If you have a question for our Career Coach, E-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I would like to work for a multinational company and I don't know how to do so. I am a young Cameroonian, I am 26 and I have a baccalaureate in Mathematics and Physics and three years training in Accounting and Finance.  I am fluent in English and French.  Is it possible for me to get a nice job? If yes, how?

Claude

Dear Claude

With so many people seeking good jobs with multinational corporations, it is important that you assess your skills and experience so that you can target the right kind of job and the right companies to apply to. 

Companies are generally not very receptive to vague job applications, so I would suggest that you focus on the specifics of what is a ‘nice job’ for you.  One person’s idea of a challenging job is very different to another’s.  Do you want a role using your accountancy and finance skills on a day-to-day basis?  Are you aiming to study for professional accountancy qualifications and looking for a company that will support you to do so?  Also, think more specifically about the sort of job role that you will enjoy and be realistic about the level of job you can target at this stage.  You do not say what the outcome of your training in Accounting and Finance has been, but if you have a degree in these subjects, you are well placed to apply for graduate opportunities with multinationals.

You will need to research which multinational companies operate in the country/region where you want to work.  Corporate websites are a good starting point to learn more about multinational companies with African operations and most of these websites will carry job vacancies or offer online application facilities.  By studying the job vacancies and the criteria for application, you can gauge which level would be suited to you.  Remember that your CV will be screened for relevance to the company and its likely vacancies, so ensure that you have used key words in your CV that relate to your experience and interest.  Research any deadlines for graduate entry programmes and send in your application before the final date.

Finally, your languages are a useful asset for any international company, so play up your fluency in both English and French when you apply.

If you need some more personalised coaching to help you plan your job-seeking strategy or to prepare a winning CV, contact us to find out more about how we can help.

Good luck!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.