Mr Arousa was right. Getting a job is indeed a JOB; A tedious one, as a matter of fact. It requires dedication and a focused drive to get a GOOD one in TIME. GOOD and TIME are in uppercase because they need to be emphasized. There are jobs and there are jobs, but a good job is subjective and dependent on an individual’s career prospects, personality, financial needs, God’s grace, background, exposure, “family leg” etc.
Time is of essence primarily, because the longer it takes to notch up a good job, the higher the probability of losing focus, picking up a wrong habit, changing from a career seeking person to an entrepreneurial individual, picking up new skills, learning a trade, or even worse, becoming a baby daddy or mama. Time is of great essence in the Nigeria job market also because at certain ages, (sometimes, 23) mostly determined by various companies; your application just ends up in the recycle bin and is most often than not treated as sewage never to be recycled *tears*.
I feel if some of those that have gone ahead of us had taken out time to share their experiences, maybe most of us would not have had to go through all of the hustle in the name of getting a job to earn a livelihood and for those who really don’t need the jobs; have a reason to leave home every morning.
Stated below is my adventure as a Nigerian graduate in search of a ‘good’ job and my sharing it is for others to learn from my experience which to some of my ‘egbons’ in the struggle is child’s play and to some of those yet to begin a scary movie. This post however, is subject to the applicant’s view.
The job tests have been arranged in the order they were taken since December, 2014 till 2015. Some things might change in 2016 but it shouldn’t be far-fetched…
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PWC: The PWC recruitment is in 5 stages; after a successful online application, you proceed to take an online test from the comfort of your home, next is a verification test at the PWC HQ in Muri Okunola VI (Sort of a “Prove to us you wrote the first test yourself”). Then the next phase is a Gamble Personality test (OPQ).
Finally a two-stage interview is conducted. First half is a group discussion with each participant briefly; talking about a topic, and then the final interview with the Bosses.
KPMG: Actually, the test wasn’t out of this world; forget the fact that I failed it. It comprised of average English, Mathematics and a whooping Current Affairs (Spelling). So basically after the test, (for graduate hires; you’d contact KPMG three months to the end of your NYSC), then they’d ask for some documents and send you an application form if you’re outside Lagos. If you’re in Lagos, you’d take the documents to their office and fill a form.
On the form, a section would be provided where you would be required to choose the unit you want to work. You’d indicate your first and second choices. Then they’d schedule you for an assessment centre. If you’re successful, you’d go ahead to partake in two interviews, after which you’d now do a partner interview. If you chose audit as your preferred unit, you’d have two partner interviews.
FAAN: Nigeria happened this time… That test was extremely simple, in fact I had 95% and they sent a mail of my success but I just suddenly saw a list of those that successfully passed the interview…. hehehehe
HARPS: First online test was sort of a joke; the next one wasn’t. Then the main paper-based one was WOW!!! Omo we no hear from them since then ooo…
Accenture: The numerical question was basic and the entire verbal session was sentence completion. No Be Beans… I got a regret mail man. I heard average folks got IT placements eventually, after the interview.
Diageo: I still don’t get where they were driving at with their behaviour assessment. The scenarios were normal ones… They sha regretted to holla at me too…
UBA: The only exam on this list that was simpler than this exam was the one FAAN conducted. It basically was populated with comprehensions you needn’t read to track the answer. The maths was similar to that of Accenture (about 70% repeated question). Unfortunately, it was at the point of first interview I found out the position to fill was a 2-years Customer Service contract before one could be considered for a sales position. At this point, I had an idea of what I wanted for my life, so I just bowed out.
MTN: This firm wasn’t joking at all; the verbal section was sentence completion populated. As in ehn, the exam was so not funny that the cut-off point was 45% yet you know what I mean… In all, the mathematics can always help compensate for the verbal aspect. The good part is the validity of your test scores for 365 days. I’m yet to hear from them despite the geo-political zone I chose to work. Maybe the huge fine that was dumped on them affected their plans.
Sahara Group: The test was more or less a behaviour test; anyone with team spirit would dust it any day, anytime. As for the various stages of the interview, you just have to be creative. Be different from every other person. Just think like a broke child. We were told to get Nigerian USA 94 Jersey and some other random stuff for the first interview and I didn’t make it beyond this point. I heard the next phase was a group discussion interview. What next? We don’t know.
In conclusion, as a fresh graduate, I would advise you prepare for these job tests with GRE books, this knowledge should be used to manage all job tests and if you’ve chosen to take your life in your hands, be ready to face oppositions, it’s not gonna be easy but it’s gonna be worth it nonetheless.
Compliments of the season, Dear Friend! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
saveunilag 