Hey people!!!
How’s it going? Hope you guys are well. I’m doing well over here but mehn life as a job hunter aint fun o! Lol! At all at all. Well, truth is many of my friends are still chilling, basking in the euphoria of not having to read Agaba or Ogbuanya again or any other Law School text for that matter. Most have left these shores in search of well deserved breaks. A few eager beavers already have jobs. I get bored easily and I’m definitely done with the thrill of being free. I AM DONE!!! I am so bored!
My parents are not helping the situation either. I remember during NYSC in 2011, coming home late because of work was neither out of place nor alarming to my parents. Now, if I get home at 8:00 pm, my dad would have almost mobilised a search party. I have now officially been given a curfew! LOL! *shedding hot tears*
With respect to the actual job hunt, a lot of people keep saying ‘Temi your CV is great, you don’t have any problem’ but I already have received a NO from one oil company after the 2nd stage. It was a bit painful sha, I won’t lie but I know if it is for me, I will never miss it. So I have promptly shelved it under the ‘Not my portion’ file. 80 percent of companies do not even get back to you so you have no feed back whatsoever! What of the ‘promisers’? Hmm. Most people don’t intend to help. Those very few that intend to probably don’t have the ability so in thev end, it is all God’s favour that opens doors.
Another issue I have been experiencing is ageism. Although I finished University more than 4 years ago, Masters, NYSC and the 18 month Law School programme have gulped the years which means though I am technically not an experienced hire, I’m not exactly a fresh school leaver. Most entry roles are for fresh school leavers and they specify an age limit, usually 25 which yours truly has said bye to two years ago. I didn’t get considered somewhere because of that sole reason. One lesson: Dear friends, experience counts far more than degrees. I pretty much have 3 degrees but the typical potential employer makes that look more like a barrier rather than an advantage. So guys, after Uni, please start work and work for at least a year before Masters. If I could turn back the hands of time, I probably will not do anything differently. I trust God that all will be fine and I am hopeful. Anyways! Enough of my tales. I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I get my job. For now, I’ll keep praying, applying, trusting God and meeting my curfew at home.
Oh by the way, when I was moving back home, I expected to be earning at least N400,000.00 . It seems even those that have been working for 8 years don’t earn that. Most people laugh at you scornfully when you say you expect that. It seems as though even a N250,000 monthly pay is a dream for most and the norm is between N90,000 and N150,000.
I still maintain that you should know your worth and keep praying. God will open doors in Jesus’ name. Amen.
My current fave song by Lara George-Dansaki. Heard it on Inspiration FM yesterday and I bought the CD in traffic today. So uplifting.
Do you have any job hunt experiences to share? Holla!
Have a great day guys!
Temiville.xoxo
PS: There is this amazing training programme going on every two weeks and after the programme you get a chance to work as a customer service representative in a great company. Had I been in that line, I’d have jumped at it. I’ll tell you all about it soon.
Musings of a Caramel Latte Addict 
Oct 08, 2013 @ 13:06:43
I stood my ground and said no to all the “when will you do your masters?” “why won’t you?” questions
I have up to 2 years work experience now and I know when I go for masters it will be worth it .
The ageism and lack of experience thing is just annoying, I was turned down for a graduate programm because I wasn’t “fresh ” outta uni.
My dear, The Lord will give you that which He has planned for you.
Happy hunting 🙂
Oct 08, 2013 @ 13:32:29
*chuckling*….I enjoyed this read…Men and women will scramble over themselves to favor you in this search…and no,you need not have done anything differently ‘cos your times are in His hands and orchestrated accurately for your GOOD….
Hang in there and enjoy this phase…looking forward to hearing your testimony
Cheers!
P.s what training program were you referring to?more deets please?customer care excites me.
Oct 09, 2013 @ 11:17:28
AMEN!!! Lizzie God bless you!!! I’m so uplifted. I’ll give you all the deets tomorrow. I’m doing a proper post on it! 😀
Oct 08, 2013 @ 14:46:11
wow, I’m going through something similar. I returned home a few months ago, I’m also 27 but unlike you I only have a BSc (due to finance, change of course etc). I wanted to do a masters right away but decided to get experience cos of the age thing, plus the money wasn’t forthcoming anyway.
I’ve been applying too but nothing has come forth yet. It’s so bad how they never get back to you, at least the feedback would help. But I believe a job would come soon, what bothers me most is the salaries they pay. From what I hear, I should expect 70k-100k as a starter, and it should go up to 100k – 180k after 5 years. I don’t know if I’m greedy or what, but that is just so depressing!
And then I have the whole curfew thing too. God knows how much I prayed to be able to live on my own and be independent upon my return. I don’t know how I can pull that off on such a salary. It’s just so strange to be living at home, and be told what to do at 27!
I’m trying so much to be happy, to see the silver lining in this cloud, but it’s hard to see beyond this just now.
Oct 09, 2013 @ 11:14:32
Hi Ese. Just know it is for a very short while. Everything will work itself out. Trust in God and stay prayerful and hopeful. Keep applying. All the best hun!
Oct 08, 2013 @ 20:58:45
Hello Temi, I’m also an applicant and trust me it aint rice and beans. You know how it is in American movies when they come back home nd dey check their mail with so much disinterest but when they see a particular one, maybe from the bank or a friend ,they get excited and tear it immediately? That’s how I feel when I check my e-mail and I just see “musing” I’m already happy. As for the job hunting experience a friend of mine went to submit her cv at a construction firm here in warri. As usual from the gate they just told her “abeg another time,another time, no chance now”. As she was about leaving,one dirty looking guy beckoned to her to come back(thinking wow the Lord has started my miracle) she raced back. He accessed her up and down,gave her his phone and said “put your number here just in case,I like help you because u fine ehn” she hissed and as she was heading towards the gate he said ” you dey form abi, all this your slippers go file oh u never see anything. Sisi graduate”.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
Oct 09, 2013 @ 11:15:31
LMAO!!! Sorry for laughing but that is just too funny re: all this your slippers go file oh u never see anything. Sisi graduate”. LOL!!! God have mercy on your kids ooo!
Oct 09, 2013 @ 07:15:27
I’m so glad I read this your piece Temi dear, I’m currently doing my NYSC at a very reputable organization, well recognized in my field, they have already asked me to stay after my service. But it seems like a Bsc degree just is not enough anymore and I wanted to go ahead and get a masters degree instead. So confused right now *sighs*
Oct 09, 2013 @ 11:12:46
Hi Ola! Thanks for sharing. Unless there’s a scholarship which you risk losing if you don’t take up now, I’d suggest youb work for one more year before going to get a masters degree. I say this for two reasons. 1. You gain invaluable post NYSC experience. 2. You know EXACTLY what your masters degree should be focused on as you now know what areas interest you. That is my view. I wish you all the very best!
Oct 09, 2013 @ 16:05:36
What an interesting piece and wow, this is so timely. Seems everyone is going through this experience at the same time. Am also hunting for job seriously. Been going around dropping my cv, even to the extent of volunteering to work for free. Just to be responsible and at least leave home everyday. Nothing yet, but I believe God is working something out. Let’s keep the faith. At 27, being told what to do is now so common cos one is still dependent. It’ll soon pass away.keep the faith
Oct 11, 2013 @ 14:53:46
Thanks so much for the advise concerning masters and working after Uni.
Pls hold on,one thing I believe in is God’s favour,when it works for u,every other thing falls into place.let me share dis testimony-my bro just passed out in june,and got a job in august in a place whr he had no so-called naija connection.wat the employers said was that “they liked him and his works” (he applied 4d post of graphic artist) and dat was it.In a country dat pple look for jobs 4 four years plus(dats nt our portion) but wen u av faith that God is steering ur future and pray for His grace and favour,it will all fall into place.(Planned on doing a post on dis grace and God’s favour on my blog soon,pretty coincedence wt dis post ba?)
As for d salary thing,all I’ll say is despise not d days of little beginnings.
As for d curfew,dat shud b really hard but thank God u av a roof over ur head,I know pple dat had 2squat 4d duration of d job hunting,and u knw hw uncomfortable dat can b,living in a home dats not urs.
All in all,av faith,hold on,d glorious end is in sight.
http://imperfectlyperfect92.wordpress.com
Oct 12, 2013 @ 07:59:39
I believe a lot of Nigerian youths can relate to this. I am 26, been done with masters for a year now and I am still job hunting. The no experience barrier is frustrating and I find myself imagining how I woulda been in a better place career wise if I hadn’t done “overdo” and gotten a masters but then I remind myself that my life is exactly where God has planned it to be at this time. Holding on and keeping the faith is what I have to do in these times. A job/source of income is key to the next stage of my life; marriage, kids et al. I plan to live on my own for a bit, live and experience life before marriage. I just downloaded dansaki and I am listening as I type, its soothing. Wishing us all the best God has planned for us.
Chao
Oct 12, 2013 @ 11:17:46
Hang in there!
I’m in the exact same boat. I’ve got work experience and completed my Masters. Got a pretty spanking resume and portfolio but it’s been months now and still no job.
You should remember God’s got you. He will sustain you for as long as He needs you to wait for the job he has packaged for you. You job is not to give up and work hard at securing a position.
You want N400k? No one is richer than God. What is N400k? Unless he wants you to learn something before he gives you that money, you will get it.
Plaster that smile on your face and keep trucking.
Our jobs are coming 😉
Oct 12, 2013 @ 11:19:59
Oh….don’t forget to network. Make it your duty to meet new people, attend job fairs etc and develop an engaging introduction. It’s all about connections
Oct 20, 2013 @ 14:18:43
First, please do well to inform us on the training. I’d be more than glad to hear.
Then to the job search, its very well. That’s the conclusion.
All you Oyibo scholars get added advantage sha
We nko, e don tire person.
End of story is that you can’t even job hunt enough and its even very funny when you know you are qualified but can’t be taken because you don’t knw ‘so and so’
All I can say is IT IS VERY WELL
Oct 29, 2013 @ 21:04:08
Hi Temi! I’m addicted to your blog but this is the first time I’ll ever comment. Mid last year I was in this exact position. Very disillusioned and discouraged with no direction as to what I wanted to do after school. No experience, no “overdo”. Some how I found your blog and that day you posted about how you got a job at one of the best law firms for your pre law school experience (or something like that). That testimony gave me strength and renewed my hope in God….and HE DID IT!!! I got job that I never in my life thought I would get in a company I never imagined I would ever work in. JUST LIKE THAT!!!! that is the type of God we serve. Trust that when others say there is a casting down for you it will be a lifting up. God bless you Temi! Dont give up
Oct 29, 2013 @ 21:20:04
Thank you soooo much! I am so encouraged. God bless you.
Nov 02, 2013 @ 22:33:37
Hmmm…..the situation in Nigeria is not funny. A friend started with a job of 30k and now has moved to 50k. And I keep wondering when things will get better.
Hang in there love! It will surely get better. Its just a question of time.
And I wish you well in the job search.
Nov 10, 2013 @ 23:12:11
Reblogged this on imperfectlyperfect92.
Nov 10, 2013 @ 23:52:09