In a sharply worded commentary, the writer declares that “the job market is cooked — not boiled, not fried, COOKED.” It is a sentiment many young Kenyans quietly agree with, especially as traditional job-hunting methods continue to lose effectiveness.
According to Elvis, sending CVs in 2025 “feels like sending love letters to someone who blocked you.” Applicants pour out their accomplishments, attach every certificate they own, and still receive the same painful response — silence.
Yet, while job seekers grind through endless applications, companies continue to raise the bar unrealistically. The writer quotes one of the most absurd trends in modern recruitment: “Minimum 8 years’ experience for an entry-level job.” He argues that the hiring landscape now expects newcomers to be “veterans before they even start.”
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Despite the chaos, Elvis insists that one thing has not failed: skills. As he puts it, “skills are the only seasoning that still works.”
Unlike CVs that vanish into HR inboxes, skills offer real, tangible benefits. They create new opportunities, reduce stress, boost confidence, and make a person genuinely useful in a competitive economy.
More importantly, skills don’t discriminate. “Skills don’t care where you came from,” he says. They do not judge your KCSE grade or the name printed on your academic certificate. Whether someone studied at a prestigious university or a little-known institution, the principle remains the same: practise the skill, and it can open doors.
Elvis’ warning is blunt but timely: “The job market is cooked. But don’t go down with it.”
He argues that in the current economy, survival depends on learning something that makes one harder to replace — something that sustains you even when HR departments forget you exist.
In a world where certificates alone no longer guarantee success, the writer’s message is clear: sharpen your skills, expand your options, and stay adaptable. Because today, skills are more than an advantage — they are a survival tool.
Elvis W is a city influencer, trainer and corporate consultant. He can be reached at hello@elvisw.online
