Creative ways to land a job offer

We have all heard how difficult it is to come across a new job. But perhaps part of the reason for this is that jobseekers are not looking for positions in the right places.

Many companies do not advertise job openings the traditional way, which means many opportunities go unrecognised. There are creative ways jobseekers can search for positions, rather than submitting CVs only in response to job adverts in the media or on job boards.

A Facebook post that went viral last week chronicled one such method. A young graduate in accounting said she had spent seven months applying for job positions, but no one was calling her back. When her funds began to run low, she stepped up the search.

She had always been interested in vehicles, so she decided to look for accounting jobs from the car firms near where she lived. She visited three firms, sought audience with the managers and gave her pitch. Each listened to her. One offered her a job.

George Mukuna had a similar experience. After working for 13 years as a matatu driver, he decided to shift his focus to tours and travel.

He submitted CVs to several companies, but got no call backs. After six months, he changed tack. He began studying each company, familiarised himself with a manager and then made a call or paid a visit asking to speak to him or her.

“I would outline my objectives in an understandable way to compel the manager to consider hiring me,” he said.

He would present a summary of the challenges a company was facing and a brief background of himself that showed how he could address these specific hurdles.

“Some told me they would communicate as soon as a vacancy became available. One firm got back to me and hired me,” he said.

Private message

For Irene Woki, smart use of social media landed her a job.

She knew the industry she wanted to work in, so she followed companies in this space. However, with one firm that really caught her interest, she was dedicated to engaging fully. She liked and commented on its posts, and shared interesting information with her friends.

When a position opened up, someone within the company notified her directly through a private message on social media. She applied and was hired.

“If you have the right qualifications, know what you are looking for and make the right connections, chances are that you will land that dream job faster than your peers,” she said.

Drawing from her experience, she said if one wants to work with a particular organisation, it is prudent to follow it online and engage with it actively.

Having a strong network is also important, even if one already has a good job, added Juma Ogaro, a public relations manager.

 

“In case of a downsizing or a company becomes insolvent, network sources will be instrumental in landing you an unadvertised job elsewhere,” he said.

He added that making speculative job applications can be better than waiting for the same to be advertised.

Rita Mule, a public relations graduate, got a job this way. She called several communications companies, asked to speak to PR managers and once transferred, immediately launched into a pitch on what she could do for their firms.

“You may not be hired immediately, but a temporary role can be found for you pending future placement,” she said.

Mr Ogaro added it is important to research the companies you submit speculative applications to. This way, you know what they need and you can better express how you meet their requirements.