Top 10 Tips to land your dream job

Deborah Yusuf

As a fresh graduate or passing out corps member, getting a job becomes the priority. In a country where the situation is much more difficult and “connection” is required to get a well-paying job, you then have to better and strategically place yourself to get a job in your desired field or industry.

Successful job hunting in Nigeria requires using certain techniques to make sure you stand out to potential employers. Use these tips to help you succeed in a competitive market and get the job you want.

Job hunting involves more than searching for open positions and sending in your CV, you also need to make sure you’re a good fit for the job, you can catch the hiring manager’s attention and you are well-prepared to answer interview questions.

Check out these simple tips to help you land the job of your dream.

KNOW YOUR CAREER GOALS

As a starter, be sure of the industry you want to build a career in, know what skills, qualifications, achievements, certifications, etc you possess that will aid your success in the chosen career. Make sure you have a clear and realistic goal; a goal that is SMART (Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely), this will help you narrow your job search and focus your attention on the field that you’re most passionate about and sure of excelling in professionally.

If you are yet to choose a career path or confused on which way to go, seek professional help or advice from trusted person, career coach or professors.

 

PLAN AHEAD

Have a well written out plan on how you intend to go about your job hunting daily. As a job seeker you have ample time to do all that you want to do but you might end up doing nothing regarding your job search if you do not have a plan. You might eventually find yourself watching TV all day or simply surfing through the internet and wasting time away.

Have a plan and stick to it. Be intentional about what you want. Organize yourself and your schedule to search for jobs more efficiently. Determine how many hours per day or what days of the week you will dedicate to job hunting or networking.

 

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP ON YOUR CV AND COVER LETTER

Seek professional help on your CV and cover Letter, this cannot be over-emphasized. Your CV is your first point of contact with a recruiter and it determines by 80% your possibility of being called up for an interview or getting the job at all. Getting professional help on your CV also saves you time and most importantly enhance your CV and Cover Letter, thereby placing you at the top amongst other job seekers.

 

HAVE MORE THAN ONE CV – CUSTOMIZE YOUR CV

A major mistake that most job seekers make in their job hunting process is applying for different jobs with the same CV. Customize your CV to suit the role you are applying for. Study the job description to determine why you are a great fit. Then, add your skills, experience and measurable achievements that are relevant to that position. Strategies for seeking IT jobs in Nigeria will be different from that of seeking NGO jobs in Nigeria.

 

MAXIMIZE ALL JOB SEARCH RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Do not limit yourself to a single online job search or resource, explore other available options and use them to your advantage.

Reach out to companies or hiring managers in person or via networking platforms, attending career fairs, search social media or use a career counseling service. Use job search engines to find openings on job boards, company websites, professional associations and more. Sign up for daily or weekly job alerts by email.

Get registered on online job portals so you can receive instant notification when there is an opening in your chosen field.

 

INTENSE NETWORKING FOR JOS IN NIGERIA

Build your network; as the saying goes “your network determines your net-worth”, the people you know and who knows you would help a great deal in giving you opportunities for job placement.

Develop professional contacts both online and offline. Engage in conversations with people at seminars, social events, etc. Talk to people as much as you can and let them know you are job hunting, they might have connections or advice that can help you in your job search. You can also get recommendations for job opportunities via networking.

Join networking platforms like LinkedIn, get on professional groups on Facebook and Whatsapp.

 

GET REGISTERED ON ONLINE JOB PORTALS

Ensure you register on leading job portals in Nigeria where you will get instant notification on any opening in your chosen field or industry.

This will also aid your job search and better give you leverage for employment opportunities.

1. IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS

After choosing your field or career, identifying your skills that will help you excel on the field is also important. You also need to equip and develop yourself to compete better in the market. Get familiar with the trends and latest developments regarding your skill and the industry and ensure that you are up-to-date, possess a quality that stands you out from others.

Meanwhile, plan ahead by identifying personal experiences or accomplishments that highlight the skills needed for a certain job. Add these to your cover letter and use them during networking opportunities or job interviews. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action Result) to tell your story effectively.

As a starter who might have not garnered enough experiences, use your spare time to take up internship or volunteering positions with an organization in your desired industry. You can also take online courses or attend workshops to build your skills or learn technologies and processes relevant to your career.

2. DO NOT BECOME DESPERATE

So many young persons in the quest of getting a job become desperate and ready to settle for anything, employers end up taking advantage of them and on the long run they being to complain when things are not going as they envisaged.

In job hunting, you have to keep your calm and always be ready to sell yourself at not less than the value. Let the employer know that you are bringing value to the table and negotiate for mutual benefit. Do not at any point seem desperate for a job so you do not end up being used.

3. APPLY FOR JOBS REGARDLESS

Apply for jobs you are interested in regardless of the requirements. Depending on the position, employers might hire motivated job seekers who can learn quickly and provide them with skills training on the job.

If you meet a part of a job’s qualifications or requirement but believe you can succeed in that role, go ahead, and apply. Include examples of your work ethic, samples if any and ability to learn new skills in your resume. Also emphasize how your goals align with those of the organization.

4. CHECK WEBSITES OF RECRUITING COMPANIES IN NIGERIA

One last point is that you should also occasionally visit websites of several recruiting companies in Nigeria. Many of them have quality information that will aid your job search. You will learn about new companies hiring and some will even post new jobs they are hiring for. For example, the top IT recruitment company in Nigeria does provide regular information about IT jobs in Nigeria.