STRONG 2.1, NO JOB TEST INVITE AFTER ONE YEAR POST-NYSC, WHAT COULD BE WRONG?

Good evening Mr Jarus,

I’m overwhelmed with your blog, I’m a first timer and indeed I’ve learnt a lot within this short time of reading your blog.

It was my quest for solution to my career problem that helped me to discover your blog. I have some personal questions and I wish you can respond: I’m a graduate of Microbiology and had a very good grade (4.41/5), but I’ve been finding it difficult to get a job since I completed my NYSC last year February. I don’t even get any feedback from any of the establishments after forwarding my application.

I really sense that something is wrong somewhere, which I’m eager to discover. I’ve tried gatecrashing too but I’ve not been lucky.

Please I’ll appreciate your HELP.

Thank you.

Funke

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Dear Funke,

Having a strong 2.1 (almost First Class) in Microbiology, you have done a good job. My general viewpoint is, not getting a job within 6 months of completing NYSC, even if one had a First Class, is not a bad situation yet. But your case has crossed this threshold, meaning you’re right to be highly concerned.

I sense your issue is lack of information. Information is very critical in job search. Are you in Lagos or still in your village? Are you just sending CVs to redundant email addresses on company websites or have you tried talking to your friends who work in some companies to help you drop your CV in their companies? This is because insiders know the right person in the company to drop CV with to facilitate invite for test.

You can even do what is “cold emailing”. You come across the email address of anyone (e.g Bank Manager or Director or just anyone) in newspapers or anywhere, maybe published for different purpose (speakers at a conference, etc), you can send a nice email to that email address and attach your CV asking that he help you pass to right quarters in your company. There is no harm in trying this unconventional move. It’s part of job search process. This makes a lot of difference. Not all jobs are advertised.

Also, how old are you? Could it be your age that is stalling your chances in the selection process? Most companies today look for graduates below 26 years.

I don’t think your course of study is an issue. Many companies don’t mind course of study for entry level, except for very specialist roles like engineering, medicine etc. Just two days ago, I just coached someone for interview for a top oil company. He studied Management and Psychology.

I also hope you are not looking at jobs that specify “we want Microbiology graduates” alone. I can sense from your email that you don’t mind any company.

Professional services firms and banks still remain one of the biggest any-course recruiters today. I will therefore advise you look in the direction of firms like PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte, Accenture, and banks. They don’t care about your course of study.

There have been many graduate trainee programmes in recent time. I don’t know whether you have been applying. But I think you should explore that too.

Most importantly, I will advise you stay close to JarusHub (try and read our past articles) as we have treated this subject extensively in the past.

I wish you all the best.

Jarus

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