You may have not gone to school but you have a number of unique talents that also sets a foundation
for getting a job and a future in entrepreneurship. We understand that the normally propagated news in the market is that only degree holders get the best jobs but have a look closely at the skills required to get a job done. It is not often the paper that gets things done besides take a close look at job descriptions they are generalistic not specific to a business that should be unique! For a startup the job descriptions that apply is that of the movie industry! Film Director can be replaced with concept director, script writers are like the marketing functions and the operations is that of the producers!
Imagine a company is in need of advertising or marketing, these are jobs that require creativity and a level of talent. In order to create an "add" one needs to have a series of tools such as Computer literacy involving graphics, so if you are a kid who likes to paint then you have a shot at making it. If you have a voice which can be used for creating a jingle then again you have a chance; what after that maybe required is to get some skills in music or voice editing which is available these days from apps developed for Pc's Mac or Windows and you don't need to go to university for that. You may even find out if you test your voice for either singing or delivering a voice over! Now this is why career advisors are needed, they are to give the best options to utilise an opportunity given their talents and or skills/personal experience with life and not just saying go to this university and read this course because when government systems change the only thing that a human being has to fall back on is the Talents and Skills/personal experience with life that can be transferable into other areas. Have a watch on the film called Million Dollar Arm; a story that shows how cricket players became baseball players. Very inspiring.
You must know and remember that everything on this planet was recreated/rediscovered by humans with the inspiration of the creator. What stops you? If you believe you achieve.
The way you think works for you when you are performing a task on your own, but if you were put in a team, would it work? Would your personality shine or dim-out? Bringing You “Product” to the Market "work environment". If you structure your CV with the following method/format, you will be guaranteed getting through the gates. Companies have business profiles, brochures websites etc they present to the market or clients, your CV should look same for it to stand out. Personally I am tired of sheets of paper, open a mobile website and it's more tactical in getting it through to the employer bypassing some lazy ass HR managers who may be seeking to put through their own people rather than the right people for a job!
T = Talents What are you good at? What do you like to do? What would you like to be able to do well?
I = Interests: Related to Talents. What do you like? What are you good at? What would you like to know more about?
G = Goals “When you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Set Long-Term Goals. Set Short-Term Goals align them to a proposed company. Have a Regular Review
E = Experiences. Every experience can be a résumé builder. Write Your Résumé Now! Review During Step - Increasing Your Market Value
R = Resources. Education & Experience, Family, Friends of the above, “Don’t send nobody sent.” Its important they know as much about you from start.
Identify the vacancy: every business needs personnel, whether they advertised or not. Applying as a volunteer for a month will give you an insight before you apply. Understand the recruitment process. Step back for a moment put yourself in the shoe of the employer. Its like dating, you need to get to know each other before a commitment. How do you get noticed? Remember coming in for an interview in suit for a position of a DJ may not work, some banks employ individuals with dreadlocks in order to attract a target in the creative world to open an account with them! The other day I saw a chap at the cashier in a bank with dreadlocks and was pleased to see that some level of individuality was respected!
When being interviewed you also need to interview the company so prepare a list of questions as regards to your & the company needs. The
Interview process is a game of elimination and most employers realise that more than half the time they probably eliminated the wrong applicant. Do not be timid as you also have the right to dismiss a company for having standards that may become detrimental to your life plan! Best to say no at start than regret later with both your physical or mental health!
What makes employers continiously search for good employees is the savings in time and resources they will have rather than dealing with bad employees! Make sure during the interview you show them how you can save them money and time while moving them forward towards their goal! On your list of skills identify how your skills will enrich their current state! What makes a good employee?
Shows up for work, gets along with co-workers, follows orders or disobeys but delivers :), listens to instructions, is trustworthy, will not leave work undone. During the interview the employer will look to see how reliable you are. What makes a good employee different from a potential problem employee?
Child Care Issues - this is not a question of if you have children, it is a question of if you have reliable childcare to keep a work schedule.
Transportation - the employer does not need to know how much of a hassle the bus system is or how bad your car trouble is; only that you will be at work on time, given that some utilities need to be handled by the government some of those hassles need to be taken to the government. It is the responsibility of the citizens to question their leaders.
Time- no employer wants to feel they are second place to another job or responsibility; show that you consider the work schedule an important part of your day or propose a better solution to the schedule.
Health Issues - the interview is not the place to discuss your recent health problems; an employer wants an employee who will not constantly call off sick.
An employer wants to find in a good employee the ability to get along with the people they work with as much as they do know that there will always be incidents they also wish to see how you solve them before it affects production and delivery. Discussing problems and issues about former co-workers, listing 'disagreements' with former co-workers as a reason for leaving the previous job isn't necessary. One important aspect for the Employer in a good employee is the ability to follow orders and be a team member. Following orders doesn't mean being agreeable but a provider of solutions and a manager of situations!
Issues? Multiple jobs within a short time span. Talking about 'me' issues instead of 'us' or issues
important to the employer. Not being able or willing to discuss examples of team work at previous jobs.
Employers look for signs in these trouble areas. Giving the appearance of being a 'Lone Wolf'; not listening to instructions and not handling problems; they look for those that accomplish tasks, the willingness to overcoming obstacles and becoming an expert. Make up for failure by trying again.
If late to the interview do your excuses include getting lost because of directions? If YOU can't provide meaningful answers or distracted on other things. The thing that makes a good employee is being trustworthy. Let me give you a perspective! Imagine someone you don’t know, comes into your home and says they are going to stay for an unidefined period? Now you know the feeling. Employers want to know that you will not and try take advantage of them. Why do you want the job? Have a watch on the film "In Pursuit of Happiness" its quite a visual on building a perspective.
What is your power over the other side of the Negotiating table? Tips for structuring your Pay Negotiation process follows.
- Business climate factors, state of the economy & industry, Unemployment rate & general employment picture, Demand industry, specific knowledge & skills.
- Company factors: - Profitability, - Position in the business cycle (startup, growing, stable, turnaround)
- Hiring manager factors: - Urgency of the company's need to fill the position, - Decision-making authority, - Staffing budget.
- Applicant factors: Other avenues in the job offer, Tech expertise, unique skill set, Resources, Level of competition /availability of other candidates, Job risk
Remember that the negotiation is not about strong-arm tactics or win/lose. It is a two-way process were everyone is trying to get something they need. Most employers don't expect people to stay with a company for a lifetime, they do want someone who will not disappear or quit three months from being hired.
Issues: Job-hopping, Being over qualified, Applying for a position out of your field, Talking about benefits, salary within the first half of the interview process. What makes a good employee is the willingness to build a history with the company. If you see any of these issues in yourself, address them before the interview. Address also your relationship status, for me being single is worse than being divorced! A persons inability or unwillingness to have a personal relationship with someone or have a best friend speaks of a none committal streak! Even a 16year old should have someone in their life other than their parents they value! As an employer myself I remember my grandfathers method for rearing his children, he distasted teenagers or adults who have no interest in their social wellbeing!
Many employers do expect you to negotiate when they make an offer to you. At the same time, certain businesses do not expect you to make a counter offer however you should because that hopefully shows you know of what stuff you are made of but don't be arogant. The best time to discuss benefits is during your initial salary negotiations. In other words, after they've offered you the job but before you've accepted it. You should know that some employee benefits are usually non-negotiable. At most jobs this includes health benefits.
A negotiation is composed of two major steps: planning (research and strategy) and communication (information exchange and agreement). In the planning step, get as much information as you can up front , using both the company's written and unwritten signals. Map your skills on the company values. Find out about the company vision, mission, goals and strategy. You may find that the company’s vision doesn’t align with the mission & goals with strategy and in there is your loophole.
A company’s vision allows you to see your career growth opportunity. The mission gives an insight to what skills might be required on a short term.
Split up the negotiating session into two meetings: one to firm up the job design and responsibilities and the second to go over compensation and benefits. Smaller companies may be more flexible than large "bureaucratic" companies. Unionised companies usually have very little room for individual negotiations.
Build Your Benefits: Remember! “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” Dont focus on monthly income, focus on the benefits what you get in return for what your are offering.
Most applicants focus on what pay they can get at the end of the month. Advice! Focus on benefits. Benefits usually take care of all those perks money can’t buy. EVERY Industry has its perks that’s why it is important to know your industry.
Negotiate every part of your employee compensation package, including base salary, bonuses, stock options, health coverage, tuition reimbursement and severance if possible.
The reality is that very few new hires have that much negotiating power. If you have a proven track record for doubling profits, everything is on the table.
If this is your first job out of college, there may not even be a table. As only practical experience of your theoretical education balances the scale.
Your level of confidence usually wins or loses you the opportunity to negotiate. If you know who you are and what you can do, you will have no problems.
Laziness is the first thing that kills skill, it shows the lack of will, neither is a busybody or lip server attractive. If you are aiming high expect loads of work, either physical or mental. When looking for a job, research what would it require to execute the tasks. In every job description there are job requirements, see if it fits your personality. A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Evaluate & rate your skill level. Every job has requirements. Skills are divided into domain-general, domain-specific, Soft and hard. Create a Skill draft of yourself.
- Soft skill is a sociological term relating to a person's Emotional Intelligence Quotient. A cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, etc A person's EQ is an important part of their individual contribution to the success of an organisation, that deals with customers face-to-face, if they train.
- Hard skills are mostly job techniques, this is important as they are the core for which you will be selected for. Something like a cutoff mark. Your Talent is considered hard skills. Your hard skill can also be your soft skill and vice versa.
In the domain of work, some general skills would include time management, teamwork and leadership, and self motivation. It helps to have a wide spectrum of skills as it gives you the opportunity to be flexible and provide a wider range for employability. Technologies apply especially in our times. The employer has no time identifying areas of your development. Job requires you to sort and face tasks i.e. organise and deploy.
Skills in Research, Analysis & Presentation is the most required Mix of skills. How do you perform in projects? Understand Project Management principles.
Reading has historically been considered the fundamental vocational skill a person should have. If you don’t like reading you won’t have information and information that has been tested is knowledge that translates into power.
Personal self development; Asses and Improve your technical skills (some companies aid with finance if it profits them on the short or long term). Constantly Read technical and social books, Read online tutorials, Volunteer for Research projects, Hang out with "geeks" not just within but outside the business industry you are in.
Writing is ranked on the highest priorities. Your ability to write is the ability to communicate. Communication promotes to ranks of management. Computation is important as employers focus on an employee's ability to compute at higher levels of sophistication. Take speech related courses and training in listening, it will increase your employability and retain-ability. When with clients these skills will save a deal. Skill in oral communication is a key element of good customer service. And customers are not just those who buy or are being serviced but your colleagues as well as the employers. All employees must learn how to "speak" to not to "talk" at customers, handle complaints & solve their problems!
Problem-solving skills include the ability to recognise & define problems, invent and implement solutions, track & evaluate results. New approaches to problem-solving, organisational design, and product development all spring from the individual capacity for creative thinking. Another key to effectiveness is good personal management. Self-esteem: respect for oneself is respect to others. Leave your drama at home, or talk to the HRM!
Self-esteem: Without the foundation of a solid sense of self we are unable to take the risks & make the decisions necessary to lead a fulfilling, productive life.
Motivation is the combination of desire, values, and beliefs that drives you to take action. YOU Know yourself by understanding people's perceptions about you. Pay attention to what your family, friends, coworkers, etc. observe and say about you but don't take it to heart, some people may be threatened by your opinions or drive to succeed.
Write down things that you know "very good" about yourself - interests, likes, dislikes, preferences, hobbies, strengths, weaknesses, hopes, fears, dreams, etc Take tests as much as possible, most employers use them. http://testyourself.psychtests.com/.
With low Self esteem you are likely to choose people & careers that doesn’t compliment or diminish your efforts at succeeding, or sabotaging your happiness. You must understand that the reason for employing you in an organization is to improve or maintain the performance of an organisation. Mediocrity is not accepted, professionalism is celebrated. Reporting skills is very important when it comes projects, if you are not able to report or communicate messages it will cost the company legally/financially.
What Employers Want in a nutshell?: Positive Attitude, Networking, Prioritizing, accountability, Problem-Solving, Research, Analysis, Presentation, Self Management Skills.
Management Skills: How to Assist, Supervise, Manage your colleagues, Team work spreads risk and increases performance. Planning, Organization, Coordination.
Past Work Behaviors. During screening your employer will call your past employers, or persons you posted as references. Make sure you don’t have surprises.
Time, Budget, Quality Management are the skills you should acquire before you think of employment, it shows in how you manage your personal life, you’ll be evaluated by these skills during your probation period. If you suddenly get laid off, you'll need to do something in order to keep an income stream coming in. You can become a Temp or a freelancer even with the same company.
Negotiation requires gathering information, planning your approach, considering different alternatives & viewpoints, communicating clearly and specifically.
Application letter: is the most important document representing you. How you present yourself is how you will be reacted to. Respect is what you give to receive.
You need to have a personal vision. Life Plan. Describe how you see yourself in the future. Describe your hopes & dreams, that evokes a sense of achievement.
A personal mission statement provides clarity and gives you a sense of purpose. It defines who you are and how you will live. How you live is what you achieve.
Strategy: a strategy is a plan that makes you achieve your goals faster, more efficient, effectively than your competitors. Strategy is the vehicle of goals.
A CV is a brand. At this point you are branding yourself as a person, and your skills should provide uniqueness. Stay tuned for brand management! Tailor your professional CV to fit your employer. You should never send an ‘identikit’ version to multiple employers by email.
How do you answer the question? "How full is this glass?". Imagine you are looking at a glass that has a level of water in it. Half full or half empty? Many graduate and regardless of the level of information they had been given can't or do not wish to translate it into knowledge and hence can't find jobs they dream of. Who told you there is a dream job & who told you you will get it as you graduate? A dream job is an inspiration, even the employer may be struggling to find as his business develops. Passion is a tricky emotion; it comes & goes as views change.
Your level of opportunities in employment depends on your level of will and ability. Ability is determined by your level of core talents. Will is described as a factor of how important your success is to you. If you don’t care about your success you will be unwilling to take the steps. Many people blame their environment, this is true to an extent but if you realise that you also have a big role to play you will do something about it. You are part of the society so you are responsible in fraction of what’s going on. There is never going to be enough employment for everyone so there are a variety of choices; volunteering, contracting, supplying, freelancing that will give you a chance to earning a living.
No comments:
Post a Comment