| One of the most tired interview questions asked | | | | sweep. On the land, they put up a grand school to |
| in Kenya is 'where do you see yourself five (or | | | | compete directly with the government one they |
| ten) years from today'? I think it's tired because, | | | | were heading. Did the head teacher previously |
| honestly, isn't there another way to ask that | | | | have an identifiable business? Oh no! |
| same question? | | | | This generation watched that same head teacher |
| The gist of that question is to establish the sense | | | | rarely sit in their office, come to work drunk, but |
| of direction and focus in the interviewee. Whereas | | | | the only consequences of that behaviour was a |
| I appreciate its value, now that I am an employer | | | | lot of money to spend even as the standards of |
| I figure there is something more significant I | | | | the government school they were to run went to |
| would be looking for shrouded in that over-used | | | | the dogs. |
| question. | | | | Now this is the same graduate that the employer |
| What I would really like to hear an interviewee tell | | | | has on their hands. They want to be paid more |
| me is, 'what value are you going to add to my | | | | for doing less and are making it very difficult for |
| organisation if I do give you this job?' | | | | employers to run efficient companies. |
| How the years of grand corruption affect your | | | | They learned by observation that jobs do not |
| search for jobs directly. | | | | need one to add any value to the organisation, |
| Owing to our history where for well over a | | | | but money should overflow. It is second to |
| decade there was a sharp increase in corruption, | | | | impossible to convince employees with this |
| we have a generation that is not convinced that | | | | mindset that they can take home a 'normal' |
| commitment to work is worth it. They have seen | | | | salary. |
| a significant number of people make a | | | | Now that is severely displeasing to ALL decent |
| comfortable living from being fraudulent and | | | | and honest employers who by the way are in the |
| dishonest. | | | | majority. Human Resource is costly and |
| This is in no way intended to paint Kenya as a | | | | employers would rather stay clear off employees |
| nation of frauds, but the culture of fraudulence | | | | with this faulty work ethic. |
| rampant for about two decades gained significant | | | | A rare breed has great value in competition for |
| root. One effect of those years was a | | | | jobs. |
| slow-growing or non-growing economy. | | | | The potential employee who can tell an employer |
| Subsequently, there is a generation that live daily | | | | at the earliest that they have a correct work |
| in a reality where finding jobs in Kenya is a | | | | ethic is one the employer will sweep quickly into |
| horrendously difficult challenge with over 70% of | | | | their organisation. They are rare and therefore |
| those in the age bracket of 21 to 35 being out of | | | | they are a valuable breed. |
| gainful employment. This is a state of affairs that | | | | The easiest way to show an employer that you |
| was not of their making, but they have to live in | | | | have a correct work ethic is to demonstrate that |
| it. | | | | you have put keen thought into your endeavours |
| Though I appreciate that fact, it is critical for | | | | to search for jobs. |
| those affected directly by the culture of grand | | | | Hastily crafted CVs and poorly crafted job |
| corruption to work organise their affairs in a way | | | | purpose statements will not get you a second |
| that supports an honest achievement of their | | | | look. The most significant telltale sign is the |
| goals, than to perpetrate the culture that is | | | | obvious lack of background research displayed by |
| working against them. | | | | many candidates seeking for jobs in Kenya. |
| A faulty work ethic is displeasing to most | | | | Candidates for jobs that will take time to do a |
| employers. | | | | thorough background search on the organisation |
| A common complaint amongst employers is that | | | | they are applying for a job in, who display a fine |
| the youth, as those in the unemployed age group | | | | ability to communicate their skills and |
| are commonly referred to, do not like to work. | | | | competencies to the company, who indicate they |
| If that accusation be true, how did it happen? | | | | are aware exactly what skill and value they will |
| These are the children of the years of grand | | | | add to the organisation are job seekers that have |
| corruption 'success' stories. They watched a head | | | | chosen to take the road less traveled in the |
| teacher (only as an example) report to the school | | | | search for jobs in Kenya. |
| on foot because they could not afford a bicycle | | | | Such seekers have far greater worth in an |
| let alone a car and take up running of the | | | | employer's eye than any degree, first, second or |
| government school as the Principal. | | | | third, can ever have. To show that you are |
| At the close of the first year in office, the | | | | aware that employment means to give value to |
| Principal who had by then added inches around the | | | | an organisation will work wonders for you on the |
| belly purchased a 4x4 SUV fuel guzzler, and went | | | | Kenyan jobs landscape. |
| ahead to purchase a piece of land; all in one | | | | |