During the past few months, I’ve spoken with young graduates who are just starting their professional adventure applying for the various job vacancies in Nigeria. They are looking for a definitive path and the best way to build their careers. I also know of people who have shifted career paths once or twice by following unconventional paths to perceived success.
However, I think I would have also wanted something more to specific to apply to my day-to-day life. In the spirit of sharing more practical advice based on what I’ve learned throughout my career, here is my best advice to myself:
Always show gratitude. If someone has done you a good turn, take a moment to express genuine gratitude by call, email, text, or a few words and smile. It’s a gracious way to live. As old-fashioned as it seems, sending a message to a potential employer or a hang out leaves a lasting impression.
Remember this, too, shall pass. Whether you’re riding high on good fortune or you’re wallowing in the dumps of tough times, things move on and so will you. Be grateful when things are good. And be grateful for the things that are good when other things are crumbling around you.
Never expect someone else to advocate for your best interest or to navigate major life decisions. While there are people who will want to help you, you know yourself and what you need best. Take whatever time you need to research, learn and to create your best options. From great options, make good decisions.
Maintain your professional reputation. Avoid burning bridges with those you’ve worked with. If anything, invest a little time to continue cultivating your past relationships with colleagues. You never know when you might cross paths again in business.
Every night, think of three positive things from the day – no matter how minor. This is another way experiencing gratitude, but it’s more introspective. Gratitude has been documented to generate success in individuals.
Exude confidence. You only have one body. So be comfortable in it. Confidence in yourself will spur confidence others will have in you. Don’t have the confidence? “Fake it ‘til you make it,” as they say.
Surround yourself with people who nurture you and encourage you. This is true in both your professional and personal life. Anyone else can be a distraction at best and an energy drain at worst.
Be generous with yourself. I don’t mean that you should go on a buying spree. Be more practical than that. For example, make your bed in the morning as a small comfort for when you’re tired after a long day. You will feel a little more cared for. In addition to investing in as much as you can in your 401(k), set aside savings for the opportunity to advance your education. Even if you don’t end up going back to school (graduate school or otherwise), you will have a safety net if the economy goes south. Spend 150 minutes a week on yourself by incorporating cardiovascular activity. If you don’t have your health, everything else falls away pretty quickly.
Understand that job interviews are a two-way street. View them as career interviews. The company is as much of a candidate for you as you are for them. After all, if you’re going to be spending 40+ hours per week somewhere, it’s important to be fully informed about how much they will enable your career growth. I always ask job candidates if they have any questions for me. What you ask is sometimes as important as what you’re answering.
Mistakes can be gifts. Whether a learning experience, a happy accident, or a humbling experience, mistakes can serve us well. Don’t be afraid to make them. Just try not to make the same one twice.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Sunday, March 01, 2015
Protect Yourself From Job Scam
As if job searching isn’t tough enough, in Nigeria we also have to look out for the ever-present ‘job scam’. As you may know these are situations when a job opening is advertised, and desperate job seekers are conned out of their savings by the lure of a potential job offer. These scams come in many guises, and even the most savvy job seeker could be caught out. There are quite a large number Jobs Vacancies in Nigeria published every now and then; online, posters seen in our streets, via SMS, etc
Too good to be true?
Con artists pose as employers or recruiters and offer enticing employment or career opportunities. If a job offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fraudulent employers use false job applications to collect personal details such as phone numbers and addresses from job hunters as part of an identity theft ploy.
Keep a few basic security precautions in mind when evaluating ads on job boards - and most especially job offers received via unsolicited email – and look out for these red flags:
Inflated salaries
If a position has a high salary and promises big part-time earning potential, then be careful. These positions will also seldom offer regular salaried employment. These positions also often overhype the job demand or amount of available work, provoking job seekers into acting quickly – and rashly.
No skills required
Fraudulent job offers generally understate the amount of time and effort needed to perform the job, and minimize the requirements, experience or qualifications necessary to apply. Beware of phrases like "No experience is necessary" and vague job titles like “Graduate Trainee”. They will also be unclear about the company, job description or responsibilities. Plenty of money for minimum effort? It’s likely a scam.
Payment upfront
You’re being hired to do a job and to be paid for it. So any job offer that requires money for instructions before explaining how the employment works, or demands fees or making purchases to receive a job or employment opportunities is not genuine.
A solid offer
If you are pretty sure that the offer is legitimate, then go ahead and ask questions. Valid employers will be willing to answer questions about the company and job advertised. Steer clear of those not willing to provide the details you require.
Accepting A Job Offer? Important Facts to Consider
You applied one of the recent Jobs in Nigeria, passed the interview and on the negotiating table with the HR Manager discussing the offer available to you. Before you hurriedly grab the offer, there are serious facts one needs to consider, listed below are the ones the author deemed crucial.
Salary
Salary is one of the most important factors to look out for. A good remuneration strategy shows that the company places value and commitment in its employees. The salary should be market-related meaning; it should be in accordance to what the average salary in that field of work is. A good job is the one that recognises and rewards your performance and effort, acknowledging that the part you play is critical to business success.
Work-life balance/flexi hours
A good company is one that recognises you have other non-work related responsibilities and provides adequate time off to attend to those. This can be done either through leave days, vacation days and even maternity leave. During interviews, don’t be scared to ask for flexible working hours and work from home options. With the availability of affordable broadband almost anywhere, working from home has become a big possibility.
Medical cover and other benefits
Most people tend to overlook the importance of other compensation benefits that are nearly as important as your monthly salary. A good company has a comprehensive compensation and benefits strategy that includes medical and life insurance, bonuses and even a pension contribution fund.
Career development
No one likes doing the same thing over and over again. As a recent graduate, you would want to consider a job that helps you to develop your skills and abilities to make you better at what you do and essentially more profitable in the market. Coming from University you will realise that the journey of learning has actually started not ended. Try by all means to ask about the company’s training and development strategy before you accept the job. This is probably more important than the salary you earn as it will determine where you end up in your career life.
Understand the job itself
A simple one line description of what the job is about does not do justice in informing you what the duties and responsibilities of the job entails. It’s very important to understand the job that you are about to take. The job should have a concise and precise job profile clearly outlining the job specification and requirements highlighting the 4 Ps:
1. Purpose of the job
2. Picture – how the job fits into the bigger picture of the organisation
3. Plan of action to achieve goals
4. Part - what part the job plays in all of this
It should clearly outline the soft skills that are needed to do the job as well. If you have any questions, it’s better to ask them upfront than to be unpleasantly surprised once you start the job.
Salary
Salary is one of the most important factors to look out for. A good remuneration strategy shows that the company places value and commitment in its employees. The salary should be market-related meaning; it should be in accordance to what the average salary in that field of work is. A good job is the one that recognises and rewards your performance and effort, acknowledging that the part you play is critical to business success.
Work-life balance/flexi hours
A good company is one that recognises you have other non-work related responsibilities and provides adequate time off to attend to those. This can be done either through leave days, vacation days and even maternity leave. During interviews, don’t be scared to ask for flexible working hours and work from home options. With the availability of affordable broadband almost anywhere, working from home has become a big possibility.
Medical cover and other benefits
Most people tend to overlook the importance of other compensation benefits that are nearly as important as your monthly salary. A good company has a comprehensive compensation and benefits strategy that includes medical and life insurance, bonuses and even a pension contribution fund.
Career development
No one likes doing the same thing over and over again. As a recent graduate, you would want to consider a job that helps you to develop your skills and abilities to make you better at what you do and essentially more profitable in the market. Coming from University you will realise that the journey of learning has actually started not ended. Try by all means to ask about the company’s training and development strategy before you accept the job. This is probably more important than the salary you earn as it will determine where you end up in your career life.
Understand the job itself
A simple one line description of what the job is about does not do justice in informing you what the duties and responsibilities of the job entails. It’s very important to understand the job that you are about to take. The job should have a concise and precise job profile clearly outlining the job specification and requirements highlighting the 4 Ps:
1. Purpose of the job
2. Picture – how the job fits into the bigger picture of the organisation
3. Plan of action to achieve goals
4. Part - what part the job plays in all of this
It should clearly outline the soft skills that are needed to do the job as well. If you have any questions, it’s better to ask them upfront than to be unpleasantly surprised once you start the job.
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