Man, si rahisi. You finish your degree in, say, Sociology or Literature, then you see banks advertising jobs and hiring people with those very degrees. You wonder, “Kwani, what do they want with us?” It feels confusing and unfair.
But relax, this puzzle actually makes a lot of sense. Let me break down for you exactly why banks do this and, most importantly, how you can position yourself to get that job.
Why This Happens: Common Causes
They Want “Raw” Talent, Not Just Technical Skills
Banks, especially the big ones in Nairobi, believe they can teach you banking. What they can’t easily teach is critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. They use rigorous assessment centres and psychometric tests on portals like BrighterMonday to find graduates who are sharp and can learn fast, regardless of their degree title.
Diversity of Thought Drives Innovation
A team full of only Finance graduates thinks the same way. Hiring someone from Anthropology or Computer Science brings a fresh perspective to solving customer problems or designing new products like mobile loans. This diversity helps the bank stay competitive in a market like Kenya’s.
Core Banking Skills Are Often Learned On-Job
The real work of relationship management, compliance, and customer service is mastered during the graduate trainee programme or on the floor. Your degree proves you can handle complex learning, which is what they need for the intensive training they provide after hiring.
Soft Skills Are Now The Hard Currency
With most services moving to apps and agents, banks need staff who can connect with customers, resolve conflicts, and explain complex products simply. A degree in Arts or Social Sciences often hones these exact interpersonal skills, which are crucial for roles in branches and customer experience.
How to Fix: Why Do Banks Hire Graduates with Non-Related Degrees?
- Reframe Your Degree as an Asset: Don’t hide your Literature or Biology degree. On your CV and cover letter for portals like BrighterMonday or the bank’s career site, explicitly state the skills it gave you: research, analysis, and clear communication. Connect these directly to the job description.
- Acquire Basic Financial Literacy: Show initiative. Enroll in a short, affordable course from a recognized institution like the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) or online on Coursera. Courses on financial markets or customer service can cost from KES 5,000 and prove your genuine interest.
- Master the Graduate Trainee Application: These programmes are your main entry point. Practice for the online aptitude tests and prepare STAR-method stories for interviews that highlight problem-solving, even from your university group projects or part-time work.
- Network Strategically: Attend career fairs at universities and industry talks. Connect with bank staff on LinkedIn. A referral from someone inside can often get your CV past the automated filters on the recruitment portal and onto a human’s desk.
- Target the Right Roles: Apply for positions where your skills are a direct match, like Customer Relationship Officer, Marketing Trainee, or Digital Innovation roles, rather than purely technical ones like Treasury Analyst.
If you apply and still get no feedback, don’t just give up. Follow up politely via email to the HR contact on the job advert. You can also visit the bank’s headquarters in Nairobi (like Upper Hill) and inquire at the reception for the HR department to drop a physical copy of your application, showing extra determination. Consider escalating by seeking guidance from career services at your alma mater or professional mentors in the industry.
How to Prevent This Problem in Future
To stay ahead, you need to build a profile that makes you an obvious choice, regardless of your degree. Here are specific actions to take:
- Start early. In your second or third year, apply for virtual internships or attachment opportunities advertised on bank websites and the KUCCPS portal to get your first industry exposure.
- Create a professional LinkedIn profile and actively follow the career pages of banks you admire. Engage with their content and note the skills they frequently mention.
- Join a professional association like the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) as a student member. Attend their public forums and webinars to understand industry trends and network.
- Develop a tangible skill like basic data analysis using Excel or graphic design. Showcase projects from this skill in your portfolio to demonstrate practical ability beyond your academic transcript.
The Bottom Line
Banks hire for potential, not just a specific degree. Your unrelated qualification is not a barrier; it’s a unique asset that brings fresh thinking. The core fix is to strategically translate your learned skills into the language of banking and proactively bridge any knowledge gaps.
So, don’t just complain about the job market. Take that first step today: pick one online finance course or update your CV to highlight your transferable skills, and submit that application with new confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions: Why Do Banks Hire Graduates with Non-Related Degrees? in Kenya
Don’t banks need specific finance knowledge?
They do, but they often prefer to teach that specific knowledge themselves through their graduate training programmes. They assume a good graduate from any field can learn it quickly.
They are more interested in your foundational intelligence, work ethic, and soft skills, which your degree has already demonstrated you possess.
What’s the best role for a non-finance graduate to apply for?
Focus on entry-level programmes like Graduate Management Trainee, Customer Experience Officer, or roles in HR, Marketing, and Digital Banking. These value communication and problem-solving over technical accounting.
Always check the specific requirements on the bank’s career portal, as some roles will clearly state “any degree” is acceptable.
How can I make my application stand out?
Tailor your CV and cover letter for each bank. Use the exact keywords from the job description found on sites like BrighterMonday and link your degree skills to them.
Mention any relevant short course, even a free online one, to show you’ve taken the initiative to understand basic financial concepts.
Is networking really that important in Kenya?
Yes, absolutely. A referral from someone inside can fast-track your application. Many opportunities are shared within networks before they are widely advertised.
Attend industry events and connect professionally on LinkedIn. A simple conversation can give you crucial insight into the application process.
Should I just go back for a banking diploma?
Not necessarily as a first step. First, try to get in with your current degree using the strategies above. It’s more cost-effective.
If you apply several times without success, then consider a targeted certificate from an institution like KIM to strengthen your profile specifically for the technical shortlisting.
