Here are some guidelines to help you navigate the job search process in Juba, South Sudan as a fresh graduate.
- First attain all the required qualifications for your job search journey that is to say a degree or diploma, and computer skills.
- After attaining a degree/diploma from the university, immediately begin applying for job training in the sector you want to grow in for at least 3 or 6 months or even one year if you like that institution i.e. oil sector, government sector, NGOs, or investment companies. Do not attempt to start looking for a paid job before doing any job training with one of the reputable institutions. Doing job training just voluntarily has two advantages[1. It gives you basic experience to start your job search journey 2. Sometimes you may be confirmed by that institution if your work performance is excellent]
- After job training for 6 months or one year, do not apply for a senior position or officer, just begin with a small and junior position like an Assistant officer or executive just to get you into the organization and plan for your growth within there or in other institutions later on.
- Develop your standard CV (to be edited according to the job requirements) scan all your documents and keep them electronically i.e. In your email for easy sending when needed. To develop a standard CV, you need to go online and get yourself some good websites, which have good CV format or collect at least 5 to 10 CVs from your friends for comparison.
- Identify and list sectors/institutions you want to work with i.e. oil companies, NGOs, Banks, Hotels, construction companies, internet companies, telecommunication companies, insurance companies, logistics companies, aviation companies, and many other investment companies including shops and restaurants
- Create a one-month timetable for visiting these institutions and drop your CVs then keep following up with them until getting your job. i.e. say on Monday I go to world vision, Tuesday to DPOC, Wednesday to Ecobank, Thursday to Britam Insurance, Friday to Kenya Airway, and Saturday to Pyramid Hotel because hotels work on Saturday; continue this strategy with other institutions until month end and then begin from where you began with follow up. Do not go to one institution every day, every month, or every year when you are looking for a job, that is why it is called a job search, it is because you go from one institution to the other looking for the job until you get it.
- Buy yourself smart phone to monitor institutions that post their employment opportunities on their websites i.e. for NGOs, they post their employment opportunities in NGO forums, and UN Agencies have different websites and so forth
- Buy yourself a computer and a small printer to be placed at home because this is heavy work, which needs too much printing and other computer services. Also, attend computer training to strengthen your computer knowledge as well. Some people do not know how to apply online and it is because they do not have computer knowledge and sometimes they fail computer tests while they have very big technical knowledge
- Buy a motorbike if you are a man to facilitate your daily moments in these institutions
- Get yourself two consultants i.e. HR consultant and a Technical consultant within your field of specialization. The role of these consultants is to advise where you have gone wrong in your job search strategies and plan as well as advise you on how to prepare for your job tests and interviews. Many more are being done by these people. Do not begin your job search without having them, they are very important to have them.
- For other institutions that operate on a political basis, find yourself one or two powerful and top currently serving government officials who may be your relative in one way or the other, he/she may be your friend, relative, in-laws, etc. i.e. minister, DG, General, business tycoon to physically recommend/talk to those people you need opportunity from them on your behalf. Make sure he is someone influential and his connections with others work because there are some officials whose network does not work at all.
- Learn how to prepare for every test and interview you are invited to. Before going for any test or interview, properly read the job description of the job you applied for and read the other 4 to 5 job descriptions of other institutions for comparative analysis. Ask face-to-face 2 to 3 currently serving officers in the same field in that institution or others how they do those described duties and responsibilities. Also, ask your HR consultant to guide you on how you will present yourself in front of the interview panel.
This is my contribution/help to young graduates who are in the labor market looking for employment opportunities.
Source: Salva Marach Kon