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Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

Hiring advice to young professionals joining the job market.

Many young people entering the job market are unprepared. 

Universities focus heavily on academics but often overlook the skills that make a person well-rounded. 

For example, I once received over 8,000 applications for a single role. 

Even after filtering for first-class honours and top KCSE grades, many candidates failed interviews because they lacked social skills. 

A strong academic record alone is not enough; if you cannot present yourself confidently or interact effectively, you will not be considered.

This is why they say A-grade students are hired by C-grade students, because sometimes the C-grade students are the ones with leadership experience and active involvement in extracurriculars. 

Real preparation involves curiosity and critical thinking, not just academic achievement.

To cultivate curiosity and stand out, explore areas that genuinely interest you, learn by doing, and surround yourself with people who challenge you. 

Always ask questions and think critically. Even in assessment centres, the best candidates analyse problems holistically rather than relying solely on technical knowledge.

Asking ‘How many hours am I expected to be in the office?’ is essentially the same as asking ‘What does a typical workday look like at your organisation?’ The key difference is in how you phrase your question.

The way you frame questions in interviews matters, first impressions count.

Curiosity, adaptability, engagement and other soft skills will make you stand out in a competitive job market. 

These are the skills that turn potential into performance.

— Wanjiru Akinyi is a Principal Consultant at Shortlist. She knows exactly what makes a candidate stand out.

Green jobs are competitive and small mistakes can cost you big opportunities especially entry-level roles. Save this and share with someone who’s applying.