How I Got My First Job After Giving Up On Job Hunting

As a fresh graduate, getting a job is usually the first thing you want to do as soon as possible. However, it soon dawns on you that getting it is not as easy as it seemed when you were back in school.

I recently had a chat with someone who landed her first job almost two years after graduating. This is her story.

How did you get the job?

I had actually given up on looking for a job when a friend asked me to drop my resume at this company that is always seeking to recruit. As I was doing nothing serious then, I decided to drop my curriculum vitae the following week.

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How was the interviewing process?

I attended two interviews. I was so used to being harassed at interviews by a whole panel that when I went for my first interview at this organization, I relaxed when I realized it was only one person interviewing me. The interview entailed meeting an individual from the operations department, who screened me on the basis of my basic skills.

A week later, I was called in for a second interview which was all about having to do a typing test and thereafter meeting a panel of interviewers. It was quite intimidating sitting there with all eyes on me. There is this interviewer in particular whose look made me feel so anxious (He is now my immediate boss).

One question from the panel that made me unsure of whether I would get the job was if I had worked in that particular field before. Since I had to be honest, I just said I hadn’t.

How long did it take to hear back after the interview?

I was called a week after the second interview and told to report for training that same day.

Which department were you allocated?

Something I need to tell you is that this job I had applied for is actually not what I studied for at the university. So the department I was allocated was the operations department.

What exactly does your job entail?

My duties include daily interactions with customers to inform them about the products, answering their questions about the products, entering and updating customer information.

How would you describe your working environment?

It is a very big organization, and we are put in teams. I know my team members very well and I have eventually gotten to know individuals from other teams too.

I have to constantly beat deadlines, thus working under pressure is the order of the day.

What was your salary range?

The gross salary for me was Ksh21,000. That was the starting salary, that was increased by Ksh2,000, every three months. The longer your tenure, the more you get.

What is the best experience in your job?

My best experience would be when I was recognized for my good work.

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What is your advice for job seekers out there?

Never stop trying. Everything happens in due time and as much as you may not get a job in the area you think you are good at, the experiences you get at that job will last a lifetime.

Ensure that your cover letter and CV put you in a good place as a candidate with zero experience on the job.

In your job now, are you currently looking for other opportunities?

Yes, I am. As I mentioned, I studied something different from what I am currently employed to do. I still hope to find a job that will challenge me more. I will be going back to school for a Master’s degree. So naturally, I am looking for more opportunities around my area of study. Whenever I see an advertisement, I apply. I hope for a better and brighter future.

The name of the interviewee remains anonymous to protect his/her privacy.