It is becoming increasingly clear that those who will stand out and succeed in this generation and the generations to come are those who have something extra to offer. The world has shifted so much away from making opportunities available to everyone, we are seeing more situations where only those who have the means get ahead. This is even more so in developing and underdeveloped countries. In Nigeria at the moment, what I find most troubling is the inequality gap.
Gone are those days when the primary difference between a person from a poor family and a person from a rich family can be narrowed down to their looks and circle of friends.

You can now easily tell that a person is from a poor, middle-class class, or rich home by their quality/level of education, spoken and written English, the type of schools they went to, how long it took to gain admission into the university and how long it took to secure jobs. The reality we have on our hands is that poor kids are going to schools where the means of communication is pidgin English, where there are no proper tools for learning, and where the teachers are mostly products of the same environment, hence these struggle through everything in life. Before they have the opportunity to choose, they are already at a disadvantage!

It is no wonder crime and depression rates are at an all-time high. While I can go on and on about the different ways governments at different levels can solve these issues, I’m more particular about talking to individuals today, each person will have to go the extra mile going forward.
As it’s popularly said, “There is no traffic jam on the extra mile”.

To young professionals:

Let me start by congratulating you on becoming a professional in your chosen field, you have indeed fought a good fight! You are probably on your first or second job experience, and you’re wondering what is next for you. Many young professionals today have a second degree, so it does not provide a competitive edge as it used to. We’re at a time when organizations are downsizing and looking for how to do more with few, you need everything you can get to stay competitive in your industry.

So how do you stay on top and move ahead:

1. Work hard – I know you’ve heard this too many times, and as a matter of fact, working hard is what got you to where you are at the moment, but the reward for a job well done is more work. From my experience, most people who are gainfully employed these days are happy to do barely enough. Employers are happy to keep you until there is a need to choose only those who are maximizing their presence.

Maximizing your presence on the job is not only by completing tasks, it is also very important to connect with other staff. Your connections should be both horizontal and vertical. Connect with those above you( this is how to speed up your ascension on the ladder), those at the same level as you( this is how you reinforce/measure your level of competence), and those below you (this is how you create goodwill for yourself).
Share ideas, discuss opportunities, find time to play and relax outside work, and don’t forget to be nice/kind. You never know who will be recommending you for that life-changing opportunity!

2. Find what sets you apart – Whether you like it or not, we’re all in stiff competition for resources. Instead of being unkind and fighting dirty, what I’ve found from experience is that finding what makes you different on the job and pushing it forward is a better strategy.
For example, you complete tasks quickly, or you have a knack for spotting the details that others are most likely to miss, or maybe you’re just so friendly that colleagues will rather come to you than go elsewhere.

Whatever you have that can set you apart, please push it forward. And in all you do, please keep it professional.

3. Keep growing – Your current employer must see you grow, they must see that you are not just valuable to their business within the current scope of things, they must see you as a key part of the future they see. Invest in training programs, e86 provides a lot of tech training programs that will give you leverage. There are also so many free training programs on the internet, all you need do is buy enough data to connect, and some even offer training completion certificates.

Attend conferences and keep up with updates in your field or industry. In this time of virtual conferences, take advantage and get out of your daily home/work cycles. As long as you keep growing, you will remain valuable, and not just to your current employer. Value transcends location.

4. Leave your toxicity at home –  Nobody wants to work with a toxic person, it wouldn’t matter how good you are on the job, you will be kicked out if you’re toxic.
Your office is not a war zone, though you’re trying to get ahead and be nice and kind to other people, your success is in their hands too, they can also make life unbearable for you.

5. Do other things outside work –  I’ve found that the best performers on the job are those who have a life outside work. When you frequently take time off work to unwind, you will often resume work with better clarity and interest. Join a social group, sports group, community group, or anything else you find worth your time.

I don’t like working with people who do nothing else outside the job, they usually have more problems than solutions and they’re mostly unhealthy.

To job seekers:

Let me start by saying that you should stop sending your CV to every organization you see advertising an open role, your desperation for a job will lead to embarrassment and disappointment. Understand what your primary strengths are, and understand where/how you desire to channel those strengths. Your CV should be tailored along with these strengths, hence, the jobs you apply for.
When you show up at interviews based on the strengths you have carefully tailored in your CV, you have already given yourself a 50% headstart.

What I’ve seen from experience is that most people seeking jobs have no clue what they can do or what they’re good at and this is why most job seekers apply to all job ads they find. This is also why most employers will overlook a lot of applicants. While I find it hard to blame job seekers for this, and while I think it’s a result of the kind of education they have been through, I think each person will have to do more going forward.

Here are a few tips to get ahead:

1. Build skills – I cannot remember ever asking an applicant their class of degree. What matters to me the most is what you’re bringing to the table, and how you can solve current and future business problems. We once hired an undergraduate who outperformed MSc degree holders on one of our teams. So while you have spent time getting your university degrees over the years, it is time to build skills that will take you further. If you have nothing else to offer outside a university degree, it may be difficult to get ahead.

If you had built useful skills while in school, you wouldn’t be searching for jobs. You’d either be gainfully employed or running a business on your own.

2. Add a cover letter to your applications – No, I do not mean the sample cover letter you downloaded from the internet, that gets you nowhere and will most likely backfire. Use the templates you’ve downloaded to write a personal cover letter that talks about you, your growth plans, and how you fit into the organization you’re applying to.
You may have to customize this to fit each application you do, and this is why I said you shouldn’t apply to every job opening you find.

3. Take a low offer –  This is essential if you’re looking for your first job. Like I tell people, it is much easier to change from one job to another than to land your first job.
So if the big offer isn’t coming as quickly as expected, you may want to consider the low offer and use that to build capacity, competence, and experience.

4. Build a social profile and contribute – Your break may likely not come from job applications. Your job may come quicker from people who frequently experience your level of thinking and the capacity you display while interacting with them.
A social profile could be building a solid profile on LinkedIn, Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform. It could also mean joining a social/religious group in your locality and sincerely contributing as much as you can.

To Students:

I know you often do not understand the peculiarities of anything else outside your school activities, and because other people are mostly responsible for your affairs at the moment, you can care less. But the reality is that there is a world out there where each person fights for what they want, where nothing is offered on a platter. As you work hard to graduate with the best possible grade, please ensure you are learning other skills that will make your transition into the labor market as easy as possible.

Instead of spending your holiday chilling with friends, I’d recommend spending it attending one training or the other, or doing internships with different organizations. I know the bulk of what you do is influenced by your parents’ ability to sponsor and push, this is why I intend to close the post by talking to parents. What you can do on your own is to use your mobile phone/tab/laptop to access as many training programs as you can. Do this during your free periods without holding back.

Also, ensure you keep your social network work strong, that will become one of the most important assets you have in a few years. It is no longer enough to graduate with flying colors, it has become very important to build skills.

To Parents:

Without a doubt, the world you grew up in has changed. And I know this is tough for you because all the tools you used to find your path are now mostly outdated and unable to help your children. But I know the love you have for your children will push you to adapt. As a father of two, we’re in this business together!

Let me quickly go through some points with you:

1. Please don’t spare anything from giving your kids the best education possible. As long as you can afford it, please don’t hold back. If you carefully read my opening, you’d understand why. Ensure your kids can speak good English (this doesn’t translate to them not speaking your language, find a balance!). Ensure they have enough freedom to keep a network of good friends, they will need that network!

Ensure they’re able to pass exams comfortably, they don’t have to always top their classes, but they must be able to understand what is being taught. I guess the starting point here is not forcing them to do what you want them to do but allowing them to explore what they feel happy doing.

2. The world has moved on from everyone becoming a Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer. If you are still unable to get over your failure in studying these courses, please don’t push it over to your kids, allow them to explore and succeed on their terms. In our current world with Musicians, Artists, Computer programmers, Dancers, Graphic designers, Social Media Influencers, Actors, Investors, etc, times have changed, and there isn’t one single key to finding success anymore.

When your kids are on holiday, let them experience other things(Coding, Music, Dance, Sports, Travel, Language, etc). The reason your kid isn’t doing well in Maths might be because that’s the only thing you have hammered consistently, allowing that kid to try other things that stimulate thinking will positively affect Math skills among other things. Let’s stop this cycle of endless holiday coaching!

3.  Your kids will perform better when you sincerely guide them in choosing a career and not when you enforce one on them. The best guidance you can provide is to allow them to explore different things while they’re still young.

4. Your work doesn’t stop when your kids graduate from the university. As you raise kids, also ensure you’re building something useful that they can inherit, something that will increase their chances of becoming successful.

You can build a business, a successful career in your field(reputation), an investment profile, and a network of friends and associates.

Conclusion:

I hope I have been able to encourage everyone in one way or the other, that is my primary motive for writing this. As things change, we must learn to adapt, there is no traffic jam on the extra mile and it is those who refuse to give up that will find success.

Do let me know the changes you’d be making by adding to the comments in the comments section.