Jobless? 4 Ways To Make Yourself More Marketable In Today's Job Market

By Lilian Wamaitha
The current rate of unemployement in Kenya are at a staggering high and this means being able to position yourself as indespensable as a job seeker.
Letting the employers know that you are unique and have something you can add to the company is the only way to beat joblessness. 
A past World Bank report revealed that nearly one in every five Kenyan youths of working age has no job with the unemployement rates standing at 17.3 per cent.
This means that you are not the only one job hunting.  
If you are still job searching, there are ways that you can grow your skills and become more marketable today. 

4 Ways To Build Your Skills If You Are Unemployed

1. Volunteer
There is no easier way to get an opportunity than availing yourself to work for free. Volunteering is a great way of keeping your skills up to date and a chance of learning new ones. 
One of the dreaded interview questions is “why have you been unemployed for a long time?” because Kenyan employers are very careful about employing someone who cannot take intiative to make themselves useful even without a formal job. 
While volunteering may not seem like much and may feel like you are being take  advantage of, the experience you gain is better off compared to that job seeker who has never been employed.
Instead of complaining about how there are no jobs, how about stopping off at that startup or NGO in your area and offer them your services for free?
Take up jobs that are relevant to your profession because something that small could open doors for you in the future.
2. Join a professional organization
Joining a professional body will not only be a big boost to your career but will ensure that you are recognized as a professional in your field.
A professional body gives you an opportunity to network with like minds in your industry. 
And just because you don’t have a job yet doesn’t mean you cannot join one.
3. Improve on the skills you already have
Learning a new skill is not only beneficial for your career but your personal development as well.
The skills you learn today will come in handy when you are interviweing for that posistion in your area of study. 
Whatever you do never stop learning. 
Take up any relevant training offered so as to equip you with the knowledge.
Related: Top 4 Short Courses To Pursue In Your Profession
4. Find where you are going wrong
Have you been applying for jobs without getting any response from employers? There must be something you are doing wrong.
Either your CV or job searching techniques are questionable.
Before you go on another round of heartbreak, kindly take a moment, evaluate and understand what you are doing wrong. 
Maybe you have been using a generic CV and cover letter for every application? Seriously? It’s high time you got yourself a professional CV that you tailor to every job you apply for. 
The time you are using to apply for jobs, could be valuable in building a solid career if you stop making some of the common job search mistakes everyone is making today. 
The take away
Even if you are jobless, don’t just sit there and wait for opportunities to come your way. Stay productive when unemployed and you will reap the benefits later on. 
The writer is a Communication Officer at Career Point Kenya. Got any job search related queries? Email them to lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke.