My 2 Cents for Young Graduates

In the last decade there has been an increase in the turn out of First Class and Second Class Upper graduates. Availability of E-book, CBT examination system and improved teaching methods are some of the contributing factors to this. Someone with a good understanding of the law of demand and supply will agree with me when I say it is about time First Class graduates start walking the streets for months before getting an offer. As such, it will do you good as a graduate if you know early enough that you need to add some skills to your degree.

The popular question these days is, “what skill set should I go after”.

A simple answer to this question can be found by asking; what skill set is of interest to employers. To get an answer to this, do a random search of jobs that are of interest to you and the advert will give you the answer to your question.

Often, job adverts comes with responsibilities and requirements. When next you come across a job advert that is related to your field, pick a pencil and tick the responsibilities and requirements that describes you. The unchecked requirements becomes your homework if that is your dream job.

Most Universities have this phrase on their certificate; “found worthy in learning and character”. My friend, please hear this from me, the things you know may get you the job, but character is what will keep you on the job, making you achieve good results with ease. Each time I hear the phrase “team player”, what comes to my mind is the word “character”. If you are a victim of bad parenting, please ensure you devote time and attention to lectures on emotional intelligence, servant leadership, etc if you want to go far in life.

One skill that has become so essential and indispensable in the industry now is communication. Effective communication is a must have skill. Talkers appears more intelligent than their peers. People often are not patient enough if you are having difficulty expressing what you know. I say to you, develop your communication skill, because each time you open your mouth to talk, you are telling the world who you are.

This my last point was reserved as the last because I don’t want you to forget it. Office place politics is a must do for you. Yes, you heard me well. It is a must. Its either you play the politics and get promoted or you stay off the politics and watch yourself rotten at your corner.

In as much as robots are not the ones making decisions about your opportunities and promotions, politics becomes an essential part of your day to day routine. You need to be on the good book of the key decision makers. You don’t want to fight those with the power to recommend you when the time comes. You need to be visible to the management. Your seniors are your seniors irrespective of their age, gender, and character.

Anyways, avoid dirty politics. Avoid been used to bring someone down – people used for such dirty job are never trusted thereafter by their users, as such, they always find a way to push them out sooner or later.

As a closing remark, job hunt and career growth is not for the faint hearted, as such I say to you, DON’T QUIT. Keep pushing hard, the door will soon open for you. When it is your turn, it is definitely your turn and no one can stop you.