How to find a job in Kenya
Looking for a job is a job all by itself. It takes a lot of your resources and time to find a job in Kenya currently as opposed to how it was a decade ago. According to a survey recently done by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, seven million Kenyans are not employed. This high unemployment rate has been attributed to the economy is dwindling, the long election period which forced the investors and companies to be a bit hesitant to stretch their investments and not to mention the high competition of job seekers.
With or without academic qualifications, the sword cuts both sides. In fact, so many graduates are unemployed yet there are thousands of Kenyan youths graduating every year. About 1.4 million of the unemployed are desperately looking for work while the rest gave up and others have opted to go to work.
So, irrespective of the saddening statistics, how do you go about finding a job here in Kenya? First is to know where to find the jobs
Recruitment firms
There are several recruitment agencies that are known to record a higher recruitment rate to its applicants. Am saying this because I know some who will not get you even a single interview invite in a whole year yet they ask you for registration fees.
It is important that you understand how the recruitment agency works, some don’t charge anything while others charge, others will deduct a certain percentage of your first salary while others just only get paid by the company. Only deal with well known credible agencies are some are just shrewed. They will ask for unnecessary charges and still not get you the job.
These recruitment agencies also offer CV customization, interview coaching as well as career advice. These are services that you may want to consider.
Networking
Reach out to your friends, family, acquaintances, church mates, basically your network. Let them know that you are job hunting and what exactly you are looking for. Keep following up with them so that they know you are still looking for a job and once you get let them know.
I find that this is the easiest way to find a job since one of your networks always know someone looking to hire, at least most of the time. So start building a network if you haven’t; a network of valuable and resourceful people.
Recruitment sites
Sites such as Brightermonday, Career point , and the likes have hundreds of jobs posted every day. Employers find this to be an affordable way to get the right candidates as well as a way to cast their nets wider.
Register on these sites and fill in your profile and attach your academic qualifications. From there log in and check if there are jobs matching your skills and apply.
Social Media
This is another platform that you cannot just overlook. Employers are always posting vacancies on their social media platforms, so try and be active on the social media platforms. Also, there are groups that have been formed for jobseekers, try and join then. People share job vacancies as well as tips on where to get jobs.
Check also, companies’ websites, on the career section. They usually post vacancies on this section.
What are the best times to find jobs?
- Towards the end of the year. I don’t know if it is a Kenyan thing, but most people resign or quit their jobs during the end of the year.
- The first quarter of the year. After the long December holidays, companies tend to hire a lot as they have put new strategies in place, assessed their financial muscle during the end of year financials and with the new resolution hype most people look for greener pastures and some even quit or resign.
- When you still have a job. This is the best time since you are relaxed and not desperate for a job so you will have time to network and package yourself well for a new job. You will also not just settle for any job but for the job you really desire.
- When your career path is evidently clear. Once you figure out what it is that you want to do with your career and where it is that you want to go.
- When the industry is booming. It is obvious that companies will have the financial muscle to hire more staff.
Mistakes that most job seekers do during interviews
Now that you know where to look for the jobs , let’s look at some of the mistakes that you should avoid when called for an interview so that you job hunting efforts don’t go to waste
- Not preparing well for the interview. An interview is what stands between you and that dream job so you have to really prepare for an interview so that you don’t mess up.
- Not articulating your achievements. When you are given a chance to explain your achievements and skills, this is a chance to show your potential employer why they need to hire you. Show practical examples and if possible have a portfolio or samples ready with you. This is a sure way to stand out.
- Trying too hard can be detrimental. It is okay to want to impress your potential employer but don’t be too much on it as well. Don’t talk too much, act too knowledgeable, interrupt your interviewer and don’t belittle your interviewer.
- Being overconfident. Remember that everyone who has come to the interview, just like you, are already qualified for the job going by their resume. So don’t think that the job is already yours just because you were called for the interview. You still have to explain your qualifications.
- Don’t talk negatively about your previous employer no matter how mean and cruel they were. Find a subtle way to answer when you are asked why you left your previous employer.
I bet after this read, finding a job will not be much of a hustle any more. You are armed with knowledge so start your job search confidently.
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