Getting your first job in Zambia can be frustrating. You may have the qualification, you may have completed your internship or attachment, and you may have applied for several positions without receiving a response. After a while, it is easy to start thinking that employers only want people with two or three years of experience.

But that is not always the case.

For entry-level positions, employers understand that many applicants are graduates, school leavers, interns or young professionals who are still building their careers. What they want to see is whether you have the potential to become a useful member of their organisation.

So, what exactly are employers looking for?

1. A qualification that matches the position

The first thing an employer will normally look at is whether you meet the basic requirements of the job.

If a company is looking for an Accounting Assistant, for example, a qualification in accounting, finance or a related field can put you in a stronger position.

For technical positions, the relevant qualification becomes even more important. An employer recruiting an Electrical Technician may specifically require a diploma or certificate in Electrical Engineering, while an engineering graduate may be expected to have a relevant engineering degree from a reputable institution.

However, don't apply only because the job title sounds interesting.

Read the requirements carefully.

If the advert says applicants must have a particular qualification, professional membership, licence or certification, make sure you understand what is being asked for before submitting your application.

2. Practical experience

This is where many young Zambians get discouraged.

A job advert says "experience required", and a fresh graduate immediately thinks:

"But how am I supposed to get experience when nobody wants to employ me?"

The good news is that experience does not always mean having worked in a permanent position for several years.

Your industrial attachment, internship, volunteer work, school project, temporary work or practical training can demonstrate useful experience.

For example, a mechanical engineering graduate who spent several weeks working in a workshop during industrial attachment can talk about the equipment they worked with, the maintenance activities they participated in and the safety procedures they followed.

Don't simply write:

"Industrial Attachment – 3 months."

Explain what you actually did.

That gives an employer something to assess.

3. Willingness to learn

No employer expects a fresh graduate to know everything.

You are entering the workplace to learn.

What employers want to see is whether you are willing to learn, accept instructions and improve when someone corrects you.

This is particularly important during your first job.

If you don't know how to perform a particular task, it is much better to say:

"I haven't done this before, but I'm willing to learn."

than to pretend that you know something you don't. Someone who is able to ask questions when not clear about something this also shows that the candidate is willing to know.

A candidate who is teachable can become valuable to an organisation over time.

4. Communication skills

You don't need to speak complicated English to impress an employer.

You need to be able to communicate clearly and professionally.

This applies from the moment you submit your application.

Your CV should be easy to understand. Your application email should be professional. If you are invited for an interview, you should be able to explain your experience and answer questions clearly.

Employers also look at how you communicate with colleagues, supervisors, customers and other people at work.

Good communication is not about using big words.

It is about making yourself understood.

5. A professional attitude

Your attitude can make a big difference, especially when you have limited experience.

Employers want people who can be trusted to take their work seriously.

This includes things such as:

• Arriving on time.

• Following instructions.

• Respecting supervisors and colleagues.

• Taking responsibility for your work.

• Asking questions when you don't understand something.

• Accepting constructive criticism.

• Following workplace rules.

• Taking safety seriously.

You may have an excellent qualification, but if your attitude suggests that you will be difficult to work with, an employer may choose another candidate.

6. Basic computer skills

Computer literacy is becoming important in almost every industry.

Even jobs that are not primarily computer-based may require employees to use email, Microsoft Word, Excel, online systems or other workplace software.

For an entry-level applicant, being comfortable with basic computer tasks can therefore be an advantage.

If you know how to use particular software, don't just write "Computer Literate" on your CV.

Be specific.

For example:

Computer Skills:

• Microsoft Word

• Microsoft Excel

• PowerPoint

• Email and internet applications

If you have more advanced skills, mention those as well.

7. Teamwork

Very few jobs involve working completely alone.

You will probably have to work with supervisors, colleagues, customers, contractors or other departments.

Employers therefore want to know that you can work as part of a team.

Your internship or attachment may already have given you examples of this.

Perhaps you worked with technicians on a maintenance job, assisted a supervisor during fieldwork, worked with other students on a project or supported customers during temporary employment.

Those experiences can demonstrate teamwork.

8. Problem-solving ability

Employers don't expect an entry-level employee to solve every problem in the organisation.

However, they do want someone who can think before giving up.

During an interview, you may be asked about a situation where something went wrong and what you did about it.

Try to give a real example.

Explain:

What happened → What you did → What the result was → What you learned.

It doesn't have to be a dramatic story.

Even something you experienced during your internship or university project can demonstrate your ability to think through a problem.

9. Attention to detail

Small mistakes can sometimes cause big problems.

This is particularly important in areas such as accounting, engineering, administration, healthcare, banking, procurement, construction and many other fields.

Employers want employees who check their work instead of rushing through it.

Even some exam paper's front page have an instruction written:

Read all questions carefully before attempting to answer.

For example, if you are preparing a report, entering figures into Excel or working with technical drawings, taking the time to check your work can prevent unnecessary mistakes.

Your CV itself can also demonstrate attention to detail.

Spelling mistakes, incorrect company names, wrong dates and poorly formatted documents can create a bad first impression.

10. Professionalism

Being professional doesn't mean wearing an expensive suit or using complicated language.

It means understanding that you are now entering a workplace where your behaviour matters.

Professionalism includes how you:

• Write emails.

• Answer phone calls.

• Dress for interviews.

• Speak to people.

• Handle confidential information.

• Respond to instructions.

• Manage your time.

• Represent the organisation.

Even if this is your first job, you can still demonstrate professionalism.

11. Relevant certifications and professional development

Depending on the industry, additional training can strengthen your application.

For example, employers may value relevant short courses, professional certifications, safety training, computer training or industry-specific qualifications.

But don't collect certificates simply for the sake of filling your CV.

Choose training that is relevant to the career you want to build.

A mechanical engineering graduate, for example, may benefit more from relevant technical, CAD, maintenance, safety or project-related training than from collecting unrelated certificates.

12. A good CV

Your CV is often your first introduction to an employer.

For an entry-level applicant, it doesn't need to be packed with years of employment history.

Instead, make the most of what you have.

Your CV can highlight:

• Your education.

• Industrial attachment.

• Internships.

• Relevant projects.

• Volunteer experience.

• Technical skills.

• Computer skills.

• Certifications.

• Professional memberships.

• Relevant achievements.

• Referees.

Most importantly, adjust your CV to the position you are applying for.

If you are applying for an IT position, your technical and computer skills should be easy to find.

If you are applying for a mechanical engineering position, highlight your engineering education, practical experience, software knowledge, projects and technical skills.

13. Genuine interest in the job

Employers can usually tell when someone has applied for a position simply because they want any job available.

There is nothing wrong with wanting employment. Many young people in Zambia are actively looking for work.

However, when you apply, take some time to understand what the organisation does and what the position involves.

Before an interview, research the company.

Know:

What does the organisation do?

What does the position involve?

Why are you interested in the opportunity?

You don't need to memorise the entire company website.

Just show that you made an effort.

What If l Don't Have Work Experience?

This is probably one of the biggest concerns for people looking for their first job.

If you don't have formal employment experience, don't lie on your CV.

Instead, think about where you have gained relevant experience.

You may have:

• Completed industrial attachment.

• Done an internship.

• Worked on university or college projects.

• Volunteered.

• Worked part-time.

• Assisted in a family business.

• Participated in student organisations.

• Completed practical training.

• Developed your own project.

• Gained technical skills outside formal employment.

The important thing is to explain what you actually did and what you learned.

Your first job may not require you to have a long employment history. It may require you to demonstrate that you have the foundation to succeed.

Final Thoughts

Getting an entry-level job in Zambia can take time. You may submit several applications before getting an interview, and you may attend interviews without being selected.

Don't let rejection convince you that you have nothing to offer.

Use every application as an opportunity to improve.

Improve your CV.
Improve your communication.
Learn another relevant skill.
Gain practical experience where possible.
Prepare better for interviews.
Keep looking for legitimate opportunities.

And when you finally get that first opportunity, remember that your first job is not only about the salary. It is also an opportunity to gain experience, build professional relationships and develop skills that can help you throughout your career.

Keep learning. Keep applying. Keep improving.

Your first opportunity may be closer than you think.