Finding a job in Kenya can be challenging. For a country that is the 27th most populous nation in the world and the 7th largest in Africa, the Kenyan economy is still developing. In 2020, Kenya was ranked the 64th nation in the world based on its GDP. Despite this, residents of the country find it hard to locate and acquire adequate jobs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 1.7 million Kenyans lost their jobs, and the country has since struggled to register employment growth of more than 10%.
Despite these statistics, Kenya is ranked amongst developing economies that are witnessing growth in numerous sectors. Although competition is intense, organizations across the country continue to actively hire talented individuals in various fields. Professional domains like software development, copywriting, sales, data analytics, and data security engineering have seen substantial growth in Kenya over the past few years.
So, how to find the best job for your qualifications in Kenya? Here are a few tips that can help you get started:
1. Determine your strengths and competencies
Kenya, like any other developing nation, needs a skilled workforce to facilitate the growth of its economy. If you wish to become a part of this economic cycle, the most effective place to start is yourself. Every person has their strengths and weaknesses. These capacities determine the areas in which you can grow effortlessly and where you need to work. And while there are a lot of resources available online to learn more about the most paying jobs in Kenya, it is best that you start by analyzing yourself for the fields that you are looking to apply in.
Every person understands where their passion lies. At the same time, their education doesn’t need to be in the same field. Your strength is always in the area where your heart lies, and it is best to focus on polishing the relevant skill set in this area. For instance, if you are a copywriter, it will work in your favor to assess positions in this field and find handsomely paying jobs in this segment.
2. Make sure that your skills reflect well in your resume
Your resume is the document that speaks for you before you get a chance to do that in an interview. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that your CV reflects your strengths, skills, and qualifications effectively. You must have heard the saying that the first impression is the last impression, and this statement is true to a significant extent. Your CV is your first impression in front of the company where you are looking to apply. The format and wording in your resume can make or break your chances of getting a good job. Therefore, you must put extensive effort into polishing your CV.
3. Skip the intermediaries and apply with the company directly
There may be various platforms that market the fact that they can connect you with relevant companies for jobs. However, these are not always reliable. So, to ensure you land a high-paying job, you need to send your CV to the organization directly. Job openings are often posted on their website or other portals. Even when nothing is posted, you can send in your resume so that it can be considered whenever the relevant position opens up. Sending your CV without a job opening may feel like firing blanks, but it is more effective than doing nothing at all.
4. Utilize your connections
Friends, family, and other people in your social circle can serve as one of the most integral steps in helping you find the right job. The stronger your connections with these people, the better your chances of pitching yourself to the company where you want to work. Friends and family members who are working in different organizations can keep you in the loop for when a position is about to open. By staying in touch with these connections, you are able to get notified of the job opening beforehand so that you can apply and even land the role effectively.
5. Find a way to locate hidden job markets
While it is convenient to apply for jobs through online platforms, there is usually extensive competition for the job openings posted on these websites. The more effective way is to leverage the networks that allow you to find out about hidden jobs. Through connections with individuals who are working within organizations, you can learn about certain jobs that are not advertised at all. The benefit of applying for these positions is that there is less competition, and since you go through a reference of an individual already working in the company, your chances of landing the job increase significantly.
6. You’ll have a better chance of finding a job at a smaller company
Almost every job seeker in Kenya wants to start at some place at the top. This means that the competition for top positions in leading organizations is massive. As such, this strategy is not always the best way forward. The ideal channel for you to land a good job is to start with smaller companies. These organizations have equally productive positions, and more importantly, they provide extensive exposure for growth and career development. By starting at small companies, you can slowly make your way to the top while learning a lot along the way.
7. Be patient
In Kenya’s current job market, your search may test your patience. You will get rejections or may be unable to find a position that suits your academic and professional qualifications. It is important that you remain patient during this time. Your job search can sometimes take months, and sometimes, it can end in a few days. Either way, your way to a better career opportunity is paved. Patience is key here, and those who can weather out the storm without losing their cool are able to reap the best results at the end of it all.
Conclusion
Kenya is a country that experts predict to develop and grow economically. For job seekers in the country, substantial opportunities are on the horizon. All you need is to follow a few basic steps that can make all the difference. These include analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, effectively highlighting your competencies in the resume and then utilizing proper connections with friends and family to push this CV to the relevant people. If you can get these steps right, then you can easily land your dream job in Kenya.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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