Finding a job in Lagos, Nigeria is almost always an herculean task. With how small the state is, it has one of the largest populations in Nigeria, a good GDP, making the fight for employment opportunities extremely competitive and fierce. As a graduate in Lagos, looking to score a reasonable paying job in the city of Lagos(i.e. Lasgidi), the tips below can make that search of yours finally come to an end in a fruitful way. This article explains How to Find a Job in Lagos Nigeria.
How to Find a Job in Lagos Nigeria
How to Find a Job in Lagos Nigeria
1. Try everyday
A criterion for getting a job in Lasgidi (Lagos) is to not be lazy. Like I said earlier, everything in Lagos is competitive, so if you’re sitting home and waiting for the job to come to you, I can confidently assure you that you will keep drinking Garri for the rest of your adult life. Make endless copies of your Curriculum Vitae (C.V) and go round to organizations and apply. Make sure you do this for at least 5 companies per day. Its hard work but Statistically, if you do this consistently for one week, there’s a 97% chance that you’ll get called in ,so don’t just sit there, get off your and work.
2. Nothing is too small
The aim is to get a job. Not win the lottery. Some of us can’t go for a 20,000 job, saying it’s too small. You have to start somewhere. A N20, 000 job in Lagos is probably worth twice that anywhere else. Besides, you’re using it to gain working experience on your resume. When the time comes for you to leave that job, it will be infinitely easier for you o apply for those jobs asking for 3, 5 and 10 years job experience.
Notwithstanding, starting small, even small enough to get you running is still something. Don’t be picky. This does not mean that you should choose an entirely unreasonable job with an unreasonable salary just because you want to start small. By unreasonable salary, I mean a salary in which your expenses are so great there’s hardly any profit left. Be smart, don’t be picky, start now!
3. Hunt newspapers
This is one of the ways Lagos companies advertise their vacancy positions. Reading newspapers everyday not only keeps you updated about the situation and happenings in Nigeria but you might stumble into one of the averts for vacancy positions in Lagos. Newspapers like Punch, Vanguard, Tribune and others almost always have vacancy positions advertised in them every day.
4. Try the internet
Yeah, the internet is now a store in which you can get a job with just a click of a button. Google jobs that are related to your field of work and apply for them. Troll sites like jiji and konga which help companies to advertise vacancy positions. Keep a copy of your CV online and readily available to be sent with a few clicks from your smartphone. The internet is the latest trend now as companies seldom post vacancy notices in Newspapers anymore. It is a great way to find jobs particular to your field of work.
Examples of sites that can help are:
- Naijahotjobs.com
- Jobberman.com
- JoblistNigeria.com
- NGCareers.cpmHotNigerianjobs.com
- JobsForNaija.com
- Jetheights.comjobs.Naij.com
5. Freelancing
Full time freelancing itself is a job on its own. If you’re good at writing articles, whatever genre they may be, you may be able to land a job with a big company and work FROM HOME. This is probably what everyone wishes for; working from the comfort of your bed in your house. Freelancing gigs are surplus on the net and have recorded a 95% increase since last year. Google search ‘write for money in Lagos Nigeria’ and you’ll be bombarded with lots of results and numerous opportunities to choose from. The awesome aspect about freelancing is that sometimes you can negotiate your pay, especially if what you write is pretty good.
6. Be creative – be the hunted
You want a job with those big companies – Mtn, Shell, Gtbank, etc. the hard truth is that they will not come for you if you keep waiting for them. What you have to do is to grab their attention by doing something in a creative way. This is the only way you can distinguish yourself from other graduates out there patrolling the streets going from office to office looking for a job.
Example of such creativity is Matthew Epstein who wanted a job with Google. He set up a website and named it Googlepleasehire.me and he produced a video resume of himself in which he listed all his attributes and the advantages he could be of to Google if he was hired. The video was able to attract massive attention within a few weeks and over 720,000 people visited his website to watch the video. The website later crashed but the deed had been done. ABC news featured him and big companies started hunting him to work for them not only because of the popularity he got which would be advantageous for their public image but also because of the classic way he marketed himself to prospective employers.
You don’t necessarily have to create a video like the way Matthew did, but you CAN do something that will get the attention of your desired organization in a good way if done well. Put that million dollar brain of yours to work and start being creative!
7. Social networks
Following social networks can easily get you jobs in Nigeria. All companies use the social media to market their products and services and also use it for advertisement for Job vacancy. On Facebook, twitter and Instagram, you’ll see companies offering jobs and asking for applications to be submitted at their website or their office.
You can also follow big companies on twitter and Facebook to stay updated for when they’ll release vacancy ads so you can apply instantly. The social media will help keep you updated about the latest job offers being released into the media stream. Some companies even advertise on the radio and TV. Job hunting itself is a full time job so you have to be prepared in every way if you really want to get hired.
Lagos, Nigeria is a city of numerous opportunities just waiting for the right minds to snatch it. Be that right mind today!
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