Recruiters have seen it all when it comes to candidates. Here are some recruiter's secrets that will help your next job search.
From ’embellished’ resumes to a total lack of commitment, recruiters have seen it all! According to Statistics, Nigeria's unemployment rate is expected to reach 33% in 2022. This is an intriguing statistic because there are jobs available; however, it appears that many job seekers have limited knowledge of the key steps required to obtain a job in Nigeria.
Olaronke Blaize, a Senior Recruiter at Indicina, spoke with us about some of the things job seekers may do to improve their next job search:
What is your advice for job seekers?
1. Know what you want - The first step in getting a job anywhere in the world is deciding what kind of job you want and what industry you want to work in. For example, you might want to work as a consultant for one of the big four accounting firms or for a tech start-up. Defining what you want is a critical step in obtaining the right job. Decisiveness is key to effectively executing plans and achieving goals. This is the first step you must take to avoid silly job search mistakes.
2. Do your research - After determining what you want for yourself, the next step is to conduct extensive research on the competencies required to function in that desired role. You can check out future skills to better inform the skill sets you need to develop, as it highlights important skills that career-driven people need to hone for a successful career.
3. Get skills that match the job - It's now time to look inward. Take inventory of your current competencies and determine whether there is a skill gap between what you have and what you need to get that job.
It is critical to take the time to match your skills, personality, and aspirations to a potential job in order to find a role that will suit you. Working in a job you enjoy increases your chances of long-term career success and fulfillment, so it's critical to make the right choice.
Qualification requirements vary depending on the industry. Accountants, for example, are frequently required to be ICAN certified, whereas, in the tech industry, proficiency in the use of relevant tech stacks is important. Start by trying out some Free courses on Fuzu.
What are some productive job-search tactics that job seekers might employ?
Your job search strategy should include the following components:
-
Networking - Join communities of professionals in the desired role, such as Linkedin, Utiva, Dataleum, and Alumna Networks, to network. Increase your chances of being discovered as a professional in your field by expanding your network through these channels.
-
Raising awareness - Inform your network that you are looking for a new job; you never know who the link to between your next job is.
-
Volunteering - A variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) exist to support various causes. Find an NGO that aligns with your interests, and then decide how you want to support them. The intriguing aspect of volunteering is that it exposes you to a plethora of opportunities, ranging from expanding your network to improving your skillset.
-
Get a mentor - Find a seasoned professional who is not only willing but also able to provide career coaching services. Please keep in mind that a mentor does not have to be a seasoned professional with many years of experience; a mentor can be a successful professional with only a few years of experience. Wiscar, Wimbiz, Yesto30, and other mentorship networks are examples.
-
Upskilling - Upskilling prepares you for the new role by providing you with the ideal skill set required to perform well in that role. Even better, the internet has enabled you to upskill from the comfort of your own home. Take courses on Coursera, Utiva, Treford, and so on.
Any other professional tips that might help?
Yes, Leverage connections! - Follow Company Linkedin Pages to be notified when they post open positions or contact current employees or the company's recruiter for information on open positions. Shooting Taking career shots has recently proven to be an effective way to land the job you want. Don't be afraid to take a shot at it. The only thing worse than a missed shot is failing to attempt it at all.
So if you want to catch the attention of a recruiter, try out some of these tips and knock the ball out of the park. Start by applying for some jobs right here on Fuzu.
About Olaronke
Olaronke is a seasoned HR professional with expertise in people engagement, technical recruitment, talent management, and other core people operations areas. Over the course of her career, she has successfully set structure in startups with little-to-no people structure. Olaronke holds a Masters degree in Management from the University of Lagos, is an associate member of CIPM, and a member of SPHRi. When she isn’t working, Olaronke enjoys community volunteering and learning new languages. She is fascinated by technology hence her passion for helping technology startups scale their team. She currently leads the People Operations team at Indicina.
