Young and without relevant work experience amidst a global pandemic? Why we need affirmative action

We all have at some point in our professional journey had similar experiences; searching for jobs, applying to several positions and getting only rejections letters/emails. I too have lived that experience and can tell that the feeling is not so great.

Now imagine yourself in the shoes of a fresh graduate or young professional with no relevant work experience, and now going through such struggles amidst a global pandemic?

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had the opportunity to interact with some recently graduated students to discuss some of the challenges they are having to deal with while searching for job opportunities. And April being a special month for me #HappyBirthdayKingsley, I took the chance to also reflect on my own journey and share from my career experience.

Only a couple of years ago, I was a graduate student with no relevant work experience. Some months to my graduation, I became quite anxious while contemplating life after university.

Online courses? I took as many as possible, created several versions of my CV and cover letters, and was applying for any job related to my field of study that I could find on the internet.

Looking back, I must have applied to over a thousand jobs and received countless of the usual "unfortunately" emails you might also be familiar with.

"Dear Kingsley Dibie, Thank you once again for applying for the position of xxxxx at xxxxx. We have carefully reviewed your application, but unfortunately for this position, we have decided not to progress your application any further. We hope that you remain interested in xxxx and consider applying for another position in the future. We wish you all the best for your future."

In between several of those rejection messages, I was constantly updating my CV, adapting and changing cover letters so much to the point I practically became a "pro" in formatting both documents. But for a long time, none of my newly acquired skillset in CV and cover letter formatting could salvage my situation.

The Breakthrough - You Only Need One Yes!

"Hi Kingsley, nice to meet you this way. I am looking forward to meeting you in person here in Berlin." - Sven Ruppert.

I was almost giving up on the online application process when I came across a role on LinkedIn for a Junior Campaign Manager in a Start-up based in Berlin, Germany. At that point in time, aside from the online courses I had taken from Google Digital Garage and HubSpot Academy, I had zero experience in campaign management or barely knew what the job entailed. But my lack of experience in that area didn't stop me from applying for the role. After completing the application, it didn't take long before I received a response;

"Dear Kingsley, As a result of your application for the position of Junior Campaign Manager, I would like to invite you to organize an interview for this week. Please email my colleague xxxxxx (xxxxxx@xxxxx.com) in order to arrange an appointment. We look forward to speaking to you. Best regards."

Unfortunately, after the scheduled Skype interview, I didn't get the role. From the email feedback I received, the team informed me that they had decided to go with another candidate who had some experience managing campaigns.

Taking into account my lack of relevant experience with managing campaigns which was quite evident during the interview, I could easily understand the decision. But after already receiving hundreds of outright "Nos" from other job positions, I found it hard to accept such rejection and just couldn't bear the thought of letting go of what I considered my first "Yes" in such a long while. So, I wrote back to them;

"Thank you very much for the interview and feedback. I have taken time to evaluate my performance during the interview for the position of Junior Campaign Manager at xxxxxx and realize I was unable to properly sell myself. However, I would not like you to guess or trust what I say, but allow me to work for you for one month free of charge. If you like what I do, hire me. But if at the end of one month you feel I cant match your expectations, I will still be grateful for the opportunity. I would be glad if I am considered and given the opportunity to prove myself."

It didn't take long before they got back to me.

“Hi Kingsley, I have discussed your idea with my partners. What we could imagine testing is a short term internship of 10 - 12 weeks. We do not want you to do this for free. If you are interested we would need to know the level of money you would require per month for the duration of the internship.”

Long story short, I was eventually offered a paid internship position.

Why I am choosing to share this experience?

“You don't choose the time, the time chooses you.” - Barrack Obama

As many fresh graduates and young professionals will tell you, it can be a little more difficult to convince organizations to favourably consider your candidacy when you have little or no relevant professional working experience on your CV. Now thinking about the importance that internship opportunity played in my career journey, I can attest that it didn't just open the door for me professionally, allowing me to develop the relevant skillset, but also helped rebuild my confidence after so many rejections.

The first few days I stepped into the company´s building as an intern, I actually had no clue as to what I was doing there. But I had a burning desire to prove myself, and the team gave me the room to learn and grow.

Today, I am lucky to be at a different level with a lot more experience gathered across different organizations. But I don't think I would be where I am today if did not get that first chance.

And as I am thinking about the challenges that many recent graduates and young professionals in similar situations are currently facing amidst a global pandemic, I am also hoping that many more organizations would be open to providing a chance to another Kingsley with no relevant work experience.