Mary Njoku Questions the True Value of Polished CVs in Nigeria's Job Market
Prominent Nollywood actress and filmmaker Mary Njoku has ignited a significant conversation about the growing disparity between job seekers and employers within Nigeria's competitive employment landscape. The founder of ROK Studios expressed her concerns regarding how impressive curriculum vitae documents often fail to accurately represent a candidate's genuine capabilities during actual workplace interactions.
The Disconnect Between Paper Qualifications and Real Performance
In a detailed Instagram post that has since captured national attention, Njoku articulated her confusion about the paradoxical situation where numerous qualified individuals remain unemployed despite possessing outstanding CVs, while organizations simultaneously lament a shortage of competent talent. She observed that many resumes appear solid, well-constructed, and seemingly perfect on paper, yet when employers engage with candidates personally, something fundamental often fails to align.
"You read a CV, it's solid, well-written, and ticks all the boxes. Then you sit down with the person... and something doesn't connect," Njoku wrote, suggesting that something crucial becomes lost in translation between the documented qualifications and the actual person presenting them.
CVs as Marketing Tools Rather Than Authentic Reflections
The accomplished filmmaker emphasized that the core issue isn't necessarily a deficiency in intelligence or effort, acknowledging that many job seekers demonstrate genuine diligence. Instead, she proposed that CVs have increasingly transformed into sophisticated marketing instruments rather than honest representations of practical skills and real-world competencies.
Njoku explained that contemporary CV culture often involves inflated job titles, exaggerated responsibilities, and a prioritization of superficial appearance over substantive depth and actual capability. This phenomenon creates what she described as a tangible disconnect between what appears appealing on paper and what materializes within the professional environment.
Widespread Online Reactions and Public Sentiment
Njoku's observations have resonated deeply across Nigerian social media platforms, generating extensive discussion among professionals, job seekers, and employers alike. Numerous users shared personal experiences that echo the actress's concerns about the limitations of traditional hiring practices.
One commenter highlighted the challenge faced by individuals who possess strong work ethics and qualifications yet struggle to secure employment opportunities. Another contributor suggested that interview processes often disadvantage candidates who experience anxiety or stage fright, proposing that practical assessments might better evaluate true capability than conventional interviews.
Additional perspectives emerged regarding specific industries, with one user noting the particular difficulties nurses encounter when seeking adequately compensated positions. Several comments emphasized the need for employers to prioritize diligence, willingness to learn, and genuine effort over perfectly crafted application documents.
Broader Implications for Nigeria's Employment Ecosystem
This discussion arrives at a critical juncture for Nigeria's evolving job market, where technological advancements and changing workplace dynamics continue to reshape hiring practices. The conversation initiated by Mary Njoku touches upon fundamental questions about how employers evaluate potential, how candidates present themselves authentically, and how both parties can bridge the gap between perceived qualifications and demonstrated performance.
As Nigeria's entertainment industry continues to influence broader societal conversations, Njoku's intervention adds valuable perspective to ongoing debates about employment, professional development, and economic opportunity within the nation. Her insights encourage both job seekers and employers to reconsider conventional approaches to talent acquisition and professional evaluation in pursuit of more meaningful and productive workplace relationships.
