In 2021, as you apply for jobs, learn to tailor your application to match the specific role for which you're applying. Resist the urge to just submit your CV with your details & qualifications. Develop a resume & adjust to suit the role you seek. Contact @BTDTHub for help.

Also, learn to research organisations you're applying to & the specific role you seek. You can spice it up by doing a covering letter detailing why you're a good fit for the role you're applying for. This will improve your chances of being contacted for an interview.

I have assisted organisations with recruitment & it's frankly a frustrating exercise. Do not just forward your CV to advertised emails. Some people forward forwards such that you see a trail of other addresses they've forwarded the same CV to. Invest some deliberateness in it.

It goes without saying but pay attention to your address and phone number. I have attempted to contact applicants only for their given numbers not to be available for long periods of time. Do not sabotage yourself.

Another area you need to pay attention to is your Referees. Most organisations send requests for references to your submitted Referees & failure of your Referees to respond to such mails could hurt your chances. Seek the consent of people before making them your Referees.

Again, most organisations & especially those seeking senior roles will frown at the old-style CV of personal details & schools attended. They want to read about the work you've done. Study examples online or contact @BTDTHub to develop a solid resume for you summarising your work

It's not true that there are no jobs. Jobs abound. There's just a dearth of qualified applicants for available roles. Organisations are not sorcerers. They cannot tell your innate skills. Your application is your entry point. Demand to be listened to by your application package.

Another thing to avoid this year & going forward is just telling people to employ you. Do one better. Study their work or their organisation & tell them how you fit in & what you will be bringing to the organisation. People don't employ as charity. Earn it.

Do not send a mail detailing what you can do or what your business does leaving it to a recruiter or prospective client to figure out. Send a mail detailing what you or your business can do FOR THEM. That way you have their attention.

Aba Fashion Week was not my idea. No. 2 young men walked into my office with the proposal. I immediately embraced it, reworked it to suit our local peculiarities & found funding for it. We are poised to do a lot more. That is the way to get into a system or organisation.

You must dead the narrative that you must know somebody to get into a place. That is a prevalent defeatist mentality that has held a lot of people back. You hear of an opening & tell young people & they want you to walk them in there. Very disappointing.

I have on several occasions, told the story of how I walked into Govt House, Yenagoa, Abia State House of Assembly & Govt House, Umuahia without knowing a soul there & got a job in each of those places within a week. Stop looking for who you know. Develop what you can do.

Learn to develop multiple competencies. Learn to embrace learning opportunities on your way to your main gig. Do not despise humble beginnings. Seek to grow organically & you'll remain on top. When you cut corners, you're more at risk of crashing.

In 2021, EPHPHATHA. May all doors and gates be opened for you.

Udo diri unu.

Ugwu Ngwu.