We are half way into the year, I keep wondering why the year is running so fast and yet full of activities, dramas and lessons.
I can vividly remember new year Eve, it was just like yesterday and like flash we already in July.
The past six months have been full of happiness, disappointments, blessings, teary moments, regrets and many more. It has really been a year full of rollercoasters.
The year started with so many expectations, dreams and plan, I can remember writing my goals and target for the year, but I haven't ticked all yet and I'm optimistic that before the end of the year,I will fulfill them.
I rarely, fall out with friends,but this year I had to let go of a 7years friendship, still recovering from the heartbreak, I never knew friendship heartbreak, would be more painful than a relationship heartbreak.
But we keep learning and relearning daily.
In this week prompt, we are asked to share an enlighten experience and the lesson it gave to us.
I have had alot of experience, but I would love to share my job seeking experience, the toxicity I got from my employer and the lessons I learnt as a fresh graduate.
I finished my compulsory NYSC program in Nigeria, towards the ending of last year, I had some delay in getting my certificate and finally got it some months after, with so much optimism and happiness to seek for a job in firms, banks , companies and many more this year.
I kept everything prepared and ready to search, did a lot of applications online, applied within and outside my state.
While applying I already had a job in a school, and I had good work environment but I wanted to explore more career options, like the banking field, multinational firms, journalism, human resources and many more.
I had so much interest in human resources, that I joined and studied alot of human resources course online and offline. So I had to start applying for graduate trainee in different locations in the country.
I had so much rush and pressure on myself to make sure I get the position.
One of those days, I got a response from the CEO of a particular company I applied to for an HR job or graduate trainee, I was so happy and excited about my new job , dressed very clean and went for the interview.
It was HR job, and I was excited, I went for the interview during the evening hours, because I had to finish from work,I assumed staffs have closed from work , not knowing we were just three in this office.
Two weeks at work, the CEO kept making me feel, he was doing me a huge favor, and I should be feel privileged because I was being trained at work and I should even be the one paying him, I was totally stressed, suffered self doubts and was handling more jobs than expected.
I wasn't bold enough to ask after three weeks, I was just waiting patiently to see what he would pay at the end of the month, but guess what, he paid below minimum wage, I took the salary and never returned to that office, he called incessantly but I never replied.
From my bad experience, I would like to share my lessons, it will definitely be helpful to any young graduates desperate for job;
1 . Know you worth- Be so conscious of who you in any situation, at any time and everyday. The moment you feel neglected or less of yourself pls resign.
2 . Before accepting a job or celebrating about a new job offers, have a clear conversation with your employee.
3 . Don't make your desperation or eagerness known pls, don't allow them realize you are new to the labour market, immediately they spot it, they see an opportunity to use you.
4 . Be grateful for what you have, I neglected a good offer because I felt I was missing out on other aspects of life. The devil you know is better than the Angel you don't know.
It was a bad experience, and I won't forget it easily.
I'm really grateful for the lessons learnt, I'm forever grateful for my mentor and former boss who never judged me during that phase of my life, but rather taught me to do better next time.
She accepted me back at work the next term and now I have learnt to be really careful and patient.
Thanks for reading.