JOB TIPS LESSON 1: GAINING EXPERIENCE Employers who offer technical jobs (e.g. Engineering, Legal, Accounting, Medical, Building & Construction, Security Management, Fleet Control, Manufacturing fields etc) require the knowledge of practical doing (experience) more than academic excellence. It is mainly in Managerial & Administration jobs (e.g. HRM, Planning, Marketing, Advertising etc) where academic papers give candidates an edge but the openings are always fewer. So how does a young fresh graduate gain experience which is prerequisite for virtually every opening? TRUE TESTIMONY: In December 2009 Joyce G completed her Accounting Studies and attained her CPA (K) designation. She started looking for job opening in Nairobi and other major towns but everywhere she went she was turned down due to lack of experience. In February 2010 JG was introduced to me by her uncle and together we began the process of assisting her. Wherever we looked, LACK of EXPERIENCE remained the biggest obstacle. In April 2010 I suggested that she should go upcountry and work in a large school which needed an Accounts Assistant since their Bursar was sickly and was out of the office many times. She was offered a net salary of Ksh. 10,000/=, free lunch and a small house within the school compound. Though this was very little pay, we encouraged her and told her it was better than sitting at home doing nothing and she would gain experience. 6 months into the job, she was offered the job of a Bursar in a neighbouring but smaller school for a net pay of KSh. 15,000/=. I told her not to leave because she had not gained experience and when she informed the Principal what she had been offered, he increased her net pay to 12,000/=. In December 2010, the Bursar she was assisting passed on and she assumed the office in acting capacity. Her net pay was increased to Ksh. 20,000/=. JG regularized the accounting system in the school and for the first time the Board of Management was receiving up-to-date financial statements. Parents who had hitherto been complaining over inconsistencies in their fees payment records were all praising her and even the local opinion shapers took note of her work. In June 2011, JG was offered the job of a Cash Officer by a producer Co-operative Society in the district at a pay which was more than 3 times what she was getting at the school. The Board of Management agreed to release her after a notice of two months so that they could get a replacement. She left on 31st August 2011 to join the Co-operative Society where she has been since and is now the Chief Accountant and also deputizes the Finance Manager. LESSON: To gain experience, you must leave your comfort zone, make sacrifices, resist short-term sweetened offers; and pay the opportunity cost which may mean you may even have to work on voluntary basis or at very low pay. Whether you are a graduate of a University, College or whatever institution, always remember this; in the job market nobody starts climbing a tree from the top, NEVER!
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 05:43:51 +0000
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