Three times every year, tens of thousands of our young
people are flushed into the labour market. Majority hope and pray to get a job.
However, the supply or manpower is much higher than the demand; as a result,
many employers raise the bar unnecessarily high to limit the size of the pool.
One common one is Years of Experience. Another one is Age. Only very few firms
have a genuine provision for fresh graduates today.
We’ll look at Scripture – the story of David – for useful
tips on how to land a good job with zero years of experience.
Job Vacancy
So there was this vacancy in a company called “The Army of
Israel.” The job role is simple: kill Goliath. The remuneration: you’ll marry
the king’s daughter and everyone in your family will never have to pay tax.
(Sounds to me like a very good retirement package).
David the Shepherd Boy
Once upon a time, there was war in Israel. David’s elder
brothers were part of Israel’s army. One day, David, at the instruction of his
dad, went to the camp to give his brothers some foodstuffs. One thing led to
another, ending up with David killing the biggest opponent and bringing victory
to Israel. He also got the biggest pay from the king. How did a shepherd boy on
errand end up with the biggest role in Israel’s army even with zero military
training or experience? The full story is found in 1 Samuel 17. From there, we draw important conclusions that you can apply to change your situation.
1. Learn to recognize opportunities
David only went to the camp to deliver foodstuffs; but there
and then he spotted an opportunity of a lifetime. Jesus also told us a parable
of a man who found hidden treasure on his way (Matthew 12:44). You may have
worked out your (career) path before launching out; but that plan was based on
your knowledge of the world at the time. Every once in a while, good things,
people or opportunities appear on our way and when we recognize and take
advantage of them, our lives turn out much better than we ever dreamt of.
You may have planned to work in a particular company or
sector, and you are working really hard to get in there. However, you must be open
to opportunities that may lead you into unfamiliar territories. Most of the
time, these kinds of opportunities are not even within the scope of what you
spent four to six years studying in school. Such opportunities can change your
life for the best.
2. Find out in advance what the remuneration is
Remuneration here goes beyond salary. It includes working conditions,
job flexibility, management style, employee relationships and all the other
little things that can make your workplace heaven or hell for you. Remember you
will be spending most of your active hours in a day at work and with co-workers.
Despite the pressure to get a job, do not overlook these things. They matter so
much! David asked some soldiers standing nearby, "What will a man get for
killing this Philistine and stopping him from insulting our people? Who does
that worthless Philistine think he is? He's making fun of the army of the
living God!" The soldiers told David what the king would give the man who
killed Goliath. …Then he turned and asked another soldier the same thing he had
asked the others, and he got the same answer. (vs 26-27; 30)
3. Don’t let anyone discourage you
This point is quite obvious, but it’s important we mention
it again. Many of us take people’s opinions too serious – especially when such
is coming from someone more senior or more respected. David’s eldest brother
saw him with the soldiers and began to scold him; but he didn't let that stop
him (vs 28-29). Do not let anybody discourage you. Your dream or target may be
bigger that what is normally expected of you; but since you’re able to conceive
it, you can achieve it.
4. Use every opportunity to market yourself
David hasn't even applied for the job, but he has already
marketed himself to many of the workers in the company. He did it so well that
he didn’t have to apply for the job again: some soldiers told the king about
him and as a result, he was invited for an interview! (vs 31)
5. Leverage past personal experiences
Imagine a little shepherd boy asking for the opportunity to
fight the strongest military opponent of the time – someone that seasoned
military men of Israel were afraid to fight! How will the shepherd-boy prove
himself to the king? No military exposure whatsoever! He simply went to his
past and pulled out two fine useful experiences.
This we know: when employers talk about ‘experience’, more
often than not, they are looking for one or more skills or traits you should
have developed from the experience. Therefore, if you can figure out the skills
or traits they’re looking for and show that you have developed those same skills
or traits in the course of your life through some other experiences, then you
will be fine.
6. Learn to communicate
This is another obvious one, but it's shocking to see how bad many of us are in this. We feel the need to mention it here again because we know employers rank Communication Skills far higher that Technical Competence. Looking at David's interactions with the soldiers, his brothers and the king, we can draw lessons long enough for another article. We could see clarity, coherence and purpose. Listening to David, you would sense almost immediately that the boy understood the problem and what it would take to solve it. He knew how to draw logical conclusions or ask logical questions from even seemingly disconnected pieces of information. That's how your communication should be like!
7. Trust in the Living God
The horse may be prepared for battle, but victory is of the
Lord. Complete faith in God’s ability to empower you for the job and be an
ever-present help in times of need is essential. Every job worth its salt is
challenging; and the last thing you want is for you to be kicked out before of
incompetence. You need God all the way. If you’re far from Him or yet to know
Him, you’re willfully putting yourself in a highly-disadvantaged position. For
David, God on his side was the big differentiator. He told the king, “Sir, I
have killed lions and bears that way, and I can kill this worthless Philistine.
He shouldn't have made fun of the army of the living God! The LORD has rescued
me from the claws of lions and bears, and he will keep me safe from the hands
of this Philistine (vs 36-37).”
You can (indeed, you should) come to the Living God today!
Conclusion
In the end, David got the job!
He got the opportunity to fight Goliath and the rest is
history. It is our earnest prayer that your lines will fall in pleasant places. You too can get that job!
Do you have any particular experience or additional thoughts to this, please share with us.
Do you find this helpful, share with friends.
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