Uganda is one of the countries that is grappling with high unemployment rates. There are a number of reasons to explain this but among the most prominent reasons one could site the liberalisation of the education sector that saw a number of institutions churning out graduates more that the rate of absorption by the private sector and government.
Recently over 13,000 graduated from Makerere University and are now on the ‘streets’ searching for employment opportunities. Below are some of the reasons why some may fail to find job opportunities: Like others, it might be that you are not fully leveraging all the available sources of opportunities.
One of the most overlooked sources is company websites. Many companies maintain dedicated career pages on their websites, which they update with job openings. Surprisingly, some positions never make it to job boards or newspapers and are only visible to those who visit these pages.
Here’s what you can do:
1️⃣ Identify organizations you’d like to work for.
2️⃣ Regularly visit their websites and monitor their career pages for new opportunities.
3️⃣ Sign up for alerts if the company offers that option.
Other underestimated job opportunity sources:
✅ Professional Networks
Your network can be a goldmine. Let your friends, family, and professional contacts know you’re seeking opportunities. They might know of openings, recommend you, or even provide an internal referral.
✅ Social Media Platforms
Platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools for connecting with professionals and staying updated on job openings. Twitter and Facebook can also be useful, especially for smaller companies and startups.
✅ Cold Calling
Taking the initiative can yield surprising results. For instance, David, a CPA graduate with NGO experience, reached out to an HR manager with a well-crafted message. By coincidence, there was a vacancy, and his proactive approach earned him an interview. Sample cold message:
“Hi [HR Manager’s Name], I recently completed my CPA certification and have 3 years’ experience in [Industry/Field]. I am now seeking a new challenge where I can apply my skills in [specific area]. I’d love to connect and explore opportunities in your organization.”
This kind of direct engagement can set you apart from others who rely solely on advertised positions.
Do you agree with the above suggestions? What are some other overlooked sources of job opportunities you think people underestimate? Let’s discuss in the comments!