Take any challenge that comes your way, it might not be what you are looking for but once you get the experience you will get there.
Nothing will make you feel good as getting invited for job interviews for almost half of the applications you make. But shouldn’t you be worried when you don’t get any job offer despite getting past the screening stage? It implies your interview tactics need polishing.
Alex Onsongoh can relate to this very well. His is a story of resilience - having been invited for up to 8 job interviews with no job offer in sight, he kept on looking for opportunities. It didn’t take long before he landed his dream job as a Branch Manager at Platinum Credit.
Here’s how he found a job that he’s passionate about.
Hats off to you! You recently got a job through Fuzu. Which company is this and how is the going so far?
Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Well, I am currently working with Platinum Credit Limited, a middle–level microfinance bank. The Company has been in service for 15 years, I must agree it’s a great opportunity to be among a team of professionals who are working thoroughly towards the realization of the organization's goals and mission.
Walk us through a day in the life of a Branch Manager.
Well, that’s a great question. A branch manager in Platinum is actually a servant, a leader and a support system of the branch. I believe, we all have dreams, in the end, we want to do what we love most as opposed to working. Basically, as a manager I am responsible for the administration of the branch, training and mentoring of the sales team, hiring and sometimes firing. My day is always interesting. My day starts at 4 AM. I check and respond to my emails. Go through my diary and finally go through Business Daily to know what is trending in the business world. I normally take my breakfast at 6.00 AM as I jet off to the office.
My day at the office starts with an early morning session specifically focusing on training and mentoring, done daily at 7.00 AM. This is my initiative at the branch, it has been embraced now in the coastal region in a span of 3 months, I am confident the whole organization is going to embrace this too. It has really borne fruits; I believe motivation is like bathing, that’s why it is recommended daily. After I am done with the appointments, my day ends at 1700hrs. I check out and go to the gym before going out to Mnarani Club where I am a member, for a social drink as I network to trigger more businesses and professional relationships.
What do you think made you stand out of all other applicants that job seekers can put in play as well?
Being steadfast, consistent, confident, a go-getter and prayerful. ‘God before anything’. The market has changed, and employers are looking for key distinct features in candidates. Looking for a job opportunity in this era of thousands of unemployed graduates calls for patience, consistency in job application and research in opportunities. Being ready to take any challenge that comes your way, can really catapult you to a whole range of opportunities. My advice to the young graduate Job seekers is:
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Don’t look for a job opportunity because of a salary, look for an opportunity in what you love doing i.e. Let your hobby/what you love doing pay you as you are enjoying doing it.
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Take any challenge that comes your way, it might not be what you are looking for but surely once you get the experience you will get there.
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Don’t complain whatsoever Proverbs 18:21 I quote “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” If you get an opportunity be thankful and avoid complaining about workload, salary or colleagues just mind your own business, pray, and work.
How did you come across Fuzu and what was your first impression?
Well having taken a break and had a meeting with myself on what I really want, I decided to pursue opportunities in Sales and Marketing, being what I enjoy most. A friend of mine told me about Fuzu and I must admit this is a great organization. I got my dream job because of you guys.
How has Fuzu been instrumental in helping you achieve your career goals?
Fuzu has helped in preparing my resume, career lessons and courses online has streamlined my skills to the market wants thus gearing me up to the opportunities matching my expertise and skills; this is how I landed in Platinum Credit.
What motivated you to keep applying for jobs even after not securing a job after going for up to 8 job interviews?
Having achieved versed experience from Barclays Bank Limited as an Area Retail and business sales manager, gave me the confidence of applying for jobs and holding my head high, knowing that every dog has its day. I lost two of the opportunities because the employers confessed they couldn’t afford me and the other three because my experience didn’t match what the employer was looking for i.e. possessing over 6 years of experience in the banking and insurance industry while the employers were looking for an expert in the FMGDS. Secondly, I'm a go-getter I wouldn’t stop at anything until I achieve what I want.
You got several job offers from the previous job interviews that you thought were unsuccessful. How did you arrive at the decision to go for the job that you now have?
Well, I got a call from the two employers who had initially confessed they couldn’t afford me. They wanted us to discuss the salary, but by then I had landed myself the position of Branch Manager, come on, who would forfeit this kind of opportunity?
Having successfully gotten a job through Fuzu, in what ways do you think other users can optimally use Fuzu?
Well, I would advise other users to constantly use Fuzu, become premium users and take advantage of the online courses. They should invest in themselves and at least have a Fuzu life coach. Constantly updating their resumes would do them good too.
You’ve listed Italian as an additional language. How has learning a foreign language benefited your career?
'Grazie mille fuzu famiglia per avermi dato questa possibilità’
Translation: “Thank you Fuzu family for giving me this chance.” I spoke earlier about the key distinct features in every candidate during an interview, working in the south coast region, most of the creme de la creme customers are Italians. Being eloquent in Italian has really made it easier for me to interact and make businesses from the relationships I have made.
You seem to be an ambitious person. What are your career goals and what are doing to get there?
Thank you for the compliment. Well, among my career visions, stewardship tops, I believe in leaving things better than I found them. I know happiness and satisfaction are contiguous, and I believe I am a servant to both customers and colleagues as opposed to the “boss” perspective most managers possess. Working in this corporate world calls for integrity, that’s my bread and butter. Am focusing on my career growth currently, I am a student at Kenyatta University, advancing my studies and soon with a masters’ degree in Marketing and sales am confident I will be a country sales director in Company ‘X’
Most managers are bosses and bosses tend to bring people down, very few managers are leaders and servants of their subjects, these are the ones who catapult their subjects to another level.
