Lessons From Recruiting -1
How I Got Schooled by the Job Market
It’s been a major minute! I know, I know—I owe you guys big time for disappearing. Glad the new year, new me boat hasn’t jumped yet. But January has moved so fast guys.
Today’s post is all about recruiting. Now, when I say “recruiting,” I’m talking about the job application process—from CV submissions to interviews—all from the candidate’s point of view.
Before we dive in, a few disclaimers:
These lessons are based on my personal experiences, so they may not apply to everyone.
They do not reflect the views of my employer or the companies I’ve applied to. (Mom, look—I’m giving employee disclaimers now 😭😂).
Let’s get into it!
1. A Good CV is not Enough: There’s this myth floating around that if you’re not hearing back, your CV is the problem. While a terrible CV is an issue (please don’t submit “Curriculum Vitae” written in bold Comic Sans 😭), rejection isn’t always about your document.
I’ve been editing CVs since uni, and I’m decent enough to get nods from senior HR professionals. And trust me my first experience with this nearly broke me. I once applied for a role I had my heart set on. I didn’t even make it past the screening stage. Months later, still salty, I reached out to some people who got the job. Let me tell you, their CVs broke every rule in the book—three pages for entry-level roles, references included. As crazy as it seemed, they got the call, and I didn’t.
Lesson learned? Even a killer CV doesn’t guarantee success. But please, don’t let this be an excuse to submit something shabby. Don’t be an Israelite wandering the job desert. Have a solid CV and move forward.
2. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Let me be real: not everyone is built to ace every stage of the recruitment process. Some of us are aptitude test warriors; others are better at selling themselves during interviews. Know where you shine and where you might need extra help.
For me? I’m a beast at assessment tests. Out of all the tests I’ve taken, I’ve failed just two (okay, technically one, because I passed it on the second attempt, so let’s give me my flowers 🌹). Meanwhile, one of my favs on LinkedIn, a first-class graduate and now a Big 4 Manager, said she always struggled with them. My weakness? Articulation and confidence sometimes run away from me like Lagos traffic when LASTMA shows up.
If you’re like me, find ways to manage your weaknesses. Practice, prep, and don’t let them stop you. I even went from struggling in interviews to presenting multiple times for jobs. The key? Awareness and action. Know thyself and conquer
3. If You are In Service, Start Early: First, wahaleux for who still dey serve their country. Just joking I have the certificate to prove. I knew I didn’t want any gaps between service and working so I started applying casually 3 months before POP. You will always see the NYSC field required, tick it, many employers understand and appreciate your proactiveness and will not be done recruiting in 3 months. I am glad I did; I was able to have offers before passing out. So please apply, jobs are not waiting for you!
4. Make Friends or Exchange Contact: Recruitment is brutal, and many companies won’t bother sending rejection emails until they’ve wrapped up their process. Why do they do this? I have a personal rant here sha. Maybe they like to keep us humble. This is why you need to make friends during the process. Join those WhatsApp or Telegram groups. Stay updated. And don’t underestimate the power of networking. Fun fact: I’ve run into a former candidate at my current job. Build those bridges; you’ll thank yourself later. And please, for the love of networking, don’t ghost someone once you get the job. That karma will catch you when you least expect it.
There’s so much more I could share, but that’s why this is only Part 1. I haven’t even touched on rejection yet—omo, recruiting isn’t for the weak! But hey, you’ll survive, and maybe even thrive, if you stay the course.
Lastly, I’m committing to better consistency with this newsletter in 2025. Please hold me accountable, guys. Till next time!