Hi everyone,

I’m organising a Free Workshop on the 2nd of April, 2016.

I will share my tips and tricks on how to make yourself attractive to employers, as well as how to determine whether or not your CV passes the famous ’30 second test’. We will also have a Q&A session where you can ask me your questions.

I used the same strategies to:

- Work with 8 different companies (part time) as an undergraduate in University
- Land 2 solid graduate job offers before graduation
- Change jobs pretty much every year since graduation (6 jobs in the last 8 years)

The session will hold on WhatsApp because I’m trying to go with the least data-intensive option possible.

Sign up here - http://skillsonthehouse.com/get-the-job-of-your-dreams-workshop/

I hope to see you on the 2nd of April.

Also,

I have a limited number of slots (10) for 1 on 1 consultations where I spend an hour with you to:

a) Discuss the problems you are facing with regards to getting a job
b) Understand what you have tried to do to resolve this challenge so far, and why it hasn’t worked
c) Get a feel for ‘who you are’ as a jobseeker
d) Review your CV and give you detailed feedback on possible areas of improvement

This session is not free, but if you are among the first 10 people to take this up, you can pay me whatever you want.

If you're interested, please send me a message - http://skillsonthehouse.com/contact/

Have a great week ahead.

Of course I can't do it all alone, and it's soo easy to stay on the 'other side' and complain about the problems with this country (that used to be my modus operandi, I was a master complainer )

But if we ALL continue complaining without doing what we can as our own little contribution, then the situation will unfortunately remain the same.

"These organisations shud partner with the NUC." - Have you approached any organisations? Have you approached the NUC? It sounds like you feel very strongly about the issue, so I would encourage you to also take action. We are lucky to be in this internet age where social media has made it soo easy to get our voices heard around the globe.

I will carry on doing my own little part, and I hope other Nigerians who are as worried as I am about the way things are, will stand up to be counted, and be an active part of the change our country so desperately needs

And as Michael Jackson captured in his great song..'I'm starting with the (wo)man in the mirror'

komek:


Funny u.

You can't do it by what u r just doing dear. These organisations shud partner with the NUC. In my days in sch, I discovered I did not know most of the things needed in the corporate world. And it was like that with many of the pple who left the sch wif me. Our ICT level was near to zero. I know in the Nigerian University curriculum( Public Universities) microsoft packages are not there. What about the use of other HR, accounting etc softwares. This is where the partnership is needed. Again, if I am consulted to change our education system, one thing I will do is to make sure that for one to be a lecturer in our universities, u most have practised in the corporate world for atleast 5years. Sorry to say this, most of our lecturers are not impacting the right knowlege because u don't give what u don't have. They know little or nothing about the operations of the corporate world. So what do u expect from their output?

"But the annoying thing is that the TOWN wud do nothing to bridging the skills gap."

Ah ahn @komek, but that's exactly what I'm trying to achieve with Skills On The House

komek:
The gap btw The TOWN and the GOWN is so wide.
But the annoying thing is that the TOWN wud do nothing to bridging the skills gap. All they do say is " our graduates are unemployable'. How? Same sch system they passed thru and get connected to a job thru one brother, uncle, sister, aunt, papa, mama, etc, same sch system has suddenly started churning out graduates that are not employable, how come they were employed? These companies should help in getting the right skills in our tertiary institutions. How does most of these companies carry out their corporate social responsibilities? Organising a singing show abi,the rest littering our gutters with their products in the street in the name of dashing their products to the pple. Why not liaise with the NUC to get the best from the university system since they feel they can't get the best from the sch system. See OP, I hate it when pple keep seeing problems without proffering solutions. They shud help the unemployable youth to be employable and stop telling us these poo. Like someone said, the supply of Labour is greater than the demand for Labour and that's what we are witnessing and not all this bull crap

Hi @Prodigee - here is the link https://www./991127117635687/

Prodigee:
Hello Geno! Please can u provide a link to your Facebook group? Would really love to join. Thanks

LOL! It is what it is. You wanted me to ask - I did. And I copied and pasted her response

paulGrundy:


She didn't answer your question, she merely rephrased it back to you.

Hi @PresVA, I got a response from Pai on the reason they place the age restrictions on the graduate programme and I quote:

"The programme is specifically designed for new graduates who will be trained for entry level roles within the capital market. We recognise that there are matured graduates, however this route is not designed for them."

I suppose this means that mature graduates are encouraged to apply for other roles as advertised on the NSE website.

Hello guys,

Sorry to hear about those who got the regret mails - just keep trying and something will hopefully come through soon.

For those going on to write the test, and hopefully get invited for the next stage, I interviewed the Head of HR at the NSE (Pai Gamde) last week, and she shared a LOT of information and insights regarding why candidates don't succeed at the interview process. It's an audio interview and you can listen to it on my website - you will get some 'expo' from it




http://skillsonthehouse.com/interview-with-the-head-of-hr-at-the-nigerian-stock-exchange/

I'll be interviewing the recently retired HR director of SHELL to get his thoughts, tips and advice for the young job-seekers out there. He worked in Shell HR for over 20 years and retired a few months ago.

Do you have any specific questions you would like me to ask? I won't be able to get all your questions in due to time constraints, but I will try to ask the most common ones.

So if you have any questions, please submit them here - http://skillsonthehouse.com/questions/

Deadline for submission is 9:00pm today 9th March, 2016.

Please note that only questions submitted using the above link will be taken into consideration. Thank you.

It's Omo here (www.skillsonthehouse.com), and I'll be interviewing the recently retired HR director of SHELL to get his thoughts, tips and advice for the young job-seekers out there. He worked in Shell HR for over 20 years and retired a few months ago.

Do you have any specific questions you would like me to ask? I won't be able to get all your questions in due to time constraints, but I will try to ask the most common ones.

So if you have any questions, please submit them here - http://skillsonthehouse.com/questions/

Deadline for submission is 9:00pm today 9th March, 2016.

Please note that only questions submitted using the above link will be taken into consideration. Thank you.

Hi @iamclime, love your comment and agree with you 100% - the gap is indeed very wide and glaring. Our tertiary institutions are simply not preparing graduates for the real-world. I also strongly agree that the onus is on each and every one of us to develop ourselves. If you find yourself in a country like Nigeria where the system is broken, and isn't helping you, then you have to help yourself otherwise you will get left behind by those people who continue to develop themselves and their skills, and always stay ahead with the trends..

Thank God for resources like the internet where you can go online and learn for yourself.

This is the MAJOR reason I started Skills On The House so that young job-seekers in Nigeria who haven't had access to a careers service office while in school can easily come to the site and learn what they need to succeed in the job market.

[quote author=iamclime post=43601580][/quote]

Well it really depends on the role, but in general, companies will always value problem-solving, communication, IT (think Microsoft Office tools especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint), ability to take the initiative and also work unsupervised when necessary, critical thinking, team building and interpersonal skills.

paulGrundy:


It sure does, thanks.

But please with respect to skills, could you maybe like give examples of skills would average organisation be looking for in a graduate trainee.

Hi @adedee14, please send yor message to me using this link:

http://skillsonthehouse.com/contact/

adedee14:
@GenoMI I sent you a mail. Would appreciate your reply. Want to learn a few more things from you.

Hi @paulGrundy. Psychometric tests are used mainly as a first-level screening tool, especially for entry-level or graduate positions.

There are also different types of tests - the ones designed to test your verbal, numerical and spatial reasoning (these are called aptitude tests), and then there are also the personality tests which are designed to help employers gain an insight into your personality, with a goal of figuring out whether or not your personality / character fits the role you've applied for. So there's no pass or fail for a personality test, it simply helps them judge if you will be a good fit for the job.

So to answer your question, it really depends what the organisation was looking for. It could be that:
1. If it was a personality test you wrote, you were a close match to what they were looking for whereas your friend was not

2. If it was an aptitude test, they may have had a cut-off just to help them screen candidates further. So even though you both passed, it is possible that many others passed too and so they set the bar high in terms of the mark at which a candidate qualifies for the interview.

Hope this helps

paulGrundy:
@GenoMI, am curious maam I would love to know how aptitude tests are used in the selection process. A friend and I wrote a test last year, it was very easy It was Cbt based test and results was out immediately. We were both successful suprisely he got a regret mail while I got an interview invitation, is there a special process in selection via aptitude tests? What are the rules am curious.

Thanks @Joecares. It's actually illegal to discriminate against job-seekers based on their age in other parts of the world. But I guess anything goes in Nigeria.

I've asked the Head of HR at the NSE the reason for the restrictions, and I'm just waiting for her to come back with a reply. Once she does, I'll post it here.

Joecares:
Following u guys. Genomini i think age restrictions does alot of harm to our graduates and u wont get honesty with that. Are you saying you dnt want birth certificates but afidavit. Its like forcing everybody to become liars.
Also, these outsourcing thing should be discouraged in nigeria. Its like we enslaving ourselves and the rich sharing our stipends we receive frm the company with us, no company want to do direct employment again most want to outsourcee cause they feel its cheaper and stress free, but its killing mehn.

For real, it's TRUE, trust me! .

Yes, supply greatly exceeds demand in Nigeria but it's all about quality, and not quantity.

It's all about how much VALUE you can add. Plus it's very crucial to be able to sell yourself / your skills and prove that you'll actually be a value add to the organisation.

It all begins in your mind, where as a job seeker, you know that you are bringing something to the table. Your mindset automatically changes from 'I need a job (any job)' to 'I would be a great addition to a {insert your preferred career here} company/ team because I can bring my {skill 1}, {skill 2} and {skill 3} to the table. If you truly believe in yourself / your abilities, and are able to show prospective employers HOW you can apply your skills and knowledge to help them achieve their corporate goals, then the sky will be your limit!

Gnen:
Employers fighting over graduates in this Nigeria where supply greatly exceed demand...Well I will not totally disagree but am very sure these cases are usually rare.

Yes @ednut1, the job seekers certainly out-number the jobs as you rightly pointed out.

BUT did you know that the gap between the skills that young job seekers have, and those required by employers in today's job market is the 2nd largest driver of youth unemployment in Africa? You can find all the statistics here - http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/theme/youth_employment/obstacles-and-needs-of-young-people-in-african-labour-markets/

Our graduates most definitely need help articulating their skills and values in a way that employers find attractive. I've had to screen CV's and also sit in interviews, and well, I'll just say that I know for a fact that a lot of graduates in this country need job market training that they are not receiving from our tertiary institutions.

Regarding your point about people getting multiple offers before they even serve, it still happens today o. It still happens, trust me. I personally know a number of young graduates who employers have pretty much fought over - the savvy ones even use it as a salary bargaining chip.

ednut1:
the job seekers outnumber d jobs shikena. in d 1980s pple get lik 3 offers before they even serve first. anyone sayin graduates are unemployable needs serious beating

Pls I'm a married mother of 1 oo, don't land me inside a hot pot of soup LOL

I will try to transcribe the interview (it takes soo much time )

Once I do, I'll put it up and leave a comment here. Thanks.

abumeinben:
GenoMI my babe


I don't haff data...

Please include downloadables on ya blog...

Trust me....it'll boost ur traffic.

Thanks for your compliments, I appreciate it. I will try my best with regards to your suggestion.

adedee14:
@GenoMI I will say u've surely been doing a great job. I have read through most of your posts on your site and its quite educative. However I'd like you recommend assistance to we the job seekers through your vast network of top professionals in the industry, on maybe how our cv can reach these top HRs with the ease through which you get to meet them. Thanks.

Haha! I have been working in Nigeria for the past 8 years since graduation so I've built up a considerable amount of work experience and delivered value to the best of my ability wherever I've found myself. That's how I've been able to build a good network that I can easily leverage to discover opportunities and meet great people.

No shortcut oo, it all takes time

Cutehector:
babe, leave all these employment things, hw far. show me d way connect me to ur ministry

Thanks @yorex2011

yorex2011:
Nice one ma'am
I'm really enjoying these little chats of yours

Ah wait o, I'm not a bros, I'm a sister na!

Now I understand what you are talking about - I've been through a couple before, when I was a fresh grad. They are called 'group interviews' and are usually administered as part of an assessment centre. You are absolutely right about what they are checking for with this type of interview, but it's not just about what each applicant is chipping in. In fact what you actually say doesn't hold nearly as much weight as how you interact with the rest of the group, from your body language to your level of interaction with the team. Are you taking charge of the discussion without being overbearing? Or are you just sitting quietly in the corner watching and not participating?

All these things count and just a way for companies to drill down and get to know applicants a bit better, in order to identify if they are the right fit for the job they've applied for.

Cutehector:
u recently currently work with whaaaaaat? Bros show me d way to the promise land na



So the oral discussion thing is this, the job seekers are divided into groups, let's say 12 each with 2 members of the HR team. Now each of the group is given a topic to discuss on for a given number of time. Lets say 30 minutes. The idea is to test for d job seeker's vast knowledge on that topic and how well he or she is able to articulate points and reason. It also used to test for team play. It's a pity many job seekers think they knw wat teamwork is but sadly enuf, most don't. Am sayin this from first hand experience. That method is the best method to test for team work and leadership potential. That is, the oral discussion chat. So each job applicant is given a chance to chip on what he knows about the topic given to them in each group.


Then the two hr team will keep quiet and listen to each job applicant and record their observations and score them....

@Cutehector WOW - I didn't know about the Dangote thing, that is definitely an extremely inefficient process. Why would anyone bother to do that with all the technology we have available? I don't understand it, and it might actually not be the fault of HR, because a lot of these decisions are made by the management teams at these companies, especially the Nigerian ones (I have worked at a few indigenous companies and there is a very, very clear difference between how they run their companies when compared to the multinationals).

e.g. PwC - I actually currently work with the recently retired MD of PwC (Ken Igbokwe) and he's very tech savvy and extremely forward thinking, even though he's in his 60's - PwC must have picked him to run their company for a reason and we can already see the reason why these multinationals outlive their founders and continue to grow stronger with each generation. This is a problem that Nigerian owned companies seem to struggle with and I can't name one Nigerian owned and run company off the top of my head that doesn't die when the owner or founder dies.

With regards to your 2nd reason, can you please shed some more light on these 'oral discussion'? Are they interviews with line managers? Or who exactly conducts these discussions?

From my experience, a written test is usually followed by a series of interviews, each one acting as a 'sieve', where candidates deemed unsuitable are weeded out.

Cutehector:
my brother, you and I know very well that the reasons aren't farfetched.


OK let me use dangote refinery job application as an example

No I didn't o - I actually put up a post some days before the interview asking people to submit the questions they would like me to ask her, and this wasn't one of them

I'll ask her though and post her response here..

PresVA:
Hope you asked her why the NSE places 24 abi 23years as maximum age for graduate trainees?

LOL @ special advisers - But what is it about them that you do not like?

Cutehector:
hahahaha I tell u solemnly, they r the ones giving themselves tough jobs by themselves.

I think they should all have special advicers

Ah, Cutehector, please try to love them o . I can understand how you feel, but to be fair a lot of them also have a tough job to do and are trying their best

Cutehector:
lol I have this natural hate for Nigerian HR people no offence I think they should all be whipped at golgotha

The Head of HR is on the left, I'm on the right

I got to interview the amazing Pai Gamde, the current Head of HR at the Nigerian Stock Exchange. I had a fantastic time with her and I learnt soo much.

As usual, I went in there with a bunch of questions, as part of my quest to understand things from the perspective of the professionals that are in charge of the recruitment process. Why are young job seekers in Nigeria finding it soo hard to get on the employment ladder?

It’s almost a general consensus that our graduates unemployable, but what can be done to bridge the gap between where they are and where they need to be?

Listen to the interview here - http://skillsonthehouse.com/interview-with-the-head-of-hr-at-the-nigerian-stock-exchange/

For real Wonders will never end, only in this our Nigeria. God help us.

coollabman:



@bolded! you'd be surprised the amount I was asked to cough out. the firm is a laboratory that offers clinical diagnostic services (I won't mention names). peeps that studied microbiology/biochemistry would understand this trend of paying to get biomedical trainee positions and internship.

Hmm that's strange - why would anybody ask you to PAY to intern with them? Totally unacceptable.

With regards to policy, I guess there isn't much anyone can do if a company has such policies. But there are some companies that accept interns, including where I currently work (they just took in a pre-NYSC intern, and this is the 3rd one since I joined a year ago). So there is hope, keep going at it.

I think we also have a long way to go as a country in terms of getting companies to adopt the culture of internships as in done in other parts of the world.

coollabman:


from the little info I got from the ones currently on my contact list (one even shares the same first name and surname with me), they were impressed by my initiative but still told me no because of policy issues in their respective firms, while some told me to come back after Nysc and a few told me to pay.
judging from their response nothing at all was wrong with my application.

Hi @coollabaman, thanks, pls check out the link, I updated it

Meanwhile, please don't be discouraged by 1 or 2 people out there who don't think to give young people credit for taking the initiative and stepping up to the plate, I think you did fantastically well (If I listened to all the people who told me not to bother with Skills On The House, you and I wouldn't even be having this conversation, LOL).

I'm wondering though, was there anything else stopping them from taking you on board? Were you able to communicate the value you can bring to the table as an intern, as opposed to maybe talking about what you can get out of the experience? At the end of my post, I provide the address to a new and growing site where you can look up internships in Naija companies...Please check it out

coollabman:



the link is not working. by the way, I think you're doing a great job,

@topic I did everything within my power to get a place for internship after I graduated from school, unfortunately I wasn't successful (even when I offered to work for free). The kind of responses I got were very disheartening. I encountered a lady that asked me whether fresh (pre-nysc) graduates go for internship and went ahead to tell me its not done anywhere (authoritatively) its not easy getting the required working experience to launch a career. the Nigerian labour market is f-ed up!

Thanks Sifo, sorry about that - I've put in the correct link

sifo:
The link isn't working