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Welcome to Green Jobs Rising! ✨Hope you’ve had a great week! Before you head off for the weekend, catch up on some recruiter-approved tips to keep you ahead in your job applications. 

Wishing you an amazing weekend! 🚀

⏳ Today’s reading time: 3 mins

  I’ve interacted with a lot of young people trying to enter the job market, and honestly, many of them aren’t prepared. I’m never sure whether to place the blame on the individuals or on universities, because while there’s a strong focus on academics, there's very little emphasis on developing as a well-rounded person.

  Let me give you an example. I once put out a job call and received over 8,000 applications. That’s 8,000 people, most of whom had done well in school. So how do you even begin to shortlist? At the time, I’d read an article that said when you're at the entry-level, your goal in an interview is to get the job, but the recruiter's goal is to eliminate you. That stuck with me because it’s true. With such high volumes, recruiters are looking for reasons to filter people out.

These were top-performing students, strong on paper. But guess what? None of them made it past the interview stage. Why? Because they    lacked social skills. They couldn’t present themselves. They couldn’t communicate or carry a conversation confidently. That’s when it hit me, there’s a real disconnect.

You know that saying, “A student ends up working for a C student”? It started to make a lot of sense.

We then shifted our focus to candidates with Second Upper degrees and B grades, and that’s where we struck gold. These were students who were still academically strong, but more importantly, they were well-rounded. We looked for leadership, campus involvement, real engagement. Not the cookie-cutter stuff like “volunteered at a children’s home,” but experiences that showed passion, initiative, and curiosity.

Earlier this year, I was hiring for an associate role, and I met candidates who had been intentional from day one. They had sought out opportunities early, explored their interests, and could clearly explain how they arrived at their current path. That kind of self-awareness stood out.

But guess what? None of them made it past the interview stage. Why? Because they    lacked social skills. They couldn’t present themselves. They couldn’t communicate or carry a conversation confidently. That’s when it hit me, there’s a real disconnect.

We then shifted our focus to candidates with Second Upper degrees and B grades, and that’s where we struck gold. These were students who were still academically strong, but more importantly, they were well-rounded. We looked for leadership, campus involvement, real engagement. Not the cookie-cutter stuff like “volunteered at a children’s home,” but experiences that showed passion, initiative, and curiosity.

Earlier this year, I was hiring for an associate role, and I met candidates who had been intentional from day one. They had sought out opportunities early, explored their interests, and could clearly explain how they arrived at their current path. That kind of self-awareness stood out.

Anyone can read or write, but can you think through a problem? Can you figure out a solution without being spoon-fed? That’s what separates good candidates from great ones. Aside from highly technical roles, most jobs come down to curiosity, learning agility, and drive.

And honestly, that curiosity is often what’s missing. I don’t know if it’s the education system or the environment, but too many young people lack that “What next?” mindset. In your final year, you should be thinking: What did I enjoy studying? How can I explore that further? That curiosity is what leads you to meaningful, fulfilling work.

One last example. I was recruiting for a client who specifically wanted candidates from the British education system. We ended up with four shortlisted candidates, only one fit that bill. The others had studied at top Kenyan schools like Alliance and Precious Blood.

We held a final assessment center with simulated work exercises, presentations, group tasks, the works. One candidate completely stood out. She nailed every activity. Someone even asked if she’d seen the materials beforehand, she hadn’t. She just had the mindset. While others focused narrowly on their area of study, she saw the full picture and responded holistically.

That’s what we’re looking for: broad thinking, adaptability, self-awareness.

Surround yourself with people who challenge you.
It’s great to have fun, but if your crew only plans for the weekend, it might be time to rethink your circle. Growth - professionally and personally, requires intentionality.

The one who did not accept advice built a house on the sand