After Graduating, I ofcourse registered for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) and while it might seem like a year, the journey I could say lasted almost half a decade due to the rigour of activities, soul searching and career planning. This story is dedicated to everyone who has faced disappointment. Enjoy, and let me know if you have any questions.
Background
Back then in secondary school, I never really knew what I wanted so I’d always jump from one hot field to another for science students. But I knew there’s no way I’d study medicine cause of the length of study and cause I always passed chemistry but never understood it. In senior class, when it was time to choose subjects for WAEC and JAMB. I only chose subjects towards AgricEcons cause I enjoyed the two subjects. After WAEC, I studied accounting on my own cause I was told I would do accounting courses in University.
Initiation
Going to University abroad to study Economics was a dream come true for me cause I knew many people studying nothing related to the courses they wanted due to failed admission, strike and other issues related with Nigerian Universities. After my second semester I got tired of Economics courses and wanted something more so I registered for a minor in Banking & finance and I found it really interesting cause I liked the lecturers and the courses were fun to read and apply. About a few days after my graduation in 2016, I used about 2 weeks digging deep in search of my passion. I found out that I’m passionate about investment banking and I remembered that the courses I enjoyed most during my Bsc. was investments, corporate finance and portfolio management.
Following My Passion
In October 2016, I came back to Nigeria just some weeks before the stream 1 batch B NYSC. I shortlisted some professionals in investment research and drafted a mail on how passionate I am about investment research and how I wanted them to be my mentor. I got only 1 reply and she helped me with my Meristem application some months later. I shortlisted about 20 companies consisting of investment and financial advisory firms that I wanted to work with and I developed strategies around this 20 companies. I had hoped to be posted to lagos but I wasn’t . I spent 3 weeks in camp and was posted to a consulting firm in Abuja where I learnt the most valuable lesson of all; being open-minded.
Applications and Rejections
Some months after my posting, a friend I made in camp sent me a memo saying Meristem was recruiting and I was a perfect fit. I drafted a new CV and sent to the lady I mentioned earlier. She reviewed the CV and took to HR. I also sent same CV while she helped me follow up internally. After 2 weeks I was invited for an assessment test which I passed but then, a month later I was invited for another test but I didn’t pass.
I was also interested in Islamic Asset Management, so I checked out Lotus capital. I developed a questionnaire on google forms and shared to friends and colleagues. I documented the findings from the survey and sent to Lotus capital. I was invited for a phone chat some weeks later, which went well but there was no follow up after then.
In August 2017, I came up with a formula for writing cold mail to investment firms. The first I sent was to Afrinvest which I got a reply within 17 minutes. I was so surprised at how fast they replied cause I had sent them about 4 mails before then and they never replied. I drafted another for Vetiva but didn’t get any reply until the next day where I saw a mail inviting me for their pre-employment test the day after(Friday). I requested to take it on Monday cause I had to travel to lagos. I wrote the test but I didn’t meet their cut off mark.
In October 2017, I sent another mail to Afrinvest which led to alot of phone conversations and finally an invitation for an assessment. I left for lagos the day after my POP and I wrote the test some days after. Again, I was told that I didn’t meet their cut off mark.
About that same time, I was invited for Coronation Merchant Bank and Deliotte’s test. Again after some weeks, I was told that I didn’t meet their cut off mark. It was becoming frustrating but I was determined to get that investment banking job.
So the trick is simple, I’d write one of my cold mails; I call them love letters. At first I got replies instantly but after sometime, I had to start following up with phone calls and follow up mails to make sure they got it. Still didn’t guarantee they’ll reply.
LinkedIn was another useful tool here as I sought advice from professionals and some even gave me the name of the HR and mail to send my love letters to. Some went to the extent of collecting my CV to send to HR themselves. I also know friends that chatted up CEOs on LinkedIn proactively and finally got offers without test, just interviews.
Edubridge Academy
I also came to lagos for an investment banking training with Edubridge academy. During this period I learnt the skills required for an investment banking role and also how to get in. I networked with alot of professionals, graduates and undergraduates. I was also opportune to meet the MD of Afrinvest securities limited and some other key personnel’s at some of the biggest investment Banks in Nigeria. Edubridge provided me with skills that made me call myself an investment banker already; I practiced what I learnt and was always looking for ways to bring out something real out of it. Most important of all, I made friends cause I was coming from Abuja and barely knew anyone in Lagos.
Desperation
Two months into the nonstop grind after my NYSC, I was still stucked on finding an Investment banking job and finally faced the brutal investment banking truth. Some of the applications I submitted were left without any response, my trainee position ask turned to internships and finally volunteer positions. At the end of the year 2017, I was only able to secure an investment research internship with Meristem from April – June 2018. I cannot begin to describe how depressing it was for me. I never failed at anything in my life before, apart from GCE in senior class 2. My last play was to find a way not to write the assessment test cause it was killing my spirit, so I embarked on a journey to learn about investment banking and private equity so I could find a deal worthy for an investment bank to employ me.
A Friend In Need Is a Friend Indeed
Friends I made at Edubridge were also career starters like me, going through the same phase, although some at different levels. We were there for each other, sharing opportunities, prayers and also normal talks just to keep ourselves together.
The Waiting Game
One of the Ads a friend from Edubridge sent me called for an interview which I went for and I was glad that no test was involved. After the interview came the next 2-3 weeks of frustration cause I had not heard from them. During those weeks, I was on my own jeje o, when another firm called me asking my employment and NYSC status and that I would get an invite from them before Close Of Bbusiness that day. Apparently Edubridge had organised it for me. After a week, I became worried and called them but they said they are not ready for me yet. Another Investment firm in Abuja that I’d sent a love letter also told me to wait that they’ll get back to me. At this time, I was waiting on 3 potential offers, and each time I‘d call any of them I hear the most frequently used word: Hold on, we’ll get back to you. It began to sound like music to my ears after sometime. I call this period “the waiting game” though waiting is not a strategy unless you proactively follow up even if you’d hear the music again, keep following up. It’s not bliss not knowing and be waiting.
Invigoration
However, the cherry on the cake came sometime in January 2018. I got an invite for a chat with the CEO of an investment bank in Abuja; I had just left lagos after my last interview with a private equity firm and was almost certain that I will get it. The invite came in saturday morning and was told to come on Monday morning. I did a test and a series of interviews. I got the offer 2 days after and was told to resume the day after. I didn’t even hesitate cause it’s all I have ever wanted and was glad to finally have it
Retrospection
I cannot believe that I spent so much time and sanity grinding towards that goal. The light was nowhere to be seen but by the end it shone brightly.
In conclusion, never give up on yourself, no matter how bad the situation might seem. Do as I say, not as I do – do not give in to depression like me, especially when your efforts don’t pay off. In the end, hard work always pays off. It is just hard to see how far the end is, is it weeks or perhaps months?
Have a nice week ahead!
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