How Kenyan Graduates Are Using Extreme Measures To Get Jobs
They say desperate times call for desperate measures but how far would you go to get what you want? Welcome to the reality of unemployment in Kenya. As you know, there are far too many graduates in Kenya but where are the jobs? With too many job seekers for limited job openings, it is going to take more than just sending out applications and waiting for that magical call.
This is why Kenyan graduates have resorted to unorthodox ways of escaping unemployment. This has been witnessed in the last couple of months, where job seekers will do anything in the hope to be noticed by employers.
Earlier in June, Gilbert Mutai, an Electrical Engineering Graduate at the Technical University Of Kenya took an unconventional path in his desperate job hunting mission. Mr Mutai, in his efforts to seek employment, took to the streets of Nairobi to ask for employment after repeated failed attempts. He hoped that luck would come his way while holding a placard on the streets and asking for employment.
“I have been applying for employment for the last one year to no avail and yet I was one of the top students in my class,” he said. Luckily for him, this was not in vain because he later started receiving several calls from people telling him to send his CV for job interviews.
In another case this week, Patrick Muthomi, an Accounting Graduate also took the same direction by camping at Muthaiga Road with a placard asking for employment. His placard also outlined his qualifications and contact details.
Mr Muthomi graduated from Chuka University in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Bachelor’s of Commerce, Accounting option. He also has a certificate in CPA section 4. According to Muthomi, he had made more than 200 job applications but received no reply prompting him to take such desperate measures. Read more on job application mistakes here
But are these measures necessary and do such attention seeking stunts work for job seekers? The 2 cases above depict the reality of unemployment in Kenya. Things are tough out there and as a job seeker, you need to stand out from the crowd. For Gilbert, his method seemed to work but we are not sure about Patrick’s case.
Why Graduates Are Taking Extreme Measures To Find Jobs
According to Mercy Kamau, undertaking such a process may be fruitful after all.
“What may seem crazy to one employer may be courageous to another one,” she says. “I would encourage them to take the path because they are better off compared to some graduates who will just sit and wait for things to happen.”
Charles Wekesa is of the opinion of giving the idea a shot because you have nothing to lose. “The rejection of employers is very discouraging and knowing how crazy the job market in Kenya is, such a method is very much welcome,” he says.
Have you ever landed a job in an impressive way? What are you doing extra in your job search? Share your story below
Jane is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Email [email protected] for any queries.
