Super-talented, qualified but unemployed?!

Back in college or varsity, you may have been a top achiever - driven, ambitious, relentless and loved by fellow students and professors alike. You may have won numerous Awards for your academic prowess, had stars in your eyes and a spring in your step at graduation.

Your  expectations for the future were sky-high, your confidence levels soaring and your smiles unending.

But, a lot of time has passed since then and you're still unemployed and scouring the Classifieds for any job-openings. Your brilliant smiles have been replaced by scowls and your springy step has turned into a slow shuffle.

If you can relate to this, you're one of millions of talented graduates who have found themselves stranded after the completion of their tertiary journey.

Let's look at a few facts for a minute:

1. In today's economy, being qualified doesn't guarantee a job

Growing up we were told that getting a tertiary qualification gave us an automatic pass to a glamorous job - no hassles, no long wait, no stress. But that's not true. The more graduates there are, the more competition there is for the few available positions in the job market. There are thousands of graduates out there who want the very same piece of pie you are eyeing.

So, what are you to do?

Be unique and find innovative ways of standing out from the rest. Instead of simply emailing or sending your CVs / resumes and application letters via post, go a step further and  find opportunities to network with Business Executives.

Attend business workshops and seminars and introduce yourself to company execs. This gives them a chance to know you better, hear your ideas and relate to you as a potential employee. Take yourself seriously. You'll only be treated like a professional if you act, think and speak like one.

2. Being talented isn't enough either

Ever heard the saying, "There are a lot of poor geniuses out there?"  It's not necessarily the people with the best ideas that become successful, but those that know what to do with great ideas. Your ideas and creativity are your most prized assets. Find out how you can make them work for you.

Resist the temptation of selling your ideas for a $10 lunch that will be gone in 5 minutes. A lot of millionaires have made their fortunes by ripping off young, talented graduates who are desperate to impress. So, protect your intellectual property and insist on a formal contract before giving any major business strategies away.

3.  Be prepared to start small

You may not get that Marketing or Bank Manager job right away. Be ready and willing to roll up your sleeves and start from the bottom. You may need to start off as an intern, volunteer or part-time employee and work your way up the corporate ladder. Keep focused and hang in there. Your determination will pay off in good time.

To all the super-talented, qualified but unemployed graduates out there, keep on dreaming, working and believing. The best in life awaits you!

Dedicated to the 2014 class, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe

"Think in other terms"