The Reality of Job Hunting In Nigeria

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The last time I shared my job hunting misadventures here was in the year 2020. An employer was set to exploit me and many others after a series of stressful interviews and two years later, nothing has changed much. The job market is a tough one and if you're lucky to land a good job, the universe and all the gods that may be really have things working for you.

I had come across a job ad sometime last week on the slack channel of a training I just completed. My assumption was that every job posted there by the admin is legit so I always watched closely.

The organization was recruiting for several roles and I was particularly interested because the ad said, 'must have a knowledge of blockchain technology'. I chose the content creator role and contacted the recruiter. We got talking the next day and we were halfway into an interview before I realized we were actually having an interview.

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The Interview Stage

The job ad was without a job description so I had to enquire what my roles entailed. I wasn't satisfied with the reply and that was a red flag for me already because why's it so hard to be specific? I continued though because of course, it is expected that one doesn't restrict themself to one area only, I am quite knowledgeable in the other attached roles too.

I found it weird that I was having a full interview on WhatsApp chat but it was professional and we're in unconventional times so I had to go with the flow. The recruiter was really pleased with the interview and was sure I'd get the job after speaking to me on a voice call. All I had to do was have one more interview with the CEO and the job was mine.

The interview with the CEO went well, he asked what I knew about blockchain technology, the company, and about me. Again, he was also pleased with my answers and I became worried that I had found myself in another job scam. All I got were 'nice', 'lovely', 'awesome' and 'that's good'. It was so weird, lol. At least probe further at my answers.

The Not-So Shocking Shocker

At the end of the interview, he asked if I knew the terms of job. I knew about the salary of $261 because it was stated in the ad and the recruiter had also mentioned it. What wasn't stated was the fact that there would be a three-months probation period without pay.

That came like a slap to my face because I never expected to be hit with something like that even though I had perceived something fishy in the course of the interview.

The last time I got such an offer, I was broke with barely any money to my name and I rejected it (the salary was about $100 then). Now, hive has helped me with earning more than I ever have and on good months, I have made more than this proposed salary with my combined rewards.

So why would I accept such when I'm not even broke? This is a very demanding job and they weren't even explicit because they have the intention of bombarding me with multiple roles.

Pay Me With Money, Not Exposure

If you've been in the Nigerian job market long enough you'd know all of the tricks, especially with start-ups. Whenever a company mentions a three-months probation without pay, be sure to run for your life because they're about to suck the life out of you.

They would always look for a way to dispose you before the end of the probation period and then refuse to pay you for the time spent. These are the type of companies to also offer you 'exposure' for your work instead of paying a salary.

I rejected the offer and thanked them for their time. I wasn't going to help someone grow their business only to get dumped in no time.

We Need You, Please

I didn't expect to be contacted again but I was and they literally begged me to accept their offer. The recruiter said they needed me and are willing to pay an incentive of $47 monthly during the probation period. I was annoyed so I still haven't replied to them.

I've had several conversations with myself about this and I was asking if I was too proud. The conclusion is, I'm not. End of story lol.

Today, I was opportune to talk to the CEO of the training institute I just finished from, and I explained my experience with this job interview and asked if I was being extra rejecting the job. He assured me I did the right thing rejecting such an offer and to be mindful of exploiters. That's enough validation on this and I hope to not meet shitty employers like this anymore.

If the employer had offered me stakes in his project to become an early investor, I might have considered being fully invested in it even with the probation. I actually like the first DApp they're about launching but as it is, I don't see the value in it for me and I can't add value to an organization that has nothing to offer me.

Have you had any unpleasant job hunting experiences lately? I'd love to read it in the comments.

Discord - wolfofnostreet#4939

Twitter - https://twitter.com/wolfofnostreet_

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54 comments
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The people doing V2K want me to believe it is this lady @battleaxe Investigate what she has been up to for 5 years. Its the next step to stopping this. Make her prove where she has been for 5 years or where she is now. She is involved deeply with @fyrstikken and his group. Her discord is Battleaxe#1003. I cant say she is the one directly doing the v2k. Make her prove it. They have tried to kill me and are still trying to kill me. I bet nobody does anything at all. Make @battleaxe prove it. I bet she wont. They want me to believe the v2k in me is being broadcasted from her location. @battleaxe what is your location? https://ecency.com/fyrstikken/@fairandbalanced/i-am-the-only-motherfucker-on-the-internet-pointing-to-a-direct-source-for-voice-to-skull-electronic-terrorism

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They would always look for a way to dispose you before the end of the probation period and then refuse to pay you for the time spent

Heh! Story of my life in Lagos. Those scam offices are in hundreds in that city.

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I was recently messaged on LinkedIn by a "startup", they wanted someone to write on the blog section of their website and asked me to send my articles.

Did all that and after all the praises, time for discussion of salaries came and they started fumbling.

Ended up saying they didn't have funding yet and I should work for now without a salary, told them we could simply wait till the business kick up but they replied with" if funding comes, we might not come back for you"

I simply told them goodbye and ended the conversation.

These companies are just mad.

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That clearly says they have no good intentions. If you're not worthy to work with them when funding comes, why are you worthy now?

Bunch of users.

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Are you minding them, most companies here are users.

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Those people dey craise.

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Aren't the bunch of them, I have given up on job hunting.

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Lol. If funding comes, we might not come back for you. They are crazy and finding someone to use and dump. 😂😅

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Exactly, clearly, they are looking for someone to work for free

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Those kind of exploitation are awful and I'm glad you run from it, lots of red flags indeed!

I frequent the subreddit r/antiwork and they are doing a good job teaching people how to avoid exploiting employers. People can be rotten to the core.

Good luck on your job search!

!1UP

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They are many in my country. They know there are a lot of graduates out there desperate for jobs and they are trying to take advantage of that.

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Here in Brazil too. I think opportunistic and bad intentioned are everywhere, it's sad but we must take care

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Don't give up on the way to the dream, Bro!

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Lol If they ain't buying $500 or above don't collect. And it should be a part-time job. Not need slaving for a business. I rather start mine.

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You mean if they aren't paying. Smiles, you harsh gan. $500... It would be nice though but I haven't seen any job like that, that pays up to $500 in Lagos. The highest is $200 and it is a banker job.

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one of my former coursemates in uni got a bank that pays around that amount. These jobs exist but the bottlenecks are just too much. Plus I don't think anyone here should be looking for a job. make enough money, start your own business or co-owner a business. There are few good-paying jobs out there, and even when you do find they do not provide job security.

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Yeah true words. The goal is to find a job to run or co-found one.

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Even that banker job some don't pay up to $200. I only know about tech jobs and only a few pay entry-level that much

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Job hunting in Nigeria can be crazy, especially without referrals or connections like it's called.

There was this crazy experience I had that ended my job searching journey. After weeks of moving from stage to stage for the job of a social media manager for an NGO in Lagos with a pay of $150 monthly. Finally made it to the final stage to see the owner of the NGO and she said I have the job only if I join her church.

Shocking!!!

I was the best candidate but I can't get the job if I don't start attending her church.

I politely asked her to take the job ads offline and tell her pastor to announce it In the church for her members rather than stress other people because I am not sure anyone would do that.

I was so pissed and pained cause I have consumed money for transportation for weeks to hear this.

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O lo far! This is crazy. Join her church because of a job. If they are looking for a job for people in her church why not ask their members.

Even $150 is too small for the stress the job would give.

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(Edited)

Things we see oo...

For a first job i didn't mind the salary but now i know better

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I can't imagine me who have earned $200 per week on Hive work for $150 per month. It's crazy 😅😂

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Wow...there's no limit for them? 😅😅

I haven't heard that one before.

I was so pissed and pained cause I have consumed money for transportation for weeks to hear this.

It's so annoying how they leave out important info that will save everyone's time 🤦‍♀️

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Nawa, I pity for most graduates that most have accepted such jobs offer. They even called you back for $47... It's really annoying. If there said they would pay $180 during the probation then, we can still understand.

As you said earlier, they don't plan to pay but to place higher workload on any person that accept the job offer and later end up send the person away maybe with a cash as little as $40.

Thank God that desperation did not let you accept such job offer.

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They called me back to insult me more 😄

I'm not even desperate looking for a job, just needed something different and made it a goal this year.

The experience just makes me love hive more.

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So many young recent graduates can relate to this post. In many cases, employers who start with this kind of engagement will throw you into a toxic work environment and cause you to lose your self-esteem as they will only find wrongs in all you do. It is really good that you took a firm stand and declined the offer. It is not pride, it is self-respect and protection of your mental health.

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In many cases, employers who start with this kind of engagement will throw you into a toxic work environment and cause you to lose your self-esteem as they will only find wrongs in all you do

Right! I know my mental health is going to suffer if I accept.

Sadly, many people will jump at the offer without knowing what they're getting into.

Thanks for stopping by and affirming me.

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I think scammers are despicable in every way and situation but it infuriates me, even more, when they try to make their moves on regular people.

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There are many scams around here, most of the job scams are done by multi-level type marketing firms, which only want someone to trap in selling their goods at high prices and then make the chain go on, they don't pay but promise to pay a higher reward if he she brings certain amount of customers to them. In the end some are paid who they think can trick anyone for money, but finally they shutdown and run away when people complain about the promised rewards.

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That is insane. There is a word for it when they want you to work for no pay! I am glad you did not fall for this.

!LUV
!PIZZA
!LOLZ

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I can't think of the word. Definitely not volunteering

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I thought it was obvious, sorry. I was not trying to be cryptic. When someone asks you to work for $0, it is either volunteer work (if it is a charitable endeavor, we might consider this) or it is slavery. Maybe not the worst type of slavery, but working for no money -- what is that but slavery? It is despicable and corrupt that any employer would ever expect it or pretend to.

Then they get people to work "for free" in the vain hope of one day having a job? It makes me ill. It is taking advantage of people who need money. I know you already know this. It makes me mad to think of it.

I am glad that you use your sense and that Hive has given you the freedom to make clearer decisions in this way. You deserve better than that type of nonsense, of course!

!LUV
!PIZZA
!LOLZ

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