|

How Can I Get A Good Job With No Experience

Get a job in Kenya without experience. We examine how fresh graduates and those looking to change careers can prepare for the job market.

By Perminus Wainaina

This month I have had an opportunity to talk to college students who will be joining the job market soon. What was common with these students was that they are looking for “good jobs” but have no work experience.

The first event was held at Visions College that trains accountants. The training focused on employability skills. The students wanted to know what employers are looking for when hiring and more so when one doesn’t have experience. The second event was with Akili Dada. Akili Dada is an NGO that focuses on the girl child with special emphasis on imparting them with leadership skills. The session covered CV writing and interviews.

During the course of my work, I interact with fresh graduates and many are disappointed when I inform them that I cannot get them job placements. The number one reason is because they don’t have any work experience. Majority have an empty CV as there is no evidence of having taken an internship role or volunteered.

Many are shocked to learn that apart from having good grades, employers also expect one to have undertaken some form of internship or volunteered their time.

When you are starting out, employers know that you have a lot to learn. However, as much as they are prepared to train you, they want individuals who can demonstrate initiative, leadership and are self motivated. When all you can show at the end of a four year course is a certificate (whether it’s first class or just a pass), the employer questions whether you have what it takes to go past his or her expectations

Getting an internship or an organization to volunteer is not easy. A lot of employers see young professionals as time wasters and few are willing to give them a chance even if it’s unpaid. Secondly, there are many distractions that keep young professionals away from focusing on what is important in their careers, from social media, peer influence to just being plain lazy. It takes a sharp and focused young mind to avoid these distractions and go out and seek an internship. A lot of the young people are also unable to handle rejection and will give up on the first attempt if it doesn’t work.

Another issue that came up during the training was on where to get an internship. If you talk to successful professionals, they will tell you that they first worked in places that had no relation to their area of training. If it’s an engineer, you might find that they got their first internship in customer service or other ‘odd’ jobs like sales and marketing. What is important to employers is that you can work with people and that you know how to behave in a work environment. They can train you on the technical aspects. Obviously, you are better off getting an internship or your first job in your area of training but if it’s not forthcoming and you have an opportunity in another field, grab it. They are transferable skills to learn.

The issue of job experience also affects experienced professionals. I have met individuals who would like to change careers but are facing difficulties because they don’t have the necessary work experience. For this group, my advice is for one to get a part time job or volunteer at their place of work. If you work for an accommodating employer, why don’t you volunteer to work in the department that you are interested in joining? For example, if you are in general admin and have pursued a course in HR, volunteer to work in the HR department and to assist in some of the duties. For part time job, they are many organizations and especially the SME’s who will give you an opportunity to practice what you’ve learnt. Other organizations where you can volunteer or get a part time job include i.e. churches, investment groups, schools etc.

This way, you will have something to write on your CV and be competitive when it comes to job applications.

If you are to get a good job without experience you have to plan all the way. Majority of us expect things to work out by themselves. Unfortunately that’s not how the world operates. You have to do your part and this includes hassling for odd jobs, volunteering, going out of way to get part time jobs, cutting on your social life and investing that time learning, etc.

Success will come your way but only if you are willing to invest your time and effort. It’s not enough to desire a good job when you have no experience; you have to prove that you have what it takes.

Perminus Wainaina is a Recruitment Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. He delights in seeing professionals take control of their own careers and make choices that work better for them. Email perminus@corporatestaffing.co.ke

28 Comments

  1. hi,i love the article above.Does one apply for voluntary job just like every other job? or does one go to an office in person.?please guide me on this .

  2. i looking for internship but icant get one so iam very worried how to get them

  3. hi, I am a diploma holder in purchasing and supplies management . without any experience in the same field.but seriously looking for a job.

  4. this has triggerd my voluntary,job seaching n what it takes to land a job.am a fresh graduant of this moth in diploma water resource management and technology

  5. Thenx so much for this good & encouraging advise, I persued a course in cabin crew but I have not yet got a chance to work with any airline, though I decided to hassle rather doing nothing & now after going through your wringtings, I feel like I chose the correct decision……God bless u

  6. Am an on doing student of Bachelor in HRM Thanks for the wake up call I ell go out of my way to look for internship jobs and voluntary jobs so s to be competitive

  7. Thank you so much for your advice.its like awake up call for me.l graduated last year as diploma holder in business management and specialized in human resource management but till now l have not gotten anything to do.l will now try my best to volunteer.God bless you

  8. Hallo ,the script is very encouraging .I have personally tried to seek for job but its all in in vain ,i need advise from you sir .Can one meet you personally for advise please ?

  9. Hii
    I personally am a fresh graduate and following the advice given up there its so challenging though encouraging and preparing us to join the job market.
    Thanks a lot

  10. The world of work really cultivates for commitment and resilience.. Am encouraged by this..thanks

  11. Really encouraging, I completed diploma in water Engineering, where will i get an internship because i need experience?Thanks.

  12. Mr. Wainaina , You are my Mentor..I love your work cause it gives me the strength to venture into this challenging world of Professionalism.
    And above all it is true that we need to show commitment to our future employers by volunteering ,and getting attached to organisations to gain the desired experience .

  13. Great work mr wainaina. Whenever i am reading such pieces,i maket sure i have my book and a pen next to me for note taking. Thats how i got my job. I volunteered for 4 months with zero pay,i applied for a casual job,invited for interview and passed. Five months later,my responsibilites have been added. I believe in the power of internship. Only sharp young brains will dare go for it. Thanks be to God,i got this job before graduating,internship experience stood in the gap.

  14. Hello,

    This article has really helped me.I feel i have a starting point now.
    Thanks Perminus

  15. Thanks, we will keep on struggling for nothing good comes on a simple platter.

  16. thank you for this note.this demonstrates the challenges we are facing esp for fresh graduates, that are way beyond our expectations .with this advice i believe we can reach heights we never expected.thank you

  17. thank you for this note.this demonstrates the challenges we are facing esp for fresh graduates, that are way beyond our expectations .with this advice i believe we can reach heights we never expected.

  18. Why not work online to get a good job with no experience? It can even be part time as you look for an office job, plus you will have something to show on your CV.

  19. seriously this tells the truth.this by experience now no one is interested in my skills so long as am just but fresh from college,

  20. As I look forwad to venture into the job market soon as a fresh graduate,I find the advice above very challenging and inspiring.

  21. i feel lucky to have met this naration and am one who is intending face such task very soon cause at amoment am having my Diploma in HRM please bring more advices to us.

  22. Hello,
    The script above is very encouraging,and I also encourage my fellow youths to mostly venture into volunteering part of it as this helps a lot it demarcates lazy and busy minds.
    I once shared the same with a friend of mine (….He was a classmate back in high school) that am personally am doing voluntary work, He was like “I can only do voluntary work if i don’t have nothing to do!!” His replies didn’t shock e, for i knew what lies ahead of me.
    I can proudly testify that the internship am doing now (HR INTERN) i got it because of my voluntary work for the 7 years.
    Ain’t bragging but just enlightening the mind of my fellow youths that, A time well spend in doing voluntary work, does count alot tomorrow.
    Thanks
    Shelton Amwayi
    HUMAN RESOURCE INTERN
    BTL CONSULTING COMPANY

Comments are closed.