Job hunting is a job on its own; a very serious job at that. It is a job that comes with lots of pressures and tensions. It’s a job that can make you happy, sad, angry, afraid, surprised, disappointed, or a mixture of all of these emotions at the same time. Job hunting is a type of job no one wants to go into. Besides, it pays no salary; instead it takes the little money you have.

Anybody can find himself hunting for a job. You may be searching for a job that is better than the one you have; you may be looking for new business partners and investors; you may be a freelancer pitching for freelance jobs; you may be hunting for customers; or, maybe you are just a fresher searching for a job after completing your trainings. So long as you are looking for a way to make a better living, you are job hunting. That’s life.

No matter what you applied for, there is always this tension that comes with opening the mail that replies your application. I thought I have passed this level until recently when I got a long awaited mail from an establishment, whose attention I have been trying to catch for some months. I couldn’t believe myself when my hands shook and my heart beat faster as I saw and tried to open the mail. That was when I realised how slow our network is in Nigeria. Finally I opened this precious mail only to see that my application was rejected. I hissed and dropped my phone like I was fighting with it (lol).

Well, those minutes it took me to read the notification and the mail were enough to send me to another zone if I didn’t have these tips I am about to share with you. I truly understand what a lot of people pass through in their search for greener pastures because I have been there, and I’m still there. The fear of rejection, the disappointment from finding out that you are not qualified to apply, and the pressure from seeing your mates getting better paid jobs are just too much for job seekers. However, all these feelings are forgotten once a job lands.

But as we look for jobs, we need to learn some tips that will help us manage the pressure and tension experienced within this period. These tips include:

Tip #1: Apply to many jobs
This trick works for everybody. What it does is that when your application for a job is turned down, you will have hope that another one will accept you. Besides giving you hope, this trick also helps to keep you busy so that you don’t have time to lament on your loss. But you need to apply to jobs you are qualified for so you don’t end up wasting your time and money.

Tip #2: Belong to Job Seekers Forums
There is something good that comes with belonging to a group where all members share something in common. In this case, all of you are job seekers. This forum will provide a place for you to receive consolations when you feel overwhelmed by your situation. Besides that, you may hear about a new recruitment process and receive tips on how to scale through the interviews of some companies. You can find a lot of online job seekers forum. Find one that suits you and subscribe to it. But be careful so that you don’t let them feed you with negative thoughts about your job seeking status.

Tip #3: Subscribe to an Online Job Search Engines
There are a lot of online websites that post jobs existing within an area. You can’t be seeking for jobs if you didn’t subscribe to as many of them as possible. Note that I am not saying that you will definitely get a job through these platforms, but it will be of greater advantage to you because you will get to know most of the job openings around your area and their basic requirements. What I also like about these platforms is that they keep job seekers busy and enlightened on what they need to land their dream jobs.

Tip #4: Follow Recruiters on LinkedIn
Following recruiters on LinkedIn doesn’t guarantee jobs, but it gives the much needed hope this period requires. Also, you will get to know what employers seek for in employees, this is very important. Recruiters also serve as training grounds for job seekers because they usually post articles on why people’s applications are rejected, different tips for interviews, how to write captivating cover letters and CVs, and different jobs in high demands. So if you haven’t attached yourself to many recruiters on LinkedIn, kindly do so now.

Tip #5: Connect with People in your Area of Interest
If you want to be a banker, connect more with bankers. If you want to teach, deal more with teachers and school owners. It will be odd that you wish to work in a bakery and you network more with carpenters – they will have nothing much to offer you. The essence of connecting with people in your area of interest is that they will be like informal on-the-job trainers to you. And you will also get to know when there is opening in their establishments.

Tip #6: Listen to Motivational Speakers and Read Motivational Books
I know that people are beginning to think that motivational speakers are not worth listening to; but you actually need to listen to these people. They are not going to give you a job, but they will inspire you to get up and keep hustling. That is their main job. Trust me, anyone can find himself at very low ebb every now and then. At this period, it will take the person’s will power and the help of someone else to pull out of this mood. Motivational speakers and writers are some of the people that can do this. So, don’t worry about what people say, listen to motivational speakers and read motivational books.

Tip #7: Pick up a Small Job
Having something doing keeps the body and mind busy. This helps a lot in removing the pressure and tension that comes with job hunt. The way this happens is that because you have something doing already, you always have it at the back of your mind that you have something you will fall on if your application is rejected. So, pick up any job you see, irrespective of how much they pay you. It will help to reduce tension and pressure.

Tip #8: Go into Internship
These days a lot of companies are seeking for interns. You may decide to go in for that to help you build up your skills and experiences, which will give you a better edge in your job search. It will be better if you go for internship in your dream job or career. Remember to continue your job search during internship unless you are sure the company you are attached to will automatically offer you employment after the internship programme.

Tips #9: Go for Skill Acquisition
You can look for a place where you will pay to acquire some basic skills, especially the ones needed for the job of your interest.

Remember what I said earlier, job search is a job in itself. Don’t let the pressure and tension that comes with it weigh you down.

The House representatives has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt the implementation of the charges component of the cashless policy.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the Apex Bank issued a circular directing Money Deposit Banks to charge 3% for withdrawal and 2% for lodgment in transactions at the excess of N500, 000, for individual accounts.

And for corporate accounts: It’s 5% for withdrawal and 3% for deposit for transactions that are in excess of N5 million. Upon the announcement, the policy has been met with heavy criticism with experts calling it “exploitation to enrich the banks.”

In view of the backlash that followed, the House of Representatives, has in its plenary session on Thursday considered the policy ill in the current economic dispensation.

The lower House said it has a negative impact on small and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of Nigerian economy.

Nigerians have been wailing over multiple charges by banks over the years, and believe that cutting the charges would encourage depositors to accept the cashless policy without being forced to do so through the imposition of additional charges.

The attempt to implement the cashless policy has been hitting one hurdle after the other since 2012, due to existing bank structure that thrives in customers’ exploitation. And the Apex Bank has done nothing or little to quell it.

It is in view of all these that the Thursday’s plenary session birthed the decision ordering the CBN to call it off.

“Our Central Bank still thinks we are in the military era. If, for whatever reason, you are going to introduce charges for deposits, will you just issue a circular? No explanation? No justification? No sensitization? You just issue a circular and call it cashless policy?”

This is how the former DG of Bureau of Public Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Joe Abba, responded to CBN’s circular to all Deposit Money Banks entitled: RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CASHLESS POLICY. Where all the deposit banks were directed to charge 3% for withdrawal and 2% for lodgment in transactions at the excess of N500, 000, for individual accounts.

And for corporate accounts: it’s 5% for withdrawal and 3% for deposit in transactions that are more than N5 million. The directive takes effect on the 18th of September, in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Rivers States and the FCT. The nationwide implementation will take effect from March 31, 2020.

Read: The CBN’s Gift

Dr. Joe Abba isn’t the only prominent Nigerian who expressed the sentiment of concerned Nigerians, Senator Shehu Sani did so also. He tweeted:

“The new directive to Banks amounts to selective corporate extortion.”

This is not the first time that Nigerians will have to complain about CBN’s enabled extortions in the guise of implementation of Cashless Policy. The pilot of this policy was first implemented in January 2012, following the same pattern of a few selected states first, then it took effect nationwide on the 1st of July, 2013. It was relaxed in no time only to be resurrected in 2015, with adjusted figures and charges. It has been intermittent since then. The only thing that has consistently improved over the years has been the frivolous transaction charges sanctioned by the CBN.

• ATM charges
• POS charges
• Online Transaction Charges
• Account Maintenance charges
• Card Maintenance Charges
• SMS Charges.

Read also: Nigerian Banks Hitting Record Numbers on Arbitrary Charges and Fees

In 2018, spurred by the outcry of Bank customers, the Nigerian Senate waded in and summoned the CBN Governor, Emefiele. In a motion sponsored by Olugbenga Ashafa, on the illicit and excessive bank charges on customers’ accounts. An issue the Senate acknowledged that it affects the flotsam and jetsam as long as you operate a bank account in Nigeria.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, while responding to the motion noted.

“Banks declare profits and you wonder where these profits are coming from – it’s from the sweat of the common man. Let’s come up with a law that puts banks on their toes.”

The truth in this statement doesn’t need a telescope, you only need to visit the page of the Nigerian Consumers Protection Agency to see things for yourself.

The then Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, didn’t hide his disappointment either.

“For me this is a major step that we are taking.” He said. “This is because I introduced the first ATM that came into Nigeria over 25 years ago. Now, after 25 years, we should have grown out of these excessive charges and move on. So I believe that this is something that we must address to create an environment that protects all Nigerians, because these kind of charges in this economy affects everyone.” He lamented

Unfortunately, the efforts of the Senate did little to change the extortions. In the CBN’s circular directing banks to implement the 3% and 5% charges, the Apex Bank boldly noted that the newly introduced charges do not affect the existing ones. So we are talking about encouraging cashless policy through charges skewed in favor of the banking institutions as against their customers.

Compared to banking practices in the rest of the world, the CBN policy has been rigged against the Nigerian people. It has been nothing but a calculated decision to rip bank customers off in the name of encouraging digital transactions.

You pay the banks for keeping your money, you pay the banks for trying to keep more money with them, you pay them for helping them do their job (DIY, online transactions) etc. A Nigerian bank customer doesn’t hope for interests, not even in a savings’ account.

Though there is an argument that the policy will help digital startups, especially fintechs. That’s true, every bad policy has those it favors. But in this case, there are people who have suffered more losses from the existing chagrin, and need no more losses.

“Why do I need to pay an extra 2% when I deposit over N500, 000 or pay 3% when I withdraw same? Asked Dr. Dipo Awojide, the Founder of BTDT Hub, a career advisory organization. “After paying account maintenance charges monthly, ATM maintenance charge, stamp duty charges and transaction charges when I transfer to other banks? This cashless policy is confusing.”

The most confusing aspect of it comes from the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS)’s announcement that stipulated banks to collect taxes (VAT) on online transactions on behalf of FIRS. That means, if you do cashless, you will pay taxes, if you do cash, you will pay charges. A good way to encourage people to keep their money away from the bank.

Read also: Online VAT Where The Nigerian Govt. Got It Wrong

The Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Timothy Olawale told PUNCH:

“Though the overall aim of reducing cash transactions is good, the policy will, however, increase the cost of doing business and force organizations and individuals to start multiple deposits and withdrawals in order to beat the charges.”

A sentiment that many Nigerians have expressed in various social media platforms.

A professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Sheriffdeen Tella, also told PUNCH:

“The Charges are becoming too many that people may decide to not to take their money to the banks anymore. They may begin to look at other options.

“The new charges will not in any way encourage the cashless policy the CBN is trying to promote. I see it as being more contradictory. Government should look at other ways of making money for the banks.”

Another bone of contention in implementation of cashless policy over the years has been failed transactions. From the ATM to online transfers, leaving bank customers at a loss now and then. The CBN, in its quest to encourage a cashless society, has failed to address these issues head on. Even though it is apparent that the distrust emanating from transaction failures is more deterrent to the cashless policy implementation than the exploitative charges being imposed by the CBN.