With over a million students graduating from the Nigerian tertiary institutions every year and more than that figure rounding up their secondary school education every single year, the huge demand for jobs and employment has far out weighed the supply of available jobs in Nigeria at an estimated ratio of a hundred candidates for every single vacancy. The aforementioned scenario means that for you as an individual to get a job in the over-saturated job market, you will have to be a step ahead of fellow job applicants.
This package will provide you with insight, tools, solutions and requirements for you to get that dream job of yours.
Fresh graduates and other job seekers have been known to make costly mistakes during job interviews. But more often than not, these mistakes have emanated more from ignorance of basic rules on interviews than to arrogance.
From every fresh graduate and job applicants, there is a hurdle to cross and it is called the panel of interviewers.
The atmosphere they create around than, their often expressionless stare and occasional frown, and most especially their unpredictable questions can render all the hours of practiced answers and memorized responses useless.
Their questions can sometimes be so unfair; they can range from the very technical to the utterly ridiculous. As it written and passing all the rounds of written tests are not enough to signal an applicant’s intention, they are known to ask a job seeker why he or she should be hired.
THE WRONG TRACK:
Chidiebere answers by saying “Because I need and want a job” that is nice, but the bottom line here is,” what can you do for us? I am a hard worker and really want to work for the company. The majority of people think of themselves as hard workers –and why this company?
THE RIGHT TRACK
Ekene’ answer to this question is, “Because I am fit for the position.” Getting warmer, but mere details, please.
Frank answers.” I have what it takes to solve problems and do the job” This is the best answer so far. Expand on this, and you have got it.
DEVELOP A SALES STATEMENT
The more details you give, the better your answer will be. This is not a time to talk about. What you want. Rather, it is a time to summarize your accomplishments and relate what makes you unique.
PRODUCT INVENTION EXERCISE
The bottom line of this question is “what can you do for this company”
Start by looking at the job description posting what is the employer stressing requirements of the job? What will it take to get the job done?
Make a list of those requirements. Next, do an inventory to determine what you have to offer as fit for those requirements think of two or three key qualities you have to offer that match those the employer is seeking. Don’t underestimate personal traits that make you unique: your energy, personality type, working style and people skills are all very relevant to any job type.
THE SALES PITCH
You are the solution from the list of requirements, match what you have to offer and merge the two into a summary statement. This is your sales pitch. It should be no more than two minutes long and should stress the traits that makes you unique and a good match for the job.
EXAMPLE: From our conversation, it sounds as if you are looking for some one to come in and take charge immediately. It also sounds like you are experiencing problems with some database systems with my seven years of experience working with financial database; I have saved companies thousands of naira by streamlining systems. My high energy and quick learning style enable me to hit the ground running, and size up problems rapidly. My colleagues would tell you I am a team player who maintains a positive attitude and outlook. I have the ability to stay focused in stressful situations and can be counted on when the going gets tough. I am confident I would be a great addition to your team”
WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?
Completing an exercise around this question will allow you concentrate your unique qualities. Like snowflakes, no two people are alike. Take some time to think about what sets you apart from others.
* “Never miss deadlines”
* “Bring order to chaos”
* Good sense to humour”
* Great attention to details”
Let the interviewer know that you have been listening to the problem and have what it takes to do the job – that you are the solution to the problem.
HOW TO WRITE AN EXCELLENT COVER LETTER
Anytime a resume is sent by mail it must be accompanied by a cover letter. The resume is an impersonal description of your qualifications, much like a product brochure
The cover is your opportunity to personalize your resume and target your skills to that specific employer.
The effective job seeker will not send the same resume for each new job opportunity Resumes need to be tailored for each position. Likewise, the same cover letter cannot be used in every situation. It also must be customized for each opportunity. There are a variety of cover letter formats, some of which are described below. Whatever formats you use, be sure the later conforms to acceptable standards for business letters.
COVER LETTER FORMATS
INVITED: Use the invited format whenever an employer has asked for a resume. This is often in response to a classified advert or publicized job listing. This style focuses on matching your qualification to the advertised requirements of the position.
UN INVITED OR COLD – CONTACT
Use the uninvited format to contact employers who haven’t advertised or published job openings. The focus is on matching your qualification to the perceived need of the employer based on labour market research. This strategy requires that a phone or personal contact with the employer either precedes or follows the sending of the resume and cover letter.
REFERRAL
Use the referral format to contact employers to whom you’ve been referred. The effective job seekers will receive referrals to many job opportunities through networking and informational interviews. The referral may be to a specific job opening (advertised or unadvertised) or to an employer who may not be hearing. In a referral letter the individual who provided the referral is mentioned in the letter.
JOB MATCH or “T”
It is always important to match your qualification to the job and /or employer in the career letter. This is generally done as part of the body of the letter. In the “T” letter format this is done as bullet points targeting the specific requirements and your corresponding qualifications. Some sources for information to help you match your qualifications include: employment advertisements company websites, position descriptions, phone conversation with the employer and informational interviews. An example of this is stated below.
Dear Mr/Ms./Mrs.
First Paragraph: State the reason for writing name the specific position or type of work for which you are applying. Mention how you learned of the opening.
Second Paragraph: Explain why you are interested in working for this employer and specify how you are PERFECT for this position don’t repeat the information on your resume include something special or unique about yourself that will benefit the employer. Remember the reader, will consider this an example of your writing skills.
Third Paragraph: Mention your resume is enclosed and indicate your desire to meet with the employer. You may want to suggest alternate dates and times, or supply advice them of your flexibility to the time and place. Include day and evening contact information include4 a statement or question that will encourage the reader to respond.
Be sure to communicate your plan to follow-up. You might state that you will be in the area on a certain date and would like to set up a meeting, or you will call on a certain date to set up a meeting. Finally, thank the employer for his or her time.
Sincerely,
COVER LETTER POINTS TO CONSIDER
* Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person by name and title. This requires a minimum of research that will ultimately pay off in mere interviews. The only time this may not be possible is when responding to a “blind ad” where there is no way to know the name of the company to research. In the case, send the letter to the title of the appropriate hiring manager, e.g. “Production Manager” “Maintenance Supervisor,” “Office Manager” etc. “Never use the phrase” “To Whom It May Concern”.
* CONSIDER SIGNING THE LETTER IN BLUE INK. It implies the letter is original. The only other ink colour to use is black. Never use any other colour on the corer letter.
* Structure the cover letter to reflect your individuality, but avoid appearing too familiar, overbearing, humorous or cute. Keep sentences short and to the point.
* Keep the corer letter brief, usually no more than three to five paragraphs on one page.
* The paper and style of your corer letter should compliment your resume you might consider using the same paper stock for both your corer letter and resume.
THANK YOU LETTERS AND NOTE
“Thank you” is a powerful statement that is seldom heard. Every thank you is an opportunity to sell your qualifications and to leave a fresh impression in the mind of the reader. Send a thank you letter or note to employers and employment contacts whenever they have extended themselves in any way on behalf of your job search. At a minimum, a written thank you should be sent after all interviews.
Thank you letters and notes should be standard tools in your job search. The thank you letter should be a simple handwritten note or card. Which to send depend upon the situation and your personal style.
THANK YOU LETTER POINTS TO CONSIDER
* Be brief and to the point.
* When thanking a potential employer, restate your interest in the position and for the company.
* Always plan your follow-up make it a point to tell the person when and how they can expect to hear from you in the future.
* If there are a number of people involved, such as with a panel of interview, be sure to thank each person. Send one letter to each person or send a single letter to key person for distribution. When sending more than one thank you letter it is very effective to vary each one.
* Always send a written thank you to a person by name.
* The thank you is an opportunity to restate your qualification. Include any pertinent information you failed to mention earlier. Be sure to reemphasize your skills and abilities.
BASIC PARTS OF A THANK YOU
* Statement of appreciation for the interview
* Expression of interest in employment
* Final “Thank You”.
* Date and time you will follow-up.
SAMPLE THANK YOU NOTE
Dear Mr. Amadi,
Thank you for the interview for the accountant position today. I appreciate the information you shared with me and enjoyed meeting ms. Felicia from the Accounting Department.
My interest in working for Lord’s industries is strongerthanever, and based on your description of the position, I know I can do a good job for you. I will contact you on Wednesday of next week to learn of your decision.
Thanks.
Sincerely
70 POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
While there are as many different possible interview questions as there are interviewers it always helps to be ready for anything. So we’re prepared a list of 70 Potential interview questions. Will you face them all? We pray no interviewer would be that cruel. Will you face a few? Probably yes. Will you be well served be being ready even if you are not asked these exact questions? Absolutely.
1. Tell me about yourself
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weakness?
4. Who was your favourite manager and why?
5. What kind of personality do you work best with and why?
6. Why do you want this job?
7. Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?
8. Tell me about your proudest achievements?
9. If you were at a business lunch and you ordered a rare steak and they brought it to you well done, what would you do?
10. if I were to give you this salary you requested but let you write your job description for the next year, what would it say?
11. Why s there Fizz on a tennis ball?
12. How would you go about establishing your credibility quickly with the team?
13. There’s no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in he world right now, where would you be?
14. How would you feel working for someone who known less than you?
15. Was there a person in your career who really made a difference?
16. What’s your idea company?
17. What attracted you to this company?
18. What are you most proud of?
19. What are you looking for in terms of career development?
20. What do you look for in terms of culture structured entrepreneurial?
21. What do you like to do?
22. Give examples of ideas you have had or implemented.
23. What are your life long dreams?
24. What do you ultimately want to become?
25. How would you describe your work style?
26. What kind of car do you drive?
27. Te me a time where you had to deal with conflict.
28. What’s the last book you read?
29. What magazines do you subscribe?
30. What would be your idea working situation?
31. Why should we hire you?
32. What did you like least about your last job?
33. What do you think of your previous boss?
34. How do you think I rate as an interviewer?
35. Do you have any questions for me?
36. When were you most satisfied in your job?
37. What can you do for us that either candidates can’t?
38. What are the three positive things that your last boss would say about you?
39. What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
40. If you were an animal which one would you want to be?
41. What salary are you seeking?
42. What is your salary history?
43. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
44. What were the responsibilities of your last position/
45. What do you know about this industry?
46. What do you know about our company?
47. How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
48. Are you willing to relocate?
49. What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome?
50. What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?
51. Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.
52. What would you do if you won the lottery?
53. Can you describe a time when your work was criticized
54. have you ever been on a team where some one was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?
55. What is your personal mission statement?
56. Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback, How did you handle it?
57. What is your greatest failure and what did you learn from it?
58. What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
59. What is your greatest fear?
60. Who has impacted you most in your career, and how?
61. What do you see yourself doing within the first 30 days of this job?
62. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in school?
63. What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
64. What will you miss about our present/last job?
65. If you were interviewing someone for this position, what traits would you look for?
66. List five words that describe your character
67. What is your greatest achievement outside work?
68. Sell me this pencil
69. If I were your supervisor and asked you to do something that you disagreed with, what would you do?
70. Do you think a leader should be feared on like?
9 REASONS WHY YOU HAVE NOT SECURED A JOB YET
1. STRATEGIES FOR JOB SEEKERS
They should rub minds with these people regarded as junior staff in that company they want to work; from the security men to the front desk executive. If you can successfully pass through the security man by being his fraud, you will eventually meet with the front dest executive who will be willing, after a good interaction, to reveal some secrets about the vacant positions and how you can smuggle in your application don’t belittle anybody.
2. Be on the alert: Always be on the look out for pieces of information concerning job vacancies on the internet and allow none to pass you by.
3. Network with other job seekers. From clubs and name if whatever name you desire. It will be a good forum to meet, share ideas and appraise the level of your various job attempts.
4. Examine yourself write down those things you have achieved in your life and those you haven’t then decide on how you intend to achieve the ones you haven’t and how to improve on the ones already achieved. You will then be able to target the company you want to work for which will assist you realize your dreams and further sharpen your potentials.
5. Have a distinct mindset that you have a lot to offer the company which may eventually hire you rather than what you intend to gain. With this, you will continually hope for the best.
6. MISTAKE JOB SEEKERS MAKE
Many of then are still on the streets because they are looking for jobs that will pay salaries that are commensurate with their paper qualifications get the small job that you think is offering you what you termed “little pay”, it may be your route to security month – watering offers. You never can tell.
There is an example of a —– in 1986 who reed business Administration and could not hold down. He was adviced to fry out a job in a company as a Clark, but he won’t be paid as a graduate. And that while on the job he should empower himself with some computer programmes. He complied in just three months; the person in change of Business Administration in the company was seen to be performing below expectation. The guy came as a good replacement. So that one cost his job, he got it.
7. BIG PAPER QUALIFICATION WITHOUT A REASONABLE INTELLIGENT QUOTIENT (IQ) – Even though they have made first class and second class upper in their disciplines, they haven’t seen the necessity of acquiring other skills like in computer for example which may be beneficial as they are still hunting for jobs. There will always be a time to put it into use.
8. GET YOUR CV OR RESUME RIGHT
There are many job hunters who only parody what others have scribbled in theirs. Don’t claim the skills you have not acquired or else you’ll be apprehensive or unduly anxious even before the call for an interview.
It’s just natural since you have claimed what you don’t possess and once you are discovered, no hesitation before you are.
A job seeker once sent her CV to an employer claiming she could work without supervision and can effectively use CorelDraw. She was asked to only use Microsoft word, and she replied that it’s long she had used the computer to type. Can you imagine it.
9. Don’t just search for jobs many are of the opinion that all they are looking for are jobs that will guarantee they take home something at the end of the month or work for some months and resign to start a business of their own. It may not workout that way. So endeavour to have a mindset to give your best to the company you desire to work hence you’ll just be looking for opportunities and not how to mature your dreams.
WHAT YOUR CV OR RESUME MUST LOOK LIVE
Either a CV or resume is good unless the company specifies. They are both a summary of you only that the latter is more detained state everything from birth.
If you have an eye problem or any other problem include it. You know what, either you hide it or not, it will be discovered later. So why hide it?
By reveal your health problems, the company will not only appreciate your honesty but also know how best to take care of you.
You may say some companies won’t want to employ you because you reveal them. Never mind, there are many out there who will encourage your honesty.
Don’t include it that you were a failure and questions burdened on it, you can then explain it intelligently.
WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT IN AN APPLICANT
An applicant that has a very good mindset to deliver. One who genuinely has something to add and give in return; one with an empowered mind.
One thing you must know is that there is no reason a company will be willing to engage your services if you don’t have anything to ready offer. It is for this obvious reason that you must have that edge which makes you the person that company must hire.
THESE ARE THE LINKS TO THE RESUME PAGES OF SOME BLUECHIP COMPANIES IN NIGERIA.
Flipping through the vacancy pages of some national dailies is a great way to land your dream job, but there are also the opportunities of filling online forms of blue-chip companies by logging onto their websites.
Below, we present the links to the resume pages of some blue-chip companies in Nigeria who regularly recruit job applicants via their websites. Log on fill the forms and you may just land that dream job!
1. Nigerian Bottling Company Plc
http://jobs.nigerianbottlingcompanyplc.com/jobs.php.
2. Chams Limited
www.chams.com/submit_resume.php
3. Exxon Mobil
www.exxonmobilafrica.com/Africa_english/PA/operations/AF_OP_Nigeria_jobs.asp
4. MTN Nigeria Ltd.
www.mtnonline.com/careers/vacanccies.asp
5. May & Baker Limited
www.may_baker.com/Resume1.asp
6. British American Tobacco Ibadan
www.batwaa.drm-za.com/menu.aspash
7. Nigerian Breweries
a. www.nbplc.com/careers/vacancy.php
b. www.nbplc.com/careers/careers.html
8. Zain Nigeria Ltd
a. www.zain/en/about us/careers/ index.html
b.www.careersatceltel.com/careers/celtel/vacancysearch.aspx?companyid=36
9. Globacom
www.gloworld.com/dynamic/careers.apx?cn=glomobile emailhr@gloword.com.
10. Etisalat Nigeria Limited
Email:careers@etisalt.com.ng
a. http://www.etisalat.com.ng/careers.php
b. www.visafone.com.ng/careers
11. GLOXO smithkline
forward your CV to. email:careers@gsk.com
12. UAC
forward your CV to. email:careers@uacnplc.com
CAREER LINKS OF NIERIAN BANKS
1. Access Bank
a. www.accessbankplc.com/accesscareer.aspx
b. www.accessbankplc.com/resume_center.aspx
2. Afri Bank
www.afribank.com/careers.aspc
3. Bank PHB
a. www.bankphb.com/live/general/information_center.phb?P=6&mode =content
b. www. Eservices. Bankphb. Com/recruiter
c. www.bankphb.com/live s/general/information- center.phb?p=20&
page title=career @ bank phb pid=6& mode= content
4. Diamond bank
Diamond bank.com/display.php?mtd=our-trainee-scheme.php?bank
5. Eco bank
www.ecobank.com/english/group/model aspx?RubId=6&sRubId=16
6. ETB
www.equitorial trust bank.com?page=pre cv
b www.equitorial trust bank.com/content/?
Pages= pre-cv&PHPsessID=1adc9d04200dc23afbc03a9f8b60987b
7. Fidelity bank plc
www.Fidelity bank plc.com/careers.asp
8. First bank plc
www. Fidelity bank plc.com/careers. asp
9. Fcmb
www.first city grpoup. Com/newfcmb/about/carreers/vacan.aspx
b. www.firstcitygroup.com/newfcmb/aboutcarrers/fcmb.aspx
c. www.Firstcity grouponline. Com/careers/index cfm?display=1
10 Fin bank
www.Finbank plc.com/careers?online-resume.asp
11. GT bank
www.gtbplc.com/display.php?mtd=applyonline.php-?
12. Intercontinental Bank plc
www.Intercontinental bank,plc.com/partal/carreers
13. Nigeria Int’l Bank (Citibank)
www.Citygroup.Com/citigroup/global/nga htn.
www.Careers.City group.Com/carreers/home page/emea/default.aspx
14. Oceanic Bank
a. www.OceanicbankNigeria.com/carreers
b. WWW. Oceanic bank Nigeria. Com/carreers/recruitment.phb
c. www.Oceanic bank Nigeria. Com/careers/index.php skye bank
Skye Bank
15. www.skybankng.com /profile re.php?pg=recruit
16. Spring Bank
WWW.Spring bankplc.com/career.htn
17. Stanbic bank
WWW.Stanbic.com..ng
18 Standard chatered Bank
www.standard chatered. Com?global/home/ careers-sitemap.html
b. www.standard chatered. Com/careers/jobsearch/en/index.html
19. Sterling bank
WWW.sterlingbankng.com/aboutus/careers/aspx
20 Union Bank
a www.unionbankng.com/careers.htm
b. www. Union bankng.com/graduate.htm
21 UBA
www.uba careers.com
22 Unity Bank
www.unitybankng.com/recruitment/recruitment.aspx
23. Wema Bank
www.wemabank.com/newwema/cmscont aspx?pageld=13 pagname=recruitment procedures
24. Zenith Bank
a. www.Zenithbank.com/careers.Cfm
b. WWW.Xceedonline.Zenithbank.com/zenith online
17 OTHER CAREER RECRUITMENT SITE IN NIGERIA
1. www.Nigeriajobslists.com
2. www.Cvdump.com
3. www.peopleprime.net
4. www.naijahotjobs.com
5. www.jobnow.com
6. www.netserveafrica.com/jobs
7. www.Nairallist.com/jobs
8. www.careersnigeria.com
9. www.alljobsnigeria.com
10. www.jobs-nigeria.com
11. www.jovacanciesnigeria.com
12. www.nigeriaonlinecareers.com
13. www.jobs-in-nigeria.net
14. www.nairalandcareers.com
15. www.hotjobsng.com
16. www.pwc.com/ng/en/careers/index
17. www.dilandgasjobsinNigeria.com
HOW TO MANAGE YOURSELF AS A JOB SEEKER
If you find yourself without job and you have to start a search, make sure you use the time well. Studies have shown that while people have paid jobs, those jobs may be the only organized areas of their lives. you may be shocked to find that so many of the well dressed executives you see heading for work every morning and even during weekends have left many areas of their lives’ intended. So, if you find yourself unemployed, be good to yourself and utilize the time and opportunity to get organizes and a bit more educated.
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR TIME: If there is anything every job seeker has in abundance, it is time, free time to either waste invest in themselves. You can decide to set aside time to read, study or write a book as you search for that job. You may even need to enroll for a professional course or preparatory classes for some. This way you have organized your time around a task and with the assignments, reading assignments rolling in, you are bound to sit down and finally R-E-A-D and S-T-U-D-Y-! Get a copy of GMATS and other job tests and start practicing your old school notes and textbooks may also need a look –in.
Don’t make yourself available for, meaningless Visits, trips, sight-seeing or errands as every uncle or aunty thinks you should get this done for me after all you are not busy! If you make yourself available and your daily schedule easily interrupted by someone else, the interview date may arrive and find you unprepared. That is why many stay so long in their careers as Job seekers.
SCHEDULE TIME FOR TV/SOCIALS:
Unless you take a firm stand and discipline yourself about the TV, you may find that half your day or night is spend in front of it. Yes you need to unwind and keep abreast of the news/current affairs as they happen-which comes in handy during most written tests. But television, as you may know, can be very possessive taskmaster that demobilizes you and leaves you unable to do other important things. This TV time can stretch in the week hours of the Morning if unchecked and since you have nowhere to head for in the morning, you may want to just take it easy on yourself. time spent this way often dulls our minds, creativity and alertness which are crucial things that hiring manager wants to see
DEVOTE YOURSELF TO THE JOB SEARCH
Nobody finds anything worth the while half-heartedly, so add diligence and consistency to your job search. Don’t go home and cross your legs expecting that uncle to get you the job as he promised- it may not work out that way! If you are supposed to follow-up a contact, see a manager, check a website and fill the online form, don’t procrastinate, do it right away; you have the time anyway. If may help you, since you have to be purposeful in your search, to schedule your search for three or four days of every week. So you can affectively manage pocket money.
The other days of the week can of course be spent on reading, practicing those test questions and searching the web.
KEEP A DETAILED RECORD OF EVERY PLACE YOU SEND YOUR CV/RESUME: On of the most unpardonable sins’ Job seekers commit is to arrive at the venue of the test/interviews asking which organization they are in. What this means is going in for the interview without any information about the organization. True, some recruitment agencies are all you ever see or know, but worst, know what CV or resume you sent to where and for what role.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR NETWORK: No man is on Island, as they say. If you need support, don’t hesitate to contact friends and family who might have been in the same situation at some point in their lives and they might be able to share ideas with you that can help you. Networks are powerful and can achieve in a single phone call or complimentary card, what countless tests and interviews have failed to accomplish.
RELAX; The last things you want is to fall sick and be unavailable for the test you so much searched for. So remember to eat well, rest and schedule time to relax. A good rest ensures a sound body and a keen mind, both of which one indispensable whenever you do need to sit for a test or attend an interview.
HOW TO JOIN THE BRITISH ARMY AS A NIGERIAN
Each year a number of men and women join the British Army from overseas. If you will like to become one of them you should check to see if you are eligible, then complete the simple enquiry form.
Once they have received your form, they will confirm your eligibility and then sand you a soldier careers on offer. Select one that you would like to be considered for and let them know in writing what your choice is. They will need copies of all your educational certificates as some jobs may have a minimum education requirement.
Once they have all the necessary information they will send you on application form you will need to return this form to them within four months to allow sufficient processing time.
SELECTION PROCESS
Your application will then be assessed in line with all other applicants for the British Army, both from the UK and Overseas. If successful you will be invited to an Armed forces careers office (AFCO) or Army careers information office (ACIO) in the UK to continue the application process. You will need to meet your own return travel costs to the UK and accommodation and general living cost during the selection period, which could last 2- 3 months. The Army will arrange the interview at an office close to where you are staging and cover travel costs to the army Development and selection centre (ADSC) where you will undergo an assessment including medical and fitness tests. If successful, you will begin phase 1training at an Army training regiment (ATR) soon afterwards. You should be ready to travel to the UK within 4 months of notification.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
You are solely responsible for your travel costs to and from the UK. And you must be able to support yourself financially throughout the selection process, from interview to entering RMAS, which typically takes a minimum of 12 months and up to five years, depending on residency requirements.
Visit the links below to check your individual eligibility as a Nigerian by entering your detailed qualifications.
1.www.armyjobs.mod.uk/howdoijoin/application/pages/overseasapplication.aspx
2. https://dvdpack.ormyjobs.mod.uk/overseas senquiry.aspx
THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET
While many job seekers believe that job vacancies in the media are the best means of getting a job, some vacancies are not advertised through the media and therefore it is important to find opportunities in what can be described as the hidden job market’. Is an effective method of networking.
WHAT IS IT?
Networking provides a means of accessing the hidden job market. It involves making connections with people who may have knowledge about available positions that are not advertised. Networking at its simplest is just talking to people. Most of us know more people then we realize, but do not realize how valuable our contacts could be in desire to join in creative employments.
WHY IT IS USEFUL?
Employers often rely on the advice of friends or recommendations. This means if you know some one you have an advantage. Any contact can be valuable do not discount those with lower positions is an organization.
HOW TO NETWORK
Get started by drawing up a list of people you know, which may include:
* Business Contacts
Secretaries, clerks, assistants, former customers, clients, professional societies, chamber of commence members, former employer, former co-workers, your employed and unemployed friends.
* Personal Contacts:
A religion, clergy, trades people (plumbers, carpenters, painter etc.) store owners-(dry cleaners, barbers, hair dressers etc).
Students, former classmate, alumni, staff or editors of local newspapers, currents/former guidance or career counselors club members.
* FAMILY:
Local, out of town/out of state in-lairs and s”exes”
* FRIENDS:
Neighbours (Old and new)
Spouse’s Friend, parents of your children friends, hobby groups
* PROFESSIONAL:
Doctors, lawyers, accountant, bankers, insurance agents
MAKING CONTACTS WITH PEOPLE YOU KNOW
You must then start to make contact with people you may have priorities, such as those with the closet link to the type of work you are looking for. However, as stated above, you do not necessary need to make contact with those who have high positions in organization. Anyone connected with an organization can have valuable information about its current operations.
KEEP YOUR CONTACT ALIVE
Networking Involves maintaining relationship with people who can provide information on your chosen field on your resume or skills
referrals to other people who may be able to provide advice or job leads and assistance in keeping an eye out for job openings. However, it also involves returning favors if anyone in your network ask for help. This ensures that it is a two-way relationship and acquaintances will be happier to help you if you are also willing to help them.
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK
Ways to expand your network include joining professional associations and clubs and being on active member of your community you should be prepared when making contact with someone and know exactly what type of information you wish to gain. After making a relevant contact, you may wish to gain variety of information and this can be done through information interviews.
INFORMATION INTERVIEWS
Information interviews involve gaining information from potentials employers about the job and any expected vacancies. During the interview you may discover that there is not a job currently available at that particular organization. However, the person could refer you to someone else or keep your name in the relevant file.
The task allows you to develop later view skills, knowledge about your industry, what would be expected of you in the position and the kinds of jobs available with your experience conducting on information interview also involves:
Arranging to meet the contact at a time which is appropriate for the employer, when they are not busy and have the time to answer your questions properly
Asking open-ended questions during the interview and making sure you leave the door open for further contact. For example you could offer to leave your name and telephone number in case the person hears about any job vacancies. It is also valuable to ask if you can use their name when making contact with the employers they suggest. This will help give you credibility with the next employer you contact.
HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR NETWORK?
8 questions to sasses your professional Network’s strength
If you needed to find a new job, how many people could you turn to for help? If the answer is not many” you may need to upgrade your professional network.
Maintaining a network should be a routine part of your career development strategy, not just something you turn toward in a career crusis. Check the following questions for assessing the health of your network.
1. How many former co-worker contact information do you have?
Focus particularly on your peers and people above you in the organization. The more people you have in touch with, the better. If you need to beef up. The number of people in your network, a tool linked in can help, both with searching and with keeping up with former colleagues’ job mores.
2. Does your network include a hardful of people who could serve as references? These people need to be willing to recommend you-and they need to know your work will References can’t be vaguely positive.
References can’t be vaguely positive.
If you can’t think of four to six good reference candidate’s, you need to step up your networking to make sure people you work with know about your achievements.
3. How many of your contacts have you communicated with in the past six months?
This is a measure of your active network; you don’t need to talk to everyone in your network every three months. But you should check in regularly, even if you just send brief email, saying you hope all is well. That way, when you do need to ask for job-hunting help, it will be emotionally much easier to make the contact.
4. Have you met with someone from your network in the past month?
Make a point of meeting in person with a former colleague or another professional connection every few months.
5. Have you attended a professional event recently?
Attending professional conferences will help you expand your network beyond former colleagues becoming active in a professional association will also boost your resume.
6. Have you added any professional contacts in the past month?
Your Network need to grow in order to stay vital. Try to add new contacts- either by getting back in touch with former colleagues or by meeting new people (professionals) frequently.
7. Are you Networking Outside the box” that is making connections beyond your former colleagues and friends?
Job Opportunities can arise from unexpected sources. Do expand your network to include some people outside your industry and at different stages of their careers, who can tell you about trends and opportunities you might not otherwise hear about.
8. When your professional contacts get in touch with you, do you answer?
People just kind at steer away from you if you’re not responding.
What if a contact is asking for job leads and you don’t have any? You do have the ability to offer something of great value, that is encouragement. This will also increase the chances that person will help you sometime in the future.
TOPIC?
Are you out of work, unemployed, looking for a new job, or preparing for an interview then you need these tips to enhance your job search make yourself the best candidate for the job.
1. Think and act like an entrepreneur:
What is your opportunity search rooted in?
Entrepreneurial thinking or a handouts mentally? Whether your desire is for paid employment or running your aim business, rising above the mediocre requires you to have both a desire to learn and a genuine interest in service and in people Plus you must accept educated risk, invest in your purpose and take action. Take change, we are all born to take risks. It that new job an opportunity to make your future or just another meal jacket?
2. Don’t Burn Bridges Do you disrespect people on the job, in class or at social events because you feel you don’t need them now? Forget the formal tests and interviews you are being assessed all the time in your alterative with colleagues, customers, friends and the public. Only this time it’s informal and unintentional.
Will your classmates firm partner with you even though you bullied for a school? Today’s ————– chat and counseling session with your junior colleague might actually be an unplanned interview for an opportunity in future don’t burn bridges you may need tomorrow.
3. Respond To Influence. Your opportunity search may lead you to people who don’t believe you or your dreams. And you may encounter faultfinders and the abusive or those who simply see things differently. Besides you are not perfect confrontation is the lazy way out. Ego is a poor master and complaining, doing nothing or crawling back into your hole is cowardly opportunity territory corns with criticism and hostility never let anyone or anything intimidate you out of your purpose. People are still your greatest resources, so always respond to changed minds, respond to influence.
4. Don’t Take Anything Personally: Hearing “NO” can sting it can be hard to take, but you can’t sell yourself effectively by taking rejection personal. See set back as part of the cost searching for opportunity, stay at your positive high energy level and think beyond yourself. Appreciate that others will see things differently from you. The earlier you learn that every thing is not about you, the sooner you will bounce back after disappointment.
5. Talk About Your Achievement: It’s a great opportunity to sell yourself, explain the situation mention obstacles you had overcome, actions you took and specific results achieved. Make it meaningful to the other party who will do the assessment. Don’t veer off track by telling your entire life history situate your achievement within the context of the question or discussion.
6. Do more than Ask:- Do you want opportunity? You must do more than ask. You are always competing with many others in the opportunity search. Asking alone won’t do sell yourself promote your accomplishment and stop belittling your achievement let others and those with influence know what you have achieved and how you will meet their needs.
7. Not a Rush Job: Your application or a cover letter cam make the difference between obtaining a job/opportunity interview and having your CV or marketing materials thrown out. You should therefore put in quality effort and time into writing effective cover letters. It is not a rush job your cover letter is usually your first contact with the potential employer or client. So it is important you make a good first impression.
8. BE FUCUSED IN YOUR OPPORTUNTY SEARCH
Don’t be so desperate that you come across as a jack-of-all-trades, Widen your opportunity net but not in the mould of “anything-goes-anything-will-do” Employers and clients here no regards for masters of nothing. Identity your strengths, lettersets and target market be target in your efforts let your purpose and direction stand out.
9. BE ORGANISED AND PROFESSUMAL IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY SEARCH: Ensure the right balance. it doesn’t makes sense to focus only on one key aspect of the hunt while neglecting other important areas. You approached need to be professional, focused and coordinated.
For example, attending meetings and interviews won’t amount to much if you resume and other related materials are flooded with spelling and grammatical errors.
10. market yourself: your technical skills and training decisions are important but if you can’t market yourself, getting opportunity will be an uphill task. Do prospective clients and employees know the unique value proposition you offer?
How effective is your marketing communication? Marketing yourself entails developing and demonstrating your soft skill sharpen your communication skills. Sells your value by highlighting and using people skills and hands-on experience you have gained from training, full and part-time positions, temporary jobs, etc.
11. WHAT ARE YOU SELLING- QUALIFICATIONS OR CONTRIBUTION?
You’re talented, you are qualified but will you contribute? What clients and employers need isn’t just qualification. To create opportunity, package yourself as someone who will contribute and make a difference. Qualification may confer advantage. But hard work, initiative as well as a willingness to contribute, must all be in the equation. Make your search for opportunity effective- come across a contributor not as a certificate collector.
12. WITHOUT SELF-CONFIDENCE, YOU ARE DEFEATING YOURSELF EVEN BEFORE YOU START. Self- confidence comes from within Nobody is perfect. Build your confidence by analyzing your skill set and identifying your passion Use the time in you to focus on success and standout. Search, find and create opportunities are meant for you not because you think you can fail.
13. The pressures involved in searching for opportunity can be enormous: And many things are not in your control but don’t let the efforts involved and self –doubt bully you into submission. Focus taking care of things you can change . Do your home work, research on the opportunity, improve the quality of your preparation and develop genuine enthusiasm for the prospect.
14. What’s your Opportunity Perspective?Rewards ? perfect environment? Opportunity isn’t always attractive or obvious, but its always knocking. We go the extra miles to pass exams. But can you go the extra mile for opportunity? Are you ready to leave your comfort zone and accept the conditions that often come with opportunity?
15. Referral are powerful endorsements for opening doors:.
As you grave as a professional use your network of teachers, collegues, clients and managers. Build credibility through positive recommendations. But it isn’t just about who knows you or who worked with you. Asking for and getting meaningful referral is a lot easier if you don’t leave bad blood on your trail.
16. Make sure you are qualified for the opportunities that you are pursuing: If you don’t meet the criteria, don’t waste your time chasing jobs you can’t do instead, gather information on what to do to get qualified and how to successfully deplay resources to achieve your objectives.
17. Be realistic in your job search and most importantly be positive: Believe in yourself, believe you are unique and believe you here something to offer. You are great! You can do it! A self- defeatist attitude will get you anywhere. Positive, upbeat, people radiate success and happiness. Being positive is rewarding- it creates opportunities and enthusiasm.
18. In your job search efforts, what message are you sending out? Are you always begging or do you have something to offer? Do you want handouts, pity or do you want a job? Drop the begging attitude and instead portray youself as a solution provide and problem solver.
19. Losing your job is an opportunity for improvement: To get a better job for reassessment of your carrier path. It isn’t the time to panic or feel sorry for yourself. A “ why-me” attitude is wastful and pointless. Turn the minus into a plus. Take back control. Get back to your high energy level and start doing something positive.
20. Work on being unique and creative in your job search efforts, especially during interviews: Being unique in a positive manner helps you standout. Nobody tends to remember people who are stiff, boring or uninterested. But people will always remember those who make a strong impact. Just make sure it’s a strong positive impression that creates interest and enthusiasm.
10 THINGS BIG TIME EMPLOYERS ARE PRESENTLY LOOKINH FOR:
Given the current downsizing the nations banking industry, there is no doubt that more people than usual are going to be competing for employment opportunities this year. That’s leaving aside the thousands of churned out of higher learning institutions yearly and the lords of others that have already jam-packed the employment market. With the terrain so tough and with so many often over-qualified applicants, it’s a case of survival of the fittest.but then, how can you make a lasting impression on your prospective employer? How can you truly stand out from the crowd?
The job market is mine competitive than ever and every interaction one has, must be powerful, memorable and better than any job seeker out there.
Truth is, no matter how tough the job market is , all things are still possible a diligent job hunter needs not to give up. After all, life is about competition and one needs to compete favourably. According to human resources expert, no matter how qualified you are, you still have to cross that how to get it hurdle”
Here we brings to you 10 reds hot smoking secrets big time employers are looking for in a prospective candidate.
1. A well presented and well detailed CV which must be detailed as already thought you on how to prepare in this report is your first opportunity to sell yourself to your prospective employer. So emphasize your achievements
Lots of jobs seekers have missed job opportunities simply because their CV was either not well presented or not well detailed. Most times, big time employers look out for age, qualification, experience –even though not in all cases- and your referee. Ensure your CV contains all information requested for in a job vacancy.
2. Research the company always research before you go for an interview. Big time potential employers stick out their neck for those who know a bit of their company “it shows seriousness on your part”.
3. Find out what the job entails
There are so many job seekers who apply for jobs they know nothing about. It is not no use applying for a vacancy you know nothing about. So, to increase your chances of getting employment, you must do everything possible to know what the job you are applying for entails.
4. Have the right attitude
No matter your attitude, if your attitude not right, then you don’t get the job no employer wants to take a risk on any job seeker whose attitude does not speak well. It is always very easy during interview to detect a candidate with a bad attitude. Remember that attitude cannot be hidden for long.
5. Be confident: this is one attitude you must posses to him the heart of a prospective employer may job seekers lose their confidence when they are faced with interview panels. And this gives them out. Learn to maintain eye contact speak and cut with confidence. If you must stand out, then you must be ready to exude a level of confidence that an employer find irresistible.
6. Be Truthful: It is of no use trying to paint a picture of what you are not. Always be fruitful in whatever information you are giving to a prospective employer. The botton line is maintain a level of integrity. If you lie once, you will keep lying to career for that first live.
7. Let your appearance be moderate: your dressing matters when you go in for an interview. Employers watch out for those who are well dressed. Don’t be over dressed. Don’t came putting on clothes that cause distractioners don’t dress to kill – simply look good. Remember, first impression matters.
8. Be punctual: punctuality at interview venue is very important. It shows your level of seriousness to grab the job offer. Even when you come before time, don’t just stroll away. Stay put until it is your turn. These are little things prospective employers take not of without your knowing it.
9. God oral presentation skill: practice presentation skills as much as possible. Listen to the question before you answer. If you have what it takes to get the job you are unable to verbally communicate appropriately, you may lose your employment chance.
10. Be willing to explain: many job seekers don’t like to work outside of their place of residence: if you as a fresh graduate, be ambitions to move to an outstation. It broadens your mind. Those who are willing to move usually get selected first when there is a job placement.
HOW TO USE GUERILLA TICTICS TO NAIL YOUR DREAM JOB.
Against the backdrop of the lingering global economic meltdown, the radical mass lay off by major companies and bank, an already ever-increasing level of the unemployment army has more than quadrupled for the average unemployed job seeker, these factors have worsened the situation. But for the bold and daring, the greater the challenges, the better the opportunities. To get your dream job in the over saturated job market, you need to apply what is known as guerilla tactics job hunting strategies.
These strategies involve:
A plan with clarity-
The best answer you will ever receive is start your job hunt with absolute clarity. All of the best job search in the world can be boiled down to three steps:
1. Decide What Job you want;
2. Tell the right hiring authority about it
3. Prove to them you are the one to him
Pretty simple summations of the facts create a plan that is clear and detailed in every way- then give it some panache! If you want to get hired you have to get noticed. You have to raise your voice above the crowd to be heard. So when everyone else is doing more of the same things that aren’t working- you have to be more focused. You job search need to be more focused and very clear.
It must also be:
- Clear.
- Results driven
- Marketing Oriented,
- Inexpensive to executive,
- Realistic and,
- Achievable
CLEAR:That’s because the most qualified job hunters is rarely the one who gets hired the positions (s) Invariably got to the person who does the best job at positioning themselves as the solution to an employers problem. Often the employer doesn’t realize they have a problem and its your job to bring that to their attention.
Result Driver: you must measure your progress you need to do this so that you’ll understand hair close you are to achieving your goal and stay motivated and committed to your plan. Measuring requires tracking the metrics which drive you to your finish line here are a few of the dozens of proven tactics Guerrilla marketing for job hunters shows you how to measure.
- How many out of the box activities is have you developed?
- How many CV are you sending out?
- How many guerilla networking activities all you engaged in?
Marketing Oriented- Because the market is geared towards those who effectively brand and market themselves as the ultimate commodity across multiple distribution channels. Winning the war for talent requires you to become great at guerrilla marketing yourself. Looking for a job is a sales and marketing activity where you’re the product.
Inexpensive:- Tom Peters introduced the concept of “Brand U” in his book Re-image at the time, self – branding was an assertive marketing concept best reserved for high flying techies and senior executives who wanted to maximize the financial return of the biggest asset – their career. Today personal branding is a matter of survival.
Realistic: Knowing what you want to do is great combing that with what you’re qualified to do is the secret. You may be pleasantly surprised at how your current skill – set maps to other industries.
Achievable: – knowing the exact title and function of the future role you want gives you a realistic goal with no excuses. Get specific the more detailed the better.
Nothing is more important to your success than a clear “picture” of your goal. If you can envision your dream job two you’re qualified to do it then you can find it.
With a specific goal in mind you can organize your job search and networking efforts with a Laser-like focus. Yes same people are lucky and fall into great jobs but is so unpredictable.
The dramatic changes we’re witnessing in the market place mean that the tried –and –true methods of finding a job will no longer suffice. Those old ways should remain a part of your plan, however by themselves they don’t provide the horsepower to get the heightened attention of employers.
Clarity of purpose is both energizing and enabling.
7 WAYS UNUSUAL GUERILLA JOB SEARCH PRODUCES GREAT RESULTS
Don’t settle for a job search that just creep along! Instead, consider a job search make over to take fuller advantage of high performing “guerilla”, you need to know that guerilla job search techniques and unconventional often radical, and always strategic.
Guerrilla job search tactics out perform traditional job search strategies in 7 key ways:-
1. Guerrilla Job search tactics are proactive: in traditional job search, you submit your resume and cover letter, then passively wait for a call inviting you to an interview. In a guerilla job search, you help set the face for your campaign through assertive weekly networking calls/emails, as well as weekly follow-up contacts with HR (hiring) manager about your most recent applications for both posted and anticipated job openings. By making some calls each week, you can significantly increase the pace of your results.
2. Guerrilla job search tactics are highly targeted:- Guerilla tactics focus on specific industries, employers, geographic areas, and position types to help you magnify the number of interviews and job offer you receive. Don’t make the mistake of applying for everything you see, doing that may make you feel productive, but such a short-gun approach to job searching ultimately fails to help you secure the position you desire.
3. Guerrilla Job search Tactics are consistent:- By passively waiting for interesting jobs to show up in newspaper ads, you guarantee that your job search will be a roller coaster ride with great output some weeks and little to no out put in others. If you submit 8-10 cv in some weeks, and say only 1-2 in others, then you are setting yourself up for sporadic later view invitation from HR managers. Leveraging guerrilla job search tactics, however, will enable you to consistently submit 25-30 CVs weekly, which in turn will produce a regular series of invitations for job interviews. And a series of interview invitation boosts your odds of receiving one or more job offers
in your deserved time frame which is exactly what you want.
4. Guerrilla Job search tactics are customized:-Let’s face it, a job search is something of a numbers game no matter how you search but because traditional job search tactics tend to over emphasize blasting your cvs to hundreds of employers all at once, there’s no way for you to target specific industry segments or position types. Guerrilla job search techniques stress touting your individuality be weaving your personality and career-related values into your cv, application letter, and interview responses while also making great use of industry specific new words, an approach that boost the odds that HR managers looking for someone like you will actually find you
5. Guerrilla Job search tactics are free or Low cost:-You can take advantage of just a few of the job search offers available on the internet these days.
6. Guerrilla Job search tactics restore your life balance:- Traditional Job search techniques emphasize output and effort, yet overlook the power of automation. By taking advantage of automated functions in your pcs software and online job search tools, you could save time every week. Life is too short, and job searches are too frequent to spend all your time hunting down job leads. Enhance the quality of your life by automating your job search in everyway possible. Your life balance (and your loved ones) will thank you!
7. Guerrilla Job search tactics penetrate the hidden Job market:-One of the greatest weaknesses of traditional job search methodologies is that they focus on the visible job market, those jobs that both currently available and know outside the living organization Guerrilla job search methods on the other hand focus on the hidden job market those jobs that are either not yet available (but soon will) and/or unknown outside in the hiring company. And quess what? A lot of all jobs are never advertised in the visible job market. So what does a smart job seeker do? You got it. Leverage the power of guerrilla job search tactics to penetrate the Hidden job market as much as possible.
You don’t have to wait for a ht economy to land the job you really want by taking advantage of as many guerrilla job search tactics are possible, you will dramatically shorten your job search while boasting the interviews and offers you land. Stop repeating the same mistakes everyone else is making and you will soon see unheard of results.
If you find this research work useful to your job search, please send your testimonies and comments to:
Email: isavic_resources@yahoo.com or call 08033217380
Nwadike Prince Victor
