Common Job Search Mistakes Nigerians Make

Many talented candidates lose out not because they're underqualified, but because of small, fixable mistakes in how they search and apply.

Applying to everything, tailoring nothing

Sending the same CV and cover letter to 50 jobs in a week feels productive, but it rarely converts. Ten well-targeted applications, each customized to the specific role, will consistently outperform fifty generic ones.

Ignoring your online presence

Recruiters routinely check LinkedIn before responding to an application. An empty or outdated profile — or one that contradicts your CV — can quietly disqualify you before a human even reads your application properly.

Underpricing yourself out of fear

Many candidates lowball their salary expectations to seem "safe," which can actually raise doubts about their confidence or experience level. Research realistic ranges for your role and location before any conversation about pay comes up.

Not preparing for the interview beyond the CV

• Research the company's recent news, products, and challenges.
• Prepare 2–3 specific stories that demonstrate your key skills using a clear situation-action-result structure.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer — it signals genuine interest.

Job searching is a numbers game, but it's also a precision game. Fix the fundamentals and your response rate will improve faster than adding more applications will.