No one wants to give me a job, could my age be a factor?
I have had two interviews so far, but I am yet to get a job. I get the impression panellists feel I am too young and that I lack local experience. My questions are, is expatriate experience appreciated or frowned on locally? Could my age, I am 27, also be a factor? PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Look at your achievements as enablers, not disablers. Interviews should not only be about getting a job, even an unsuccessful interview experience gives you an opportunity to to identify areas for further development.
- Employers look for several criteria, such as education, relevant experience, attitude, skills and capacity to learn. They also look out for candidates who possess values that are coherent with the organisation’s culture.
No one wants to give me a job, could my age be a factor?
Q. I have had a series of short contract engagements in sales from 2008-2011. In my CV, I have listed four different employers. The longest engagement I had locally was with a local tier 1 bank, still on contract in a sales role. All the other jobs I have had have been in foreign organisations.
My last job came to an end and I returned home. I have had two interviews so far, but I am yet to get a job. I get the impression panelists feel I am too young and that I lack local experience. My questions are, is expatriate experience appreciated or frowned on locally? Could my age, I am 27, also be a factor?
Look at your achievements as enablers, not disablers. Interviews should not only be about getting a job, even an unsuccessful interview experience gives you an opportunity to to identify areas for further development.
Employers look for several criteria, such as education, relevant experience, attitude, skills and capacity to learn. They also look out for candidates who possess values that are coherent with the organisation’s culture.
You should therefore not be presumptuous of the reasons you have not got a job after only two job interviews. It may have been that there were more qualified candidates than you who got the jobs you applied for. From your email, you seem pessimistic, a factor that might have worked against you in your job search. You need to look at life on a more positive note and always see the glass as half full, not half empty. This mindset will enable you endure regret letters and soldier on to get a fulfilling position commensurate with your level of education and competencies.
You also have a question that reads, “Is it a fair observation that our employers are still stuck in the past somewhat with regard to issues of age as a factor?”
This is not the case because nowadays, most companies are recruiting young people. Also, expatriate experience is good, however it is only valued if it is relevant to the position that you are being interviewed for.
From your email, which I edited for the purposes of this forum, you have varied experience in totally different fields; it seems as if you have not figured out what your career path is. It is important for you to focus on your area of expertise in a specific field. Oh, and it is too soon to give up after just two interviews!
Jane Muiruri -
Senior HR Manager
Nation Media Group
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Am I missing out on jobs because I don’t have a degree?
Q.Thank you for your insights in this column. I have worked for my company for the last 10 years, having joined as a clerk and risen through the ranks to a managerial position. However, my pay is too low, considering the numbers of years worked, as well as responsibilities. I did a CPA-K but have not been able to go further because of financial constraints. I have applied for several jobs and done many interviews, but no offers have come my way. Is it because I do not have a degree, or is it that my salary quote and the competitive rates currently do not compare?
Regards, M.O
Dear M.O,
Thank you for your feedback.
Working for one employer for 10 years demonstrates commitment and loyalty. It is evident through your career growth that your employer values your work. Although employees who stay in one organisation for long may miss opportunities for accelerated salary increase, this is compensated through other long-term benefits, such as pension, gratuity, ESOPs, loans, service and bonus. In a situation like yours, one smart way of asking for a salary review would be to present a compelling case of your value to the organisation, backed by market data showing how similar positions are compensated within peer organisations. You can gather such data through professional networks, or use published salary surveys.
Your second challenge is a dilemma faced by many employees in pursuit of career growth. When you apply for a job, ensure you meet all prerequisite qualifications listed. That means you would not apply for a job that requires a degree if you do not have one. However, if you are invited for an interview where you do not meet all requirements, it means there is a quality that attracts the employer to your profile. Focusing on this quality and demonstrating how you would use it to excel in this role if selected will be your biggest opportunity.
Many employers will require an undergraduate qualification for certain roles, so it is possible that this may limit you career growth.
I suggest that you reorganise your priorities to support your career aspirations.
Mwikali Muthiani -
Managing Partner, MillennialHR
@MwikaliN
******
I have been in the same positions for 15 years, I need to move now!
Q.
I have worked as a secretary in a higher learning institution for the last 15 years with very minimal upward progression, despite having advanced education. I have a BSc. in Human Resource Management and I am currently winding up my MSc. in Human Resource Development. I have tried changing my career with my employer but it has been very difficult due to red tape. I would like to have hands on experience in HR. Kindly advice me on what i should do to become relevant in the job market in regard to HR practice.
Joy
Dear Joy
You leave the impression of an individual disenchanted with your lack of career progress. This is probably made worse by the fact that you are a graduate and are about to complete a post-graduate degree in HR, the field of your career aspirations. Fifteen years is indeed a long time to be in one position, and after such a period, others may be unable to disassociate you with your current position.
Besides what you describe as red tape and lack of HR experience, there could be numerous other causes of career stagnation. Since you have already acquired necessary academic and professional HR qualifications, the missing aspects are likely those for which no learning institution could issue a certificate. This might include perceptions of your potential, capability, and fit within your work environment or externally in the market.
Considerable self-awareness is required to fathom how one comes across to others, and the impact this has on their environment. What do others, for instance, perceive of your attitude, work ethic, values and interactions? Does it markedly differ from how you do?
And yes, it is useful to have a mentor. From one, you might not only draw encouragement, but also learn about what you can expect down the road. A good place to start might be to seek candid feedback from a trusted colleague in HR about your situation. It might help you unravel the ‘red tape’. Furthermore, you could request to be assigned some HR tasks to enable you acquire experience as well as benefit from attending HR forums where you can network, learn from others and build visibility.
It starts with you. To quote Carl Gustav Jung: “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Fred Gituku -
Human Resources Manager
