careers
Learning to negotiate salaries during an interview can be quite a daunting task. Most people dread it since you don’t want to aim too high and lose out on the job or aim to low and risk selling yourself short.
Speaking to Mr. Tom Kamaliki HR Manager at ICAP Kenya, he shares some of the best tips on what these right ways are and what mistakes should be avoided.
To begin with, he states that all salaries are negotiable. “People have this mentality that it is only people in senior positions who can negotiate yet I myself have had to negotiate with people like drivers and cooks. So long as a job is salaried there is always room for negotiation. The only people that I can think of who don’t have the capacity to negotiate would be entry level job seekers or the likes of graduate trainees.”
In regards to what factors determine the need for salary negotiation, off the top of his head he can think of five.
One, the most obvious one is education and experience. “That will never lack in any negotiation and is a key determinant of the amount you will get”.
Two, cost of living. Should the cost of living be high, most definitely people would want a higher salary to cushion themselves.
Three, salary history. “As an employer I would want to know what you have been earning in the past so as to determine what amount would be appropriate to offer you in the future”.
Four, rare skills and industry. If you have a skill where only you and a limited number of people in your industry can perform such as nuclear physicists then that will work to your advantage.
Five, responsibilities and scope of the work. If you have a lot of duties or your job duties are major that would be a good reason for salary negotiation. For example if you have a high risk job that may involve you putting yourself in harm’s way and really adds to the value of your organization, salary negotiation would suffice.
What about mistakes? He says that, “I have seen instances where people go out and get masters degree and then approach me that they want a salary increment since now they’re over qualified. This never ends well in their favour since I can’t give such a person a pay rise.” If you want the salary increment, that Masters degree that you’re flaunting, has to first add value to the organization. If it doesn’t, then my friend you will end up talking to yourself.
Two, people need to check the requirements of the job they have before going for further studies. “There is no point in you getting a masters in a field where an employee with a diploma can get the same job. As an employer I wouldn’t give you the pay rise you requested but would rather hire the person with a diploma. More so if he’s more qualified and experienced then you are.”
Three, the wrong perception of an organization. “Some employees leave smaller companies for bigger ones thinking they will earn more since the organization is bigger. For example if a person leaves telecommunications company A for B, since B is bigger and it made let’s say 3.5 billion before tax, it doesn’t necessarily mean that now company B will be able to offer you 1 million.”
So what tips would he give an employee negotiating their salary? One, be confident in yourself, your experience and your skills. “Don’t be desperate and blurt out that you will take any amount since the economy is bad or that you have so many problems and need the money really badly. Stay professional”.
Two, do a proper survey of how much the pay is for people in your capacity and with your skills. That way you’ll be able to gauge your range and determine your worth.
Three, don’t ignore job interviews simply because the salary they’re offering isn’t what you think it should be. “After all, isn’t that why it’s called a salary negotiation? Just attend the interview and listen to what they have to say and who knows you could get a bigger and better job with a better salary than originally offered.”
His parting shot? Be confident and be flexible. Know your worth as an employee and what you’re willing to take. If there’s some room to flex, do so and don’t be too rigid.
By Selipha Kihagi
When was the last time you paid attention to the information in your employment contract? As a job seeker in Kenya, you may be too happy to get hired that looking through your employment contract appears a waste of time. Many people will only look at the salary details and if pleased, go ahead to sign without too much thought on the rest of the information. While this may appear innocent in the beginning, the impact of doing so will come to haunt you later.
You will want to call out your employer on a particular injustice but the contract you signed won’t let you. Taking leave for example; you may decide to accumulate your leave days so you can take them on a two weeks streak (as is provided for in the Employment Act), only for your employer to say no. Not because he or she is the worst boss, but because the employment contract you signed states otherwise. At this point you become helpless.
This and more is why you should always pay attention to the details of your contract.
Information Every Employment Contract in Kenya Should Have
1. Employee’s contact details and name of employer
The contract you sign should clearly state your name, age, permanent address, gender and any other contact information necessary. The contract should also include the name of the employer as an employment contract is between two entities; the employee and employer.
2. Your Start date, probation period and duration of contract
The employment contract you sign should have the actual date you commence working for the company and information on your required probation period. It should also state if and when you will be confirmed as a permanent employee and when the contract is to end.
According to the Kenya Employment Act, probation should not be more than 6 months but can go up to one year with the consent of the employee. This is why you should be keen on what your signature agrees to.
3. Place of work and responsibilities
Your employment contract should be clear on your duty station and other particulars related to your work. It should state if you will be required to travel from place to place and inform you of any transfers to come. Also, the duties and responsibilities for the role in question should be clearly stated. These duties are provided in detail in your job description, which should be part of the contract.
4. Remuneration details on the employment contract
Being that this is the section where most people pay attention to before signing the employment contract, be keen on the details included. According to Kenya’s Employment Act, every contract should provide information on the actual salary, method of calculating pay, any deductions to be made and other benefits such as insurance cover and allowances. Read more about what the Kenyan law says about salary here.
Also, it should be clear on when the salary will be paid and the method of payment. Will it be in cheque or bank transfer? Will you get paid every end month, beginning or every two weeks? So if your employer has not paid you in two months, refer back to your employment contract.
5. Working hours and leave days
Millenials today want to dictate the number of hours they work and most do not see the logic in clocking in at 8 and clocking out at 5. But even as this is the case, the employment contract should stipulate your expected working hours and if you will be required to work outside those hours. It should also clearly state your entitlement to leave days as well as information on how leave will be taken.
Remember to pay attention regarding the accruing of leave days as most companies will always mention this, with most referring you to company policy. It should also cover information on sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, as well as how the days will be calculated. If you work Saturdays, make sure to confirm if that is counted as a working day.
6. Termination of employment & disciplinary matters
This is the other key area when it comes to an employment contract in Kenya. To avoid any misunderstanding, the employment contract should be clear on the terms and conditions of termination. It should contain information on the notice period, grounds under which an employee can be terminated and pay entitlements thereafter.
The employment contract should also state clearly the disciplinary measures to be taken on an employee for any absenteeism or any breach of contract. Important to note though, disciplinary measures may not be provided for in the employment contract if a company has less than 50 employees.
7. Your employment contract should include information on changes
An employer is expected by law to document, in writing, any changes made regarding the employment contract you sign. The notifying of changes should be done not later than one month after the change is made. This particular information and other details on Company policy should be included in the employment contract you sign.
The employment contract covers the terms of your employment and by signing the document, you commit to every written word. So, to ensure you do not commit to something you wouldn’t be comfortable with, always read through the employment contract. And if you signed yours in a hurry, look back at what you agreed to so you are not taken by surprise at a later time.
Selipha is the Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm that offers free job placement and Career Advisory Services.
If you’re thinking about taking a new step in your career, your resume’s probably high on your mind. When’s the last time you updated it? How will you transfer the skills from your current job or industry to a new one? How will you set yourself apart from other candidates? How long and horrible will this revision process actually be?
Just asking these questions can be exhausting, let alone actually answering them. And, if you’re not fresh off the job search, the thought of thinking everything through and creating an interview-worthy resume can be exhausted.
Fear not! We’ve come up with the 20 basic rules that will get you that much closer to success.
1. Keep it to One Page
This is a biggie! If a hiring manager’s spending six seconds looking at your resume, he or she might not even get to the second page! Unless you’re applying to be an executive or a partner somewhere, one page will be sufficient and is a widely accepted “best practice.” To cut it down, remember the purpose of it—it’s not to showcase everything you’ve ever done, but rather to show that you have the background, skills, and experience for the job at hand.
2. Avoid Spelling or Grammar Errors
Another biggie. There are some recruiters who will discount your resume the second they see a spelling or grammar error. Although it can be painful, make sure you don’t just read over your resume several times, but also that you have a friend take a peek, too.
3. Watch Your Tenses
This is another common error that can really hurt you in the eyes of hiring managers. As a general rule, if something on your resume is in the past, use the past tense (managed, delivered, organized) and if you are still actively in the role, use the present tense (manage, deliver, organize).
4. Avoid the First Person Pronouns
As a general practice, don’t use words like “I” or “me” or “my.” So, instead of saying “I hit and exceeded company sales quotas 100% of the time” say “Hit and exceeded sales quotas 100% of the time.”
5. Send Your Resume as a PDF
Saving your resume as a PDF (rather than a Word and document) freezes it as an image so that you can be sure hiring managers see the same formatting as you. If you send it any other way, there’s a chance that the styling, format, font, and so on, could look different on their computer than yours.
6. Label Your Resume File Correctly
Too many people save this important document with random or generic file names like sgks123.pdf or resume.pdf. Remember that recruiters can see the name of the file that you send them and also remember that they get tons of resumes every day. Make it super clear whose resume they should click on by saving it under a logical name like FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf.
7. Format in a Logical Structure
Even more important than naming the file in a logical manner is laying out your resume in a logical manner. How you lay it out really depends on where you are in your career path and what you’re looking to do next. While chronological the default, it’s not always the best way to make your case. Muse writer Lily Zhang lays out the other options that might work better for you.
8. Make Sure It’s Easy to Read
You might be tempted to just shrink the text to get your resume to fit on a page. (Which is funny, because remember all those times in school when you made it 12.5 to make it longer? Life!) While you can adjust the size to some degree, never go below 10-point font.
9. Keep it Organized and Visually Appealing
Remember how hiring managers usually spend just six seconds looking at your resume? Help them maximize that time by making your resume super clear and easy-to-read. You want each section bolded (maybe capitalized) and each job title bolded. Make your life easier by using a template.
10. Keep it Consistent
Just like you want your verb tenses to be consistent throughout, it’s also important that the formatting is, too. If one title’s bold, the other titles should be bold. If one bullet point has a period at the end, the other bullet points should have that as well.
11. Include Context
When you list out your experience, be sure to include context. What city, state (or country) did this job take place in. Did you travel and operate in multiple cities? What dates did you have that experience? Was it for five months or five years? Context matters!
12. Quantify as Much as Possible
Anyone can say that he or she excelled at his or her last job. So, you need to prove to the hiring manager that you truly did. Numbers, percentages, and supporting facts go a long way in showing that you have a track record of success. For example, rather than saying “successfully hit sales quotas” as a bullet point in your resume you should say “successfully hit sales quotas 100% of the time and exceeded goals by 25% in the last 5 months.” You can even do this if your position doesn’t involve using numbers.
13. Name Drop (and Title Drop) Like You’ve Never Done Before
This is your chance to brag. If you got a promotion or a raise because of your performance, you should mention it. If you worked with the CEO of the company or were a point of contact for a large, corporate customer, mention their names! This goes a long way in showing that you can run with important people. It shows that you’re confident. It shows that you’re capable. (Of course, make sure you’re presenting the facts accurately and not exaggerating.)
14. Don’t Include References
Don’t use any of your precious space to include the names and contact info for your references (or to write things like “references available upon request”). This document’s for recruiters to decide if they want to talk to you, not your references. If they get to the point in the application process where they want to speak to these people, they will reach out to you and ask for those names. Until then, no need to mention.
15. Use Your Judgement When it Comes to Creativity
Some industries are more creative than others. If you’re working in digital media or design or elementary school education, it might make sense for your resume to be creative and colored. If you’re applying for a job in finance, operations, or most corporate jobs, you probably want to keep it black and white and structured. Be thoughtful when it comes to your creativity (or lack thereof).
16. Don’t List Everything You’ve Ever Done
There should be a purpose for every word. When you’re writing and editing, ask yourself this question, “Will this sentence help me get the job I want?” If not, you should consider editing that sentence or removing it.
17. Think About the Person Reading Your Resume
It’s important to remember that there’s a real person reading this. And it’s also important to remember that it’s her job to find awesome candidates to interview and present to her boss or team. It’s also not her job to do you any favors. So you should think about her when you’re writing your resume. How can you make her job easier? How can you write your resume in such a way that she gets excited when she sees it, thinks you’re perfect for the job, and is willing to put herself out there by presenting you to her team.
18. Think About What Makes You Different
It’s important that you be yourself during the application process (obviously putting your best foot forward). This includes what you write on your application materials. Don’t hesitate to show who you really are, your likes and interests, your personality, what makes you unique, and so on. While this definitely requires some judgment calls (for example, expressing personality when applying for a traditional role in a traditional industry might not be the best move) it could ultimately be the thing that sets you apart and gets you hired.
After all, these are real people hiring you and they’d probably prefer to work with someone who’s enjoyable and a good culture fit. And if your personality isn’t a fit for the job, you probably wouldn’t have been happy there any way so it works out for everyone.
19. Think About the Specific Job You’re Applying To
One of my favorite tricks to help communicate that you are the perfect person for a job is to read the job description and list out key phrases. Then, when you’re writing or editing your resume, find ways to incorporate those words and phrases from the desired job description into your resume. This can be super useful when a machine or human recruiter skims it.
20. Think of This as a Storytelling Document
Many of the tips that I’ve mentioned all point to the general idea that your resume should clearly and concisely tell the story of “you”—helping hiring managers understand why you’re the right person for the job. This is, in fact, the entire purpose. Ultimately, when you re-read and edit it, make sure that it tells the story of your background, the skills you gained along the way, the experiences that you’ve had, and makes it crystal clear why you’ve ended up where you are today and why the role that they are hiring for is the perfect next step for you.
Credit : themuse.com
By Selipha Kihagi
In a job interview in Kenya, it is very common for a candidate to encounter this interview question. In the case you do not get this exact one, the alternatives include, Why do you think you are the best candidate? Why are you the right fit for the position or the other one; what value would you bring to this position? These three interview questions are another way for recruiters and employers to ask “Why should we hire you?”
So, whichever format of the question you encounter, this interview question is meant to give you a platform to make your case. You may ace all the other interview questions, but if you are not sure or do not convince employers on why they should hire you instead of the other suitably qualified candidates, then you are ruining your chances. Find out in this article top interview questions & answers in Kenya.
Why is this Interview Question important?
Before you mouth whatever answer that comes to mind, you must first understand what interviewers want to learn about you through this question. Ask yourself, why is this question important in the job interview? What do the interviewers want to know? Your answers to these two questions should lean towards you marketing yourself for the position.
At this point, employers already know that you are qualified to do the job, but the question is; can you convince them you are the best? Below are 3 ways you can convince interviewers about your suitability through the question, why should we hire you?
3 Interview Answers to the question: Why Should We Hire You?
1. Emphasize that you meet all the requirements for the position
Interviewers will ask questions to see if you meet the requirements stated on your CV and if truly, you possess what the position wants. So, your answer could focus on a specific skill that was emphasized in the job description. For example;
“As I was going through the advert for this position, I realized that you were very specific on finding a candidate with FMCG sales experience. From my CV, you can see that I have 3 years sales experience working in Company X, which is in the FMCG industry but I believe what makes me stand out from the rest is my great people skills. Through this I can easily develop and maintain new relationships with colleagues, clients and even senior managers in my delivery process, which I believe would bring great value.”
2. Focus on your years of experience
The most important aspect of a new position is usually the experience. Employers have confirmed in a survey here that they will almost always give priority to candidates who have the experience they are looking for. Why? Employers don’t want to use a lot of time training new employees. So, if you have relevant experience, here is a sample answer;
“Well, I possess the 5 years accounting experience that you are looking for in this particular role, evidence of various achievements from my previous positions and expertise in using different accounting software. Also, from working in a very interactive environment in my most recent position, I developed great communication skills that will allow me to adapt quickly to a new environment and start contributing immediately.”
3. For new graduates, focus on your interest for the job
As a fresh graduate whose only experience lies in the industrial attachment you had in campus or the volunteer roles you picked up, focus on showcasing your confidence and interest in the role. When you don’t have much experience, being confident in the little you got will go a long way. Use this sample answer as a guide;
“When I was looking through the job posting, I noticed that you were very particular about someone with great communication skills. While I may be new to the job market and this particular industry, I worked as a receptionist and customer service representative during my industrial attachment where I was able to successfully interact with customers and clients.
I also tactfully responded to customer complaints, earning me congratulatory messages from my direct supervisor. I believe that this experience, my passion in customer service and attitude to excel in whatever I set my mind to makes me a great asset to your company.”
You may not have the experience but if you confidently gave such an answer, I doubt any interviewer would be hesitant to hire you. If these answers are not what you are looking for, this short video guide here gives you a guideline on what to remember when answering this question.
Was this article helpful? Let us know in the comments.
Selipha is the Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm that offers free job placement and Career Advisory Services.
Did you know that your personality is a key determinant when it comes to making career decisions? Your personality is what determines how well you will blend into a particular work environment or how much you will not. It is also because of your personality type that you either end up in a role that you love or one that you really hate, and also the reason you end up quitting a high-paying job to take up one that doesn’t pay as good.
With the changing Kenyan job market, employers are becoming very particular on the type of person they hire. That is why you will find some asking for psychometric test scores as part of their recruitment process. If you lack in this, then you risk losing to an equally qualified candidate who took time to find out their personality type.
So, do you know your personality type?
One of the ways you can identify with your personality is by taking a psychometric test, and if you are yet to be convinced, here is how your personality type determines your career success.
How Your Personality Affects Your Work
1. Your relationship with co-workers
Your co-workers usually play a big role in your career success or failure as they can either make your job easy or difficult. If you are able to get along well with your colleagues without constant irritation, then you probably enjoy going to work every morning even though you don’t like your job that much. But if you have a problem with your colleagues and keep wondering why they behave a certain kind of way, then you probably hate going to work even if you love what you do.
You cannot work well if you do not get along with your colleagues, especially if your job demands working in teams. By knowing your personality, you can choose the right job and working environment where you won’t have to worry about getting along with your colleagues.
2. Job Satisfaction
Most employees in Kenya hate what they do and the common reason why this is so is because they are not working in a place that matches their personality. If you do not like interacting with people on a daily basis and you work in a front office role, then you probably hate every waking day you have to work. The same applies to people who like being out and about but are stuck in a desk job from 8 to 5.
To achieve satisfaction, you should be in a position that allows you to do what you really love. And this is where knowing your personality comes in handy.
3. Simple Mistakes on the Job
Is your boss always calling you out on mistakes that you make in your daily tasks? Are the visits to your boss’ office for scolding on a project that went wrong or passed deadline more than the praises ?
If this is happening, then it may be time to re-evaluate what you are good at because you are clearly not good at what you do and the next thing that might be coming your way is a 2 weeks’ notice that you are fired. Consider taking a psychometric test today to figure out your personality and match the results to a career that best suits you.
4. Your personality type and getting a promotion
Everyone wants to get promoted or at least that is what most employees look forward to. A promotion usually means more pay, power and a corner office with a great view. Who wouldn’t want that? But for one to get a promotion, you must portray capability to deliver and in most cases that will mean more than a good performance. You might be the best performing employee but every time people get promoted, you never make the cut.
Most people get overlooked for promotions because of their personalities, which their bosses use as a determining factor. Knowing your personality can help you identify with this issue early enough and hence approach your boss in person to make your case. You never know; that could change your boss’ perspective on your leadership skills. Also, find out here why employers are asking for your psychometric test score today
Employers and recruiters will always take your personality into consideration when filling open positions, so it is up to you to make sure that you are applying to the right vacancy. Take a psychometric test today and identify with your personality so you land a role that puts you in the right direction to achieving success in your career.
Job opportunities in Kenya are always scarce, making job seekers go out of their way to find ways in which they can stand out in their respective careers. Anyone not finding jobs can relate to the fact that it’s difficult to standing out from the crowd, especially when most people have the same qualifications as you do. But one proven way you can achieve that is by advancing your career by either taking up an added course or learning a new skill, which may require money that you do not have.
So our question today is, can you advance your career without spending money? In one of our articles that touched on tips on how to avoid being idle during your job search, a reader wanted to know how they could grow their career when they had no money.
“How can a job seeker advance his/her career yet he doesn’t have money?” wrote Justus Mwangangi.
Many job seekers can identify with Justus question. Job hunting can sometimes be an ugly experience especially if you have no source of income. You can hardly afford to print out your CV let alone having money to finance a career growth venture.
According to Michael Gacha, Recruitment Assistant at Corporate Staffing Services, it is possible for one to grow their career without money, and even earn a little from it.
“It is not always about advancing your education that you can grow your career. Just like anyone who pays a lot to go back to school for a masters degree or a CPA certification, there are many opportunities at your disposal to grow your career where you don’t spend any money,” Mr Gacha affirms.
Here are ways in which you can grow your career without spending.
Ways You Can Grow Your Career Without Spending
These tips go for both people in employment and those yet to land a job. They will guide you to gain invaluable skills and experience without paying any money.
1. Free online courses
There are many online courses offered by virtual institutions in the likes of Future Learn, a virtual institution that offers training ranging from weeks to months across different professions. All professionals ranging from administration, IT, finance and so on can find suitable courses that are given for free. edX is the other virtual university that offers graduate degrees for working adults and students interested in advancing their education while continuing their career.
For IT professionals, there are always free tutorials that you can download on your personal devices to gain invaluable skills in the dynamics of technology.
2. Side hustles
Most people look for side hustles to get an extra coin to boost their regular earning. You did not know however that a side hustle can really boost your career growth.
An IT professional who designs websites for individuals and companies during as a side hustle gains invaluable experience and skills they that can work wonders on their career growth.
Today also, people take up online jobs to boost their earnings. For communication professionals for instance, one can join the online translators groups to earn from translating projects from one language to another. An example is Proz.com. Apart from the money you make from such online jobs, you stand to gain a lot in terms of your communication and translation skills for this matter.
The list is endless including developing content for big wigs, online research for big companies, and so on.
3. Networking
Networking is another way you can grow your career without paying a single cent. You establish connections within your career field. Here, you can get wind of developments within your career, any job openings, and the skills you need to be at par with and so on.
For IT professionals for instance, it is important to network on all avenues including LinkedIn, twitter and other platforms as you will need to know the latest developments in technology that is always changing.
4. Volunteering
Hardly will you come across an organization calling for job seekers to pay for an opportunity to volunteer. Few place job adverts that let you know that your time as a volunteer will be unpaid. In a majority of organizations in Kenya however, you are even given stipends to allow you a smooth volunteering experience.
As we already established, there is no better way to grow your career in terms of skills and experience than by volunteering. And as Mr Gacha advices, if you are an accountant, you can volunteer within an NGO during your free time to boost your career and even make your CV more impressive. During volunteering also, you gain important contacts that can boost you career growth especially when looking for future opportunities.
The importance of growing your career cannot be overemphasized if you want to stand out among fellow professionals. Sometimes even without money, there are steps you can take to grow your career, which will be worth your sacrifice.
They say desperate times call for desperate measures but how far would you go to get what you want? Welcome to the reality of unemployment in Kenya. As you know, there are far too many graduates in Kenya but where are the jobs? With too many job seekers for limited job openings, it is going to take more than just sending out applications and waiting for that magical call.
This is why Kenyan graduates have resorted to unorthodox ways of escaping unemployment. This has been witnessed in the last couple of months, where job seekers will do anything in the hope to be noticed by employers.
Earlier in June, Gilbert Mutai, an Electrical Engineering Graduate at the Technical University Of Kenya took an unconventional path in his desperate job hunting mission. Mr Mutai, in his efforts to seek employment, took to the streets of Nairobi to ask for employment after repeated failed attempts. He hoped that luck would come his way while holding a placard on the streets and asking for employment.
“I have been applying for employment for the last one year to no avail and yet I was one of the top students in my class,” he said. Luckily for him, this was not in vain because he later started receiving several calls from people telling him to send his CV for job interviews.
In another case this week, Patrick Muthomi, an Accounting Graduate also took the same direction by camping at Muthaiga Road with a placard asking for employment. His placard also outlined his qualifications and contact details.
Mr Muthomi graduated from Chuka University in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Bachelor’s of Commerce, Accounting option. He also has a certificate in CPA section 4. According to Muthomi, he had made more than 200 job applications but received no reply prompting him to take such desperate measures. Read more on job application mistakes here
But are these measures necessary and do such attention seeking stunts work for job seekers? The 2 cases above depict the reality of unemployment in Kenya. Things are tough out there and as a job seeker, you need to stand out from the crowd. For Gilbert, his method seemed to work but we are not sure about Patrick’s case.
Why Graduates Are Taking Extreme Measures To Find Jobs
According to Mercy Kamau, undertaking such a process may be fruitful after all.
“What may seem crazy to one employer may be courageous to another one,” she says. “I would encourage them to take the path because they are better off compared to some graduates who will just sit and wait for things to happen.”
Charles Wekesa is of the opinion of giving the idea a shot because you have nothing to lose. “The rejection of employers is very discouraging and knowing how crazy the job market in Kenya is, such a method is very much welcome,” he says.
Have you ever landed a job in an impressive way? What are you doing extra in your job search? Share your story below
Jane is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Email [email protected] for any queries.
By Selipha Kihagi
We all have our passions and that particular thing we are really good at. For you it may be that you are great in Maths or engaging customers, it could be that being a personal Assistant appeals to you or waiting tables is part of your forte. But is what you like doing palatable enough to stay as your only career? Most of the times the answer to this question is usually no since transforming a passion into a full blown career is not always easy. And even when it works out well and you get the job, sometimes the universe works against you and you are back where you started.
For these and more reasons to be discussed below, it is recommended that you always have a plan B in your Career; something you can fall back on if your main gig ever fails you. Let’s say you graduated with an Accounting degree and were too excited about starting your search, only to find yourself jobless 2 years down the line. Where do you start? Do you go back to school and start a course? Another case would be after you have worked for a couple of years but realize along the way that you don’t really like the job you are in and want to change careers. What do you do next?
In such situations, only those who had a fall back plan will know what to try out next. So, are you still wondering what I am going on about? Below are reasons why you need to have a Plan B in your career. It doesn’t have to be a totally different career, no. It can be another job in the waiting or even a side hustle.
4 Reasons You Need to Have a Plan B
1. You might encounter a change in leadership
If there is one thing that makes people get back into the job market will all the energy they got, it is a change in leadership. You are used to one boss who does things a certain way and then that suddenly changes. You get a new boss whose ideologies you don’t believe in, leadership style you don’t care for or even they start to switch up your roles – and this is if they don’t end up firing you. At such a time you are only left with one option – to quit.
But even as this decision is clear, if you never had a plan B in mind, you might be stuck in a job you hate for a very long time. They say; “fall in love with your job but not your company, because you never know when they stop loving you”. Once you get hired, do not assume that you are now settled in. Have a plan B to fall back-up plan.
2. You are in a dead-end job
Unfortunately, some professions do have a climax and a position where you cannot go any further up the ladder. The only thing you can do at that time is change between organizations, only with the same roles and nothing more to move on to. There are also those other jobs that anybody else can do and don’t require any special expertise to perform. In such a role you can be replaced anytime.
If you are in one of these roles, it may be very hard for you to know what to do next and this is how you find people who had employed at a particular time becoming jobless. Why? They never had a fall back plan. Ask yourself; if I was not in this job, what would I be doing? If your answer does not convince you, it is time to have a plan B for your career.
3. You need to have a plan B if you are in a jumpy industry
For a while now, the hotel industry has been suffering, letting go of their employees left, right and centre. The industry also experience fluctuating times where it is doing very well at a particular time, but the next time everything is falling apart. Then there are those industries that are losing interest as technology continues to advance and introduce new ways of doing things.
Ask yourself; how steady is the industry you are in? Are you in an industry that is growing or are you always looking over your shoulder expecting a tide to render you jobless? Then when you have your answer, make plans to have a plan B that promises you a way out when things get tougher.
4. You are not in the right career
Ever woken up one morning and asked yourself what you are doing in your job? Some people will confirm to having done this one time or the other and they can’t seem to find anything good in their career. At this point, you probably start realizing that you could have made a better communications person instead of an Accountant. Then you start to notice skills and passions that you never really knew existed when pursuing your degree or in the first days in your job.
If you have experienced this kind of a feeling, that is a red flag that you are in the wrong career and need to change the soonest time possible. When you have a plan B in mind, the process becomes easier. But if you don’t, then it is one complex situation you do not want to be part of.
To have a plan B is very crucial for every person, not just those who are not sure of what they want as a career. You could think you have your career all figured out, only to encounter situations out of your control that forces you to think about changing careers. The last thing you want is to deal with this later in life without a plan in mind.
Selipha is the Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm that offers CV Writing services, free job placement and Interview Coaching. Email; [email protected]
A while back I mentioned how smart job seekers are usually the ones that get the good jobs, their dream jobs if you may. Some of our readers called me to it, concerned by what ‘smart job seekers’ actually meant, and today I am going to explain this in yet another article.
Being a smart job seeker means that you understand how the process of getting a job works, in and out. You are well acquainted with the job search process, the job application stage, how to get through a job interview and how best to impress a potential employer. By being smart, a job seeker can’t be caught off guard making mistakes that could have easily been avoided. You know how to get the job, and you will do everything right to get it.
Are you this kind of job seeker? If you are still trying to figure it out, below are traits that every smart job seeker possesses and you shall too, if you take your career seriously.
Traits That Smart Job Seekers possess And You Should Too
1. Smart job seekers know the best job search techniques
Smart job seekers know that making random applications to jobs they think they are qualified for don’t usually work. For it to work and get called to the interview, your qualifications must match what employers are looking for in the job. They also know that networking is the most effective of techniques when it comes to getting a job.
In his book, “The Smart Job Seeker”, Perminus Wainaina, the Managing Director and Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services says, “Networking is a key process in job seeking, job keeping, and position advancement. It is necessary that job seekers give greater attention to this process as competition for good jobs grows.”
He also adds that for job seekers to become smart, they must learn the art of cold calling, where you sell your skills to employers without there being even a job opening. Then they can proceed to talk to recruiters directly, attend career fairs and do online searches.
2. They understand the selection process just as recruiters
Smart job seekers are different from other job seekers in that they are well acquainted with the hiring process. They know what employers are looking for in the CV when selecting suitable candidates for the interviews and know very well how to edit their CVs so they make it to the Yes lot.
These job seekers also understand that for your CV to be included in the Yes or Maybe pile, it should be among the first ones that the recruiter sees and it should be catchy. Applying to jobs early with an impressive CV increases a candidate’s chance of being invited for the interview. So, are you the kind that applies early or the kind that applies close to the deadline?
3. Smart job seekers know how to impress recruiters in the interview stage
Have you been to an interview and wondered why you did not get the job but someone else did? Did you wonder what they saw in her or him that you didn’t have? Well this happens more times than you think and the minute you understand what that determinant is, the quicker you’ll start getting the jobs.
To be smart about the interview, you must be familiar with what answers work for each question, what makes employers and recruiters decide on a candidate and most importantly, what makes an interviewer not forget you. For more on how to pass a job interview, read this article here.
4. Smart job seekers know how to build relationships for a job in the future
Frustrations in the job search process can lead candidates to give up or become desperate for any job. This happens a lot, and while this can be disheartening, employers are repelled when job seekers appear desperate. You can read more about that here. If someone promises you a job today and they don’t deliver, don’t hold it against them. Instead, ask them to let you know when they hear of something.
The same applies when you attend an interview but don’t get the job. If you did your best and walked out believing you had the job but didn’t get it, make sure you call back and ask the interviewer or recruiter if they can recommend you for another position or consider you for a future job. Some people have had this work in their favour, so try it out and see how it goes. This is especially if you are trying to get a job through a recruitment firm as they are likely to have a similar position come up sooner that you expect.
Smart job seekers know what jobs they want, they know who to talk to so they can get it and are well acquainted with the avenues that work best. They also know that networking and building long lasting relationships will always work, even if it is not immediately.
If you are still trying to figure out your job search process, you might want to consider reading the ‘Smart Job Seeker’ Book. Get in touch for a copy.
Selipha is the Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm that offers CV Writing services, free job placement and Interview Coaching. Email; [email protected]
By Selipha Kihagi
Once you get past the selection process and a recruiter or hiring manager invites you for an interview, it is time to impress. Most people make it to the interview stage due to their well-tailored CVs, only to lose the job to other candidates. If you are a victim, you must have considered what it is you did wrong and at some point even blamed the employers for not getting hired.
The reality though is that the candidate who got hired was better prepared for the interview than you were. So, to help you increase your chances of getting hired after an interview, below is a list of more interview questions and answers to expect. You can find our first series of common interview questions and answers in this article here.
What More Interview Questions and Answers Should You Expect?
How you answer interview questions helps recruiters and interviewers decide whether you are the best candidate for the job or not. That is why thorough interview preparation is recommended for every single position. It will not matter if you went for a similar interview in the past week, lack of preparation will ruin your chances. Here are interview questions and answers to help you prepare;
1. Why do you want to work for us?
An alternative to this interview question would be why do you want this job? When faced with this question, the first thing to remember is that the employer or interviewer is interested in your motivation.
Think back to the time you encountered the position, what convinced you to submit an application? Use that in your answer and remember to add why you think the company is a best fit for you. Employers enjoy a little flattery.
An ideal answer would be; “I enjoy interacting with people and helping them find solutions to problems is always a great satisfaction of mine. I am also very passionate about technology and I love how your company is leveraging new technology to improve education. It is for these reasons that I want to join your customer service team.”
2. Why did you leave your last job?
This falls among the most tricky interview questions and answers of all time. If you are a fresh graduate then you need not worry about this particular question. But if you were recently fired, quit unceremoniously or resigned to start your own business but things didn’t work out, then you should worry about how to answer this interview question.
For those who were fired, you must own up to it and let the potential employer know you have taken measures to make sure you don’t go down the same road. If you quit, then tell the employers why and link your reason to what the current role is offering.
Ideal answer if you were fired; “Unfortunately the company experienced losses in revenue and had to downsize. I was among the recently hired employees in my department and did not have the front office experience needed to double up in roles. As a result, my position was one of those eliminated. I learned that my strengths lie in creating and developing marketing campaigns and I believe I would make a great asset in this particular role.”
3. Do you have any questions for us?
When it comes to interview questions and answers to expect, this one will always come up. Two things to remember; never say you do not have a question or ask about salary. Posing questions to recruiters demonstrates your interest in the role and asking about salary will only discredit your suitability.
To ensure you do not ruin your chances, always have several questions ready and avoid asking something that has already been tackled during the interview. Ideal questions to ask would be; “Could you tell me more about what a typical day in this role looks like?” or, “What growth opportunities can I expect in this role?”
Also, Perminus Wainaina the Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services recommends that you ask one of these two questions; “Is this role an existing or new position?” or “How did this position become vacant?”
4. Most Tricky of Interview Questions and Answers; When can you start?
The interview is never over if the recruiter or employer haven’t asked, when are you available to start? It is one of the interview questions and answers that will always come by and sometimes candidates have interpreted this to mean they were successful. This however is not always the true.
Employers and recruiters ask this question to tell if you are desperate or to gauge your motivation. Since the last thing you want to do is look desperate – never a good sign for employers – here is how to answer. If you are not currently employed and can start right away, avoid saying you can start immediately. Say you can start soon but would need a day or two to put your things in order.
If employed, you could say; “My employment contract allows me to give a 30-day (or two weeks) notice and I would like to ensure a smooth handover to my replacement.” You can learn more about how to answer this question in this short YouTube video guide.
Interview questions and answers can be tricky and even become the reason you get nervous and ramble through your responses. But if you put in time to do intensive interview preparation, you can be sure to impress employers and get hired.
Selipha is the Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm that offers CV Writing services, free job placement and Interview Coaching. Email; [email protected]
Got queries on job interviews, leave a comment and we will do our best to answer.
By Selipha Kihagi
Acing an interview for a position you really want can be difficult. You could get too excited about making it to the interview that you allow anxiety to cripple your confidence. And not only will you be required to give right answers, but you will also need to ask the interviewer good questions. When the interview is almost done and the interviewer asks, Do you have any questions for me? You should have ready a set of questions. But do you know which questions will work in your favour and which ones will ruin your chance?
The right interview questions to ask the hiring manager or recruiters will vary across different categories. You could ask about the position, the hiring company, employer expectations or even some directed at the interviewer. No matter the interview questions you choose to ask, always remember that these questions are meant to leave a good lasting impression. So decide on the interview questions carefully and if not sure consult an interview coach.
Without further ado, here are good interview questions you can ask recruiters in an interview.
Top Interview Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
As you go on with your interview preparation, here are interview questions you can choose from.
1. Questions about the position
When asking about the job or position, the number one rule is to never ask an obvious question or one that was already discussed in the course of the interview. If you ask something that was already covered in the interview, the hiring managers will not take you seriously. So, think about something extra you would want to know about the position that was not in the description or not mentioned during the interview.
Good questions to ask about the position would be;
Can you tell me how exactly this position became vacant? Asking this question will help portray you as confident with your potential employers, especially if they had any doubts about you earlier.
What exactly would be expected of me if I were hired in this position? The upside of asking this question to ascertain that you will not come to any surprises once hired. An advertisement for a position only tells so much and sometimes does not really cover everything you will be required to do. This question helps you make sure.
2. Questions about the Company or Organization
Another area you could query the interviewers on is the organization. This helps you identify with the company culture before deciding if it is the right working environment for you. So here are questions you can ask about the company and learn more in this article what to research on about the organization.
What would you say is the greatest value for organization Y and how will my role help in realizing this? Everyone has something they believe in when it comes to what they can do and what they can’t. This question will help you determine if the values of the company matches with yours.
Can you tell me how this organization measures performance? Every role has its expectations and what you are expected to have done over a certain period of time. So, if they have not mentioned this so far, take the time and ask about how success is measured. Most employees struggle in their roles when management gets it wrong with measuring performance.
3. Questions for your interviewer
When you really want to impress the interviewers and keep them remembering you, making the questions you ask to be about them can work well in your favour. So, think carefully what you would like to know about the interviewers without going overboard. It is one of the best ways to relate with the organization and understand the culture.
What to ask;
Can you tell me what you enjoy most about working here? By asking this question, you put the recruiters on the spot. Now please remember that this question should only be asked when interviewing at the organization you will be working for and not during your first interview at a recruitment firm. If they are struggling to come up with a response, then you will probably have a hard time too. This will help you understand if working for the company will be interesting or a hard hitting process for you.
Do you have any misgivings regarding my suitability for this position? This may be one of the most important questions for you as a job seeker. Think about it; if in case you miss out on the position, you can always know where you fell short and work on it the next time. It will also show the interviewers that not only do you want to get hired, but you are willing to learn and improve on areas you lack in.
These are only a few of the good interview questions you can ask the interviewer, and we will be adding more to help in your interview preparation. Important to remember though, is that the interview questions you choose to ask will determine how confident, qualified or committed you are to that particular role.
Selipha is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm offering CV Writing Services, free job placement and Interview Coaching. Email: [email protected]e
At a past job, I started to have major concerns about the company where I was working. These apprehensions went far beyond my specific job; they related directly to how the business was run and how employees were treated.
And, yes—you better bet it’s scary to publicly admit I disliked (and sometimes loathed) the place that provided me with a salary and health benefits. As a naturally optimistic, silver-lining-seeking individual, it just wasn’t a comfortable situation to be in. At all.
I found myself complaining incessantly, listing off every single aspect I disapproved of. I did eventually choose to seek employment elsewhere, but it took a long time to make that decision. And, the truth is, even if you’re in a toxic relationship with your place of work, parting ways just may not be in the cards for you any time soon. But hating on the organization non-stop? Well, that can end up leading to one (or more) of these three undesirable situations.
1. You’ll Become a Problem Child
Unfortunately, your employer doesn’t need you as much as may think. It’s nothing personal; it doesn’t mean you don’t matter. You do. What it does mean is that, like it or not, your company would be just fine without you. And, frankly, if you become a bad seed, it’ll probably be even better off.
Because “these days, corporations are placing more and more importance on company culture. If you make it a habit to speak negatively about your company or its management, you are not doing yourself any favors,” says Steven Tulman, founder of DWOM Media. And Tulman would know—he was once fired because his “toxic attitude became a liability to the company.”
Even if you do eventually want to go somewhere else, you don’t want badmouthing to unnecessarily burn some bridges along the way. And trust me—it certainly has the power to do just that. “Whatever the situation,” shares Tulman, “you will get further ahead in life by communicating respectfully and effectively with others,” rather than allowing your gloomy demeanor control your behavior.
2. Your Co-workers Won’t Want to Be Around You
There’s only so much whining you can do before your colleagues start tuning you out and dreading your presence. In a Forbes article, Selena Rezvani, author of Pushback: How Smart Woman Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want, says “Not only is it bad for others’ health and welfare to listen to you,but you’ll find that colleagues will think twice before being linked to you. They know they don’t have a lot to gain from being partnered with a glass-half-empty kind of thinker.”
In addition to not having a lot (or anything) to gain, you also won’t be that fun to be around. Because even if they share the same views as you, your co-workers may choose to not obsess over them 24/7. And, if their views are different altogether, then you’re just forcing your negative ones upon them. (Which is rude. And annoying.)
For example, think about a time you really liked a movie, told your friend about it, and he went on to rant about how horrible he thought it was. The actors were the worst, the plot was see-through, and watching it was the most painful two hours of his life. That doesn’t feel so great, does it? No—it doesn’t.
Bottom line: No matter how others feel, it’s just not enjoyable or beneficial to spend time with someone who’s always shrouded in pessimism.
3. You’re Standing in the Way of Your Own Success
If you devote too much time talking everyone’s ear off about how awful your firm is, or even if you dedicate too much of your brain space to thinking about it, then you’ve taken your eye off the prize. You’ve chosen to let your grievances consume you, and that will divert your focus from more important things. Like doing your job well, being a reliable team member, and most importantly, figuring out the next step in your career.
“There is one main key to finding success in today’s market that applies, no matter what field you are in, or what you are looking to accomplish,” says Richard Lorenzen on The Huffington Post, CEO and founder of Fifth Avenue Brands and co-founder of AchieveIconic.com. “This is a positive attitude. If you have a positive attitude and maintain a positive way of thinking, you can end up finding much more success than you ever imagined.”
“Unfortunately, many people are plagued with negative thoughts, and are constantly thinking negatively and letting these thoughts and ideas hold them back.” According to Lorenzen, this constant stream of cynicism can prevent you from achieving ultimate success. And that’s no good, is it?
Just like me, you may have to come to terms with the fact that you simply can’t stay positive because you’re that unhappy. And if that’s the case, you’ll just need to start planning your exit strategy. But remember: Even if you’re planning on leaving, you want to make sure you quit with grace. In other words, don’t spew disparaging verbiage all over the place from now until your last day. That won’t do anybody any good.
As Rezvani says, “It’s not that there’s no place for disappointment, anger, or annoyance at work. But I can guarantee you that your complaints are not doing you or your career any favors. If they were, people would label them ‘proposals,’ ‘negotiations,’ ‘solutions,’ or ‘suggestions.’”
Credit : themuse.com
How to answer a question you don’t know is usually a great challenge even for those with tons of experience. Have you been to a job interview and the interviewer asks you a question you clearly don’t have an answer to? Or maybe the interview question is too direct and the only answer you have to the question is No or mere silence?
This happens to most of us, especially when we think we did our best during our interview preparation. And because you do not want to appear ignorant or not qualified for the position, some choose to tell a simple lie while others keep silent. Either of these two options is a very wrong answer. How to answer a question you don’t know will need you to have a back-up response, portraying you to the employer as still qualified, even when you are totally clueless. What does this mean?
If an interviewer for example asks you if you have worked with a particular software or program before, and you either don’t know about the program or have never used it, there is only one way to answer this question. Your answer should show your interest to learn more about the program and this post continues to explain more.
How to answer a question you don’t know in an interview
When tasked with an interview question like the one above or one you clearly have no clue about, the number one thing to remember is not to lie. Why? You could say, “Yes I am familiar with the program” only for the interviewer to follow up with a step by step question on using the program. At this point you will probably be sweating too much that the only answer you can come up with is silence or mumbling words. To avoid all this, always be truthful with your responses.
But even as you are being truthful, avoid answering the question with a plain “No, I am not familiar with that term or program” and keeping quiet. This will disqualify you before you can even ask the great questions for the interviewer.
Your answer to a question you don’t know
When the interviewer asks you about a program or particular experience you clearly don’t have, take time and think about what you do know that relates to what they are asking. For example, when asked if you are familiar with program Z, think about the program. Have you heard of it before? Are you a fast learner that could adopt the basics with ease?
Once you have taken a few seconds to think that through, you could say; “No, I am not familiar with program Z, but in my recent position my department switched to a new program that I had not used before and I was able to interact with it in no time. I am always looking to grow and learn new things and interacting with a new program would be a fascinating experience for me.”
Not only does this type of answer portray that you are honest and willing to learn, it also shows the interviewer that you are excited to take up the new role. So even when you clearly do not know the answer, the interviewer is still convinced that you are suitable for the role. How to answer a question you don’t know will depend on the extent to which you prepared for the position in question. And good interview preparation means that you also prepare for questions you might not know the answer to.
Bottom-line
An interview question you don’t have an answer to could be about anything. It could be a definition to a term you have not heard before or about current affairs in your industry. Instead of going into panic and giving a response of silence or plain no, let your answer have depth by focusing on what you do know.
When you don’t have an answer to a current affairs interview question for example, you could say; “I am not familiar with that yet, but I have been learning more about x, y and z.” You cannot keep up with every little thing in your industry and the interviewer will understand that. But also, you cannot be totally clueless, so refocus your answer to something you’ve been following up on that relates to your industry.
The writer is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services. Visit Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke
