EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

One of the problems faced by job-seekers in our country today is unemployment or inability to land a good job. The search for good jobs for some has become a burden too hard to bear. This is because the available number of jobs is far fewer than the number of available job-seekers. Every year, over a million graduates are released into the job market with no corresponding job opportunities. As a result of this, one has to go the extra mile of  acquiring certain skills to add to their education. Today, having a degree or a diploma is not a ticket to securing a job. One needs to have those skills that employers are really looking for in order to have an edge over other job-seekers.

So, what are these critical employability skills that employers demand of job-seekers?

Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written). By far, the one skill mentioned most often by employers is the ability to listen, write, and speak effectively

Analytical/Research Skills. Deals with your ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed.

Computer/Technical Literacy. Almost all jobs now require some basic understanding of computer hardware and software, especially word processing, spreadsheets, and email.

Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities. Deals with your ability to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.

Interpersonal Abilities. The ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day.

Leadership/Management Skills. While there is some debate about whether leadership is something people are born with, these skills deal with your ability to take charge and manage your co-workers.

Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness. There is possibly no bigger issue in the workplace than diversity, and job-seekers must demonstrate a sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures.

Planning/Organizing. Deals with your ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted timeframe. Also involves goal-setting.

Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity. Involves the ability to find solutions to problems using your creativity, reasoning, and past experiences along with the available information and resources.

Teamwork. Because so many jobs involve working in one or more work-groups, you must have the ability to work with others in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal.

Visit www.careergong.com NOW for job vacancies.

For further reading (reference) QuintCareers

KEYS TO SUCCESS

According to the free dictionary, Success is defined as "the achievement of something desired, planned or attempted. It is a feat that many would want to be identified with.

Napoleon Hill wrote a famous book “Keys to Success” reveals the 17 principles he found in the successful men he interviewed. Maybe these traits could help you too. When you look at the chapter headings you will see listed many of the requirements necessary to set up or improve a business successfully or in fact to live a successful life.

Develop Definiteness or Purpose

Basically to be successful in reaching your destination you need a “road map” or plan to show the direction you wish to go and where you want to arrive, whether it’s a journey to another town or a journey in life.

Establish a Mastermind Alliance

In the book his group is an imaginary group of famous successful men he admired. He visualizes them after studying their characters. He holds council with these men in his imagination. We may not choose to do that; we may consider how someone successful would tackle a problem however we all need the help of others to reach our true potential. We may get our help from studying books, the internet or meeting people.

Assemble an Attractive Personality

Ill mannered, bad tempered and irresponsible people that don’t consider others aren’t going to be very successful. Develop a pleasant demeanor; get along with people give that little bit extra in all you do.

Enforce Self-Discipline

Plan what you do and work your plan. If you plan to do something, do it don’t procrastinate. Don’t let others down. Be reliable, on-time and enthusiastic.

Learn from Adversity and Defeat

 “Every cloud has a silver lining”, learn from your mistakes, turn failure around stay positive and don’t give up.

 Cultivate Creative Vision

 Be creative visualize what you want to happen practice as the athletes do in their minds. Use mind power for an easier journey to success.

Budget your Time and Money

As in self-discipline don’t spend what you haven’t got, invest wisely both money and rime. Time is a finite resource don’t waste it.

You can also visit careergong.com to view job vacancies.

For further reading (reference) 17 Keys to success

JOB INTERVIEW TIPS

Before you go for any interview, you need to prepare yourself adequately. Research on the company and review the details of the position you applied for. Evaluate your expertise and strengths, and ways in which you can use your skill set to be an asset to the hiring organization. Anticipate how you will confidently answer questions asked.

First impressions are very important in the hiring process.

Here is how to answer two key interview questions:

“Tell Us about Yourself”

This is a common question. So, where do you even begin? Do you treat the question as if you are on a date and start talking about your interests, dislikes and whatnots? I will tell you this, the HR doesn’t want to know about where you grew up, or the kind of hardships you went through to get to the position you are in today.

When asked this question, you have to first focus on your academic background and professional experience. Give a brief overview of the two. For example: 

My name is Anastacia Kihoti, a communications graduate from Africa Nazarene University. I am currently a customer service manager with four years of experience working for SMEs and large organizations in the service industry in East Africa....

The next step is to talk about your career progression as well as what you have learnt or achieved through the years. Capture the HR’s attention by mentioning the accomplishments that you are most proud of. For example: 

As the customer service manager,  I managed a team of  fifty customer service representatives in introducing call center systems by developing customer interaction and voice response systems, and executing user acceptance test plans...

Finally, you should give a summary of what you want your next career step to be. Make sure this logically ties in to the responsibilities of the position you are interviewing for. For example:

I am looking to move away from customer service to coaching and developing team leaders and agents, managing the daily running of a call center and driving performance of the team leaders to meet the business KPIs...

What Are You Looking For in a New Position?

Start by mentioning that you are looking for a job which has the potential for advancement. Talk about the desire to work in an environment where you will be challenged and in which you can grow your skills while being mentored. Highlight the experience you expect to get from the position.

If you strive to work in a place that you’re excited to go to every morning or where you’ll be mentally stimulated, be honest about it. Tell the recruiter that those are the crucial aspects you want in a new position.

To view job vacancies or to have your CV written, visit careergong.com

For more information (reference) She leads Africa

TIPS ON WRITING A PRO CV

Your CV is the most important tool you have to sell yourself; so how can you make yours stand out?

Don’t sell yourself short

Many professionals think two pages is the maximum length for CVs – but it doesn’t have to be. 

Looks matter

Keep your CV neat and well presented – use readable fonts and logical formatting. 

Always proof read

Double check spelling, grammar and dates –