Credit to Corporatestaffing 

If there is one constant complaint among job seekers, it is that they are applying to multiple jobs but not getting called to any interviews or getting any response for that matter. Some will even say that getting a regret call or email to let them know they did not qualify would be better than silence.

But where does the problem lie? What are job seekers not doing right or why are not they getting the jobs? All this comes down to the recruiting process for various jobs in Kenya. Once job seekers are able to understand how recruiters select candidates for open jobs, then maybe they will take a different approach in applications and reduce the frustrations.

So, what do recruiters focus on when filling jobs in Kenya?

Your experience is first priority

“My major focus when shortlisting a candidate for various positions is the experience section on the CV. I need to first know where the candidate was working last or currently and what their duties are, and then I move to the education,” says Justus Ng’etich, a Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services.

Justus says that experience is very important for clients since it backs up any skills you may have put across and that are required in the job.

This then means that for you to be among the shortlisted candidates called to interview for any jobs in Kenya, you need to have some experience. If you are applying at entry level, then your internship or attachment period or any other part time jobs you have been part should reflect in the CV. The same applies to other senior positions.

The Kenyan job market today requires that candidates seeking jobs should have experience, even some internship positions will demand that you have a little bit of experience. Why? Not many employers will want to train you from scratch; they expect that in your course work you were able to get some hands-on experience.

Sheila Cheptoo, also a Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services shares Justus’ opinion, but adds that your experience should also show stability.

“From the candidate’s experience, I focus on their stability. How long do they stay in the jobs? If a candidate moves from one job to another every few months then this becomes a little shaky and your chances could be affected,” says Sheila.

She, however, adds that this will also depend on the position since not all positions are the same.

So, what is the bottom line?

If you do not have any experience and are applying to a job that requires experience, however little, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. The reason most people are not getting hired is that they do not have experience, and those who do have experience, it is wrongly presented in the CV.

You may have experience but if the recruiter gets confused on how the duties you listed translate to your suitability for the job then your chances are minimal. Jobs in Kenya are not always looking for the same thing, focus on what recruiters are looking for and then tailor your CV to match that.