The Lagos jobs market is filled with opportunities for job seekers from diverse backgrounds. This is as a result of Lagos state, being the economic powerhouse of Nigeria. It can be very daunting navigate your way through the bustling Lagos jobs market whether as a fresh graduate or seasoned career professional. In this article, we shall be exploring strategies and resources to help you unlock doors to your dream job.
Understand the Landscape
The Lagos jobs market offers abundance of opportunities across various sectors. with its vibrant economy, diverse industries are represented in Lagos. However, just with every other large economy, the competition is fierce. As a job seeker, you need to study and understand the dynamics of the job market in Lagos to help you in properly positioning yourself strategically.
Leverage Online Platforms
Online job platforms have become indispensable in today’s digital world of a job seeker. Online job portals such as Lagos Jobs, Jobberman, MyJobMag, and LinkedIn post and share several job opportunities daily. Signup for newsletters of these website and start receiving latest job updates dropped on your email box where you can easily be in the know and apply for your preferred job opportunities. You can also bookmark the websites on your browser and visit daily in search of latest jobs opportunities.
Harness the Power of Networking
Networking is a way of life in Lagos. As a job seeker, one very important skill that will help you is networking strategically. Attend workshops, industry events, seminars and conferences to meet with like-minded professionals. Engage in fruitful conversations and exchange contacts for continuous engagement after the event. These personal connections are the ones that will easily share with you unadvertised job opportunities. You will also enjoy the free sharing of valuable job insights.
Tailor Your Approach
You are very wrong if you have been applying for several type of jobs with one generic CV in this Lagos jobs market. Develop a CV tailored to a particular job type. For instance, have a CV tailored to your digital marketing qualification and another CV tailored to your human resource qualification. Apply for both type of jobs with their respective CV in order to boost your chances of being shortlisted for an interview.
Embrace Flexibility
Stories such as professionals landing in juicy job opportunities where they did not intend to explore initially are very common in the Lagos jobs market. The key word here is flexibility. You need to be very flexible and be willing to explore job opportunities outside of your immediate comfort zone. Intentionally acquire other skills and embrace the gig freelancing economy to start growing your portfolio. Even after securing a full time permanent job, the periodic gigs will serve as extra source of income to you.
Showcase Your Value Proposition
After building up your value, the next step is being able to showcase it. The two major places to showcase your value proposition is through your CV and interviews. Get a company to write a professional CV and cover letter for you. Your CV speaks for you in your absence to get you shortlisted for interview. Then take online courses on how to pass interviews. Again, avoid generic Resume. Ensure to craft something tailored.
Persevere
While you may be in control of activities such as CV writing, networking, skills acquisition, you may not be in control of when to be hired. This is where you need to learn how to persevere. Stay patient and keep casting your net into the pool of opportunities until you catch. There is a lesson in every setback. Endeavour to learn that lesson and become better.
Conclusion
Just as several job opportunities are bound in the Lagos jobs market, that’s how daunting it can be as well navigating through. With the right mind-set, continuous upskilling, persistence, flexibility and networking, you will surely succeed and be happy where you are.
Also read: 9 tips on how to write your resume and land your dream job
