my skills and competencies, another column for my core strengths, a column for awards(just one though and it's a merit scholarship award I benefited for three years), a column for hobbies(this is on my CV to suggest to my potential employer that I'm someone that'll have a work-life balance, and references are available on request.

kindly send me a pm if you want us to relate better

oceanlook: I dont agree with you on the " one is a graduate is enough reason to get a good job" I dont believe in suffering before making it but I think a little discipline and hard work is in order, I can tell you now that about 50% of my course mates dont even attend class and we are studying engineering, they dont even put in effort to learn.i asked someone some days ago why he doesn't attend classes and he said he's brother's friend is a big man in an oil company so even if he graduates with a 3rd class he's sure of getting a job,how can people be so naive when they know how tough the labour market can be.if tomorrow this guy graduates and he's unable to get a job he blame's it on the Government.there's no company in nigeria who doesn't want the best,a mere 2:1 cant give you a job but it can give you the form so why shouldn't you try your best if you can.i have seen 2:2 graduates sitting on millions because they read but it was just unfortunate they couldn't get the 2:1, so if its 2:1 or 2:2 you should be able to defend it and with God it will be ok, there are still some transparent companies in nigeria.

Capableben:
pls which course did u study and which school did you finish from

justi4jesu:

lol

Olutola88: This piece is for those undergraduates that will like to seek for jobs after school but do not have solid connection. A 1st class or 2.1 will help you AVOID or ALLEVIATE the labour market frustration. Nevertheless, the ones that have influential parents, uncles and aunts can also take a cue from it because it is easier to help someone with a good result.

I am a recent graduate from a Nigerian Federal University. I finished with a strong 2.1 but I wish I made a 1st class. I would have made that First class if I were very hard working. I know many people are like me, they would have had better grades if they were more serious. What I'm saying in essence is that most of us are powerful beyond measures but we do not realize how powerful we could be.

Finishing with a 2.1 is just about having 3.5 out of total 5.0 CGPA. One can achieve this by mixing Bs with Cs in your courses. I had many friends that didn't have solid academic background, weren't very quick at learning but struggled to finish with 3.5, 3.6 after a lot of hard work. Not to talk of many of you that are sharp, it's just that you are too lazy. I was also a lazy brat but that's bygone because I've learnt my lessons.

As a result of the very high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, employers use all possible strategies to pre screen as many as possible applicants and the most popular is the class of degree.

9 out of every 10 Graduate Trainee adverts ask for a minimum of 2.1. The other thing they use in pre screening is age and many also require to have a minimum of 5 credits including maths and english @ one sitting for O'level.


Now let's analyze it: By the time KPMG, Ernst & Young, PWC, Akintola Deloitte, Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Total, Schlumberger, Diamond Bank, GTB, Zenith, First Bank, Nigerian Stock Exchange, P&G, Unilever, Honey well, Nestle, Cadbury, Guiness, Nigerian Breweries, Consolidated Breweries, PZ Cussons, etc all advertise graduate trainee positions and they all ask for a minimum of 2.1. How do you think someone that finished with a 2.2 will feel?

I'm currently observing NYSC and I've been applying for jobs. Many of my fellow corps members always ask me to share latest job openings with them but many of them have not been able to apply for any because they finished with below 2.1. I hope we all have an idea how frustrating this could be, for you not to have the privilege to prove yourself even when you might be better and more employable than some of us that finished with 2.1 and 1st class.

As I'm writing this piece, I have two friends that just got job offers from a reputable multinational company in Nigeria. Guess what? They are both still serving and will resume immediately after NYSC in October. You know what? One of them finished with a 1st class and the other with a strong 2.1.

I know some of you will ask about me, I'm also at the last stage of interview and I have reached some recruitment stages in other good companies. All I need is Almighty God's favour and your prayers can also help land a job offer in some days time *lol*.

Many of us have been misled. We've been made to believe that even if you finish with good grades, you still won't get a good job in Nigeria if you don't have connection. For those that will listen, I can confidently tell you that we still have Firms that act with INTEGRITY in Nigeria, Organizations that will hire you based on your abilities, Companies that will not compromise standards, Employers that will give you an offer without knowing even a gate man. Many Multinationals in Nigeria fall in that category. At least, I know of Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) and Procter & Gamble(P&G). We have many others but those are the two I've had comprehensive experience with.

Finishing with a 2.1 is very easy only if one can put in the required effort and above all pray to God. For the atheists, just keep working hard, working smart and always have a destination. I know you will believe in God someday*lmao*

In Conclusion, one of the commonest things in life is seeing talented people that are unsuccessful. Many of us are gifted but we are just too lazy to make the best use of our potential. If Talent sleeps, Hard work will outshine Talent.

oceanlook: I dont agree with you on the " one is a graduate is enough reason to get a good job" I dont believe in suffering before making it but I think a little discipline and hard work is in order, I can tell you now that about 50% of my course mates dont even attend class and we are studying engineering, they dont even put in effort to learn.i asked someone some days ago why he doesn't attend classes and he said he's brother's friend is a big man in an oil company so even if he graduates with a 3rd class he's sure of getting a job,how can people be so naive when they know how tough the labour market can be.if tomorrow this guy graduates and he's unable to get a job he blame's it on the Government.there's no company in nigeria who doesn't want the best,a mere 2:1 cant give you a job but it can give you the form so why shouldn't you try your best if you can.i have seen 2:2 graduates sitting on millions because they read but it was just unfortunate they couldn't get the 2:1, so if its 2:1 or 2:2 you should be able to defend it and with God it will be ok, there are still some transparent companies in nigeria.

OpYzo: hey dear I also finished with a strong 2:1 know I could have done better if I strived harder but dats bygone. I am also finishing NYSC in october and have not gotten any thing, been using jobberman since nothing...can u link me.Thanks