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Comments Off on 5 Best Ways To Dress For A Job Interview

5 Best Ways To Dress For A Job Interview

Posted by | December 7, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

In a job interview, you only get to give one impression as far as image and presentation is concerned. Your grooming creates an image of your personality. Therefore, you need to dress in a way that you present yourself as the best fit for the job.

Getting the right outfit can be frustrating, that’s why we are here to help you. Read the following 5 tips to help you get the right idea of how you should dress for your next interview

5 tips on how to dress for success

1. Your dressing depends on the industry
How you dress for an interview majorly depends on the kind of job you are applying for as well as their Corporate culture. A suit is not necessarily the best choice for any interview.

If you are applying for a job in financial services, then you’ll be required to be in a suit. On the other hand, if you applied for a mechanic position, dressing in a suit would be quite inappropriate.

The dressing code for an Insurance company would definitely be different from a Telecommunications company. Understand the culture of the company before you dress in a manner that would make you feel out of place and uncomfortable.

2. Dress in clothes that fit you well
Don’t be one of those candidates who attend interviews dressed in clothes that are either one size smaller or one size larger than them.
For ladies, don’t put on a tight skirt that makes it hard for you to move around, or a short skirt that you’ll have to keep pulling it down. For men, put on a suit that fits you well that you don’t have to keep adjusting your belt all the time.

3. Be Always Neat in a Job Interview
Don’t attend an interview with wrinkled clothes. Clean and press your clothes the day before the interview. Nothing turns off interviewers as an unkempt candidate. Hygiene and good grooming is essential. Avoid flashy jewelry.

4. Wear comfortable shoes
Interviews tend to take longer than intended. Put on shoes that can allow you to stand for long hours. It’s inappropriate to attend an interview with the shoes you would probably wear to a club.

A reasonably heeled shoe is flattering and helps you present a professional image. Again, if the company allows casual dressing, then you have more options than those in the corporate world.

5. Avoid strong Fragrances and perfumes
Some people are allergic to strong scents. So keep this in mind when dressing for an interview. Avoid the use of strong scents that can cause an allergic reaction and have the panel sneezing their guts out.

Use this 5 tips to ace your next interview.

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Top 3 Skills Every Graduate Should Have

Posted by | September 29, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

You probably think that just because you are a graduate, that has given you an edge over some job seekers in the job market. I am sorry to burst your bubble, but this is not the case. Whether you are a graduate or not, there are some skills which are very vital to have.

According to Justus Ng’etich, a Recruitment manager at Corporate Staffing Services, apart from the academic qualifications, every graduate need to have soft skills. These are people skills that you will need in any organization, either to deal with clients, your colleagues or even your superiors.

What are some of the skills that graduates cannot afford to be without?

Skills That You Need In Your Job Search

1. Computer Skills
We are living in a digital world and it would be unwise to ignore some of the basics of using a computer. This is because every job you apply for will require a technical skill in order to be performed with efficiency.

Some of the skills you will need to know include Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. You will also need to have some knowledge of photo and video editing. This will come in handy as soft skills when you are job searching.

As unbelievable as this sounds, some job seekers do not even know how to make simple online applications or even sending an email. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with these basic skills to avoid losing out on job opportunities.

2. Communication Skills
This is a soft skill that is more important than any other. This is because you will use it everywhere you go on your job search and also in the workplace. You have to practice this skill often in order to perfect it and master it.

As easy as this sounds, it is a bit complicated. It involves knowing how to talk, write and listen effectively and professionally. This is what will set you apart from all the other job seekers out there.

3. Team Work
Are you the kind of a person who thinks that to succeed you have to do it alone? It is time to change your mindset. Employers out there want to know that you can play well with others in a group setting to achieve set goals.

This is a skill that you can easily develop while you are still at campus. You can even practice this skill while you are socializing with friends and family.

Learn some of these skills and equip yourself better for the job market

Comments Off on 5 Interview Mistakes That Cost You The Job

5 Interview Mistakes That Cost You The Job

Posted by | September 9, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Selipha Kihagi

Job interviews can be tricky and intimidating, especially when your interviewers are the difficult kind who will interrupt you mid-sentence or scroll down their phones when you’re trying to explain something.

This can cause you to become demotivated even when you were to excited about the interview, leading you to a series of mistakes that you don’t even realize. “Just from someone’s body language you can tell who is serious about the job and who is not,” says Sheila Cheptoo, a Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services.

Interview mistakes can range from a number of things, and the unfortunate thing is they can cost you the job depending on the interviewer.

5 Interview Mistakes To Watch Out For

1. Assuming that the interview is all about you
While a job interview is scheduled so the employer or recruiter can get to know you better, it is not the only thing expected from the interview. An employer or recruiter will be more interested to know what you can do for the company and not how much qualified you are or the extensive experience you got.

If you focus too much on yourself, you could miss out on what is important and decrease your chances for the job.

2. Not explaining your achievements
Listing your achievements in the CV is one step to get you to the interview but convincing the recruiter that the achievements were actually yours is another story all together. One of the interview mistakes that candidates make is not coming out directly to the employer,
When explaining your achievements, have a real example ready to tell in the interview. The recruiter will relate more to a personal story than a general one.

3. Putting across your former employer in bad light
Whenever a recruiter poses the question “why did you leave your previous job”, be careful what you say in response. The interviewer will be keen to hear what you say so avoid as much as possible to appear negative, despite how cruel or uninspiring your former employer was.
Focus on challenges you faced as an individual instead of problems the company had.

4. Trying too hard to impress
While the baseline of passing any interview demands that you impress the interviewer, trying too hard can be one of the interview mistakes you need to avoid. For example, being confident is a good thing, but being overconfident is not, being outspoken is a good thing but being too talkative and interrupting the interviewer to give an opinion or answer is not. Find the thin line and don’t cross it.

5. Not asking questions
This may not come out as part of interview mistakes to all interviewers but to be safe, it is best if you can prepare to ask questions at the end of every job interview. Why? If your recruiter thought you were disinterested in the position, that perception will change and it also makes you appear inquisitive, which is important in every job.

Whenever you are going to an interview, challenge yourself with various interview questions or take part in an interview preparation session with a professional.

Comments Off on Can I Apply For More Than One Post In The Same Company?

Can I Apply For More Than One Post In The Same Company?

Posted by | September 9, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Jane Okoth

Kate Wanjiru writes in an email

“I have been looking for an Administration Assistant job for the longest time ever. I came across 4 different administration related roles all in the same organization. I am thinking of applying for the 4 posts since i believe i have the right qualifications.

Can i apply for more than one post in an organization without seeming desperate? Are there any specific steps to take in this situation and will it hurt my chances of being shortlisted?” she asks.

It can be quite exciting when a company of your dreams advertises for positions you are interested to. In most cases, you are tempted to apply for the different jobs all at once with the hope of getting shortlisted.

That being said, Is It Advisable To Apply For More Than One Post?

Justus Ngetich, a Recruitment Account Manager at Corporate Staffing Services that it is acceptable to apply for the posts ONLY if you qualify for the roles.

It also depends with the industry you are applying for as well as your level of expertise. For instance, there may arise several sales positions in different regions.

However, this should not be confused with job seekers who apply for each and every single position. To increase your chances of being shortlisted, try to limit yourself to positions that are in line with your skills as well as your qualifications.
Submitting your CV for every single position listed is a turnoff as it only demonstrates your lack of focus and direction. Worse still, it can cost you to be blacklisted by recruiters.

Nobody says that job searching is an easy but having a sober approach to it is the way to go. Rather than applying for 100 jobs which you don’t qualify, how about targeting two positions that you are sure of being shortlisted?

All the best in job searching.

Comments Off on How To Survive Tough Times. 4 Ways To Handle A Pay Cut

How To Survive Tough Times. 4 Ways To Handle A Pay Cut

Posted by | September 1, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Sera Kazungu

The current job market is a tough one. If you are not looking for a job, you are probably working hard to keep your job or perhaps earn a pay rise. All these things are considered very vital by everyone in the job market.

According to Muthoni Ndegwa, a pay cut is something that affects both the employer and the employee. It should be handled carefully as it could have major implications for the company.

“ It is something that takes employers some time to implement and it is usually because of the wage bill. They can either downsize, or reduce the salary of their employees.”she says.

Pay cuts are not an uncommon occurrence in the workplace. Although they are undesirable, they tend to happen every so often. How then do you deal with having your salary reduced?

Steps To Take After A Pay Cut

1. Do not take it personally

As is to being human, you may sometimes decide to react without thinking of the consequences. It is always wise to evaluate a situation before you know how to deal with it.

Avoid automatically assuming that the pay cut is a personal attack. In the case of underperformance, there should have been signs before hand. Whether it was a warning letter, email or a summoning.  Keep a cool head and make a list of the possible reasons.

2. Ask your employer the reason behind it

It is always important for you to get to the bottom of anything that happens. Do not just accept the pay cut and remain quiet. It will show that you are either a push over or that you were expecting it because you think you deserve it.

Have a conversation with your employer and ask for an explanation to your salary reduction. This will help you know how to approach and deal with the issue.

3. Negotiate

If the reasons for the pay cut are fixable, negotiate with your employer on getting your salary reinstated as a result of certain conditions. For example, if your salary reduction is due to underperformance, you can negotiate with your employer by giving him a timeline for reaching set targets.

However, if the cut is simply as a result of the company facing tough economic times, the idea of negotiating may not do much for you.

4. Forge a way forward

Work on eliminating all the possible reasons that may make you receive a salary deduction in the first place. Go above and beyond your set targets and make yourself invaluable.

This will help you in the future to ensure that the same does not occur. At the same time, work on planning your life around the new salary you are earning to avoid feeling strained.

As with everything in life, take everything in stride and with a dash of positivity. This is the only way to ensure that you  grow in your career.

Comments Off on Best Interview Answer “Why Do You Want To Change Careers?”

Best Interview Answer “Why Do You Want To Change Careers?”

Posted by | August 31, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Selipha Kihagi

Once you have gone through all the pointers necessary when making a career change, it is important that you consider what you will say about the change in a job interview. Being sure about the decision to change careers is one thing, but convincing new employers why it’s another story.

Potential employers will want to know why you decided to change your career path before they hire you, and if you have made such a move before, then it’s even more important that you have a good explanation.

So, what do you say when the interviewer asks the career change question?

How To Answer; Why Do You Want To Change Careers?

According to Melody Mwendwa, a Professional Interview Coach at Corporate Staffing Services, this question should not be hard to answer if you are sure of what you want and believe the job you are interviewing for is what you are looking for.

“Your answer should focus on the transferrable skills you have. Ask yourself, what skills do you possess from your previous job that will be valuable in this new role? Once you are able to identify the key skills, tie them to your career goals and passion for this new job,” says Melody.

She adds that employers will only hire you if they are convinced that your intended move will be of benefit to their company, not because you think it is right for you. This means that what you say in response to this question should address how your skills, passion and career goals relate to the open position.

If you are now moving into Accounting, an example of a good answer would be; “I have always been passionate about numbers and after doing research and talking to successful people in this field, I believe my analytical skills as well as my uptake of CPA classes will enable me to do well in this job. I have also volunteered in the Accounting department at XYZ organization and found the job fulfilling.”

Depending on what your driving force for this new career is, the answer you give should be focused on demonstrating your current expertise and what you are willing to do to become a good fit for the position.

Avoid quoting boredom or salary as the reason you are leaving your former career, even if this happens to be true. Also do not say you are trying your luck in a new career or you think the new move is best for you, this only puts you across as being unsure of what you want in life.

Your answer must demonstrate that you took time in making the decision.

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9 Ways To Use Linkedin For Your Job Search

Posted by | August 24, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

Source: Interexchange.org

In the last several years, LinkedIn has become an increasingly popular way to network with people in your industry. More and more employers are using LinkedIn as a recruitment and hiring tool, and students and professionals are also using it in their job searches.

Take a look at our section-by-section LinkedIn guide for tips on getting the most out of LinkedIn while avoiding some common mistakes.

How To Use Linkedin In Job Searching

1. Your Profile
If you’re new to LinkedIn, the first thing you’ll need to do to begin successfully connecting with others is create an account and build your online profile.

The LinkedIn profile is essentially your online “resume” and how you present yourself to the rest of the users on the site.
Create a clear, accurate profile.
Make sure you fill out every section.

Upload a photo (Make sure it is professional and appropriate!)
Include your profile in your email signature. This way people you are in contact with can see your LinkedIn profile and add you as a connection as you communicate with them.

2. Create a professional headline
This is extremely important! This is how you will appear in searches and the title that defines you before another user chooses to look further. Make sure it is accurate and specific since this is how people see you all over the site.

Make your profile privacy settings public. This means:
You will appear in searches more frequently.
You need to keep your profile appropriate, accurate, and updated since the world of LinkedIn can see it.

Detail your education and professional experience completely but concisely.
Make sure to include details about the positions you held, such as responsibilities and accomplishments, not just your job titles.
LinkedIn is a way to keep in touch on a professional basis, whereas Facebook is considered more personal and casual.

3. Groups
Join groups that are of professional interest to you so you can begin to see and connect with others with similar career fields.
These can be university alumni groups, clubs or associations, industry-specific groups, etc. Most importantly, join groups that will allow you to connect with people working in your field or industry

4. Companies
Many companies will create a “company page” on LinkedIn to represent themselves and build their online presence
The company page is similar to the brand or fan page on Facebook, where a company generates activity and discussions and shares updates.
You should follow companies at which you are interested in working so you can see updates about them. If you get an interview with one of these companies, you will have less research to do later since you will have learned all of this information already.

5. Recommendations
This feature is relatively new and a great way for your references to let other LinkedIn users know about you
Ask for recommendations or endorsements from colleagues, former professors or supervisors.
Give recommendations to others—what goes around, comes around! It will also display your name on those users’ profiles, making you more visible to potential connections.

6. Research
Use LinkedIn to find out information about people before you meet them or have an interview with them
This is important! If you know ahead of time who you will be meeting at a company, it’s good to gather some background information about them before you meet. 7. Network
LinkedIn is a networking tool—so don’t be afraid to use it as such
You can connect with people you don’t know and build a relationship. Reach out to people who may be able to assist you in your job search.

8. News & Updates
Stay on top of the news in your industry!

Monitor companies you are interested in to see what’s new with them or if they have posted any new positions.
Check your feed regularly
This will show you who has been promoted, changed jobs, etc., which means they may now be working for a company or in a field that interests you.
Reach out to connections with relevant news
You can share an industry-related article that you find interesting to let your connection know you thought of them or you can congratulate them on a promotion.

9. Jobs
The “Jobs” section of the site may seem like the most obvious place to find a job using LinkedIn, but it’s just as important to maintain a solid group of connections, join groups and stay up-to-date with companies’ news.
In order to search for a job, go to the Jobs page and perform a standard search

DON’T…
Use incorrect grammar or have spelling mistakes or typos
We cannot emphasize this enough. Nothing looks worse than this to a potential employer.
Have an inappropriate picture
Your profile picture should have you in it, and only you, wearing something appropriate. You can smile, but don’t overdo any expressions or poses. It should be simple and professional.
Post unprofessional content
LinkedIn is NOT the place to post any controversial articles or personal writings, such as blogs or photo albums. This is also true for any comments you make in groups.

Comments Off on Living With Job Insecurity? 6 Ways To Cope With It

Living With Job Insecurity? 6 Ways To Cope With It

Posted by | August 20, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

Source: Mind Tools

As a result of globalization, outsourcing, contracting, downsizing, recession and even natural disaster, “job security” can seem like a thing of the past.

People entering the workforce within the past few years may have more than 10 different jobs before they retire. The lack of job security that goes with this is something that almost everyone must face at one time or another, and learning how to cope is essential to being happy, and keeping stress away.

It’s impossible to know what the future will bring, so preparing in advance can help reduce your worries, because you’ll know you’ve done all you can. We’ll show you what you can do now to deal with the feeling of a lack of job security.

How To Deal With Job Uncertainty

1. Coping with Stress
Living with constant insecurity can be stressful. Some studies suggest that living with job insecurity – the “fear” of losing your job – can be more harmful to your health than actually losing it. Here, keeping a positive attitude can make all the difference.

If your lack of job security is due to a drop in demand for your technical skills, think “outside the box.” What else can you do – and how can you prove that you could learn a new line of work? Look at your track record of being adaptable, your organizational skills (time management, team management, and leadership), and your people skills.

2. Prove Your Worth
If you were your boss, and you were forced to eliminate one position, who would you lay off: the person who leaves at 5:01 pm each day and complains all the time, or the person who’s willing to take on extra work and always has something positive to say?

If you face uncertainty in your field, make sure you give value to your company. You’ll have to do more than “just the minimum” if you want to keep your job.

3. Stay Current
Keeping your skills current is essential if you want to offer value to your company. Make sure you’re up to date on your industry certifications and trends. Take outside classes and read trade publications, so that you know what’s going on in your field.

4. “Brag” About Yourself
Many people resist talking about their accomplishments because they don’t want to boast. But think of it this way: your boss may not know how great you are, or what you’re capable of doing, if you don’t tell her.

By talking about your accomplishments, you keep him or her informed of your value.

5. Keep Your CV Up to Date
This is smart for everyone to do, not just those who are actively looking for work.When your CV is current, you can be ready at a moment’s notice to apply for a new position – even one within your own company. You won’t have to rush to make changes (and risk making mistakes), and you can be sure to present yourself in the very best light. If you wait until the last minute, you might forget an important accomplishment that could mean winning – or losing – the job.

6. Save Your Money
Save at least three to six months of living expenses – this can help you take the time you need to find the best opportunity, if you are laid off. It can also give you the resources you need to look further afield, if work dries up in your area. This can help you turn a bad situation into a chance to reevaluate your career, and put yourself onto a new, exciting path.

If you do get laid off, remember that the world is full of opportunities. Changing your mindset can go a long way toward reducing your stress. Look at this change as an adventure and as the chance to try something new. Focus on the positive, not in doubt and uncertainty. Remember, your life is what you make of it.

Comments Off on 7 Values You Must Have To Be Successful In Whatever You Do

7 Values You Must Have To Be Successful In Whatever You Do

Posted by | August 20, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

How to be successful and make it in life. Source: Elcrema

Becoming successful is everyone’s primary objective in life. The moment you come of age, your focus becomes getting to the peak of whatever you find yourself doing—be it in academics, business, or career; it’s a natural instinct in man. No one wants to be a failure, but not everyone can say they have been successful (enough) in their endeavours either.

Does this mean that success is reserved for a special few or that it’s difficult to achieve? Well, the answer is ‘no’. Success can be achieved by just anyone, depending on their ability to go at it the right way…using the right tools. In going about anything, there are rules/principles that must be followed in order to realize it—the same is applicable to success; unless you go about it the right way, do the right thing(s), you may continually end up in disappointment.

The great men/women we have around us today didn’t just become successful doing things the conventional way, of course, not, they had to go out of their ways and do the needful, make sacrifices, and follow a certain trend. So what are these things/values one must imbibe to record success in his/her endeavours? For the purpose of this study, I have put together 7 of those values for you to digest. Let’s check them all out…

1. READ TO LEARN
There’s a whole lot you can learn from reading. Reading unlocks information to you that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to…it keeps your mind renewed and fresh. A lot of people think that reading ends the day you exit the 4 walls of a university equipped with your first degree, but this is very untrue. Learning never ends, it is an endless process as long as you imbibe the habit. No matter who you are, what you do, you can improve on your knowledge and gain more knowledge by reading up on all relevant material. I know people who have conceived great business ideas just from reading books and materials. How do you think the Bill Gates and Dangotes of this world keep their businesses going? They read, and read to learn and learn more.

2. LOVE WHAT YOU DO
Whether it’s a paid job, career or business, unless you love it, there’s no way you’ll do it passionately, and what you don’t do passionately is almost guaranteed to be a big flop. When you love something, you do it happily, and that’s good because it means you do it well. So ensure you really love whatever you find yourself doing as it’s one of the prerequisites for recording success.

3. BE HARDWORKING
Remember the saying that, ‘hardwork always pays off’?—it is very true. Hardworking people always tend to put in a bit extra in all they do because they know it’s the only way they’ll get what they want. Take a 100m race for example; everyone runs the race because they want to win, but not everyone can come first…only the person who puts in the most energy and work rate in the race emerges the winner. Also, take a look at the Army or typical business organizations; promotion is based on the amount of hardwork and effort you put into your job.

4. BE LOYAL AND HUMBLE
Even the bible says ‘pride cometh before a fall’; its an ordained principle. The moment you let your expertise, knowledge, wealth or office position get into your head, there’s no way you’ll be able to maximize your full potentials because you’ll feel you already know it all, and you’re better than everybody. You’ll burn bridges, lose friends, and people who may be of vital help to you in the future. No one man is an island, you need people to keep you on track, and help you navigate through situations. There’s no way you can do it all alone, so be as far away from pride as possible. Imbibe humility, and that way you get to learn from people. Humility is a priceless virtue.

5. BE DISCIPLINED/PRINCIPLED
If you want to be successful, you must learn to mean what you say, do what you mean, and be a person of integrity. You must create for yourself certain rules that you must live by—it is one of the hallmarks of successful people. Never compromise your values for anything, stick to them no matter what/where you find yourself. Know how much you make, and never spend above your earnings. As a business person, you must learn to treat your business as a different entity from yourself—let all monies meant for it be for it, never remove a dime from it for yourself…that’s how you grow a business. Business and sentiments are enemies, always treat it that way.

6. BE OPEN-MINDED
You must be willing to take in every idea/contribution/criticism from people around you if you want to succeed. You take them all in, sieve away the ones you feel are wrong, and accept the right ones. Accept constructive criticism, they’ll help you improve on yourself, business or career. I’ve never heard of a successful person who didn’t/doesn’t accept criticism, they’ll come, just handle them well. Keep an open mind, you’ll surely succeed.

7. BE PATIENT
No one starts a business or a job today, and becomes a millionaire immediately, it always takes a while. A lot has to be in place before financial success comes—all you need to do is keep doing what you do with as much enthusiasm as is required. All the great men of today didn’t become great overnight, they had to pass through a process…which eventually led to success. Patience is a very rare virtue to find in people, but the few who have it while doing the right thing always reap the rewards it brings.

Do not forget that success isn’t a destination per se, rather it is a reward that’s meant to spur you on, and keep you going in your life’s endeavours. The journey to success can be likened to that unto perfection…it never ends. There are always newer heights to be attained.

Comments Off on How To Successfully Communicate In An Interview

How To Successfully Communicate In An Interview

Posted by | August 17, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

Source: WikiHow

Communicating effectively is one of the key steps toperforming well in a job interview. Good communication lets an interviewer know you’re articulate, educated and personable and it helps you get your important qualifications known.

Here are a few pointers of how to communicate effectively in a job interview so you make a good impression on potential employers.

How To Communicate In an Interview

1. Utilize small talk
Communicate effectively in a job interview by using the small talk at the beginning to your advantage. Smile, respond to pleasantries and be sure to shake your interviewer’s hand.

The small talk exchanged at the beginning of the interview will help the interviewer gain an understanding of your personality and how you communicate with people.

2. Stay positive
Effective communication during a job interview should focus on positive or neutral topics, not negative ones. Avoid mentioning any negative news issues or controversial current events that will cause the mood of the interview to shift in a negative direction.

3. Answer the questions
Communicate clearly in a job interview by answering the questions you’re asked without elaboration or extra examples. Your interviewer will ask for examples if they’re needed.

Answer questions thoroughly and completely, but don’t ramble or stray far from the original questions asked.

4. Be professional
Your interviewer will likely be friendly and might try to make you feel comfortable, but this doesn’t mean you should treat the interviewer like your friend. Remember that you’re in a business setting, interviewing for a professional position and conduct yourself accordingly.

5. Skip the slang
Speak professionally during your interview with complete sentences and no slang terms. This doesn’t mean using big words outside your normal vocabulary. Just speak in a professional, polished way.

6. Avoid “um”
Avoid using filler words like “um” or “like” in sentences or to fill gaps in the conversation when you’re speaking during the interview. This habit will make you sound unpolished and unprofessional.

Practice conducting a lengthy conversation with a friend and focus on eliminating these words from your speech if this is something you tend to do when you’re nervous or speaking in public.

7. Let the interviewer run the interview
It’s important to let your interviewer steer the interview in the direction he wants it to go. Don’t interrupt him or change topics if he’s discussing something.

Ask for a moment at the end of the interview if you feel you have an important qualification to mention or skill that you would like to highlight.

8. Breathe
Take a few deep breaths to calm down if you feel yourself getting nervous or overwhelmed during the interview. This pause will help you regain focus and maintain your level of confidence.

Comments Off on Job Seekers Beware: 4 Ways To Identify A Scam

Job Seekers Beware: 4 Ways To Identify A Scam

Posted by | August 13, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Sera Kazungu

“Thank God I chose to ignore that job. They had asked me to send 5K for medical tests. I found it strange because I had not even been called for an interview. When I searched the company, it led me to a series of warnings on the scam. I am so relieved,” writes Joy Kinyua via email.

Job scams are not uncommon in the Kenyan job market. The cons are capitalizing on the fact that most job seekers are desperate to get jobs and cheat them out of their money.

The latest job scam going around is that of EastMatt Supermarket. The management has posted a public notice in the Daily Nation Pg 9, warning job seekers that they are  currently not doing any recruitment.

How then, do you as a job seeker avoid being cheated out of your hard earned cash? Below is a list of ways to identify a job scam.

How to Identify A Job Scam in Kenya

1. You are offered an unrealistic salary
You may see a job that has a salary that does not quite make sense. E.g. an internship that offers to pay 75K plus incentives. The salary clearly does not match the job that is being advertised.
To be a smart job seeker, you have to remember that the salary being offered is usually equivalent to the duties and responsibilities that come with the job and what kind of job it is.

2. You are asked to pay a fee
If you receive a job alert and are asked to part with some money before you are even called for an interview, your red flags need to go up.
Do not be lied to that this is how recruitment firms work. What most job seekers do not know is that in most cases, the companies that are the ones that pay recruitment firms.

3. You see Strange looking email addresses.
Usually, known companies have official email addresses. You would not for example, expect a UN job to provide a Gmail address for applications.
The best way to know whether the link provided is genuine or not is to click on it and carefully scrutinize whatever site it leads you to.

4. The job is from a company you have never heard about
This is a bit tricky because in some cases, you may find that some adverts are real. However, research is key to deciphering between genuine and fake jobs.

In a case scenario where you cannot tell the validity of a company, watch out for the signs that have been listed above

Be a smart job seeker. Do not allow your need to get a job push you into being swindled out of cash. Job searching takes time, hard work and persistence

Comments Off on Top 5 Mistakes Kenyan Graduates MUST Avoid

Top 5 Mistakes Kenyan Graduates MUST Avoid

Posted by | August 10, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Sera Kazungu

Job searching is a technique that requires mastering, persistence and a lot of determination. Recently, I met a young man who told me that he had been job searching for 5 straight years and had come out empty. He then decided to stop job searching all together because of the frustration.

Are you a fresh job job seeker who has started feeling the frustration of not getting that dream job? Perhaps, you are approaching the job search all wrong.

Here is a list of common job searching mistakes that you need to avoid.

Top Mistakes That Job Seekers Make

1. Aimlessly looking for jobs
The truth of the matter is that everything you do needs to have a focus. To find a job that is just right for you requires that you plan ahead. Do not just look for any job as most job seekers do, look for ones that you actually qualify for.
Writing down a list of jobs will help you have more of a focus. You will use it as a checklist for jobs before you apply for them.

2. Not customizing your CV
The CV is the single most important document to have when you are looking for a job. The mistakes you can make on the CV are many, but none so bad as having a CV that does not do your experience any justice.
A CV needs to speak to a potential employer and tell them how good you are at what you do. Strive to tailor your CV specifically for that job that you are looking for. It could mean the difference in your job search.

3. Having too high expectations
The problem with new job seekers is that they are always too ambitious. In order to hope for a job, you need to keep your expectations to a minimum. The job market has a world of opportunities, but you have to be willing to start somewhere.
Big jobs and salaries will come to you sooner or later. For now, keep your search simple and open, do not be too choosy .

4. Forwarding the same applications to different companies
Sometimes, when you are sending multiple applications, you may be tempted to forward the same application to different companies over and over again. This is a wrong thing to do.
When making applications, keep each application as unique from the other as possible. It is unprofessional to keep forwarding the same applications over and over again. It speaks to the lack of seriousness of a candidate to employers.

5. Not networking
In the Kenyan job market today, it is all about networking. You need you to identify networking opportunities and effectively utilize them. Identify people who have a pull in the job market and can ask as a referral when the time comes.

Do not be content with just sending out online applications. Getting out there to job search is also a great way to network as you get to meet many people, some of whom may be valuable in your search.

Do any of the mistakes apply to you? Change your job searching technique today and you just might land that dream job.
Wishing you the very best in your job search.

Comments Off on Best Interview Answer: “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”

Best Interview Answer: “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”

Posted by | August 10, 2015 | Scholarships_CareerTips

By Selipha Kihagi

If you have come across this question one time or the other, you must have thought of the best way to answer it. Do you tell the truth about your weakness and miss out on the job? Or do you just tell a believable lie and impress your interviewer?

Whichever you choose to go with, one thing that is clear is the hiring company or recruiting company wants to know what it is you consider a fault and how it would affect your job at the company. So, as you go about the answer, it is important that you factor out what you want to convey to your employer.

Some people may be quick to say they don’t have a weakness but the truth is, everyone does so make sure you find out what your weakness is before going for the interview. Asking your friends and family to suggest what they consider your greatest weakness will help you in discovering what it is.

So, what do you say is your greatest weakness?

There are different ways you can address this question, but let’s focus on the common and right way you can go about it – being honest.
Be honest and demonstrate you are aware of your faults but are working on it

Lying is never a saviour when approaching this question, you need to show the employer that you are self aware of what you are good at and what you are not good at. You also need to show the interviewer that you are working on the areas you lack in so you can be better at the job.
An answer here would read something like this; “I have had issues with speaking in front of a large audience; one time I was doing a presentation in campus and could only mumble to myself. It was such a bad experience that I was booed out of stage. I later started practising with smaller groups of people, took up a class on public speaking and recently took part in a conference where I had to give a speech. I did tremble during the speech, but the feedback keeps getting better with time.”

The trick to answering this question is to focus on a skill you have been lacking in, but demonstrate that you have done something about it and continue to work on it.
Weaknesses can vary depending on your profession or your level of study, but the answer to this question is not really that different. Remember to focus on a real weakness and avoid lying that you don’t have one or that you are quite the perfectionist, say something believable.

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