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