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Gigi Maajar is a Tanzanian banking professional who worked and studied in Wolverhampton and London before being recruited at the 2009 Careers in Africa Recruitment Summit in London by KCB Tanzania Limited.

What first motivated you to move back to Tanzania & were your expectations met when you moved back home?

I was driven by the fast corporate growth and better career opportunities our friends and peers were enjoying back home in Tanzania. Having spent nine years in the UK, I felt that I would be able to achieve much greater professional goals back in my home country especially with my breadth of international experience. This was in fact the biggest motivation for me and my husband to move back home.

With regards to my expectations, my initial salary wasn’t what I was expecting but otherwise all my other expectations have been fully met plus the added advantage of having family support trumps starting salary blues.  We have now settled into life here and are very happy and excited to be back home.

What types of jobs were you looking for?

Because of my previous experience, as well my academic qualifications, I was looking for managerial roles within banking and legal sectors.

What was the most helpful part of the Summit & what advice would you give to someone considering applying for Careers in Africa?

The most helpful part of the summit was the Company Profile Sessions. They really helped me in gaining an in depth understanding of the organisations involved.  It was very encouraging to see their top executives and key decision makers present and get the opportunity to ask them questions. Another thing that I enjoyed was the fact that once inside one could secure on-the-spot interviews with other attending companies, thus increasing chances of securing a job. Funnily enough, this is exactly what happened to me as I was invited to the summit by one company but ended up getting an on-the-spot interview with another, who ended up employing me.

I would advise anyone applying for Careers in Africa to have a CV and Cover letter that clearly showcases their areas of specialisation and to make sure they have relevant work experience.

How many interviews did you have during the Summit & why did you choose the company that offered you the role?

I had two interviews at the summit, one with National Microfinance Bank (NMB) and another with KCB Tanzania Limited, a Kenyan bank which has subsidiaries across Africa. KCB offered me a place on their Management Program, which involved learning all the aspects of their business. I choose KCB because of their extensive training program as well as their corporate culture which I felt matched my values. I am now in Corporate Banking Division; working as a Corporate Relationship Manager and very excited about my future.

What advice would you give to anyone who is looking to move back?

Research what the realities are in your industry back home as well as the average salary for positions of interest. It is very important to think about your relocating thoroughly, to have realistic expectations and to be ready to readjust. Do not let fear of the unknown or uncertainty of what awaits you back home discourage you. Although it is much easier to note what you are giving up, it is more important to know and understand all that you will be gaining, which in most cases is a lot!!

I would like to encourage those in the Diaspora wishing to relocate back home to start planning early and be optimistic about your future, after all, there’s no place like home!

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