My experience with job by connection and lessons therein
Babatunde is the CEO and co-founder with Sycamore, a loan and investment firm based in Lagos
A linkedIn post morning just reminded me about my first job aptitude test.
I had just graduated from University then and a close family friend asked if I wanted to work with a very popular multinational. Of course I said yes! In my mind, I had the job already and thought to myself – so this is how “connection” makes things easy for people. “God you are good”🙌🏾
Anyways, I prepared a CV very fast with many blunders – another story. After all the corrections, my CV was sent to the MD with me in copy, along with a very nice introduction about how I would be a great add to the company. Again, I could already picture myself working in the fine office building. Tunde, you are doing well😎…or so I thought.
The MD replied and said I would be invited for an aptitude test. At the time, I didn’t know anything about job tests and thought it was just a formality. Did some light reading and went for the test.
Of course I failed woefully. Infact, nobody needed to tell me. For some reason though, I thought my “connection” to the MD would help. For where!!! HR sent me a mail saying they won’t be continuing with my recruitment process.
I learned 2 valuable lessons from that experience: your connections can only help you so much, and you need to be prepared even if they do.
I understand that there are levels to connections. In most cases though, they might only get you to the door, you’ll probably have to walk in and keep yourself there.
You’ve made so many great points here that I’ve read your post a few times. Much of your point of view is in line with mine.
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