We have all heard the popular saying, “Searching for a job is a job”, there are several activities you can engage in that would stack the odds in your favour during your job search.

(1) Volunteer
The art of internship unfortunately is a rare concept with the Nigerian youth. In other words, many graduates and drop-outs will rather stay idle at home than offer their services for free at a workplace. For a start, depression kicks in for most unemployed people when they are idle at home, afterall, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. Leaving the house and going to a workplace can give your life a new purpose and a level of self-worth.
A usual problem most youth face during their job search is their lack of experience. It is a Catch 22 Situation: You need a job to get experience, but no one will give you a job without experience. Working for free can bridge the experience gap and get you closer to your dream job. It also allows you to network with new people which could help you on your quest to your ideal job. So dust off your CV and start approaching employers about volunteering your services for free.


(2) Upgrade your skills
Now you may have a lot of free time. It is a great time to acquire additional skills and qualifications that would be beneficial in your new job. This is also a great time to reinvent yourself if you have been on a wrong career path. Whatever the case, Nigerian employers are keen on candidates with an advanced level of qualifications to add to their experiences. For example, an Accountant should be ICAN certified, a Manager should have an MBA, a Lecturer should have a PHD degree. Whatever your field is, there are courses that can make you more attractive to employers. A easy way to find out examples of such courses is to look at your ideal job description either on job websites or newspapers. Look at the qualifications listed on the advert for that particular job. If similar jobs list the same qualifications, it is assumed that it is an “in-demand” qualification. Skills are not limited to just educational qualifications. It ranges from industries from entertainment to health care. The key is to be an expert in your field.

(3) Start a Business
What Business should I start? Where will I get capital to start my Business? These are typical questions that will be comprehensively addressed in future posts. The key here is to stick to your strengths. For example, with some experience in Media, can you start a production company by covering events like weddings, graduations, funerals and other ceremonies. As the Events industry is huge in Nigeria, especially the “Owambe” type, there are opportunities for a variety of professionals like Event Planners, Cake Makers, Photographers and Production Experts, Caterers, Entertainers, Ushers, Cleaning Agencies, Security and Owners of “Party tools” like Canopies, Chairs, Tables for renting purposes. Nigeria has a population of over 150 million, all with needs and wants – some on a daily basis. So there is something to do for everyone.

Bonus Point: Start a Blog
This is your 15 minutes of fame, a chance to be a leading authority in any field you want. The Internet is a platform for any publisher to create any content. Choose your ideal industry and start blogging today. The more relevant articles you write, the more people look up to you, and slowly you become an industry expert. And don’t think Employers won’t also notice you. Creating a blog today is much easier than ever. You have free services like WordPress and that allow you start a blog within minutes of joining.

Source: http://www.hankali.com/career-advice/3-ways-get-the-job-you-want/

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