[b]The Nigerian labour market today abounds with unemployed graduates. And competition is so stiff, you'll find it hard to land that job you used to dream about back in your days at school.

There are far more job seekers in Nigeria than the available job positions. That's one harsh reality we're all facing right now. But, like you already know, the truth is, getting a job is quite possible.

You'll most likely have friends and relatives who have gotten jobs without much stress—and without "connections" or first-class grades.
So, that's enough proof that you too can get the job you want without those extra factors.

Many Nigerian graduates—including you—have what it takes to succeed at any job they're employed for. But finding and getting the right job is the problem.

Most Nigerian job seekers are plying the job search route the wrong way. And this explains why many have spent years searching for the jobs they want without any success.

My friend, gone are the days of producing a hundred copies of a generic CV and distributing them all over the place like handbills.

And applying for every single job you find on Jobberman or in Guardian newspaper won't cut it, too. In fact, that would only drain more of your energy and add to your frustration.

Now, job search doesn't have to be frustrating. It doesn't have to be strenuous. And it doesn't have to be mysterious.

There are some things you can do to speed up your job search and boost your chances of getting that job of your dreams. And this thread was created to teach you those things.

In this thread you will learn 7 golden tips that will not only draw you steps closer to your dream job, but will make your job search experience more of fun and personal development.

After reading the posts, revive your hopes and dreams, and take a fresh approach to your job search. You'll certainly observe a positive difference.

I wish you all the best!
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1. Know what you want

One of the keys to a speedy and successful job search is knowing exactly what you want. It will help you find the job and career that suits your personality and desires.

Understanding the kind of personality you have and your interests will give you an idea what types of jobs will be the best for you.
So, you need to really sit down and define the following:

• Your interests
• The exact types of job you're after
• Your motivation—is it status or a huge salary?
• The kind of people you will like to work with
• Whether you will prefer a job that requires socializing with others
• The type of company you will like to work with
• The exact positions you will like to work in

By defining these things, you will be able to know which job positions you should start going after and which ones you shouldn't bother with.

I understand. Frustration stemming out of an endless job search might compel you to apply for any job vacancy you stumble upon. But that's not the best way to go about it.

My friend, go after your dreams. Don't settle for less.

If your dream and personality have chosen a job for you—and you have the required qualifications—apply for that job or something else that is closely related.

Don't go for just anything that comes your way. That way, you'll be wasting your time and sapping your energy dry.

By clearly defining the types of positions you would like to and are qualified to work in, you will save a lot of time and energy.

How? Because you will apply for those jobs only. And because you're applying for few jobs, it becomes easier to put your best into each job application.

Of course, if you apply for 15 jobs within three hours, and you apply for 4 jobs within the same duration, each of your 4 applications in the second case will most likely be far better than each of the 15 applications you sent within three hours.

In other words, if you work on fewer applications, you will be able to spend more time on each; the longer you spend on an application, the more effort you will put in, and the better that application will be.

Now, narrowing your focus doesn't mean sticking with just one type of job position and shutting yourself away from several opportunities. If you studied microbiology, for example, insisting on working as a microbiologist might prolong your job search unduly. What you should do, instead, is define a good number of positions that you can fit in and will like to work in. Then apply for such positions only.

2. Take your job search as a job in itself

The earlier you realize that job search is a job in itself, the better. Searching for a good job in this tight labour market involves more than just scouring job boards and flipping through the job vacancy pages of newspapers.

If you really want to get a good job without going through a lengthy job search, bear the following in mind:

1. You need to tailor your CV to each position

Before sending in your application for a job position, you need to tailor it to that job position. That is, you need to adjust it to make it more suitable for the position you're applying for.

And you will do this each time you apply for a job position. That's strenuous. I know. But the results could be amazing.

2. You need to keep learning

While search for your dream job, never stop learning. Visit job search and career blogs (like Jarushub.com) regularly to learn new tips for boosting your chances of getting a job quickly.

In addition, work on improving yourself in various aspects, such as communication, problem solving, computer usage, and so on. You can achieve this by attending seminars, reading helpful resources on the internet, and reading books.

3. You need to cross your t's and dot your i's

While applying for a job position, take your time to do everything involved as near-perfect as possible. In fact, you should aim for perfection.

Pay attention to all those tiny details others tend to overlook. Those "little" things matter a lot to hiring managers.

With the above points in mind, you would agree that job search requires much more than most people give to it. So, stop whiling away your day on irrelevant things.

Concentrate more on your job search. It's your career. And it's more like your life because it's one of those things that will determine how far you'll go in life.

Here's a recommendation: Dedicate a specific part of your day to your job search. For example, you can have a daily schedule that goes like this:
• 8.00am - 9.00am: Browse job boards and check newspapers for latest job vacancies.
• 9.01am - 11.00am: Apply for job positions you're interested in and are qualified for.
• Rest of your leisure time: Learn additional skills to improve yourself, especially in areas where you're not so good.

This is just an example. You can come up with your own timetable that fits well into daily schedule. But most importantly, stick to it—religiously.

And one more thing: keeping yourself busy with these tasks will help you avoid idleness, which is a shortcut to depression.

3. Be optimistic

For obvious reasons, job seekers are among the most frustrated set of people in Nigeria. The same runs true all over the world.
Searching frantically for a job and not getting any could be emotionally disturbing.

Some have sent more-than-countable job applications and have never been called for a single interview or shortlisted for a single aptitude test, let alone getting a job.

Only few things could be more depressing than this.

But, my friend, even when reality is going against your plans and dreams, you don’t have to give up on yourself.

No doubt, the labour market is tight. There are very few jobs. And several thousands to millions are vying for those jobs. These facts are not new to the average Nigerians. And brooding over them will harm you more than help you.

So, my friend, you have to only look at the brighter side of things.

You have to be optimistic.

I'm sure you know people who have gotten good jobs. I mean, without "connections" and without outstanding grades. I mean, those who studied courses that are considered "unmarketable."

If you agree with that, then it's enough proof that you, too, can get a job.

Forget about the sickening statistics that newspapers publish. That's what newspapers are good at doing—selling bad news (don't blame them—bad news sells fastest).

And forget about those common myths like "only those who have connections get the jobs." Such statements are mere excuses for mediocrity. I'm not saying there's nothing like connections, but the situation isn't as bad as many people describe it.

Optimism is the fuel you need right now. It will provide the motivation you need to keep trying until you achieve your goal.
Think good. Target your goals with a good mindset. Hope for the best. And you'll get your dream job... very soon.

4. Establish connections

No, I don't mean those oppressive connections that involve nepotism and cronyism.

Not those connections that disregard skills and qualifications.

Not those connections that have rubbished the Nigerian public sector.

What I'm saying is, establish links with people who can help you get a good job based on your skills, qualifications, and preferences.

When you're searching a job, press all buttons your fingers can reach. Ask for help and links from anyone you think is in a position to give you such. This is not the time to be an introvert. They say a problem shared is half-solved.

Bear in mind that more-than-you-can-believe job vacancies are not advertised in newspapers or online job boards. So, how do can you get to know about these opportunities? The answer is...

Connections.

So, start with your friends and relatives. Inform your neighbours, too. Reach out to your former classmates. Tell members of your church, mosque, club, or other gatherings that you belong to. Contact your former lecturers at school, and your former employers (if you've gotten a job before).

Let them know you need a job and would like to be linked up with anyone who can give you quality information about open job vacancies.
Visit companies and their offices or contact them on phone. Introduce yourself and ask about open job positions. If there are any, you will most likely be informed about them.

In short, ask for links from as much people as possible. You never know who will link you up with that job you’ve always dreamed of.
Now, let your aim be clean. Your aim of finding connections is to be linked up with jobs that you're really qualified for and that match your skills.

Hoping to find someone who can link you up with a job in the oil and gas sector without having the required qualifications is not only unethical, but also time wasting. Because you would ignore opportunities that are fit for you, hoping that you'll get what shouldn't be yours.

5. Follow up
Imagine this: You stumbled upon a job vacancy notice and quickly sent in your application for the job because the description perfectly matches your skills and qualifications. After two weeks, you were sent an email to report for an interview. But you didn't check your email until a week after the interview date.

If that happened to you, you'd definitely be so mad at yourself, you’d feel like cutting off your head. Of course, you're to blame.
You screwed up an excellent opportunity because you didn't check your email to follow up on the application. Yet, during the time you could have read the email, you spent hours of your day "Facebooking" and "Twittering."

Following up on a job application doesn't have to be by email alone. There are many ways to follow up on a job application. It could be through phone calls. It could be by paying a visit to the company's office. And it could be through letters sent via "snail mail." It all depends on what the situation demands.

While following up on your job application could send signals that you're really passionate about the job and could get you the job eventually, overdoing it could be counterproductive.

Calling a hiring manager every day in the name of following up on your application could send the wrong signal—desperation. You sure don't want your application dismissed because of a simple mistake you could have avoided.

Frankly speaking, most Nigerian hiring managers don't reply emails even when you're trying to follow up on your application.
What you should do is send your follow up message after all. Even if you get no reply, it may still work magically for you without you knowing (I mean, in the background).

Be careful about following up on a job application by using contact information that wasn't published by the company.

For example, most companies will give specific phone numbers or email addresses that all enquiries about recruitment should be directed. Even if you get no meaningful response after contacting the published emails addresses or phone lines, don't try to find the company's other contact details or those of certain individuals working with the company in a bid to "follow up on your job application." It only sends signals that you're desperate and that you cannot obey simple instructions. So, tread softly, my friend.

But if someone gives you the direct phone line or email address of the hiring manager for example, you can contact them, mentioning the name of the person who referred you to them and gave you their contact details (provided that will boost your chances).
And if you’re able to get their contact details through means that won’t make you come across as desperate (such as through their Facebook or LinkedIn profiles), you can contact them without balking.

6. Always be honest

Many Nigerian job seekers falsify a lot of information about themselves because they think this will boost their chances of getting a job. You see, my friend, this is unnecessary.

You don't have to lie about your age. You don't have to claim that you have skills you really don't have. You don't have to claim that you have the experience you never had.

It's better you get a job that suits what you are than being employed for what you're not.

Mind you, hiring managers are getting smarter by the day, and they have ways of sniffing out those false pieces of information in your CV.
It's better you apply for honestly for a job than to be disqualified at the last stage of the recruitment process—after you’d have put in much effort and raised your hopes.

You know one crazy thing about being dishonest? You have to cover up for one act of dishonesty by committing additional acts of dishonesty. And you'll eventually get busted when you're least expecting it.

No employer tolerates dishonesty. So, if your employer finds out later that you've falsified your age or some other information about yourself, you're a goner!

So, honesty is very important when you're searching for a job. Always remain honest even if you think that will cost you the job. That way, you'd sleep better, and you won't have to take furtive glances or watch your back unnecessarily like a criminal.

7. Always act fast!

Acting fast on any helpful piece of information is one of the habits that will boost your chances of getting a job quickly.

Even if a job vacancy advert states that the application deadline is two weeks from the publication date, and you're lucky to see the advert on the day of publication, send in your application as soon as possible.

Don’t delay sending your application, relying on the fact that the deadline is still far off.

They say the early bird catches the worm. That saying holds true for job search.

Even if a company announces a two-week period for receiving applications, those who send their applications earliest have the brightest chances of getting the job—for many reasons.

At the start of the selection process, the hiring managers are refreshed and their “bullshit detectors” are still very lenient. During this early period, they take their time to check CVs and applications diligently—because they get only few applications at this time.

But as the deadline for applications approaches, hundreds of application letters and CVs start landing on the table of hiring managers on a daily basis.

This time, they people will get overwhelmed quickly as they have thousands of job applications and CVs to read through.

They're humans, so it's just natural for them to do things in haste—they've been given a deadline by the company by which they must have selected the best candidates for each position.

If a hiring manager spends seven minutes assessing an application during the early period when applications are still few, he'll barely spend two minutes on each application during the later period. The result of this is that they will overlook many good applications among the "late-comers" that could have earned interview invitations if they were sent earlier—when they could have been carefully assessed.

I hope you now understand why you should always act fast, whether you need to send in a job application, or you need to respond to questions from an employer, or you're required to provide some details or documents.

Aside that it gives you huge advantage over late comers, acting fast sends signals that you're smart and are quick at making decisions.\

However, trying to act fast shouldn't make you careless. Imagine yourself sending a job application by email but forgetting to attach your CV despite stating in your message that your CV is attached. That's carelessness. Act fast, but don't be careless.

Parting shot
Now, you know the seven keys to getting a good job quickly in the tight Nigerian labour market. You might have heard some of these tips before, but the big question you should answer is...

"Have you ever acted on them?"

Having read this thread to this point, the only way to help yourself with what you've learned is to implement it. If not, you're not in any way better than someone who didn't stumble upon this thread in the first place.

If you put the tips revealed here into action, I'm sure you'll improve yourself a great deal and also get the job of your dreams much sooner than you expected.

Never lose hope. Never stop trying. Never stop praying. And you'll get that job soon.

I wish you all the best. And I look forward to hearing your success story soon.

Post originally written by:
ABASS A. TORIOLA
Job search advisor, freelance writer, and professional blogger.

Please share your opinions about the post

Poster this so true I learnt dis a very long tym. I only spent 3months at home after NYSC I git a job. I sent out applications same day I saw an advert I got called for interview 3days later , ihv anoda wetin forme. So this works well.great work poster God bless u real GOOD.

Thanks op, guilty of some. Hope dis will help

I don't mean to sound negative
But we've heard,seen and adhered to these principles over and over again with no results.
Sir, getting a good job in Nigeria is by the special grace of God. You can do all these things and your CV will still end up in the trash can.
I'm not discouraging ppl from doing those things u mentioned, however there are many who are doing dem but still remain jobless.
A friend of mine who graduated since 2006 has been jobless till today. He recently paid the sum of 400k to secure a federal govt job.
D money was contributed by family and loved ones.

Thanks for sharing anyway

@poster u've said it all, @laurelp you are so on point...so many jobseekers hv done all dat buh no result...the only factor is d GRACE oF GOD *shikena*

LaurelP:
I don't mean to sound negative
But we've heard,seen and adhered to these principles over and over again with no results.
Sir, getting a good job in Nigeria is by the special grace of God. You can do all these things and your CV will still end up in the trash can.
I'm not discouraging ppl from doing those things u mentioned, however there are many who are doing dem but still remain jobless.
A friend of mine who graduated since 2006 has been jobless till today. He recently paid the sum of 400k to secure a federal govt job.
D money was contributed by family and loved ones.

Thanks for sharing anyway

I agree with you that God is another factor that should not be undermined. Maybe the OP should have added prayer as one of the keys.

But wait, do you know frustration can make you think you've done so much when in reality you did nothing?

That's another thing I think. They say heaven helps those who help themselves. But most people have done little or nothing to warrant heaven's help, yet they go about saying they've done "everything possible". That's also very common, you know?

Amireel:
@poster u've said it all, @laurelp you are so on point...so many jobseekers hv done all dat buh no result...the only factor is d GRACE oF GOD *shikena*

Well it might surprise you to know that only few job seekers have done ALL THAT as you stated.

If you ask every other job seeker you meet about these tips, virtually all of them would be lacking in at least one or two, especially tip number two, which I deem the most difficult.

But I agree without doubt that many other factors can influence your chances of getting a job in this Nigeria or ours. Some have even gotten jobs without implementing any of these tips.

Sometimes money can be d cause of unemployment too...if u dont ave cash u cant upgrade ursef in skills, atimes u find it so hard goin for d interviews at distant places cos of transport fare...nd nt all jobseekers are frm homes wia their parents can afford giving denm tfare for evry interview. Hence lackadaisical attitude to kip applying for jobs

Amireel:
Sometimes money can be d cause of unemployment too...if u dont ave cash u cant upgrade ursef in skills, atimes u find it so hard goin for d interviews at distant places cos of transport fare...nd nt all jobseekers are frm homes wia their parents can afford giving denm tfare for evry interview. Hence lackadaisical attitude to kip applying for jobs

Another solid point!