I was privileged to interview about about 15 applicants with 1 - 6 years post NYSC experience for a role. My take away include:

Years of experience is just a number - out of the applicants, the applicant with 1 year experience was better exposed, sound and suitable because he had worked with companies that had exposed him to several scenarios than entities that just pay you salaries for warming the chairs. I can tell if you are speaking based on book knowledge or experience and exposure.

Disregard the high unemployment rate, with time you can get your dream job without a godfather - the employment rate in Nigeria is still very high but the competition is extremely low. If you are truly sound, you will get that job as over 90% of applicants are jokers and uncompetitive; they are graduates but not for this jet-age.

When you go for an interview and meet people with Stanford degrees, don't hide and disqualify yourself even if all you got is a HND - majority of the applicants cannot defend their certificates. Be hungry, be ambitious and seek for knowledge. Your dream for a dream job is valid, you can achieve it if you distinguish yourself.

If you want to practice in a regulated field e.g Accounting, HR, Law et al, seek professional qualification before running off to bag an MBA/MSC - I interviewed for a finance role and one key learning points that was visible to the blind and audible to deaf was that applicants who were not even chartered accountants but had only passed a stage of ICAN examinations spoke like professionals and gave reasonable assumptions to practical questions. They could to an extent think out financial ideas and solutions.

During internships and post NYSC, don't settle for the pay cheque, settle for the experience and exposure - majority of the applicants had years of experience without real experience in the years. First hustle for experience and exposure (2Es), money will come knocking when you are fully loaded with the 2Es.

Spend more time learning soft skills and less time with snapchat filters, whatsapp updates - no matter your field, learn how to use Microsoft office's Word, PowerPoint and Excel. You don't have to be an expert, learn beyond the basics. For financial enthusiasts, learn beyond Excel's SUM function, know how to use Pivot table at least.

In conclusion, applicants should learn to own the interview session; speak like you are gisting with your mom, dad, pastor and not a "god". Be lively, laugh (it makes you human). I used to be an introvert but in interviews, I take charge as the applicant; I laugh. I remember tears "loading" in my eyes a few yearsago before a panel of an oil and gas company when they told me I was the best so far but overqualified for the role (who overqualication help Sir? Mr. Panelist, give me this mountain [job]). They gave me a referral to another company but I don't just apply to any company.

It is your stage not the panelist's, don't just perform like most musical artists, entertain, be hungry, be ambitious. You can land that dream job.

Ayobami Akinade AAT, ACA, ACCA (A).

www.linkedin.com/in/ayobamiakinade/

Ok sir

Yea

ACA, ACCA is equivalent is to 4years of expereience.. The only thing missing is inhouse training and how to identify pitfalls... nothing they there my brother. ACA nor ni mi

1BB007:
ACA, ACCA is equivalent is to 4years of expereience.. The only thing missing is inhouse training and how to identify pitfalls... nothing they there my brother. ACA nor ni mi

I beg to differ, I know many ACAs and ACCAs that cannot journalise entries. Paper qualification is not enough

Nice one... I have tried seeking for an opportunity in the Oil and gas to gain experience (freelance) but it hasn't been easy oo..
2'1 Geology graduate plus Great CV too.. I just need that exposure pending when I go for MSc.
O.P kindly help o...

hayoakins:


I beg to differ, I know many ACAs and ACCAs that cannot journalise entries. Paper qualification is not enough

I doubt this, ICAN exams doesn't train someone to pass exams but to practice the profession.... it's B.sc Accounting that's paper qualification.

Apart from 'lemme remove it for, you will tear my pant' which any other motivational quotes do you know?

Nice insight,OP
No mind some of us

Good effort

Serious matter

Includinq those that their Destinies are still in Their Villaqe People Wallet??......

Good

Have a good JuJu man to fortify you before going for the interview.

nice

get money
get rich
be your own boss
control your own bich
ma niggi leave certificate for inside wardrope
better live a beautiful life
than to die ugly

i still don't get it. which is better? getting a job or working for yourself.

I agree completely with you sir. However, the problem, sir, is that there is a myriad and plethora of information out there. In this information clustered world, one is confounded at the the right choice to take. Please could you recommend at least one productive skill a graduate in the discipline of science may acquire? Your reply will be most appreciated. Thank you.

TuborTee143:
Nice one... I have tried seeking for an opportunity in the Oil and gas to gain experience (freelance) but it hasn't been easy oo..
2'1 Geology graduate plus Great CV too.. I just need that exposure pending when I go for MSc.
O.P kindly help o...

Try and visit danvic petroleum. You can check online, they teach geoscience graduates on softwares that are relevant in the field. Though there money is a bit expensive, I think like 500k for three months and they will get u a company to work as a trainee for a year. My sister went there and dey got her a place at saptro.

Correct talk

Damdeyz:
I agree completely with you sir. However, the problem, sir, is that there is a myriad and plethora of information out there. In this information clustered world, one is confounded at the the right choice to take. Please could you recommend at least one productive skill a graduate in the discipline of science may acquire? Your reply will be most appreciated. Thank you.

1. Learn a programming language
2 Get a certification that is sought after by your field
3. Network like a Nigerian "socialite"
4. Don't take peanut jobs
5. Be honest to yourself and to others
6 Deregard the 5th and boldly fake it where necessary.

Nice point

AOI2016:

Try and visit danvic petroleum. You can check online, they teach geoscience graduates on softwares that are relevant in the field. Though there money is a bit expensive, I think like 500k for three months and they will get u a company to work as a trainee for a year. My sister went there and dey got her a place at saptro.

80% of nigerian graduates can't afford that fee.

hayoakins:
I was privileged to interview about about 15 applicants with 1 - 6 years post NYSC experience for a role. My take away include:

Years of experience is just a number - out of the applicants, the applicant with 1 year experience was better exposed, sound and suitable because he had worked with companies that had exposed him to several scenarios than entities that just pay you salaries for warming the chairs. I can tell if you are speaking based on book knowledge or experience and exposure.

Disregard the high unemployment rate, with time you can get your dream job without a godfather - the employment rate in Nigeria is still very high but the competition is extremely low. If you are truly sound, you will get that job as over 90% of applicants are jokers and uncompetitive; they are graduates but not for this jet-age.

When you go for an interview and meet people with Stanford degrees, don't hide and disqualify yourself even if all you got is a HND - majority of the applicants cannot defend their certificates. Be hungry, be ambitious and seek for knowledge. Your dream for a dream job is valid, you can achieve it if you distinguish yourself.

If you want to practice in a regulated field e.g Accounting, HR, Law et al, seek professional qualification before running off to bag an MBA/MSC - I interviewed for a finance role and one key learning points that was visible to the blind and audible to deaf was that applicants who were not even chartered accountants but had only passed a stage of ICAN examinations spoke like professionals and gave reasonable assumptions to practical questions. They could to an extent think out financial ideas and solutions.

During internships and post NYSC, don't settle for the pay cheque, settle for the experience and exposure - majority of the applicants had years of experience without real experience in the years. First hustle for experience and exposure (2Es), money will come knocking when you are fully loaded with the 2Es.

Spend more time learning soft skills and less time with snapchat filters, whatsapp updates - no matter your field, learn how to use Microsoft office's Word, PowerPoint and Excel. You don't have to be an expert, learn beyond the basics. For financial enthusiasts, learn beyond Excel's SUM function, know how to use Pivot table at least.

In conclusion, applicants should learn to own the interview session; speak like you are gisting with your mom, dad, pastor and not a "god". Be lively, laugh (it makes you human). I used to be an introvert but in interviews, I take charge as the applicant; I laugh. I remember tears "loading" in my eyes a few yearsago before a panel of an oil and gas company when they told me I was the best so far but overqualified for the role (who overqualication help Sir? Mr. Panelist, give me this mountain [job]). They gave me a referral to another company but I don't just apply to any company.

It is your stage not the panelist's, don't just perform like most musical artists, entertain, be hungry, be ambitious. You can land that dream job.

Ayobami Akinade AAT, ACA, ACCA (A).

www.linkedin.com/in/ayobamiakinade/

Goop one. It will surely help someone.

NYSC is a working experience, so just apply. Good Luck.

Hoodbilonia:
get money
get rich
be your own boss
control your own bich
ma niggi leave certificate for inside wardrope
better live a beautiful life
than to die ugly

Not every one can be a businessman , Some need to be professional .... It's all about your passion and life objectives !!

Business is more difficult than Book

Giovanotto:
Apart from 'lemme remove it for, you will tear my pant' which any other motivational quotes do you know?

Seriously?