WAITING TO GET A JOB: WHAT IF YOU MIGHT NEVER GET ANY?
Written by Etuk Anietie
Luck is a myth...
…and
he stood there, with both hands on his head, shocked by the fact that
his name was not included in the list of candidates selected for
employment. Two years after NYSC, 7 interviews, 3 aptitude tests, yet no
job. His pain was evident.
He
couldn’t enter the house, he just stood there; family will screw him,
his fiancée might leave him, and worst of it, this experience might
affect his religious beliefs.
This happened four months ago.
But
today, this same young man determines how much he earns. As I look at
him now, I am forced to share with you why luck is a myth.
When
this young man first walked into my office four months ago, he was so
devastated and broke that he had to trek from Garrison to Trans Amadi so
I can borrow him N2, 000. After hearing his sad experience, I just told
him it’s possible to start a business with what you have, irrespective
of where you are. He said, “Bros, leave that talk.” I then shared this secret with him.
What is it that many people use repeatedly/everyday/almost always?
I
told him to look around and take note of things that many people do or
use repeatedly. This is because, if one person uses that product for
N10, fifty people will use it for N500. The second idea is, if these
people pay you N500 today, another N500 tomorrow, which means in a month
of 30 days you will have N15, 000.
His list looked like this;
People eat 3 times a day = Restaurant, Food business
Guys cut their hair almost weekly = Barbing saloon
People wash their cloths at least weekly = Laundry business
People recharge their phones daily = Recharge card business
People drink water daily = Pure water business
People wear cloths daily = Boutique business
People use confectioneries daily = Supermarket/Store business
He
looked at me and said, “I’m a graduate, I can’t do this type of THING”.
I was angry, I told him, “Then carry your CV and continue walking
towards Artillery junction, you will see companies that need jobless
graduates for employment, you…” He looked at me wearingly, as if sensing
what I would say next, and said, “Ok, what next?”
2 Select one that you can do on your own/maybe you have the idea/interest.
This
young man handles cloths very well. His shirts are neatly washed,
appropriately starched and carefully ironed. Interestingly, when I asked
him to select one from the list he said laundry. His question came the
second time, “but I don’t have money to start.”
Start with what you have, don’t borrow.
I
told him if you look very well, you’ll see that you can start where you
are with what you have. For example, to start a laundry business you
will need a steam iron, electricity, bucket, water, soap/detergent,
hanger, starch, and the washer man. “Do you have a steam iron?” I asked,
he said yes. “Bathing bucket?”He said yes. “Washer man?” he smiled.
“Electricity, NEPA?” he frowned. The truth is that you have what is
needed; the only visible challenge is how to get customers.
Start with people you know.
He
attends one of the big churches in Port Harcourt. I told him to meet
some of the members, tell them what you can do, and offer to give them a
FREE sample, if they are OK, they can start paying (It’s called Market
Entry Strategy). Also, volunteer to wash your Pastor’s cloths FREE (It’s
called Spiritual Entry Strategy). This way you will not spend any money
on publicity or advert. One day, something will move the Pastor to tell
the members about you, if they trust the Pastor, they will trust your
service.
Look for little ways to be different/better/faster/cheaper.
I
told him for a start do only male shirts. Concentrate on this, let
people come to know you as the best male-shirts-washer-man. Also charge
them lower price compared to the normal rate. Always tell them you will
return their cloths in five days time, but endeavour to deliver on the
fourth day.
Stop thinking and planning, START!!! Go out and start.
Until
you do, nothing will happen, so start! I gave him 5 of my shirts to
wash, paid him upfront, and asked him when can I get my cloths, he said,
“in five days time.” I said well. I encouraged him to talk to other
people, especially friends and family. People will laugh, many will turn
you down, but the few that listen, treat them well, if they are
satisfied, they will help you grow.
With
these few suggestions, he started with no money. In four months he
rented a place, bought a generator, and yesterday, he just called me to
show his new washing machine. This morning, he called to say I should
develop a business plan for him because he’s thinking of expanding his
market.
What
are you waiting for? If the job does not come, create one. Don’t wait
until the opportunity is right, instead you write your opportunity. Yes,
not everyone is lucky; in fact there is nothing as luck. Let me tell
you the truth, everyone has equal opportunity. And you know what? Luck
is actually opportunity utilized.
One
day not long ago the employees of a large company returned from their
lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign
said: "Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this
company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that
has been prepared in the gym."
