Avoid common job search mistakes

Unemployment is ravaging Uganda, with unofficial statistics indicating that up to 36 per cent of young people in this country are without jobs. Close to 400,000 young graduates join the labour market each year, but the private sector absorbs just 80,000 of them while 20,000 join government, leaving the rest with no alternative but to join the informal sector. Searching for a job in these circumstances can be a trying experience, but if you are a job searcher, you need not be depressed.

However scarce jobs may be, if you get your strategies right, there is absolutely no reason for hiring companies not to recruit you. But first, you must avoid common mistakes made by people looking for employment.

Staffing firms: How often do you read the newspaper and find that the positions you applied for, require you to send your resume to PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Dama Consultants or aikan Recruitment Service?
You should therefore distribute your curriculum vitae to these firms if you want to get a head-start on the competition. Even in these days of massive unemployment, there are jobs for people with the right skills and qualifications. If you can correct the aforementioned mistakes, you will be in line for a recruitment sooner or later.

Lack of diversity: Most Ugandan job seekers rely too much on newspaper advertisements for work openings. However, this is a narrow approach. You need to diversify your search to the Internet as they are websites like ugandajobsonline.com which offer useful job openings. You must also consider scanning weekly magazines, networking with professional contacts and registering with a staffing firm to broaden your search.

For example, if you are a journalist, register with the Uganda Journalists Association, or if you are a lawyer, make sure the Uganda Law Council knows about you. Cavalier attitude: Sending one or two job applications per week, is like trying to capture a whale in Lake Victoria using a small fishing net. It will get you nowhere. To catch the ‘big fish’, you must cast your net wide, as the more applications, inquiries and resumes you submit, the more likely you are to get off the dusty Kampala streets.

All of this requires a major investment of time and effort. In short, if you are unemployed, make sure you devote 3-4 hours everyday to looking for work. Mistake prone: Are you making too many grammatical errors in your application letters? Are you placing commas and full stops in the wrong places? This could be frustrating your job search efforts. With thousands of applicants for each position, it is the candidates who pay great attention to detail who will take the top positions.

A recent survey in USA revealed that almost 50 per cent of executives would reject an applicant on account of an error on his or her resume. In brief, be careful. You could even ask a freelance proof reader to examine your application for mistakes. No follow up: It is prudent to check on the hiring manager within two weeks of sitting for a job interview. Most Ugandan job seekers do not follow up after their interview yet studies suggest nearly 90 per cent of hiring managers have a positive view of applicants who call them or e-mail them shortly after the interview.

Keeping quiet: Do not suffer silently. It pays to use your contacts to help you push for a job. Although this is the most common form of ‘canvassing’ in Uganda, many job seekers ignore it at their own peril. Do not be afraid of using your influence with your extended family, friend, your alumni and even former work colleagues and village mates. So people call it influence peddling, but it works.