According to recent data, about 1.4 million Kenyans are unemployed. This prevailing shortage of graduate jobs in kenya is scaring considering that Kenya is one of the countries with the most learned workforce in Africa.
Worse still, every year, thousands of fresh graduates join the labor market with only a few being lucky to be absorbed into the existing industries.
The job market is therefore ultra-competitive meaning that for you to have a chance, you need to maximize the few interview opportunities that come your way.
Unfortunately, many of those who reach the interview phase often fail to persuade the potential employer and end up remaining jobless despite having great academic credentials.
So, how can you thrill the interviewers and get noticed?
Here are some awesome tips.
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Act the interviewer
What about play acting the interviewer?
Because of the overwhelming numbers, interviewers look for the earliest opportunity to knock people from the shortlist.
You can, therefore, expect some funny sounding random questions even before you are settled.
“Why do you look panicky?”
The panel sometimes seems all too happy to remind you that you are not experienced enough for the job.
“Don’t you feel that your inexperience could cost the company big in future?”
This is what you do:
Rather than wait, you should wear your interviewer’s shoes and predict questions that you could face during the interview.
Then, compile and memorize convincing answers.
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Connect (emotionally) with your Interviewer
The interviewer is first and foremost an emotional being. For this reason, he/she is more likely to buy into every answer if you touch him/her emotionally.
On this, the initial minutes in the interview room are super important. Try to quickly learn the panel and get ideas on the company’s pains.
For instance, the interviewer may let slip that sales are sluggish.
This is what you do:
Based on what you’ve learned, mention something to the effect that you understand the company’s situation and that you are willing to offer your all to help the company.
Example:
“I have worn that shoe and know its pain. I attended my internship at a time when sales were suffering but I managed to quadruple sales in about 3 months”
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Investigate the Firm (and its industry)
Interviewers like asking questions on how the interviewee perceives the firm’s position in the relevant industry, its competition, competitive advantages, and even ideas on how it should behave moving forward.
You will beat the rest hands down if you can clearly prove perfect understanding of the firm’s dynamics and give practical improvement proposals.
This is what you do:
Well in advance of the date, expertly research the company, the industry, and some of its competitors.
This information will help in tackling these questions.
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Craft persuasive “selling points”
In many interviews for graduate jobs in kenya, employers are easy to win over if you can demonstrate how the company will gain from hiring you.
This is what you do:
Before attending the interview, prepare 3 to 5 unique selling points (USPs). Talk and show how your eloquence, marketing skills, and your digital competence will improve the company.
Here is an example of a statement that may sell:
“I have superb online marketing skills and I am sure I can help this company to better connect with their online audience”
Unique Selling point: Having top-class digital marketing talent.
How it helps your employer: They increase revenue from selling to a new online audience.
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That Question Now: “What’s Your Weakness?”
A dreaded question, many cannot honestly answer the question of their weakness.
They instead issue vague answers such as “I am often quick to anger”.
Unknown to many, employers are interested in your human side and are looking for open answers.
An employer would also appreciate if you can explain how you will use the supposed weakness to improve the company’s affairs.
This is what you do:
During preparations, create a compelling answer and understand it.
Example:
Weakness: “I lack a thick skin and may quickly get annoyed if a team member is acting slowly…”
How My Weakness Can Help: “I’ve been gradually working on improving my patience while working with teams by listening more and I’m convinced that my improved temper will help me relate better with others in this company”.
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Clean Up Your Social Media Nests
Employers are nowadays also social and comb through your social media profiles in search of the red flags.
Certainly, it’s advisable to watch what you upload though it’s easier said than done.
This is what you do:
Apps like Social Sweepster detects all your bad photos (beer bottles, explicit images, and the likes) removing them. It will also delete drug-related posts!
Amazing, isn’t it?
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Be natural
Some interviewees act extremely polite and even seem passive.
But an interview is supposed to be a super engaging affair where you take charge and present your case to be recruited.
You should thus display great confidence and act naturally.
Answer all queries confidently, maintain eye contact, call the interviewers by their names…and more. It pays to be natural.
This is what you do:
Again practice being the interviewer, and where possible, with a friend in the ‘interview’ seat. As you ‘answer’ the questions, insist on your unique selling points. You can ask your friend to rate your performance and to suggest improvements.
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Interview The Interviewer
You usually get a chance to quiz your interviewer as the interview heads toward the tail end.
While many interviewees develop cold feet, you can earn extra confidence marks by asking one or two good questions.
You can even be smarter and seize on the chance to drive home some more selling points.
This is what you do:
Draft some genuine questions and identify specific details that you will add to help sway the decision towards you.
Example:
“I have always loved leadership and have been leading different departments throughout my school life. What leadership opportunities does your company provide for new staff?”
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Maximize the Closure
If you stumbled at some point during the interview, you have one more chance to win over your fence-sitting potential recruiter.
Grab it with your both hands by issuing one last passionate plea to be hired.
This is what you do:
Write down your final submissions summarizing all your key selling points. Make it short and concise
Example:
“I am glad for the chance and it has been quite interesting. By hiring me, you will be getting an outstanding digital marketer and a hardworking worker who can help drive your agenda forward. I actually can’t wait to get started”
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Follow Up
Try and send a personalized “thank you” email within 24 hours after the interview.
In it, reiterate your interest in the position and include other details that you may have forgotten during the interview.
It shouldn’t be, however, too lengthy.
This is what you do:
Be creative and collect the emails of your interviewers. Request them or get help from the secretary.
Summary
The market for graduate jobs in kenya is hyper-competitive in Kenya and to win a job, you must be prepared to do more.
Standing out during the interview could help you shine and eventually win you that all-important job.
For a start, practice the interviewer, create and communicate your unique selling points, in addition to researching the firm in out.
These, plus other tips could secure land you the job.
Related: How University Students Can Improve Their Finances