Finally stopped being called an "Otondo" on Feb 10th 2011, and now the job search has begun. I was looking forward to that but right now I am not sure anymore if I am happy, I am no more a corp member. It has not being palatable especially for people like us who graduated with a second class lower.
You find almost all job openings requesting for a minimum of 2.1 and years of experience, which I find rather strange because not even all top executives who make these requests actually graduated with a 2.1 Graduates with a 2.2 and 3rd class are left to scramble for any lesser or unwanted jobs. Frankly, it has been proven that most graduates below a 2.1 perform better than those with 2.1 and first class especially on the job experience. The fact that they did not make these most requested grades does not make them any lesser than their peer. They have got potentials if only employers would give them opportunities to showcase themselves. Notable Nigerians have emerged in this country with lesser grades but have risen to the peak of their career and are even highly respected, likes of which include, Late Gani Fawehinmi, Prof. Wole Soyinka etc.
A friend once shared a story of how a company needed to recruit for a particular position and it was taking forever to get a suitable person to fill the position, after a while the CEO of the company demanded to know why it was taking so long, the HR Manager replied: "Sir, we could not get any suitable candidate from the persons we interviewed, since we requested for only first class and 2.1" the CEO replied and said " what happened to those with 2.2 and 3rd class, aren't they available as well, in fact you (the manager) even graduated with a 2.2, so why can't you also give them an opportunity"
I understand the fact that it can really be a herculean task having to attend to all CVs submitted at your desk, but you can creatively do a quick scan through them all and sieve out the chaff from the grain.
This story serves as an eye opener to potential employers to give everyone an equal opportunity irrespective of their grades. They have got what you need! Give them a chance!
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