Job hunting in Nairobi
Talking of employment in Nairobi, you know that job hunting is a daunting experience for a new graduate who still hasn’t amassed enough knowledge. Unemployment is high, and I can even say it is harder when you are still starting out and without much experience to speak for you.
However, with some smart moves, you can get a hustle faster than you might think. The things you want in this life are usually just within your reach only if you know how to get them.
You want to get a quick loan for an emergency, use some of the fintechs around. You want to get a new job, try startups that are popping up every day.
Startups for new jobs
Any startup is usually the best place to go to when you want to get the most experience because they are not yet solidly established and thus in the growth stage. It is during that metamorphosis process that you will be able to take as many roles as possible and get the most experience.
According to an article by corporate staffing “small companies have fewer employees and a few specialists, and thus you can easily transition to other areas outside your niche and get experience“.
It is advisable for young job seekers to join a start-up and get deeply involved in the growth process of the company so as to gain several skills.
It doesn’t have to be a company with 20 employees; It could be your friend’s record label, fashion line or even your own web design business. It doesn’t take much starting your own start-up, some big companies like bonfire adventures were started by 15k Kenyan shillings. You can easily borrow this money from small loaning companies and kickstart your career.
We all know that big corporations like Price Waterhouse or Deloitte attracts many applicants and have high competition and it will be a hustle getting in for a beginner. However, they could be your next client if you launch your web design business. So don’t be scared to start small.
Recruitment Sites
These are the most common ones:
I am not talking about your normal job site that posts offer from various companies and attract massive applications; everyone goes there. If you want to get a job, you will have to be smart in your approach.
Why won’t you try the less visited but effective sites like kuhustle.com that churns out freelance jobs to new job hunters on a daily basis?
Everybody is going to major sites like brighter monday to get a monthly salaried gig. Now, I want you to go for a site like Upwork or people per hour that lets you bid on short term projects that can be rewarding and quickly put money in your pocket.
At the club
I don’t I mean be a dj..lol
Do you even chat with other revellers and get to know them? That man or lady you are dancing with at B club could be a sales manager who can employ you come Monday.
The idea is to be a networker extraordinaire. Get to know people as soon as you leave the graduation square or even during your last semester of studies.
The club is the last place you could think of finding a job but trust me recruiters have gone to another level; they hire while shopping in malls while dancing and while in the gym. Their radar for talent is usually on at all times, and they prefer to catch candidates when they are in vulnerable places that show their real personalities. I am sure you are yourself at the gym while sweating out and asking the instructor for help.
Your gym partner can be an hr guy looking for someone with a great attitude like that one you are showing at the gym.
You never know who you are talking to in any situation and thus be positive and engaging and let people around you know that you are hunting.
Connections
In fact, there ought to be a course in these universities called networking 101, not to help students know how to connect computer systems but how to connect with more prominent specialists who can be of great help in their professional lives. Try networking events for young professionals.
Event brites organises a lot of such events in Nairobi, you can keep checking their website.
Social media groups
Another hot spot for new jobs that many candidates overlook and not even give serious attention to. I know you are just flirting with people on Facebook but have you considered joining accountants groups if you did accounting. I see a lot of jobs, especially internships being posted in these groups. The idea is to join and be an active member. Some of the groups you can join on social media are like;
According to this article by career point, social media is a lethal weapon for hunting opportunities if used right.
When I talk of social media for employment, I know your first thought is LinkedIn which is good, and I bet everyone goes there to look for a hustle. And that makes it an obvious place to hunt for a pay.
I want you to try doing something different and see if you will get better results, the road less travelled might just lead to fortunes at times. And that leads us to the last option.
WhatsApp groups
If you are a photographer, join a WhatsApp group for photographers, start by asking some of your photographer friends if they are in Whatsapp groups. People throw in jobs in these groups.
How many job WhatsApp groups are you in? I would suggest you join 10 of them. Have as much quantity as you can to get the best results. I am sure each day there will be at least a job opportunity posted in like three groups. The more you apply, the higher your chances. It is a matter of how many times you throw the dice; you will end up with a score soon.
People chat a lot on WhatsApp and laugh at memes, but smart guys get business through this app. Be a smart one. Actually, I have seen guys post jobs on their WhatsApp status a lot.
Outside your niche
This is not a point but just a reminder. As I am sure that you have been told before, what you studied in school might not be what ends up paying you. And it is likely not even your talent, so why not try marketing if you are good with people even though you did engineering in school.
And why not take a small loan with an institution and start a small cafe if you are talented in cooking. You will soon create an awesome recipe like KFC.
Happy hunting!
(9 votes, average: 4.11 out of 5)
Loading...
‘Your gym partner can be an hr guy looking for someone with a great attitude like that one you are showing at the gym.’ This sentence is an eye opener. Such a good, informative and educative read.
A good eye opener. Every graduate out there should have a piece of this article.