6 Changes You Should Make In Your Job Search
Source: US News
It’s harder than ever to land a good job. So if you’re unemployed and searching for one, you’re probably frustrated.
While employers cite many reasons why finding the right talent is nearly impossible, you can only control what you are doing (and not doing) to get on an their radar.
Here Are A Few Things You Should Do Differently To Get More Interviews
1. Cut the time you spend on job boards.
If you’re like most job seekers, you rely heavily on job boards and LinkedIn job postings as your primary sources to uncover job opportunities. This reactive approach is unlikely to result in an interview, because most employers rely on referrals to fill jobs with external candidates.
In reality, the majority of jobs are filled with internal candidates, and even if these positions were advertised, you wouldn’t stand a chance.
Job postings are great for mining information on the specific skills required for jobs. Postings can also help you identify potential employers (and competitors) who are known to hire for the types of jobs you are interested in. Once you’ve identified these companies, you can begin to find people you know or should know who work inside the company. This is how referrals happen.
2.Understand how recruiters work
Use recruiters, either working inside a company’s human resources department or a third party that’s contracted to source talent. Both work for the company, which means they are not going to work on your behalf. When recruiters are interested in you, it may be due to the fact you have a specific skill set and/or significant experience they are looking for.
The best way to use recruiters is to be very clear about the roles you want. It is up to you to notify recruiters if you see a job you are interested in, and you must take the reins to follow up and stay in touch with them.
You shouldn’t pay a fee nor lose part of your salary to recruiters. Employers with job openings pay recruiters. If you should encounter someone asking for money to place you, beware.
3.Network the right way
Time after time, job seekers express disappointment after attempts to network. Most, if not all, give up and resort back to searching posted jobs. It’s up to you to build meaningful relationships with new contacts in your desired field, and that takes time.
Networking is not broadcasting impersonal pleas for help to everyone you know. Networking is about learning about industry trends, new up and coming technology and hot skills in demand. Networking is reconnecting with past colleagues to learn what they are doing now. Networking is about sharing what you’ve learned and offering help. Networking is about giving and not expecting anything in return. Most eager job seekers don’t have the patience for this, but it works. It just takes time.
4.Don’t ignore social media
Depending on your generation, you may either be underutilizing social networks or oversharing on them. If you haven’t reached out to your friends on Facebook, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. More people use Facebook (67 percent) to search for a job than LinkedIn (40 percent), according to Jobvite’s 2015 Job Seeker Nation study. Another way to take advantage of Facebook is by “liking” company career pages or groups and participating in discussions.
Twitter is also a lesser-used platform for job seekers, which is unfortunate, because it is so much easier to interact with people you aren’t connected to. Search Twitter accounts for companies you are interested in working for. Also search for and follow people who work in those companies. Keep an eye out for Twitter chats and online events hosted by employers.
Before you become active on any social network, familiarize yourself with the privacy settings to make sure you know which updates you share with the public. And while you’re at it, evaluate all your past updates and photos to confirm they are positive and clean.
5.Learn about and join online talent communities
In case you haven’t seen or heard about talent communities, these are interactive, two-way streams of communication between employers and people interested in working for those companies. Talent communities exist on employer career pages, LinkedIn groups, Twitter and Facebook, and they help answer questions and provide more insight on a company.
For the employer, these communities become a goldmine of potential talent to reach out to when a new opportunity opens. Rather than posting the job, recruiters can search their community discussions to find candidates.
6.Learn from others
There are online networking groups for job seekers. These groups offer the opportunity to learn from other job seekers’, fill the void of information on what to expect and serve as relationship-building resources. Groups also offer mental support and encouragement.
Learn by reading advice from a variety of career experts to get alternative perspectives on how to handle situations and navigate your job search. There is no shortage of help for your job search, as long as you are seeking knowledge. And don’t forget: A good attitude helps, too.
3 Reasons To Be More Aggressive When Working In The Private Sector
By Sera Kazungu
The private sector is very competitive when you compare it to the government jobs. This is why when you are working in the private sector, you have to work harder and smarter to avoid being fired.
It is argued that government jobs are better than those in the private sector in terms of pay, workload and working hours, and this could well be true.
Below is a list of reasons why you need to be very competitive when you are in the private sector.
Why The Private Sector Is More Competitive
1. There are high turnover rates
You are more likely to get fired in the private sector because the companies are always downsizing. As such, most employees strive to be invaluable and irreplaceable. This is the only way they know that they will survive in their jobs.
If you want to do well in the private sector, you have to ensure that you always stay afloat with the current affairs and that you prove yourself to your employers. This is one sector that does not support complacency.
2. There are higher chances of career growth
In the private sector, you stand a better chance of watching your career grow. This, however, will depend on your individual contribution and hard work. This is why you will find that colleagues in a private sector workplace tend to be more rivals than friends.
It is the dream of every professional out there to see their career progress from one level to the next. It however takes a lot of assertiveness and self drive to achieve.
3. There are a large number of emerging opportunities
The private sector keeps growing day by day. New companies are coming up as Kenyans now prefer to be entrepreneurs. Working smarter will ensure that you can get a job anywhere in this lucrative sector.
You need to learn how to make the most of all the experiences and skills that you acquire to ensure that you have an edge over all other job seekers and colleagues alike.
Learn to take every job opportunity like a step in the ladder of your career path. You have to take one step at a time in order to get to your destination .
Wishing you all the best as you strive to be the best at what you do.
4 Ways To Work Smarter Not Harder
By Jane Okoth
We are all familiar with the saying “hard work pays” but that does not mean that all hard work pays.
Take an example of your daily work routine. What time do you wake up? What time do you get home? Do you find yourself working for more than 9 hours a day, you seriously need to work smarter then.
This article will take you step by step into what you need to do to avoid working yourself up to misery
How to Work smarter, Not harder
1. Prioritize your work
It is really hard getting up for work in the morning with the feeling of having so much work to do that you don’t know where to start.
Prioritizing is the golden rule of time management. You are not superman or flash to think that you can do an enormous duties all by yourself in a short span.
Each day, identify the two or three tasks that are the most crucial to complete, and do those first. Whether it is responding to emails or starting out with some projects, it will save more time and your energy as well.
2. Get Some Sleep!
Are you sitting behind your desk right now, struggling to keep your eyes open? Not getting enough sleep not only affects your health, but has a negative impact on your career.
Sleep for less than 6 hours makes you less productive: The less you sleep, the slower you are at work. Also people who don’t sleep are likely to become grumpier at work.
You need 7-8 hours of sleep for your body and mind to function optimally. You know if you’re getting enough.
3. Take A Break
Did you know that you can actually break away from the “busy” work schedule and take a break by walking to a cafe or restaurant for lunch rather than eating at your desk?
Also it will save you from sitting at your desk for long. According to research, prolonged sitting is thought to slow the metabolism, which affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat.
4. Spend less time On Social Media
Life is not just about Face book, Twitter or Instagram so for once just stay away from that and focus on the important matters at hand. That way you will spend more time doing important stuff
How about turning your life around by working on these effective techniques? Chances are, you are likely to be more productive at work.
Top Secrets To Passing Any Job Interview
By Perminus Wainaina
In the last six years as a recruiter I have interviewed over 7,000 candidates. I have had a chance to interview entry level candidates, supervisors and CEO’s. When it comes to professions, I have interviewed across the board including accountants, sales, HR, IT, procurement, admin and technical professions.
Interviewing is a task that I enjoy as I get to meet many candidates and somehow impact their career.
For any position that we are recruiting on behalf of an employer we usually invite 10 to 15 candidates for a preliminary interview and recommend at least five candidates for the next stage with the client.
The Common mistakes I have identified with candidates during interviews regardless of position include lack of preparedness, poor presentation skills, poor self confidence, and a lack of understanding of the role. Recruiters and employers use interviews to gauge your skills, enthusiasm and whether you are a good fit for the organization.
While mistakes do happen in an interview and that there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate, it is important to do your part and minimize on the errors.
One of the secret to passing a job interview is to understand the role. And how do you do this?
It is as simple as going through the job description and understanding it from an employer’s perspective.
Nowadays, interviewing has shifted from the common interview questions like tell me about your five year plans to your competency i.e. what skills and qualities do you posses that make you an ideal candidate for the job. But you shouldn’t stop at understanding the job description. You have to look at the company vis a vis the industry, regulations, suppliers, clients and everything else that makes a company run smoothly. Be an all rounder.
Character is key when it comes to your career. I have met very good candidates who have the right skills and industry knowledge but have a problem moving up the career ladder because of their character.
Beyond qualifications and skills, employers are interested in what you believe in as an individual. Are you a person of integrity? Can you work under minimal supervision? Can you be entrusted with company assets? What will your previous employer say about you? No serious employer will employ you without conducting proper reference checks.
Another big concern with employers is on the soft skills. We often read news stories about how employers feel that applicants who’ve left school, college or university lack the ‘soft skills’ they want. Wikipedia defines soft skills as the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, interpersonal skills, managing people, leadership, etc
These skills are transferable skills, so they can be used in many different types of jobs. They are personal qualities and attitudes that can help you to work well with others and make a positive contribution to organizations you work for.
Employers are aware that technical skills can be taught more easily than soft skills, which tend to be either personal characteristics or skills that have been fine-tuned over a period of time.
Sometime it’s not easy to change a person’s characteristics or belief. Employers also expect you to posses certain soft skills depending on your level and area of training. It is highly unlikely that you will be considered as a potential candidate if you don’t demonstrate such soft skills.
The Best Way To Ask For Salary Increase And Get It
Source: Nairaland
Asking for a raise at work is probably one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make in your career. It is even much more difficult if you and your boss are not best buddies or if your company has instituted several protocols that you have to go through to make this possible. In any case, these shouldn’t stop you from demanding an increase if you feel you are worth it.
You should also understand that your boss will probably not increase your salary simply because you demanded it. Therefore, it is very important that you consider these steps if you want to ask your boss for a raise he will never refuse.
1. Gather a stockpile of leverage
First of all, before you start making demands, you need to consider your worth objectively. You want to take into account your job responsibilities including leadership tasks, your level of education, years of experience and training, and your track record of achievements. These are the ammunitions you will need.
Your boss will never give you a raise simply because you have worked longer than everybody else. Also note that the standard response you will get is that the company does not have enough in its budget to support your raise. When asking your boss for a raise, you will need to assess your worth to be able to convince your boss to see your point.
2. Seek relevant information
Secondly, try to gather useful information. You want to know if the company’s budget can actually support your demand, who has the power to make your wish come true, if there’s a performance review in place, if the salary increase is by rank or by fixed schedule, and what others in similar positions in the industry are earning.
The last thing you want to do is ask your boss for a raise when the company is posting losses or going over your boss’ head to ask his/her superiors for salary increase. Both doesn’t usually turn out well.
3. Build your case & negotiate
The ammunitions we talked about earlier: your accomplishments, the initiative you took that led to the success of that deal, etc. Now is the time to put them to use. Don’t go around saying things like, “I need the money and you know I deserve it because I have worked for X number of years”. That is weakness and it doesn’t really help anyone.
You will need some good negotiation skills. If your boss is not budging on the salary, tell him/her you will consider non-monetary benefits e.g. an official car, wardrobe allowance, rental assistance, or a better job title. Do not be greedy, be reasonable in your demands & don’t threaten to quit if your demands are not met, you are not indispensable—unless you really are.
4. Don’t take rejection personally
There is a fairly good chance you will get turned down when asking your boss for a raise, but that should not stop you from making your demands. If this happens, don’t develop a negative attitude towards your boss or your work. Continue to keep improving yourself and if you really have to move on to a better job, don’t burn bridges. Keep the relationship with your boss cordial. It has far reaching advantages than burning bridges.
Are You In A Boring Job? 5 Ways To Get Motivated
By Sera Kazungu
The everyday monotony of a job may cause the occasional case of boredom. Given the demanding nature of jobs, it is understandable to sometimes feel like you are stuck in a rat race.
The following are ways in which you can find motivation to face your job without the fear that you will be bored and unproductive.
How To Find Motivation In Your Job.
1. Make your workplace a place you love being
Surround yourself with things that make you happy. It could be a prize calendar, a picture or even a mirror. This is a good way to ensure that you always have a reason to smile during the day. Personalizing your work space will enable you to ‘own’ it and give it a home feel.
Always focus on changing it up. It is said that a change is almost as good as a rest. Every few weeks, you can re-create your workplace to give it a new feel.
2. Have a sense of humor
Business does not always have to be a straight face affair. Find things that will make you laugh every once in a while as you work. There is no crime in smiling while you are getting your work done.
Join in the jokes and laughter that your colleagues share. Do not be that person who always sits at their desks pretending everyone else does not exist.
3. Check in with your colleagues
Socializing is always a fun thing to do. It brightens your day and gives you an avenue to share ideas with others.
Every once in a while, get up from your desk and ‘touch base’ with one or two colleagues. Apart from keeping you smiling, it will ensure that you remain fresh all day.
4. Take breaks
Are you the kind of person who always sits at their desk from morning to evening? Well, it is time to stop. Your brain needs a break in order to remain creative. Find some time to stand up and stretch.
Being too tired makes you gloomy and unproductive. To be happier at work, find at least 5 minutes every day to unwind.
5. Do not take your work home with you
You should always leave work where it is supposed to be done;at the workplace. Keeping your work life separate from your personal life is a good way to ensure that the two do not clash. This is a good recipe to continue enjoying your job.
Sample Cover Letter For Customer Service Jobs
y Selipha Kihagi
Applying to jobs can be a tedious process, especially because you need to write a Cover Letter for each and every job you apply for.
Most job seekers in Kenya let the frustrations of their tedious job applications get to them, and for this reason they end up making mistakes that cost them the jobs.
These candidates do not even realize they made a mistake in their cover letter during the application, until someone points it out to them and this is very rare.
To avoid such situations that could lead to a series of frustrations, it is always important to take your time when drafting the cover letter.
Why? Because the cover letter tells the story that your 2 or 3 page CV couldn’t.
Customer Service Job Sample Cover Letter
“Your Name Here”
P.O Box 66600 – 20200
Nakuru
30th July, 2015
The Human Resource Manager
XYZ Company Limited
P.O Box 000 – 00100
Nairobi
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Application For The Position Of Customer Service Executive
I am writing in regards to the Customer Service Executive opening at your company. I believe my 4 years’ experience working as a customer service agent has provided me with the problem solving skills and great interpersonal communication skills you are looking for in this position.
In addition to my degree in Business Administration, I have received training in customer relations management, leadership skills and I am currently pursuing a post graduate diploma in Information Management, all of which will come in handy when dealing with difficult clients and coming up with effective organizational policies.
Working at XYZ Company, I was also responsible for handling telephone calls coming in and out of the organization, dealing directly with clients on behalf of my manager and keeping record of major official documents. I believe this experience has given me the skills you are looking for and makes me the best candidate for this job.
Attached is my CV for your review. I look forward to an interview where we can discuss my qualifications further and the value I will be adding to your company.
Yours Sincerely,
“Name Here”
If you are sending your application directly to the recruiting officer and can tell what gender they are just from their email, be specific and address them with their names or as Dear Sir or Dear Madam, not both.
The person receiving your email may be offended or think your cover letter as just another application among hundreds you have sent out and not consider you.
4 Best Ways You Can Effectively Research For A Job Interview
By Selipha Kihagi
After being invited for an interview, what you will now need is to make sure you are well prepared for the questions to come so you can get the job.
In preparing, research becomes a key determinant on what direction the interview is going to take; if you research effectively then you improve your chances for getting the job and if it’s scantily done then chances are it won’t go very well.
Effective research for an interview spans around various issues, not just the company’s background and current state like most Kenyan job seekers presume it to be. It entails being familiar with your role, both from your perspective and that of the employer.
So, how best should you research to ace the interview?
1. Go Back To The Job Requirements
When applying to the job, you may have skimmed through the duties and requirements needed, applied for the position but then closed that chapter and moved on to the next one. You are probably a victim of this and have never really thought about the impact it would have on your interview.
Going back to the requirements helps you identify and understand the exact qualities the employer is looking for. Go through them over and over and understand, then think about the questions that would centre around them and rehearse your way to nailing the interview.
2. Focus on learning about the company
Now this is where every job seeker’s obsession resonates, and while that is not necessarily a bad thing, you need to have a strategy for what you want as the outcome. Identify the company areas you need to familiarize with before any interview and research on it.
You can get the information you need from the company’s website, their social media pages(Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+) and of course the one marketplace for information – Google. Here you can find any recent events or accomplishments, you will be able to read on any financial gains or losses or any other company dirt you may come across. However, you must be selective of the information you decide to take in.
3. Stalk your Interviewers on Social media (LinkedIn)
Some organizations will give you the names of people going to interview you. They may say, ‘when you get to the office ask to speak to so and so (name given)”. Use this to your advantage by searching them on Social media.
LinkedIn or Twitter would be appropriate. This will give you an opportunity to identify with them before you actually meet them. Know what they look like and their standing points on trending issues.
Like researching the company on Google, plan what you will be looking for and leave out unnecessary information. The purpose of checking out an interviewer’s LinkedIn page is to gauge the questions they are likely to ask and improve your confidence.
4. Visit a recruitment company’s Advice page
Why? Most firms will have information on what you are likely to come across during the interview, mistakes that you should avoid or even success and failure stories from job candidates as well as other career advice. Use all this information as a point of reference in your preparation.
Some of these recruiters will even answer any queries you may have if you contact them directly.
As you research, do not forget to learn about the company’s competitors and what sets them apart. This could come in handy during the interview.
7 Basic Office Etiquette That Will Help You Build A Successful Career
SOURCE: Nairaland
Etiquette is a word that has the power to dredge up childhood memories of dinnertime reprimands: Elbows off the table! Napkin in your lap! Excuse yourself before leaving the table! Most of us likely have mastered table manners by now (or at least know not to talk with a full mouth).
But what about office etiquette? Did you know that there is work etiquette? Below are some of the most overlooked work related manners that you need to adhere to.
Etiquette Required At Your Workplace
1. Do not text or Facebook in the office
Hey… it’s just a quick text to a friend confirming your after-work plans. No problem there, right? If it happens during a meeting or presentation; as harmless as it may seem, the person you’re supposed to be giving your attention to will notice, and it can end up straining workplace relationships.
Even outside of a meeting, using social media and doing other personal stuff distracts from the work at hand. Bottom line: no one is that good at multitasking, and productivity will suffer.
2. Keep professional boundaries
For the most part, the days of private offices and high cubicle walls are gone. But does an open workplace mean personal space is a thing of the past? No. You should pretend that the walls are still there.
Send an e-mail to see if someone is available to chat, rather than just barging into their space, don’t sneak up behind someone, announce yourself as you approach and knock on the edge of their desk when you arrive. You should respect co-workers’ personal space.
3. Dress appropriately for work
Dress to fit the workplace. “You want to blend in,” “Fit in with those around you.” Use the boss as a gauge. If the boss comes in khakis and a short sleeve shirt, that’s a good indication that casual dress is appropriate for the office.
4. Excuse yourself to take personal Phone calls
That call may be important to you, but it’s not vital your co-workers. Just like gossip, loud phone conversations in the office can distract people from their work.
Phone conversations in the workplace should be kept down to a “polite murmur.” And if it’s a personal call, take it elsewhere. Also, don’t use a speaker phone (unless, of course, it’s necessary for the call).
5. Strive to learn something new
Confidence is good, but arrogance, is not. Don’t hold back your good ideas, but have respect for what people already have done at the company, even if you would have done it differently.
6. Don’t Job Search on company time
Don’t use company resources to look for new employment. It demonstrates a lack of respect and loyalty to your current employer. Also, remember not to tell co-workers about your job search. The information will leak out and can damage your position at your current job before you’ve found a new one.
7. Avoid gossiping in the office
Don’t be the source of gossip in the office — whether it’s about your life or someone else’s — or a participant in it. Gossip distracts people from their work and can create an unprofessional environment. You can deflecting gossip in the workplace – saying you’re too busy to chat, for example – and moving the conversation to a personal space, such as meeting for a drink after work.
CV Writing Tips : How Best To Highlight Your Work Experience
By Selipha Kihagi
Most candidates make the mistake of rushing into writing their CVs, such that they forget to sort out what they should include, what they should leave out and how best to articulate their work experience.
Quickly listing down the places you have previously worked and listing your duties & responsibilities in a careless manner may be the reason your CV was rejected, even when your skills are impressive. Employers are looking to hire candidates who are keen on their applications to identify what is relevant and what is not.
So, how do you highlight your work experience?
“Your work experience is basically the jobs you have had in your career so far and includes your duties and responsibilities in the positions, but how you present it on the CV will matter greatly to the hiring company,” says Florence Mukunya, a Professional CV Writer at Corporate Staffing Services.
To best convey your experience that makes you a suitable candidate, consider the following;
1. Your work experience should always be current
When writing your work experience, the very recent position should always be at the very top of the list. Employers or recruiting personnel receive large numbers of applications and will not be pleased if they have to read in between the lines to see where you worked last.
Employers are more interested in what you have been up to in the last 6 months, not 8 years ago. So, emphasize on your recent job.
2. Focus on the Major Duties, not each and every responsibility
You may want to show the hiring personnel that you are well qualified for the position by listing every single duty you performed in your previous job, but this can also be interpreted differently. To avoid misleading the employer, highlight only your major duties.
What does this mean? If you are applying for an accounting job, it is not necessary to include front office duties that you helped out with at your former company.
Focus on what the job requirements are, and also avoid repeating the same duties in the different positions. Where possible, leave out similar roles.
3. When your experience is too long, it’s okay to summarize
If you have worked at various companies and held different positions for a long time, it is okay not to include it all. For example, if you have held 8 or more positions in your accounting career, chances are that the duties & responsibilities are the same across the positions save for a few.
In this case, detail your duties for only the most recent positions then summarize the rest by just mentioning the position you held and the period.
Highlighting your work experience on the CV is not a difficult task, all you need is to understand what the employer is looking for (know this depending on the job description) then carefully list duties that are relevant and avoid too much repetition.
Let the employer know you took time in writing the CV by including something different for every role and using key words depending on your profession.
4 Ways To Get Noticed By Your Dream Company
By Sera Kazungu
It is neither an abnormality nor is it a daydream to have your sights set on working for a particular company. This is basically you having a career goal in mind. It is what keeps you striving to be the best at what you do.
If you are passionate about your goals, there are certain steps you have to take in order to ensure that you achieve them. Below are steps that will help you get noticed by companies that you covet working for.
Ways To Get Noticed By Your Dream Company
1. Make a list of important and relevant persons in the organisation
This sounds strange, but it is very workable. Making this list will make it easier for you to know who specifically you will need to impress. It will also give you a clear hierarchy of the organisational structure which will help you focus more.
Every company has people responsible for finding new potential hires. With the tools at your disposal, you can start looking for the persons who have a say in recruiting new hires. This involves recruiters as well since many big firms outsource their recruitment to agencies and consulting firms.
2. Participate in LinkedIn groups
The importance of LinkedIn in today’s job market cannot be underestimated. When properly used, it is a powerful job searching tool. Participating in your dream company’s Linkedin group gives you a chance to showcase your prowess . Show that you are worth a second and third listen.
Potential employers like innovation and ‘out of the box’ thinking. Use this to your advantage and always post comments that suggest growth or development to the company. Eventually, you may just get that call.
3. Volunteer at industry events.
Volunteering, apart from being a great way to learn new skills, is a great way to get noticed. Pick something you are passionate about and volunteer. You will be giving back to the community.
Charity organizations tend to have well-represented boards and plenty of ties to their local communities. You never know who will notice your charitable work.
4. Start a blog
Your passion should be your driving force in the blog. Share your recommendations about the industry and the company as well. However, be careful not to be too controversial as this will bring more negative attention your way than positive.
Stay focused and keep the blog as engaging as possible. It may one day open doors of employment for you.
Every goal you set for yourself is achievable. All you have to do, is decide how you want to get to your destination. Wishing you all the best in your job search.
What It Means To ‘Be Yourself’ In An Interview
Source: Ask A Manager
“I am a recent graduate looking for an entry-level job. I have been trying to prepare my answers ahead of time to some of the common questions, and I have examples of my previous work experience with things like “dealing with an angry customer” and all that.
I am trying to improve my interviewing skills because I am frustrated that I haven’t been hired anywhere, but my mother told me not to over-prepare and I should “be myself” and “say what I really think” instead of trying to tell them exactly what they want to hear. I’m not sure this is the best advice and I’m confused. What should I do?”
Well, it’s certainly true that you should be yourself rather than telling them what you think they want to hear, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t prepare. Thoroughly preparing and practicing for an interview is one of the best ways to do well in them. Let’s break this down a bit.
What “Be Yourself” Really Means In An Interview
“Being yourself” is important so that you’ll end up in a job and culture that’s a good fit for you, rather than one where you’re miserable or don’t do well. So that means that you shouldn’t hide your personality or put on a very stiff and formal interview persona. You need them to get an idea of what you’re going to be like to work with day-to-day, because if it’s not a good fit, you both need to know that now.
Otherwise you risk ending up in a job where you’re either uncomfortable with each other – or worse. For instance, if you’re naturally chatty and they hate chatty, it’s important that they see that in the interview so that you don’t end up in a job where they’re constantly nagging you to be less chatty, when you can’t. You might be thinking that you just want the job anyway, but truth is, you don’t want to work somewhere that wants you to be something you’re not.
Now, obviously, your professional self is probably a bit different from your social self. So “be yourself” really means “be your professional self.” You’re not going to slouch halfway down in your chair during the interview, or tell a dirty joke, or refer to a customer in bad faith, even if you do those things outside of work.
What you need is your professional self. You probably still have some personality at work, but you put a professional sheen on it, right? That’s the self you need to be in the interview. And if you haven’t had a job before and you’re totally baffled by all this, then just be warm, friendly, and polite. And considering you’re a recent graduate, just being really polite and eager to work — not eager to make money, counts for a lot.
However, none of this has anything to do with whether or not you work on your answers ahead of time and rehearse for the interview. Preparation is key to you doing well in an interview. Go through questions such as “tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry customer” or “tell me about a time when…” question.
Practicing answers ahead of time means that when you’re sitting in the interview and get asked one of these questions, you actually have a good answer ready, rather than trying to wing it and maybe not being able to come up with a good response right away.
That said, remember not to over-prepare. This is where you’re doing so much that you’re stressing yourself out. Ask yourself; is how you are preparing making you feel more confident? If you’ve passed the more-confident stage and gone into the agonizing-and-freaking-out stage, then you might want to pull back a bit.
In general, preparing is incredibly helpful and a good thing to do, even when you only need to be yourself.
4 Key Qualities Kenyan Employers Look For In Job Seekers
By Jane Okoth
As a job seeker, do you always wish you could unlock the “secret formula” to winning the hearts of Kenyan employers?
This is because every employer is looking for a specific set of skills that match the job requirements. However there are certain general skills are sought by nearly every employer.
So what are the most sought after skills that every employer is looking for nowadays?
Qualities Employers Seek In Job Seekers
1. Communication Skills
Have you ever wondered why most job advertisements specify that they’re looking for candidates with effective communication skills?
This is because it is the most important quality sought after by Kenya employers regardless of the profession.
The ability to listen, write, and speak effectively is a very critical component in any workplace setting.
2. Reliability
Are you the type of employee who is motivated by money rather than your career advancement? Can you be trusted to handle responsibilities and live up to the expectations of the employer?
Kenyan employers are looking for candidates who can be relied upon to do the job effectively.
If you are the type of person who keeps hoping from one job to the other, you may find it challenging to be considered for a job.
3. Leadership Qualities
This is a criteria used by a majority of the employers. A candidate with leadership qualities has the ability to manage him or herself with or without supervision.
How good are your leadership qualities? You will need to acquire this skill or work on it if you want to be in the list of the best candidates.
4. Willingness To Listen And Learn
It is obvious that employers want to hire professionals who have the skills necessary to do the job. However, that doesn’t mean there is nothing to learn while in the job. Being a Mr or Ms Know it all is not going to help your career.
Remember that every profession is dynamic and giving yourself a chance to learn will put you far ahead of other job seekers.
When you’re job hunting, you need the right skills, education, and experience. But that is not enough. The above skills are also what your potential Employers are looking for.
