₦airaland Forum

Please my fellow Nairalanders, a brother is seeking for advise or let me say your next move.

Age: 40
Married: Yes
Kids: Yes
Job: Job Lost
Savings: Zero
Born alone, both parents dead.
Family Wealth: Zero
Connection: Zero

So here is a reality of a man seeking advise and opinion of next move.

Over 70 applications monthly
Over 8 interviews no offer

Can't drive and dont even have access to anyone to give car or Maruwa

Wife can't work due to health issues

New school fees is coming
New rent is coming
Feeding is a pure struggles
Data is by connect for me, I fit see 1G

In situation like this after all your struggles and ended up in this state, what Will you do next?

Forget about new skills ooo.

Mehn! I'm so sorry that you're going through this my good Sir. I honestly pray a way opens up for you soon to be able to stand on your feet, and may the grace of God grant divine healing to your spouse.

Stay Strong Sir.

For Next move:

When shitz hits the fan like this, and you are a responsible man who will not soil his hands or name to pursue ill-gains, then there is really just one way to go.

No job is too low, if it will put food on your table.

You didn't mention the line of work you're into, or what industries you're applying to - is it tech?

If things are very bad now, will it be possible to downsize as new rent is coming? Maybe defer the kids school resumption by one term, and homeschool them for now? Reason for this, is so that you can have some leeway to invest time and resources to securing a new income stream?

FlamingBulb:
Forget about new skills ooo.

This is the problem here.
Why forget about new skills?

kingthreat:
This is the problem here.
Why forget about new skills?

he said we should forget the only thing that would have helped him 💔💔💔. Anybody in modern day Nigeria that is without handwork\skill, no matter how educated is bound to suffer. Even when big work doesn't come as it happens sometimes, the little jobs that will be coming will be enough to take care of bills. Learning a skill is the best extra qualification a graduate can add to his certificate. Unfortunately, this guy missed out on this before getting married and having children, to learn skills now without any support and bills all around will be very difficult 💔💔

oz4real83:
he said we should forget the only thing that would have helped him 💔💔💔. Anybody in modern day Nigeria that is without handwork\skill, no matter how educated is bound to suffer. Even when big work doesn't come as it happens sometimes, the little jobs that will be coming will be enough to take care of bills. Learning a skill is the best extra qualification a graduate can add to his certificate. Unfortunately, this guy missed out on this before getting married and having children, to learn skills now without any support and bills all around will be very difficult 💔💔

You are the only honest person here.

oz4real83:
he said we should forget the only thing that would have helped him 💔💔💔. Anybody in modern day Nigeria that is without handwork\skill, no matter how educated is bound to suffer. Even when big work doesn't come as it happens sometimes, the little jobs that will be coming will be enough to take care of bills. Learning a skill is the best extra qualification a graduate can add to his certificate. Unfortunately, this guy missed out on this before getting married and having children, to learn skills now without any support and bills all around will be very difficult 💔💔

lol
Everyone is just talking about skills…small thing “Skills “

Is learning skills free of charge?

You need a job or savings to learn skills.

This is a dark spot to be . Life is full of ups and downs . Sending you prayers to overcome this asap🙏

kingthreat:
This is the problem here.
Why forget about new skills?

Oyah tell me the new skills hahahahahahaha
Bros...if reality hold you, you go forget all dis SQL, Data Analysis stuffs.
Person no see fees pay you want him to go and learn skills he will be required to pay 350k+ plus data/transportation.
Person no see food chop ubsay mk he go learn hand work for how long nah?

As its now you are in survivalling mode is either you get a labourer or factory job pending still you secure a 9 to 5 job.
If you're in Lagos get some agent and liaise with, get some poster write flat to let with your details.the regulations fee will put small charge in your pocket

FlamingBulb:
Oyah tell me the new skills hahahahahahaha
Bros...if reality hold you, you go forget all dis SQL, Data Analysis stuffs.
Person no see fees pay you want him to go and learn skills he will be required to pay 350k+ plus data/transportation.
Person no see food chop ubsay mk he go learn hand work for how long nah?

Is your idea of skills only things like SQL, Data Analysis, etc?
What happens to Plumbing, Tiling, Carpentry, Mechanic, Welding, Painting, Mason, Solar installation, CCTV installation, AC repairs,etc?

Free2Fly:
Is your idea of skills only things like SQL, Data Analysis, etc?
What happens to Plumbing, Tiling, Carpentry, Mechanic, Welding, Painting, Mason, Solar installation, CCTV installation, AC repairs,etc?

I don't suppose he can learn that within anything less than 6 months and even at that he still has to look for contacts to get jobs.

The only practical level of execution available so far is what that guy above said. There are lots of avenues in the real estate sector that doesn't require a formal skill. Liaisons, Agents, Contractors, and that's just real estates alone.

Choosing specific days to go around some ministries or government offices, it's easier to sniff out some small jobs that can help raise him a bit above the lowest lower class he is already at.

Passport offices, there are so many guys everyday there that doesn't even know jack shit about immigration but for some reason someone always runs into them and they help with registration and all that. Even with how digitized everything is, majority of first timers still needs someone holding their hands and climbing the ropes with the simple processes.

Same goes for all agencies.
You think everyone you see at the ministry of works or housing or whatever government agency is actually employed there?
Some go there daily to gather momentum, some just being recognized there daily is enough for credibility to get your foot in the door.

Same goes for Port, Loading stations for petrol, diesel, even granite and gravels.. no special skills required, just have a decent customer relations aptitude, general attentiveness to needs and sourcing them. You should be fine after that 6 months you will want to be using in learning new skills. Advantage of this is that as you learning the ropes you are still in some ways on the low key as entry level earning something.

Like I said the goal is to first lift himself and the family out of the lowest lower class realm. Afterwards, he can diversify with learning upper trade skills or something within the tech area. But for now, my brother start where it's much closer to you.
A lot of men started from Saw mill, just helping people sourcing planks, some end up having their saw mills and plank plants.
Truth is nothing is invaluable in life.
Some people start from selling sand and build empires from it.

This is one of those situations where motivational quotes won't pay rent or put food on the table. At this point, survival becomes the priority.

If I found myself in this position, I would swallow my pride and focus on getting any honest income while still applying for jobs. A temporary job is not the same as giving up on my career. I would do whatever is legal and dignified—sales, delivery support, security work, factory work, loading/offloading, cleaning, dispatch support (even without riding), market assistance, or daily-paid labor. The goal is to stop the financial bleeding.

I would also tell trusted people exactly what I'm facing. Many people suffer in silence because they're ashamed. Sometimes opportunities come through people who simply didn't know you needed help.
Since over 70 applications and 8 interviews haven't resulted in an offer, I'd ask someone in HR or an experienced recruiter to review my CV and interview performance. If interviews are happening but offers aren't, there may be something that can be improved.

I'd also speak to my landlord and my children's school before the deadlines. It's far better to have an honest conversation early than to disappear when payments are due. Some landlords and schools are willing to give extra time when they see genuine effort.

Finally, I'd remind myself that losing a job is not losing my value. Many people have gone through seasons like this and found their way back. The key is to stay alive, stay honest, keep applying, and keep creating opportunities to earn, no matter how small, while waiting for the breakthrough.

To anyone in this situation: you're carrying a heavy load, but don't carry it alone. Ask for help. Keep moving. One opportunity can change everything. ❤️

FlamingBulb:
Please my fellow Nairalanders, a brother is seeking for advise or let me say your next move.

Age: 40
Married: Yes
Kids: Yes
Job: Job Lost
Savings: Zero
Born alone, both parents dead.
Family Wealth: Zero
Connection: Zero

So here is a reality of a man seeking advise and opinion of next move.

Over 70 applications monthly
Over 8 interviews no offer

Can't drive and dont even have access to anyone to give car or Maruwa

Wife can't work due to health issues

New school fees is coming
New rent is coming
Feeding is a pure struggles
Data is by connect for me, I fit see 1G

In situation like this after all your struggles and ended up in this state, what Will you do next?

Forget about new skills ooo.