The Day I Graduated Broke and Jobless in Nigeria (What Happened Next Will Shock You) - Daily Reality NG 🎓 The Day I Graduated Broke and Jobless (And What Happened Next) 📅 December 11, 2025 ✍️ Samson Ese ⏱️ 18 min read 📁 Personal Growth 👋 Welcome to Daily Reality NG Real Stories • Real Money • Real Nigeria Welcome back to Daily Reality NG, where we talk about the things that actually matter to everyday Nigerians. Today's story is personal. Very personal. It's about the day I graduated from university with noth...
2026 Guide: How to Pass Any Job Interview in Nigeria Even If You’re Not the Best Candidate
How to Pass Any Job Interview in Nigeria Even If You’re Not the Smartest Candidate
Reading time: ~13 minutes • By Samson Ese • Updated Jan 2026
Let me be honest — most candidates who win jobs aren’t the smartest on paper. They’re the ones who prepare, tell the right stories, control the room, and make hiring managers feel safe choosing them. This guide gives you the exact preparation plan, scripts, and posture to win interviews in Nigeria — Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond.
Many candidates think interviews are a quiz — show what you know and you’ll win. That’s partly wrong. Interviews are social decisions. Hiring managers evaluate fit, trust, and perceived risk. In Nigeria, where many prefer “someone who will not cause trouble”, being calm, communicative, and trustworthy often wins over raw intelligence. The secret: show reliability, problem-solving, and cultural fit.
Real talk: If you can do the job and make the team leader’s life easier, you will get hired — even when there’s a “smarter” candidate on paper.
Throughout this guide I’ll give you practical checklists, word-for-word scripts, body language coaching, and follow-up templates that work in Lagos offices, Abuja ministries, and remote Nigerian startups.
Mindset & Confidence — The Non-Negotiable Foundations
"If we talk am well..." — the Nigerian landscape rewards confidence backed by preparation. Before you walk into any interview, set the right mental model:
Replace fear with curiosity. Ask yourself: "What can I learn from this, win or lose?"
Focus on value, not perfection. Hiring teams want value delivered; tell them how you will deliver it.
Visualize the ending. Picture walking out with the job offer and what you did to earn it.
Quick ritual (2 minutes): Stand tall, breathe 4–4–4, name 3 strengths aloud, and smile. This shifts physiology and calms nerves.
The honest truth: the person who controls emotion controls the interview. Practice the ritual before entering the room or joining the call.
Preparation Checklist — 48 Hours Before & The Night Before
48–72 Hours Before
Research the company: mission, recent news, core product, leadership. (Find 2 recent stories.)
Read the job description line-by-line — list required skills and examples you have for each.
Network check: if possible, find current employees on LinkedIn and read their bios for voice and tone.
The Night Before
Pick your outfit; iron and set ready. (In Nigeria, neatness = reliability.)
Prepare your documents: CV, certificates, references (digital + printed copies where applicable).
Write a 30–60 second "pitch" about who you are and why you fit this role. Practice it out loud.
Charge devices, print map or test video connection (for virtual interviews).
Warning: Don’t over-cram. Overloading before an interview makes you jittery. Review, don’t memorize.
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Answer Scripts — Say These Words (and Make Them Yours)
Below are field-tested responses you can adapt. Use the structure: Situation → Action → Result → Relevance.
Tell me about yourself
Script: “I’m Samson, I’ve spent X years solving Y problems in Z industries. I’m strongest at A and B — for this role I’m excited to apply [specific skill] to help you achieve [company goal]. In my last role I delivered [measurable result].”
Why should we hire you?
Script: “You should hire me because I combine practical experience in [skill] with a proven habit of delivering results. For example, when I faced [challenge], I did [action], which saved the company [result]. I’m confident I can replicate this for your team by doing [specific plan].”
When asked about weaknesses
Script: “I used to struggle with X, but I solved it by doing Y (learning, course, process). Today it’s a strength because I now [positive outcome].”
Pro tip: Inject a small Nigerian example to build rapport. E.g., “In my previous Lagos job, I improved a process that cut delivery time by 20%.” Names and numbers impress.
Salary question — early stage
If asked salary before you know the role: “I’m open to discussion — what is the range you have budgeted for this position?” If forced to give a number, offer a well-researched band and ask for total compensation details.
Non-Verbal Mastery — Posture, Eye Contact, and the Nigerian Room
Non-verbal cues carry up to 55% of your interview impression. In Nigeria, politeness, respect, and composure matter a lot. Practice:
Handshake: firm but not bone-crushing. Smile and maintain eye contact (brief, natural).
Voice: slow down; enunciate; use pauses to emphasize value points.
Stage trick: Mirror tone subtly — if the interviewer is calm, match calmness. If they are rapid, stay slightly slower to appear thoughtful.
Confidence is as much what you show as what you say.
Follow-up That Seals Deals — Templates You Can Use
Many candidates forget this: follow-up signals professionalism. Send a short, polite email or message within 24 hours.
Template (Email/WhatsApp):
Hello [Name],
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the [Role] earlier today. I enjoyed learning about [company detail] and remain excited about contributing to [specific goal]. Please let me know if you need any other information. Best regards, [Your Name]
If you interviewed with multiple people, send individualized notes referencing one point from their conversation — this shows attention.
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Nigeria-Specific Tips — Culture, Power Outages, and Local Realities
Nigeria has unique friction points. Use them to your advantage:
NEPA/GENERATOR — If interview is in-person, ask about parking and generator arrangements if you suspect delays. Be flexible.
Timing: Arrive 10–15 minutes early. In Lagos rush hour, leave extra time.
Language: Avoid heavy slang in formal interviews; sprinkle light, friendly Pidgin only if interviewer uses it first.
References: Nigerian companies respect references; provide contactable referees with short context.
Local sample line: “I understand Lagos traffic — if any schedule changes happen I’ll be reachable and flexible to reschedule quickly.” This signals reliability.
Visuals & Examples — How Top Candidates Present
Use clear notes; structure your pitch.For virtual interviews: lighting, camera angle, and sound matter.Teams hire people they want to work with daily — be that person.
Mini Stories — How Ordinary Candidates Won Big
Chiamaka, Abuja: She was not the top CV. She used a 60-second pitch focusing on a past customer problem and the measurable result. She followed up within 6 hours with a sample plan. She got the job. Why? Because she made hiring managers see her working — not just reading a list of skills.
Tunde, Lagos: He prepped a one-page "first 90 days" plan tailored to the company’s product. During the interview he shared it and asked permission to email it. They offered him the role two days later.
Takeaway: Practicality and hustle beat theory. Bring solutions, not arguments.
Quick Pre-Interview Checklist (Printable)
Research company (mission + 2 news points)
Prepare 3 STAR stories
Pitch: 30–60 seconds
Print copies of CV + certificates
Confirm travel/virtual setup
Follow-up email template ready
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Helping 800,000+ readers navigate life, business, and digital opportunities since 2016. I’ve helped >4,000 Nigerians start online hustles and land better jobs.
FAQ — Quick Answers
Q: What if I get nervous and blank out?
Pause, take a sip of water, repeat the question in your own words: “If I understand correctly, you’re asking about...”, then answer. Slowing down buys clarity.
Q: How long should my answers be?
Aim for 45–90 seconds per answer. Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure responses.
Q: Can I negotiate salary?
Yes. Do research, present your range, and ask about total benefits. In Nigeria, negotiation is normal — be polite and firm.
This guide is built on real hires, recruiter interviews, and on-the-ground stories from Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The tactics are simple, replicable, and designed for Nigerian realities — from unpredictable power to traffic and multistage HR processes.
Key takeaway: Preparation, clear stories, and follow-up beat raw intelligence 7 out of 10 times.
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