As culled from [url]club340.[/url]

The world is evolving at a rapid pace, newer technologies, newer planets, larger populations and fiercer job markets (Yeah, that’s right). With the ever increasing number of qualified (and unqualified) graduates released from institutions at home and abroad, companies are finding more efficient (and ridiculous) ways of screening candidates for the limited number of spaces available. So it is perfectly understandable when top-flight (and non-top flight) graduates complain of unproductive job search ordeals, boredom from unemployment or near-success syndromes (reached 5 interviews with no offer!). Interestingly, under the same conditions, there are those that seem to be “cruising” with no hassles, most times even getting multiple offers in one application cycle. The question then is, are there particular ideals/principles which a successful job-seeker upholds that others don’t? This week we have wound up six of such tested and tried principles which are sure to change your job search out-come for the better.

Unbound by GPAs: Knows grades are necessary but not important

Gone are the days when First-class/Second-class degrees were the all-in-all for deciding who gets a job and who doesn’t. With top degree certificates piling up for HR like typical commodities, recruitment systems are now more dynamic than at any other time in history. Factors such as performance in aptitude tests, group discussion skills and in some cases, weird brain-teaser sessions (interviewer asks a candidate to make a joke of “GREEN”), are now being used in conjunction with degree certificates to make employment decisions. In view of these, the smart graduate knows better than to trust that his A* in GST 101 will help him scale SHL’s verbal reasoning test. Right after graduation, he matriculates into the University of Personal Development, where GMAT prep materials, SHL sample tests and brain-teaser websites become his best companions. In a situation where the graduate is a 2:2 or 3rd class holder, he knows applying through online application systems for most roles is a waste of time (since most systems automatically reject the application from the point you indicate 2:2/3rd class in the online form), so he devises another means. He identifies HR/Recruitment heads in his desired firms via LinkedIn (or in-person), and begins to sell his skills and abilities (which he has learned through personal development). This approach is highly result-oriented for practical disciplines such as Computer Science, CAD/CAM and Audit (Since coding skills or performance on ICAN/ACCA for instance, are not necessary a function of high GPAs).

Confidential: Knows how to keep suffocate the cat(s) in the bag

You just got a mail saying you passed your first test for a role at a top firm and you are already screenshot-ready for Instagram and BBM. Sadly, that might be your last success mail, because the recruiter is a friend of a friend of one of your friends, who also shared the snapshot (which had your name in it) with her friends on BBM to join in the excitement of your “achievement”. Most firms place importance on the ability of employees to be confidential with company information, and if you cannot demonstrate that with a simple success mail, they cannot trust you to do same with more important internal data. Successful job-seekers know which information needs to be disseminated, how to disseminate and with whom to disseminate. Moreover, you are more likely to be confident and motivated in the job-search process when you have the power to surprise. By the time everyone knows of your progress at every stage of the process, you’re likely to feel demotivated or even depressed (and embarrassed) in the event of a rejection at any stage.

Creatively Productive: Able to manage the unemployed phase

It’s true that jobs are scarce, but who says paid employment are a do or die affair? There are numerous opportunities for building relevant work experience and skills, many of which would come under the guise of voluntary/unpaid employment opportunities. Many giant multinationals have such unadvertised schemes that smart unemployed graduates have learned to take advantage of. So by the time they are applying to their next job, they have invaluable work experiences at top firms (No one would ask if they were paid to work!). Other smart things to do while you are unemployed include watching movies with transferrable lessons (I’d recommend The Exam, thank me later), reading motivational books (Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers” and Carol S. Dwerck’s “Mindset”, are good reads) and going for short courses (JAN’s ViMP program is totally recommended). Playing such games as Scrabble and Chess, have also been known to keep the brain active even during passive (unemployed) times.

Build the right Networks: Exploits a Supportive Inner Circle

The Job-search process is sure to get lonely (and sad) at some points. After endless reject mails, painful unyielding trips to aptitude test centres and interviews, we sometimes feel like giving up. It is at this point that a very supportive inner-circle becomes important (and yes, you could disclose your success mails to these group of people). Successful job-seekers know how to build and maintain relationships with a small number of optimistic, caring and similarly-focused individuals, who are able to provide moral, financial and miscellaneous support (such as providing accommodation the night before test day) during the job-search process. It is these set of people that are able to keep such individuals going, in spite of setbacks. They are typically family members, and in few cases, fellow candidates for a particular job role (Nairalanders are great at this, yay !).

Fail Forward: Sees failure as a recipe for success.

With the teeming number of high-profile candidates in the job market, toughened (and often bizarre) aptitude tests, and unforeseen/extraneous circumstances, there are 1001 reasons why you might fail in a recruitment process. As such, failure shouldn’t immediately be seen as a sign of ill-luck or bad fortune (from the village). Smart job-seekers know how to embrace failure as a learning tool for success in future. They remain open to disappointments and are able to evaluate each failed attempt to identify areas of improvement. Smart job-seekers also have interesting ways of managing failure. Instead of applying to just one firm of interest (as the average applicant does), they identify and make applications to an average of 3 to 4 firms in the same industry (and sometimes even to similar industries that follow a similar career path, Finance/Audit for instance). So when a rejection mail comes in from Firm “A”, they are like “oh well, there’s 3 left”.

Lastly, when all has been said and done, the smart graduate understands the presence of the “X-Factor”. He understands that sometimes even the best performance in an interview/test doesn’t necessarily guarantee an offer. This graduate understands the place of Prayer and Faith, and is able to control things in the 4th dimension.
Voila! That appears to be all for now. By adopting this ideals, you can trust that your job-search process will be more meaningful and gainful. Wishing you Success at your very next attempt!

As culled from [url]club340.[/url]

club340:

It’s true that there are no jobs, but who says you have to be in paid employment? There are numerous opportunities for building relevant work experience and skills, many of which would come under the guise of voluntary/unpaid employment opportunities. Many giant multinationals have such unadvertised schemes that smart unemployed graduates have learned to take advantage of. So by the time they are applying to their next job, they have invaluable work experiences at top firms (No one would ask if they were paid to work!). Other smart things to do while you are unemployed include watching movies with transferrable lessons (I’d recommend The Exam, thank me later), reading motivational books (Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers” and Carol S. Dwerck’s “Mindset”, are good reads) and going for short courses (JAN’s ViMP program is totally recommended).

Deeply insightful. Truly "The Exam" has many lessons about what could transpire in an interview/aptitude test setting. One of my best from Hollywood

space booked in case this hits frontpage

berildan:


Deeply insightful. Truly "The Exam" has many lessons about what could transpire in an interview/aptitude test setting. One of my best from Hollywood

I'm glad you agree .

Well-crafted piece, but there are exceptions where some of these principles don't apply sha

Great!

Xcely:
Well-crafted piece, but there are exceptions where some of these principles don't apply sha

Which one specifically? As was stated earlier, these are habits/ideals which graduates who were successful at landing jobs have been found to demonstrate. It's up to you to decide if you'd adopt them or not. Thanks for the compliment btw

club340:


Which one specifically? As was stated earlier, these are habits/ideals which graduates who were successful at landing jobs have been found to demonstrate. It's up to you to decide if you'd adopt them or not. Thanks for the compliment btw

For example with respect to the 2:2 GPA thing you mentioned, there are only a few instances where such networking through LinkedIn pays. Most times, these HR people on LinkedIn cannot be contacted directly unless you are on the LinkedIn Premium plan and have InMail credits. Now, where do you expect an unemployed graduate to find N6000 for premium plan subscription on LinkedIn?

Xcely:


For example with respect to the 2:2 GPA thing you mentioned, there are only a few instances where such networking through LinkedIn pays. Most times, these HR people on LinkedIn cannot be contacted directly unless you are on the LinkedIn Premium plan and have InMail credits. Now, where do you expect an unemployed graduate to find N6000 for premium plan subscription on LinkedIn?

The OP has a point. The truth is that if you really want to get a job with a 2:2 degree, saving N6000 to contact a prospective employer or HR via LinkedIn directly, is worth the risk. Sometimes we just don't know how to cut down on lavish expenses (expensive phones, clothes & accessories) to make the right sacrifices that count.

berildan:


The OP has a point. The truth is that if you really want to get a job with a 2:2 degree, saving N6000 to contact a prospective employer or HR via LinkedIn directly, is worth the risk. Sometimes we just don't know how to cut down on lavish expenses (expensive phones, clothes & accessories) to make the right sacrifices that count.

Spot on

club340:
As culled from [url]club340.[/url]

The world is evolving at a rapid pace, newer technologies, newer planets, larger populations and fiercer job markets (Yeah, that’s right). With the ever increasing number of qualified (and unqualified) graduates released from institutions at home and abroad, companies are finding more efficient (and ridiculous) ways of screening candidates for the limited number of spaces available. So it is perfectly understandable when top-flight (and non-top flight) graduates complain of unproductive job search ordeals, boredom from unemployment or near-success syndromes (reached 5 interviews with no offer!). Interestingly, under the same conditions, there are those that seem to be “cruising” with no hassles, most times even getting multiple offers in one application cycle. The question then is, are there particular ideals/principles which a successful job-seeker upholds that others don’t? This week we have wound up six of such tested and tried principles which are sure to change your job search out-come for the better.

Unbound by GPAs: Knows grades are necessary but not important

Gone are the days when First-class/Second-class degrees were the all-in-all for deciding who gets a job and who doesn’t. With top degree certificates piling up for HR like typical commodities, recruitment systems are now more dynamic than at any other time in history. Factors such as performance in aptitude tests, group discussion skills and in some cases, weird brain-teaser sessions (interviewer asks a candidate to make a joke of “GREEN”), are now being used in conjunction with degree certificates to make employment decisions. In view of these, the smart graduate knows better than to trust that his A* in GST 101 will help him scale SHL’s verbal reasoning test. Right after graduation, he matriculates into the University of Personal Development, where GMAT prep materials, SHL sample tests and brain-teaser websites become his best companions. In a situation where the graduate is a 2:2 or 3rd class holder, he knows applying through online application systems for most roles is a waste of time (since most systems automatically reject the application from the point you indicate 2:2/3rd class in the online form), so he devises another means. He identifies HR/Recruitment heads in his desired firms via LinkedIn (or in-person), and begins to sell his skills and abilities (which he has learned through personal development). This approach is highly result-oriented for practical disciplines such as Computer Science, CAD/CAM and Audit (Since coding skills or performance on ICAN/ACCA for instance, are not necessary a function of high GPAs).

Confidential: Knows how to keep suffocate the cat(s) in the bag

You just got a mail saying you passed your first test for a role at a top firm and you are already screenshot-ready for Instagram and BBM. Sadly, that might be your last success mail, because the recruiter is a friend of a friend of one of your friends, who also shared the snapshot (which had your name in it) with her friends on BBM to join in the excitement of your “achievement”. Most firms place importance on the ability of employees to be confidential with company information, and if you cannot demonstrate that with a simple success mail, they cannot trust you to do same with more important internal data. Successful job-seekers know which information needs to be disseminated, how to disseminate and with whom to disseminate. Moreover, you are more likely to be confident and motivated in the job-search process when you have the power to surprise. By the time everyone knows of your progress at every stage of the process, you’re likely to feel demotivated or even depressed (and embarrassed) in the event of a rejection at any stage.

Creatively Productive: Able to manage the unemployed phase

It’s true that jobs are scarce, but who says paid employment are a do or die affair? There are numerous opportunities for building relevant work experience and skills, many of which would come under the guise of voluntary/unpaid employment opportunities. Many giant multinationals have such unadvertised schemes that smart unemployed graduates have learned to take advantage of. So by the time they are applying to their next job, they have invaluable work experiences at top firms (No one would ask if they were paid to work!). Other smart things to do while you are unemployed include watching movies with transferrable lessons (I’d recommend The Exam, thank me later), reading motivational books (Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers” and Carol S. Dwerck’s “Mindset”, are good reads) and going for short courses (JAN’s ViMP program is totally recommended). Playing such games as Scrabble and Chess, have also been known to keep the brain active even during passive (unemployed) times.

Build the right Networks: Exploits a Supportive Inner Circle

The Job-search process is sure to get lonely (and sad) at some points. After endless reject mails, painful unyielding trips to aptitude test centres and interviews, we sometimes feel like giving up. It is at this point that a very supportive inner-circle becomes important (and yes, you could disclose your success mails to these group of people). Successful job-seekers know how to build and maintain relationships with a small number of optimistic, caring and similarly-focused individuals, who are able to provide moral, financial and miscellaneous support (such as providing accommodation the night before test day) during the job-search process. It is these set of people that are able to keep such individuals going, in spite of setbacks. They are typically family members, and in few cases, fellow candidates for a particular job role (Nairalanders are great at this, yay !).

Fail Forward: Sees failure as a recipe for success.

With the teeming number of high-profile candidates in the job market, toughened (and often bizarre) aptitude tests, and unforeseen/extraneous circumstances, there are 1001 reasons why you might fail in a recruitment process. As such, failure shouldn’t immediately be seen as a sign of ill-luck or bad fortune (from the village). Smart job-seekers know how to embrace failure as a learning tool for success in future. They remain open to disappointments and are able to evaluate each failed attempt to identify areas of improvement. Smart job-seekers also have interesting ways of managing failure. Instead of applying to just one firm of interest (as the average applicant does), they identify and make applications to an average of 3 to 4 firms in the same industry (and sometimes even to similar industries that follow a similar career path, Finance/Audit for instance). So when a rejection mail comes in from Firm “A”, they are like “oh well, there’s 3 left”.

Lastly, when all has been said and done, the smart graduate understands the presence of the “X-Factor”. He understands that sometimes even the best performance in an interview/test doesn’t necessarily guarantee an offer. This graduate understands the place of Prayer and Faith, and is able to control things in the 4th dimension.
Voila! That appears to be all for now. By adopting this ideals, you can trust that your job-search process will be more meaningful and gainful. Wishing you Success at your very next attempt!

As culled from [url]club340.[/url]

Does it mean when someone post information of a success mail on a particular stage on a recruitment on Nairaland, it can mar the person's further chances?

basil123:
Does it mean when someone post information of a success mail on a particular stage on a recruitment on Nairaland, it can mar the person's further chances?

I think what OP meant was that candidates should be anonymous in sharing such information. I think the idea of using monikers on nairaland takes care of that.