What you need to know:
- “Wherever you move, people are watching your personal brand, how you show up, and your dress code. You may dress differently, but how you package yourself is important,” Juliet Kakoma
University finalists across Uganda have been advised to build not only academic competence but also practical, soft, and entrepreneurial skills to remain relevant in today’s evolving and competitive job market.
Speaking during the second edition of the Job Connect Festival held on June 12 at ISBAT University in Kampala, Juliet Kakoma, Head of Human Resource at Finance Trust Bank, noted that many traits employers look for are non-academic, starting with personal branding.
“Wherever you move, people are watching your personal brand, how you show up, and your dress code. You may dress differently, but how you package yourself is important. In the banking industry, it communicates a lot to a customer about the kind of service they’ll get,” Kakoma said.
She emphasized attitude as a key asset, often overlooked by job seekers. “Avoid giving clients the impression you don’t know anything. Consult and provide positive feedback. Your integrity should be seen in your timekeeping and how you handle responsibilities. If you promise to deliver, do it. And if you can’t, communicate. Integrity means your name and character stay clean throughout your career,” she added.
Audrey Grace Imaa, Head of Youth Learning and Development at Brighter Monday Uganda, told students that employers now value traits like adaptability and emotional intelligence just as much as technical skills.
“It’s something you don’t see, but it shows in how you interact with potential employers. Are you able to adapt to a changing world? With digital tools taking over, we all need to learn, unlearn and relearn. Communication, respectful and effective, is one of the most important soft skills across all jobs,” she said.
Maryanne Karamajji, founder and Managing Director of Bolt Club Ltd, stressed the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset.
“You need to have grit, be a go-getter, and take personal initiative. Most employers don’t want to babysit employees. They want people who get things done. While qualifications matter, we also look for basic human values like honesty and reliability. Some traits can’t be taught, they must already exist within you,” she said.
Pradeep Kumar, Director of Academic Affairs at ISBAT University, said the Job Connect program underscores the urgent need for academic institutions to stay in sync with industry demands.
“Universities must adapt their curricula to be practical, flexible, and forward-looking. If you equip students with just theoretical knowledge, they’ll leave university unprepared for the current job market,” Kumar said.
The festival brought together 25 companies and institutions from sectors including banking, IT, insurance, hospitality, aviation, healthcare, and consultancy. These employers came to recruit final-year students from across Uganda’s universities for various job openings within their organizations.
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