5 Things You Should Do If You’re Unemployed Besides Sending Applications

“What has this country come to? I mean you work so hard in school, pay a lot of money to get an education in the hope of securing a job and getting back your return on investment. But things never seem to work out. What exactly are employers looking for that they are not telling us because I have been looking for a job for over two years and I seem to be stuck in the same place?” laments Margaret in an email.
Margaret is just but one of the many job seekers out there still hoping that a light will shine their way. I know that if you are reading this your situation is not any different from what she is going through.
It is a cycle that keeps eating into our society where thousands of graduates are churned out every year all of them hoping to secure a slot in any of the companies in Kenya? But is the situation that dire that we cannot salvage it?
Will all these talents – accountants, IT, procurement, communication, go to waste just because the job market does not favor them?
As a job seeker, has it ever occurred to you that there are so many other things you could be doing to pass time that don’t involve sending hundreds of applications every day?
I have a few friends who we graduated with but have never managed to secure jobs in their areas of specialization and this is the advice I give them;
1. Consider taking temporary of contract assignments
I know most of us don’t like thinking about temporary jobs or working on a contract for minimal pay but if you are jobless, this is something I highly recommend.
The goal here is get other people to see your work and what you are capable of even if it’s just for three or six months.
I have been in the job market for a while now and one thing I have noticed in all companies is that nobody will reprimand you for taking on extra roles.
I mean you could get a contract job as a sales executive but nothing is stopping your from interacting with the procurement department if that is your field just to see how they work.
Recruitment starts with who you know and this kind of initiative will get your foot through the door.
It may not do much, but I believe that someone somewhere will take note even when it feels like you are not doing anything at all.
The universe does not punish you for putting yourself out there and being vulnerable.
2. Take a class if you have the means
I know what you are thinking. I mean “I already have my diploma or degree and it hasn’t secured me a job so why the hell would I need to go back to class for another certificate that will just be as useless?”
You have a right to think like that after all, it’s the truth. But when I say go back to school, I don’t mean, go and get yourself another certificate or degree. I am talking about sharpening your kills that will give you an edge in the job market.
What happens when you send an application and beside that diploma or degree you have acquired other skills like digital marketing, leadership, communication through short courses that you have pursued while you were jobless?
At the end of the day, what I can assure you is that employers value skills more than experience or educational competency?
You never stop learning in your career so the more skills you acquire the more attractive an employer will find you.
So if you have the means, short professional courses won’t take you more than 6 months to pursue. It will be worth it in the end.
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3. Start your own business
A while back, I published a story of Joyce Wagaki, a young woman who had to say enough is enough with unemployment and start a business because I figured that it would inspire someone.
As a Journalism and media student, she believed that her future was in the media industry. After all, she had an amazing voice to go with it.
Joyce spent a better part of her three years after graduation, looking for media jobs. She would send CVs accompanied by voice recordings because she believed she had what it takes to be the next Victoria Rubadiri.
It would take the intervention of her sister in China to realize that her future was in business. As of today, Joyce has claimed her spot in the Kenyan fashion industry and is the proud owner of Gaki Collections, an online shop that sells African custom made sandals.
Why am I telling you this? Most of the time what holds us from taking that leap of faith to become entrepreneurs is the belief that we don’t have enough capital to launch a venture that would succeed.
But would you believe me if I told you that you don’t need millions to start a successful business? Even that 1000 that you think is not worth anything today can suffice.
Nobody ever succeeded by being afraid. You need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and realize that you have what it takes to make it.
I mean, a few of us were passionate about the courses we pursued, so how are you sure that you want to be an accountant if it was forced on you or it’s the only choice you had? Think about that.
4. Start your own professional blog
Has it ever occurred to you that you don’t have to look for employers but can let then look for you?
You have so much knowledge that you can share with the world. So why not start a blog that sells your expertise in your field to employers and ensure that you include it in your CV?
At the end of the day, you don’t have to work to gain the necessary work experience you need to secure a job.
All you need is a working computer and good writing skills. Position yourself as an expert and you won’t have to struggle for employers to notice you. And what better way to do it than through a professional blog?
5. Finally, create meaningful connections
If you have reached a point where your job search is not bearing any fruits, consider giving yourself an edge by seeking out meaningful contacts who can help speed up the process.
I am not talking about getting god fathers and bribing then just because you want a job but attending networking events and connecting with employers through LinkedIn.
You have no idea what you are missing out on when you don’t network.
There is one thing I have realized though. When we talk about networking, most people think of getting to know the likes of Bob Collymore, Tabitha Karanja or James Mworia.
In reality, you will never have an opportunity to get close to such people in the name of networking. So why not start small?
Start with those classmates who already have jobs and tell them that you are looking. Start with that HR manager of that SME on LinkedIn and create a connection with them.
The ball is now in your court
If you have been looking for a job for a while like Margaret, it’s about time you turned the tides in your favor. One thing I like telling job seekers is that, getting a job doesn’t mean sending hundreds of application every day. It doesn’t mean jeopardizing who you are just because you are desperate for a job. It’s in the quality of your applications. It’s in doing things that will give you an edge to stand out amidst the competition in the job market.