I graduated over 5 years ago, have sat in over 10 interviews, worked in 3 continents – I have been the most junior member of a company, I have risen to be the most senior member (the Head) of a department, I have interviewed over 40 candidates, hired over 15 candidates and fired 1 employee. I have reviewed over 25 000 CVs (yes, twenty five thousand) and coached over 20 career seekers. I have worked full-time and studied full-time simultaneously, to receive an MBA.

A lot of people graduate with great hopes about post-graduation life. While these hopes can, and hopefully will, be met – they need to realise that times have changed, and success is no longer as ‘easy’ to achieve as it was many years ago. For this reason, graduates should arm themselves with the following observations – things I was forced to learn based on experience - to prevent disappointment:


1. Getting a degree is a great achievement, but it is only the starting point. Professional qualifications, skills-enhancement training and certifications have made the labour market more competitive. The wise graduates will immediately find ways to enhance their profiles.


2. There will always be far more job seekers than jobs, and not every graduate will receive an employment offer within their first year of graduation. The wise graduates will explore (goodly) alternatives right from the start.This leads to point 3 -


3. Many graduates are in a position to create wealth for themselves, but most will not, either because they are adamant about getting a ‘suit-and-tie’ job, or because they are waiting for a huge investment to come in. The wise graduates will start what they can with the little they have.


4. University education was not primarily designed for job-finding purposes, so it baffles me when graduates think that the ONLY way forward after graduation, is to receive an employment offer. Your university degree is designed to enhance your profile, to increase your knowledge, skills and world-view – to make you more useful to yourself and to the world.


5. Graduates need a teflon-coat. The job market and the business world are both very tough, but through resilience and continued effort, success is almost guaranteed.


6. It’s not necessarily the brightest and the best that make it to the top. There are a number of factors / skills that are not taught in the university or by most career centres, but which influence career success. These include: likeability, emotional intelligence, tact, aggressiveness (but not over-aggressiveness) and continuing professional development.


7. Not every job vacancy actually exists. Some are posted by recruitment agents to build their candidate database. In our beloved country, some others are posted by scammers to exploit graduates.


8. Not every job application you make will be seen by the company (because there will be many other applications). The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to have your application seen.


9. Your physical appearance (not in terms of beauty but in terms of neatness, carriage, composure and speech) will many times influence your career more than other factors. The wise graduates will ensure that they look their best and act professionally at all times.


10. It would be unwise to look down on any job opportunities. The ‘low’ jobs are only a ladder towards a better job / career.



This is the first and original posting of this article. I wrote it specifically for Nairaland, but I have since re-published it on blog.thecareertimes.com

nix one. front page tngs

.

Sometimes,honestly.its the circle we nigerians always go round... And if you don't hate it... You might die a nobody...

Go to skool,get a gud degree,look for job,cum look for wife,marry,get children,
And keep following the same thing... Befor you go die...

Now to the call of the day.. Thou am not yet even a student...in university... Jamb tings... But I think I can give a little piece of advice to graduates...
First ... If your not planning of setting up a company no matter how little before living skool ... Men.. Your definately going to face a lot trying to work for people ... That is ... If. You gat the job...

Secondly...
Someone ask me... Daniel how can I get a job... Then I remember the book...hard times don't last, but tough people do... The guy said... You need a job...? Then explain to your self how to catch a mouse...

Thirdly...
Guys... Nigeria is thus very easy now... Yes you heard me... It easy, if you can find a particular area and put all. You strenght ... Sure enough you be a great someday....

Forthly...
Nigerian graduate... Sorry to say ... Most of you guys ... Think... Immedaitely you graduate... Job the one side the wait for you. It might be possible if you gat long legs sha...

And
Some graduate really need serious flogging... Just because you graduate with 1st class in chemical engineering no mean you must not value even a secretary work in an organisation... Start. From somewhere... Then keep growing with time....

Every graduate should really read this.. My life would have been much better if I had known earlier.

True talk,I pick this one sharply.

Nice one and thanks

Very informative.

Masterpiece


A Food For Thought.

THIS IS POST OF THE MONTH ...GOD BLESS U OP

Nyc 1...muy bien

Definitely following this one..!

11. Spend less than you earn....

I make front page?? Unbelievable,back 2 the thread,i don't know the answer oh

Nice post ! Keep it up

sexymoma: .

Reserving Space right...? :|

lessons learnt

Adatob: I make front page?? Unbelievable,back 2 the thread,i don't know the answer oh

nice post..allow this thing make front page oh

nice ?

A perfect guide. Front page pls

Very educative. Tnx a lot. This is the kind of write up we shd be seein on this forum.

Nice one op. They should remember that rome was not built in a day

MODS seem to be working this morning. I haven't seen any Stella Damascus wears blue gown on the streets.
Nice write up especially because its talking straight to me!

Av J̶̲̥̅̊U̶̲̥̅̊Ƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇Τ̣̣̥ been funished.

Hello!

My expertise brought me up to my present level n not my qualification.
YET, I NEED THE GRACE OF GOD N ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION TO MOVE TO ANODA BETTER POSITION!

INFORMATIVE•

I realy admit to dis article n kudos to d writer, my perception towards success has change being a graduate
, tanks a lot.

Post of the month Nyc one

[ It would be unwise to look
down on any job opportunities.
The ‘low’ jobs are only a ladder
towards a better job / career.]
..I love this Point Above!

Informative.

jesuslovesme123: I graduated a over 5 years ago, have sat in over 10 interviews, worked in 3 continents – I have been the most junior member of a company, I have risen to be the most senior member (the Head) of a department, I have interviewed over 40 candidates, hired over 15 candidates and fired 1 employee. I have reviewed over 25 000 CVs (yes, twenty five thousand) and coached over 20 career seekers. I have worked full-time and studied full-time simultaneously, to receive an MBA.

A lot of people graduate with great hopes about post-graduation life. While these hopes can, and hopefully will, be met – they need to realise that times have changed, and success is no longer as ‘easy’ to achieve as they were many years ago. For this reason, graduates should arm themselves with the following observations – things I was forced to learn based on experience - to prevent disappointment:


1. Getting a degree is a great achievement, but it is only the starting point. Professional qualifications, skills-enhancement training and certifications have made the labour market more competitive. The wise graduates will immediately find ways to enhance their profiles.


2. There will always be far more job seekers than jobs, and not every graduate will receive an employment offer within their first year of graduation. The wise graduates will explore (goodly) alternatives right from the start.This leads to point 3 -


3. Many graduates are in a position to create wealth for themselves, but most will not, either because they are adamant about getting a ‘suit-and-tie’ job, or because they are waiting for a huge investment to come in. The wise graduates will start what they can with the little they have.


4. University education was not primarily designed for job-finding purposes, so it baffles me when graduates think that the ONLY way forward after graduation, is to receive an employment offer. Your university degree is designed to enhance your profile, to increase your knowledge, skills and world-view – to make you more useful to yourself and to the world.


5. Graduates need a teflon-coat. The job market and the business world are both very tough, but through resilience and continued effort, success is almost guaranteed.


6. It’s not necessarily the brightest and the best that make it to the top. There are a number of factors / skills that are not taught in the university or by most career centres, but which influence career success. These include: likeability, emotional intelligence, tact, aggressiveness (but not over-aggressiveness) and continuing professional development.


7. Not every job vacancy actually exists. Some are posted by recruitment agents to build their candidate database. In our beloved country, some others are posted by scammers to exploit graduates.


8. Not every job application you make will be seen by the company (because there will be many other applications). The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to have your application seen.


9. Your physical appearance (not in terms of beauty but in terms of neatness, carriage, composure and speech) will many times influence your career more than other factors. The wise graduates will ensure that they look their best and act professionally at all times.



10. It would be unwise to look down on any job opportunities. The ‘low’ jobs are only a ladder towards a better job / career.

Op...your entire post is on point. With respect to #6 above, as much as i would easily agree with you, it however brings me to the question of the state of our tertiary institutions, what exactly are we taught in our eye-sored institutions that would make us equipped and capable to take on the job market and challenges that comes with it after graduation?

.dats really an eye opener. Nice 1 OP May God bless u.