THE Governor General of Solomon Islands has advised the graduating students of Solomon Islands National University to be proactive in seeking job.

Speaking during the graduation on Wednesday this week Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui said jobs will not search for its recipient but rather recipients must put all effort to search and secure a decent job.

“Be proactive in seeking jobs as jobs will not come to you. Sometimes jobs are not to your liking and one has to adjust because being employed is better that nothing at all though pay is small,” he said.

Sir Kabui told the students that formal qualification fulfils the first step of getting a job when call comes in an advertisement.

But he said the opportunities will not come easy as there will be challenges in obtaining employment given that unemployment is a ripe issue in the country.

“There is no hard and fast rules about this,” Sir Kabui said.

He encourages the students to stand strong and take all challenges in whatever profession students undertake in the future.

Sir Kabui warns the graduating students not to be too selective on jobs as such attitude can lead to unemployment.

He advised the students that starting small can lead to bigger achievement in the future and this requires patience as there is always room to go up if one proves to be a good employee.

Sir Kabui continues to say that good character together with qualification and experience is fundamental to satisfy employers’ expectations.

He adds that combination of qualification and experience enhances the suitability for continuing employment for job seekers.

Sir Kabui said formal qualification is a start of working life but requires experience to accommodate wider opportunity for further development.

He said employment should be a lifetime goal with faithfulness, commitment, loyalty, patient, honesty and cheerfulness as there is not short-cut to enhancing standard of living.

On the same note, Sir Frank told the students that they are the back-bone of the country’s human resource development with trained skills and know-how.

“You are the life-line for the country’s development. You are like a blood in our bodies which carries oxygen and nutrition to all parts of the body. Likewise, you will be the blood that carries skills, commitment, loyalty, honesty, truthfulness and goodness to all parts of the country.

“Obtaining a degree is not just about getting a job or career but rather the benefits qualifications affects in all aspect of life, this includes intellectual, social, sporting, personal, artistic, ethical and most of all respect as well as honour,” he said.

Sir Kabui encourages the graduating students to be role models in whatever future profession either in the public service, private sector, in church organisation and in community.

He reiterated that there is no magic wand to success but success depends on circumstances, opportunities, individual attitude and individual plan for the future under God’s guidance.