How to Find a Job in Nigeria: Here is what I Learned

If you are a graduate or currently job hunting, this guide will help you understand how to do it all.

There was a time when getting a job seemed to be about the numbers game. You would see an opening, see if you can fit in somewhere, submit your CV, and then move on to the next. The more applications you submit, the more productive you felt.

However, it can take its toll on you really fast.

Getting a job in Nigeria can be a bit tricky. There are lots of openings, but there are also lots of people applying for the same jobs, confusing job descriptions, demands from people with ten years of experience, and positions that do not even get published.

A position 70 people applied for 10 years ago, 7000 is applying for it this year. What made you think you stand a chance just by playing the number game.

I learned over time that job search is not all about getting openings. It involves knowing what you need, where to look, how to represent yourself, and how to improve your strategy when it doesn’t work.

Let’s begin.

1. Decide What Kind of Job You Want

I don’t know how best to tell you this, but it’s TRUE.

One of the mistakes I made in the past is considering each and every vacant position an opportunity. Whenever there was an opening and I possessed some of the required skills and experience, I used to feel tempted to apply. This was indeed very productive but made my search very unstructured and disorganized.

Prior to searching for any jobs, you need to determine what kind of work you want. Take into account your skills, area of specialization, industry sectors, years of experience, and most importantly, your location preference as well.

It doesn’t mean that you need to have a concrete idea about your entire future career path, however, start your job search with three to five job positions which you would like to consider.

For instance, that I am a Mathematics graduate does not necessarily mean I have to consider only jobs related to Mathematics. I tried my luck with jobs related to finance, banking, business development, digital marketing, research, and data analytics.

2. Search Using the Right Job Titles

There are several approaches that can make your job search more difficult than necessary, and one of them is simply searching for “Jobs in Nigeria.”

The search is simply too broad, and you will get everything from senior management positions to internships, and a significant share of results won’t be related to the type of position you’re interested in.

Another way to conduct a job search would be to look up the job titles you’ve previously identified. Then include your experience level and location preferences to narrow down the search.

For example:

• Graduate Trainee + Nigeria
• Entry-Level Accountant + Abuja
• Customer Service Representative + Lagos
• Business Development Executive + Nigeria
• Junior Data Analyst + Remote

Don’t limit yourself to just one job title, though. Companies can use different terms for describing the same type of work. So, if you’re applying for a marketing-related position, try such combinations as Marketing Executive, Digital Marketing Specialist, Marketing Associate, and Brand Executive.

3. Get Your CV and Professional Profile Ready

Before you send out any application, be sure your CV is up to speed for the positions you are applying for. You will realize that a CV does not just consist of listing places where you’ve been. It also needs to present you to the potential employer in such a manner that they see how your experience is applicable to the position they are hiring for.

Make sure your CV is concise and clear. List out your educational background, experience, skills, certifications, projects and achievements. In case you are a graduate with no work experience, it doesn’t mean that you have nothing to list in your CV. Internship, NYSC, projects from school, volunteerism, freelancing and even leadership experience may indicate your skills.

Also, may I advise that you make use of verifiable numbers and specific names a lot in your resume. Let me give you an example. Tell me if you are an employer, which of these two resumes appeal more to you.

• Resume 1
• Spearheaded strategies that delivered over high-quality leads.
• Led a marketing team to achieve average social followers per month.
• Launched healthcare App, onboarding users very fast.

• Resume 2
• Spearheaded Google Ad strategies that delivered over 2310 high-quality leads.
• Led a marketing team to achieve average 10066+ social followers per month.
• Launched MyHealth App, onboarding 991 users in the first 60 days.

We don’t need a prophet to tell us that resume 2 performs better.

Your resume is your defending counsel. It is what your potential employers will first judge you with even before they get to meet you. You won’t be there to speak for yourself. Use actual numbers and names.

You need to also ensure your professional profiles on LinkedIn and other networking sites match your CV. Lastly, never use the same cover letter for every application; you need to be specific in case certain areas are being emphasized in the position description.

That is basically it. You should be able to get a clear picture of what a good resume should entail.

4. Know Where to Find Jobs in Nigeria

Knowing where to look can save you a lot of time when searching for a job. Don’t stick with one website or wait until someone sends you something. Use multiple sources and check them regularly.

1. Oluboba Jobs

First of all, start with Oluboba Jobs. If you’re looking for the right opportunity among those selected specifically for Nigerian job seekers, then the Oluboba Opportunities section will give you access to information about jobs, internships, fellowships and other interesting opportunities.

The benefit of using this source is the possibility of getting access to the information that I have personally picked for you.

2. Jobberman

If you need an all-encompassing website, then consider Jobberman as one of the most popular job sites in Nigeria. You can use filters to narrow down your search (job title, location, industry, type and experience). Moreover, you can find information about entry-level, graduate and no-experience positions.

3. LinkedIn Jobs

LinkedIn will be great for you in case you need not only to find vacancies but also connect with people and companies in your field.

We can connect on LinkedIn.

4. MyJobMag

Another job portal that could be of assistance in searching for vacancies in Nigeria is MyJobMag. This is another site that is worth checking out besides other sources.

5. Company Career Pages

Do not forget to explore the career pages of those companies you are planning to work for. Check out the career pages or vacancies section on the official websites of companies as some of them post jobs without using the job boards.

In addition, it may be helpful to make use of your network, which could include former classmates, co-workers, alumni and even people from the same industry.

In other words, there are multiple channels to use but at the same time, do not spend too much time scrolling through those sites that do not bring you results.

Another channel you can use for job hunting is your professional network. Your former classmates, co-workers, alumni, people from your industry can offer you some information on jobs that you have not found using search.

The idea is simple: use multiple channels, but do not waste time on those that do not work for you.

5. Apply for Jobs Strategically

Finding employment does not necessarily mean submitting the largest number of applications possible. In my view, it is more important to slow down and evaluate whether the position you consider will actually be relevant to your professional life.

First, make sure you read the vacancy carefully. Make sure you meet all the requirements in terms of your experience, skills, and other conditions. Then apply only if the position matches your requirements.

Moreover, always pay attention to what the employer asks from the candidate. If he requests a certain CV form, a cover letter or anything else, provide him with it. Do not force the recruiter to search for information about the position you are trying to get.

And finally, if the position is suitable, prepare the application specifically. Highlight your relevant experience and do not send an identical CV to all potential employers.

A small number of well-aimed applications might be better than a large number of blind submissions.

6. Build a Network While You Search

Networking was something I thought required knowing the right people. I don’t think so anymore. Networking is ensuring the right people know what you can offer and what job opportunities you are after.

We have moved from the era of who you know to who know you. Visibility, attention, and engagement is the new relevance.

Tell your existing network members what you are after. This might be past classmates, colleagues, lecturers, NYSC colleagues, alumni, or those you have come across during your professional career.

Be clear about your intentions by specifying the type of job you want, the industry, and where you would like to work instead of simply saying “Please, I need a job”.

It is also important to build a new network by reaching out to people working in the industry you want to join, following companies and participating in industry-related professional discussions.

Not everyone needs to help you find a job. Some people can offer their contacts, valuable information, and leads that you couldn’t find yourself.

Networking is much more extensive than using only job sites for searching for a new job opportunity.

7. Keep Track of Every Application

As you begin sending out applications to a variety of jobs, it becomes surprisingly easy to lose track of where you’ve applied. You could forget the company, the position, the date you applied, or even which version of your CV you sent.

A simple job applications tracking sheet is highly recommended. It could either be a spreadsheet or even simply a note in your phone.

The company name, position, date applied, application source, deadline, status, and follow up date can all be documented in the sheet.

This will become useful if the recruiter calls weeks after you’ve made the application. Rather than remembering the job, you’ll be able to easily refer to your notes and prepare yourself adequately.

This will give you another thing that is crucial in a job search; perspective. It will enable you to evaluate whether you’re really making applications and how effective your search strategy has been thus far.

Remember that in addition to sending applications, you should document your application process.

8. Prepare for Interviews

The fact that you have been selected for an interview is a positive thing, but this does not mean you have arrived. My experience tells me that it is wise to prepare for an interview long before you are invited.

Start by re-reading the job description and figuring out what the employer needs from the candidate. Get to know something about the company, its products or services, customers and type of work.

Prepare for typical interview questions like:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want to work with us?
• Why should we employ you?
• What is your expected salary?

Do not learn perfect answers by heart; try to find your own solutions based on your experience.

Think about a couple of questions that you may ask at the end of the interview. It is not just the company that decides on your qualification for the position; it is you who decides on the suitability of the position for you.

Now let me give you an insider truth that no employer can resist, not one. At the end of you answering their questions, ask them this exact question:

If I were to take on this role in the organization, what is the one outcome or contribution that would make you say, “This person is performing exceptionally well”?

I won’t speak more than this…Leave the rest to Jesus.

9. If You’re Not Getting Results, Change Your Approach

Hope is not a strategy; action is.

One of the most difficult aspects of job hunting is knowing how long to keep doing something. If weeks have gone by without success, there is little point in sending out yet more applications.

See where your job search is falling apart.

If you are not getting any response at all, then go back over your CV and the jobs you have been applying for. If you are getting some sort of response but not getting interviews, see if your applications are meeting the criteria set out by employers. If you are getting interviews but not job offers, there could well be something lacking from your interview preparation.

What I have realized is that sometimes a rejection is a valuable piece of information, which tells us that we need to do things differently.

Your job search should be a process of researching, applying, measuring and adjusting.

It is not enough to ask yourself, “How many jobs have I applied for?”

You also need to ask, “What does this tell me?”

10. Build Your Skills While You Search

However, the hunt can turn into a repetitive process of vacancy check, applications submission, and waiting for responses. That is the point where many get stuck. If you have free time at your disposal, you can take advantage of this time to make yourself more valuable within the desired positions.

Look at the vacancies you are applying for. Are there any skills that are repeatedly mentioned?

Is it Excel skills, data analysis skills, digital marketing, sales, project management, writing skills, customer service or something else?

Select the most important skills for your desired positions and learn them consciously. You can attend some classes, create a small project, volunteer, practice with some tools, etc.

You do not necessarily have to wait until somebody assigns you a job in order to gain experience.

The main idea is to enhance your position while hunting for the jobs.

11. Avoid Fake Jobs and Recruitment Scams

Looking for employment makes one easy prey to any person giving an offer instantly. This situation is more evident when looking at a job vacancy advertised through WhatsApp, social media, or any unknown source of employment.

Do not fall victim to people asking for money in order to secure you the job position, paying for forms or interviews, or sending money to make the interview. Do not give your personal information and even your documents without verifying the employer and the recruiter.

If the vacancy is from a job platform, look at the existence of an official website of the company and the availability of the vacancy advertised through their own website or any other official social media pages. Government recruitment notices require additional caution because they can be forwarded many times without necessarily being genuine.

From experience, I have realized that eagerness to get a job does not entail losing judgment.

A genuine job opportunity will give you enough information about the organization offering the job and recruitment process.

12. Follow a 30-Day Job Search Plan

Now, you’ve got the building blocks. The thing that typically comes next is consistency.

Rather than getting out of bed each morning unsure of where to start, give yourself a basic 30-day plan.

Week 1: Get Prepared

Outline your target jobs, prepare your CV and LinkedIn profile, and decide which companies you would like to work for. Set up your application tracker.

Week 2: Search and Apply

Search on job sites and company careers pages. Apply for the positions that suit you and customize your applications, rather than sending the same CV to everyone.

Week 3: Build Connections

Contact professionals within your field, reach out to useful contacts, and build connections in the industry. Continue to search for jobs which aren’t advertised.

Week 4: Reflect

Review what has worked well and what hasn’t when it comes to applying and interviewing. Use that knowledge to refine your strategy.

Consistency is not about getting everything perfect over 30 days. It’s about creating a repeatable process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion on How to Find a Job in Nigeria: My Practical Experience

Looking for a job in Nigeria could be very frustrating and disappointing especially when one keeps applying to jobs without success. However, a challenging job market should not make you undertake a job search without a strategy.

Begin by determining the type of job you need. Look up using job titles, write your CV appropriately, use various methods, apply intelligently and build networks as you search. Track what you are doing, prepare for interviews and be mindful of the feedback.

I have realized that making my job search manageable is about being careful not to treat it like a desperate attempt to apply to as many jobs as possible.

Here’s how it works:

Define -> Search -> Prepare -> Apply -> Network -> Interview -> Reflect -> Repeat.

It is unlikely that you will get all of the jobs that you apply for. You might even experience some dry spells. However, by continuing to learn from your experiences and refine your process, you can significantly increase your chances of success.