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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Jobs/Vacancies / Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed (24213 Views)
Covid-19 Pandemic Has Proved That Nigerian Graduates Are Highly Employable / Reasons Why Most Nigerian Graduates Are Not Employable / Why Do The Majority Of Job Applicants Never Get Hired? (2) (3) (4)
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Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Beta95(m): 10:53pm On Jul 22, 2017 |
Why Majority of Nigerian University Graduates Are Unemployed Unemployment, especially among the youths, is a challenge currently facing the country. [font=Lucida Sans Unicode][/font] Many are unemployed not because there are no jobs but because they do not possess the skills necessary for employment. While it is true that available jobs cannot go round everyone seeking employment, the reality is that there are many vacant positions that cannot be filled because there are no suitable candidates. You need more than university degree to succeed in today’s work place. There is a wide gap between the skills gained through university education and the skills required in the work place. Employers are looking beyond educational qualifications to make hiring decisions. You also need more than your degree to be successful in self-employment. What are employers looking for in job applicants? A careful scrutiny of employment advertisements will reveal the four critical areas employers assess job applicants: 1. Educational Qualifications 2. Skills 3. Attitudes (Character) 4. Job-related Experience For graduate or entry-level jobs, job-related experience is mostly de-emphasized because majority of applicants are deemed not to have previous work experience. During period of high un-employment, as is currently happening in the country, there are more than enough job applicants that meet the educational requirements. Among the multitudes that meet the set educational requirements, the criteria to choose remain: 1. Skills 2. Attitudes (Character) Skills + Attitudes = Employability Skills What are Employability Skills? Employability Skills are the skills and attitudes (character) that are required to; • Gain • Keep • .. and become Successful at work, whether you work for yourself or work for other people. Many of today’s graduates lack employability skills; hence they are considered to be “unemployable” From its definition, you need employability skills not only to get the job, but also to hold on to it as well as work your way up the employment ladder. You also require the skills to start and run your own successful business. What Are The Differences Between Educational Qualifications and Employability Skills? Educational qualifications are also called; • Hard skills, • Technical skills, • Vocational skills, • Professional skills, • Specific skills, etc. They include: • Law, • Medicine, • Engineering, • Carpentry, • Fashion Designing, • Photography, • Marketing, • Bead-Making, etc. They are characterized by being; • Teachable (can be taught), • Testable (can be tested by examination), • Job-specific (they cannot be transferred from one job to another) Hard skills qualify you to apply for a job but do not guarantee you a placement. Students and apprentices spend their study time to acquire hard skills. Employability Skills Employability skills are also referred to as: • Soft skills, • Transferrable skills, • Life skills, • People skills, • Interpersonal skills etc. They are characterized by not being; • Teachable- cannot be taught • Testable- cannot be tested through examination They are, however, transferrable- can be applied in all jobs, in different industries and at different levels in the organization. Employability skills are applicable both in professional and personal life. Though, employability skills are not teachable or testable, their presence or absence can be felt. They can be acquired through deliberate efforts and practice over a period of time. Hard and soft skills can be likened to hardware and software in computer terminology. While hardware can be seen, touched and felt, software cannot be seen, touched or felt. Hardware cannot function without software. Software is like human blood. Hard skills have limited usefulness without Soft skills. Majority of university graduates lack Soft skills. This is the reason why they are considered to be “unemployable”. To become employable, they need to work on their Employability (Soft) Skills It has to be noted that Vocational skills are not the same as soft skills. Graduates are advised to acquire vocational skills to make them employable. Bead-making, fashion designing, carpentry etc., are all hard skills. They also require soft skills to make success out of them. Acquisitions of vocational skills will only enable graduates have multiple sources of income but will not solve their lack of employability skills. What are the Employability Skills Necessary For Employment? The following are some of the employability skills sought by employers, which are considered lacking in most University graduates: 1. Effective Communication Skills Employers are keen on hiring applicants who can express themselves both orally and in writing. This skill is important to get the job and also to do the job. A lot of communications go on in the work place with co-workers and customers. If you are self-employed, you need effective communication skills to sell your products or services. You need to write proposals and make presentations to prospective customers to convince them to buy your product or service. You need effective writing skills to craft compelling CV and covering letter to be invited for job interview. When you get interview invite, you need good oral communication skills to sell yourself. Many applicants get disqualified at application stage as a result of poorly and badly written CV. CV with grammatical and spelling mistakes is destined for the waste paper basket. A lot about you and your character can be deduced from your CV and covering letter even before the prospective employer meets you. Majority of university graduates lack effective communication skills. The advent of social media has worsened the situation. Effective communication also includes; • Effective listening skills, • Presentation skills, • Questioning skills • Avoiding barrier to communication. For communication to be effective, it must follow the 7Cs of communication. It must be: Clear, Correct, Complete, Concise, Considerate, Coherent and Courteous. 2 IT/Computer Skills This is the ability to effectively use computer and its associated technologies. Most organizations employ computer to run their businesses efficiently to save cost and be more productive. Employers expect their applicants to be comfortable with the use of the common office productivity tools such as; • Microsoft Word, • Microsoft PowerPoint, • Microsoft Excel • Business Emailing. Computer literacy also includes ability to operate office automation devices such as; Photocopy Machine, Multimedia Projector, Fax Machine etc. Again, depending on the applicant’s field of study, he/she is expected to possess additional skills in the use of computer software packages and devices in their industry. • Accounting graduates are expected to be familiar with the use of at least one of the common accounting software packages- QuickBooks, Peachtree, Sage, etc • Medical graduates – Telemedicine software and Vital Sign Measuring Devices • IT/Computer Science graduates-Ability to use at least two or more modern computer programming languages e.g HTML, JavaScript, C++, C#, PHP, etc • Engineering graduates- Computer Aided Design (CAD) software IT/Computer skills go beyond ability to browse the Internet and use of social networking. Graduates who still rely on business centers to prepare their CV cannot claim to be computer literate. 3 Problem Solving Skills This is the ability to find solution to problems. Organizations solve problems to earn their income. Employers are looking for problem-solvers and not salary earners. Problem-solving is in the heart of all businesses. If you want to run a successful self-employment, you must find solution to problems which others are willing to pay for. Think of any successful business, you’ll discover that it is providing solution to human problem (need) through service or product. Businesses are setup to meet human needs. Maslow’s theory of human needs range from physiological needs, at the lower level, to self-actualization at the highest level. Businesses are set up to meet needs at each level of needs. Facebook and other social networking sites are setup to meet desire for ‘love’ and ‘belongingness’ needs of humans. Hospitals, schools, telecommunication companies etc provide services that meet the needs others are willing to pay for. Applicants who can come up with ideas that can generate income for their organizations are those that can get employment. 4 Team-working Skills Team-working skills are the ability to work with others in a professional manner to achieve organizational goal. Today’s work environment requires that you work with others in a team. You must demonstrate that you can work well with others with diverse views and culture to achieve set goals. You must exhibit positive group attitudes that reinforce your ability to forge alliance. These include: • Willingness to share time and talents • Readiness to compromise personal views to reach consensus • Being humble and not arrogant • Willingness to listen to others view • Willingness to help others to achieve • Being reliable and consistent always • Willingness to contribute without being domineering T =Together E=Everyone A=Achieve M=More; “Together Everyone Achieve More”, emphasizes the importance of team work in the workplace. 5 Planning and Organizing Skills Planning is the process of enumerating the tasks and resources needed to achieve a set goal. Organizing is the process of managing and implementing the tasks and resources needed to achieve a set goal Planning and Organizing go hand-in-hand. Planning involves; • Goal setting • Enumerating tasks and resources needed to reach the goal Organizing involves; • Prioritizing • Scheduling • Implementation Planning is important in all aspects of life to ensure achievement of desired result. Time is one of the resources required to achieve set goals and because it is limited it has to be properly managed. Time Management is always linked with planning and organizing. As a graduate employee, you are more than likely to be given multiple assignments at the same time and for you to meet deadlines; you must be a good time manager. The 6Ps of planning: Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. You must demonstrate that you can identify tasks and resources required to meet goals and prioritize tasks to achieve much in a given time. Time is money. Time management is often specified as one of the requirements in job advertisements. 6 Initiative and Enterprise Skills This is the ability to work with minimal supervision. Initiative is when you are able to do the right thing at the right time without being told. Enterprise is the ability to spot opportunity when others could not and taking steps and risks to actualize its implementation. Individuals with initiative and enterprising skills seek better ways to do things for improved effectiveness and efficiency. They are responsible for the continuous improvements in the socio-economic lives of humans over time. They come up with products and services that make life easy. 7 Numeracy Skills Numeracy is the ability to use numbers. Numbers are the language of business. You need numeracy skill no matter what your position or job is. Employers are interested in applicants who are comfortable with the use of numbers. While you do not have to be a mathematician, you should be familiar with basic arithmetic operations such as: • Addition, • Subtraction, • Multiplication, • Percentages • Interpretation of graphs, • Understanding trends in data, • Currency conversion, • Discounts, • Shapes and geometry etc. Numbers are used on daily basis both in personal and work environments. No matter how good your product or service is, if you cannot manage the money your business makes, you cannot go far. People with poor numeracy skills suffer a lot of employment and business related disadvantages. They earn far less with limited opportunities than their numerate counterparts. Innumerate people are not able to compete effectively in the work place. Employers are keen to hire numerate applicants because the will be able to contribute to their bottom-line. 8 Financial Literacy Skills Financial literacy skills are the skills needed to manage your personal finances to guarantee life-long financial independence. They include the knowledge how: • Money is made • It is saved • It is invested to multiply • To budget and live within your means • To take appropriate insurance (to mitigate against life’s risks) • To use money to assist others. Financial literacy skills are different from numeracy skills; not all numerate individuals are financially literate. Employers are keen to hire financially literate applicants because they are considered to be more productive than their illiterate counterparts. Financially illiterate employees are always bogged down with money issues which often distract them from their jobs. They go into debts, borrow money from colleagues and take salary advance. They spend a lot of time on phone resolving money issues which makes them less productive. 9 Commercial Awareness (Business Awareness) Skills Commercial awareness is the ability to know what makes a business or organization successful. It is one of the key employability skills employers are looking for. They want their applicants to have ‘business sense’. Commercial awareness skill includes ability to understand a company’s: • Products and Services • The industry it belongs • Its competitors • Its customers and suppliers • The Political and Economic environments in which it operates • Its Legal environment • Its expansion plans • Its position in the industry Another way to demonstrate commercial awareness is the understanding of the importance of cost-effectiveness, efficiency and customer care as factors affecting the success of organizations. Your prospective organization expects you to understand the role of the position you are applying for. While it is not possible to become commercially aware overnight, there are many ways to acquire the skill through deliberate efforts: • Reading up about your prospective company on its website • Listening to business programs on TV or Radio • Through internship, part-time job or volunteering activities • Partaking in extra-curricular activities • Through community development activities • Belonging to social and business associations 10 Attitudes (Character) In addition to your educational qualifications and skills, employers are interested in personal attitudes which have direct bearing on job-performance. You are assessed based on your level of positive attitudes. The following attributes are considered necessary for optimum job performance: • Punctuality • Honesty/Integrity • Perseverance • Flexibility/Adaptability • Positive attitude to work • Dedication • Affirmative • Tolerant • People Skill • Commitment • People Skills • Creative/Innovative • Organized • Responsibility/Dependability • Well groomed The various stages in the interview process sre designed to test the skills and the attitudes needed in each job. It is not enough to claim in your CV or covering letter that you have those skills and attitudes but you must be prepared to provide evidence that you have put them into use and obtain the desired results. **** 60 Likes 14 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by BiafraBushBoy(m): 12:30am On Jul 23, 2017 |
I bet you that this post will end here. Drop a post about boobs and celebrties... you will see all of them masturbating about it. Later they will blame the government. 20 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Nobody: 1:03am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Wow... so much too learn... We never stop our self-development till we die anyway... 8 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Actuarydeji(m): 6:26am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Your write(s) up is/are very good, but it can't work in Nigeria. 22 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Oluwamuyeewa(m): 8:39am On Jul 23, 2017 |
honestly I think we simply have more graduates than jobs, even if you have perfected everything you wrote up there..you can't still hire yourself and I always say this..9-5 job will keep you surviving you can't live on it, acquire a skill and get a life. 29 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Wisdombankxz: 8:39am On Jul 23, 2017 |
I tell my friends that my Definition of degree is this "HARDWORKING FOR A USELESS PIECE OF PAPER. "most of us lacks creativity thinking that the the paper (degree) will cover us up.. No, it can't. The world have changed. Stop carrying CV or Resume seeking for job. Tear your CV, it's no longer needed in the job market. What is the difference between your CV and other thousands of CVs in the job market? There are so many formats of CV writing. The bad news is that none of the formats is important since CV itself it's no longer needed for employment. Whether you want to work for yourself or for someone, I want to show you what you should start doing, starting from right now. Instead of scripting and carrying around the perfect CV, I want you to focus on PERSONAL BRANDING! You will remain a cheap and an ordinary employee until the day you discover that you are a brand. Now, let's go through the keys of the smart income mastery system. Basically, you will need to discover your PASSION, find your PEOPLE, create your PRODUCTS, choose your PLATFORM, and increase your PROFITS. •AlexUzor• ___________________________________________ Meanwhile I have an active 16k followers instagram account for sale. Niche =Fashion Audience =99% Nigeria. Call/whatsapp 08084334575 9 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by fergusen: 8:39am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Good piece. |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Nobody: 8:39am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Okay |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Nobody: 8:39am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Mynd44 Lalasticlala seun I can't open a new thread it keep saying server overwhelmed for how long now. only my account |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by deepwater(f): 8:40am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Op just stop here. Go and understand what demand and supply means first, before insulting Nigerian graduates. Everybody now has a formula and long list to life ![]() DPR application in dec 2016, exam date and center released after 7months with majority of people rejected for no reason, as in just rejected. NLNG 2013 recruitment still on in 2017 Npower last hope for common man for this administration, one abokii governor say make LG workers apply for npower, how graduate wan do when governor do talk.? Chevron did recruitment in 2012, but released results and said they took 60 names out of 90 from people that wrote exam in 2009, who we go ask ![]() ExxonMobil claimed dragnet exam of 2014 was compromised and a new date would be fixed, till today the company no write exam again, but them still dey employ. CBN recruitment, buharis cousin employed as well as other top shots, but alas! there was no advert. Access bank recruitment, somebody with 2million in account must stand in for you otherwise everything you have done is banza! My people make I continue ?? ![]() 71 Likes 7 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Tboysalau(m): 8:40am On Jul 23, 2017 |
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Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Khutie: 8:40am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Nice write up buh from different perspective, I think the government have to swallow 90% of the blame... An average university student spend not less than 1milla to go through hell they khal citadel of learning only to come owt wid no job on sight and some fvcking ass firm gonna have the mind to offer the xo called graduate a job of 25k per month....buh the senators geh their ass stick to one good sofa only to take home bulldoggy amount of naira. We have a beautiful country buh our leaders are failed mofos 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Pvin: 8:40am On Jul 23, 2017 |
If only the number of worship centers can be turned into industries. 11 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Beverages: 8:41am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Fact |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by AHCB: 8:41am On Jul 23, 2017 |
If I know Saraki, I'm pretty sure all this won't apply to me if I need a job. ![]() 17 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by cinoedhunter: 8:42am On Jul 23, 2017 |
I'm hungry |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by rozayx5(m): 8:42am On Jul 23, 2017 |
If your an undergraduate I advice you learn a business My one cent 3 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by emillionaire: 8:44am On Jul 23, 2017 |
True. To all unemployed also Put God first and tirelessly work on improving your skills. 3 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by ybalogs(m): 8:46am On Jul 23, 2017 |
MOST NIGERIANS LEARN ON THE JOB.IS THAT A BAD THING? 4 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Freshsnoow2(m): 8:46am On Jul 23, 2017 |
cartoon for classic men only, contact me on what'sapp 08169177163
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Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Threebear(m): 8:46am On Jul 23, 2017 |
![]() Most senseless post I've ever come across. A real country does not wait for her citizens to create the right aptitude to be employable. It makes her citizens employable by fitting them in, in whichever level their skill sets permits. People like you are the reason why our leaders keeps taking us for granted, you give them flimsy excuses. Nigeria has failed her youths and people and someone like you turn around to blame the people for not being able to secure Jobs which were not really there to begin with. You must have drank ogorogo this morning. 37 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by fixedhollies(m): 8:46am On Jul 23, 2017 |
S |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by bbbabes(f): 8:46am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Am the job... I don't need a job |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by 360command: 8:47am On Jul 23, 2017 |
learn how to fix mobile phone and earn at least 5000 naira a day. |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by 40kobo77: 8:47am On Jul 23, 2017 |
ok |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by ybalogs(m): 8:47am On Jul 23, 2017 |
NICE WRITE UP |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by bbbabes(f): 8:47am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Freshsnoow2: Will classic men need cartoons, maybe slay women should be ur target 4 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Freshsnoow2(m): 8:50am On Jul 23, 2017 |
bbbabes: Ofcourse and even have their child and family drawn... and enlarge the pictures and put it in a frame 2 Likes 1 Share
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Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by Nobody: 8:50am On Jul 23, 2017 |
` 8 Likes |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by mikolo80: 8:51am On Jul 23, 2017 |
they should enter farm abeg 1 Like |
Re: Why Majority Of Nigerian University Graduates Are Un-employed by abdeiz(m): 8:51am On Jul 23, 2017 |
Many still have a long way to go....nice write up op 2 Likes |
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