21/03/2017
The one thing every graduate looks forward to is the end of their joblessness, when they will finally secure a job not minding the pay most times because its better to be employed than unemployed. However, they will soon realize that as a typical university graduate in Nigeria, the pursuit of job is far from being over.
If you are lucky you will probably spend only a few months to get engaged in a venture, with their own skills. However a large pool of graduates spend a significant amount of time waiting to be employed by one big corporate entity or mega company. Typically, this time is spent doing nothing particularly useful which is sad because time lost can never be regained.
As a recent graduate, you can acquire new skills that can earn you a good part time work and earn real money while at it during this period of waiting for your dream job from your mega company.
Below is a list of skills that every graduate can acquire and monetize.
1) Freelance Writing
If you have a good command of English and you don’t suck at putting your thoughts on paper, you should consider becoming an online freelance writer. Even without any real writing experience, there are many jobs available for amateur writers online and you can make reasonable income from your home while on them too.
However these jobs won’t come knocking on your door, for a chance to nail a freelance writing gig, you should; Research about online writing or talk to people that are already involved in the business. Looking up job offers on freelancing sites will help
Determine the kind of content you are interested in working on, you may opt for rewriting articles or writing new content about a particular subject such as science or fashion.
2) Web development/ Web designing
Regardless of your course of study as an undergraduate, you can acquire skills on Web development and venture into web design or development if you haven’t already.
You can utilize the free time as an unemployed graduate to take free courses in coding/programming. The following platforms teaches how to become a programmer.
>W3schools,
>Codecademy
>FreeCodeCamp
>Adela.com etc
These platforms are great online and offline resources to help you get acquainted with codes. Whats the need of being a jobless graduate.
Do your research, start from the basics and you can go on to choose a programming language to start with. With a little bit of coding skill, you may find a team of developers that will be willing to allow you, work, learn and earn at the same time. Even if you don’t, coding is an interesting way to keep yourself engaged and it is one skill you can always fall back on in the future. If you have sufficient skills in coding, you should register on platforms like Fiverr or Asuqu to source for jobs.
3) Online Tutoring
You have probably never considered lecturing online. Well if you are going to be stuck in the house or carry files and attending various job interviews as an unemployed graduate week in and week out, for months waiting for the day you will be forwarded an employment letter and you are a guru in any academic area by virtue of being a graduate, then why not start teaching that which you know to someone else for free and then for a fee.
There are people online who are ready to share your knowledge for a price and there are many online platforms on ground to connect you to them. You can also source for jobs on free freelance websites. So you can start a science class or an algebra class or even move away from academics and do something more creative like giving lessons on a skill.
You can also register on PrepClass which is an online marketplace for tutors if you prefer to give physical lessons instead. Don’t forget to advertise your business; talk to family, friends and use social media too.
4) Translation
If you are bilingual or fluent in more than one language then working as an online translator may be the best way to pass time and earn cash too as you wait t be gainfully employed. With increasing number of businesses trying to reach more customers around the world, translation services are increasingly being sought after too
Getting started is easy especially with freelancing sites like Upwork and Fiverr at your disposal. Alternatively, you can sign up with a website that employs online translators like Gengo.
Take advantage of other platforms too; advertise your new business on social media, Nairaland etc. You never know where your potential customers are hiding.
5) Digital marketing
As a digital marketer you can market services on the internet from the comfort of your home and get paid , this makes it another interesting job you can do while waiting for that dream job.
If you have no experience in digital marketing, Google’s free digital skill training is a good place to start. You can become a good digital marketer if you are willing to spend time learning the required skills and you have the resources to help you. Upwork, Fiverr and Asuqu are platforms where you can source for jobs. There are different areas of digital marketing;
Search engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of Optimizing a client’s website to rank as highly as possible in Google and other search engines for keywords that are related to the content on the website. Discover useful tips on how to get started with SEO.
Social media marketing involves advertising and promoting brands on social media platforms usually with a clear target. You can choose a particular social media platform to focus on. For example, you can decide to promote a YouTube video or promote a brand on Instagram. Catch a grasp of what social media marketing entails
6) Transcription
Have you considered making money from typing out audio files? If you have good typing skills and you are stuck at home waiting for that dream job, you should give this a thought. Starting a transcription business is not so hard and you can make good money from it too.
Before you start, do your research, practice and decide if you want to provide general transcription services or focus on a particular area e.g medical or legal. Go on to advertise your business and source for jobs, Upwork and social media are good places to source for freelance transcription jobs
7) Graphic design
Graphic design is a skill that can be learnt by anyone and contrary to what a lot of people think, you don’t need to be good at drawing to be a good designer. You can make money from designing logos, flyers, book covers, business cards e.t.c. If you have sufficient skills in graphics design, head on to freelancing platforms to source for jobs, you should also market your skills offline too.
If you know nothing about it, you don’t need any formal education to be a good graphic designer. You can learn on your own and this is a good way to invest the time you will spend waiting to get employed. You can start by taking free online graphic design courses and reading relevant books. Check out Shaw Academy, Alison and other online resources for free courses
8) Singer and songwriter
If you have a good voice and can gain access to a music studio, then you may have customers waiting. Online platforms like Fiverr and Asuqu can connect you to people in need of your vocal powers.
You don’t have to do the singing if you can’t, you can simply stick to songwriting instead if you can handle it. You can also specialize in providing DJ drops, or commercial jingles. Just head on to freelancing sites like Fiverr to source for jobs.
9) Sales consultant for an online store
If you have good negotiation and persuasion skills, then this one is for you. Large online stores like Jumia and Konga sell through sales consultants.
Jumia runs a sales consultant scheme that pays consultants commissions when they sell items supplied by the store. There are no special qualifications for this role and all you will need to get started is a phone or laptop connected to the internet.
Time and tide wait for no man!
You may not get that desired employment letter after that job interview, but it is up to you to decide what goes down while you wait for the next job interview. Don’t lose precious time waiting idly for your dream job. Take charge and get productive!
Original article from Techpoint.ng for fresh graduates waiting for NYSC, edited and adapted for Graduates waiting to get employed.
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