Opeyemi Omidiji

How I got my first job after graduation is far from usual and that’s why I want to share it with you. Much more than the story, I’ll like you to pick lessons from this event. Call it luck or whatever, all I know is that I made the move.

Here’s the story of how I got my first job

On this fateful day, a flyer was sent to a page that I belonged to, calling for volunteers. As at that time, I was less busy, so volunteering was a thing for me (it’s still a thing for me). It’s always nice to be able to help a just cause and also gain experience while doing so. I opened the picture and I decided to apply to be a volunteer for the event. Since I was so eager to fill the application form, I guess I didn’t fill it well. I didn’t get any feedback, so I reached out to the lady that sent the flyer.

I sent her my application asking to know what I did wrong. She told me things that I did wrong and I agreed that from my response, I could not have been picked. A lesson you should pick from this, be open to correction. When you get rejected, don’t just sit and accept it. Or maybe console yourself with the statement, ‘it’s their loss’. It could be your loss, so if you can, ask people to critique you. It’ll help you grow. I definitely won’t send an application that looks like that anymore.

Moving on

Since I was not picked as a volunteer, I purposed in my heart that I’ll attend the event. It was ‘Handle it Africa’ and it held at Orientals last year. I called a friend that stays in Lagos, told her about the event, and asked if we could go together. She agreed so I started making plans. As against my dad’s opinion that I should be resting after the stress school put me through, I told them that I was going to Lagos for an event. So my dad went, “this life is not safe, where do you know that you are going to? Who are the organizers?” ‘They are kidnapping people o’

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Just imagine what a typical Nigerian parent would say, my dad definitely said all of those things. He even threatened not to give me money. That made my heart so strong that I’ll attend the event. I already planned to borrow money from my younger sister. Hehehehe

Intentionality

Since I didn’t just want to go in vain, I purposed in my heart that I was going to network and meet people who will be useful to my career. I wrote a very nice bio and rehearsed it so well. Wake me up from sleep and I’ll tell you. That was how much I rehearsed it. I also picked a simple but nice outfit to compliment my speech.  The day of the event came and we went. When we got there, I told her that I might not be able to sit with her since I was intentional about speaking to people. She agreed and thank God she had some of her other friends at the event too.

I started talking to people. I presented my rehearsed speech so well that everybody I spoke with gave me an audience. It felt good that I could meet new people in my field. I was getting closed to feeling fulfilled when something in my heart told me I was not done but then it was time to leave. Since the network was poor where we were, we had to go sit at the lobby to look for network. I didn’t know the network was leading me to my employer. Lol

And it happened

Just when we sat down to order Taxify, I saw a lady and a man sitting not far from us. Dele Momodu was also in the lobby and I was still telling my friend when the lady beside us said she wanted to go and greet uncle Dele. Lol

In my mind, I thought she was ‘famzing’ but then I shifted the thought away. When she stood up, I immediately told my friend that I was going to talk to her and that if she snubs me, my friend should console me. When she got back, I went ahead and talked to her (same old speech). She said I should wait to talk to the man that was beside her since he had already gone to greet Dele Momodu too. I waited and we spoke. He asked if I could do some things, I said yes to everything. Those I didn’t know, I went back home to check them out. We exchanged contacts and I was told they’ll reach out later in the week. He reached out and asked that I come to their office which I did.

Guess what! what seemed like a normal conversation was my interview. I honestly didn’t know.

Long story short, I got the job that same day I visited the office. It was when I went to resume that I submitted an application letter. E shock me too. That was how I got my first job!

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Now that you’ve read the story of how I got my first job, which I’m guessing you enjoyed if you read up to this point, there are also lessons I picked from this event. Here are a few lessons I think you should also pick.

  1. Be intentional about things

  2. Leave your comfort zone; good things come to people who search them out.

  3. Network: Ensure you talk to the right set of people, your connection is a fundamental factor to your growth in this age.

  4. Have value to offer: No one wants to spoon-feed you from scratch, do your homework. You only get paid for the value you bring to the table.

  5. Volunteer: Volunteering opens you to many opportunities, you learn and network effectively if you are smart enough.

  6. Surround yourself with friends that will support you. You know I cannot overemphasize this. Keep friends who spur you to do better and smash those goals.

If you need the confirmation that daring to take that strategic step is all you need, then you have it here. You must remain resolute to take strategic actions, do things differently to get a different form of result you have always gotten. Did you enjoy reading this post? Feel free to share it with your friends. I will also like to read what you plan to do differently in order to achieve your next goal. Share with me in the comment section.

With love,

Opeyemi Omidiji.

Read Also: How To Deal With Feelings Of Inadequacy

17 Responses

  1. Nice one, I agree with you.
    To achieve anything in life you have to be intentional. About value, value is also very important, for you to offer value, you have to be able to solve a problem.

  2. Leave your comfort zone, have value to offer, network… I find these lessons to be particularly important.

    Well done, Opeyemi. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Waw this is so lovely and inspiring,I always learn from you one way or the other…
    Thank you opeyemi

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