As for being cooked in
the hot sun, I am used to it. When I finally get this job, I would sit in a
soft chair that has wheels beneath, a computer on the desk in front of me, and
the breeze from the air-con would shield me from the loud sun till evening when
the sun would’ve traveled to another part of the earth to torture another helpless
job seeker somewhere.
I pushed the glass door
with optimistic humility and there was this fine young lady at the reception
who smiled and welcomed me with a, “Hello, welcome to XYZ company, my name is
Angela, how may I help you?”
I responded, “I’m a
graduate, I came to submit my application for a job.”
“Currently there are no vacancies. However, you may leave your CV and application. If anything, we’ll
call you.”
My instinct was to ask to
see the director, or at least someone whose position was higher than hers.
Even the receptionist turned me down before I could tell my prospective
employers how multi-talented and dedicated I am. Over the past months that I’ve
been home, I taught myself graphic designing, copy writing, and I’ve started learning
how to play the keyboard. I have an interest in Forex trading and bitcoin investment.
My desire to learn new things makes me believe I can survive in any career
field, with some guidance and training.
I did a ghost writing project
for an aunty on the use of some seeds and herbs to cure certain
sicknesses. Because of the extensive and intensive research that went into it, I
can prescribe some handy remedies to manage (or even cure) diabetes, cancer, kidney
stones etc. and here I am, unable to go beyond a twenty-something year old receptionist.
My ego had been wounded, my skills undermined! I said an okay and then went
out, humbly as I had walked in.
‘If
anything, we’ll call you’ was the newest most abused phrase one may have to
deal with. Waiting for a prospective employer to call you is like waiting for a ship at the airport.
All the CVs and applications I had littered the
organizations with, none had called me back and months passed. The closest I could
get was an aptitude test which was often a combination of Engine Maths and
Psychology, and an interview.
One cool Tuesday morning,
some two months ago, my confidence suffered an erectile dysfunction when I realized
that the position I wanted, which had only two slots available, we were about eighteen
applicants, waiting to be interviewed. Some of these applicants were as old as
my father. Others too were as experienced as the waakye sellers in Madina. The rest
of us, about three fresh graduates, kept silent and listened to the frightening
encounters of our comrades in this job search until it was our turn to be
interviewed where we would speak well-rehearsed grammar to answer questions like,
why should we give you the job, what are your salary expectations, what new
thing are you bringing on board etc.
At the end of it all, I wasn’t selected
because I didn’t have experience.
 |
| I need experience to get a job, I need a job
to get experience. |
How do I get the experience if you don’t give me the job to
get the experience? Who designed this?
The reality donned on me
when I got home. I remember telling the panel that they should select me for
the job because I am smart, dedicated, I can do this and do that etc. In essence,
the real reasons why they should select me for the job ranged from being
rescued from the feeling of abject hopelessness borne out of idleness, and
secondly, so that I don’t die of starvation. Some people may disagree with me,
but deep down your souls, you know that what I’m saying is true!
A lot of graduates run
away from teaching jobs. The truth of the matter is that, onaapo! -to wit, 'you won't even get!'
Just then, my phone rang.
It was an unsaved number. “Finally, a prospective employer is calling,” I assured
myself as I answered the phone. It wasn’t an employer. It
was a distant cousin of mine who called to ask for hundred cedis. This can’t
get any worse. I hoped.
On the brighter side, I do
graphic designing, scripting (ghost writing, project writing, biography writing
etc.), and copy writing. I can teach too. Abyna and Vanessa do beads and all
kinds of bracelets at affordable prices. Akushika sells photography equipment.
My very own Facebook crush, Barbara Delali sells sweet perfumes. She prepares and
sells sobolo as well. My good friend, Chisom is into waste management. Cyril Setusa,
is a full-time land surveyor. Atsu supervises projects (all kinds). Arday can
be your gym instructor, body guard or bouncer. Robert is into computer software
and hardware repairs. Emefa and Afia are upcoming architects. Desmond is a footballer;
he is the solution to Liverpool’s defence problems. In case you need any of our services and many others, kindly contact me on 0543451269. These friends of
mine have fresh university blood in them urging to succeed!
I have some friends too
who are marriage materials; just tell me the number of yards you want, and I’ll
link you up in no time.
Now, let me continue with this my Another Day, Another
Application job hunt project because;
