Africa-Press – Eritrea. You’ve been looking for a job for years but haven’t got one. You have tried everything, from taking unpaid internships, sending hundreds of application letters and giving your best shot at job interviews, but the big break just isn’t coming.
Maybe you graduated five years ago but are still looking for work. Or perhaps you were the victim of layoffs but haven’t found a job several years down the line. Your problem could be that you’ve been out of work for so long that you are no longer attractive to employers. In essence, you have become unemployable. Ouch!
It’s rather tragic that those who have been out of work for lengthy periods are unlikely to get picked when vacancies arise. The amount of time that makes one unemployable varies from country to country. It is as little as six months in some countries and as many as three years in others. It’s not easy getting an answer for Kenya, but generally being out of work for more than a year could be a problem even for a graduate looking for entry-level positions.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ latest labour report shows that 3.9 per cent of working-age Kenyans (ages 15-64) are long-term unemployed. This refers to people who have been looking for work for at least one year. The 20-24 age group was worst affected, with 13.5 per cent of them being long-term unemployed.
How, then, does one get a job after a prolonged period of unemployment?
1. Update your skills: The biggest worry among potential employers is that persons who have been out of work for too long don’t have up-to-date skills. A good example is the ICT sector, where technology changes very quickly. Someone who’s been out of the industry for several years may not be aware of the latest trends in ICTs. Even as you are out of work, continuously upgrade your certifications by taking advantage of available training opportunities.
2. Network: The Harvard Business Review recommends making use of your social circles in finding jobs. Social circles include family, friends, neighbours, former workmates, schoolmates or even people with whom you attend religious services. Have an updated CV and remember to customise it for each job opening. In this era of online interviews, identify a clean, quiet room with good lighting suitable for that purpose. In case you get an interview appointment, prepare and practise for it.
3. Avoid unsolicited emails: A few months ago, we warned against sending hundreds of emails to potential employers, hoping at least some of them will respond. Sadly, most such emails – known as unsolicited job applications – never get opened. Create a list of jobs you would enjoy doing. Next, find out where those jobs are available, do a bit of research about the employer, and check if there’s anybody you know in that organisation. If there’s a vacancy, write a polished job application that responds to the requirements of the job. It is better to send a few strong applications instead of many weak ones.
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Even well-paid professionals return to university for further studies
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