STANDING UP FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Having experienced the trauma of unemployment first hand, Uyapo Samuel has made it his mission to help job seekers find work in his spare time.
A qualified banker, away from his day job, the 29-year-old assists job hunters by brushing up their CVS and helping them prepare for interviews - all for the price of just P200!
Incredibly, Samuel, who is fondly referred to as the ‘Young CEO’ on social media where his reputation grows by the day, helped 154 people secure employment last year.
The young activist’s commendable work, which he humbly y describes as his ‘social responnsibility’, has earned him a spot on this week’s Meet The Boss…
Kindly introduce yourself.
I am a 29-year-old who is very sociable, loves networking and who is a Bankker as well as an Employment ent Creation activist. I am a fathertherof-one and married to a beautiful wife.
And what is it that you do professionally?
I am currently a Private and Business Banker at Bank Gaborone and an Employment Activist after hours. As an Employment Activist, I consult for clients by reviewing their CVS, cover letters as well as assisting people to get jobs in their fields of interest.
Where does this inspiration to help others find work come from?
I drew inspiration when a company I worked for abruptly closed down. I endured hardship in finding a job, so I know how it feels to be unemployed. The void you feel is unbearable hence I want to reduce the number of people going through what I once went through.
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree in Business Enterprise from the University of Derby through Botswana Accountancy College, COP: Basics of Retirement Funds, COP: Short-term insurance and a Finance for Non-finance Manager’s certificate.
Tell us about your journey as an employment creation activist.
It h has grown in leaps and boun bounds. I have managed to res restore hope in a lot of pe people who come and were u unemployed for more t than 10 years. The # Employmentcreation momentum has grown, and the support does s solidify what I am trying to achieve, i.e. bridging the unemployment gap in Botswan Botswana.
Take us throu through your daily responsibilities.
During the day, I work as a Banker and after hours as an Employability Consultant, doing CVS.
What have you achieved thus far?
In the year 2022, I did 298 CVS. 201 clients were called for interviews and 154 people were hired on both a temporary and long-term basis.
Impressive! What services do you provide as a banker?
I provide banking solutions to both individuals and companies to help manage their finances to achieve their respective goals.
What sets you apart from other employment creation consultants?
I would not know what they do but I make job recommendations on behalf of my clients if an opportunity exists in the company and also offer free interview preparation sessions.
I know how it feels to be unemployed; the void you feel is unbearable!”
Tell us about the workshop that you hosted last year, its mandate and if the objectives were met.
The purpose of the seminar was to guide people on how a CV should be professional, etiquette at interviews, and staying employable beyond hiring.
This year, you are set to host the Employability Blueprint 2023 Boost Up Session, what can participants expect?
This year, we have a roundtable session where I individually teach people how to do CVS and tailor-make them for particular jobs and sectors. The participants also get to interact with HR.