Performance should mirror your impressive CV

‘’You are not your resume, you are your work,’’ so said inspirational writer, Seth Godin.

Edward Mnyale, 33, an MBA graduate, has spent three years without a job. This is after he lost his former employment as a revenue analyst at a leading bank in Nairobi. Yet, a study of his resume reveals that he has rich credentials, having gone through top business schools in the country and a one year stint at a leading management firm in South Africa.

“Despite my arguably good resume, it has become increasingly hard to keep a job, leave alone getting one. It is not easy for me to transit from one firm to another although I have spent resources to beef up my resume,’’ said Edward.

His other puzzle is that single degree holders are able to get jobs and keep them for longer.

Justus Dindi, a Nairobi-based career coach, believes Edward represents thousands of graduates who can’t get it right as far as career advancement is concerned. As a result, thousands are only keen on enrolling for more classes in the hope that their competitiveness will stand and firmly ink them on the payroll.

“It is quite simple. Blame it on the myth that more degrees make one competitive. This is almost a gospel truth for many graduates. For instance, every evening and weekends thousands flock universities for post-graduate degrees. Whereas that adds to the beauty of their academic papers and resumes, it begins to frustrate when it does not result in career growth,’’ explains Dindi.

He continues to point to the tip of the problem. “You may have the resources to have additional degrees, but unless you package yourself to be equal to the new qualifications, the resume may not work for you. We have had reports of many employers unable to find value in employees with colourful resumes,’’ he said.

Phyllis Ndirangu, a human resource expert, advises graduates to go beyond adding colour to their resumes. “Whereas it is true that employers may have an affinity for more qualifications, the ability for an employee to deliver in line with the resume is key. Thousands are making the mistake of just accumulating academic papers and sitting pretty that it will work for them. Has your “powerful’’ resume made you a unique and better employee? This is where the real homework is,’’ she said.

Dindi advises that employees should ensure they meet the colour in their resumes.

“One should always learn to perfect his potential in his or her current position. Extra papers appended on one’s resume will not replace the passion to work beyond the bracket of our current assignments. A good resume will not stand in for an employee who does not pay attention to details in delivering an assignment,’’ he said.

For Edward Mnyale and others, the real homework in getting and keeping that important job goes beyond packaging a resume.

[email protected]