How Do I Find a Job in Kenya If I am Rejected After Every Interview?

Know how to find a job in Kenya after being rejected in interviews

By Selipha Kihagi

In a country where the unemployment rate is embarrassing to mention, finding a job becomes very difficult for most candidates. That is why it is not surprising that the biggest worry among most fresh graduates is where to find a job in Kenya. In an earlier post addressing this very problem, we discussed 5 steps job seekers can take to find a new job in September. If those are the steps you are most interested in, take a detour here. Our post today is for those candidates who have been to several interviews but can’t seem to find a job in Kenya.

A friend of mine (let’s call him Shem) is appalled at the realization that he might not find a job anytime soon. Why? He has been successful in most of his job applications but has not received any feedback from his interviews. “I just don’t get what I am doing wrong. My job applications always get me to interviews but after that it is total silence. I have tried to follow up with a few interviews to know what went wrong but no substantial information comes of it. How do I find a job in Kenya if I am rejected in every interview?” says Shem in a conversation.

Being that I work for a leading recruitment firm in Kenya, I know with certainty that Shem’s case is not unique. So if you are in similar shoes and are cursing at employers for the fact that you can’t find a job after interviews, here is an approach you can try out.

How to Find a Job in Kenya After Being Rejected 

1. Admit and accept that you are doing something wrong

When faced with such a situation, it is only natural that you may be quick to blame recruiters and employers. Don’t! For you to find a solution to a problem, you must first start by taking all the responsibility in order to move forward. Without doing so you cannot progress.

So, even if you feel that you have done your best, resist the thought of blaming recruiters. Why? Even if they were to blame, that fact in itself will not help your chances to find a job in Kenya. By admitting you are doing something wrong in your job interviews, you make the first step towards your journey of getting a job.

2. Identify where the problem lies in these 3 ways

Now that you have accepted that you may be a victim of common mistakes in a job interview, it is time to find out for sure what the problem is. To do this with certainty, use any or all of these 3 methods; ask the help of your previous interviewers, do your research and (or) consult a professional interview coach.

With previous interviewers, you will have to look back at your interviews and contact the recruiters you dealt with at the time. Chances are you still have their email addresses or phone numbers if they reached out via a phone call. Reach out to these interviewers – as many as you can- through individual emails or phone calls and ask if they can comment on what went wrong in the interview. Not every recruiter or interviewer will remember your interview, but a few of them might and will point out the mistakes.

When it comes to research, Google is a great resource to help you identify what you may be doing wrong in your journey to find a job in Kenya. Search for common interview mistakes and research interview gone wrong stories, you may find several mistakes that you can relate to. In most cases, a bad attitude is one of the factors that faults most candidates as you can see in this article here.

If these two resources don’t bring out any problem in you, it may be time to consult an interview coach. With interview coaching, you are able to have a mock interview and the coach is able to point out your mistakes in person. If you are looking for this approach, learn more here about our interview coaching service.

3. Eliminate the problem by doing this

If your efforts in step 2 above are fruitful, chances are you will be one step closer to find a job in Kenya. However, in order to progress further you need to write down your problem in job interviews and focus on squashing it. Please note that the use of the word problem does not mean it is only one. You could have a series of mistakes from bad attitude, wrong interview answers, interview anxiety or lack of confidence. Whatever your interview mistakes may be, write them down and find a solution to each one.

If you seek the help of an interview coach, then she or he will give you a guide on how to overcome your interview problem. For those of you who choose the other two methods, doing thorough research on your problem will help you squash it in no time. For instance, if your issue is wrong interview answers, rehearse common interview questions and answers over and over until you are a master. If your issue is bad attitude, read on how to keep your attitude in check and ask someone to interview you and give you feedback about your attitude. You will be surprised how this will help you eliminate your interview problem and help you find a job in Kenya.

4. In your next interview, ask the interviewer how you did

The good thing for anyone in Shem’s situation is that you will probably be invited to another interview very soon. Interviews give both the candidate and recruiter a chance to address any doubts they may have by asking questions. For candidates, this chance presents itself towards the end where the interviewer asks; “Do you have any questions for me?” It is advised that you always have at least two questions for the interviewer.

When this happens in your next interview, ask the interviewer how they think you performed during the interview and if there is something you can change. In most cases interviewers will appreciate your question and give an honest answer by pointing out any mistakes. When they do this, do not try to defend yourself but accept the feedback and say thank you. Consult this article on other interview questions to ask recruiters.

In order to find a job in Kenya, you must be willing to work harder than the next person. You are in a race that only you must win and as such, you cannot afford to be a normal candidate. Recruiters and employers are intrigued by candidates who stand out from the rest. And standing out does not mean you must have the best grades or best interview answers, no. Sometimes it is your confidence and willingness to learn that triumphs in the end.

Trying to find a job in Kenya but hitting a wall? Let us know the details below.