Recurring career themes you'll encounter when choosing a career, changing careers or building a career:
Career development is a lifelong process that encompasses everything from choosing a career and selecting your work place to building your career and changing careers. It really never ends. There are even executive coaches out there who help those at the top of the corporate ladder to navigate the sometimes choppy career waters! No matter where you are in the process, whether you're researching careers or moving through your career, you'll find that certain themes pop up again and again. We'll be digging in to each of these themes over time here at Careers Out There. For now, I'll give you a brief overview of some of the themes that pop up a lot. To provide examples of each theme in action, I'll share my personal experiences below. Please share yours in the Comments section!
What interests you?
You definitely want to look in the mirror and ask yourself this question. Also ask your friends and family what they think interests you. This is something that can change a lot over time so keep asking the question. Work can feel more like play if your career path matches your interests – and I always say success is when you don't know whether you're working or playing.
Skill assessment
Napoleon Dynamite knew he was good with a bow staff but wasn't otherwise aware of his skills. What are your skills? Recognizing what you’re good at is key to finding the right career fit. It took me a few years of working to realize that my strengths included being a persistent, detail-oriented, trustworthy good listener who could effectively meet and connect with new people and help them. When I learned that that combination of skills makes a good salesperson, I pursued a sales-related path. That fit helped me both enjoy my work and make money – always a nice combination.
Following your dreams
You'll have to balance this route by making many sacrifices but it can be done and achieved! Life is short…do you want to look back one day and say, "if only……"? The "if only" way of thinking can take over your mind.
Networking
Always necessary no matter what you do for a living. Networking is technically meeting with people and establishing a mutually beneficial relationship. I look at it as just keeping a high profile, always letting people know what you're looking for, and helping to connect others to what they're looking for. Careers are grown this way. Businesses are built this way. Friendships are founded this way. If you don't do this, you will suffer. For some, it's a skill that needs to be learned. Musicians, other artists and introverts typically need a major push to embrace this. For extroverts like me, it comes naturally – I never think "I'm networking now." I just like connecting people to other people and/or opportunities and hope that karma (and a little push) leads them to do the same for me.
Informational interviewing
This is an amazing way for you to meet new people and learn about the different careers out there. There is no job opening – you're meeting with someone to learn about his or her particular profession. I've gone on tons of these – first with music industry executives and later with professionals in other fields in the course of career change research. I've actually been hired and met some of my friends this way. The relationships you build through informational interviewing can get you access to job openings before they're even made public!
Interviewing
Be yourself. Be the best you that you can be. Be prepared. Ask questions. As a recruiter, I coached hundreds of people on their interviewing. I'll have lots to share with you on this topic. For now, check out this video featuring job interviewing tips and don't miss this article on how to interview with confidence.
Secondary education
Formal education beyond high school is often needed to get the career path you want. This might mean visiting a skills center or attending community college, college and/or grad school. I've seen people limit their own career growth potential because they never got that license or certification for the path they wanted….or that college or grad school degree.
Salary issues
Sometimes you have to choose whether to go for the high-paying job and the sacrifices that come with that (long hours, tons of pressure) or the job that better fits your passions and lifestyle but pays less. I chose to follow my passions after graduation by joining the music industry – I definitely sacrificed a fat paycheck.
Paying your dues
You can't avoid this. We all know people who got incredibly lucky and barely had to pay any dues….but that's the exception. Just as many lounge around waiting for lucky lightning to strike. As a kid, my mom always told me that "nobody in life owes you anything." It's true. When you're new to the working world, whether working for someone else or trying to build your own thing, you should be prepared to start from ground zero and get your hands dirty. Sure, being paid poorly and filling the bottom rung on the ladder isn't much fun. But if you spend that time working hard, acting like a sponge and staying focused, you'll be happy later when you've got a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to build on.
Entrepreneurship
Working for yourself can be an amazing experience on many levels. I’ve gone back and forth between working for myself and for others. I believe both routes have their merits. I’ve pursued my own ventures that were fun (band management), went nowhere (a music TV program for university cable channels; a music business education service), and were both gratifying and lucrative (attorney recruiting).
Putting family first
Sometimes you have to choose between career growth and taking care of personal business. This might mean debating whether to accept a promotion that would give you less time to spend with your spouse or kids. In my case, in the same week the music dot com I worked for went under, my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Rather than keeping my career going by jumping to the next opportunity, I moved back to Chicago to be a caregiver and help my mom fight for her life.
Career Change | Choosing a new career path
Pursuing new interests and reinventing yourself can be a great feeling. Don't let it scare you! Change is your friend. I was in an industry (music) that changed, as did my goals and interests. The time came when I thought it was important to find a new path that fit my new goals and interests. That led to my joining the attorney recruiting/career industry which led to having my own successful business and earning the kind of money I felt I was worth. Embrace change! You can start by checking out this video on making a career change.
Getting laid off
A risk you always take when working for others. Thanks to working in the ever-shrinking music industry, I have experienced more layoffs than most people! “We’ve decided to eliminate your division of 85 people.” “We’re being acquired by a giant conglomerate and they only want to keep 10% of us.” Been there, done that….and I’m still standing and laughing about it. So can you. (See Networking…or Reinventing yourself).
Career Tests
After my mom died and I decided not to return to the music industry, I took the Myers-Briggs® MBTI® personality type assessment. I found it really empowering to get that perspective about myself. I advise everyone to take reputable career tests. We make that assessment as well as the iStartStrongTM inventory available here for your benefit.
Volunteer work
This is a great way to give back to your community and reward your soul. Some also use this for networking, getting to learn new skills or to flex certain muscles that the rest of their life doesn’t use. Amongst other things, I sit on the volunteer board of an amazing non-profit in L.A. that funds the cancer research of young, up-and-coming scientists around the world called Concern Foundation. Concern is a grassroots organization that has raised over $42 million in 42 years and only spends 5% on administration costs! Volunteer experience may be the key to your next job.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Key Phrases and Words That Shouldn't Be In Your Resume
In the process of creating your resume, you want to look professional, present the best image possible and find ways to stand out. There are several common words and phrases that many people think fit the bill, but aren’t as great as they seem. In fact, they make hiring managers and recruiters cringe. If you are one of the many at entry-level in the labour market sourcing for jobs in Nigeria, pay great attention to the details below.
Here are eight words and phrases you should eliminate from your resume.
Results-oriented
This term is one of the worst, HR experts say. “People use this term in lieu of telling giving me specifics,” says Liz D’Aloia, founder of HR Virtuoso.
Career consultant and data analyst Carl Forrest agrees, adding that the term itself is nebulous and doesn’t say anything. “It implies that the reader should just take your claim at face-value.”
Both D’Aloia and Forrest recommend focusing on specifics instead. “Give me a brief summary of the project that demonstrated your strong drive for results, how you achieved them, and most importantly, metrics so I understand the scale and impact of the results,” D’Aloia says. “This should be one of those stories that you want to share when I interview you.”
High technical aptitude
This phrase is especially grating on a marketing resume, says Wes Lieser, marketing recruiter at Versique Search and Consulting. “It's just not something that needs to be said. It actually makes me assume that you don't fully understand what you are doing. This is comparable to a baseball pitcher telling someone that he or she can throw a baseball. It goes without saying.” Instead, talk about the specific programs and applications you excel at using.
Ninja, rockstar and other quirky titles
You may see words like “ninja” or “rockstar” in a hiring ad, but if you don’t, definitely don’t use them in your resume. It makes you sound pretentious, says Josh Goldstein, co-founder of Underdog.io. “It demonstrates that the person doesn't get it and probably lacks creativity. Instead of saying you’re good at something, show it.”
Assisted
“Assisted” is one that workforce development consultant Frank Grossman doesn’t like. “If you assisted with something, there's something you actually did. For example, if you ‘assisted in
keeping the facility clean,’ what did you do to assist? Did you clean the kitchen? Did you sanitize 24 restrooms before opening each morning? If one of your accomplishments was to ‘assist the CEO,’ what did you do for her? Did you make her travel reservations, write her press releases, fly her jet or drive her car?” Use specifics to describe your experience.
Strong work ethic
This is the one phrase Kimberli Taylor hates. As the office manager for Conover & Grebe, she is the first person to read through resumes when the firm is hiring, and “strong work ethic” will not impress her. “I hate this because it is not a skill or an asset. It is an expectation of any employee. Listing it as a skill tells me that the candidate believes work ethic is optional for some jobs.” Frequently “strong work ethic” is simply a space-filler on resumes for people with no other skills to list.
Disruptive, cutting-edge and other trendy adjectives
Stick to plain English when describing your accomplishments, says Dennis Tupper, corporate recruiter at Eliassen Group. “Do not try to impress the recruiter or hiring manager with words like 'disruptive,' 'cutting-edge' or 'ground-breaking.' You are not reinventing the wheel, but chances are you are accomplishing some great things. Keep it simple.”
Self-starter
You may think this term makes you look like a productive, eager employee, but it doesn’t necessarily come across that way. “‘Self-starter' is generic, and as an adult if we have to motivate you then you are probably not someone we want to bring into our organization,” Tupper says. Instead, list projects that show your leadership or initiative.
Detail-oriented
This is another term that should be thrown out, Tupper says.“We expect all people we hire to pay attention to detail,” he says. Again, find ways to show your skills in catching mistakes others miss or your extraordinary abilities to find problems in complex issues.
Here are eight words and phrases you should eliminate from your resume.
Results-oriented
This term is one of the worst, HR experts say. “People use this term in lieu of telling giving me specifics,” says Liz D’Aloia, founder of HR Virtuoso.
Career consultant and data analyst Carl Forrest agrees, adding that the term itself is nebulous and doesn’t say anything. “It implies that the reader should just take your claim at face-value.”
Both D’Aloia and Forrest recommend focusing on specifics instead. “Give me a brief summary of the project that demonstrated your strong drive for results, how you achieved them, and most importantly, metrics so I understand the scale and impact of the results,” D’Aloia says. “This should be one of those stories that you want to share when I interview you.”
High technical aptitude
This phrase is especially grating on a marketing resume, says Wes Lieser, marketing recruiter at Versique Search and Consulting. “It's just not something that needs to be said. It actually makes me assume that you don't fully understand what you are doing. This is comparable to a baseball pitcher telling someone that he or she can throw a baseball. It goes without saying.” Instead, talk about the specific programs and applications you excel at using.
Ninja, rockstar and other quirky titles
You may see words like “ninja” or “rockstar” in a hiring ad, but if you don’t, definitely don’t use them in your resume. It makes you sound pretentious, says Josh Goldstein, co-founder of Underdog.io. “It demonstrates that the person doesn't get it and probably lacks creativity. Instead of saying you’re good at something, show it.”
Assisted
“Assisted” is one that workforce development consultant Frank Grossman doesn’t like. “If you assisted with something, there's something you actually did. For example, if you ‘assisted in
keeping the facility clean,’ what did you do to assist? Did you clean the kitchen? Did you sanitize 24 restrooms before opening each morning? If one of your accomplishments was to ‘assist the CEO,’ what did you do for her? Did you make her travel reservations, write her press releases, fly her jet or drive her car?” Use specifics to describe your experience.
Strong work ethic
This is the one phrase Kimberli Taylor hates. As the office manager for Conover & Grebe, she is the first person to read through resumes when the firm is hiring, and “strong work ethic” will not impress her. “I hate this because it is not a skill or an asset. It is an expectation of any employee. Listing it as a skill tells me that the candidate believes work ethic is optional for some jobs.” Frequently “strong work ethic” is simply a space-filler on resumes for people with no other skills to list.
Disruptive, cutting-edge and other trendy adjectives
Stick to plain English when describing your accomplishments, says Dennis Tupper, corporate recruiter at Eliassen Group. “Do not try to impress the recruiter or hiring manager with words like 'disruptive,' 'cutting-edge' or 'ground-breaking.' You are not reinventing the wheel, but chances are you are accomplishing some great things. Keep it simple.”
Self-starter
You may think this term makes you look like a productive, eager employee, but it doesn’t necessarily come across that way. “‘Self-starter' is generic, and as an adult if we have to motivate you then you are probably not someone we want to bring into our organization,” Tupper says. Instead, list projects that show your leadership or initiative.
Detail-oriented
This is another term that should be thrown out, Tupper says.“We expect all people we hire to pay attention to detail,” he says. Again, find ways to show your skills in catching mistakes others miss or your extraordinary abilities to find problems in complex issues.
NLC Confab: Politicians fight over workers’ vote, promise more jobs, others
The 11th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference, NDC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, which ended yesterday in Abuja, was not just about the election of a new set of leaders to lead NLC for the next four years among others, it also provided a unique opportunity for politicians in the two leading political parties in Nigeria; the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, to out do each other and woo the over 3200 delegates from across the country, their families, friends and other guests including veterans unionists, ahead of the general election.
They used their thoughts on the socio-economic and political situations in the country to try to sway delegates and others at the conference with special focus on jobs creation and similar issues.
APC Speaks
Speaking at opening ceremony of the NDC with the theme “The Working Class and the Challenges of National Security, Unity and Democratic Development”, APC’s Presidential Candidate, General Mohammedu Buhari, GMB, ret'd, told the delegates, “You believe that the labour of our heroes past and present shall never be in vain. You believe that our hopes and dreams can become reality. You believe in a nation bound in freedom, peace and unity. You believe that we can rebuild the broken walls. You believe that our great country can set a standard for all of Africa to see. I pray that you will give me the opportunity to play a part in bringing about this CHANGE that the All Progressives Congress, APC, so strongly desires for our country, Nigeria.”
He said the three most challenging issues confronting Nigeria now were insecurity, the state of the economy and corruption that must be tackled at once before the nation could achieve any meaningful progress.
General Buhari lamented the menace of Boko Haram insurgents since August 2011, leading to the kidnapping of girls from their schools and women from their homes; slaughtering of boys in their dormitories and men in their farms; exploding bombs in public and private venues; and taking town after town in the northeast of Nigeria.
He decried the inability of the defence forces to arrest the situation despite the federal government’s defence budget that had gulped over $32.88 billion in the past five years.
According to him, “Our security situation in this country has never been so dire. Today, Nigerians have to endure, not just terrorist attacks in the North, but militancy in the Niger Delta, communal violence in the Middle Belt, cult wars in the South, and kidnappings, armed robberies, and common acts of thuggery throughout the country.
He equally spoke on the poor state of economy especially the devaluation of the national currency and its negative impact of the good, services and the purchasing power of the citizens.
The APC candidate explained that other challenges facing Nigerians today included youth unemployment, a lack of social services, corruption and poor governance, promising that “an APC government at the centre will treat Labour as a partner in moving the nation forward. Our plan to restore good governance, efficient and effective public sector stands to benefit the country’s labour force perhaps more than any other subgroup.
In line with our party’s manifesto, we will identify and promote growth of industries and give incentives for the use of local content. An APC government will protect and respect labourer’s right to organize, guaranteeing the rights to collective bargaining in good faith in law. We will promote new skills, equip youth for a modern economy through a network of local technology institutions to provide free training in courses for the unemployed.”
PDP, FG position
On its part, the PDP and the Federal Government speaking through the supervising Minister for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, insisted that PDP led federal government had been battling the security, economic, unemployment and other challenges confronting the nation head on.
He recalled that at the beginning, the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents were felt in about seven states including the Federal capital territory, but today their activities had restricted, saying “except for instance few isolated activities in the FCT, it has been restricted to three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where we have emergency rule.”
The Minster recalled that the first time the country faced such security challenges during the time of President Shehu Shagari and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians were united and it was contained, but lamented that today, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had been left alone to confront the insurgency.
While stressing that the government had been doing its best on the economy to improve the standard of living of the citizens, the minister noted that beyond any other government, “the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has not only reciprocated and appreciated but protected the right of Nigerian workers to unionize.”
According to him, no Nigerian worker had been intimidated by the present administration even when some of the strikes embarked upon by workers were being influenced; the government saw it as the legitimate right of Nigerian workers.
On jobs creation, he said the Jonathan-led administration had been creating more than 1.8 million jobs including those under Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, and promised that the government would create more enabling environment to help increase the jobs in Nigeria.
Mr. Turaki told the delegates that the President Jonathan’s administration had consistently supported the labour union, boasting that today the nation had a government that “has absolute respect for the rule of law and the freedom of expression.”
Oshiomhole laments
Earlier, former President of NLC and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, lamented the insecurity, growing level of poverty, poor state of economy, epileptic power supply, rising unemployment in the country among others.
According to him, “This conference is taking place at a very important time in our country. Our people want jobs, not just jobs, they want decent jobs. We want a wage, not the one that will make us millionaires, but a wage for the workers to meet their legitimate basic needs and to see something to save for the future. We want security to be able to come to work, return back home, sleep and wake up without having to rely on private security arrangement.”
Similarly, outgoing president of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar, decried the level of insecurity, unemployment, poor state of the economy, power supply and among others.
Culled from Vanguard
They used their thoughts on the socio-economic and political situations in the country to try to sway delegates and others at the conference with special focus on jobs creation and similar issues.
APC Speaks
Speaking at opening ceremony of the NDC with the theme “The Working Class and the Challenges of National Security, Unity and Democratic Development”, APC’s Presidential Candidate, General Mohammedu Buhari, GMB, ret'd, told the delegates, “You believe that the labour of our heroes past and present shall never be in vain. You believe that our hopes and dreams can become reality. You believe in a nation bound in freedom, peace and unity. You believe that we can rebuild the broken walls. You believe that our great country can set a standard for all of Africa to see. I pray that you will give me the opportunity to play a part in bringing about this CHANGE that the All Progressives Congress, APC, so strongly desires for our country, Nigeria.”
He said the three most challenging issues confronting Nigeria now were insecurity, the state of the economy and corruption that must be tackled at once before the nation could achieve any meaningful progress.
General Buhari lamented the menace of Boko Haram insurgents since August 2011, leading to the kidnapping of girls from their schools and women from their homes; slaughtering of boys in their dormitories and men in their farms; exploding bombs in public and private venues; and taking town after town in the northeast of Nigeria.
He decried the inability of the defence forces to arrest the situation despite the federal government’s defence budget that had gulped over $32.88 billion in the past five years.
According to him, “Our security situation in this country has never been so dire. Today, Nigerians have to endure, not just terrorist attacks in the North, but militancy in the Niger Delta, communal violence in the Middle Belt, cult wars in the South, and kidnappings, armed robberies, and common acts of thuggery throughout the country.
He equally spoke on the poor state of economy especially the devaluation of the national currency and its negative impact of the good, services and the purchasing power of the citizens.
The APC candidate explained that other challenges facing Nigerians today included youth unemployment, a lack of social services, corruption and poor governance, promising that “an APC government at the centre will treat Labour as a partner in moving the nation forward. Our plan to restore good governance, efficient and effective public sector stands to benefit the country’s labour force perhaps more than any other subgroup.
In line with our party’s manifesto, we will identify and promote growth of industries and give incentives for the use of local content. An APC government will protect and respect labourer’s right to organize, guaranteeing the rights to collective bargaining in good faith in law. We will promote new skills, equip youth for a modern economy through a network of local technology institutions to provide free training in courses for the unemployed.”
PDP, FG position
On its part, the PDP and the Federal Government speaking through the supervising Minister for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, insisted that PDP led federal government had been battling the security, economic, unemployment and other challenges confronting the nation head on.
He recalled that at the beginning, the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents were felt in about seven states including the Federal capital territory, but today their activities had restricted, saying “except for instance few isolated activities in the FCT, it has been restricted to three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where we have emergency rule.”
The Minster recalled that the first time the country faced such security challenges during the time of President Shehu Shagari and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians were united and it was contained, but lamented that today, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had been left alone to confront the insurgency.
While stressing that the government had been doing its best on the economy to improve the standard of living of the citizens, the minister noted that beyond any other government, “the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has not only reciprocated and appreciated but protected the right of Nigerian workers to unionize.”
According to him, no Nigerian worker had been intimidated by the present administration even when some of the strikes embarked upon by workers were being influenced; the government saw it as the legitimate right of Nigerian workers.
On jobs creation, he said the Jonathan-led administration had been creating more than 1.8 million jobs including those under Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, and promised that the government would create more enabling environment to help increase the jobs in Nigeria.
Mr. Turaki told the delegates that the President Jonathan’s administration had consistently supported the labour union, boasting that today the nation had a government that “has absolute respect for the rule of law and the freedom of expression.”
Oshiomhole laments
Earlier, former President of NLC and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, lamented the insecurity, growing level of poverty, poor state of economy, epileptic power supply, rising unemployment in the country among others.
According to him, “This conference is taking place at a very important time in our country. Our people want jobs, not just jobs, they want decent jobs. We want a wage, not the one that will make us millionaires, but a wage for the workers to meet their legitimate basic needs and to see something to save for the future. We want security to be able to come to work, return back home, sleep and wake up without having to rely on private security arrangement.”
Similarly, outgoing president of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar, decried the level of insecurity, unemployment, poor state of the economy, power supply and among others.
Culled from Vanguard
Monday, February 09, 2015
Tactics to Successfully Build Personal Career Brand
What is it that all successful companies have mastered -- and what job-seekers looking to advance in their careers need to master?
What is it about Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Starbucks, Disney, and McDonald's?
What makes a consumer buy one product over another -- and makes one job-seeker much more sought after than others? The answer is marketing, but more specifically it is the power of branding. And branding isn't just for products anymore.
Branding can be described as many things, but it's best defined as a promise... a promise of the value of the product... a promise that the product is better than all the competing products... a promise that must be delivered to be successful. Branding is the combination of tangible and intangible characteristics that make a brand unique. Branding is developing an image -- with results to match.
Branding (some call it self-branding or personal branding when talking about individuals) is essential to career advancement because branding helps define who you are, how you are great, and why you should be sought out. Branding is your reputation. Branding is about building a name for yourself, showcasing what sets you apart from others, and describing the added value you bring to a situation.
Most job-seekers are not proactive in establishing and building their career brand, letting their actions speak for them when seeking promotions or new jobs. But why not take the time to master some very basic tactics that can help build your career brand and make you a much more attractive employee or job-seeker? Remember, if you don't brand yourself, others will for you. And while you may be happy and secure in your job now, you really never know when that will change.
Management guru Tom Peters, writing in his book The Brand You50 (Reinventing Work): Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an "Employee" into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion! states: "Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are the CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc." He adds, "You're not defined by your job title and you're not confined by your job description."
This article takes you through five easy tactics for building and strengthening your career brand.
Gain Experience/Track Accomplishments
Building your brand begins with tracking your past accomplishments and gaining strategically important new experiences. Your accomplishments are the foundation of your career brand and your brand story.
But before you seek out new work, take the time to plan and focus on what you want your brand to stand for -- and develop a strategy for gaining experience in areas of your brand in which you are weak.
So, besides doing your job, ask for new and challenging assignments that will build your brand. Consider freelancing or consulting. Use volunteering to gain experience. If you're a student, seek out multiple internships.
Complete Education/Training
For many careers, a minimum amount of education is necessary, but to excel in your career you may need to complete additional education, training, or certifications. Getting additional education can greatly enhance your career brand.
It may be hard in terms of time and finances, but find a way to do it. Some employers even offer an educational reimbursement benefit. Self-learning is another option.
If you are unsure if you need more education -- and you probably do -- seek out a mentor, someone highly respected in your field (who has branded himself or herself well), and ask for advice.
Promote Yourself
You can have an amazing brand, but if no one knows about it, you are not going to have much success with your career development. And no one more than you has more reasons to promote your brand.
Throw modesty out the window? There is a fine line between bragging and promoting -- and you need to learn it -- but it's always better to err on the side of promoting your brand than not.
One of the oldest tools of promotion for job-seekers is the resume, and you certainly need to start there by listing all your key accomplishments, skills, and education on your resume. You may even have your positioning statement (qualifications summary) and a branding statement on your resume... but don't stop there.
Begin developing two career portfolios -- a print one and an online one. If you don't have a personal Website, now is the time to buy a domain and let the world read all about the benefits of your brand. Your portfolio should include all important brand artifacts: resume(s), mission statement, detailed accomplishments list, samples of work, articles and working papers, speech transcripts, awards and honors, testimonials, and more.
One interesting trend we've seen is of employers "Googling" the names of prospective job-seekers -- typing each name into one or more search engines -- and basing initial candidate screening decisions partly on the number (and quality) of hits for each job-seeker. The lesson? Your brand needs to have a strong online presence.
And finally, don't forget to promote your brand on the job. Workers often assume the boss knows your accomplishments, but often times s/he does not. Certainly at review time, have a list of all you have achieved since your last review, but also consider finding ways to let the boss know your successes throughout the year.
Become an Expert
Nothing builds credibility in a career brand more than establishing yourself as an expert in your field.
Start by writing articles that showcase your knowledge -- and getting them published (ideally) in noteworthy media outlets. Consider self-publishing.
Seek out conferences and meetings where you can give speeches and presentations.
Play up awards and other recognition that can help label you an expert.
Get quoted by offering your thoughts, ideas, and opinions to journalists and reporters.
Consider constructing a professional Website or blog where you can publish all your articles and speeches.
Build Relationships
Nothing in marketing is more powerful than a promotion tool called word-of-mouth, which can be defined as what people say about you.
Thus, nothing is more powerful in building your career brand than what your network of contacts -- your friends, colleagues, customers, clients, and former bosses -- say about you and your set of skills, education, and accomplishments.
And keeping your network strong involves nothing more than relationship building. Keep in good contact with your network and be sure they know of your most recent successes.
But the best brand-builders don't stop with their current network; these folks are in constant network-building mode. Search out new professional associations as well as the growing number of online networking communities.
Final Thoughts on Building Your Brand
Once you identify and build your brand, remember to continue strengthening and protecting it. There will always be competing brands (job-seekers) ready to fill any gap you leave behind. You are indeed founder and CEO of Me, Inc., and the more you do to cultivate your career brand, the more successful you'll be with your current employer and in the search for current jobs in Nigeria.
To better understand how these marketing terms apply to job-hunting it helps to first understand the terminology. To that end, go to our Marketing Concepts Glossary. And for a general introduction to marketing and career development, read: Using Key Marketing Tools to Position Yourself on the Job Market.
Monday, February 02, 2015
Evaluating A Job Offer: Steps to consider
After spending four year or five tied to your books, case studies, and presentation notes, you’ve finally earned that degree you’ve been striving for. So what next?
You have been applying for the current jobs in Nigeria, now you’ve received numerous job offers is flattering and just what you’ve been aiming for as a graduation goal. High salaries, intriguing benefit packages, and fancy titles are tempting you like a free tropical holiday, so how do you choose between these seemingly exceptional jobs?
Function: Ideally you’ll use the skills you developed in business school to produce personal success and company improvement. And hopefully you’ll gain even more skills, either through formal training or on-the-job experiences, to add to your skills bank. Accordingly, make sure your new role is challenging, as nothing leads to career static like a boring job that seems elementary, especially if you’ve just completed a degree programme. Take into account if and how the prospective role will evolve and whether you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen the role or even gain access to a higher position from ‘mastering’ the position’s demands.
Location: Choosing a city that has good economic, social, and cultural benefits can be harder than you think. Keep in mind that if you are a consultant or banker you may not have much time for social or extracurricular events in your first year or two after graduation, so you may consider choosing a city you feel won’t be your permanent home, if the career benefits are there. If you feel you will be working long hours, find accommodation near your workplace to avoid long, tiring commutes.
Environment: Good working relationships are key to career success. Try to get a sense of your boss’ work habits and if possible, meet your potential colleagues. Mike Holmes, Recruitment Expert at QS Global Workplace explains, ‘Try and arrange to meet some of your colleagues, either in a work or social environment. Can you see yourself working with these people? Do you think you will enjoy working with them? It does not have to be positive, however if it is negative, perhaps you should reconsider!’
Career Prospects: Mike Holmes discusses the importance of creating the right career path: ‘Make this job an excellent stepping stone; look at where you want to get to over the next 3-5 years and your long-term career aims. Put some milestones down so your career path looks manageable and realistically achievable.’
Company values: Does the corporate culture reflect your personal and professional values and goals? Do they uphold the highest standards of ethical practice? Is the staff diverse? If you value hard work between the hours of 9 and 5 and the company values 24-hour dedication, you may decide its standards are not in sync with your own. Furthermore, many companies, especially online businesses, encourage team proactivity and a happy working environment. Google, for example, has an onsite gym, restaurant, and even sofas and dogs in some locations. Experts say this could be the reason why Google now ranks second in Fortune 100’s Top 100 MBA Employers 2006.
Salary and Benefits: Make sure to consider company benefits such as bonuses, as what seems like a low salary quite easily could end up being a higher salary than offered for a similar position at a different company. Furthermore, it goes without saying that evaluating purchasing power in the country in which you intend to work is essential. You’d be surprised what a seemingly small amount of money can get you in some countries. And finally, while salary is very important, it shouldn’t be the be-all-end-all of job selection: ‘Always place a financial figure against the development and lifestyle opportunities that are available to you in both jobs,’ advises Peter Fennah, Director of the Career Development Service at the Cranfield School of Management. ‘At this point, you will find enough revealin g information to make an informed decision along with your gut instinct.’
Finding Your First Job
This article is to help our fresh graduates with landing their first job. Listed and elaborated below are a few steps that are essential for success.
Any-one faced with the daunting task of finding their first job is likely to find themselves in a quandary of perplexing proportions. Their CVs are thin if not non-existent, their industry knowledge is limited and their contacts in the business world are few and far between. The good news is that a record number of jobs in Nigeria exist for fresh grads and with the rapid growth of the private sector initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the emphasis on training, human resource development and growing from within, this is unlikely to abate soon. To help you out with your first job, here are a few steps that are essential for success provided by experts
Know Yourself
You will not sound very convincing to a prospective employer if you are not convinced yourself of your strengths and weaknesses and that you will be an asset to his team. Take the time to understand what types of jobs interest you, what areas you enjoy and excel in and what skills/competencies you have that can translate in meaningful ways to the jobs you are applying for. Prepare an honest detailed personal inventory of your unique skills, strengths and weaknesses and use it to hone in on the industry, companies and positions you think you can do best in.
Various books are available for fresh grads and people contemplating a career transition that help you identify your areas of strength and steer your job search in the right direction. In addition, there are a number of personality tests, many of which can be taken free on-line, that can help shed light on suitability for various professions. It is also very helpful to talk to peers, professors and family members who know you well to get an added perspective. If you are unsure what different types of jobs entail, there is no substitute for talking to people inside the industry and asking the types of questions that help you identify whether this is indeed an area you will excel in.
Focus
Once you have identified those areas you are interested in and believe you can excel in, focus your efforts accordingly. Your CV and cover letter should be uniquely tailored to those professions and industries as should your research activities, networking activities and any training activities you undertake. Start reading the industry journals, attending industry events and widening your circle of contacts within the industry. Envision yourself obtaining and succeeding in the position you are targeting and then work backwards to see how you got there.
Research
Research should be the core and foundation of your job search activities. Research will help you identify what companies, departments and positions to target and will uncover who is hiring in your target segments. The more you research your target industries the more cognizant you will become of what a typical job in your target area entails, where the overall industry is heading and where the best jobs are. Read the industry journals, look up target companies' websites, read their press and talk to as many people as you can within the industry to gain perspective. Research will also uncover jobs in the "hidden" job market ie jobs that are filled by referrals and word of mouth without ever being advertised. Certain job sites are ideal for positioning your CV within the "hidden" job market traffic as a large number of companies use the website to find candidates without ever advertising their jobs.
Perfect Your Toolkit
Your CV and Cover Letter are usually the first interaction you will have with a potential employer so use them to leave a positive and high-impact first impression. Make sure the format, content and flow of both is professional and appropriate. If you are uncomfortable creating your own CV, have the experts prepare it for you or visit career sites and learn of experts the best method to use.
Many new graduates have no work experience and are unsure what to put on their CV. Here is where your education and activities during your college years must be highlighted. Emphasize in your CV and/or cover letter all activities that have prepared you directly for the job at hand including directly relevant courses, related research, special papers or publications, leadership positions in college, internships, volunteer work, student or professional organizations you joined etc. Spend a lot of time on skills you have acquired such as IT skills, languages, presentation skills, project management skills, writing skills, etc.
Treat the Job Search as a Full Time Job
Approach the job search methodically, logically and systematically applying the same discipline and organizational skills you would apply to a real job. Identify your targets and set a game plan in place that includes companies you will target, activities you will undertake, dates and follow up plans. Set aside a number of hours per day and develop a routine for your job search that resembles a real work day. Keep a record of every interaction you have with every company and make sure you follow up diligently and ask for leads at every juncture.
Widen the Net
Finding that first job is for many like swimming upstream so set a realistic gameplan and maximize the number of companies you target in your given field. Talk to friends, alumni, peers, family and the career planning team at your college and make sure your CV is circulating in the right groups. Placing your CV on a job site vastly increases its visibility and allows you access to both advertised positions as well as the "hidden" job market.
Prepare for the Interview
Employers are primarily looking for candidates that have the right kind of experience, can do the job and will fit in well with the company culture. With new grads, experience becomes less relevant than whether you can in fact do the job and will fit in seamlessly with the culture. The employer may ask you during the interview to demonstrate how you would actually do a specific part of the job whether be it dealing with a difficult client, selling the company product or service, solving a problem etc. The employer will also want to know what aspects of your past endeavours position you directly for the job you are applying for. A plethora of literature exists on common interview questions and what employers are looking for during the interview. Be prepared. Above all act professional and display enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and a knowledge of the company, its products and the industry.
Any-one faced with the daunting task of finding their first job is likely to find themselves in a quandary of perplexing proportions. Their CVs are thin if not non-existent, their industry knowledge is limited and their contacts in the business world are few and far between. The good news is that a record number of jobs in Nigeria exist for fresh grads and with the rapid growth of the private sector initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the emphasis on training, human resource development and growing from within, this is unlikely to abate soon. To help you out with your first job, here are a few steps that are essential for success provided by experts
Know Yourself
You will not sound very convincing to a prospective employer if you are not convinced yourself of your strengths and weaknesses and that you will be an asset to his team. Take the time to understand what types of jobs interest you, what areas you enjoy and excel in and what skills/competencies you have that can translate in meaningful ways to the jobs you are applying for. Prepare an honest detailed personal inventory of your unique skills, strengths and weaknesses and use it to hone in on the industry, companies and positions you think you can do best in.
Various books are available for fresh grads and people contemplating a career transition that help you identify your areas of strength and steer your job search in the right direction. In addition, there are a number of personality tests, many of which can be taken free on-line, that can help shed light on suitability for various professions. It is also very helpful to talk to peers, professors and family members who know you well to get an added perspective. If you are unsure what different types of jobs entail, there is no substitute for talking to people inside the industry and asking the types of questions that help you identify whether this is indeed an area you will excel in.
Focus
Once you have identified those areas you are interested in and believe you can excel in, focus your efforts accordingly. Your CV and cover letter should be uniquely tailored to those professions and industries as should your research activities, networking activities and any training activities you undertake. Start reading the industry journals, attending industry events and widening your circle of contacts within the industry. Envision yourself obtaining and succeeding in the position you are targeting and then work backwards to see how you got there.
Research
Research should be the core and foundation of your job search activities. Research will help you identify what companies, departments and positions to target and will uncover who is hiring in your target segments. The more you research your target industries the more cognizant you will become of what a typical job in your target area entails, where the overall industry is heading and where the best jobs are. Read the industry journals, look up target companies' websites, read their press and talk to as many people as you can within the industry to gain perspective. Research will also uncover jobs in the "hidden" job market ie jobs that are filled by referrals and word of mouth without ever being advertised. Certain job sites are ideal for positioning your CV within the "hidden" job market traffic as a large number of companies use the website to find candidates without ever advertising their jobs.
Perfect Your Toolkit
Your CV and Cover Letter are usually the first interaction you will have with a potential employer so use them to leave a positive and high-impact first impression. Make sure the format, content and flow of both is professional and appropriate. If you are uncomfortable creating your own CV, have the experts prepare it for you or visit career sites and learn of experts the best method to use.
Many new graduates have no work experience and are unsure what to put on their CV. Here is where your education and activities during your college years must be highlighted. Emphasize in your CV and/or cover letter all activities that have prepared you directly for the job at hand including directly relevant courses, related research, special papers or publications, leadership positions in college, internships, volunteer work, student or professional organizations you joined etc. Spend a lot of time on skills you have acquired such as IT skills, languages, presentation skills, project management skills, writing skills, etc.
Treat the Job Search as a Full Time Job
Approach the job search methodically, logically and systematically applying the same discipline and organizational skills you would apply to a real job. Identify your targets and set a game plan in place that includes companies you will target, activities you will undertake, dates and follow up plans. Set aside a number of hours per day and develop a routine for your job search that resembles a real work day. Keep a record of every interaction you have with every company and make sure you follow up diligently and ask for leads at every juncture.
Widen the Net
Finding that first job is for many like swimming upstream so set a realistic gameplan and maximize the number of companies you target in your given field. Talk to friends, alumni, peers, family and the career planning team at your college and make sure your CV is circulating in the right groups. Placing your CV on a job site vastly increases its visibility and allows you access to both advertised positions as well as the "hidden" job market.
Prepare for the Interview
Employers are primarily looking for candidates that have the right kind of experience, can do the job and will fit in well with the company culture. With new grads, experience becomes less relevant than whether you can in fact do the job and will fit in seamlessly with the culture. The employer may ask you during the interview to demonstrate how you would actually do a specific part of the job whether be it dealing with a difficult client, selling the company product or service, solving a problem etc. The employer will also want to know what aspects of your past endeavours position you directly for the job you are applying for. A plethora of literature exists on common interview questions and what employers are looking for during the interview. Be prepared. Above all act professional and display enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and a knowledge of the company, its products and the industry.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)