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

“I recently graduated from an American university with a Masters in International Banking and Finance and would like to return to Ghana as I have been told that there are a lot of opportunities in financial services. My university’s Careers Department doesn’t have any information that is particularly relevant to my situation and I haven’t been to Ghana for almost 6 years. I have looked at some internet job sites but all the jobs want people with more experience that I have. Can you help please?”

James O., Chicago, USA

Hi James,

You haven’t stated what, if any, previous experience you have of working in Ghana or if you have any experience in banking or finance, but I would make the following suggestions.

Given the strong emphasis on personal relationships in Africa, if you have worked before, your first port of call should be your network of former colleagues in Ghana. Re-establish contact by phone and e-mail and let them know the type of role you are looking for. If you have no previous experience in this sector, enlist the support of friends and family in Ghana to help you build your network and to identify one or two people with a good knowledge of the sector to talk to about available opportunities.
Keep a watch on Ghanaian/African online and print media that advertise jobs and sign up for international and Africa oriented seminars, job fairs or careers events to build up your corporate contacts and target the relevant sectors. You should be armed with a good CV clearly stating your academic qualifications, previous work experience and skills. If your previous experience was not in the financial services sector, consider a CV that focuses on your Masters degree and your transferable skills rather than your previous job roles. (ReConnect Africa’s online CV service can help you improve the impact and relevance of your CV)
Research any changes in the Ghanaian financial services sector over the last 6 years to establish which banks and institutions now operate in the country. The website for Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Central Bank (www.bog.gov.gh) will list the registered banks and non-banking financial institutions in the country. You should also research the Ghana Stock Exchange (www.gse.com.gh) to view member firms that could also be potential targets.
Finally, consider using your network in Ghana to identify internships or short-term contracts to ease your way back into the working environment. Our feature this month on ‘How to Make the Most of Internships’ will give you some useful tips on this.

Don’t forget that ReConnect Africa offers a range of careers services to help you plan your career strategy and manage the transition back home.

Let us know how you get on!

Helen

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.

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How do I find a job in banking in Ghana?