How To Get A Job In Kenya In 5 Ways

By Susan Gitonga

You need a strategy. Just like any other goal you would like to accomplish, you need a plan because finding a job in Kenya is not as easy as many people make it out to be. Mainly because of the immense competition for the few available opportunities.

The number of graduates in Kenya today has increased in great numbers compared to previous years, which makes it even more difficult to get a job. 

I don’t know how long you have been unemployed, but you will agree with me that you have almost given up. In fact, some of you have already given up on the job search because no one seems to give you an opportunity.

You’re not alone, and that can change.

Let’s take a step by step look at how you can get yourself a job in Kenya, even when the situation looks hopeless and unpromising.

Related Article >>> 3 Things You Need To Know About Job Searching In Today’s Job Market

Follow these steps to get a Job in Kenya

1.Apply

As simple as that sounds, the first step is to apply. I have interacted with many job seekers who ask me if they will get a job when sending their CV’s to a company.

Quite honestly, no one can predict the outcome of a job application. As a job seeker, yours is to submit your application and have faith that all will turn out well.

If it doesn’t go well, that’s okay. Accept and move on to the next job application.

2.Persist

A story is told of a woman who was seeking justice from a judge. This judge found this woman to be very annoying and nagging because she would report to his office every day to ask to be listened to. But the judge would always send her away. Regardless, the lady still persisted.

In the end, the judge listened to her and heeded to her request because he wanted peace of mind.

That story of persistence should also be your strategy when looking for a job. 

Nothing comes easy, and in some situations, you must show a level of persistence in order to get what you want.

Keep knocking on those company doors.

Keep sending emails to that company you want to work for. Eventually, someone will want to listen to you and most likely offer you an opportunity.

3.Volunteer

This is the easiest way of getting a job in my opinion, and my mantra is very simple: You would rather be busy doing something without being paid than be at home doing nothing because you have no job.

Volunteering will open doors for you if you take your work very seriously and positively.

4. Send proposals and ideas to companies who have not advertised jobs.

Sometimes, you don’t have to wait for a job to be advertised in order for you to apply. Create a job for yourself by coming up with a proposal of something you can do for a company.

Let’s say you have a camera. You can volunteer to be a photographer in a company, where you can share some of your work with them and give them ideas of how to promote their brand and their company to their customers, through photos of company events, new products they plan to launch etc.

Create a job for yourself and propose it to a company.

5. Start your own business

This is the last but most important thing you can do for yourself and your future. Start your own business.

It is not wise to wait all your life for someone to employ you whereas you can start your own venture.

On that note, I am fortunate to have a friend who started a Card Business after we finished University. As we speak, she has grown her wedding card business so big that she does not long to be employed at all.

Take control of your life today. See opportunities all around you. Persist and take action.

Related Article >>> How To Effectively Use Job Boards For Your Job Search

All the best.

Susan is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Email: susan@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke