Tired of Tarmacking? Best 7 Tips for Finding a Job in Kenya

Tired of Tarmacking? Best 7 Tips for Finding a Job in Kenya

Most job seekers I have observed don’t know that finding a job in a very competitive environment like ours is a full time job. As a job seeker, you cannot take your job search for granted and lightly. You have to bear in mind that you are competing with some of the most organized, focused and intelligent people.

I’d like to point out some weaknesses that many of you might be having, which have contributed to the constant turn down by employers.  On the other hand, you will find out which 7 things you must consider in order to find a job, or a better one.

How To Find a Job in Kenya 

1.First and foremost, take a personal inventory

A personal inventory will entail the following questions: What are you about? What skills do you have? What do you want to do? What do you want out of life? etc.

Before you begin your job hunt you need to know where you are going. You cannot afford to apply for a job just for the sake of it.

So, the first tip is to make an inventory of who you are and what you want.

2.Apply directly to an employer

Pick out the employers you would be interested to work  with and obtain their addresses. After applying you can decide to visit their offices to drop your CV.

I know that it can be annoying to an employer if you keep showing up to his office with a brown envelope asking for a job. Sometimes it comes off as being desperate, but you have to do everything it takes to secure a position somewhere.

An important thing to point out is that when you visit the employer, you should not just drop the CV without supporting evidence that you can work.

If you are a graphic designer and are looking for a graphic design job at Citizen TV, for example, carry a sample of some graphic design work you have created for citizen, for the purpose of getting a job with them

You need to prove that you can perform, and for most employers, seeing is believing.

3. Ask relatives and friends about jobs where they work.

Why should your relatives be doing well and climbing the corporate ladder, whereas you are struggling? It’s time to meet up with them. Call them up and ask them to connect you with opportunities.

And, you don’t have to start as a Manager or an Officer.  You can get a job as an assistant, even if it’s without pay, and work your way up in the company.

Read about James Mworia, the highest paid CEO in Kenya, who begun working as an Intern in the filing department. His story will inspire you to be humble and to take every opportunity, however small, and bring out the best out of it. Read His  Story Here 

4. Search hidden job markets.

The hidden job market is simply networking. I personally got a job through networking. I attended a graduation party and started talking to one of the ladies I was sitting next to. As we were getting to know each other, I learned about an opportunity, of which I applied and got the job.

Networking is the most valuable asset you have.

5.Concentrate your job hunt on smaller companies

If you have noticed, most UN jobs require the applicants to have experience working in any UN body. That is quite a ‘harsh’ requirement, but that’s their policy and you can’t change it.

That explains why very few people who apply for UN jobs actually get them.

Now that you know that, you need to focus your attention on Companies that are likely to take you in. Focus on smaller companies. There you are sure you will grow and climb the career ladder very fast.

Related Article >>> Why You Should Target Small Companies for Your First Job

6.Accept a temporary position or volunteer work

The problem I have noticed with many job seekers in Kenya is that they want to be successful overnight. They want to wake up as CEO’s, but they forget it takes time.

No great job is going to find you complaining or sleeping. It will not come on a silver platter. You have to go through the process, even if that means accepting a volunteer job with Red Cross or an NGO.

You have to play your part, however small it looks, and then God can do the bigger things.

7. Update your resume

Your CV must be on point at the end of it all. I recently came across a CV and cover letter sent by a job seeker that was totally unrelated to the job he was applying for.

He had used the cover letter for a different job and just recycled it for this job that was in a totally different profession.

These are some of the things that are contributing to the high rate of unemployment in Kenya.

You have to cultivate excellence and diligence when looking for a job. There are no short cuts.

Do you have any questions or comments? Leave them below. Susan is a Communications Officer ate Career Point. Email: susan@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke

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