1. Understand the why
First of all, start to understand the why. If you have a clear understanding of why you have to or wish to do certain things, it will increase your willpower and keep you motivated until you achieve your goals.
2. Eliminate distractions
In order to increase your concentration, you have to eliminate everything that keeps distracting you.
- Set a dedicated time for uninterrupted work (you could start with one to two hours).
- Unplug: Give yourself a hand and turn off all notifications that might interrupt you.
- Keep a distraction list. Write down everything that bothers you or things that pop up in your mind while you should actually work. Dedicate your time to those things once you’re done or while taking a break.
- Communicate to others; let others know when you don’t want to be interrupted. Put a sign on the door or tell your friends or colleagues so they can help you.
- Listen to background music. Use a background noise generator like Noisli to block out any annoying sounds.
- Stop multitasking. If you do two things simultaneously, you’re splitting your attention and thus not giving 100 percent of your focus to either task.
- Avoid visual distractions. People who continuously pass by are equally as distracting as notifications. Avoid these places and find a less busy work spot.
3. Maximize your potential
We’re not made to sit eight hours in front of a computer or paper and work. We need breaks, and we also need a healthy lifestyle in order to use our full potential.
The obvious ones:
- Sleep: If you’re sleep deprived, you will find it difficult to concentrate on whatever you have to do.
- Eat healthy: A healthy diet will give your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs to perform best when you need it.
- Exercise: It can reduce the declining memory process, and if you’re taking small breaks it will boost hyper-oxygenation in your brain, giving you energy and increasing your efficiency.
The not-so-obvious ones:
- Find your prime time: Your mind is generally more focused at certain times of the day. Schedule your uninterrupted work during those times.
- Chew gum. It will increase the flow of oxygen and help you to maintain longer periods of focus.
- Smell some herbs. Peppermint can boost energy and enhances clear thinking.
- Drink coffee when your natural cortisol level drops.
4. Motivate yourself
There are different hacks you can employ to keep yourself motivated.
- Find a mentor; having somebody to look up to is encouraging.
- Begin work on big and difficult tasks for just five minutes. You will see that starting was the hardest part.
- Plan rewards! Having something to look forward to will give you the right motivational boost.
Credit : inc.com
How can we define the essential things in our lives when everything in 2016 feels essential?
Staying ahead of the curve, leading, and excelling in our jobs means we all must increase efficiencies.
Here are the seven things that hyper-efficient people do differently.
1. They Learn—Efficiently
They listen to audiobooks—but do it at double speed. I’ve discussed my obsession with audiobooks here before. When you’re learning, you’re growing. When you’re growing, you’re bringing new opportunities to yourself and to those around you. A simple efficiency hack is to increase the speed of your audiobook to 1X or 2X. Or install iTalkFast—a sexy audio-utility app that allows the user to speed up audio content up to 2.5X.
2. They’re Mindful
Creating space in our lives is difficult. Time for meditation, yoga, or simply being aware of our breathing can all have a profound effect on our productivity. Deirdre Breakenridge, author of Social Media and Public Relations: Eight New Practices for the PR Professional, takes things a step further. She told me, “As much as possible, when I’m in meetings, I remove unnecessary technology. At times, this means no smartwatch, smartphone, or laptop in front of me.” She went on to share that, “When you listen to what people are saying, you eliminate the time-consuming guesswork that occurs after the meeting. Listening carefully allows you to move forward with clear direction, purpose, and high efficiency.”
3. They Exercise and Get Enough Sleep
By now, we all know that exercise and sufficient sleep are important. But for some, they feel unrealistic. Bill Arzt, co-founder of the hot startup FitReserve, offers a shortcut that’s helped him. He suggests you “replace networking with sweatworking. Combine your meetings with workouts.”
4. They Don’t Waste Time With Emotional Battles That Don’t Matter
Alex Baydin, founder and CEO of PerformLine, told me, “I have found it very helpful to mentally assign the emotional battles of running a startup to one of two buckets. Bucket A—the stuff that matters bucket. Bucket B—the doesn’t matter bucket. Every time I am faced with an issue, my first course of action is to decide Bucket A or B.” He confessed that, “The vast majority will fall into Bucket B. The few issues that truly matter I then deal with head-on.”
5. They Prioritize Their Life
Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, speaks about the hyper-efficient in his book. He says such people know what they want, and they put their goals first. After all, he adds, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
6. They Live Simply, by Saying No
Living simply means knowing what it means to be productive versus active. The hyper-efficient are sculptors of their own lives. They take away instead of add.
Time management is emotional—we feel guilt. Understand that you are the problem. You’re saying “yes” to too much.
You want to help people, but when you say yes to one thing that doesn’t matter, you’re saying yes to the nonessential things that come along with it. So, start saying no more often.
7. They Throw Away To-Do Lists and Automate Menial Tasks
Efficient people don’t just determine how urgent something is (referring to how soon or significant it is). They also determine how long something matters. Meaning: What can they do today that will have the greatest impact down the line?
Success is no longer related to volume. Success is determined by the significance the task has in your life. You can then investigate ways to automate those important yet time-consuming actions.
I recently heard Rory Vaden, author of Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time, share a profound idea. Rory said, “Automation is to your time as compound interest is to your money.”
So ask yourself, what can I do today that will positively change what I will be doing in two years?
Credit : themuse.com
1. Uasin Gishu
(i) Uasin Gishu County (33 Jobs Opening)
2. ICAP Kenya
(i) ICAP Kenya (30+ Positions)
3. Frank Ltd
(i) Frank Management Recruitment
4. Reputable Ltd
(i) Graduate Trainee
1. UNDP
(i) Intern – UNDP Global Policy Center
2. UNFPA
(i) Clerks
(ii) Administrative Associate
3. DAI
(i) Market Systems Development Coordinator
4. UNICEF
(i) Programme Assistant
5. Guinness
(i) Process to Pay Key Accounts Controller
By this point, you know not to apply to any jobs with an email address that screams, “I created this in the eighth grade!” So, you’re no longer [email protected] as far as your prospective employers are concerned. You also know not to show up late for the interview. And you have a firm grasp on the importance of making eye contact and delivering a solid handshake.
But did you know that there are several other things that could negatively impact the impression you make with a hiring manager? I spoke to four career coaches to get the outside-the-box scoop on the truly unprofessional things that are bound to hurt you in your job search process. Read on so you can avoid them like you avoid crowds on Black Friday.
1. You’re Desperate—and You Show It
Laura Garnett, career coach and consultant, says that nothing makes you look more unprofessional than when “you feel desperate”. This is because, as the old cliché goes, “People can spot desperation from a mile away.” Garnett knows that it can be hard to mask if you’re actually feeling this way, but, nonetheless, “you have to ensure that you are confident, know the opportunity is a good fit for your strengths, and be able to speak to why and how you are right for the role and the organization.” She encourages job seekers to “be clear on what your career vision is and how this opportunity fits into that.”
Avoid “being a yes person,” she says, encouraging job seekers to “demonstrate curiosity and interest in the organization” and not just talk about yourself nonstop. Nary an interviewer is going to be interested in you if you don’t know when to give up the floor.
2. You Hide Who You Really Are
Garnett’s advice is worth its salt, that’s for sure, and so is career strategist, Rajiv Nathan’s, whose unexpected thoughts on the subject are worth remembering. His belief is that if you hide who you really are in interviews, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Nathan explains that he “frequently advises people to stop dividing work life from home life, and acknowledge that you’re one person at the end of the day. Share who you are as a person, don’t just share the role you think the company’s trying to cast for its ‘play.’”
To him, that “includes sharing the weird or potentially ‘unprofessional’ things you’re interested in.” Basically, in order not to appear unscrupulous, you’ve got to delve into the so-called unprofessional. Nathan has gone there, telling “interviewers within the first three minutes” that he loves WWE pro wrestling and that he’s a rapper. This kind of information is going to set the stage for a far more interesting, memorable conversation than if you pretend to be one-dimensional.
3. You Don’t Finish Your Homework
You’ve probably heard about the importance of researching a company (a.k.a., homework) before going into a job interview. You want to be able to talk intelligently, so you read the mission statement, do a Google search of the founders, and have a general understanding of their past and present standing.
But, cautions Adrian J. Hopkins, a Muse career coach, this isn’t homework you can half-ass. It’s not enough to spew off a couple of “top-line company facts.” If you want the job and wish to avoid looking unprofessional in any way, shape, or form, you’re going to have to “go above and beyond a basic understanding of the company.” Let the interviewer know how you plan to grow with the company and get him thinking that he can’t “believe” he hadn’t the good fortune of meeting you sooner.
Review Google News for references to the company, paying special attention to any statements that executives make about their strategic direction. If you’re familiar with where the leadership team wants it to go, it’s easier to make a case for why they should bring you on to help them get there. If the organization is smaller and not in the headlines, review its blog and social media, and prepare a new and thorough perspective on something that you’ve read.
4. You Blow it on Social Media
Has the incredible importance of your social media presence sunk in yet? This sounds super obvious, yet status faux pas are somehow still an issue—making it the most unexpected unprofessional behavior at this point. Career expert and coach Heidi Duss can’t stress this point enough: “Everyone needs to be very aware of what they are putting out.” She goes on to explain that “Hiring managers and recruiters will Google someone and find his or her online presence.”
To drive her point home, Duss shares an anecdote of her own:
I once had a college student apply for an internship in our finance department. The hiring manager came to me and noted that he had checked out her Twitter feed and she had horrible things to say about the university she was graduating from, as well as the professors she had. Every other word was derogatory. The hiring manager said, ‘If she talks about her school/teachers this way, what is she going to say about our company when something does not go her way?’
The hiring manager had made her point, and so, apparently, had the candidate.
When it comes to getting the job of your dreams and presenting yourself as a professional and desirable candidate, there’s more to it than simply having a typo-free resume and wearing a freshly pressed button-down. Before you pat yourself on the back for remembering to bring extra copies of your application materials to the interview, make sure you brush up on a few of the lesser-known ways that job seekers come across as unprofessional.
Credit : themuse.com
Hiring managers are just people, and people are naturally curious. That means at some point during the interview, you’re going to get the question, “So, why are you leaving your current job?”
Obviously, you want to be honest in an interview. You’re leaving your job for a reason. But you should really try your best to refrain from being negative. Focus on what you have to look forward to, not what you’re leaving behind. To give you an idea of what I mean, here are four fairly blunt reasons why you might be job searching, and how to translate them into tactful responses.
1. You Want to Make More Money
Who doesn’t wish they were paid more? It’s a completely normal thing, but perhaps not the best to bring up during an interview —at least not until the hiring manager is more invested in you.
Here’s what to say instead:
During my three years at LBD, I had the opportunity to really develop a strong skill set in data analysis, quantitative reasoning, and programming. And, while it was a great learning experience and I enjoyed contributing to the team, I’m ready to join a company that values my skills and allows me to use them more fully.
2. Your Boss Is a Jerk
There’s no other way to put it: You have a terrible boss. Mention briefly and neutrally that you two are on separate tracks and move on. Wrap it up with something positive about the company.
Here’s how to phrase it:
I realized the leadership of my team was going in a different direction, and I’m interested in working in a more collaborative environment. It was a hard decision to make because I love the mission of the company, but I ultimately think this is the right choice.
3. You Want to Get Promoted
This is probably the tamest reason to be job searching. In fact, even the blunt version is more or less fine. But, if you want to go into a bit more detail, you can definitely put a positive spin on the answer.
Here’s how to say it:
I’m ready for the next challenge in my career. I loved the people I worked with and the projects I worked on, but at some point I realized I wasn’t being challenged the way I used to be. Rather than let myself get too comfortable, I decided to pursue a position where I can continue to grow.
4. Your Job Is Just Generally Crappy
Sugarcoat a turd, and it’s still a turd. Rather than try to make your job sound less awful than it is, focus instead on the one or two things that drew you to that position, how it was ultimately a bad fit, and what you look forward to in a new role.
Here’s how to put it politely:
I was really excited to start in a role that worked so closely with local wildlife and contributed to such a meaningful cause. I think, because of that, I neglected to learn more about the actual ins and outs of the company. It didn’t take me long to realize that I wasn’t a good cultural fit. Since then I’ve been seeking a role in a company that values transparency, one where I can continue to make an impact.
Notice how all of these responses have at least one thing that’s positive about the interviewee’s previous role? You don’t get any points for recounting each and every flaw of your last supervisor. Your best bet is to take the high road and look to the future.
Credit : themuse.com
When I was hiring manager, I spoke with upwards of 30 to 40 candidates a week. Nearly every person I met played it cool and avoided asking about time off, benefits, or anything already explained in the job ad.
They were smart and steered clear of the glaring red flags we’ve all been taught not to touch on during an interview. But there were less obvious questions that, asked the wrong way, made a handful of those candidates appear unprepared, lacking in confidence, or, well, just plain rude.
Do your job hunt a favor and avoid these interview questions like they’re week-old takeout food:
1. “Did You Have a Chance to Read my Resume?”
You might be tempted to respond this way after your interviewer asks about a project or role from your career history that you feel like you already explained pretty well in your bullet points.
Don’t do it!
Think about it: The person you’re meeting with set aside an hour of her day to speak with you. Of course she’s done her research. She’s read your resume, reviewed your LinkedIn profile, and likely Googled your name at least once—she just wants to learn more. (And on the off-chance she’s only skimmed your qualifications, choose filling her in on your awesomeness over calling her out.)
Remember that if you want to impress the pants off of people during this process, you should be prepared to speak naturally about your career from different angles and with vivid examples.
2. “When Will I Speak With Someone More Senior on Your Team?”
Remember what I said about (accidentally) being really rude? Bingo!
Asking this question implies that you’re not so invested in the discussion at hand. It sounds like you’d rather meet with a “real” decision maker—and who wants to hire the person who is always going over your head? The fact is, everyone you meet with during this process plays a part in deciding if you move forward.
So, instead try saying “Can you tell me about the next steps?” at the end of your conversation.
This way, you can get the information you’re looking for without offending your interviewer. He may not have a fancy title, but you can bet you lunch money that the “low-level” person you’re dealing with will be asked to filter out candidates that he wouldn’t personally want to work with.
3. “How Many Other Candidates Are You Meeting With?”
Curiosity gets the better of all of us sometimes. While it’s understandable that you’d wonder about your competition, when you ask this question you come off as unsure of yourself. Worse, you’re drawing your interviewer’s mind away from your awesomeness and toward that of other candidates she’s met with.
Your odds have less to do with the number of people being considered and more with your fit for the opportunity itself. If the company meets with you and only one other person, and neither of you is a fit, your odds are zero; likewise, if you’re the only shining star of 15 people, you’re a shoo-in.
Not to mention, the person you’re speaking with is rarely in position to answer this question honestly anyway, so the numbers you hear could be totally meaningless. Your best bet is to keep this thought to yourself and instead ask questions like these that keep the conversation focused on you, and may provide additional info about the role!
4. “Why Did You Decide to Interview Me?”
At an interview, only one person should be selling you (and that’s you!). If you’ve read the job description and researched the company, you should already have an idea of why you’ve been selected.
But what’s the harm in asking about what tipped the scales in your favor?
I’ll tell you: You risk seeming unaware of the value you bring or what the company’s needs are—it’s a rookie move.
Rather than giving into that instinct, go with: “Can you tell me more about your ideal candidate for this position?” It’s a better way to glean information about how you’re being measured. Better yet, it provides you the opportunity to speak to points you may have missed in your other responses during the interview.
The job hunt isn’t a one-way street. You should absolutely use the conversation to determine if the company is a great fit for you too. Just remember to plan your interview questions in advance to avoid one of the major faux pas above.
Credit : themuse.com
Do you know what I’ve always wanted to get my greedy little hands on? A crystal ball.
Why? Quite simply, I’m a planner. And as far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to avoid missteps and blunders now, than by seeing exactly how things will play out in the future. After all, hindsight is 20/20, right? Looking years down the road would be a surefire way to avoid any major regrets.
But, that’s not the way life works. We all have certain misgivings we have to live with. Some of them take us by total surprise—situations you felt so sure of in the moment wind up leaving you scratching your head and wondering what on earth went wrong.
And, others? Well, you should’ve seen them coming—crystal ball or not.
I can’t wave my hands around like some mystical fortuneteller in a dark sideshow tent and tell you what the future holds. However, I can do you one better and share seven career decisions you’ll—without a doubt—always regret.
So, come one, come all and prepare to be amazed. While you may not be able to see into the future, you’ll know enough to avoid these common regrettable choices.
1. Participating in Office Gossip
When’s the last time you heard someone say something like, “I’m so glad I participated in that snarky whisper session about Joe’s closed door meeting with the boss! That really took my career to the next level!”?
Probably never. Believe me, partaking in that pesky (and all too tempting) office gossip will only bring you down. So, stay far away from it and instead opt to channel that energy into your work. It’ll be much better for you in the long run.
2. Burning Bridges
Yes, there are those rare occasions when you need to cut ties with a contact for your own sanity and personal well-being. But, most of the time, burning bridges isn’t advisable.
Make your best effort to leave a positive impression on everyone you meet. It may sound cliché, but it’s true: You never quite know who you’ll cross paths with in the future.
3. Compromising Your Core Values
Being adaptable can be a positive quality. But, you never want to be so accommodating that you wind up consistently brushing your own beliefs and convictions aside.
Whether your boss asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, you see something that you think needs to be reported to HR, or a company doesn’t seem to mesh with your own vision and priorities, always remember to stay true to your own core values. If you don’t respect them, you definitely can’t expect anybody else to.
4. Chasing Only Money
There’s no denying that a paycheck is important. But, it’s also important to remember that it doesn’t make up the entirety of your career, your success, or your happiness.
No, I won’t blame you for pursuing pay increases—it’s understandable and in many situations, something you should do.. However, if you spend your entire career chasing those next few dollars (while completely disregarding other important factors like growth opportunities and company culture), you’ll likely only end up disappointed in the end.
5. Holding Yourself Back
Turning down that exciting opportunity, simply because it takes you outside of your comfort zone. Refusing to toss your hat into the ring for that promotion, because you’re far too terrified of rejection. Not even bothering to submit your information for that job that sounds perfect, because you’re already certain you’ll never land an interview.
Sure, they might seem like effective ways to stay safe and preserve your own ego. But, trust me, those will be the “what if?” scenarios that will haunt you well into your old age.
6. Shifting Blame
I know how tempting it can be to point fingers in the heat of the moment. After all, owning your own mistakes can be tough. However, you already know that this approach typically just ends up backfiring.
So, resist that temptation and instead accept responsibility right off the bat—no matter how mortifying your mistake.
7. Settling For Mediocrity
Life gets crazy sometimes, and coasting by with the bare minimum can seem like a good idea. But, you don’t hear of too many people (or any, really) who got exactly what they wanted out of their careers by simply accepting the status quo. No, you need to push yourself to take charge of your own growth and career development. Skating by might seem easier, but it will always be unsatisfying.
Yes, having a crystal ball would be handy for helping you stave off those pesky decisions you only live to regret. But, unfortunately, it’s not a realistic possibility quite yet (come on, science).
Even though you can’t see clearly into the future, there are a few career decisions that will always be lamentable. Stay far, far away from these seven, and you can live life with far fewer regrets—even without a crystal ball.
Credit : themuse.com
If you’re interested in getting a job in tech but not sure where to start, a great strategy is to look at job listings—mountains and mountains of job listings.
That’s what I did, and I noticed quite a few skills that appear on a majority of them, especially when I looked at somewhat related job roles, like data analyst and marketing manager or front end developer and back end developer.
Even jobs in the tech space that don’t seem all that related will have shared skills. Marketers need to know how to analyze data, and web developers need to understand how data might be used by other teams (plus figure out the best way to integrate data into their sites and apps). Web designers need to understand how WordPress works and how to use it, and so do bloggers. Customer support people need to have problem-solving skills, just like web developers do!
(Psst! Read more about all those tech careers here: 41 job titles in tech.)
Noticing a pattern here?
Things like data analysis, problem-solving skills, and even more specific skills—like having some degree of familiarity with WordPress—are going to keep cropping up in job listings regardless of your path in tech. The great thing is that you probably already have a ton of the skills you’ll need (or can learn them in a weekend), you just need to make sure to call them out when you’re applying.
Once you know which in-demand skills you already have, you can figure out what to learn next to prepare yourself for the job market. I looked at tons of job listings and found these 12 most in-demand skills that you probably already have.
Completely new to tech? Not sure where to even begin? Check out our free 10-Day Coding Bootcamp. It’s perfect for beginners!
1. Ability to Work With a Team
It doesn’t matter what your job title is in tech, you’re probably going to be working with other people on a team. At Skillcrush, everyone is part of a team. Teams tackle projects together, as well as on their own. It’s vital to be able to work with others effectively and efficiently.
But most jobs are like that, in one way or another. Even school is like that (group projects, anyone?), so you already have some experience working with others!
2. Problem-Solving Skills
Customer support equals problem-solving. Web development equals problem-solving. Web design equals problem-solving. Marketing equals problem-solving. It doesn’t matter what kind of tech job you’re looking for, you’re going to need problem-solving skills.
Virtually every area of tech focuses on coming up with solutions to problems. That might mean figuring out how to get more leads or customers in marketing. Or it could be how to make code work the way you want it to as a developer.
But you solve problems every day! When you’re getting ready to apply for a tech job, think through a handful of times you’ve solved problems professionally (at work, while volunteering, or even in school) and be prepared to talk about them. You want the hiring manager to walk away from the interview feeling like you are ready to get out there and fix their biggest problems.
3. Planning and Organizational Skills
So much of tech revolves around being organized. From keeping your code neat and tidy to staying organized on a big project with multiple team members, you have to be able to keep everything in order.
The same goes for planning. So much of what you’ll do in tech depends on being able to plan ahead and anticipate what you’ll need tomorrow or next week, and how other members of your team (or other teams entirely) need to work together to accomplish goals.
When you’re interviewing, talk about any more complicated, multi-step, or long-term projects you’ve worked on to show off these planning and organizational skills.
4. Data Analysis
A lot of jobs in tech revolve around data. The obvious ones are data analyst or marketing analyst, which both directly involve analyzing data. But developers also need to know how to analyze the data they’re dealing with, so that they know how best to work with it.
And even in jobs like content marketing or customer support, you’ll be dealing with some data on a regular basis, even if it’s just things like how many visits your blog post got compared to the number of email leads it generated, or the overall satisfaction ratings of your customer support contacts.
If you excelled in statistics in high school or college, you’ll probably have no problem with data analysis. But even if math wasn’t your strong suit, drawing basic conclusions from data is more common sense than anything else.
Showing a future employer that you’ve used data to make decisions on your personal blog, at work in another industry, or even to do something like grow your Instagram account can go a long way.
5. Report Creation
Good reports are a big part of tech. You’ll share reports with your colleagues on everything from sales to how well a website is performing to a plan for future projects or goals.
But creating reports is fairly simple. Just gather your data, and then present it in a way that makes it easy for others to understand and get the value out of it that they need. Anyone who’s worked in an office before is likely familiar with writing (or at least reading) reports.
The key is in showing that your reports help people do their jobs better and don’t just take up time!
6. Adaptability
Tech changes fast. What you learned six months ago might not apply next month. Or at least it might have changed significantly.
If you work at a startup, especially, things change all the time. Your job description when you get hired might take a complete 180 three months down the road. You need to be comfortable changing and adapting as your company and the industry at large change.
Showing in a job interview that you’ve been comfortable making major pivots in your role is a great strategy!
7. Research Skills
Are you a master of Google? Are you great at finding information almost instantly (I call it Google-Fu)? If you are, then you’re already one-up on a lot of other tech job seekers.
Being able to find the information you need to do your job is a key aspect of working in tech. The tech industry is constantly changing and the only way to keep up with it is to research things as you need them.
I’ve heard of companies who won’t even hire someone who fails to look up answers or solutions on Google!
Credit : themuse.com
You’re prepped and ready to totally nail this job interview. You’ve rehearsed your elevator pitch—in front of the mirror, even. You’ve committed the entire job description to memory. Heck, you even drove a practice route to the interview location to make sure you knew exactly where to park.
So, when the meeting finally rolls around, you’re feeling cool, calm, and collected. That is, until the interviewer jumps right in with the dreaded, “Tell me about a time when…”
Suddenly your mouth is dry, your mind is blank, and you have a mental facepalm moment. Why, oh why, didn’t you think to prepare for these types of prompts?
Yes, those requests for real-world examples—also known as behavioral interview questions—are frustrating. But, they’re also an extremely common part of the interview process.
Your best bet is to have a few stories prepared and ready to go for your next interview. Here are the six big ones you should make sure to have in your arsenal. They’re general enough that they can be used for a variety of questions, but specific enough that the person asking will feel like he or she’s getting a good, solid, detail-filled response.
1. When You Solved a Problem
You’ve likely seen the term “problem solver” listed as a desired skill in almost every job description you’ve read. But, anybody can simply slap that key phrase on his or her resume. The proof is in the pudding, so you need to be prepared to explain a time when you actually exercised this skill.
Did you once resolve a conflict between two team members you worked closely with? Was there a time when you managed to find a last-minute conference speaker after the original one backed out in the eleventh hour?
Dig back through your history to find an example that shows you’re a creative, resourceful, and self-motivated problem solver who’s always there in a pinch. No, your interviewer likely won’t be impressed by the fact that you moved closer to the office simply so you could sleep later. Is that a solution to your problem? Sure. But, you’re probably better off keeping that tidbit to yourself.
2. When You Overcame a Challenge
The workplace can be full of obstacles. Whether you need to navigate a tricky relationship with your manager or you get stuck with an overwhelmingly difficult project, it’s important to show that you aren’t quick to back down from a challenge.
There are so many inspiring stories out there that it can be tempting to rack your brain until you come up with a tear-jerking example of how you overcame adversity. But, you don’t need to lie about how you climbed Mount Kilimanjaro or pulled yourself out of homelessness. Interviewers aren’t looking for a movie plot.
Instead, come up with a real-life instance of when something stood in your way and you did everything you could to get around it. For example, maybe you worked two part-time jobs in order to pay for your college tuition. Or maybe you turned around a huge work project on an impossibly tight deadline. Those are great stories to share about how you took initiative in order to climb over roadblocks.
3. When You Made a Mistake
We’ve all heard it before—nobody’s perfect. People make mistakes, and interviewers know that you’re no exception. But, what’s important to them is how you react to your slip-ups. Do you sweep them under the rug, or do you address them head on?
Mistakes are common, so you probably won’t have a tough time thinking of a wide array of blunders to choose from. But, you want to be somewhat selective about the one you choose to share. After all, you definitely don’t want to tell the interviewer about the time you accidentally sent a scathing email about your boss to the entire company.
Instead, think of a more minor mistake that you made in the workplace (e.g., not something like leaking internal documents to the press). Briefly explain the situation, and then talk about everything you did to remedy the issue. Remember that the emphasis of this story shouldn’t be on the actual mistake you made—it should be on the steps you immediately took to fix it, and then what you learned from it.
4. When You Worked as a Leader
“Leadership” is another one of those job interview buzzwords. And, if you’re applying for a management position, you want to be sure to have at least a few solid examples of your leadership skills in your back pocket.
Perhaps you previously led your team to achieve the highest sales numbers on record. Maybe you coordinated a wildly successful company-wide event. Or, perhaps you chaperoned and directed your niece’s Girl Scout troupe on a three-day camping trip.
If you can come up with a time when you successfully took charge and saw positive results, you’ll be prepared to wow your interviewer with your incredible leadership know-how.
5. When You Worked With a Team
You know the saying—teamwork makes the dream work. And, as you know by now, collaborating with others in the workplace is pretty much inevitable. So, you need to demonstrate that you know how to play nice in the sandbox.
What sorts of examples can you bring up? Pretty much any time that you effectively teamed up with people will fit the bill! You can talk about a huge project that you were a part of or explain your volunteer position as one of the board members of a local nonprofit. As long as your example shows that you understand not just how to collaborate, but why it’s so valuable (all the heads are better than one)—you’ll be in good shape.
So, pick a time when you worked with others—more importantly, when you worked well with others—and give your interviewer the details.
6. When You Did Something Interesting
Yes, interviews place most of the emphasis on your job-related qualifications and competencies. But, if the hiring manager has a decent handle on your background and thinks you’re a potential good fit, he or she might be interested in finding out more about you personally—not just professionally.
You definitely don’t want to meet the person with a blank stare when he or she concludes the interview with, “So, tell me something about what you like to do outside of work.”
Whether you’re currently training for your first marathon or you’re in the process of doing a DIY renovation on your kitchen, you should be armed and ready with a few noteworthy tidbits. Not only will you answer the interviewer’s question, but you’ll also leave the hiring manager with something memorable to associate with your name!
Those tricky behavioral interview questions are enough to immediately make your palms clammy. But, they’re also a perfect opportunity to demonstrate that you’re a great fit for the position. Have these six stories at the ready, and you’re sure to ace your next interview!
Credit : themuse.com
Ever came across that job you badly wanted but could not meet the relevant work experience that was stipulated? You are not alone. Statistics indicate that most Kenyan jobseekers are either fresh university graduates or people who have spent most of their work years doing jobs that are completely unrelated to their career paths.
Most job listings include the requirement of prior experience in the particular job for the candidate to be shortlisted for the interview. Ambitious jobseekers however go ahead to apply for advertised positions with less experience than that stipulated by the advertiser while others, with no related experience at all, bank on their other strengths while applying for the positions hoping to make it to the interview short list for a chance to explain their case.
According to Mr. Kelvin Mutuma, Virtual HR Consultant, possessing relevant work experience for the vacant position within an organization gives one a better chance of getting the job than other applicants.
“Nowadays, companies look to hire people based on their skills and expertise. Relevant work experience is that plus thing that puts a particular candidate ahead of the others while looking for the same job,” he said.
When it gets to the interview scenario, most interviewers dwell on whether or not the jobseeker possesses the expertise necessary to carry out the tasks entailed in the role to be filled. This is defined by the jobseeker’s experience in the field they are applying for.
Mr. Mutuma says that there is no reason for you to worry you too much. There are people whose other points of strength for a particular job have outweighed the mere requirement that they possess many years of related work experience to fill the particular position at the organization. He provides tips that can make you land that that job you have always wanted with the lack of relevant experience as the only stumbling block.
How To Get Your First Job Without Experience
Have an outstanding career objective
In our previous article, we discussed how a great career objective makes you stand out from the rest. Catch the employer’s attention by what you are capable to offer the organization in the long run. Make them know you are trainable and a fast learner.
Above all, make him aware that you fully understand what is required of you in executing your duties. Career advisers recommend that you offer to work on probation to first prove your skills. It is a good thing that on most well written CVs, the employer first reads your career objective before they land on where you have been before.
Make your career objective the catch!
You must have started somewhere…
You probably haven’t been waiting all this while just for your dream career. You have to start somewhere, Mutuma advises. Somewhere means any decent job you can lay your hands on to make yourself a busy jobseeker. This also helps you to get a source of income to boost your confidence in your career path. When you are invited for an interview, you will definitely need to dress or put on nicely to boost your presentation. It requires money to purchase a presentable suit. So, start somewhere.
When you start somewhere, rather than staying idle, it becomes easier for you to establish career networks that will be beneficial to you in future. Who knows, someone at the workplace may discover the commitment in you and recommend you to that job you have always wanted. In this way, you land a job with lack of prior related experience.
Make the employer know that you have gathered invaluable professional skills that will definitely work in your role.
Be confident and humble at the interview
Voice up your soft skills to the interviewer and let them know that with your training and willingness to learn, you are best suited for the role. At the same time, be portraying the right amount of humility so that the employer banks on your ability to be trainable.
Be realistic
Do not apply for a job that requires you to have a 10-years relevant work experience when you are looking for an entry level job. Be realistic. At such a level, you can bargain with an employer who has stipulated 2 years.
Even as employers seek for experienced individuals to take advertised positions, they are aware that there are promising individuals in the job market who lack relevant experience. Therefore, there is no reason to shy away from making an attempt.
People looking for their first jobs at entry level always switch off when they come to the stipulation requiring them to possess at least two years of relevant work experience. It is disappointing when the recruiter stipulates such an uphill requirement yet you only graduated the other day and lack the relevant experience. In other occasions, you might have searched for a long time but only ended up getting opportunities completely not related to your field.
Looking down upon oneself is never an option. Rather, start somewhere and make a move. Even after you find work that isn’t related to your career, open your eyes and make a move to find a career that you have always wanted. It is wrong to imagine that some jobs are ‘less attainable’ than others.
In the current job market, technology tends to play a very big part in landing that great job. Apart from networking, social media often gives job seekers a platform where they can market themselves to potential employers.
According to Melody Mwendwa, a Career Advisor & Professional CV Writer for Corporate Staffing Services, most job seekers lose out on jobs because of what they post, without even knowing it.
“You should be very careful about what you post on the internet as this could have a major impact on your job search,”she says.
You have to remember that the interview process involves many stages. These include; shortlisting, the actual interview and reference checks. Nowadays, employers go the extra mile to use social media pages as points of referrals. This will mean that it is very possible for a job seeker to miss out on a job opportunity because of something they have posted online.
Why Employers Check Out Your Profile On Social Media Platforms
According to Muthoni Ndegwa, a Client Service Manager at Corporate Staffing Services, more and more employers are checking out the social media pages of potential hires. This is because they want to know you wholly before making that final decision.
Here are some of the reasons they prefer to go on social media to get information about you;
To gauge what kind of a person you are
Truth be told, people tend to be more themselves when they are on social media platforms. This is mostly because they assume that the profiles are private property and they sometimes just want to show off to their friends. As such, they share photos, crazy status updates and share some of the most detailed (sometimes graphic) videos.
To gauge your level of maturity
In a case where the management of a company is looking to hire for a senior position, they will sometimes visit your profile whether on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn to see what level of maturity you are at. Chances are that if you have posted nude photos or photos of you partying with friends, you may end up missing out on the job because you will not be taken seriously by potential employers.
To It is part of due diligence
For most employers, checking out potential hires on social media platforms is usually the last step to finally make the decision whether to pick a certain candidate or not. The recruitment process takes place in several stages and for modern day employers, reference checks usually include social media pages.
How Your Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin Pages Are Destroying Your Interview
1.You have the wrong network of people
You may have the perfect social media profile and your photos are clean and show who you are. But, what are your 400 friends posting and tagging you in? All it takes is one friend tagging you in an offensive post to rip apart your credibility and professionalism.
If a potential employer sees a questionable photo in which you’re tagged, he won’t care if it’s your photo or a friend’s photo. It will create a doubt in their minds that may well make them deny you that job, even if you have the perfect credentials.
Be careful about the kind of people that you associate with online. Go beyond wanting to have over a certain number of friends and focus instead on what they say about you. Be cautious when making connections and it could mean the difference in your next interview.
2.You have too many privacy filters
There is a danger of not putting up filters, especially when you go online. This is because of the constant dangers of hacking and spammers who are always looking for weak links. However, this could be a hindrance to you being successful in your next interview.
Social media recruiting is becoming more and more important for employers, it is a cost effective, convenient way to find talent and to pre-screen candidates. As such, an employer is more likely to interview a candidate that has a fun, interesting profile than someone who has maximum privacy filters turned on and doesn’t allow employers to get to know them.
Make your profiles more accessible and keep them brief and to the point. Let them speak of your professionalism and positive outlook on life. Be sure to make them as natural as possible because if they appear staged, it could be a turn off for potential employers.
The next time you are networking online, you have to remember that you leave behind digital footprints which can always be traced back to you. Think of your online presence like an international CV that will potentially market you in the online job platform.
Wishing you all the best as you prepare for your next interview.
Is it your dream to get an internship in a leading media house?
Corporate Staffing recently had a conversation with a former intern at Standard Media and this is her story.
How did you get the internship at Standard
During my 3rd year at university, Standard Media Group advertised positions for interns in the editorial department which several students from our class applied for. Only two of us were shortlisted for the aptitude test which I went through to the interview. Despite the fact that I never got the opportunity, I kept at par with their job openings by creating an account on the Standard recruitment portal. After I graduated, I checked the portal and came across an interns opening which I applied for and emerged successful.
What were your duties?
I was a sub-editor at the editorial, online department where I edited and uploaded stories from the dailies to the main site for online readership. I also collected stories from wire agencies and sent news alerts. Apart from that, I wrote news and feature stories and carried out social media responsibilities. I also liaised with reporters in the field for updates.
Was the internship paid?
Interns are entitled to a monthly allowance.
Having worked in the organization, how best would you best describe it?
A leading media house in East and Central Africa, the Standard Media Group is a place I would recommend for students willing to further their skills in the wider field of language, media and communication.
How would you describe your working environment? What do you have to say about your working conditions?
I worked under an understanding departmental head and colleagues who were willing to go out of their way to help me make the most out of my internship. Working in a digital organization requires more attention to one’s duties yet colleagues were always eager to help me fit in from the initial instance. I worked with a cheerful team of young people who also opened up my career networks.
I used to work five days per week. One would be slotted to work either during the day or on night shifts. On the five work days, two would be day shifts and three night shifts or the other way round. Flexibility was also allowed for those who wanted to make local agreements to exchange shifts.
How did you handle pressure at your workplace if any?
Whenever I had a lot to do, I would come earlier than reporting time or stay late. I also reported to work on my off days to offset workloads and to do private research for my articles.
Would you recommend someone to start an internship at Standard Media Group and why?
For those people pursuing courses related to media and communication, Standard Media Group is the best place you could ever wish to intern. It is a media house I would advise someone to go out of their way to ensure they get to be accepted as interns.
What was most challenging about the internship?
The most challenging incidence about the internship was when I was left alone at the desk while colleagues went for a departmental meeting. Despite the fact that I had gathered enough to handle responsibilities at the desk, I still felt insufficient. At the editorial desk, one can never trust their own judgment. As they say, it always requires the other person to read your work for the mistakes to unearth themselves.
Any advice to management?
Keep up the good work you are doing to offer internship opportunities to job seekers.
What Is Your Advice to Job Seekers Seeking Internship at Standard Group?
It is high time you updated your account at the Standard Recruitment Portal. If you haven’t registered yet, create an account now.
At the Standard Media Group, your cheerful nature will easily blend in with that of your colleagues so that you easily find a second home.
