You need confidence to succeed at interviews.

• Fidgeting
• Excessive sweat
• Long periods of silence. 

These are some of the signs of nervousness often displayed during interview sessions. In my years of conducting interviews, I have noticed this as a major problem sometimes acting as the defining factor between offering or denying a candidate the position. 

Yes we all know how intimidating some interview can be.  However no matter how qualified you may be, the employers want to see how confident and convincing you are. Because let's face it, you will need some level of confidence in carrying whatever role you are assigned. So you need to project your self confidence during the interview to show the interviewer(s) you are the right candidate for the job. 

Often, people under estimate how important it is to exhume confidence during interviews. But I can tell you it is extremely important. 

So just how then do you do this?

Here are a few tips to help you deal with the anxious moments and boost your confidence during interviews. 

RELAX. Find what helps you relax before big moments. Some people turn to music. Others to motivational speeches. Identify what works for you and apply it.

LEARN TO LISTEN. Cultivate the habit of listening through before attempting to answer. What this does is it gives you time to compose yourself and also think through your answers.

BE ENTHUSIASTIC. Employers only want to hire people who are enthusiastic about working for them. Your chance to show that is at least to speak enthusiastically. Even if you have the right answers to the interview questions speaking in low tones devoid of any passion does not help in projecting you as confident. 

USE RIGHT BODY LANGUAGE. If you have ever done any background work on interviews you would have found out that employers take a close look at the candidate's body language as much as all other aspects of the interview. 

Wear appropriate clothes. If there is something wrong with your clothes, you will soon find out as all eyes will be on you albeit for the wrong reason. And this is bound to affect your confidence. 

Sit appropriately. Not slouched.

Make eye contact when you speak. 

Do not fidget.

LIVE FOR THE MOMENT. No matter what happened before the interview, leave it outside the door. Do not bring any baggage with you. Even if you sat in the most horrible traffic en route the interview, act like nothing happened. However if you suffered an unfortunate incident before the interview, try and contact the employer beforehand to intimate them of the situation. 

DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  One thing that is bound to knock your confidence is being embarrassed openly and nothing can be more embarrassing than not having done your homework prior to the interview ( i.e making sure you know your CV) because employers can ask questions based on what is on your CV and if you can't answer this it can be very embarrassing. Infact I can tell you that from that moment, the interview just goes downhill. 

Also spend time researching the company. It is very embarrassing not to know anything about the company you want to work for. 

Lastly practice interview techniques. If need be ask your friends to help in a mock interview session. 

Leave no stone unturned to achieve success. 

Your CV is meant to do one thing : GET YOU INTERVIEWS

Is your CV speaking correctly? 

One of the most important documents you would ever need inn your quest for a job is your curriculum vitae otherwise known as CV. It goes where you can't go and carries a definite message. It helps employers make  major decisions regarding candidates eligibility or otherwise.
But is your CV the best it can be? Does it market you and show your skills and talents? Does it contain the right keywords?
If your CV is not doing any of these, then it is clear your CV is sick and in need of a CV Doctor.
There are many sites and even professionals that are engaged in giving your CV a revamp and a make over. Some even offer a money back guarantee. But before you going running off to pay someone,  lets take a look at what a CV should contain.
- Sina Adelaja-Olowoake. SAO The Employment Coach. 

10 things you should have in your CV

1. 
   Contact details
   It’s important to provide a range of contact options including your home address, your main phone number and your email address to make it easy for employers to get in touch with you.
2. Employment history
   Make sure to include the jobs that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you haven't had much relevant experience, however, you may want to include your whole work history.
3. Education and qualifications
   Your education and qualifications may not be directly related to the job you are applying for, but they’re still important achievements that any employer will want to see.
4. Skills and strengths
   Emphasising your skills and strengths is vital when building a CV. A strength is something you’re naturally good at. A skill is something you acquire with education and experience. Make sure to demonstrate how your skills and strengths will help you to do well in the job.
5. Your personality
   Your CV should follow a fairly standard format and the interview is where your personality is really important, but you can still stand out from the crowd with the language you use. Check out Clever Word Play for more ideas.
6. A prioritised layout
   The way you layout your CV will depend on your age and work experience level. The My CV tool allows you to choose between a work-focused or education-focused template. If you have don’t have much work experience or you’re looking for a career change, you should place your skills and strengths section before employment and education.
7. A good simple format
   Unless you’re going for a highly creative job, getting too fancy with fonts and borders will only take the focus from the important information in your CV.
8. Good spelling and punctuation
   There’s no room for poor spelling and punctuation in either your cover letter or your CV. Keep sentences short to avoid confused punctuation and, if you can, give it to a friend to check it over. Spell check should be the very last thing you do before sending it off.
9. References available on request
   You don’t have to include references in your CV and leaving them out will save you space, but make sure to state at the end of your CV that they are available on request.
10. A cover letter
    Most employers will expect a cover letter with your CV. It gives you a chance to get across your personality, ambition and to explain any gaps in your CV. Check out our Cover letter guide following shortly
    10 things you should have in your cv courtesy of myworldofwork.co.uk.

CV's Speak. Is Yours Speaking For You

I have come across a great number of CV's in the course of my work and my reaction sometimes after perusing some copies has been " What on earth is this'? I wonder what was going through the candidate's mind as they put together that CV. Many are yet to understand the traditional role of a CV. It is simply the primary document a would be employer or agency consults to assess your eligibility for a position. The employer reads through your work and education history for any experience or skills that you may possess which will help you perform your role and then makes a decision whether to call your for an interview or not. 

Unfortunately if there are question marks in any area of your CV, the decision is made without giving you an opportunity to explain. In other words you are judged based on what your CV said.
Therefore it is imperative to ensure that your CV is always saying the right things about you.
For more details on what should be on a CV, read my next article on CV's to be published subsequently. 

DO YOU NEED AN MBA TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS?

In the quest to get better and develop ourselves full, many undertake advanced degrees. Lately there has been a panic rush for MBA's. But is this degree the magic? Learning the practical mechanics of entrepreneurship is useless without an idea. Professors won't provide you with an idea only the skills to identify the good from the bad. I found this article in the City AM newspaper published in London June 21 2012. So go ahead and see if you agree. SAO The Employment Coach. 

By Tom Welsh.                                              

PLENTY of successful entrepreneurs don’t have MBAs. For many, to be an entrepreneur is to possess a constellation of hard-wired personality traits – an appetite for risk, an eye for an opportunity, the personality to carry investors on an exciting bandwagon from start-up to IPO. Surely these qualities can’t be taught? Many business schools disagree. An increasingly noticeable part of their offering, whether as part of MBA programmes, or as stand-alone courses, are classes devoted to training entrepreneurs and equipping them with the skills to take an idea and run with it.

A cynic might argue that schools are playing with the media zeitgeist – that teaching entrepreneurship is part of an eye-catching strategy to capture attention while they continue to plod along with a core offering for corporate-minded executives. But the numbers, and the money, tell a different story. Cass Business School has invested £10m in an entrepreneurship fund for promising start-up ideas. Professors tell of increasing numbers of students who are leaving professional careers and, armed only with a vague idea or desire to start their own firm, are using MBA programmes as a springboard.

But is an MBA really the right choice for a potential entrepreneur? Programmes can cost in the region of £40,000 for a year – wouldn’t that money be better spent renting offices or investing in market research? For some it will not be the right choice. But, if you do want to start your own firm, and perhaps lack the confidence, the broad business knowledge, or even the idea to take that desire forward, an MBA could prove useful.

THE MECHANICS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
According to John Mullins, associate professor of management practice in marketing and entrepreneurship at the London Business School, “many people who want to start a business realise they have not yet developed all the skills they need. It’s a generalist game,” he says – the first few years of a start-up may require getting involved with all areas of the new business. An MBA can provide this generalist knowledge and experience.

Julie Logan, professor of entrepreneurship at Cass Business School, agrees. An MBA gives you “a raft of useful skills, like learning how to build a brand from the start and how to deal with the financial side of a firm. Even if you start a business in a team,” says Logan, “you still have to set your hand to everything.”

Many schools also offer targeted entrepreneurship or start-up electives outside their core curriculum. Both Cass and the London Business School run focused courses that seek to develop an understanding of the life-cycle of a typical start-up. “In our second year, we have a portfolio of eight different courses which take students through the entire life-cycle of a start-up,” Mullins explains. Cass offers an entrepreneurship summer school which takes students through the process of starting a firm. “Students can’t get onto the summer course until they have written an in-depth analysis of their business idea,” Logan says. If they are successful, “we take the best of the theory and combine it with what they need in practice.

SOWING THE SEEDS OF AN IDEA
Learning the practical mechanics of entrepreneurship is useless without an idea. To some extent an MBA can provide the tools to enable a student to discover a market opening – by teaching about systematic market research, or how to test financial feasibility. But professors won’t provide you with an idea, only the skills to identify the good from the bad.

Where an MBA might prove useful in reaching that elusive eureka moment is in the culture and location of the business school – in the conversations students have among themselves and their professors, and in the collaborations between schools and nearby businesses.

Conrad Chua, head of MBA recruitment and admissions at the Judge Business School, part of the University of Cambridge, says that “Cambridge MBA students get involved with local businesses and organisations at a very early stage of their MBA.” Situated amid the Silicon Fen, a cluster of high-tech businesses, many of which have connections with the university, Chua thinks Judge has an advantage for potential entrepreneurs because of the lessons these start-ups can offer students.

“Collaborative projects give students a glimpse into the entrepreneurial space,” says Chua. Whether that glimpse leads to a practical business plan is another issue. But by meeting with successful entrepreneurs, learning how they reached their ideas, and seeing how academic research at business schools or elsewhere in the university has translated into practical ideas, Chua thinks MBA students can accelerate their idea generation.

FROM SEEDCORN TO HARVEST
But entrepreneurship shouldn’t be simplified into a single model of idea plus business knowledge equals profit and expansion. It’s a messy game, as risky as it is exciting. According to the Entrepreneur’s Advice Bureau, 90 per cent of businesses fail within the first three years, and a UK business goes bankrupt every 12 minutes.

Business schools have a stake in their alumni’s future success. It reflects well on them. In 2010 Cass Business School launched a venture capital fund to provide growth equity to start-ups run by people with a link to the school. Of course, seed capital can be found elsewhere, but where business schools may have an advantage is in their ready-made, easy to access package of expert support, experience and facilities.

“It’s difficult to be successful, and definitely lonely,” says Mullins. “We don’t just say go off, good luck.” London Business School has an incubator programme, which provides early stage start-ups linked to the school with office space, angel investors and mentors. “These start-ups can bounce ideas off each other. They’re in different sectors, so there’s real camaraderie,” Mullins says.

It’s difficult to measure whether this commitment by schools to remain involved in their graduates’ careers has an identifiable effect on success rates. But their readiness to assist former MBA students with their business ventures is a convenient alternative to having to build connections and raise capital without assistance.

A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
An MBA is not an entrepreneurial degree in itself. As Chua says, “an MBA will not create an entrepreneur out of someone who does not have passion in the first place.” MBAs are broad-based business degrees, designed to assist any professional with their career development.

But they can also be a time for reflection, an opportunity to consider where and how you want to build your career. This is why MBAs can be so attractive to a potential entrepreneur.

If you do have that vague idea to start your own firm, and you don’t have a well-thought through idea, an MBA will provide you with the tools and experiences to consider your options.

But if you decide entrepreneurship is too risky, and you already have a settled career, you can climb back on the corporate ladder with all the advantages of a business degree.

Job Vacancies

Job vacancies around the world on these websites….Happy Searching

Nigeria

www.ngcareers.com

Ghana

http://www.businessghana.com/portal/jobs/

United Kingdom

www.indeed.co.uk

Africa

www.findajobinafrica.com

Watch out for more...................

HANDLING DIFFICULT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS PART 2

What do you feel this position should pay?

Salary is a delicate topic. We suggest that you defer tying yourself to a precise figure for as long as you can do so politely. You might say, "I understand that the range for this job is between ______ and ______. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it." You might answer the question with a question: "Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the organization?"

If you are asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about the position's responsibilities before you could give a meaningful answer to that question. Here, too, either by asking the interviewer or search executive (if one is involved), or in research done as part of your homework, you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you.

If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, "You know that I'm making ______ now. Like everyone else, I'd like to improve on that figure, but my major interest is with the job itself." Remember that the act of taking a new job does not, in and of itself, make you worth more money.

Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don't leave the impression that money is the only thing that is important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself.

 Q5. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's Your opinion?

Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization, and say that you assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will open up for you. Mention that a strong company needs a strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so well qualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a growing, energetic company can never have too much talent.

Q6. What do you know about our organization?

You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more. You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies. Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

This article has been excerpted from "PARTING COMPANY: How to Survive the Loss of a Job and Find Another Successfully" by William J. Morin and James C. Cabrera. Copyright by Drake Beam Morin, inc. Publised by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

HANDLING DIFFICULT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Handling difficult interview questions.

When we go for interviews what usually puts us on the edge  is the moment we have to face the panel and verbally answer questions.  For a lot of the people this is the real interview.

Given the heat this generates, I have decided to look at a few of these questions with a view of giving a guide on how to answer them.  My answers are by no means the “best” but a professional attempt at helping candidates.

Before I go on I would like to give a few tips on attending interviews;

·       Practice likely interview scenarios

·       Learn to listen keenly, understanding the questions before you answer.

·       If you don’t understand a question, do not be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat.

·       Think of examples to buttress your answers beforehand.

·         Do not attend an interview without doing some research on the company interviewing.

Q1. “Tell us about yourself”

This is usually the opening questions but not in all cases. Perhaps it’s best to start by saying it’s not about your bio data or your political ambition. It’s a marketing opportunity to highlight what skills you already possess and how this can be utilized in your new role. I have sat at interviews and heard candidates going on about their family lineage and place of origin. Please do not follow suit. If you are going to talk about your history, limit it to education and career. Keep it short. Do not be talkative. Maximum two minutes.

Q2. “Your degree does not match the job”.

A tricky one meant to put you on the defensive. Sadly this has been the downfall of some candidates. I have seen candidates go from shocked silence to pleading with tears. Instead of being dumbfounded, all that is required is that you demonstrate the ability to function in the new role despite having studied something else. Focus on the skills you picked up in school which will stand you in good stead in carrying out the roles associated with the new position. Skills such as interpersonal skills, good communication skills, ability to prioritize workload, work on own initiative as well as being part of a team.

Q3. “Why do you want to work for us?”

The simple interpretation of this question is how much do you know about what we do and how do you see yourself fitting in. If you haven’t done your homework on researching this company, it will become evident here. Don’t give ridiculous answers like “I want to work for you because I like your company name”. If the company is a retailer for example, you might say you love it’s approach to customer service and you believe you possess the skills and ability to contribute to it.  It’s about how you would function in the job. So a good knowledge of the organization is essential in answering this question. Make them feel you are the one they have been waiting for. Tell them how you see yourself fitting in and probably improving on the current output.

Stay tuned for more questions. 

FOUR WAYS TO GET A JOB

Culled from www.wikihow.com/Get-a-job

Part One: Build Your Qualifications

1. 1
   Revise your resume. Before you start job hunting, make sure that your resume is as complete and up-to-date as possible. Your resume is an important distillation of who you are, where you come from, and what you can offer. Here are a few tips to consider:
   
   
   
   • Be honest. Never lie on your resume; it will come back to haunt you later.
   • Use active verbs. When describing what you did at your last job, make the sentence as tight and active as possible. For instance, instead of saying "Served as patient contact for getting bills and contacting insurance," say "Liaised with patients and insurance companies, and managed financial transactions."
   • Proofread. Review your resume several times for grammatical or spelling errors. Even something as simple as a typo could negatively impact your ability to land an interview, so pay close attention to what you've left on the page. Have one or two other people look at it as well.
   • Keep the formatting clean. How your resume looks is almost as important as how it reads. Use a simple, classic font (such as Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica), black ink on white paper, and sufficiently wide margins (about 1" on each side). Use bold or italic lettering sparingly if at all, and ensure your name and contact information are prominently displayed.
2. 2
   Develop your personal elevator pitch. Many structured interviews, particularly those at large companies, start with a question like "Tell me about yourself." The interviewer doesn't really want you to go back to grade school and talk about your childhood. This is a specific question with a right answer: in two minutes or so, the interviewer wants to get you to relax and loosen out your vocal cords, understand your background, your accomplishments, why you want to work at XYZ company and what your future goals are.
   • Keep it short — between 30 seconds and two minutes — and have the basics of it memorized so that you don't stammer when you're asked to describe yourself. You don't want to sound like robot, either, so get the skeleton of it down, and learn to improvise the rest depending on who you're talking to. Practice your elevator pitch out loud on someone who can give you feedback.
   • An elevator pitch is also useful for when you're simply networking, at a cocktail party or with a group of strangers who want to get to know you a little bit more. In a networking situation, as opposed to a job interview, keep the elevator pitch to 30 seconds or less.
3. 3
   Make a list of work-related skills you'd like to learn. Your employer will be interested in hearing about how you intend to become a better employee. Think about which skills will make you more competent in the position you're applying for. Find some books and upcoming conferences that would significantly improve your abilities. In an interview, tell the employer what you're reading and learning, and that you'd like to continue doing so. Here is a list of some of the most important job skills, wanted by employers, that a job-seeker must have to be sure of landing a good job and just as importantly, keeping it.[1].
   
   
   
   • Logical thinking and information handling: Most businesses regard the ability to handle and organize information to produce effective solutions as one of the top skills they want. They value the ability to make sensible solutions regarding a spending proposal or an internal activity.
   • Technological ability: Most job openings will require people who are IT or computer literate or know how to operate different machines and office equipment, whether it's a PC or multi-function copier and scanner. This doesn't mean that employers need people who are technology graduates — knowing the basic principles of using current technology is sufficient.
   • Communicating effectively: Employers tend to value and hire people who are able to express their thoughts efficiently through verbal and written communication. People who land a good job easily are usually those who are adept in speaking and writing.
   • Strong interpersonal skills: Because the working environment consists of various kinds of personalities and people with different backgrounds, it is essential to possess the skill of communicating and working with people from different walks of life.

Part Two: Do Your Homework

1. 1
   Prepare for a behavioral interview. You might be asked to describe problems you've encountered in the past and how you handled them, or you'll be given a hypothetical situation and asked what you would do. They'll basically want to know how you'll perform when faced with obstacles in the position you're interviewing for. Be able to give honest, detailed examples from your past, even if the question is hypothetical (e.g. "I would contact the customer directly, based on my past experience in a different situation in which the customer was very pleased to receive a phone call from the supervisor"). You might find yourself listing facts--if so, remember that in this kind of interview, you need to tell a story. Some questions you might be asked are:
   
   
   • "Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn't like."
   • "Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it made you very unpopular."
   • "Give us an example of something particularly innovative that you have done that made a difference in the workplace."
   • "How would you handle an employee who's consistently late?"
2. 2
   Research the company. Don't just do an Internet search, memorize their mission, and be done with it. Remember that you're competing with lots of other candidates for a single position. You may not be able to change your natural intelligence, or the skills that you come to the job with, but you can always change your work ethic. Work harder than everyone else by researching the company or companies you wish to work for like your life depended on it.
   
   
   
   • If it's a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees — ask them what it's like working there, how long the position has been open, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting it. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative!

Part Three: Pound the Pavement

1. 1
   Network. The best companies to work for tend to rely heavily on employee referrals. Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Contact them one by one and ask them if they know of any openings for which they could recommend you. Don't be too humble or apologetic. Tell them what you're looking for, but let them know you're flexible and open to suggestions. This is not the time to be picky about jobs; a connection can get your foot in the door, and you can negotiate pay or switch positions once you've gained experience and established your reputation.
   
   
   
   • Do informational interviews. An informational interview is when you invite a contact or a professional out to lunch or coffee, and ask them questions without the expectation of getting a job. Informational interviews are a great way to network, expand your list of contacts, and find out tips and tricks from professionals who are on the ground. Have lots of questions prepared — "What's a normal day like for you?" "What are the advantages of your job?" "What might you have done differently?" are all great — but be mindful of their time. When the interview is done, ask them politely for three different contacts who you could speak to. If you impress them enough, they could even hire you or refer you to someone who could hire you.
   • Touch base with all of your references. The purpose of this is twofold. You can ask them for leads, and you'll also be refreshing their memory of you. (Hopefully their memories of you are good ones, or else you shouldn't be listing them as references.) If a potential employer calls them, they won't hesitate as much when remembering you.
   • Keep in mind that, as with dating, "weak" personal connections are the best way to find a new job because they expand your network beyond options you're already aware of. You probably know all about your sister's company, and you know that if they were hiring she would tell you; but what about your sister's friend's company? Don't be afraid to ask the friend of a friend or another slightly removed acquaintance for recommendations during your job search.
2. 2
   Volunteer. If you aren't already, start volunteering for an organization that focuses on something you're passionate about. You may start out doing boring or easy work, but as you stick around and demonstrate your commitment, you'll be given more responsibilities. Not only will you be helping others, but you'll also be gaining references. Emphasize your volunteer experience on your resume, as companies that treat their employees well tend to favor candidates who help the community somehow.
   • Internships may fall into this category. An internship is a great way to get your foot in the door, as many companies prefer to hire from within. Even if you're far removed from your twenties or your college days, the willingness to work for little or no money shows companies that you're serious about putting in the work, learning the skills, and getting ahead.
   • Believe it or not, volunteer positions and internships can lead to jobs. In today's economy, many companies are turning to internships as a cost-effective way to vet potential future employees. This is because many companies simply don't have the money or resources to take a stab in the dark and offer a job to someone who isn't tested. If you put in hard work, demonstrate your ability to solve problems, and keep your chin up, your value to the company might be too big for them to pass up on.
3. 3
   Cold call. Locate a specific person who can help you (usually the human resources or hiring manager at a company or organization you're interested in). Call that person and ask if they are hiring, but do not become discouraged if they are not. Ask what kind of qualifications they look for or if they have apprentice or government-sponsored work programs. Ask if you can send your resume indicating what field you want to go into. Indicate whether you would accept a lesser job and work up.
   
   
   • Reflect after each phone call on what went well and what did not. Consider writing out some standard answers on your list of skills so you can speak fluently. You may need to get some additional training to break into your chosen field. None of this means you cannot get a good job, only that you need to become further prepared to do so.
   • Visit the company or business in person. There's a saying among employers: "People don't hire resumes; people hire people." Don't underestimate the value of personal relationships. Go to the company or business where you think you might want to work, bring your resume, and ask to speak to the Human Resources manager about job opportunities. If you make an excellent personal impression on the HR manager, you've done your job: s/he will have connected your face to a resume, and will have a much better idea of your natural intelligence, your persistence, and your likability. People don't always hire the person best suited for the job; people often hire the person they like the best.

Part Four: Tweak Your Mentality

1. 1
   Change your attitude. There's a difference between making phone calls and going to interviews thinking "I'm looking for a job" versus "I'm here to do the work you need to have done".[2] When you're looking to get a job, you're expecting someone to give something to you, so you focus on impressing them. Yes, it's important to make a good impression, but it's even more important to demonstrate your desire and ability to help. Everything that you write and say should be preceded silently by the statement "This is how I can help your business succeed."
   
   
   
2. 2
   Settle down. If you've moved around a lot, be prepared to offer a good reason for it. Otherwise, you'll need to make a good case for why you want to stick around in the area where the job is located. A company doesn't want to hire someone with wanderlust who still wants to relocate.
   • Be prepared to outline why you are where you are today, how long you intend to stay there, and why. Give specific reasons like, "This country has the best school systems in the entire continent, and I have a daughter who might find the cure for cancer" or "I was drawn to this area because it's at the cutting edge of innovation for this business and I want to be a part of that." The more details, names, and specifics, the better.
3. 3
   Fit the job to the skills rather than the other way around. Many people search for jobs, then try to see how they can tweak the way they present their own skills and experiences to fit the job description. Instead, try something different. Instead of this top-down approach, start from the bottom up.
   • Make a list of all of your skills, determine which kinds of businesses and industries need them most (ask around for advice if you need to) and find businesses that will benefit from having you and your skills around. You might find that you get more satisfaction and enjoyment out of a career that wasn't even on your radar to begin with.
   • It's important the nature of the job fits your personality and salary requirements, otherwise you'll have spent a significant amount of time to find a day job you dread getting up for every morning.[2]. So be realistic about what you expect, but be open to what you explore.

AVOIDING SILLY INTERVIEW MISTAKES - Preparation.

When most candidates receive an invite to attend an interview, their main focus immediately shifts to one thing and one thing alone – answering the interview questions.  Sometimes the preparation to do well at the interview session overshadows everything else including the need to be on top of their personal hygiene and appearance.

What they fail to understand is that a terrible body odour or foul breath will almost certainly have a negative effect on the candidate and could even deny the candidate an employment opportunity.

Don’t fall into this trap.

Take extra care to ensure that your personal hygiene/ appearance is part of your overall preparation.

When picking what to wear, stay away from LOUD colours. Keep your style simple and conservative. Remember it’s a job interview not a fashion show.  For men, a clean shave is advised. A white shirt and dark coloured suit would suffice. If you have to wear a beard please keep it low and well trimmed.

Please guard against the excessive use of perfumes. This might act as an irritant.

All these might sound kind of elementary but time and time and again we see candidates make these silly mistakes. I remember being on a panel of interviewers when a young lady walked in dressed like she was heading for a Friday night out.

Another area I would like to draw your attention to is time keeping. I cannot overemphasize the need to arrive at the interview on time.  The interview date is not the day to try a new route.  From the moment you get the invite to the interview take a good look at the date and map out how to get to the venue. If possible do a trial run. Be sure you know where the venue is. Do not ASSUME and don’t bank on asking your cousin. If you know the location then you can properly plan on how much time to allocate to travelling to the venue. I have heard candidates blame the traffic or give some other excuse for turning up late. I am sorry to say no matter how plausible your story sounds, you are not likely to be taken seriously.

If for any reason you know you will not be able to get to the venue on time, call the human resources department to inform them of that you are running late. Don’t wait until you get to the interview. You can be sure it would have been very late by then.

There are a lot of other silly little mistakes that job seekers make regarding interviews but we will limit them to these few for now.

HOW TO STAY POSITIVE WHILE LOOKING FOR A JOB

Don’t let the media and the news put you down. No matter how bad they say it is companies are always looking to hire the best available staff. If you have the right skills and passion, there will be a job waiting for right around the corner.

How To Stay Positive While Looking For A Job

By Red Star Resume. 

The key is to remain upbeat. Here are 10 tips to help you stay positive while looking for a job.

1. Keep A Routine

Don’t get into the bad habits of waking up late, sleeping in the afternoons or procrastinating around the house.

Get up at your normal time, eat properly and get some exercise (walking is free)!

2. Volunteer

You can do this at a church, hospital, homeless shelter or non-profit organization will open your eyes to people who are less off than you and give you a sense of contribution.

There is no greater reward than helping people who are less fortunate than us.

3. Stay Up To Date With What’s Happening In Your Industry

Don’t let yourself fall behind just because you’re not working. The best approach is to learn more about your particular industry.

This way you will be ahead of your competition when it comes time to interview.

4. Explore Potential New Careers

It’s never too late to try to learn a foreign language or a new piece of computer software.

I remember working with a senior archaeologist of 10 years experience who came to me wanting a change in his life direction.

After six months of learning Spanish and then travelling through Spain for another six months, the senior archaeologist is now a junior English/Spanish translator!

5. Positive Thinking

Do not focus on the negatives – you need to be able to bounce back. Concentrate on the skills and knowledge you have. Sitting around saying “what if” all the time is only going to further depress you.

6. Support Group

You may feel as though you’re the only person in your situation without a job, but guess what – you’re not. Reach out to people for support. There are many groups that provide excellent assistance in the areas of resume writing, interviewing, and job hunting.

Aside from the secular groups, there are also many faith groups ready to offer you a supporting hand. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. Let people help you change your life.

7. Avoid Negative People

Negative thinking is of no value to you. You need to be around positive people and people who can have a positive impact on your life.

8. Network

Maintain contacts and stay in touch with people. Make sure you network with positive people!! Again, avoid negativity. Negative thinking does nothing to help your situation.

Last but not least…

9. Manage Your Expectations

Not every job you apply for will be a success. Don’t be put off by this. Instead, concentrate on the positives and look at what you achieve each day.

For example, you could have applied to three great jobs, connected with two people who are great resources, or found a course or book that will help improve your skills.

10 Don’t give up!

Jobs don’t find you, you find them!