Sisi_Kill: Are you frustrated because you've applied for dozens of jobs online and haven't heard back?

This is probably one of the most common frustrations of job seekers.

What can you do? Differentiate yourself from the hundreds of other job seekers.

Here are four ways to be that stand-out applicant:

1) Adapt your resume and cover letter. Take the time to adapt your resume to address the requirements of the job posting.

First look at the job posting and carefully analyze what they are looking for. Underline key skills sets, technical terms, and technology mentioned in the posting. Have you used these specific words in your summary of qualifications? Do you incorporate them in the accomplishment bullets under each job? Have you included them within your resume's technology section? Use the same underlined words and phrases in your cover letter and, most importantly, make sure you explain why you're interested in working for that company.

Your final step is to ask yourself this: can the employer clearly see (without having to think) how your experience relates to the job? This sounds like a lot of work, but once you get the hang of it, the process gets easier and faster.

And honestly, are any two job descriptions exactly the same? Why would you think you could use a single, unmodified version of your resume?

2) Take ownership. Stop waiting. Take action. If the jobs you applied for are truly of interest, then it is worth your time and effort to follow up with an email or phone call. Be sure you follow the instructions--for example, if the ad said, "No calls please," that means you shouldn't call. It is up to you (for your sanity) to find out the status of the job opening. When you do make contact or before you leave the interview, always ask what the next steps are and when you can follow up. You shouldn't have to, but the reality is, if you want an answer, you will need to. A very general rule of thumb is to follow up weekly, but ask the question to know for sure. We can't change other people's behavior, we can only change our own. Be systematic and persistent.


No news is NOT necessarily bad news. Companies don't keep applicants waiting purposely. There may be many valid reasons why they haven't contacted you yet: time lines slip, priorities switch, and sometimes financial situations change. Instead of assuming the company has filled the position or is not interested in you, follow up persistently and regularly and be sure to ask when you should follow up again. If you haven't already identified someone within the company, see the next point to understand why that is important. If it is a company or job you are interested in, don't give up.

3. Find an insider. Reach out to everyone you know and find someone who works for the company with the posted opening. When you find someone, ask them if they know about the job, its status, and who they might recommend you speak with to find out more. A company insider could potentially forward your resume along as a referral. They could also become a source of information for the status of the hiring process and let you know what is going on.

You might be able to find names of people to contact on the company website, on LinkedIn, the company's blog, in press releases and newsletters, or on Twitter. People want to help if they can, but remember to be polite and respectful because you will need them to be an advocate for you or perhaps an informant.

[b]4. Don't be a victim. [/b]Sure the employer has what you want...a job. But, that doesn't mean they have all the control. Think about what you can do to feel empowered. Take control of what you can. By taking action, at least you will know that you did EVERYTHING possible.

Article Here

Number 2 is one I always stress for job seekers. Don't wait, take action. . .especially after an interview. Send a Thank you for interviewing with me letter where you stress how after the interview, you are sure now more than ever that you are capable of doing the job. People (at least normal people) always respond well to POLITENESS.

During the interview. . . you make sure you find someone you can form a rapport with, so when you reach out to them a few days/weeks later it won't be just out of the blue.

I believe the biggest misconception about jobs and interviews is that the EMPLOYERS hold all the cards, if they did. . .they won't be looking for someone. So never approach the interviewer or anyone in the company hat in hand, like you are begging for something. You have a skill they need and ya darn well should be respected for it. I see people so desperate for jobs, they let the mai guards ride roughshod over them. Whaaaaaat? .

If you don't have confidence in yourself, how can you sell yourself? I'm not saying stroll in their all arrogant and whatnot, just saying be confident because you know you can do what they want.

Another thing most people don't know is that the interview process is A TWO WAY STREET, you are allowed to ask questions too (not about salary and bonuses oh) but questions like how long have you worked here, why do you like it? What the corporate culture like. . .SHOW INTEREST IN THE JOB AND THE COMPANY. Some people get in there and say nothing, just waiting patiently to be asked questions, they can answer to and most of the time it is yes and no answers. Ughhhh!!!

Let me let you in on a secret - THE INTERVIEWER IS ALSO AS NERVOUS AS YOU ARE! People think it is easy knowing what you are the final say on whether someone gets a job or not. It is nerve wrecking and helping to put the interviewer at ease by being personable GOES A LONG WAY but don't over do it. I've seen guys walk into an interview room and think because the interviewer is female, they can be all flirty. . .some to the point of being condescending. BIG, HUGE MISTAKE!

For ladies, don't get in there and start pulling a Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct like moves with your legs. . .sure you might get the job but you just might hafta spend half of the time doing it on your knees. . . (and I swear to God, if anyone makes a comment about knowing from experienc, I will. . .I will. . .okay, I don't know what I will do yet but I will do something. . Seriously though. . .you have to remember that PEOPLE talk and an office is the perfect playground for gossip)

Bottom line - BE CONFIDENT, BE PERSONABLE, BE RESPECTFUL AND MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER YOUR WORTH!!!!!

Sisi_Kill: THE JOB HUNTING COACH INTERVIEWING TIPS

How to separate yourself from the competition and WOW potential employers, you need to show then you are the candidate who can meet their wants.

Every Potential Employer is looking for 3 things (no matter what kind of job it is)


1) That you can do the job
2) That you want to do the job
3) That you can work well with others

How do you demonstrate you can do the job?

The coach is here to help you
[flash=560,315]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUt-HugkBQw?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0[/flash]


If anyone is unable to watch the video, lemme know and I can transcribe it.

Jarus:
1, After repackaging my CV to suit the requirements, I covered it with a letter I titled '5 reasons why I fit the bill'. Because I knew from the advert that a top MN consulting firm will be doing the recruitment, I emphasized the training I had with that firm 2 years ago on that covering, in addition to 4 other points, all short, concise and well bulleted.

that3as3r: There's only one way to stand out in a job search in Nigeria, Know the Fcukin Boss or someone who knows another certain someone....

Jarus:
This is another reason why many people are unemployable in Nigeria. With this kind of mentality, you may never get job!

There is still merit in Nigeria, any of us got job in big oil companies without knowing anybody.

Here is my assessment:
Oil coys(IOCs): Merit is 95%
Nigerian oil coys: 90% merit driven
Other private sector(Banks etc): 70% merit based
Public sector(CBN, NNPC etc): 70% merit based (my friend got NNPC job without knowing anybody, although he rejected it)
Public Sector(MDAs): 50%


I am talking from my enlightened observation.

eldee:

Could you please email me the letter you sent, it's okay if you don't want to, but it will be really helpful if you do.

Egba girl: Quite honestly, I think we need to get out of this "not in naija" mentality. Things aren't gonna be different if we stick to the norm and just accept whatever. If we just keep applying for jobs the same old boring way, then we just gonna keep going round in circles. Things are not going to change and we are not going to move forward. There are a lot of foreign companies in naija too that are looking for people that stand out. People need to take the initiative to market themselves well. Like earlier mentioned, the company needs your skills. They wanna know what you are bringing to the table and you need to have something unique about you. Something they will remember. Something that will make you stand out from the 500 thousand applicants.

Sisi_Kill:

Thank you!!

Honestly like I said earlier. . .a month ago, I would have been one of the "In Naija? Yeah right" chanters but my recent experience with someone who made a success out of it made me rethink my stance.

Who was it who said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? If the old ways have brought very little results, how about changing things up? Yeah, there is no denying there are things about our country that needs a major overhaul. . but sometimes just changing our orientation can be the first. . . simplest.step to making the bigger changes.

Sisi_Kill:
Who was it who said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?

eldee:

Albert Einstein

nitrogen:

Can i make this request too?

playah P: As the king of nairaland; I proudly do this thread the honour of being the first to reply.

In nigeria, I don't think its every interviewer that would like to be asked questions during job interview. This is nigeria and our mentality is quite differnt.
- thank you for interviewing me may be seen as sign of desperation and eye service. I rest ma case. Nairaland kwenu