When I was growing up in Nairobi and Eldoret (Kenya), my dad used to tell me I can be anything I want to be. Little did he know I would end up a multi-passionate. A person with many interests professionally and personally. In my teens I wanted to be a geneticist and a poet. In my 20’s I wanted to be a radio presenter, a psychologist and a journalist. When my maternal cousins came from Mount Elgon to stay with us in Nairobi during the circumcision season in December, I wanted to be a reproductive health activist. I was glad their stay also meant they would be spared from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

I did some self-examining earlier this year and what was clear is how my multi-passionate modus operandi is exhausting and in the way of mastering particular skills. After all the complete saying goes “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” While on this journey of doing less and better, I am fuelled by insights from Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.

My pacer today may have not read McKeown’s book but Oscar (not his real name) believes in finding one’s niche and running with it. He looks at the job search as a targeted approach. He is intentional on finding his competitive advantage and selling it about himself. He wishes to remain anonymous.

Oscar originally from Kenya, moved to Bonn from New York together with his girlfriend (now wife) in 2012. He has a Masters in International Development and recently completed his PhD in Economics in just under 3 years while juggling parenting and writing academic papers for international institutions.

“I am interested in jobs within the international organizations (e.g., The United Nations) and the private sector/consulting firms. While the focus for private sector jobs is in Germany, my job search within UN covers Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Private sector jobs in Germany require proficiency in written and spoken German. As such, my limited knowledge of the German language means I am currently technically locked out of these jobs hence my interest in international organizations. Learning German requires time and for a foreigner, this may mean one either has no meaningful employment, or is employed in international organizations during the learning process. With the latter, competition is also very high, and Germany doesn’t seem to have capacity to absorb all the foreigners looking for English-speaking jobs. In my case, earlier experiences with the UN coupled with my Masters and PhD have enabled me to smoothly secure job opportunities within the international organizations.

Besides mapping out prospective employers, I continuously build my profile highlighting my main transferable skills and unique selling propositions. Today’s job market is very competitive and it’s so important to have something specific one can offer. This positioning has allowed me stand-out and get hired for various positions.

Challenges faced in a German Job Market

There is a general tendency by German employers to profile foreigners (mainly Africans) with foreign qualifications applying for local jobs. An African must have succeeded in overcoming what is seen as the handicap of an education in country of origin that tends to reproduce knowledge. In that sense there is pressure for foreigners to prove themselves more than natives do. The bias is very strong. To navigate this obstacle, I always made use of my unique selling propositions, that is, answering question-what is it that I offer to the target organization which makes me standout?

Coping with reduced number of jobs in the market

While looking for jobs, I’ve always been curious on the latest news in my field. I am an economist/research analyst. Staying relevant means looking at economic trends, asking the right questions, collecting and analysing data and communicating my results to the relevant entities.

In terms of mind-set, I am convinced I have value to add, and for periods of unemployment, I am usually hopeful it’s just a matter of time until I am hired. Moreover, how I sell myself to the employer is important. Besides looking for useful networks within organizations of interest, I also ensure my CV and cover letter are well written. I target job applications that fit in my profile and skillset. The idea is to do the best that I can within my control and let external forces control what I have no control over.

Good things coming out of the current Covid-19 situation

In the thick of market research trips where I found myself traversing airports in Asia and Africa, I saw people carrying laundered clothes and running to catch flights. Some sat in the waiting lounge working on their laptops. I couldn’t help but feel we really need to slow down as human beings. When I returned to Germany from Asia, I had no desire to get close to airports or train stations. I was so exhausted of travelling that I wanted to stay put and work from home. When Covid-19 happened and everything came to a standstill, I heaved a sigh of relief.

I used the last few extraordinary months to reflect on two main things:

· The niche I want to focus on

· What I want to offer prospective employers

I thought about these points in a more sober, considered way than I would if I had other things to juggle. By so doing, I refined my unique selling proposition, and I am currently happy to be part of an international team contributing strategically in the success and competitiveness of projects.

Having 2 kids to entertain, a wife to support in re-filling our financial kitty and bills to pay have been big push factors in motivating me to finding a job.

If you knew Covid-19 was coming, what would you have done differently?

I don’t think there is anything I would have done differently. There are many uncertainties I faced in my life pre Covid-19 which disorganized my plans. The way I see it, Covid-19, like many other life changing moments, has disoriented my/our plans. However, the pandemic also gave me time to reflect on my career goals. Looking back before it all begun, I have no regrets. Life will always throw uncertainties and good moments our way. It’s a rollercoaster. The pandemic is one of the rollercoasters and it will not be with us forever.

Note: After this interview happened, Oscar received and accepted an offer of employment.