The end of your academic career can mean the end of hard work. You receive your certificate, you take pictures with family and friends and then relax after years of lectures, assignments, and tests.
However, someone decides to ask a question you would rather not hear:
“Where are you working now?”
Reality starts at this point.
You update your CV. You search for graduate jobs in Nigeria. You apply for an entry level position today, another one tomorrow and ten more jobs the next week. And then you wait.
Sometimes, there is no response.
Eventually, you might find yourself questioning whether you have enough qualifications, whether you need additional certificates, and why all employers expect you to have three years of experience to be employed at your first job.
I understand your frustration.
However, finding your first job requires more than simply looking for vacancies and sending CVs around. You should know which positions to aim for, how to market your existing knowledge, where to look, how to apply and what to do if your applications fail.
This guide will show you how to do all of this step-by-step.
What Graduate Jobs Can You Apply For in Nigeria?
A graduate job is simply any job that will give an individual who has graduated from university or polytechnics an opportunity to join the workforce and gain working experience.
However, many fresh graduates fail at this very beginning because they limit their job search to those with the title “graduate”.
But it does not have to be that way; there could be a job advertised by a company as a customer service representative, sales executive, administrative officer, junior analyst or marketing assistant and which does not carry the title “graduate job”, yet it will allow people with no experience to join, based on their skills or qualification.
Graduate trainee jobs
Many of the jobs advertised as graduate trainees are probably the most popular ones that graduates seek to join after school.
In such jobs, companies recruit individuals with some experience, train them and allocate them in various departments in the company.
Job titles could include:
- Graduate Trainee
- Management Trainee
- Trainee Analyst
- Graduate Associate
- Entry-Level Associate
These jobs work perfectly fine when one wants organized training in a specific profession.
Entry-level jobs
Entry level jobs can also be sought in fields including sales, customer service, finance, marketing, administration, technology, operations, human resources and communications.
It does not matter what the job title is. Consider the qualifications, the tasks involved, and determine if you can do them or learn to do them easily.
NYSC opportunities
Your NYSC year can equally contribute to your employment pathway. Some companies will recruit corps members, give them assignments, and retain the good ones.
Therefore, do not limit your search for employment to one specific opening known as “Graduate Job.”
Expand your thinking. You are searching for an opportunity to kick-start your career.
Can You Get a Job Without Work Experience?
It is possible that you lack formal work experience, but you could have experience through internships, NYSC, school assignments, voluntary work, freelance, or individual assignments.
Consider Tunde and Ayo who graduated and apply for the same position as an entry level marketer. While Tunde has no work experience at all but only managed the social media pages for a student group and assisted in promoting a business, Ayo only has a certificate.
In both cases, the two are fresh graduates, but one of them has the proof of skills.
This is what you should acquire.
What Can Count as Experience?
You might even have items that will go into your CV, such as:
- Internships
- NYSC or PPA experience
- Freelancing
- Volunteering
- Class assignments
- Leadership roles as students
- Personal assignments
- Part-time jobs
- Appropriate certifications
It is not just, “Have you ever worked?”
Ask yourself:
“Have I done something which demonstrates my ability to be of value in this job?”
If you took an accounting class and developed a financial model in one of your school assignments, tell me how you did it. If you were handling the social media management for any of the student bodies, tell me what you did.
What Do Employers Look for in a Fresh Graduate?
The employers realize that you are just beginning your career. They may not necessarily expect you to be knowledgeable about everything.
They want proof that you have the capability to learn, communicate, solve problems, interact and be accountable.
Therefore, do not feel like you should apologize for being a recent graduate.
Rather, demonstrate what you can offer and make it convenient for the employer to recognize your potential.
Step 1: Choose Your Target Graduate Jobs
Don’t begin your search by signing into ten job sites and applying for whatever catches your fancy.
Begin with an objective.
An ex-fresh graduate once said to me, “All I need is a job.” I told her, “You don’t need a job yet.”
I knew where she was coming from; she needed salary, any jobs that pays. However, that strategy makes it tough for you. Today you apply to sell, accountancy tomorrow, customer service the following week, and something totally unrelated the week after.
You are left in a tough spot as far as positioning yourself goes.
You should be able to tell them what you studied, what skills you possess and what sort of opportunity you’re after without telling them your whole life story.
For instance:
“I am a new graduate in accounting looking for opportunities in finance, accounting or auditing.”
Or:
“I am a communication studies graduate looking for entry-level positions in marketing, content or communications.”
As opposed to just:
“I am looking for a job.”
Choose Two or Three Job Categories
It is not necessary that you know precisely what will you be doing after 20 years from now. It is important to have a fair starting point.
List down:
- What have I studied?
- What am I good at?
- What type of work intrigues me?
- Which skills have I built up till now?
- In which industries do I want to work?
- Where can I work?
Choose two or three relevant career groups.
For example:
- Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience
- Accounting, Finance and Audit
- IT Support, Data Analysis and IT Operations.
What If I Don’t Know What I Want to Do?
This is normal.
First, you can decide on what you definitely do not want and then experiment with different roles using internships, projects, volunteering, NYSC, and entry level jobs.
Your first job is not a long-term commitment; instead, consider it your first step on the road. Once you start walking down the road, things will become clearer to you.
The current aim is very straightforward:
Decide on a direction and then go searching.
Step 2: Prepare a CV That Can Get You Considered
Once you have figured out the kind of positions that you are targeting, your CV needs to reflect the same.
In case of applications for marketing positions, highlights your abilities related to communication, research, digital work or creativity. In case of an accounting position, your expertise in accounting, project work, software and experience need to be highlighted.
You do not need to prove that you are an expert, but only that you are a worthy candidate for the employer.
What Should a Fresh Graduate Put on a CV?
Keep it clear and concise. Your CV may consist of:
- Contact details
- Professional profile statement
- Education details
- Internship/NYSC experience
- Projects (only those relevant to the position)
- Experience in volunteering or working
- Skills
- Training/qualifications
Don’t stuff your resume with unnecessary information just for filling up the page. If your information is not contributing to making your case, it shouldn’t be there.
What If You Have Little or No Experience?
Don’t just go around saying “No experience” and leave the employer wondering how your skills match.
Check through your projects in school, your internship, NYSC, volunteer experiences, freelancing, personal projects, etc. Describe how each is relevant to the job position.
Your CV should tell us one thing only: “Why should I consider this person for this role?”
Step 3: Find Graduate Jobs Using the Right Sources and Keywords
Knowing the kind of job you wish to get is one thing, but it’s also important to know where companies seek employees.
Do not rely solely on one site or expect vacancies to be forwarded to you. Good vacancies may turn up from more than one source, perhaps never making it to the big employment sites.
Check Company Career Pages
Write down the names of firms that you would be interested in working for.
Visit the firms’ websites, and take a look at their job pages from time to time. Many organizations post their vacancies on their websites, particularly those that offer graduate schemes.
Use Job Platforms Properly
Job portals will help you find vacancies, but avoid spending your whole day surfing on these portals.
Use search according to your required jobs. Save those jobs which suit you and then apply accordingly.
You can also check a trusted source, Oluboba Jobs. I handpick every role here myself so you can skip the noise, and land a job with confidence.
Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn will allow you to search for vacancies, network with companies, get in touch with recruiters, and meet people working in your area of interest.
Your profile must also highlight what you wish to do.
Tell People You Are Looking
Your network could be yet another avenue for opening doors.
Inform your previous classmates, lecturers, NYSC coworkers, friends, previous bosses and other professional contacts about your needs.
Do not just ask them to: “Please help me find a job.”
Tell them precisely what kind of work you are searching for:
“I need entry-level jobs in marketing or communications. Please let me know if you have anything.”
This will give them something to do. The more precise your search is, the easier it is for opportunities to find you.
Step 4: Apply Properly Instead of Applying Everywhere
Looking for the right vacancy is not the same as making a successful application.
You may send 100 applications and achieve nothing if you overlook the job description, send out the same CV for all the positions or don’t follow the employer’s guidelines.
You do not have to apply to each and every vacancy you come across. You have to apply to the right vacancies.
Before You Apply
Carefully read through the vacancy description and make sure that:
- You have the right education
- You have the required experience
- The location is suitable for you
- You have the right skills
- The deadline for submitting an application is not past
- There is a list of necessary documents from the employer
- In case you know that you do not have the right qualifications/experience, go ahead without wasting your time.
Tailor Your Application
Your CV should speak to the position you have applied for.
In case the employer is looking for someone who has experience in communication and customer services, it is essential that you highlight your experience in this area.
You should not fabricate experiences which you have not gained. Rather, you should place emphasis on the experiences which relate to the position.
In addition to the above, you must adhere strictly to the instructions given in the application process.
Keep Track of Every Application
Prepare a simple spreadsheet with:
- Company
- Position
- Date applied
- Link to application
- Name of contact
- Status
- Date for follow up
It helps you keep track of your job application process without getting lost in an email flurry.
The most important point is to never count your job applications only in terms of numbers.
Count your applications that really matter, number of interviews and lessons learned from every step of the way.
Step 5: Use NYSC to Build Your Employment Advantage
As long as you are still in service, do not look at NYSC as a mandatory year that you have to go through.
It is an opportunity to gain working experience, make contacts, and prove yourself worthy to contribute to any organization.
Your PPA might not be your dream job. Your PPA might even not be in the same field of study you pursued in school. However, if you take it up seriously, you will definitely gain something from it.
Take Your PPA Seriously
Identify chances to do more than just the bare minimum.
Ask questions. Understand how the organization functions. Offer yourself for valuable assignments. Keep a record of projects and problems you were involved with.
Do not be content with merely writing something like:
“Did some work at XYZ Company as part of NYSC.”
Think back about what you really did.
Did you handle customers? Write reports? Keep records? Work on a project? Boost sales? Plan events? Improve processes?
These could be useful in making a case for yourself in your resume and interview.
Start Your Job Search Before NYSC Ends
Do not postpone your plans after you have received your discharge certificate.
Start searching for vacancies, making professional contacts and applying for appropriate jobs even while you are on duty in the organization.
You might get the edge if there is a vacancy in the organization where you are working.
What if your PPA has nothing to do with your career? There is still much you can learn from that experience.
An economics graduate can learn customer service skills or even administrative skills at a PPA. An information technology graduate can learn communication skills or project management skills from his non-technical job.
Step 6: Build Experience While You Are Still Looking
How should one proceed if they have been seeking employment for months but have not gotten hired at all?
Do not allow the period of waiting to remain idle. You may gain valuable experience while continuing to search for work.
Also, certificates that are relevant can be more effective if one can exhibit the skill through a practical application.
If you’ve taken a course on digital marketing, practice digital marketing. If you’ve learned how to use Excel, apply your skills to resolve some problem. If you’ve learned about data analysis, analyze something and present your results.
Create Your Own Experience
Try to find little things to do that help you practice the kind of work you’re trying to be paid to do.
If you want to go into marketing, help a small company enhance its presence on social media or design a marketing strategy.
If you want to enter a data job, use a real-life dataset to develop an analysis.
If you want to become a professional writer, write constantly and create a small portfolio.
You can also gain experience by:
- Working freelance
- Volunteering
- Doing internships
- Doing short-term contracts
- Working on community-based projects
- Becoming an apprentice
- Doing personal projects
- Don’t focus on creating experience to put on your resume. Focus on doing something useful.
Step 7: Prepare for the Interview Before You Get One
Do not prepare only when you are invited to an interview by the employer.
As soon as you begin applying for positions as a graduate, get ready to have an interview at any moment.
Begin with the usual interview questions:
- Tell us about yourself.
- Why do you want this job?
- Tell me about a time you solved a problem.
- What do you know about our company?
When it comes to discussing teamwork during the interview, do not just give a general answer like, “I am a good team worker.”
Instead, tell the interviewer about a specific instance in which you worked with other people.
Research the Company
Before the interview, get a good understanding of what the company does, who their clients are, and what the job entails.
You don’t have to know everything about them by the time of your interview.
You just have to prove that you did not apply without any research at all.
The reason behind that is because the interview is not just the interviewer checking to see if you are the right fit.
It’s also the time you should decide if this job, the company, and the working environment suits you or not.
What If You Keep Applying and Nobody Calls You?
You have sent off applications to 20, 30, or perhaps even more companies but have not gotten one call back yet. What to do then?
First, do not rush into thinking that no one wants to hire you. Second, identify where the problem could lie.
There are different stages to your job search process:
- Finding the right position
- Submitting an application
- Getting an interview
- Doing well at it
- Receiving an offer
A breakdown at any of these stages means that you will not get hired.
You Do Not Receive Many Interviews
You might not get many interviews if you apply to companies where you do not meet the requirements.
Think about your:
- Resume
- Target positions
- Credentials
- Qualities
- Quality of application
- Experience/evidence
You Get Interviews but No Offers
Perhaps now it is about the way you interview for the job.
Assess the way you answer questions. Are your answers supported by examples? Have you understood the role? Have you researched the company?
You Can’t Find Enough Suitable Jobs
Your search could possibly be too narrowly defined.
Experiment with various job roles, industry sectors, regions and employers. The firm might have referred to the position as “customer experience associate” rather than “customer service officer.”
That is why your response to rejection should not simply entail sending out more applications.
Make a change, observe the results, make another adjustment. Your job search needs such consideration.
To learn more about job search strategies in Nigeria, refer to How to Find a Job in Nigeria.
Don’t Wait for the Perfect First Job
One thing I’ve seen many graduates do is wait for the ideal first job.
You graduate from university, you complete your NYSC and then begin the search for a job that meets the requirements in terms of pay, firm, designation, place and career progression. You keep waiting for a while.
The first job doesn’t have to be your dream job.
It must, however, advance you in some way.
A great first job will offer you income, valuable experience, necessary skills, networking and clarity of purpose. You could very well be out of there after a year or two and moving on to something much better.
Do not, however, mistake this advice with taking just any job.
That which offers you nothing but bad experience, poor conditions and stagnation might just not be worth the effort simply because you need the term “employed” in your resume.
Use This Simple Test Before Accepting a Job
When an offer comes through, pose these five questions to yourself:
Am I going to learn anything from this?
Am I getting experience that will help me land a better job?
Am I interacting with people or systems that will help me build up my professional experience?
Does the pay and overall package make sense for where I am at right now?
Can I see myself becoming more valuable after 12 months of doing this?
If you can answer positively to all of the above questions, this job may be a great stepping stone despite not paying quite what you wanted.
If you answer negatively to most of them, take things a bit slower because you don’t want to just accept this one because you’re fed up with looking.
It’s not about taking any job out there.
Your 30-Day Graduate Job Plan
To know how to do something is helpful. But it is the consistent weekly action that delivers the results.
If you are searching for graduate jobs in Nigeria at this moment, then spend the next 30 days setting up a system, rather than checking openings sporadically.
Week 1: Position Yourself
Your first week is all about preparing to compete.
Select 2 or 3 job categories you wish to apply to. Customize your CV based on those jobs. Revise your LinkedIn profile and craft an introductory job search message.
After that, find out about 10 companies that you will really want to work for and begin visiting their career sites.
Objectives for Week 1:
- Select 2 to 3 target job categories.
- Prepare 1 good CV.
- Revise your LinkedIn profile.
- Find out about 10 target companies.
- Discover at least 20 suitable job vacancies.
- Apply to 5 good fit job postings.
- Talk to 5 people from your network about the kind of job you want to find.
Week 2: Start Applying
From here, let’s progress into applications.
Apply for graduate and entry level positions on a daily or weekly basis. Don’t do it haphazardly. Read each posting carefully, see whether you fit the job, tweak your resume accordingly and record each and every application using your tracker.
Week 2 Goals:
- Find at least 20 openings.
- Apply for 8 to 10 positions.
- Contact 5 people who may help you within your network.
- Visit the careers page of your target firms at least twice.
- Spent at least 3 hours learning an employment related skill.
Week 3: Build Evidence
Continue applying, but don’t let applications be the sole focus of your job hunting.
Gather proof that you can do the job. Do something practical by completing a relevant project, learning an important skill, volunteering, freelancing or creating something that you can take to a potential employer.
Goals for Week 3:
- Apply for 8-10 more great jobs.
- Complete 1 small, relevant project.
- Put in at least 3 hours practicing a valuable skill.
- Make contact with 5 new professionals.
- Complete 2 interview practice sessions.
Week 4: Review and Adjust
Let’s take a look at what occurred in weeks 1 to 3.
How many good jobs were you able to locate? How many were you able to apply for? Were you receiving any response from the employers? Were you called in for an interview? What was difficult for you?
Week 4 objectives:
- Apply to 8 to 10 good jobs.
- Follow up appropriately on previous applications.
- Have 2 practice interviews.
- Review all previous applications in your tracker.
- Find out 3 major problems with your job search.
- Make 3 specific changes to your process.
After 30 days, you need to have made about 30 to 35 applications, contacted about 15 people, created at least 1 bit of evidence for your skills and, most importantly, found out what works and what doesn’t work for you.
The numbers aren’t magic. The goal is to turn blind job hunting into a process that you can track and improve.
What to Do Today If You Need a Graduate Job
If you need employment, do not wait for Monday, next month, or whenever you think you will be ready.
Make use of whatever you have.
You do not have to waste the whole day applying to jobs. Take one or two hours and get some useful stuff done.
- Pick 3-5 job openings which suit your profile well.
- Amend your resume accordingly to the required skills/experience.
- Write one useful email to somebody from your contacts.
- Register your applications on a very simple tracker.
- Allocate 20-30 minutes for enhancing a skill suitable for your target jobs.
Your tracker does not have to be fancy. Here are the columns you need on your spreadsheet tracker:
| Company | Job title | Date applied | Application link | Status | Follow-up date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Ltd | Graduate Trainee | 15 Sept | Link | Applied | 25 Sept |
| XYZ Bank | Customer Service Associate | 16 Sept | Link | Interview | 20 Sept |
Update it every time you apply. This way you can always see where you have applied, what companies have replied to you and which applications require follow up.
You don’t have to be absolutely sure about the path your career will take. You just have to have a goal, apply effectively and make an effort to improve whenever it is necessary.
Your first job may differ from what you have expected after graduation. It’s alright.
The important thing is that you start doing something and gain experience.