Self-inflicted joblessness

Life after NYSC for many graduates in Nigeria is a nightmare. This is because at least while they were still in school, they received handout as well as stipends from family members, friends and others. But now that they are graduates, they are expected to fend for themselves and if possible and where applicable, return the gesture, but this is usually not the case especially with the way unemployment is plaguing the country.

Many are frustrated, depressed and miserable because they are unable to secure decent jobs. This makes them to begin to ask why fate has not been kind to them. Some even conclude that their ‘village people or ancestors’ are on the prowl in their perceived misfortune. This is not the crux of this piece.

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My grouse is that some of the harrowing experience of joblessness is self-inflicted. A friend pleaded with me to notify him whenever my organisation was recruiting so that he could ask his friend to apply. I told him to forward his resume and when I leant there was a vacancy, I submitted his. Shortly afterwards, he was contacted.

I called and informed him to check his email platform. He saw the invite and I started coaching him on the phone. I had not met him before but because of my friend, I hosted him in my house as he came all the way from Abuja. I was amazed that he brought shabby clothes for the interview. During our dry rehearsals, I asked what I had told him including what he knows about my organisation but he was just blabbing. He didn’t even come with a necktie (knowing full well where he applied). I gave him my feedback and he assured me that he would do well.

After the interview, I asked my colleagues who interviewed him about his performance and they gave me a bad feedback. Some job seekers are unaware of the kind of efforts people put in to get an invite for them and because of their ignorance, they blow up the opportunity. Is this not self-inflicted joblessness?

Emmanuel Onoja

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