I decided to start this topic because i know from experience that this is a very pressing issue in the minds of thousands of Nigerians like myself who have managed to get a foreign degree. I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about, particularly if you travelled abroad to study (many times after a bsc in naija).

OK so you've finished your programme you've done your graduation, you've got your PALI, do you jump on the next plane to MMA or do u stay behind?

Now there are a couple of perspectives to this.

Some would tell you to stay behind and gain some experience, 6 months, 1 year or 2 years and then come back and you would be a lot more competitive because of your foreign experience . Now the problem here is in getting that experience. I'm sure by now with the number of Nigerians in the UK and US, it is needless to describe how difficult it is to get that Graduate job, (I have to say it is worse in the UK), cause you've got so much to contend with, first of all your immigration status, OK fine, you've finished your programme and you've got the post study work rubbish visa for another 2 years, most of these employers are not willing to take on someone who has got a limited leave to remain in the UK. Meanwhile you should know that there are thousands of experienced British citizens who want that same job. Now the implication of this is that you would continue looking for that job (unsuccessfully), and continue to do your part time job (man must survive na) whether as a cleaner, MC Donald's sales assistant, or better still carer, or security guard (with your £13,000 worth msc), lol,  It is important to say that getting a job is indeed possible but just extremely difficult because of the competition and it may not come as soon as you planned. The problem here is that time is going and your mates in naija who haven't even got a masters are rising becoming assistant managers, gaining experience, moving on with their career.

Now others would tell you to come back immediately, to many this seems to be the wisest thing to do, but now for those that came for their masters immediately after NYSC or graduating in naija without working at all, you need to know that you would have to start at an entry level position just like any other naija graduate (well lets be fair and say you would get some preferential treatment with your foreign pali, but then is it really worth it?). And then you know naija with its who know who system, you shouldn't be surprised if you find yourself sitting at home for months (in your parents house most of the time) reading tuesday and thursday guardian, looking for job, with your foreign pali!!!!! after so much has been spent on you!!!!

And finally others would say, "stay abroad and process a job in naija, don't come until you've got an offer and a job is waiting for you" very sound advice i must say, but then does it work out that easily, i mean you are sitting your ass abroad while there are thousands of people on ground in naija ready to take up the offer and start immediately, shouldn't be on ground struggling things out with the others , lol.

So wetin man go do?

So then my friends, don't get it twisted i aint no pessimist but then we need to face reality, there are so many people caught up in this dilemma and though they appear confident and all trust me, they really don't know what to do and could use your insight on this, so please have your say,

cheers mates!!

my bro its really a difficult one u know

i also completed my Msc this september 2008 but took the decision to return to 9ja considering the situation in UK (Economic crunch and rising

taxes etc) its not also easy in 9ja but i guess comparing both 9JA seems better ooooooo.

Money wise, u stand to get more

Urgency - u stand a chance of getting a job faster in 9ja

well its difficult decision. thats why we need nairalanders to contribute

PLS TELL US UR EXPERIENCE OOOOOOOOOOO

myboo:

my bro its really a difficult one u know

i also completed my Msc this september 2008 but took the decision to return to Nigeria considering the situation in UK (Economic crunch and rising

taxes etc) its not also easy in Nigeria but i guess comparing both Nigeria seems better ooooooo.

Money wise, u stand to get more

Urgency - u stand a chance of getting a job faster in Nigeria

well its difficult decision. thats why we need nairalanders to contribute

please TELL US UR EXPERIENCE OOOOOOOOOOO

Economic crunch yes, rising taxes no - taxes have in fact fallen this year compared with last year, and VAT has recently been cut in the UK.

So leaving that out of the equation, how does one stand a 'faster chance' of getting a job in Nigeria? Is it by connections, or that there is a mad rush for foreign graduates? I don't think things are necessarily easier in Nigeria on that account - not with 40,000 people trying to write bank tests and all that.

@ ancient1

It IS a big dilemma - often caused by people not thinking through plans before actually embarking on the Masters degree abroad. Most people just, for some reason, 'decide' when they are in university in naija that they will 'develop themselves' or 'get an edge' by getting a foreign qualification. Most people don't think to the point of 'do I want to work in a foreign country before returning? do I want to immediately return to naij?' Like ancient says. the common advice is stay for a while and 'gain experience'.

The truth is, most people cannot even make this decision with much clarity, simply because they don't know. Many then get abroad, enjoy some parts of living there and see the other not so pleasant aspects. In many cases, there is a desire to stay, but this might involve making a difficult choice of working part time or doing odd jobs (even with an M.Sc) before the 'good job' comes along.

My own advice would be this - don't stick around for more than 6 months, maximum a year doing 'odd jobs' and part-time work after graduation from the UK or US - if you do that, any employer will be wondering why you didn't get a job for over a year. If it's just a year, you can say you took time off to relax after your course or you took a vacation or something.

If your job search is not bringing fruit, by all means return to Nigeria - hopefully you have some family you can depend on for a few months and still have some contacts that can help you get a job. By doing that, you force yourself to look for a job instead of getting stuck in the part-time job thing and waiting forever. The other risk in staying too long is getting so 'used' to the environment that you stay on even if you don't have papers, which just worsens things.

Neither path is easy to be honest, try your best to gain employment abroad after your education, but if that fails, do not stay too long, return to Nigeria and seek a job there. No guarantees exist in Nigeria as well, but it still remains your homeland.

Me i have packed my bags and im on my way home. it will be very foolhardy of anyone to want to stay, not with all the job losses and spiralling unemployment in the UK, especially London.

I thought i was the only one that was in this situation!!

@ debosky,

well said bro. VAT has fallen from 17.5 to 15 percent. Perhaps to enhance purchasing power

But are u also aware sir that labour is planning to increase income tax next year. so its like tax may increase by a significant amt.

Lets call a spade a spade, the UK system is structured in such a way that discourages saving. am not saying standard of living is low ooooooo.

Better than 9ja but u end up workin for govt.

No where in the world is easy. One just has to make ur choices right by askin for wisdom from God

I know of some pple who in the name of experience are still lookin for jobs for close to 2 years now in the UK while their contemporaries who

returned to 9ja hav since gotten jobs.

Engineers tend to get jobs faster in the UK as we hav so many of our colleagues doin well there. so i would say perhaps it depends on the course

one studies, divine direction and fate ooooooooooo


Air ur views nairalanders

I agree there is increased unemployment, but certain areas are still recruiting.

Some engineers get jobs alright, but many don't - I know a friend who searched for over a year but didn't get anything. He eventually got a contract with LSE as an analyst, then he got the HSMP part sorted out and all. Personal experiences can vary a lot. I know a number of Nigerians doing well in investment banking (though the industry as a whole is in turmoil now) and other professions as well.

Currently the economic uncertainty definitely makes things more challenging, but don't lose hope over that.

It's the risk of getting trapped in the perpetual search for 'experience' that I advocate 1 year max as a search time, but that's my opinion.

As per the UK encouraging savings or not. . . . it really depends on you personally - people want you to spend, you have to make the decision yourself. Many people say it's easier in the UK than in naija cos you can budget instead of unexpected expenses surfacing every moment in naij.

My dearest poster, i completely feel your pain, i know what you are talking about trust me! I use to feel like that 5 months ago! I had no job,no money and i was about writing my dissertation, i started doing some kneeology mehn, then decided go back 2 nig after submittn ma dissertatn, and to get a part time job so @ least 2 hold some cash and buy some stuffs b4 goin bk finally, most stupid employment agencies refused me cuz my visa was expiryin soon,

I WAS FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!But i kept on praying, Before i knew what was happening i got a job in a reputable investment bank, how?Its God, this was within 2 months of my search for a part time job ooooooooooo?And ive got no experience at all in the financial industry!!

Personally, i just think its God, whatever would be would be, just pray for the Holy spirit's guidance, iTs REALLY IS A tough DECISION,

I'll say u keep looking in UK, International experience is definately worthy, give urself a time lag, if no hope, u go back and waste no more time,

while i quit agree with most of the posters about the stress & difficulty in getting a job after an Msc abroad, i will equally like to state few observations here.
A lot of people that go abroad for their masters degree programme are people that just left NYSC and without any prior working experience. you come back and you expect to get that very fat and wonderful job? come its not don that way, thats why most time you have to stay back and get a few months working experience to be able to fit in.
I equally agree that it still boil down to the particular course you studied. if i may ask most of us, what is the main reason why we went for the Msc in d first place?
A lot of us just went because we had the means or resources to do so, without actually thinking about it or making adequate plans of what will follow after the degree.
Some quit ok, do get good jobs after the whole programme right there in d UK and back home too.
But i think the best thing to do for most engineering graduates that have the means and resources to pursue their Msc abroad is to try and secure a job here in any of the small companies here, no matter ha small the pay might be, work there for a year or two and secure a study leave without pay, den go for your Msc. that way your are sure of job by time you get back home and from there you can opt for a better paying job, because you now have both the working experience and a degree abroad to add to your CV.
A friend of mine who is currently doing his Msc abroad after working for about 3 yrs now, is being called left right and center for interviews by most of our multinational companies why?
Because, he has gotten some yrs of oil & gas working experience and now undergoing an Msc program in very good school out there.
But, everybodies case can't be the same. I believe with faith and prayers, we all can make it someday, its just a matter of time all things will fall into place.
But if you don't get a job immediately, try staying back and if after 6months or a year, you still don't get anything i will advice you come back home and who knows!!!
Wishing you all the best,

@all
what advice would you give to someone who read engineering as first degree and is working in a bank( for 3years now) ,but still wants to build a career in the oil and gas sector because thats where his heart lies, and he's not finding fufilment in banking, and as a result, has decided to pursue a foreign masters degree in oil and gas related programs so as to enable him achieve his desire of making a career in this sector?

I know how all you guys are feeling but if even with the credit crunch in the UK and all over the world, you still have a better chance of getting a job in the UK than Naija. The problem with Naija is who you know, if you have that connection then a job is not a problem for you. I will like to share an experience of a friend who graduated with a Masters in the UK and was working as contractor until a problem arise with his visa, he left the job and return back to Nigeria searching for jobs for two months until he got one, the Nigerian Company was very interested with the companies he had worked for in the UK and started him off with a good pay.


What am I driving at is, if only you guys have 3 or more months international experience on your CV, you have a better chance of getting a good job in Naija. Remember everyone lies on their CV anywhere in the World and that's the only way to get a job.


www.churchwhereabouts.com

I also know a friend who has the same problem and although i have a graduate job which is nice, i am also considering going back home next year. This friend of mine like myself came to the UK for masters immediately after NYSC and has just completed his masters with a Distinction but it has been difficult for him to get a job since august. he read human resources management.

He got a call from standard chartered bank Nigeria to come for an interview in Nigeria and he is very keen. Currently he is waiting to sort out his post study work visa and go back immediately he gets it. However he had to claim 3 months work experience in the company i work with my number as a reference just in case they check(but in most cases i know about they never do)

Another incident is a girl working at carphone warehouse as a sales assistant and modified her cv to exagerrate her role. she was offered a job by celtel early this year  for 7 million naira and training in south africa. Imagine not t-mobile or even Orange, Carphne warehouse.

I agree with kokruna,You have to sell yourself. you have to modify and tailor your cv and people looking for jobs in Nigeria are also very smart just a matter of opportunity.

In conclusion, i think the best decision is to go home after obtaining your post study work visa and just go to the UK for shopping  . After all it is naija, there is always a way out. We go ruff am and nobody can deport me from naija. as i am now, if i get a job that will pay me 300k per month or even slightly less (which i am praying i will get), i will quit my £24000 per annum job and go back home sharp sharp with immediate effect .True story

@ Vicade

I tend to agree with you more - this talk of it is easier to get a job abroad than in Nigeria is something I'm not too convinced about. In some cases yes, but usually you do have an edge, no matter how slight due to a foreign degree, when you search for a job. In foreign countries there is a lot of competition, some which is not even qualification based - your visa status, your lack of 'in country experience' and sometimes your skin colour are additional hurdles not faced in Nigeria as such.

Do get the applicable foreign experience if you can, but do not stick to some dead end job abroad when you have options in Nigeria you haven't explored.

In a way Vicade has explained it all, you have to lie on your CV along with your skills or else you will never get a job. Anybody that hires you will at least train you for one week or more and its then up you to learn the rest.

"What am I driving at is, if only you guys have 3 or more months international experience on your CV, you have a better chance of getting a good job in Naija"
3 months experience?? does that really make a difference and this thing about lying, are yu guys sure these guys dont verify and it wont backfire in some way. What about just exaggerating your job role and salary at somewhere you actually worked.?

@ ancient

I think what they are emphasizing is that ANY experience is better than none. It may matter to some companies, other companies will wonder why you only worked three months and not longer. Some experience counts, but three months may be pushing it a bit.

Some people do extend how long they've worked, many don't. Unless you are kicked out of the job or there is redundancy or your visa expires, why on earth would you only do 3 months anyways? Chances are if you secured the job, you can work there for an extended period, say a year, before moving on.

Some companies will verify, they will contact each and every previous employer you've had as reasonably possible, but most will make do with either a call to your previous supervisor, or a letter stating your experience. Phone calls are most often used. I won't support elongating a work period, I'd rather be vague about the time duration on the CV e.g just put '2008' instead of specifying months.

Exaggerating or more aptly, creatively describing your job role is the way to go.

may God bless the poster of this topic and all that have responded to clear alot of stuffs. me too m studying now and already thinking about about life after studies, with the credit crunch and stuff. God i beg ohhhhhhhhh. i know of someone who has stayed abit after her msc with her kobo kobo part time job and is thinking of coming home by January next year.she don tire.
its always better to get a bit of experience before coming back home. true talk

Just to clarify a few things, people who have 3 months experience always tend to put more than 2 years experience on their CV. And how many companies are ready to verify if you are lying or not, definitely you must know what you are talking about when you go for an interview in Nigeria and apply all the studying you have done to it. Majority of the IT Guys in UK lie on their CV and get jobs and the same applies to Naija.

If you put on your CV that you worked as a contractor for different organisations in UK, there is no way they can track if you are telling the truth or not. Good luck to all the job hunters and I pray that you get one very soon.


www.churchwhereabouts.com

It's common practice among Nigerian graduates to rush to UK and US for graduate studies immediately they graduate form the university seeking foreign degrees without gaining work experience, and they hope to 'jump start' their career when they return to Nigeria just because of a foreign degree. Most employers I know of employ at the entry level and begin to promote from within depending on potentials and contributions. This clearly shows that a first degree holder and a masters degree holder may have to start from the same point. Graduate degrees are very good, but we should not be sold out to forget the importance of work experience. Work after your first degree first! It's worth it if you can work for three to five years in Nigeria after youth service, and then seek an international degree as a big plus to your CV. It's however not wise to leave a well-paying job in Nigeria after three months and go for grad studies just because you want a higher degree. Just like someone advised, you may need to apply for study leave without pay so as to ensre their is something hanging in the air in case you decide to co me back.

kokorunna:

Just to clarify a few things, people who have 3 months experience always tend to put more than 2 years experience on their CV. And how many companies are ready to verify if you are lying or not, definitely you must know what you are talking about when you go for an interview in Nigeria and apply all the studying you have done to it. Majority of the IT Guys in UK lie on their CV and get jobs and the same applies to Naija.
[b]
If you put on your CV that you worked as a contractor for different organisations in UK, there is no way they can track if you are telling the truth or not. [/b]Good luck to all the job hunters and I pray that you get one very soon.

That is a VERY dangerous practice in my view - 3 months to MORE THAN 2 years Unless you've been sitting at home for the remaining 21 months that you are lying about, or doing some part time job in that period, how will you be able to account for the time inconsistencies in your cv?

I wouldn't advise people to do that. Most reputable companies DO CHECK and are INCREASINGLY checking, especially when recruiting from abroad or from people with work experience outside the country. It would be really bad to secure the job and then be found out 4 months later while the company does it's background checks - just a warning.

Even if you work for different contractors, companies can track if they want to. I am speaking from personal experience here. If you elongate slightly or increase your job role a bit, that would be sufficient, but please do not go overboard with that - If your interviewer is skilled, you can easily be found out and all your hard work to get to that point will be wasted.

This is a post that applies to me but I must say I'm a bit different because I came to this country in 1999.I have had my fair share of the whole stress faced with being a foreigner in the UK but I must confess that it's all paid off after having my degree from Leeds and my masters from the same university both in ebngineering.
While studying for my masters degree which is after a three year hiastus from the academic field from my undergraduate degree, there were 10 other Nigerians in my department all doing the same course and I must confess that only three of themdid not secure a job. In fact, I got my job last December even though I still had 10months to run my course which I ended this September.

It's quite difficult and I must say it's indeed a test of character. But you would eventually get a job if you can prove yourself at the interview. You don't need that experience because a masters degree would propel you towards a greater opportunity (more than an undergraduate degree) and I am confident even as I type this.

I have secured two graduate jobs in the past four years, the latest one offered last December where I had to leave for a different company that offered more training (though less pay). I could advise any of you if you mail me as I know one or two things these guys seem to look for and in fact, I've been the face of my workplace during this whole crises.

Though we are weathering the storm as a result of a downturn in the financial economy, but there would still be a lot of graduates being employed this year and it's all persistence like I said and you just have to trust yourself and put in the effort in the interview, basically, raise your bar as this is definitely not Nigeria. Though I've never worked in Nigeria nor ever applied for a job, but I can guarantee you that the UK provides a lot of opportunities and opens a lot of doors.

Many Thanks (and this is not an advertisement of the UK because several times, I do miss my family and I cry abuot coming back home but they have convinced me to stay back here).

Hope this helps.

hmmmmm

'Solid' Topic! From experience i know it's difficult to get a job that matches your qualification if u hold a student visa in UK. Some years back, i received a job offer from one of the Financial Institutions in the UK but when they realised i had student Visa, it fell through.

But hey, after graduating from school, i was fortunate to get  an EEA Visa, went back to them and i eventually got a nice job.

Lucky me.

@poster, very nice topic
almost everything on this topic has been discussed

as for me with my 18months experience in project management, planning to be specfic, i am waiting for the that job in 9ja and very sure i would be on the nxt plane to MMA

its high time i get a savings account,

nice topic
bagged ma degree in 9ja. worked for a few years, went to a top school abroad and ran home just immediately after i took ma farwell pics.

Bros, Jobs were just everywhere cos of
1) the experience i had working with a consulting firm
2) the gaduate school is highly rated in the world
3) added qualifications while studying ( CFA)

Like others have said. If u think u can get a job that will add to what u have learnt in school, then stay but if u know its hopeless staying, u shld jump on the plane and come home. Ur foreign degree is always an attraction to employers.
I do not mean London Met o!

This is a very good post by the way, my own situation was different cus I am not based in the U.K. I worked for close to a year before coming out here for my MSc, I was getting paid peanuts in naija, and I was also discontent with a lot of things, hence my bailing. Anyways over here Msc is 2 years, I roughed it on a partial scholarship, when the cash finished, I had to get a job, it wasn't easy, things were against me esp the language barrier, I mean, I couldn't speak the language, I could have taken a course but that would have eaten into my 2 yr deadline for finishing my programme.
Anyways I got a job, which I paraded as an internship for 6 months (using naija sense), and they recognized the experience I had in naija which led to them paying me quite a high amount. Thank God, I didn't have to do menial jobs to survive here, thats quite a demoralizer considering your level of education.

After that was over, and all, I began applying for jobs here towards the end of my Msc study, it was tough, most companies would just screen you out immediately cus of the language, some would tell you you weren't good enough, weren't smart enough, etc, but I kept on sha.
Thank God, finally I got 2 offers, one with a local dutch company here, one with an international one, I chose the international, and they recognized my experience in naija and also here, plus my MSc. I thought about naija, but men, like someone said, 10,000 people go dey write bank test, wetin naa? I had a friend who could not get a job in naija after his foreign MSc, he had to go back.
So, it would be better if you stayed here, and got a job before coming back to naija. The main thing is to sell yourself, thats the main thing, selling yourself, Some interviewers would ask me, "Why should I hire you?" point blank, and they would look me in the eye, cus not looking someone in the eyes here indicates you have something to hide, and I had to come up with an answer sharp.
So men, if you can get experience in naija before MSc, that would be good, and apply for jobs during your MSc, don't wait till you are done, and you just have to convince these people that you are the best man for the job, and not allow the thought of "competition" from any oyibo to faze you. And also don't forget baba God, , its a test of character, you just gotta convince yourself you are the best, irrespective of color, language, etc.

Nice feedback from left right and centre every1, im sure you agree with me that posting this topic has brought out so many issues and would definately guide anyone faced with this dilemma in making a decision. Well as for me, im still here alright, luckily for me ive got a job i do (doing customer service, definately not what i want) which pays quite an ok amount of money every month, i plan to do some professional courses (prince 2 and six sigma) to be specific while i still scout for proper jobs.

Please guys comment on this, does this make sense? i mean the professional courses, im of the inpression that they would add to one seling himself for a job over here, or should 1 wait to get some experience before doing these courses.
I think its worth doing now anyway, pls respond guys
cheers.

Take your degree and run home! 7 million Naira, compared to 24 thousand pounds per annum. Nna, I will be on the next flight to Naija. Mine be say, I dont even desire to live in Lagos, but my hometown, Uyo.

this topic has brought out alot of issues peeps are facing, yeah.
what i would like advice on is that as an engineer , if work as a customer service or stuff like that which has no relationship wt ur profession at all, can u still bring that forward as an experience when searching for an engineering job in naija?

At least that could go to prove that u've not been idle, that u've been hard working and only waiting for God's appointed time.

This is a very good topic, Actually, I thought I was alone in this predicament.
I just graduated from a very reputable school in the UK, but it has been terrible (almost impossible) getting a job in my field (oil and gas) being that I have no work experience, and work permit. I have been turned down by over 30 companies (no kidding!)

However, I got two temporary jobs- not related to my field in anyway, one is actually a job as a sales assistant in 'Next'. But I am very confused! I dunno if it is worth doing while waiting to get the job I desire, Or to fly back to Nigeria and try my luck.
What do you guys think?

Zion_Queen:

This is a very good topic,  Actually, I thought I was alone in this predicament.
I just graduated from a very reputable school in the UK, but it has been terrible (almost impossible) getting a job in my field (oil and gas) being that I have no work experience, and work permit.  I have been turned down by over 30 companies (no kidding!) 

However, I got two temporary jobs- not related to my field in anyway, one is actually a job as a sales assistant in 'Next'. But I am very confused! I don't know if it is worth doing while waiting to get the job I desire,  Or to fly back to Nigeria and try my luck.
What do you guys think? 

Expand your horizon, who knows, you could strike it in Nigeria. For me, honestly, if I am blessed with a job in Naija making over 7 million Naira, plus remuneration packages aka fringe benefits, I am heading home immediately.

@zion

give yourself a timeframe to get a job. Do not get lost in the rat race in that soceity. If you do not get something within your timeframe, then hit 9ja! something must drop!!