By Selipha Kihagi
If you’ve been to an interview before you have an idea of how interviews are like, you can already foresee what to expect in the next one, but have you been to a panel interview? If you haven’t, you are more or less in the same position as one who hasn’t been to an interview at all.
Every interview is different and requires the candidate to prepare a fresh before going to the interview. Sometimes you will know when you’re going to face a panel interview, especially if you did your research well on the company you applied to but sometimes you don’t know what to expect.
So, How Do You Handle A Nasty Panel Interview?
1. You must be prepared to repeat yourself
Picture yourself seated in front of two or more people who are completely strangers, you don’t know them and they don’t know you. You have to impress each one of them in their own capacity.
Not every one will hear and understand what you say, some may want you to explain yourself better or may not have been listening to you and end up asking you a question you have already answered.
This might provoke a reaction from you that might be picked as being rude or negative. To avoid this, ensure that you go to the interview expecting to repeat yourself.
2. Identify which of the interviewers you should work to impress
In a panel, it is only normal that there is the good guy and the bad one; the interviewer with a friendly face who appears to be listening to all you are saying, and the one who scares you by just looking at you, making you feel like you don’t know what you are saying.
To do well in the interview, know who the bad guy is and focus on impressing him/her. While you may feel inclined to concentrate on those giving you a response, try address the one who looks tough in the room.
3. Change how you ask your question at the end of the interview
You probably have gone through a list of questions that you can ask in an interview and have them ready with you. How you ask these questions in a one on one interview is different to how you should approach it in a panel interviews.
To handle a panel interview, engage all interviewers in the room in your question and let it centre around what was discussed in the interview. You could ask each one to give their view on a certain issue.
Panel interviews can be intimidating and demoralising but they don’t have to weigh you down, do your research well and be ready for anything.
By Sera Kazungu
“I have been job searching close to 5 years now and yet I have very valid qualifications. I am almost at a point where I want to give up,” Says Eliud Mwanduru
Are you in a similar position? Whether you are in a job that you just don’t like anymore, or looking for a job, it is frustrating when you feel stuck. Finding the right job is something that most people strive to do.
However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes the process is taxing and may make the job seeker lose all hope of trying. The good news is, there may be an easier way to network for your next job.
“Networking helps you get a job easier and faster, it opens you up to more possibilities. It’s not difficult to do.You can even network in a matatu,”says Sheila Cheptoo, a Recruitment Officer at Corporate Staffing Services.
How To Network Effectively
1. Tap into your existing network
It is time to bring out your old phone book from whatever archive you stored it. In it there will be two or three people who you know that are successful and influential. Reach out to them and ask for their assistance.
In the current job market, it is sometimes better to have a person in power vouch for you. This is probably difficult to do because you have not communicated in a while, but it works.
2. Attend events
These will include those that are hosted by charities and known organizations. If you hear of an open event, do not hesitate, present yourself there.
If you have ever gate- crushed a wedding, this is nothing like that. You do not stay in the shadows hoping not to get noticed. Here, you talk to at least two people who you know will have an impact on your professional growth.
Make sure to as much as possible, giving all your strengths and weaknesses. You should also ensure that you collect as much contact information as possible.
3. Join your School Alumni
You know all those alumni meetings you have been ignoring or been too busy to attend? Well,it is time to start purposing to attend. People are more comfortable around other people who share something in common with them, especially schooling experience.
Touching base with your fellow alumni will make you find all those job opportunities you have been waiting for. It will also give you an opportunity to canvas for any future job opportunity.
4. Use LinkedIn Actively
LinkedIn is a powerful tool to easily connect with the right people. Search your target market based on your industry, qualifications, university and interests, and connect with the people who interest you.
By Selipha Kihagi
If you are looking for a job, you probably have sought advice from the experts or superiors; those who are already accomplished and have a thing or two to say about what to do and what not to do when job hunting.
All this could be a good thing for you the job-seeker, but when you decide to take in all the career advice given without being careful which one will work best and which one will work against you then you might be job searching for a long time.
Not all advices will work for you as they did someone else. Remember professions are different and in the same way, companies are not the same; there are large corporations that will require years of experience and small companies that will not demand much.
So, what advices should you ignore?
1. “Apply to a job that you know will make you happy”
While it is a good thing to want to be happy at what you do and to love your job, this advice may not work to your advantage. Especially if you are a fresh graduate looking for a position that will give you the experience you want to advance in your career.
You will be at a better advantage if you choose to ignore this advice and instead apply to one that you are well qualified for.
2. “Tell your interviewer the exact salary you were earning in your previous job”
When you hear this advice, you are better off not acting on it. Being honest about your salary is as terrible as it gets. You might give a larger fee than what the employer is willing to give and kill your chances, or you might mention a smaller fee than the one budgeted for your position and end up suffering for it.
Entry level candidates, the latter is common. Do your research on how to answer the salary question to avoid being sorry.
3. “Keep your CV to 2 pages maximum”
If this is not a requirement in the job you are applying for, don’t let it become your application headache. If you have done a lot of volunteering or have several achievements, don’t shy away from listing it all down.
Employers are different and what is not liked by one may be impressive to another. But also, do not include unnecessary information and bore the recruiting firms or employers.
4. “Apply to every job related to your field, even those with more experience. You never know”
This advice is more likely to lead you into depression than give you a job. Requirements are set for a particular reason and if you keep making applications for jobs you are not qualified for, you’ll keep getting nothing for a reply.
The job searching process can be very frustrating, but it does not have to be. Have a strategy that will work.
By Selipha Kihagi
You must love the thrill of being on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any other Social Media platform you have managed to sign up for. Connecting with friends is even more appealing and to make this better, you have accepted all friend requests – after all, the more the merrier.
The Kenyan job scene isn’t pretty, employers receive large amounts of applications and will turn to Social media for decisions on who to hire and even who to fire.
Have you taken this into consideration or do you still choose to be ignorant and remain jobless?
Social Media Mistakes Bound To Cost You The Job
1. Accepting friend requests blindly
If you are the type of social media user that will accept all friend requests because you don’t want to be rude or they are too many to go through, then your boss, your future boss or that co-worker that really hates you is in your contact list. They see all your posts, comments and what people share with you. This will not work in your favour.
2. Sharing posts because the photo/video made you laugh
Being on social media means you have access to all kinds of material and while you may think you are being careful, the internet works against you. You might share a post containing vile content but because you are too quick to invite your followers to laugh with you, you won’t notice. Just laugh and move on, you don’t have to share!
3. Filling your timeline with your own photos
Your friends & followers do not need to see the same photo in 10 different poses or keep tabs with your ‘forever & for always’ relationship, try learn the art of sharing only what is safe. Instead of 10 photos, pick one or two that communicate. Don’t let your future boss think you are indecisive or are too idle, and even worse, obsessed with yourself.
4. Posting exactly what is on your mind
Just because Facebook wants you to share ‘What’s on your mind’ and Twitter wants to know ‘What’s happening’ does not mean you share your hatred for your boss or tell everyone how bad your day was. It also does not mean you post in wrong grammar because 140 characters on Twitter are too few to express your emotions. You must be selective when posting, if you want a job or need to keep one.
Don’t rely on privacy settings, search yourself on Google or Bing to see what information can be found about you. Remember, the internet does not forget.
By Selipha Kihagi
If you haven’t been to a job interview, you might underestimate what is expected of you. You also might prepare in all the wrong ways and end up making a fool of yourself in the interview room.
To avoid this, it is always important to seek the advice of a professional coach who will take you through the necessary steps depending on the position applied for as well as company.
“Interview coaching is very important for jobseekers, especially at entry-level because candidates have not been to an interview setting before. It prepares you for what is to come and gives you the confidence you need,” says Melody Mwendwa, an Interview Coach at Corporate Staffing Services.
Why Is Interview Coaching Important?
1. You become more confident
Whether you are new in the job market or you have been to various job interviews before, anxiety is a key determinant to all and it can bring down your confidence.
For this reason, seeking the help of an interview coach will be your solution. They take you through the interview questions to expect and guide you towards providing the best answers.
2. You are able to understand job requirements better
Sometimes even after applying to a job and being called to the interview, you are not clear about the roles required for the job. Some employers are more specific while others scanty, and this might be a challenge when preparing for the interview. You end up rehearsing for the wrong questions. To avoid this, consult a professional and be certain of what is to come.
3. Future Interviews become a walk in the park
Your first interview may be your worst nightmare, especially if you really want the job and are not sure if you’re well prepared. Instead of going for an interview with doubt, it is advisable to engage a professional coach to be sure. It will only take 1 hour of your time, but will be of use to future interviews.
In a job market like Kenya’s, it is important that you are one step ahead of other jobseekers. Give the employer a reason to hire you by knowing what you want and working towards it.
Make friends with recruiting firms and you will not be sorry. All the best in your next interview.
By Sera Kazungu
“It is really frustrating that it is now three weeks after my interview and I have received no feedback from my interviewers. They should have even called me and told me I had been unsuccessful. The uncertainty is killing me,”says Yvonne Magwi in an email.
This situation is not exclusive to her. Many job seekers face the same frustrations. What is the right way to follow up on such issues without being perceived as pushy or annoying?
According to Sheila Cheptoo,a recruitment officer at corporate staffing services, aggressive follow ups that are done more than once or twice, tend to annoy the interviewers and depict you as being too desperate.
The following are three follow up techniques that you need to master in order to get feedback from an interview.
How To Follow Up After A Job Interview
1. How To Follow Up Through Emails
Send out an email first to thank your interviewer a few minutes after you leave their office. Apart from making you feel better, it will earn you points with the interviewer. This way, you will have created a rapport with them on a non-official way.
An email a week later, it will look responsible and professional when you send a sincere and subtle emailing requesting to be told what the outcome of your interview was, whether good or bad. Do not send multiple emails, send one and patiently wait for a reply.
2. How To Follow Up Through A Phone Call
Most job seekers prefer to call after the interview. This is not advisable. Wait a while before you decide to make that phone call. Do not attempt to call when you have not tried emailing first. When the emails go unanswered, you can resort to making that phone call.
One phone call recommended as subsequent calls will make you be perceived as being pushy or annoying. Try to be as polite as possible on the call and get as much information as you require so as to avoid having to call back again.
3. Following Up In Person
As much as you will be desperate to hear back, try as much as possible not to harass the interviewer by always showing up at their office. This should be as a last resort when emails and phone calls do not yield any responses or results.
Potential employers might sometimes change their minds about hiring you. Let’s face it, no one wants to work with an impatient and desperate person.
Keep yourself composed. No matter how badly you want the job, do not in any way seem like you are forcing the employer to hire you.
These are simple tips that will get you the feedback that you yearn for in an interview.
Source : https://careershift.com
When you realize the career you chose as an undergrad isn’t really the right one for you, the thought of going back to school can be comforting. After all, wouldn’t getting a graduate degree help refocus your career? With the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a decline in hiring rates, the idea of going back to school might seem like a no-brainer, but reality is never that simple.
If you’re thinking about putting your career on hold to get an advanced degree, consider these five things before making your decision:
1. Education cost vs. future potential earnings
Ideally, the costs of going back to school will be offset by your future career earnings, but that is not always the case. Take, for example, the average cost of attending the top 10 business schools in 2013. According to US News & World Report, average cost of attendance for a two-year MBA program was $111,418. Add that to the wages you’ll be forfeiting, and you’ve got alot of ground to recover.
Consider the opportunity cost of your new education. Will you be able to recover the lost income? Will your new education land you a job that can make up the difference?
2. What’s your financial situation like?
The second thing to think about is whether or not you can afford going back to school at all. As discussed above, graduate school is expensive, and you have to pay for it somehow. While there are definitely scholarships out there, not everyone is lucky enough to land one. How will you pay for your education?
If you’re thinking loans are the answer, be careful. A March 2014 policy brief by the New America Foundation found that 40 percent of the $1 trillion in U.S. student loan debt belongs to graduate students. Consider whether or not you can afford to give up your income while you’re in school and how you’ll pay for it before you head back to the classroom.
3. Are you attacking your issues head on, or avoiding them?
For many people, going back to school is a good way to avoid the discomfort of not knowing if they’ve made the right choices. Wouldn’t it be better to attack the issues head on?
Before you leave the workforce and go back to school, think about whether a new degree will really solve the problems you’re having. Have you just fallen out of love with your organization or do you really want a career change? Has your current position stopped offering the challenges that you relished when you started, or have you stopped applying yourself in a productive way?
If you’re not sure about the answers to these questions, or you’re just looking for a way to delay making important decisions about your career, going back to school might be an expensive detour.
4. Do you want to switch fields, or just find a new job?
You get the idea — putting your career on hold and going back to school can be an expensive endeavor. Shouldn’t you be 100 percent sure that it’s the right decision before you pull the trigger?
Think about whether or not you actually want to switch fields, or if finding a new job is the better answer. Sometimes finding a similar job with a different organization can be refreshing. Other times, incorporating the new skills you’re interested in into your current position can be the answer.
If you really do want to change fields, consider whether or not taking an entry-level position in your new field is a better option. Often, the experience you gain and the network you can build, working from the bottom up, can be more valuable than going back to school.
5. Are there other ways to get experience?
The last thing to consider is whether or not there are other ways to gain experience in the new field you’re interested in. Rather than jumping back into school, try volunteering or interning part-time with an organization, to gain experience.
If that’s not an option, look for courses you can take on weekends or online certifications that will give you the experience you need to start a career in your new field. There are plenty of online learning opportunities that can get you up to speed without having to spend thousands on further education.
Putting your career on hold to go back to school is not a decision to be taken lightly. If you’re considering it, keep these five things in mind to ensure you’re making the decision based on the right reasons.
By Sera Kazungu
Do you have that overwhelming feeling to just up and leave your job? Is it very frustrating for you? You are not alone. From time to time, workers tend to feel exhausted by their jobs for one reason or the other.
“Handing in your resignation is something everyone will face at one time or another and it is important that you are aware of how and when to resign and how to do it with tact and diplomacy.”Says Perminus Wainaina, a recruitment manager at corporate staffing services.
How do you know when it is time to leave a job? The following are reasons why you really should consider resigning from your job.
1. If you lack the passion
Have you lost the passion to perform your duties at work? Perhaps it is time for you to resign from your job. A lack of passion leads to unproductivity and chances are, if you don’t resign, you will eventually get fired.
Find a job that you are happy to do. This job will bring out the best of your skills and pay you both in
cash and experience.
2. If you are not growing with the company
If you find yourself stagnated at your job, you need to look at the reasons why. Is the company not giving you a chance to learn new skills? Then it is time for you to resign that job and find a new one.
A team should consist of members who have equal say and an equal opportunity. Does your opinion
ever matter? Are your ideas ever implemented? If not, this is your time to resign. No one should be
made to feel like their opinions are unwarranted.
3. If your Job affects your health
In as much as you need to carve a living, it is not worth it to stay at a job where your health is compromised on a day to day basis. Be at a job that adds value to your life; both financially and wholly.
4. If you live for the weekend
Do you find yourself constantly wishing that it was the weekend? If yes, this is a sign that you hate your job. It could mean that you just go to work for the sake of it. This could make your superiors find your work lacking and you could end up getting fired.
Before that happens, you should just resign your job.
5. If you do not respect or look up to your boss
Let’s be realistic here, if you have no respect for your boss, you will never feel inclined to do as they say. Everything that they do will be met with criticism and this may end up making you bitter and resentful. If you have reached this point in your job, respectfully resign before you end up in a tight situation.
Do not wait for things to go from bad to worse at a job before you start considering a change. In the
end, it’s never that serious.
By Sera Kazungu
Did you wake up this week and suddenly feel like the direction your career is taking isn’t working for you? How did you get to this point? Was your original career goal wrong to begin with? Should you really be thinking of reevaluating your career goals?
“Rethinking career goals is advisable as it helps you realign with the current trends and keeps you relevant at your job,”says Justus Ng’etich, a recruitment manager at corporate staffing services.
However, it is only for specific career paths as others like medicine, already have set goals from the onset.
The following is a list of reasons why you should consider re-thinking your career goals this year.
Why You Must Rethink Your Career Goals
1. The Job Market has changed
As competitive as the Job market is, it keeps evolving. If the current job market no longer holds your qualifications, you can either strive to grow with it and up your game or you could find a new career path.
2. You have never been promoted
Have you been working for several years but have never gotten a promotion? Is there a valid reason for it?
If you truly believe that you are doing a good job and yet, you have been passed up for promotions frequently, it is time to re-check your goals. There might be something wrong with you or the quality of your work.
3. You hate your Job
The truth is that when you are not happy at your job, you become less productive. This will make the work you do wanting. This is a recipe for being fired. Find something that will excite you as a career.
4. Your priorities have changed.
In everyday living, your priorities change from one day to the next. If the career path you had chosen before does not fit into your priorities anymore, it is time for a change. Whether you need more money or more experience than you are getting
5. You are following the crowd
Did you venture into your career path just because it was popular? Just because it is good for someone else does not mean that it is good for you. Everyone has skills that are unique to them. If you realize that you were influenced by crowd psychology, it is time to make a career change.
If the following list describe you to the tee, then it is definitely time for you to start reorganizing your goals.
While a jobseeker is invited to an interview, he/she knows the CV and Cover Letter were a success in the selection process and what is now left is impressing the recruiting personnel in order to get the job.
Impressing the interviewer starts with the CV; it got you the interview and now you must reflect your qualifications verbally to the interviewer, says Sheila Cheptoo, a Recruiting Officer at Corporate Staffing Services.
Some are lucky enough to get the job, others are not. If you don’t get a job once, you move on to the next, but if you’re constantly not being offered a job after several interviews, then there is something you are doing wrong.
Why You Are Not Getting The Job
1. You are too proud
Interviewers or recruiting personnel want people who make them feel smart and accomplished, not egotistical people who appear to undermine them. If you appear proud, know at that time you are leaning back to unemployment. It pays to be kind and humble.
2. Your job search frustration is showing
If you have been searching for a job a long time, then it is only normal that frustration is kicking in. You are starting to give up and letting it show. If your interviewer picks up on the frustration then you risk not getting the job, because you are already communicating negativity. Try taking a break until you’re more energetic.
3. You are lying in your CV
Sometimes jobseekers want to appear qualified for the position and for this reason they add on their responsibilities. You might think them petty lies that you can get away with, but remember the recruiting officer knows what they are looking for and they will sniff out any lie. Make sure your CV doesn’t lie.
4. Your referees are not saying good things about you
The Referees are the people the employer calls to gauge if they should hire you or not. If you include the name of a person who hardly knows you, then you might not get the job, even when the interview was perfect.
To avoid future frustrations, remember to ask for feedback whenever you don’t get the job. Some interviewers will be kind enough to let you know what you did wrong.
If you have to list the most nerve-wracking situations in your life, salary negotiations will most likely be one of the top five. How do you ask for a better deal? Will they turn you down or bend to suit you? What if you come across as greedy and only in it for the money? At least one of these questions has crossed your mind, right? Well, here are a few tips on how to handle these awkward situations.
Research the market
Don’t get caught tongue-tied when asked about your salary expectations; research the market rate for your experience and position to give you a better understanding of what you qualify for. If you can’t find reliable websites, ask recruiters or friends and colleagues that wouldn’t mind disclosing their salary range. This information will better equip you to pitch a realistic figure.
Be reasonable
When doing your research, make sure you compare same industries. If you’re in the retail industry for example, don’t research similar positions in the financial industry; stick to retail and organisations that are similar to yours.
Don’t be overeager
The last thing you want to do is accept the first offer that is put forward. If the offer does not match your market research and you’re not happy about it, you should speak up. If you don’t you might end up feeling resentful and underpaid later down the line. Asking the employer to reconsider is not frowned upon if you know you’re worth more.
Benefits count
Remember that your salary package is about more than just the money. You have to look at other things as well such as maternity leave, flexi time and annual leave. All these things have value attached to them. Make sure you go over all the details with a fine tooth comb and sign only once you’re happy with it all.
Timing is everything
Never discuss what you’d like to earn immediately. If the employer does not bring it up in the first interview, you shouldn’t either – rushing into salary talks will leave a bad taste in the interviewer’s mouth. A bit of advice: if you previously had a job in the same field, employers usually offer 20% more as the minimum.
Avoid specifics
If the interviewer is interested in you they’ll ask what your expected salary is. Always aim to provide the interviewer with a range instead of a figure.
By Perminus Wainaina
People get surprised when I tell them that my first job was an accountant. I worked for five years in the financial industry as an accountant. I later changed careers and in the last six years I have been practicing as a HR consultant.
To qualify as a HR Consultant meant going back to class. Apart from my first degree and CPA, I had to enroll for a course in human resource management and attend various trainings specific to HR.
In recruitment , I interact with many candidates who feel that they are in the wrong career and are wondering how to make a switch. With my experience, I can advise you to consider the following steps while making a career change.
To make a career move, you have to be absolutely clear on what you want. I have a friend who is an ACCA finalist. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology and has recently enrolled for a Masters of Science In Procurement and Logistics.
Last weekend, I had a candid conversation with him and looking at his qualifications, it’s not clear what he wants or where he fits. If you are not specific on your goals, how are you going to attain them? For my friend, I advised him to look at his strengths and what he’s passionate about .
My second advice to changing careers is knowing that it takes time. There’s no shortcut. You might have to go back to class. If you desire to start a new job at a career you fancy, it might mean starting at a junior level. I know of a banker who had HR qualifications but had been an operations officer earning a gross of K’sh 130,000.
When she decided to join HR , her starting pay was a gross of K’sh 100,000 as a HR officer.
Initially it appeared as a demotion as she was no longer supervising like she used to in her banking job. But since she was focused, it took her less than a year to get a HR Manager role at a salary of k’sh 250,000. Be prepared to pay the cost and time.
Lastly, it is important to get relevant experience in the career you are considering. Think about taking part time jobs and volunteering to gain skills. As a recruiter, I usually get CVs of candidates who are trying to change careers but don’t have experience. It becomes hard for me to consider them as there are other candidates who have ‘papers’ and experience.
For example, if you are in the banking industry and have never had a chance to practice your CPA training, how about volunteering to work as an accountant for an SME. You could also get a part time job, say in an audit firm.
Making a career change need not be difficult. What you need is to decide what you want, the resources you will need, be it time or money and following through a well laid plain. There will be obstacles along the way but nothing good comes easy.
