Article University
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.
By Sera Kazungu
Have you just graduated? Are you currently looking For a Job? It is hard securing a job in the current Nigerian job market because almost all jobs available require you to have some experience.
You do not need a job in order to gain experience for that job that you want to land. There are simple ways to acquire much needed experience.
“It is possible to gain experience even when you don’t have a job. In fact, it is advisable” ,says Melody Mwendwa, a professional CV writer and career advisor at corporate staffing services.
The following are three ways to get job experience.
1. Internships
You gain a lot of experience when you do internships. Ensure that the internship you pick is in line with the career path that you take in order to ensure that the experience you gain will go a long way in securing you a job.
Although a good stipend or pay is desirable, do not insist on finding a paid internship. The internship is supposed to pay in experience.
2. Volunteer
Sometimes volunteering seems like it is meant for those people with charitable heart and a lot of time on their hands. This is a wrong assumption. Apart from doing good deeds, volunteering gives you work experience.
Having some volunteer work on your CV will not only show employers that you have a work ethic, but that you are versatile as well.
There are many volunteering opportunities out there, you just have to find one that is tailored to your specific skill set.
3. Attend Trainings/ Seminars
From time to time, various companies offer trainings that are open to the public. Whether it is a training in security, anger management, Hr etc,do not discriminate.
You may be required to part with some money ,but sometimes, the seminars are free. Your investment could be just what you need to secure a dream job.
Avoid just sitting at home and doing online applications. Supplement the applications by getting out of your comfort zone and doing some volunteer work. Gain the experience and step into your dream job.
Source: Mashable
With the problem of unemployment in Kenya and large numbers of graduates every year, job seekers will only become more frustrated with time. For this reason, it is important to review how you go about your job search every now and then so you can form a new strategy to fit the job market.
This will help you stand out from other jobseekers, keeping you one step ahead as you start or advance your career.
To help you out on this, here are tips to help you take a new focus on your job search.
7 Job Searching Tips For 2015
1. Don’t be a copycat candidate
Job searches are a very personal experience and one-size-fits-all strategies will not help you stand out among the competition. Even though a certain interview tactic or style was successful for one candidate doesn’t mean it is the best strategy for you.
Take into consideration your personal experiences, preferences and career goals and use them to position yourself as a unique candidate.
2. Learn to look at job titles differently
You might consider some jobs as being boring, career-limiting or otherwise undesirable. Such preconceptions, however, about the scope, strategic importance and long-term potential of these positions are not always true.
In many cases these jobs offer exceptional opportunity for influential and attractive long-term careers, so try to be open minded.
3. Know that first impressions are everywhere
Most employers are using social media in the hiring process, so the content of your social profile forms an employer’s first impression before you even sit down with for an interview.
You should take special consideration to job-proof your social media profiles. For example, use a picture that represents you as a professional. Assume everything will be seen by a potential employer, then clean up your content and edit your pictures accordingly.
4. Be prepared to land the job
Job seekers make the mistake of thinking the interview as just being informational. You should go into every interview prepared to land the job, not just learn more about the organization.
You only get one shot at your first interview, and this mistake will get you caught looking unprepared and unprofessional. Instead, always come ready for a formal interview; you will never regret being prepared.
5. Be strategic with social media
Social media is where employers are posting jobs and the amount of content and connections thrown at you every day can become overwhelming. Be strategic with how you use social media to seek out job opportunities. First, know where recruiters and hiring managers for your industry spend most of their time.
For example, if you’re looking for a job in finance, LinkedIn might be a more valuable site to keep updated. If its in Communication, Twitter and Facebook are a great resource.
6. Network with your peers
You should aim to network with your peers, in addition to your more senior team members. Find ways to be the person that comes to mind when recruiters ask who they’d recommend for the job. Your peers can also offer honest appraisals about your performance and work reputation when referring you for a job.
7. Be realistic
Be honest about what you can realistically offer to a new employer. It’s tempting to apply for a more challenging and prestigious role, but make sure you have both the skills and the commitment to be successful.
Take a candid look at your current lifestyle and think about how it would be impacted by the position you’re considering. Just because the perfect opportunity has come along doesn’t mean it is the perfect time to accept.
