personal guide to career freedom1

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personal guide tocareer freedom

volume 1

planning your career

a practical

career guidebook tohelp you plan, design

and manage your career life

by Loy Okezie


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personal guide to career freedom volume 1: planning your career

Copyright 2009 Loy Okezie

This e-book is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-

No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. This means that you can share and

distribute this work, as long as you do not use it for commercial gain, and you

credit the author. For more information, you can visit www.creativecommons.org

Designed and Edited by

Loy

Cover Image via Flickr by

Laura Travels

Published online by

www.LoyOkezie.com

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contents

introduction ............................................................4

1. are you looking for a job or seeking a career? .......................5

2. does your career life have a plan, purpose or goal? ................7

3. how to define a successful career goal ...............................8

4. how to write your own career statement.............................12

5. how a personal mission statement can get you a job...............14

6. what motivates your choice of job or career? .......................16

7. how to increase your job security .....................................18

8. how to succeed in any job interview ..................................20

9. how to make the right career decisions ..............................22

10. are you an employable person?.........................................26

11. the 5p's of successful job search .......................................28

12. how youth initiatives can boost your career .........................31

13. the barriers to effective job search ...................................33

14. what if your degree can't get you a job?..............................35

15. lessons from asking questions at job interviews.....................37

16. steps to finding a trainee placement or internship job.............39

17. how fresh graduates can structure a winning cv ....................41

18. 10 insightful questions to ask your next job interviewer...........43

what next? ..............................................................45

the author...............................................................46

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introduction

Do you have a career dream? Are you moving towards your career goal? Orare you at a career crossroad? What are the challenges in your career path?Is it that you don't have a career plan? Career purpose? Career passion?

Personal Guide to Career Freedom [Volume 1] has been specially designedto teach you how to plan and design your career life. Some parts of the e-book were compiled from career articles I have published online in the past.

This e-book is the result of several of my coaching sessions with clients fromdifferent backgrounds, but with one career purpose:

to acquire career intelligenceachieve career masteryand attaincareer freedom

Throughout the e-book, you will find interactive exercises that will help youreally internalize and personalize your own career experiences, with seriesof questions and suggestions to enable you find the solutions to your careerchallenges.

Before you start your career journey through this e-book, I'm going to askyou to leave your baggage of career worries, because where you are going,you'll only need an open mind. Take what serves you and discard what doesnot.

Remember: This e-book is only a guide. You are the only person who cansolve your career problems. So challenge yourself and take charge!

Are you ready to attain career freedom?

Start by planning your career.

Loy Okezieif you would like to hire me as your career coach, kindly send an

introductory email via: [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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1. are you looking for a job or seeking a career?

A young man is being offered a job as a Marketer in a Lagos bank with asalary package of 140 000 naira and an Engineering job in an Oil firm in

Port Harcourt that offers 60 000 naira. The bank branch office is located astone's throw from his house, while the engineering firm is severalkilometres away from home.

This guy has an engineering background and a passion to become aprofessional in the field. At the same time he needs money to save andpossibly go for further studies and certification programmes. On the otherhand, he is uncertain if he would be able to meet the 200 million naira in 3months target requirement as a marketer in that bank.

Now the question is:

Should this guy take the Engineering job and hope for a better future? Orshould he go for the Banking job and save enough money for future studies?

I find this situation very interesting because it raises a very importantquestion that every job seeker should ask:

are my looking for a j ob or seeking a career?

To help you in answering this question, let me define a job and a career.

what is a job?

a principal act ivi t y in your l if e t hat you do t o earn amonthly income.

what is a career?

a part icular occupat ion which you are t rained for t hatgenerat es you mult iple st reams of income.

Now that you know the difference between a job and a career,

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what are you looking for in your life?

a job?

or

a career?

If you are able to answer this question, youll know what you really want todo with your life, which is what t o do- the first step in taking charge ofyour career life.

The second step, how t o dois what Ill be glad to help you answer in thiscareer guidebook.

But wait a minute

Does your life have a plan, purpose or goal?

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2. does your career life have aplan, purpose or goal?

Imagine that you woke up one morning and decided to go out without a

plan, purpose or goal? You hit the streets and see people going here andthere, but you kept asking yourself: Where am I going?

After wandering for hours, you become tired and frustrated. Even the roadshave become confusing and you wonder how you would get back home. Atthe end of the day, you go to bed - depressed!

Perhaps youve not experienced the above situation in your life, but whatabout in your career life? Does your career life have a plan, purpose or goal?Do you have a career goal? Many people today are not sure about whatcareer they want, thus no career goal!

What about you?

If you ask anyone who is a recent graduate today which company he or shewould like to work with, you might get any of these replies:

Ah, MTN of course! They pay well and have more coverage and customersthan any other network!

Man, I want a career in Oceanic Bank. I admire their core values of

Transparency. Equal Opport uni t y. Account abil i t y. Mer i t . Servi ceExcellence. I think my values can really contribute to the banks growthand development.

Oh boy, my Dad is fixing me up with a job in Chevron with his connections.I dont really care about the job. I need the oil money.

Now, which of the above responses best fits what you are likely to say whenasked the same question?

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3. how to define a successfulcareer goal

Just as a football player needs goals to become a well-sought-after world-class player in his football career, so also you need smart and specific goals

if you want to be successful in your career life.

About four years ago, I asked a group of final year University students abouttheir career goals during one of my job interview skills training sessions.Surprisingly, some of them were unsure about their career direction andcould not come up with a clearly defined career goal.

Before setting specific goals for your career life or path, whether you arelooking for a job or you want to advance in your current job or you want tomove to another career path, you should spend some time to clearly definea successful career goal.

The first step to help you clearly define a successful career goal is:

discovering your purpose

Since every organization has apurpose, mission, vision and value,every individual should have also.What are your lifes purpose,mission, vision and values? Beforeapplying for a job in MTN Nigeria orOceanic Bank, ask yourself, what isthe mission, vision, and values ofMTN Nigeria or Oceanic Bank? Willmy personal purpose, mission, visionand values support those of MTNNigeria or Oceanic Bank?

Now, what if you already have a job as a Marketer in Zenith Bank and youhave been offered (what you might consider) a better job in terms of(remuneration package, and other job-related benefits) in Total Plc as a

Field Sales and Marketing Officer. As tempting as this offer may seem, howcan you make the decision to either stay at Zenith Bank or move to TotalPlc?

The next step to help you clearly define a successful career goal will answerthis question.

In order to succeed in Nigerias highly competitive job environment, youneed the right skills to match the right jobs. Granted, we see situationswhere square pegs are placed in round holes. For example, a graduate ofGeography working in a Bank? Thats ridiculous! But, it is what we have

come to accept in our ever-changing Nigerian job environment. No wonderthere are little or no professionals and experts in GIS, mapping and remote

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sensing, when other countries are using their experts in these fields in theright places.

But, as a job seeker who needs the right job in relation to your career goals,you must possess the skills needed to grab the right job and further pursue a

successful career. These skills are within your reach, if you simply reachout!

identifying your skills

How can you do this? Whatever your field of study, you must have hadinterests that made you pursue that course of study. For example, if you arean engineering graduate, you may have been interested in a career in an oilcompany, an industrial outfit, a chemical company, or perhaps themechanics of construction, repairs and maintenance of equipments andmachines.

So ask yourself: What was my goal of taking that course of study? Does thatgoal still motivate me? Do I have other interests now? If you are to takecharge or be in control of your career, you must ask yourself thesequestions. And it is only YOU that can ANSWER these questions.

Once you have identified your current interests and passion, then you caneasily match your current skills with your interests and passion. However, ifyou lack a certain skill, then you need to get some training before you canbe able to take charge of your career and therefore move to the next level

in your career life.

Here are a few tips to help you identify your skills:

Make a list of all your talents, skills, and abilities. As you do these, keep inmind these different intelligences that account for a broader range ofabilities and potential in human beings as proposed by Dr. Howard Gardner,a professor of education at Harvard University.

Linguistic Intelligence - Using words to communicate and expressyourself. Are you good at writing? Speaking in public? Communicating

with others? Explaining things in simple terms? Logical/Mathematical Intelligence - Mathematical abilities and

logical problem solving. Are you good with numbers? Good problemsolving or analytical skills? Decision making? Analyzing situations?Solving puzzles?

Spatial Intelligence - Spatial intelligence not only refers to yourpicture smarts, but also includes many of the right-brainedactivities such as art, imagination, creativity, inventiveness,ingenuity, and cleverness.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence - Your physical skills and abilities.Includes sports, agility, dance, entertainment, physical comedy,

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athleticism, strength and any skills that involve the use of your hands(like drafting, crafting, woodworking, precision work, etc.)

Musical Intelligence - Your musical talents and abilities. Interpersonal Intelligence - Your ability to build relationships and

deal effectively with others. Includes talents such as persuasion,

selling, networking, charm, making others feel comfortable,managing a team, conflict management, teamwork, cooperation,listening, charisma, and leadership.

Intra-personal Intelligence - Your ability to deal effectively withyourself and your emotions. This includes abilities such as knowingyourself, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, self-confidence,self-control, adaptability and flexibility to change, work ethic,commitment, initiative, persistence, empathy, political awareness,integrity, honesty, time management and overall character.

Ecological Intelligence - Identifying and recognizing the patterns andrelationships between things. For example, the way in which we are

all connected to nature and to each other. Being able to see the bigpicture, spotting trends, seeing the long-term consequences of ouractions, recognizing the potential in people, situations and ideas.

Thus, identifying your best skills can help you define a successful careergoal and see you through your career path in any field of your interest.

identifying your interests

No doubt you have some things that interest you. Look around you. What

sparks your curiosity? What would you like to know more about? Whatsubjects or topics do you find exciting? What areas of knowledge would youlike to explore? What field of endeavour would you like to get training? Whathave you always wanted to try but never attempted? If you could be anexpert in any subject, what would it be?

After brainstorming about the above exercise, make a list of all yourinterests. Is that too difficult? It shouldnt be if you desire a successfulcareer. While, doing this exercise, try to focus more on your intellectualinterests, because that is where your strength lies - in your intellect!

every man withoutpassionshas withinhim noprincipleofaction, nor

motiveto act

Claude A. Helvetius

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identifying your passions

After you have identified all your interests, simply make a list of all yourpassions. At this stage you can easily discover your passions from your list ofinterests.

What do you really enjoy doing? What gets you excited? What can you spendforever doing? What do you feel strongly or passionately about? If you couldwork in any field whatsoever, what would you choose and why?

Right them down. Commit yourself to them. Let your passions drive you intoaction.

At this stage you are gradually defining a career goal for yourself that wouldlead to a successful career life. But you are not there yet. Theres one morething to do. Finding your major definite purpose and putting it in writing inform of a statement of purpose is the last step.

Photo courtesy ofLaura Travels

t he bestcareer advice given to the youngis:

f ind out what you li kedoingbest andgetsomeone t opayyou f or doing i t

- Katherine Whitehorn

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4. how to write your own careerstatement

It was Napoleon Hill who introducedthe concept of a major definite

purpose in his classic book Think andGrow Rich. Your major definite purposerepresents the main or central missionof your life at this moment.

Our major definite purpose is often tiedto our career and our work. Althoughfor others it could be based more onspirituality, raising a family, leaving alegacy, or working for the community.

what adifferentstory people wouldhave t o t ell if t hey wouldadopta

definitepurpose andstand by thatpurpose unt i l i t had t ime t o become an

all-consumingpurpose

- Napoleon Hill

(The above diagram shows the four areas, namely skills, talents, passion, abilities and a smiley intersectionbetween the four areas that reveals your major definite purpose)

I'm hoping that by now, youve made a list of your skills and abilities,talents and passions. Now, think of something that connects all these fourelements. Your major definite purpose may be smiling right in the

intersection of these four areas.



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finding your career purpose

Some people seem to be born with a major definite purpose just waiting tobe unleashed. From early adolescence, sometimes even childhood, theyhave a calling for a particular field and just know what they want to do

with their lives, whether it is music, art, business, or science.

But my guess is that the majority of people out there dont fall into thiscategory; they dont feel like they were born to do one thing inparticular. Their major definite purpose is something that they have todiscover. In Nigeria, perhaps the system may not support your dreams andpassions and this may sometimes be frustrating. Do you feel this way?

rediscovering yourself

Sometimes you may even discover your dream career after having workedfor years in a completely different field. But if you havent discovered yourcareer purpose, then your first job in life is to find and define a purpose foryourself. Your job should be to reinvent and rediscover yourself severaltimes along the way, until you find a major definite purpose that suits you.

Once youve identified a major definite purpose, the last step is to put it inwriting in the form of a personal mission statement. Having a written downstatement of purpose allows you to read and review it frequently as areminder of your career goal, purpose and mission in life.

Photo courtesy ofenjoi_yourpanda5

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5. howyour personal mission statementcan get you a job

Every company has a mission and vision. Every project has a goal and

purpose. Every individual should have a personal mission or statement ofpurpose in order to succeed in life and career path.

Do you have a PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT?

Some Nigerian jobseekers may think that having a personal missionstatement would not work in the Nigerian system and context. That may betrue, but that would be like saying that hard work and determined effortdoesnt work on the long run.

If you have been looking for a job or struggling with your career, andwondering you have not found the right career path or purpose, itsprobably because you don't have a personal mission statement.

it is nevertoo late to be what youmight have been- George Eliot

what is a personal mission statement?

A personal mission statement(PMS for short) is a briefstatement of what you wantto accomplish on a particularfield and who you want tobecome in the process over aperiod of time. It is your roadmap for success in life andcareer.

Now, here are two samplestatement of purpose formatthat would guide you to creating your own personal mission statement anhelp you in your path to ca

dreer and job freedom and fulfillment.

sample 1:

To live each day with (choose one to three values or principles) so that(what living by these values will give you). I will do this by (specific

behaviors you will use to live by these values).


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sample 2:

To (what you want to achieve, do or become) so that (reasons why itis important). I will do this by (specific behaviors or actions you can useto get there).

Feel free to work with any of these formats to create your unique personalmission statement. But remember: your personal mission statement willcontinue to change and evolve as you gain insights about yourself and yourcareer life.Once youve created a unique personal mission statement, dothe following:

Make it a part of your everyday life. Use it in your search for jobs and careers. Talk about it at job interviews. Stress how it can benefit the company. Let it make you stand out from the crowd.

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6. what motivates your choice ofjob or career?

True, making a decision regarding your career direction can be verychallenging, especially when faced with two job offers that have good

potentials, but seem confusing.

Because of the nature of Nigerias job environment, where a job offer isviewed as a lottery win, most job seekers (especially those who have beenlooking for a job for years), naturally tend to apply or accept job offersbased on the financial benefitsattached to that job offer.

True or false?

For example, if you were offered

a 150k naira/per month bank jobin Lagos, and you happen tohave studied Psychology andbecause you may not earn thatmuch if you were to pursue acareer in psychology (thats ifyou find jobs in that field) youare more likely to accept the bank job for many more reasons.

mot ivat ionis a

firef rom wit hin. if

someone else t r ies t olightt hat f ir e underyou, chances are i t wi l lburnvery

briefly

-Stephen R. Covey

Some might call that the Nigerian mentality of doing things, that is, asituation whereby you think about the short-term benefits of a particularproject, without thinking into the future, hence, the long-term benefits ofthe project - which may include your career development.

Sometimes, job seekers might say: Abeg forget karia developument jare,nah im go put food for my table?



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As a job seeker or career person, you are likely motivated by certain thingsin relation to your choice of job or career in Nigeria. Here are some commonfactors for you to consider:

Financial rewards Job Security Working conditions Opportunities for growth Opportunities for development Creativity of the job Collective/Independent working Interest in the job Travel Opportunities Further training Friendly Job environment Long-term benefits

These are just a few suggestions that can help you with your choice of a jobor career. You can work out what matters to you based on this list and rankthem in order of importance.

So start thinking of what motivates you in a job or career now. Let thatmotivation drive you to your choice of a job or a career.

Photo credits: Usabin

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7. how to increase your job security

Do you feel insecure in your job or career? Many workers all around theworld are faced with this job situation. In the United States, a total of

152,000 jobs were lost in January and February 2009 according to the USLabor Department.

In Nigeria, job loss fears have increased over time in the banking, telecomsand oil & gas sectors (amongst other sectors), due to the financial economicrecession and the unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta. Indeed, many have losttheir jobs!

In todays Nigerian economic environment, other factors such as companydownsizing, company mergers or acquisitions, etc have meant that manyNigerian workers have faced, or may soon face, the unexpected loss of their

jobs. In an environment where there are relatively no jobs and the few jobsavailable are well contested for by many job candidates, workers need tocritically assess their job security.

how secure is your job?

You need to keep asking yourselfeveryday: How secure is my job?As companies seek young graduatesand recruit candidates with themost valuable skills for theirbusiness, workers would want toconstantly assess their assets to thecompany to better secure theirjobs.

While you cant do anything to change the economic recession (leave that tothe financial risk management experts) or the overall economy and otherfactors that lead to increased levels of job insecurity, there are things youcan do to cope with job insecurity.

always have an answer t o t he quest ion:

"what would I do i f I lost my j obt omorrow?

Robert T. Kiyosaki



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take an inventory

You need to always take stock of your skills, interests, values, andpersonality. There are certain skills that you might not have, which may benecessary for your job area. Dont waste any time - acquire those skills.

Avoid limiting your skills to a specific job title or role. For example, if youare a banker, get some IT skills. If you are an engineer, get managerialskills.

assume responsibility

Some organisations in Nigeria dont have the culture of training anddevelopment. In this case, you need to train yourself - take courses,programmes and training on areas that would add value to the company andyour career. You are doing this for yourself. Look for other areas youcan utilize the skills and experience you have. Consider the possibility ofmoving to another industry or company where your skills will be moreappreciated and you feel relatively secure.

improve on yourself

Self-improvement is a very important key to job security. The more youlearn, the more you become a problem-solver. The more you offer solutions,the more you are adding value. Find new ways to do difficult tasks and yourcompany will see how much of an asset you are. Seekcareer counseling, ifpossible.

be proactive and proficient

Strive to increase your productivity and efficiency in your job. Employerswould keep workers who do their job well, when its time for downsizing. Ifyou work in an organisation where there are more preference forexpatriates than local workers, you goal should be to remain focused in yourjob and be result-oriented.

always stay positive

Despite the job insecurity in Nigeria, you shouldnt allow negativity toaffect your productivity. The stress and anxiety of feeling insecure in yourjob can affect your performance in your job amidst news and trends in yourindustry or company. Dont allow those feelings of insecurity weigh youdown. Strive to be positive about your career and establish relationshipsthat would help you stay positive.

Photo credits: bro.khatib

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8. how to succeed in anyjob interview

Getting a job may be easier than you think. It involves a real understandingof the whole interview process. In the Nigerian job market, many people

worry so much about the likely interview questions they would face on theinterview day that they fail to realise that the employer or interviewerwould be as nervous and worried as they are.

I know that feeling of doubt thatprevents job candidates from goingthrough the job interview processwith ease. I experienced it too thoseyears of job hunting and I know whatyou are possibly going through rightnow.

But how can you turn those negativeemotions into positive motions duringa job interview?

Here are a few tips to help you take charge of the situation during your nextjob interview.

get background information about the company

I know that you know this already, but Id like to emphasize the importanceof having background knowledge of the company or industry you want towork with. This will surely help you in answering the questions that relate tothe company and industry.

prepare insightful questions for the company

In any job interview you attend, make sure you prepare your own questionsfor the interviewer or employer. You should ask questions that drawattention to the competitive environment within the industry; majorobstacles that the company is facing that is preventing it from

accomplishing its goals; the overall executive management style ofleadership.

rehearse your presentation

Most job seekers just dont bother about preparing their presentationsbefore they go for job interviews. They dont realise what a 30-minuterehearsal of the job interview questions can do for their chances of gettingthe job. So make it a goal to always rehearse your presentations with afriend or family member.



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Having them pretend to be the employer and you the job seeker is calledrole-playing. Let them ask you the likely questions and you attempt toanswer them. This practice will give you some confidence and remove someof your doubts and fears during the interview process.

believe that the job interviewer is nervous

This is one of the confidence boosters during a job interview. If you couldjust see the interviewer (or group of interviewers) in front of you as nervousas you may be, you would be relaxed and take charge of the job interviewprocess. Yeah, thats right! Realise that the interviewer would aim tointimidate you, putting up a front, or fronting, and thats youropportunity to prove that you can handle their fronts. Of course, thisdoesnt mean you should put up fronts too, rather, be cool, calm andconfident.

view the job interview as a meeting

The more you think of the job interview as a meeting to discuss thecompanys overall objectives and how you can play a role in its success, themore at ease youll be. Most people feel the job interview is a question andanswer session, where the interviewer asks the questions and they (jobseekers) answer the questions. It is much more than that.

The sooner you think of the job interview as a meeting with perhaps yourfuture colleagues or bosses, as the case may be, the better your chances of

making a good impression and getting the job. So view your role in thediscussion as very important for the companys success and your role willnot be undermined or overlooked.

If you do what you have to do, youll be surprised at the results. So gosurprise yourself in your next job interview.

you can tell whether a man is clever by

his answersand you can tell whether aman is wise by his quest ions

- Naguib Mahfouz

oto credits:J.T.CrichtonPh


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9. how to make the right career decisions

You are looking for a job in Intercontinental bank in Lagos but you havenow been offered employment at NNPC in Abuja. Will you leave your

possibly high-paying bank job which doesnt give you much time for a lesserpaid oil contract job, which willoffer you a chance to workoverseas?

Yeah, most Nigerian graduates andjob seekers are looking fordirections in their career path. Areyou one of these? Are you at acareer crossroad? Do you expect tochange careers three or more times

during your entire working life? Areyou undecided about a job or careerand need the right directions towards your career path?

if one advancesconfidentlyin thedirection of his dreams, and

endeavours to live the life which hehas imagined, he will meet with a

successunexpected in common hours

-Henry David Thoreau

step 1: know your values

Your personal values are the emotional anchors of whatever you decide todo. Ask yourself: Whats really important to me?

Money? Opportunities? Happiness? Family?

If youre planning to start a career in a Nigerian bank where you expect tobe highly paid, will that job or career give you other things that you desire

in life? If youve been writing several job tests and attending interviews,without success, is it time to consider moving to another career?



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step 2: identify your skills and talents

A skill is something youve learned to do. A talent is something youve beenborn with or you seem naturally inclined to do. You should be able todifferentiate between the two, because you may be skilled at something but

dont enjoy doing that thing - because its just not your thing.

If you dont have a particular skill or if you dont like a certain field ofstudy, how do you think you can get a job or pursue a career in that area?How can a business administration graduate who doesnt and has never likedmathematics expect to do well in a GMAT test that requires Math?

Or how can someone who doesn't do well in calculations, study for ascience-related career. So focus on your talents and hone your skills - Imean 110% - then youll be able to make better career choices.

step 3: identify yourpassions

Passions are what you really enjoy doing or what gets you excited. So whatarea of study gets you excited? Think about what you love to do orsomething youve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to do.

Then, if you make a career choice in any field, ask yourself: why do I wantto pursue this career or that job? Your answer should help you determinewhat your passion is.

step 4: getexperience

People say: Experience is the BEST teacher. Do you believe that? I do.Relatively do. Especially when it comes to career matters. If youre new tothe job market or if you are considering a career change, get out and talk topeople who are actually doing it - those who have experience. Volunteer orget trained in a field related to the kind of job or career youre looking for,in order to gain relevant experience. That way, youll be able to test outwhether it fits your career values and passions.

But here comes the problem: If you arent getting paid to do thatvolunteer job, youll likely not stay at the job (or lose focus), because yourpassion for that job is in conflict with your value system, which may bemoney-driven.

step 5: be ageneralist, but specialise

In todays technology-driven world, almost all information is important inorder to become widely literate, especially in your choice of career or jobinterest. For instance, in order to pass a job test or an interview you needto know as much as possible to be able to impress interviewer(s) or

employer(s). They want to know if you are adequately qualified (notnecessarily your grade - 2.1 or 2.2) for the job - and if you have read wide



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enough about the industry, company, etc you will have the clear advantageof laying your answers before them and letting them worry about how muchtheyll pay you for your skill, knowledge and experience.

So learn as much as you can about what interests you, but focus more on

the jobs and careers youre considering - and particularly where theindustry or profession you are considering is heading. These are the likelyareas that the employer wants you to prove in order to show that youunderstand the industry enough for you to work with the company.

step 6:takeexperiencebefore money

Here, you need to analyze your values again. What drives or motivates youfor a job or career? A good way of sizing up several job opportunities is toask yourself: Which position will offer me the best chance of becomingexcellent at what I do? Likely, that position may not be the one that paysthe highest initial salary.

step 7: aim for jobs or careers with a 110%commitmentlevel

In some Nigerian companies today where employers lay off workers at thesnap of their fingers, you are more likely to remain in that company if yourperformance is above average. Theres no room for complacency! So toavoid this career struggle, aim for jobs and careers where you can give upto 110%, so that when the company is faced with the decision to downsize,your name will not be on the list as a result of your outstanding

performance for the company.

step 8: build your lifestyle around your future job or career

Whatever you decide to do, just be passionate about it. If you are a jobseeker or professional, let your career choice reflect on your attitude andway of life towards that job or career. Live, sleep, drink, eat andcommunicate like someone who wants to be seen or related to thatparticular career.

Do you remember that Coca-cola advertisement? Think Football. DrinkFootball. Eat Football. Sleep Football. Obviously, those you have a career infootball have their whole lifestyle around that particular sport, wouldntyou agree?

How can a guy who doesnt act corporate get a job in a bank? Or how can alady who easily gets angry handle customers?

step 9: invest in your job and career

Every employer expects you to prove what your benefits are to the

company, and since they tend towards immediate returns on each Naira,they will invest in you only when they can see an immediate or relatively



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quick expensive benefit, or when they see extraordinary potential in you.Why do you think they ask: Why should we employ you?

Thus, dedicate yourself to being the BEST that you can be, so that yourLIGHT will shine before your employers.

step 10: be willing to adapt

If you have been struggling with your career or it has been difficult to find ajob in your career choice, dont let the discouragements worry you. Maybe,its time to adapt. Be willing to change and adapt to new conditions andopportunities. Adapt. Adapt. Adapt.

Illustration: Mr.& Mrs. Ant

The Ants are one of the most intelligent creatures on earth. The Ants learnto adapt in whatever situation or condition they find themselves. The Antsknow where they want to go and are willing to turn around and changetheir course in order to get there. Visit the Ants today!

the roads we take are more importantthan the goals we announce; decisions

determinedestiny

- Frederick Speakman

Photo Credits: Oluseyi

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oluseyi/http://www.flickr.com/photos/oluseyi/


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11. the 5ps ofsuccessful job search

Youve probably heard of the 4Ps of Marketing - Product, Price, Promotion,Place, and People (the new P of the Marketing Mix) - variables that are

under a firms control that can affect the level of demand for the firmsproducts.

In todays competitive job environment, there are equally variables that areunder your control as a jobseeker that can determine your success or failurein getting a job. Thus, I have developed what I call the 5ps of successfuljob search to help you become more effective in searching and finding theright jobs in Nigeria. You can call them the 5 recipes for success in jobsearch.

plan

This is the foundation of your success in any endeavour, whether you wantto build a house, take a vacation, get married, start a project, etc - youmust design a plan.

Here are a few tips on how to use planning for your job search.

Start by researching your career field. Find out the job opportunitiesaround your career path. Know the qualifications, skills, training, etcneeded for that job position. Research about the companies that offer thejob opportunities that you are looking for. Focus on areas that are lesscompetitive.

Develop a career plan. After you have done your research, start working onyour CV or resume and cover letter. Define your career objectives. Writeyour career summary. Write your career profile. Do these for different jobpositions in different companies or organizations. Some people find a jobbefore they prepare a CV. Start early. When youve found a job that youwish to apply for, you can then structure your CV to suit the job position orjob industry.

Commit yourself to your plan. Some people have a problem with sticking totheir plans and goals. I use to have that problem, but Ive improved inrecent years. You might have developed a career plan, but later you findout that you dont want to pursue that career direction. That means thatyou did not plan well for your career. Or you just heard that a particularcompany (not in your career plan) is currently recruiting and you apply for ajob position ill-prepared without planning. The result is usually failure. Sostrive to stick to your plan and it will work for you.



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prepare

After you have designed an effective plan for your job search, startpreparing for the job test and oral interview. This might sound ridiculous,but your preparation is the key to your success in finding the right job.

Now, I know that this might sound like a University lecturers advice: READ,PRACTICE, PREPARE. However, studies have shown that the most preparedstudents pass examinations while the ill-prepared ones fail. So in order toavoid crash program before your job test and oral interview, startpreparing now, even if youve not sent out one job application.

When youve been short-listed for an interview, make sure you research thecompany and employer in such a way that the interviewer would thinkyoure a special agent with a secret service. Just kidding!

Prepare your answers to job interview questions well in advance andprepare your questions for the interviewer (Note: If you dont ask theinterviewer insightful questions, he/she would think that you are not achallenging person, so how can you work in a challenging environment?)

Lastly, practice your presentations in front of a friend or family member,and let them give you appraisals.

people

Yes, you need people. How many? As many as you can meet and talk to.Speak about your job search to people who might help.

Here are a few tips:

Talk with your friends, family and relatives who are either into the systemor who know people in the system.

Visit career sites where you can find useful information as well as people inyour situation.

Attend career events in Nigeria such as seminars, conferences, etc whereyou can meet professionals who are in the industry where you are lookingfor a job. Perhaps they might know people in your industry that they canrefer you to. Get their contacts and start calling or emailing them. Alwayscarry your file or folder containing your CVs and other documents you need.

Network with people in social networking sites such as Facebook. They canbe very useful for your job search efforts, only if you use them well.

Connect with professionals in business networking sites such as LinkedIn.

You can find Nigerian recruiters, business professionals, HR practitioners insites like these.

http://facebook.com/http://linkedin.com/http://linkedin.com/http://facebook.com/


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passion

You have to bring passion into your job search efforts. There are ways thatyou can be passionate about what you want, right? For instance, to providesexual pleasure to someone, you need passion. Again, to get sexual pleasure

from someone, you need passion. Think about all the other things that youwant in lifeyou need to be passionate to get them. So pursue your jobsearch with passion and let that passion drive you crazy - not literallythough!:-)

Focus on the jobs that you have passion, strength, enthusiasm andcommitment to do. Whatever you do, avoid being desperate in front of yourinterviewer. But show enthusiasm for the job and the company. Give themthe impression that you have worked so hard to get here, and you need thejob position more than the other job candidates. Be fired up and aim to firethem up by using your positive energy, enthusiasm and passion!

patience

Now youve planned, prepared and performed, but you havent succeededin finding a job. The whole job process would help you learn patience, ifyou dont have that quality. Yes, it can be frustrating! However, patience isa real virtue! Yeah, easy to say, but many people have been waiting foryears to find a job, and if you ask them, what has kept them through thoseyears, theyll answer in one word: PATIENCE.

Although its not easy, strive to be patient with your job search efforts andstick to your career plan and goals. Some have waited enough, and havesettled for anything that comes their way. Thats sad, because they mightnot be doing what they really want, or earning the kind of salary that theywant. But for some, they feel it gives them the opportunity to learn otherthings before they move on to their original career plan.

Whatever you feel will work for you, consider it. Someday, youll find theright job that suits your career needs.



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12. howyouth initiatives can boost your career

Most people hardly devote their time and attention to youth groups, forums,associations, initiatives, and organisations founded for youth and career

development in Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education in Nigeriaand elsewhere.

Little do they know that their role and participation in some of theseinitiatives can boost their chances of getting a job or starting a career, asthey would have developed leadership abilities and other skills needed tosucceed in Nigerias work environment.

During my years at the University, I co-founded a student group namedManagers Leisure which helped to develop the minds of students and youthswithin the community towards

career development. Weorganised seminars, workshopsand conferences that attractedquite a good number ofspeakers.

Personally, I learned therudiments of team work andleadership and also gained someother skills and experiences thathave helped me in my career.

great teamworkis the only way wecreate the breakthroughs that define

our careers- Pat RileyInterestingly, there are a good number of youth initiatives in Nigeria, NGOsand International Student Organisations such as TakingITGlobal, and AIESEC,

depending on your interests, which you can get involved with, volunteeringyour time, efforts and skill with the goal of boosting your future career andjob prospects.

http://takingitglobal.org/http://aiesec.org/http://aiesec.org/http://takingitglobal.org/


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Below are a few tips on how you can boost your career and job prospectswith youth initiative roles:

Invest your time and resources in youth initiatives related to yourcareer

Work as a team with other youths in building the initiative Organise events that promote youth participation Network with the Nigerian media for event coverage Strive for leadership roles in the youth initiative Endeavour to improve your communication and writing skills Attempt to make speeches in your events or be a moderator Work with other youth initiatives as partners or collaborators Start local chapters in other parts of the country Build a network of sponsors and partners

The truth is, when you get involved with these organisations, you aregaining hands-on management experience that will help you in your futurejob or career. Remember to include your experiences in your CVs and coverletters, as well as during your job interviews.

Your employer would be glad that you have had these experiences eventhough they were volunteer experiences, thus increasing your chances foryour job application and selection.

Photo credits: Comsec

http://www.flickr.com/photos/comsec/2051713593/http://www.flickr.com/photos/comsec/2051713593/http://www.flickr.com/photos/comsec/2051713593/


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13. the barriers to effective job search

Many Nigerian jobseekers wonder why their job or career search effortshave not been successful as they hoped. If you are reading this and you

wonder why you havent been effective in your job search, you might beencountering some mental barriers to effective job search.

barrier 1: procrastinationact of putting off doing something

To be effective in your job search, you need to start early to plan for yourcareer future. Most people wait until they are out of the University, or havefinished their NYSC before they start taking the necessary steps of jobhunting. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this situation:

Identify your career goals while at the University or during your NYSC Start doing the necessary research on your career focus Define your career objectives in relation to your career path Get the extra skills and training that you need for your future career Start making contacts with people already in your career path Prepare your resume or CV and a cover letter early and update it

regularly

barrier 2: complainexpressive feeling of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment

Complains arise due to the frustrations of not getting a job. Some peoplewould complain that there are no jobs, or that the employers are toobiased, or that the job market is too competitive, or that the salary ismeagre. Perhaps that the government is not fair or that the system is notencouraging. Blah, blah, blah.

Unfortunately, while you are busy complaining, you wont see the job orcareer opportunities that may pass you by. So, try not to complain aboutyour situation. Rather, be focused on your job search efforts and goals inwhatever situation.

the obstacles you face are mentalbarriers which can be broken by

adopting a more positiveapproach

-Clarence Blasier



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barrier 3: worryfeeling of anxiety, frustration and distress

Worry is another barrier to effective job search. After many years of jobhunting - writing many job tests, attending many interviews, etc - you may

start feeling that youre too old and would not be accepted in the system,since many employers are looking for young graduates. Worrying will notsolve the problem.

Here are some tips:

Search for jobs in less competitive areas Consider changing your career direction Re-evaluate your goals and passions

barrier 4: complacencyfeeling of self-satisfaction

Okay, you have sent out two or three job applications, and you relax andwait for the results, feeling that youve done enough and perhaps youveconquered the world. Or you just wrote a job test or attended a jobinterview and you just relax and wait for an invitation letter or a call.Thats complacency! As a jobseeker, your goal should be to seek as manyjob opportunities as possible and never stop until you succeed with one.

So make finding jobs an unpaid fulltime job for yourself. Be crazy about

finding jobs in the Nigerian Daily newspapers. Visit online job sites to findthe latest jobs. Register with genuine recruitment agencies in Nigeria. Beproactive, versatile and passionate.

barrier 5: mediocritystate of being or feeling average and ordinary

Mediocrity can prevent you from competing with others for a particular jobposition because you graduated with a lower grade or because you feel thatyour degree cant get you a job. This state of the mind can affect yourcareer life in such a way that you can settle for whatever job you find.

Instead challenge yourself to find jobs despite your status, ethnic, age, sexand disability. Have a routine of job searching, networking and preparing forpossible job offers. Finally, be assured that these five different barriers toeffective job search can be surmounted with hard work and conscientiousefforts on your part.



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14. what ifyour degree cant get you a job?

Most graduates in Nigeria who studied courses that are not in high demandfor in the job market may sometimes feel out of place in the Nigerian

competitive job industry.

Degree programmes such as Political Science, Psychology, History, FoodTechnology, Geography, Library and Information Science, Urban andRegional Planning, etc are practically not in high demand in Nigeria,whereas in other parts of the world, you can find good jobs if youre agraduate of one of these.

Most people accepted to study for these courses partly because they didnthave a choice (due to cut-off marks imposed by the admission system inNigeria), or perhaps they simply didnt have the forethought or foresight

into their future career due to a lack of propercareer counselingandguidance in Nigeria.

If you find yourself in this situation where your degree or diploma cant getyou a job in Nigeria, here are a few suggestions on what to do.

Take a short course. Look for short business or IT-related courses, or evenother courses in your field. Start a sandwich programme. Make sure that thecourse or programme has a relatively high employment demand.

Register for a professional exam. Find a professional exam that suits yourneeds in a field where you have 75% knowledge of the subject area and thatyou can find a job with. Read the course modules before choosing aprofessional course to take.

Acquire relevant skills. Skills can get you jobs easily anywhere in theworld. Develop the right skills needed to find a job.

Focus on less competitive jobs. Search for jobs in areas that are lesscrowded and competitive. Focus your efforts in job industries that dont layso much emphasis on factors such as (degrees, grades, age, etc).

Consider taking up a teaching job. Teaching jobs are everywhere, inschools, private classes, training institutes, etc Consider teaching your fieldof study while searching for other jobs you want.

the majority of men meet with fai lurebecause of their lackofpersistence increating

new

plansto take the place of

those which fail - Napoleon Hill

mailto:%[email protected]:%[email protected]


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Learn a foreign language. Learning a new language can be challenging, butrewarding. You can learn as many languages as you can, but focus yourenergies and efforts on languages that would assist you in getting a job orstarting a career in Nigeria. Languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, andother Nigerian languages can help.

Start a blog. A blog is an online diary-type website that features articlesand comments on a particular topic and subject. Start writing your thoughtsas well as local and world news on your field of study on a weblog.Blogger.com is a good start.

Improve on yourself. Self-improvement is a good way of finding a job orstarting a career. Read self-help books and blogs on goals, happiness,wealth, productivity, relationships, etc. Attend personal development,motivation, etc seminars. Practice what you feel would work for you (notbecause it has worked for other people). Have a positive outlook about life.

Pursue a hobby. Hobbies can be turned into passions; passions into profits.Look for something that you like to do and start doing it. Be creative. Somehobbies like painting, crafting, designing, writing, etc can be rewarding inNigeria.

Start a project. Choose a project related to your field that you cansuccessfully work on and start working. Find project-minded people to workwith. Develop creative ideas that can help you build a career, make moneyand create jobs for people.

it is never too lateto be what youmight have been - George Eliot

You can succeed in your career and job life, if you look out for opportunitiesin all areas of life. Try not to limit yourself. Believe you can do what youplan to do. Achieve what you want to do.



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15. lessons from asking questionsat job interviews

I have received several feedbacks from career-minded people who feel that

asking an interviewer certain questions during a job interview may seem asif you are being too forward. Others have suggested that Nigerian employersmay tend to be unresponsive to such questions.

What do you think?

The truth is: Employers are actually looking for candidates who can putforward challenging questions about the job position, the company, and theindustry.

In one of my interview experiences in the past, I used such questions andwas successful. Although my experience may not be similar to yours, but I'lllike to share it here, so you can perhaps learn lessons from asking questionsat job interviews.

Back in 2004, I was applying for a trainee marketing consultant job in amanagement consulting firm in Abuja. The role was to successfully marketthe companys professional training programmes and events to professionalsin the banking industry. This meant that the right candidates for the jobposition must possess inter-personal skills, communicative skills, marketingskills, presentation skills as well as qualities such as confidence and the

ability to work under pressure.

I had read a lot about how to be successful in job interviews and eventhough I wasnt sure that asking a Nigerian employer such questions mightseem that I was too forward, I decided to give it a try.

Heres what I did back then

I carefully reviewed all the questions that I was able to research about. Ianalyzed each question and chose the ones that related to the job positionand my skills and experience for the job. Then, I started to prepare for the

interview with these questions in mind. I had a friend rehearse mypresentation with me and worked on my body language, posture and voice.Note that your body language speaks about your suitability for the jobposition.

Since I didnt know what to expect from the interviewer, I concentrated myefforts on what impression Ill give at the interview. I must say that, theinterviewer was not expecting those questions from someone applying for atrainee position. When I got the job offer, the letter specifically highlightedthat my confidence and poise were the qualities the company was lookingfor from the right candidates.



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Ive decided to include my experience to point out the areas where mostNigerian jobseekers sometimes overlook that may deny them a job offer.Now think: If the interviewer back then didnt expect me to ask thosequestions (perhaps because I was applying for a trainee position), how muchmore would todays interviewers expect from you, when you apply for top

positions in top companies and organizations.

If you are interested in increasing your chances of getting a job offer, thenyou need to try any possible strategy that would work to your advantage.



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16. steps to finding atrainee placementorinternship job

If you are still an undergraduate

student at any Nigerian University andyou intend to pursue an internshipprogramme or an industrial traineeplacement (popularly known as IT) orenroll as an intern or trainee in anyfield or industry in Nigeria, thisarticle is just right for you.

Or perhaps you are a graduatestudent and would like to learn tipsto help you find a good post-NYSC job placement in any industry or companyin Nigeria. Or you are just interested in finding an internship job in Nigeriato improve your current skills and acquire more skills.

Here are seven success steps to help you find an IT placement or internshipjob.

step 1:decide

You have to decide what type of job you are interested in and whichindustry you want to work in depending on your field of study and your

career goals. For example, a petroleum engineering student in Nigeriawould need an industrial placement in an oil company such as Shell Nigeria,ExxonMobile, etc in order to get the required training. Thus, yourqualifications must match the positions requirements.

step 2:search

Depending on your field of study, search for industries in Nigeria that offerinternship jobs. Instead of waiting until the end of the semester before youstart your search, you should start searching from the beginning of theacademic calendar year you are supposed to go for your IT attachment. Thatway, you would have enough time to explore the job requirements, applyfor the training and focus on other areas of your academic work.

step 3:check

While searching on your own, check if your academic adviser can assist youwith job placements related to your study. An academic adviser or lectureralways has ideas and contacts in the employment world that he or she canrefer you to.



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step 4:contact

If your school has a career advice centre, you can contact them to find outwhat resources are available for you in your search for an IT placement.Some Nigerian Universities employ career counselors to assist students in

finding internships or in finding jobs.

step 5:visit

You can also visit the websites of companies that you are interested inworking for. Search their Employment Opportunities page or Careerspage. Sometimes, industrial placements are made public online.

step 6:browse

Browse through Nigerian newspapers and industry magazines for possibleindustrial training placements or internship programmes. If you find any thatinterests you, contact the company and find out more about the position.

step 7:attend

Attend a career or job fair in Nigeria. Several job fairs are being held inLagos, for instance, and many job seekers have benefited from this event.Hopefully, colleges and universities in Nigeria would start organising careerfairs for job seekers, if theyve not already started doing so. At the job fair,talk with different companies about possible internships and future jobs intheir organizations.

Photo Credits: sendroiu

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7537146@N06/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7537146@N06/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7537146@N06/http://www.flickr.com/photos/7537146@N06/


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17. how fresh graduates canstructurea winning cv

Whatever your field of study, you can structure your CV in such a way that

your qualifications, skills, and professional experiences are best suited forany job you wish to apply for. Below are 5 tips on how fresh graduates canstructure a winning CV.

tip 1:personalize your career goal

Your career goal defines YOU as a person. It says what you want to become,how you intend to achieve this, and what qualities you have to achieve this.

So ask yourself: What does the interviewer or employer need to know aboutme that would benefit the company?

Here, you need to have researched the company and the job position inorder to be able to define a career goal that relates to that of thecompanys and the job expectations. Also, your career goal should be statedin such a way that it reflects your career purpose or path.

tip 2: summarize your qualifications

Your qualifications are another vital part of your CV. They tell whether youare qualified for the job or not. In order to show your qualifications, you

need to list them in a descending order of period of year and level ofqualifications. Also, you need to create segments or categories of yourqualifications. Below is a format:

Educational. List and summarize your schools attended,qualifications obtained and years of graduation.

Professional. List and summarize your professional institutionsattended, qualifications and years of graduation. Professional bodiesand certifications such as ICAN and ACA will be relevant here.

tip 3: priortize your experiences

Your experiences play a key role in the job selection process. Even thoughyour employer knows that the job position being applied for is for freshgraduates, who may or may not have a job experience, they would expectyou to have some experience in a work-related environment, where youvedemonstrated your skills in effective communication, teamwork, leadershipand more.



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Here are a few tips:

Summarize your NYSC experience. Highlight the areas of your work asa youth corper that are related to the job position you are applyingfor. Also, include the essential job qualities that you learned from

the experience. Analyze your IT job placement, if any, as above. Recognize your organizational experiences. Highlight any areas of

your student professional activities that are related to the job. Thisincludes student associations, initiatives, organizations, clubs, etc

tip 4: recognize your skills

Your skills are the tools you need to do the job effectively. Make sure youinclude as many skills as possible, relevant to the job position. Some keyskills include Analytical, Communicative, Writing, Persuasive, Creative,Networking and Leadership skills. Note: If possible, include how youdemonstrated each of these skills in your little work experience.

tip 5: organize your cv

Your CV should have all it takes to get you the job. Most CVs are notconsidered because they lack organization and clarity. Focus on the goodorganization of your CV by paying attention to font sizes, characters,spaces, margins, etc.

Remember: Your CV is doing the marketing for you, so if it lacks goodpresentation and organization, you shouldnt expect to be invited for aninterview. If you are invited, go for it!



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18. 10insightful questionsto ask your next job interviewer

If you are wondering why you dont seem to succeed in job interviews,

perhaps the problem could be that you havent shown that you are achallenging person with questions that may dazzle the interviewer oremployer.

If you have been given an opportunity to present yourself at the interview,your goal should be to wow your would-be employer by your intellectualand insightful questions to the interviewer. I'll now present to you tenpowerful questions for you to use and get yourself a job offer.

1. What are the growth and advancement opportunities that this jobposition and the company would offer?

With this question, you are telling the interviewer that you are lookingforward to a long-term professional career with the company, not just for apaycheck.

2. Are there opportunities for continuing education and professionaltraining?

Here, you show that you are willing to learn new skills and possibly adapt tonew challenges and initiatives that would improve your performance on the

job.

3. What are the major obstacles preventing the company from achievingits goals?

In this question, you are showing a real interest in the companys well-beingand possibly indicating that your skills and experience could help make thecompany achieve its goals.

4. How do you feel I could add value to the company?

Obviously you were shortlisted out of hundreds, possibly thousands of othercandidates. Thus, this question gives you the opportunity to find out whyyou were shortlisted and more chances to bring your qualities to thespotlight.

5. What would be my first project if Im hired?

This gives the impression that you are already seeing yourself a part of thecompany. Also, it shows that you have the mental attitude to work from dayone, thus allowing you to start planning for the project even before you areexpected to commence your job, if you were hired.



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6. Who will evaluate me if Im hired?

This question might help you understand the hierarchy of management inthe company as well as the departmental structure where you are expectedto work. Most importantly, you will be able to discern what level of

management personnel you are expected to report to.

7. What is the nature of the competition in the industry?

Although youve done your own personal research about the industry, thisquestion might give you insights into other areas of the industry that youdont have information about. You might also learn about the companysposition in the job industry.

8. Why did you choose to work with this company?

This could give you other reasons to consider working for the company. Itslike asking the interviewer: Why would you advice me to work for thiscompany? Thus, finding out a current employees reasons for choosing towork at the company can give you some insight into some of the strengthsand opportunities within the organization.

9. When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?

Although some interviewers/employers may tell you that the decision willbe made soon, without giving an exact time period, asking this question

helps you to know how you can plan your interview follow-up activities suchas sending a thank you card or email, making a call, etc.

10. Who should I contact as a follow-up to this interview?

This is perhaps the best way for you to wrap up the interview. With thisquestion, you are not only keeping the door open for furthercommunication, but you are also giving the impression that you have apositive outlook about the interview and a possible job offer.

you can tell whether a man is clever byhis answersand you can tell whether a

man is wise by his quest ions

- Naguib Mahfouz



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what next?

It is my hope that you have benefited tremendously from this career

guidebook. Some of the ideas and insights found in this e-book have beenpublished on the Internet at www.loyokezie.com, but because I wantedmore people to have access, I decided to publish this e-book in PDF formatfor FREE.

Thank you for downloading and reading this career guidebook. Kindly sendme your feedback by visitingwww.loyokezie.com/ebooks

Remember, this e-book is only a guide. You are the only person who cansolve your career problems.

And until we meet,

Pursue career freedom!

if you would like to hire me as your career coach, kindly send anintroductory email via: [email protected]

http://www.loyokezie.com/http://www.loyokezie.com/ebooksmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.loyokezie.com/ebookshttp://www.loyokezie.com/


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theauthor

Loy Okezieis a much-sought-after career mastery coachwhose clients include graduates andundergraduates, jobseekers and professionals aswell as hundreds of career-minded youths whodesire career excellence.

His career as a personal and organizationaleffectiveness coach started since 2003 when hehelped co-found a youth initiative for careerdevelopment while studying at the University of

Abuja. This initiative helped to inspire and incite the minds of youths

towards their career development through trainings, talk-shows, workshops,seminars and conferences.

He has a background in Business with over four years experience inmarketing consulting and strategic development, having worked withmanagement consulting firms in Lagos and Abuja.

He has worked as a career and recruitment consultant for a UK-basedrecruitment consulting firm, and has successfully trained hundreds of peopleto become effective in their personal and career lives.

Born in Lagos; educated in Le Havre, he currently lives in Lekki Bay Area,New Lagos where he runs a new media communications agency that helpssmall businesses and huge companies to build their brand awareness andengage with their customers more effectively.

You can connect with him via Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.

If you would like to invite Loy to speak to or train your organisation,

kindly send an email [email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/okeziehttp://www.linkedin.com/in/loyokeziehttp://www.twitter.com/loyokeziemailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.twitter.com/loyokeziehttp://www.linkedin.com/in/loyokeziehttp://www.facebook.com/okezie

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