Are you a fresh Nigerian graduate/university student looking for a job? Good. Have you heard of entry-level jobs? No? Let’s go!
An Entry-Level Job
This is a role that doesn’t require any experience or related education. It’s also known as the lowest level in a career that requires minimum education and experience for you to qualify.
Sounds great, right? You should also know that entry-level jobs are available in every industry.
Who is more fit for the job?
A University student or graduate can apply for an entry-level job. Also, one that wishes to change their career can begin with an entry-level role in their field while developing their skills.
The roles have part-time or full-time positions. A student can easily take a part-time role, as some full-time roles require specific skills and knowledge that a graduate possesses.
Examples of Entry level jobs
- Software Engineer
- Cyber security officer
- Data analyst
- Salesperson
- Editorial Assistant
- Project Manager
- Administrative Assistant / Virtual Assistant
- Account Executive
- Financial Analyst
- Account Manager
- Social Media Manager
- Flight Attendant
- Financial Clerk
- Marketing Associate
- Business Analyst
Do Entry level jobs pay well?
It depends on factors like
- Type of industry
- Position (part-time or full-time): Full-time positions pay more than part-time positions.
- Level of experience or skills (for jobs fields like cybersecurity and Data analytics that require a certain level of knowledge).
Some entry-level jobs that require experience
According to an analysis from Linkedin. As of 2021, 38.4 percent of entry-level job postings required at least three years of experience. That’s especially true for many corporate careers, such as UX design, information security, web development, social media management, and product development. On average, it’s common to see 1 to 3 years of experience required, as well as a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Still, it’s worth noting that more companies have been dropping degree requirements in recent years. Linkedin announced that the number of job postings that didn’t require a degree grew by almost 40 percent between 2019 and 2020.
Tips on finding the right entry-level job
Whether you have basic knowledge or experience or not, below are tips you should implement to get yourself the right job.
Here is how to find the right entry-level job in Nigeria.
- Use search engines wisely
Don’t just google ‘entry-level jobs’, try to be specific. Consider the location, the position you want, and the kind of industry you rush to join, e.g. ‘Full-time entry-level jobs in Lagos’. Furthermore, be sure to search relevant platforms like Linkedin, Indeed.com, Myjobmag, etc, to get genuine job opportunities.
- Review your current skills
You may not have any work experience, but you’d surely have a skill or two, like creativity, self-motivation, flexibility, etc. Reviewing your skills also enables you to recognize your strengths and weaknesses so you’d know which new skill you need to adopt and which one you’d need to address.
- Seek out opportunities outside your qualification
Indeed! You are more than just your university qualification. And in Nigeria where finding jobs is difficult, you’d want to expand your horizons and seek out more opportunities available like online courses, internship openings, and more.
- Go through the job description thoroughly
Just because you need work doesn’t mean you have to take just any work. Before you apply for a position, make sure you go through the job description; the duties you’re expected to carry out, the skills you should possess, etc. Once done, you can edit your resume to fit the requirements. But be honest; don’t include an experience you don’t have. And try to apply out of interest, not desperation.
- Be open to more learning opportunities
Having a job, or the lack thereof shouldn’t stop you from saying yes to available learning opportunities. Or seek them out, especially the ones that would help develop your skill set and put you ahead in your career.
- Take the risk
As you put yourself out there, know that rejection is inevitable. So instead of hiding away out of fear. Be open to taking risks, even if it scares you. As long as it will benefit you, go ahead. And don’t give up.
In conclusion, you may end up with an entry-level job that is below your standard. But don’t let pride get to you. And don’t feel that you don’t need to put in your best. Focus on your growth. And most importantly, never give up. Good luck.
About the Author
Fatima Ibrahim Uthman is a dreamer, not the type that just sits and creates scenarios all day, but the type that tries to make them real through storytelling with the hope of positively impacting the world.