Reasons Why You Cannot Find a Job In Nigeria

Yes, you have applied for every latest job Vacancies that has been advertised online on job sites in Nigeria and offline, yet, you have remained unemployed or stuck on your present job that doesn't pay well. Maybe you might have even attended several job interviews and you were absolutely sure of succeeding at one of those. But, like the others, you never got the job offer. What are the reasons why your job search has been unsuccessful?

After conducting intense research and studying unemployed people in Nigeria, five traits are very common among them. These characteristics will prevent you from getting the ideal job you think you deserve.

1. YOU HAVE A NEGATIVE MENTALITY/ATTITUDE

1.   As surprising as it may seem, this is the most important attribute that determines how successful you will be in your job search. If all you can think about when applying for a job is “what if I don’t get the job?” then there’s a huge possibility that you will never get the job or any job at all. Many people in Nigeria believe that they do not have any chance of getting employed if they are not related to the employer or recruiter! If you believe you are too insignificant to work in a reputable organization or you are not smart enough to be hired in a job where thousands of applicants were interviewed the same time that you were, then, you are obviously a pessimist.

What to do

It must all start from within. You must believe in yourself and in your abilities. Employers like positive people and they can discover this in your CV and during interview. It is important to put up the “I can” mentality in your job search in Nigeria. Even if you think you are not qualified for a job position, apply anyway, it doesn't hurt anyone.

2.YOU DON’T HAVE A STRONG AND LARGE  SOCIAL NETWORK

The numbers of people you know constitute your social network. Over 80% of jobs in Nigeria are found through networking. The vast majority of job openings are never advertised; they’re filled by word of mouth. That’s why networking is the best way to find a job in Nigeria. If you’re only applying through job boards, searching the internet, counting on recruitment agencies or submitting random applications to job postings …you’re not doing enough.

What to do

You need to start building a strong network and getting in touch with everyone you know for your job search. Great places to meet people are in Places of Worship, Social events, Workshops and Seminar, conferences, social media such as LinkedIn, etc. Always get to know people more than just exchanging compliments. Get their contacts and make conversations that build stronger professional relationships.

3. YOU GRADUATED WITH THE WRONG DEGREE

Do you still wonder why you can’t find an employer who needs your skill? It’s because your job title is either outdated or absorbed! Most jobs are being done by people already in the company. However, some companies will employ you irrespective of what you studied and give you training, but, don’t count on it as it may be difficult to find such.

What to do:

 It will help to go back to school and take relevant short professional courses, update your skills through further training or change industries. Some of these short courses offer certificates and doesn't cost as much as unemployment will cost. Examples of short courses that are on high demand are Project Management, Information Technology, Event Planning, Basic Life Support/First Aid, etc Take a course that is relevant to your industry.

1    4.    LACK OF NECESSARY SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

Companies often seek to hire candidates with experience, but the question new graduates often ask is ‘How do I get experience if no one agrees to hire me?’ Recently, some companies employ new graduates and subject them to essential training; however, important well paying positions require adequate experience. 

What to do:

You are better off applying for jobs openings for new graduates. An excellent method of accumulating work experience is through volunteering! Yes, most volunteer opportunities are unpaid but the benefit far outweighs the energy and resources you invested. It is important to volunteer in industries that are relevant to your skills. Here are some Volunteering opportunities.

Also, never leave a job before securing another if you are gainfully employed.

 5. YOU LACK INTERVIEW SKILLS.

It is one thing to have an ‘attention catching’ CV and a different game entirely to get hired after an interview. The only opportunity to prove your worth before your potential employer is during the interview process, once you miss this opportunity it is difficult to get it again.

What to do:

There are several interview skills you must possess to impress your interviewer and prove that you are the right candidate for the job. These will be elaborated in our next article. Stay Updated!

Latest Jobs

Recruitment at The International Committee of 

the Red Cross

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. Its mission is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies. It is present in every country and supported by millions of volunteers.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is  recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: First Aid Field Officer
Locations: Jos
Main Responsibilities

• Ensures that casualties during emergencies receive a timely, impartial and effective immediate assistance by responders acting in security, guided by basic humanitarian values and principles, and part of an effective emergency response system adapted to needs and local realities.
• Facilitates the implementation, monitoring and follow up of the ICRC/NRCS First Aid program in Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states in line with the developed frame including financial, logistical and security stipulations.
• Develops a comprehensive overview and understanding of the health care emergency needs on the ground.
• Contributes to the identification of the beneficiaries and the values ICRC can add to improve the emergency response from the scenes of the emergency till the referral further care
• Implements, monitors and evaluates references and activities according to objectives, plans of actions and resources available
• Strengthens local capacities and references, based on ownership and sustainability goals
• Collaborates with NRCS to ensure a coherent standardised and quality First Aid program is being presented to the participants.
  

Required Qualifications

• Strong knowledge in First Aid or Health related university Degree
• 3-4 years professional experience in similar field activity
• Ability to create a focused learning environment at all levels and to adapt teaching to different audiences
• Good analytical skills
• Good command of written and spoken Kanuri, English and Hausa
• Good computer skills, good command of standard software and knowledge of internet search
• Good knowledge of geographically assigned environment
• Capacity to apply ICRC rules and procedure

Personal Attributes:

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Solid communication skills as the position involves teaching First Aid skills to different audiences as well as communication with community members and leaders, National Society members and other stakeholders.
• Solution and objective oriented, organized, methodical and flexible personality, ability to work independently and within a team, very good analytical skills
• Ability to travel in all parts of the country
• Ability to work under pressure and in a hazardous environment

Job Title: First Aid Field Officer
Locations: Abuja
Main Responsibilities

• Ensures that casualties during emergencies receive a timely, impartial and effective immediate assistance by responders acting in security, guided by basic humanitarian values and principles, and part of an effective emergency response system adapted to needs and local realities.
• Facilitates the implementation, monitoring and follow up of the ICRC/NRCS First Aid program in Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states in line with the developed frame including financial, logistical and security stipulations.
• Develops a comprehensive overview and understanding of the health care emergency needs on the ground.
• Contributes to the identification of the beneficiaries and the values ICRC can add to improve the emergency response from the scenes of the emergency till the referral further care
• Implements, monitors and evaluates references and activities according to objectives, plans of actions and resources available
• Strengthens local capacities and references, based on ownership and sustainability goals
• Collaborates with NRCS to ensure a coherent standardised and quality First Aid program is being presented to the participants.
  

Required Qualifications

• Strong knowledge in First Aid or Health related university Degree
• 3-4 years professional experience in similar field activity
• Ability to create a focused learning environment at all levels and to adapt teaching to different audiences
• Good analytical skills
• Good command of written and spoken Kanuri, English and Hausa
• Good computer skills, good command of standard software and knowledge of internet search
• Good knowledge of geographically assigned environment
• Capacity to apply ICRC rules and procedure

Personal Attributes:

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Solid communication skills as the position involves teaching First Aid skills to different audiences as well as communication with community members and leaders, National Society members and other stakeholders.
• Solution and objective oriented, organized, methodical and flexible personality, ability to work independently and within a team, very good analytical skills
• Ability to travel in all parts of the country
• Ability to work under pressure and in a hazardous environment

Job Title: Driver
Location: Abuja
Main Responsibilities

• Drives different types of ICRC vehicles by strictly following internal security and safety rules.
• Checks the mechanical condition of the vehicle before the trip
• Checks equipment on attributed car, cleaning/washing, routine maintenance of vehicles and proper fuelling
• Transports people and/or goods within the town area and/or field trips
• Provides assistance to the passengers as needed
• Is aware of and reacts to the current security situation
• Is aware of the rules concerning correct use of vehicle, and carriage of passengers and goods
• Ensures at the beginning of each day that equipment on attributed cars is according to the requirements
• Ensures appropriate loading and offloading of vehicle

Required Qualifications

• Secondary School or equivalent
• Additional vocational training in mechanics or other relevant field
• 2 years of experience as a driver or in a similar position
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Light vehicle driving licence for at least 5 years
• Very good knowledge of the geographically assigned environment
• Masters 4×4 driving and VHF Radio system use
• Good physical condition
• No prior criminal conviction
• Basic mechanical skills
• Readiness to spend 50-75% of the time in the field

Required Qualifications:

• Willingness to strictly follow ICRC internal security and national traffic rules
• Service oriented
• Willingness to adapt and learn
• Team Player
• Good Planning, Organization & Assessment skills
• Good Communication (Ability to express views and ideas)
• Sensitive to Security Management

Job Title: Driver
Location: Jos, Plateau
Main Responsibilities

• Drives different types of ICRC vehicles by strictly following internal security and safety rules.
• Checks the mechanical condition of the vehicle before the trip
• Checks equipment on attributed car, cleaning/washing, routine maintenance of vehicles and proper fuelling
• Transports people and/or goods within the town area and/or field trips
• Provides assistance to the passengers as needed
• Is aware of and reacts to the current security situation
• Is aware of the rules concerning correct use of vehicle, and carriage of passengers and goods
• Ensures at the beginning of each day that equipment on attributed cars is according to the requirements
• Ensures appropriate loading and offloading of vehicle

Required Qualifications

• Secondary School or equivalent
• Additional vocational training in mechanics or other relevant field
• 2 years of experience as a driver or in a similar position
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Light vehicle driving licence for at least 5 years
• Very good knowledge of the geographically assigned environment
• Masters 4×4 driving and VHF Radio system use
• Good physical condition
• No prior criminal conviction
• Basic mechanical skills
• Readiness to spend 50-75% of the time in the field

Required Qualifications:

• Willingness to strictly follow ICRC internal security and national traffic rules
• Service oriented
• Willingness to adapt and learn
• Team Player
• Good Planning, Organization & Assessment skills
• Good Communication (Ability to express views and ideas)
• Sensitive to Security Management

Job Title: Car Dispatcher
Location: Abuja
Main Responsibilities

• Ensures economic use of vehicles independently
• Organizes and plans the drivers’ duties and schedule
• Monitors and updates car use and fuel consumption
• Keeps tracks on all vehicle movements using standard ICRC Tools
• Manages and supervises the pool of drivers
• Reports and provides statistical data according to procedures.
• Organizes car attribution.
• Performs administrative work

Required Qualifications

• Secondary education
• 4 years work experience in a similar function
• Heavy vehicle Driving licence
• Driving license for at least 5 years and succeeded in ICRC Driving test
• Good computer skills
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent knowledge of the geographically assigned environment
• Masters 4/4 and VHF use
• Basic mechanical skills

Personal Attributes:

• Good sense of Security management
• Good leadership skills
• Well organized and attention to details

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their application letter, curriculum vitae and contact details of three referees to:ABJ_Recruitment_Services@icrc.org

Note

• Please clearly indicate “First Aid Field Officer Jos” as the subject of your application (Applications intended for this role without this subject will not be treated)
• The deadline for the submission of applications will be the date above. Late application will not be considered
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• However, ICRC will not request for any monetary payments from applicants at any stage of the recruitment process

Application Deadline  3rd June, 2016.

TOP 5 REASONS WHY YOU CAN’T FIND JOBS IN NIGERIA

Yes, you have applied for every latest job Vacancies that has been advertised online on job sites in Nigeria and offline, yet, you have remained unemployed or stuck on your present job that doesn't pay well. Maybe you might have even attended several job interviews and you were absolutely sure of succeeding at one of those. But, like the others, you never got the job offer. What are the reasons why your job search has been unsuccessful?

After conducting intense research and studying unemployed people in Nigeria, five traits are very common among them. These characteristics will prevent you from getting the ideal job you think you deserve.

1. You have a Negative Mentality/Attitude

1.   As surprising as it may seem, this is the most important attribute that determines how successful you will be in your job search. If all you can think about when applying for a job is “what if I don’t get the job?” then there’s a huge possibility that you will never get the job or any job at all. Many people in Nigeria believe that they do not have any chance of getting employed if they are not related to the employer or recruiter! If you believe you are too insignificant to work in a reputable organization or you are not smart enough to be hired in a job where thousands of applicants were interviewed the same time that you were, then, you are obviously a pessimist.

What to do

It must all start from within. You must believe in yourself and in your abilities. Employers like positive people and they can discover this in your CV and during interview. It is important to put up the “I can” mentality in your job search in Nigeria. Even if you think you are not qualified for a job position, apply anyway, it doesn't hurt anyone.

2.You Don’t Have a Strong and Large  Social Network

The numbers of people you know constitute your social network. Over 80% of jobs in Nigeria are found through networking. The vast majority of job openings are never advertised; they’re filled by word of mouth. That’s why networking is the best way to find a job in Nigeria. If you’re only applying through job boards, searching the internet, counting on recruitment agencies or submitting random applications to job postings …you’re not doing enough.

What to do

You need to start building a strong network and getting in touch with everyone you know for your job search. Great places to meet people are in Places of Worship, Social events, Workshops and Seminar, conferences, social media such as LinkedIn, etc. Always get to know people more than just exchanging compliments. Get their contacts and make conversations that build stronger professional relationships.

3. You Graduated with the Wrong Degree

Do you still wonder why you can’t find an employer who needs your skill? It’s because your job title is either outdated or absorbed! Most jobs are being done by people already in the company. However, some companies will employ you irrespective of what you studied and give you training, but, don’t count on it as it may be difficult to find such.

What to do:

 It will help to go back to school and take relevant short professional courses, update your skills through further training or change industries. Some of these short courses offer certificates and doesn't cost as much as unemployment will cost. Examples of short courses that are on high demand are Project Management, Information Technology, Event Planning, Basic Life Support/First Aid, etc Take a course that is relevant to your industry.

1    4.    LACK OF NECESSARY SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

Companies often seek to hire candidates with experience, but the question new graduates often ask is ‘How do I get experience if no one agrees to hire me?’ Recently, some companies employ new graduates and subject them to essential training; however, important well paying positions require adequate experience. 

What to do:

You are better off applying for jobs openings for new graduates. An excellent method of accumulating work experience is through volunteering! Yes, most volunteer opportunities are unpaid but the benefit far outweighs the energy and resources you invested. It is important to volunteer in industries that are relevant to your skills. Here are some Volunteering opportunities.

Also, never leave a job before securing another if you are gainfully employed.

 5. YOU LACK INTERVIEW SKILLS.

It is one thing to have an ‘attention catching’ CV and a different game entirely to get hired after an interview. The only opportunity to prove your worth before your potential employer is during the interview process, once you miss this opportunity it is difficult to get it again.

What to do:

There are several interview skills you must possess to impress your interviewer and prove that you are the right candidate for the job. These will be elaborated in our next article. Stay Updated!