career development and landing your dream job (example of an english major)

Professionalisation and

Landing your dream Job

Tata Boli Dinyuy M.Sc, MBA

Assumptions how to argue a point, how to think independently, summarise and precise, write and speak well, write reports, present information effectively

and to work as part of a team Make sure you get most of

these into your CV

Degree in English Modern Letters

40% of vacancies advertised

specifically to graduates do not

specify degree subject, so English

graduates can enter a wide range

of careers

Occupations associated with a degree in English

More professions

General

•School teacher•Journalism and writing •Publishing•Tv, radio, film drama, music•Teaching English as foreign language•University lecture•Librarian/ archiviste•Masters degree•Translation and interpretation

Employment• Journalist• Writer• publisher• Marketing, advertising,

PR• International law• Diplomacy• HR or personnel

management• Civil service• Media• Market researcher• Events management• Receptionist• Personal assistant• administrator

Self employment

• Writer• Freelance journalist• Community publisher• Blogger• Freelance reviewer• ENTREPRENEURSHIP/

BUSINESS PERSON

Unemployment rate is the percentage of the

population who are:•Not Employed•Are employable• Qualified• Relevant qualification to job market• experienced•Actively job searching (3 months periods)

What can you do, with who do you do it with, where is that person (company) and how do you contact the person

Where are jobs published (newspapers, job websites, career programs on radio and TV, social networks and WhatsApp groups, mentors, company websites, etc.

The Job search

The competitionLimited places for

unlimited number of peopleEverybody is developing

themselvesGlobal competitionGlobal standards

UnemploymentThe competition

Godfathers?Favouritism exists

But favouritism is not sustainableTake your chances

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?

Education - CV

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education - CV

A levels

1st degree

Masters

Doctorate

Professional

training

Writing your CVSell yourself (shop window)Accessible structureReflect opportunity and

personality (flexibility)LanguageExperience (detailed

responsibilities)No gapsReferencesBe near your CV at all times

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CV

ExperienceFind internship positionsOffer to volunteer – do

productive volunteeringAs you volunteer, remember

your CV (data and specific responsibilities)Find volunteering positions that

match your career aspirationsRemember letters of

recommendation and/or attestations of work

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperience

PositioningUse every opportunity to be

right, speak right, act rightClean up your social media

profilesMix with people who are

where you aim to beKnow where jobs are

advertised

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioning

Know the news

Current affairsDevelopment

of your sector

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioningKnow the news

Applying for a jobRespect the terms

Channels, deadlinesAdjust your CVInform your references as well as

all persons and institutions that your CV may lead someone to verify

NoteDon’t apply too early, don’t apply

too lateKeep a record of all applications

you submit

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioningKnow the newsApplying for a job

The InterviewKNOW YOUR CVKnow the company or

institutionKnow the competitorsWhy do they need someone

for the positionNew position?Has someone been fired?

Have a plan of action

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioningKnow the newsApplying for a jobThe interview

Interview dayKnow the venueArrive 1 hour ahead and stay 5

minutes awayDress, look and smell rightHave spare copies of your CV

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioningKnow the newsApplying for a jobThe interviewInterview day

Interview questions

Tell us about yourselfWhat is there in your education

and/or experience that makes you the right person for this job?

Refer to a specific job related problem/difficulty that you’ve faced and state how you solved it.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Do you have any questions for the panel?

Have answers to these questions in French and English

Someone may try to catch you on a gap or inconsistency on your CV

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioningKnow the news

AttitudeBe firmBe clearBe politeBe calmDo not sound desperateTake notes if necessaryAsk interviewer to ask

question again if you’re not sure that you understood (not often though)

Do not thank people for questions

UnemploymentThe competitionGodfathers?Education – CVWriting your CVExperiencePositioningKnow the newsApplying for a jobThe interviewInterview dayAttitude

Did you get the job?

Start proving yourselfSet targetsStart aiming higher

Did you miss it?

Go back to the drawing board

Skill Current Ability

Target Ability

Development Opportunity

Criteria to judge success

Time Frame

Evidence

1st Priority

2nd Priority

3rd Priority

Personal Development Plan