Olympics: 5 Key Lessons For Job Seekers

The Olympics have just concluded. There were many tears of joy as well as defeat – both are justifiable. I mean, these people spend years and years to get hold of this precious piece of metal. But my favorite – and guess for many- was Usain Bolt’s moment.

That aside, I would like draw our attention to one thing. The fact that landing a Gold medal to an Olympian is no different from landing a job to a job seeker. Here are 5 lessons that, I believe, can be of great importance to anyone looking for a job. You can save them somewhere and always read them before applying for any job.

1.Without Gold, it’s a loss

Many people went to the Olympics with various goals in mind. To some, just being a part of it was enough. Yet, to the legends – like Usain Bolt – Gold was their target. In fact, he even went further and put his sight on breaking a record he had before set.

This, is the attitude you should have as a job seeker. You should know that getting the job is the only motive on why you’re writing that CV or going for that interview. This will give you a different view. When you think winning, even the way you prepare changes. So, starting from your next job interview, stop thinking less than getting a job. Because that’s a losers thinking, and you aren't one. You’re a winner!

2.It takes 4 years of hard work to win Gold in less than 10 seconds

A friend of mine was telling me how it is mind-blowing that Usain Bolt has 9 Gold medals in just under 120 seconds altogether. He forgot that Bolt doesn’t train for 120 seconds to win that Gold. He trains for years.

This is the same attitude you need to carry in your search for a job. It takes on average 10 seconds for a recruiter to trash or accept your CV. So, will you also spend 10 seconds on your CV? Now Way! You need to make sure the recruiter is glued on your CV. So, give it your all. Watch all the videos you can about writing a CV or nailing an interview.

Go and ask HR experts, arrange for mock interviews, seek professional CV review and many more. Because in the end, always remember that it takes 4 years of constant hard work to win Gold in less than 10 seconds!

3.Failure is not final

You’re not a failure until you stop showing up. Many Olympians participated in the concluded 2016 Rio Olympics. But, only a handful were able to take home with them Gold.

This happens also in the job search world. You’ll find yourself among 1,000 job applicants – yet the recruiter wants 1 or a few. So what do you next when rejected? Do you give up? No, you don’t!

That’s for quitters and you aren’t one. After failing to make it through, go back to the drawing board. Prepare for the next “Olympics” – but don’t forget to learn from your mistakes. And once again, you’re not a failure until you stop showing up!

4.Get support

I was much impressed by a Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D’Agostino who finished last in the 5000m. They helped each other following a mid-race fall. This is what you need while running your race of job search – support in case you fall down.

It may not come from the people you’re running with. It could be family members, mentors, friends, teachers (tutors) etc. It could also be from experts in that field - take for example the CV Service designed to help you with your CV by JumiaJobs. Whatever it is, you should know that you need support during the job search process.

5.Always put your best foot forward

Bolt was sure he had won the Gold, but he went ahead and aimed at beating his own record in 100m. This is the same mentality you should carry forward in your job search process. Sometimes candidates are so convinced they are going to win that they forget to put in an extra effort.

Here is what you should know before you relax; every extra effort you put in your job search will reflect. Let's say your application is for a lower rank job. But your efforts reflect you can handle a “bigger” position? Don’t you think your recruiter will notice that? Of course yes!

I am sure there are a whole lot of lessons to pick from these Olympics. I just highlighted the key ones. In case you have others, please share them in the comments.

For more details, you can write to Peter Kisadha, peter.kisadha@jumia.com

The writer is the head of communications at JumiaJobs Uganda