₦airaland Forum

Where are the tips?

FILEBE:
Dream Job? Is there anything like dream job in Nigeria? You work wherever you find yourself ni o

That's the truth... it's not onlyDream job it's sleep Job!!!!
Ask majority of people working, they are not doing what they had planned doing, they are working with what they see
if the desirable ain't Available, the Available becomes desirable....

PatrickOkunima:
I'm posting this again for the benefit of those who didn't see it the first time.

“There are no jobs out there! It’s as simple as that” Only God knows how many times I have heard people make that remark. As a matter of fact, it’s gradually becoming a normal opening remark for encouraging undergraduates to venture into other things rather than searching for a white collar job.

As much as I support the idea of being an entrepreneur, starting your own business and being your own boss, I see no reason why an individual would invest over a decade of his life in being educated and not get to use the certificate for some years before venturing into other things, if need be.

In all sincerity, the ratio of available jobs compared to qualified applicants is very low, which means, to be gainfully employed in this part of the world, you must not just stand out, you must also know how to play your card rightly.

This post will explore the basic grounds that must be covered from your undergraduate days, during and after NYSC (National Youth Service Corp) program.

AS AN UNDERGRADUATE:

In my conversation with some set of students in Nigerian universities, I discovered that most of them don’t actually have the end in mind before commencing their degree program. They just want to be identified as an undergraduate, leave their parent’s house and enjoy the freedom that come along with it.

As an undergraduate, it’s never too early to starting thinking about what the future holds for you, such thinking will not only gear you up in preparing for what the field has to offer, it will also connect you with like-minded people. Below are the basic things your preparation must cover as an undergraduate aspiring to get his/her dream job after graduation.

1. Make Good Grades: The importance of graduating with good grades cannot be overemphasized. In Nigeria, it’s very important that you graduate with a minimum of second class lower division. But the central idea of getting your dream job is to stand out, this means; you should go beyond the fold and not settle for the national average grade. While in school, do your best to make at least second class upper division.

There is a popular saying that “Your destiny does not revolve around your grade” the truth is this; your grade as undergraduate degree is a co-determinant of your future job. Don’t be fooled by ridiculous examples of how Bill Gate dropped out of school, how Mark Zuckerberg left school mid-way into his degree in Harvard. In this part of the world, it’s a different ball game!

Your good grade will at least get you invites for interviews.

2. Learn How To Interact: Being sociable is one of the main reasons for going to school. The ability to interact with strangers and acquaintance in like manner is of great importance. Before you graduate, make it a point of duty to build up your self confidence, learn how to approach people and initiate a conversation, learn how to get people to listen to you, learn how to address a large crowd.

It’s a skill you would eventually tap into for the rest of your life.

3. Research about Your Field: Most undergraduates in Nigeria don’t even know that the course they’re studying existed, until they were admitted to study it. Rejecting the admission offer is not an option because it’s very stressful to get admitted in Nigeria, as a result of this, they accepted the offer and do what needs to be done.

The problem is that, they remain uninformed about the field, which leads to series of problem after graduation, issues such as role conflict and inferiority complex sets in, mainly because they know little or nothing about the course they studied as an undergraduate.

It’s very important to conduct an extensive research about your field of study before accepting the admission offer, conduct research on what the future holds for the field.

For example, years ago, Law used to be a very lucrative field, but now it’s not as lucrative as it used to be. I know of lawyers that can barely fuel their cars. It’s as bad as that. Even if you graduate with an excellent grade and your choice of course holds not prospect, getting your dream job might be a little bit difficult.

DURING NYSC:

The NYSC year is not entirely for fun as most people term it to be, it’s a year for meeting new people, exploring other people’s culture, gaining more knowledge and expanding your horizon. During your NYSC year, there are some things you can do which will greatly increase your chance of landing your dream job.

1. Make Good Friends: During the service year, you get to meet hundreds of people you’ve never met before. It’s a great opportunity of making new friends, creating lasting connection with people that matters. Try as much as possible to create a strong connection base for yourself, amidst fellow corp. members and in your place of primary assignment, make yourself known, engage in various activities.

When you’re done with your NYSC program, don’t burn bridges; keep your connection with friends active through various means. Often, good jobs are gotten based on referrals from existing connection.

2. Professional Certificates: During NYSC program, try as much as possible to get additional certificates to compliment your first degree. Most of the professional programs are offered at a relatively cheap price for corp. members. Look into programs that fit your career goals and get certified. Engineers and Biomedical science graduate can look into HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) program; Social science graduates can take professional exams in the management sector.

The idea is to conduct an extensive research into available programs that would give you an edge ahead of others.

3. Volunteer: In Nigeria, when it comes to job hunting, your level of experience also counts. Getting a job that requires some level of experience is synonymous to the chicken and egg issue. Fresh graduates would traditionally have no working experience in their field of study, making it difficult to secure the perfect job.

This is where the importance of volunteering comes in. In the end, your employers are looking out for your experience; they’re not interested in how much you were paid when gathering the experience. Search for corporations, groups and organization that are willing to take up volunteers or trainees during your NYSC program, get your foot into the right door, and before you know it, you’re already dining with the big boys.

AFTER NYSC:

The first six months after the NYSC passing out parade is probably the toughest period for fresh graduates, mainly because the unemployed ones will have no source of income, the regular feeding allowance from the government is over, stipends from parent is also over, and the little savings during the NYSC program would probably be spent on job hunting.The following are basic things that should be done during the waiting period after NYSC:

1. Tell your connections about your job search.
2. Make new connections.
3. Don’t wait while searching for the right job! Volunteer in related field, try as much as possible to be productive and add value to yourself
4. Be flexible

In conclusion, it’s never too late to start aligning yourself towards your dream job, even if you graduated with a poor grade, you can still add value to yourself by being certified in your field or enrolling for a graduate degree program.

Source: https://patrickokunima.com/2016/06/23/how-to-get-your-dream-job-in-nigeria-10-powerful-tips/

Great insights

Just by the way, check my signature;
https://www.nairaland.com/3258007/vida-divina-opportunity-financial-breakthrough#48017550

jaybee3:
Where are the tips?

look at your finger nails. the tips are lying there.
good morning sir.

adewumiopeyemi:
IN NIGERIA MY BROTHER THE SITATION IN NIGERIA IS GETTING WORST.... WITH OUT CONNECTION U CANT GET UR DREAM JOB FACT#

I didn't expect that from you bro
#NoOffence

noted!
rules, principle, guides, tips only works for as low as 5% of it readers. life can be too complicated at times.
just IMPROVISE ADAPT AND SURVIVE!

NigerDeltan:
(1) An average level-12 worker in the state government civil service earns NGN 60,000.
**** And this translates to NGN 60,000÷30= NGN 2,000 every day. This is LESS THAN the amount made daily by an AVERAGE HAWKER in the city.
(2) A freshly EMPLOYED GRADUATE BANKER in most NIGERIAN BANKS earns an average of NGN120,000 monthly.
***So everyday, you get NGN120,000÷30= NGN4,000 as the daily value for your work-life. By implication, this is LESS THAN the amount earned DAILY by an AVERAGE DRIVER in d city and in some villages.....
(3) If you are a FRESH GRADUATE EMPLOYEE in some oil companies, you earn an average of NGN300,000 monthly. So in a day your WORK-VALUE is NGN300,000 ÷ 30= NGN10,000
**** This is LESS THAN the daily amount earned by an IRRIGATION FARMER supplying vegetables to Lagos MARKETS, a TIPPER CAR DRIVER supplying sand for three BLOCK INDUSTRIES and CONSTRUCTION SITES just 3 times a day and DRIVERS of DANGOTE TRUCKS who have bought off the trucks at scrap value and are using them to convey products between villages and the cities for just five business owners.
--------->>>HOPE BY NOW, IT IS SINKING IN, RIGHT?
And when there is an ISSUE in the FAMILY that requires FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, the DRIVERS, HAWKERS and the rest are looking up to you with a WHITE COLLAR JOB.
(4) If you are an NYSC MEMBER, you DON'T need to be told that:
*****NGN19,800÷30 = NGN 660 is your worth on a daily basis.
I hope you know that PURE WATER SELLERS who own a shop, a pepper soup joint and a small TOYOTA COROLLA car to distribute pure water to five restaurants earn MORE THAN you & WHEEL-BARROW PUSHERS working on contract for three warehouses probably make MORE MONEY than you EACH DAY
............

The self employment folks on steroids. You didn't write about taxes, contributions, wages and salaries these guys pay. You didn't talk about the cost of doing business. I have done my analysis on pure water business and those folks don't make sh!t.

Wheel barrow pushers? They pay daily contributions, you didn't talk about the health hazards oh. Continue. Taxi drivers (I interact with them on weekly basis) that pay park fees, fuel costs, egunje to policemen, mechanic brouhaha etc. Ride on. It's also important to understand that some individuals are poor at entrepreneurship, however, they're proficient at management.

No doubt, government shouldn't feed individuals (why should they?). However, what you should advocate is for individuals to be diligent at what they do; working class or entrepreneurship.


Good one OP,

The topic has been explicitly dissected on Nairaland several times.
https://www.nairaland.com/2766326/top-10-most-employable-qualities
https://www.nairaland.com/2824340/things-learnt-during-interviews-no
https://www.nairaland.com/2193675/11-career-success-tips-students
https://www.nairaland.com/1886746/3-misconceptions-fresh-graduates-make
https://www.nairaland.com/3033600/how-ace-job-interviews-without

NigerDeltan:
HARD ANALYSIS:

Divide your SALARY by 30 days and see what you get (i.e. the number of days in a month and see the funny thing about your salary plan).
For example,

(1) An average level-12 worker in the state government civil service earns NGN 60,000.
**** And this translates to NGN 60,000÷30= NGN 2,000 every day. This is LESS THAN the amount made daily by an AVERAGE HAWKER in the city.

(2) A freshly EMPLOYED GRADUATE BANKER in most NIGERIAN BANKS earns an average of NGN120,000 monthly.
***So everyday, you get NGN120,000÷30= NGN4,000 as the daily value for your work-life. By implication, this is LESS THAN the amount earned DAILY by an AVERAGE DRIVER in d city and in some villages.....

(3) If you are a FRESH GRADUATE EMPLOYEE in some oil companies, you earn an average of NGN300,000 monthly. So in a day your WORK-VALUE is NGN300,000 ÷ 30= NGN10,000
**** This is LESS THAN the daily amount earned by an IRRIGATION FARMER supplying vegetables to Lagos MARKETS, a TIPPER CAR DRIVER supplying sand for three BLOCK INDUSTRIES and CONSTRUCTION SITES just 3 times a day and DRIVERS of DANGOTE TRUCKS who have bought off the trucks at scrap value and are using them to convey products between villages and the cities for just five business owners.
--------->>>HOPE BY NOW, IT IS SINKING IN, RIGHT?
And when there is an ISSUE in the FAMILY that requires FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, the DRIVERS, HAWKERS and the rest are looking up to you with a WHITE COLLAR JOB.

(4) If you are an NYSC MEMBER, you DON'T need to be told that:
*****NGN19,800÷30 = NGN 660 is your worth on a daily basis.

I hope you know that PURE WATER SELLERS who own a shop, a pepper soup joint and a small TOYOTA COROLLA car to distribute pure water to five restaurants earn MORE THAN you & WHEEL-BARROW PUSHERS working on contract for three warehouses probably make MORE MONEY than you EACH DAY

............

We shouldn't end at satisfactions from these earnings. We should be more proactive, create room for more income and strive to diversify our streams of income.

The earlier you wake up and smell the coffee, the better for you......

I know of someone right now who will say this is too ideal to be true but take your time and do this analysis over and over again, and you will grasp the crux!!!

STOP waiting for the Government to feed you, feed yourself and help the Government feed others. That is where we are in this age.

DO have an Entrepreneurial week ahead

lol, I love that spirit, you must be a real igbo man..

PatrickOkunima:
I'm posting this again for the benefit of those who didn't see it the first time.

“There are no jobs out there! It’s as simple as that” Only God knows how many times I have heard people make that remark. As a matter of fact, it’s gradually becoming a normal opening remark for encouraging undergraduates to venture into other things rather than searching for a white collar job.

As much as I support the idea of being an entrepreneur, starting your own business and being your own boss, I see no reason why an individual would invest over a decade of his life in being educated and not get to use the certificate for some years before venturing into other things, if need be.

In all sincerity, the ratio of available jobs compared to qualified applicants is very low, which means, to be gainfully employed in this part of the world, you must not just stand out, you must also know how to play your card rightly.

This post will explore the basic grounds that must be covered from your undergraduate days, during and after NYSC (National Youth Service Corp) program.

AS AN UNDERGRADUATE:

In my conversation with some set of students in Nigerian universities, I discovered that most of them don’t actually have the end in mind before commencing their degree program. They just want to be identified as an undergraduate, leave their parent’s house and enjoy the freedom that come along with it.

As an undergraduate, it’s never too early to starting thinking about what the future holds for you, such thinking will not only gear you up in preparing for what the field has to offer, it will also connect you with like-minded people. Below are the basic things your preparation must cover as an undergraduate aspiring to get his/her dream job after graduation.

1. Make Good Grades: The importance of graduating with good grades cannot be overemphasized. In Nigeria, it’s very important that you graduate with a minimum of second class lower division. But the central idea of getting your dream job is to stand out, this means; you should go beyond the fold and not settle for the national average grade. While in school, do your best to make at least second class upper division.

There is a popular saying that “Your destiny does not revolve around your grade” the truth is this; your grade as undergraduate degree is a co-determinant of your future job. Don’t be fooled by ridiculous examples of how Bill Gate dropped out of school, how Mark Zuckerberg left school mid-way into his degree in Harvard. In this part of the world, it’s a different ball game!

Your good grade will at least get you invites for interviews.

2. Learn How To Interact: Being sociable is one of the main reasons for going to school. The ability to interact with strangers and acquaintance in like manner is of great importance. Before you graduate, make it a point of duty to build up your self confidence, learn how to approach people and initiate a conversation, learn how to get people to listen to you, learn how to address a large crowd.

It’s a skill you would eventually tap into for the rest of your life.

3. Research about Your Field: Most undergraduates in Nigeria don’t even know that the course they’re studying existed, until they were admitted to study it. Rejecting the admission offer is not an option because it’s very stressful to get admitted in Nigeria, as a result of this, they accepted the offer and do what needs to be done.

The problem is that, they remain uninformed about the field, which leads to series of problem after graduation, issues such as role conflict and inferiority complex sets in, mainly because they know little or nothing about the course they studied as an undergraduate.

It’s very important to conduct an extensive research about your field of study before accepting the admission offer, conduct research on what the future holds for the field.

For example, years ago, Law used to be a very lucrative field, but now it’s not as lucrative as it used to be. I know of lawyers that can barely fuel their cars. It’s as bad as that. Even if you graduate with an excellent grade and your choice of course holds not prospect, getting your dream job might be a little bit difficult.

DURING NYSC:

The NYSC year is not entirely for fun as most people term it to be, it’s a year for meeting new people, exploring other people’s culture, gaining more knowledge and expanding your horizon. During your NYSC year, there are some things you can do which will greatly increase your chance of landing your dream job.

1. Make Good Friends: During the service year, you get to meet hundreds of people you’ve never met before. It’s a great opportunity of making new friends, creating lasting connection with people that matters. Try as much as possible to create a strong connection base for yourself, amidst fellow corp. members and in your place of primary assignment, make yourself known, engage in various activities.

When you’re done with your NYSC program, don’t burn bridges; keep your connection with friends active through various means. Often, good jobs are gotten based on referrals from existing connection.

2. Professional Certificates: During NYSC program, try as much as possible to get additional certificates to compliment your first degree. Most of the professional programs are offered at a relatively cheap price for corp. members. Look into programs that fit your career goals and get certified. Engineers and Biomedical science graduate can look into HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) program; Social science graduates can take professional exams in the management sector.

The idea is to conduct an extensive research into available programs that would give you an edge ahead of others.

3. Volunteer: In Nigeria, when it comes to job hunting, your level of experience also counts. Getting a job that requires some level of experience is synonymous to the chicken and egg issue. Fresh graduates would traditionally have no working experience in their field of study, making it difficult to secure the perfect job.

This is where the importance of volunteering comes in. In the end, your employers are looking out for your experience; they’re not interested in how much you were paid when gathering the experience. Search for corporations, groups and organization that are willing to take up volunteers or trainees during your NYSC program, get your foot into the right door, and before you know it, you’re already dining with the big boys.

AFTER NYSC:

The first six months after the NYSC passing out parade is probably the toughest period for fresh graduates, mainly because the unemployed ones will have no source of income, the regular feeding allowance from the government is over, stipends from parent is also over, and the little savings during the NYSC program would probably be spent on job hunting.The following are basic things that should be done during the waiting period after NYSC:

1. Tell your connections about your job search.
2. Make new connections.
3. Don’t wait while searching for the right job! Volunteer in related field, try as much as possible to be productive and add value to yourself
4. Be flexible

In conclusion, it’s never too late to start aligning yourself towards your dream job, even if you graduated with a poor grade, you can still add value to yourself by being certified in your field or enrolling for a graduate degree program.

Source: https://patrickokunima.com/2016/06/23/how-to-get-your-dream-job-in-nigeria-10-powerful-tips/

at op, I think this diagram sums up what you are saying

The security of your tomorrow depends on your actions of today. Secure your future today. See my signature

Nicely put op..

Phunkyposh:
That's the truth... it's not onlyDream job it's sleep Job!!!!
Ask majority of people working, they are not doing what they had planned doing, they are working with what they see
if the desirable ain't Available, the Available becomes desirable....

Comfam!

OP u 4gottth the most essential in our country....godfathers

They are there.

jaybee3:
Where are the tips?

LMAyedun:
Helpful.. Thanks OP.

You are welcome