Hi everyone there is a new group on FB that allows Nigerian upcoming artists to talk about their music, lyrics, and thoughts on the music industry. The group is closed so people feel free to talk on there. If you have any questions or suggestions about the group just let me know

Here is the link

https://www./245690815591259/246188012208206/?notif_t=group_comment

Hi everyone there is a new group on FB that allows Nigerian upcoming artists to talk about their music, lyrics, and thoughts on the music industry. The group is closed so people feel free to talk on there. We also welcome producers to give in their input as well since they work with the artists.

Here is the link

https://www./245690815591259/246188012208206/?notif_t=group_comment

Hi everyone there is a new group on FB that allows Nigerian upcoming artists to talk about their music, lyrics, and thoughts on the music industry. The group is closed so people feel free to talk on there.

Here is the link

https://www./245690815591259/246188012208206/?notif_t=group_comment

I am launching a new website promote new upcoming Nigerian artists. You will be able to create a profile with links to your songs, where we can buy your music, and your social media links. Just upload your lyrics to the website and share with your fans. If you are interested in being part of our launch please reply here. We are set to launch next week.

When you apply to a job do you feel hopeless because you know nobody will see your resumes. What is the best way to apply for a job?

By Chika Uwazie (Revision 2: added examples)

Turn Your Passion into Business
Follow your passion and success will follow you. Are you young and passionate? Are you ready to go on to the next steps and start your own business? We are lucky to be born into an economy that has given us the ability to become entrepreneurs. Technology has facilitated this growth, but also more than ever more people want to work for themselves. Sure, entrepreneurship is far from easy, but it can be really rewarding. Before you plunge yourself into the world of entrepreneurship, here are the steps you should take to build your business.

Research
Never just jump into a business idea without thinking all the way through. This should be done before the business plan. You need to make sure that your idea has a real need for the market. A way to analyze this is through Michael Porter’s 5 forces of analysis. Even though this is an old method it still is a great way to see how your idea stacks up against the industry and a way to look at consumer behaviors as well. An example of this will be starting a business in rice farming. Currently there is a high demand for rice because in 2013 there will be a ban to stop rice importation. Also rice farming is an agriculture activity that is moderately competitive indicating there is still room for others to enter the industry. The best ideas will be something that has low competition currently and a high consumer demand. Why do you think Twitter took the world by storm? It was a need that people wanted and no one else was doing what twitter does for consumers. Really take the time to weigh the pros and cons of your ideas. Thorough research it will help you see how viable your idea is for the market.

Test your idea to the market
Before you run to investors with your idea, test it out to see if it has potential to grow. It can be a prototype and using people in your local area to see how many actually bought your product. If it is a service idea gather some customers and test your services with them. Use this time to ask questions about your product. Asked people if they like it, do they see themselves buying it. Some people test out their product for a trial period for free and monitor the response. For the ladies that design their own clothes they can sell a few pieces in the market or among family and friends. If they see that many people continue to request for their designs, then it is clear you have a winner idea. You can use this sample to show investors your product or service will grow and eventually will bring money to their pockets.

Build the Team
This step can be before or after you start testing out your product. Every great business has a great team which is an essential asset. The right team member can be right under your nose. It can be someone you went to school with, or a friend that shares the same passion. Make sure your team is diverse and can contribute a different skill to your business. A good business person realizes they cannot be the alpha and omega. The right team will support your idea and turn it into a reality Team members do not even have to be physically in the same area. There are lots of start ups out there where the team members are virtual and eventually they meet in person. If you do decide to go this route, your team must have good lines of communication.

Fund it
Everyone wants to know where to get money to fund an idea. Realistically Africa just simply does not have enough places to get funding, but it is not impossible. Funding your business idea normally goes in several rounds, in the first round look at your close circle. Pitch your idea to family members; get several people involved in raising funds. After your initial round of funds, than look into other methods of investing. When you pitch to an investor you only have one shot. Make sure to be prepared and be ready to answer all questions. Investors want to know how your idea benefits them. If you cannot predict your strategy of growth and an exit strategy your are not ready. They want to see the value of the business and when they can get their money back. This is the time to present any sample data you have, and your feedback on the market. Also remember every investor is not for you, do not take a deal if you feel like you are selling your soul away. Make sure whoever you invest with can be a mentor as well. If you have all those answers ready to go, you will have a better leverage with an investor. A great place to start is VC4Africa. This website is a great meeting place for start ups and investors. They also have tons of information for you to find the right funding for your company. Also look into websites like Afrinnovator, they always talk about companies that are funding African start ups. For tech start ups Co Creation Hub based in Lagos helps start ups find mentors and funding .

Name some of your passions and ideas in the comment box below!

Thank you for the replies. See this is the problem sending a resume to you will not help with your venture. Each resume must be specific for the job you are applying for. A administrative resume will look different than a bank resume. This is simply a guideline to follow to shape your own resume. And yes Resume's are not that simple and trust a good company can recognize a strong candidate it is very true. I do suggest if you are looking for a sample google search your title and then say resume. So if you are looking for an HR positions google ( human resource assistant resume).

By Chika Uwazie

A resume is an essential item you need on hand in order to apply for any position. As simple as this may sound, I have seen countless resumes that do not have what I am looking for or are lacking important components that I end up declining. I am sure there has been a time you have sent your resume everywhere and cannot understand why you are not getting a call back. Maybe you get an interview, and then the hiring manager tells you, well your qualifications are not right for this job. Typically people are missing key items that can help their resume stand out from other competitors.

These 5 steps will help you create a stronger resume that will put you on a path to getting your dream job:

1. Place Keywords in Your Resume
Never, I mean never, send the same resume twice. As much of a pain in a butt it can be to redo each resume for each position you apply to, the results will be drastically different than sending the same one. HR managers are smart and they can figure out when they are receiving a generic resume. Learn to put in keywords in your resume that can be linked back to the position you are applying to. Here is an extra tip, to take it one-step further use word cloud generator to conduct a word analysis among your resume and the description of the job. You can use a word cloud generator like woordle and create a word cloud for your resume and the job description. If a lot of the big words on your resume do not match the big words on the job description this means the two do not align indicating to a recruiting you would not be a strong candidate for the job they are trying to fill.

2. Add Extracurricular Activities
At the end of the resume add interesting facts or extracurricular activities that you do outside of your profession. It can be as simple as running your own successful blog, to volunteering a non-profit. Employers want to see that you are actually human and enjoy seeing that fun touch on your resume. Remember not to go overboard with how many activities you list but one to three is sufficient enough.

3. Do Not Use Passive Words
Use power words on your resume. If you are using the word like “assisted” or “helped” on your resume then you need to evaluate the type of language you are conveying on your resume. Employers want to hire potential leaders they do not want to hire someone that cannot bring their own confidence to the table. If you are not sure what are good power words go here for a list of the top ones.

4. Put in Relevant Coursework
If you are a fresh graduate or an entry level job seeker list down relevant coursework and associations that are connected with the job you are applying to. A lot of people graduate with a totally different major than the job they are applying for and sometimes that can be confusing for a recruiter. A way to help recruiters know that you are ready for the job requirements write down a few courses that are applicable to the job you are applying for. This can also help when you have no other experience in that field but the classes you too.

5. Proofread Your Resume
You would think that people would make sure their resumes are grammatically correct, but I always see errors on people’s resumes. Once a recruiter sees an error, he or she concludes that the applicant is not serious about getting the job. If you cannot even make sure your sentences make sense, why should an employer take you seriously? Do not just trust Microsoft word or your word processor. Read your resume aloud and check if everything sounds right. Send out your resume to a few friends and ask them what they think. This is a small step, but is a big difference between your resume and others. Do not get your resume thrown in the trash because you misspelled a few words.

Via Ventures Africa

What has been your experience with your resume? Please share your thoughts on this thread. Thanks!

Yes you need to be constantly tweeting to grow your followers. Also find your friends on twitter and follow them. Your first 100 folowers will most likely be close friends. Also broadcast you are on twitter on your other networks. Make sure to have a picture up people do not want to follow back eggs

By Chika Uwazie
Having a personal brand is no longer exclusive to those that own a company or write for a publication. With the power of social media, everyone can now have a personal brand. An online presence is not limited to personal use but can also be a powerful tool for jobseekers and those that like to network.

A personal brand is not just your title at work but is a holistic view of your passion, goals, and vision. If someone mentions your name, what will be the first thing that comes to mind? Do people see you as a thought leader in your industry? Do you have an impact in my community? These are the questions we must ask ourselves as we create a personal brand.

Not only is a personal brand important to have to ensure success, but also with tough competition for jobs it makes you stand out from the rest. Many HR professionals now conduct a Google search on prospective candidates that apply for a job. If someone did a Google search on you today would your be happy with the information out there linked to your name? Even worse is there any information out there about you?

If you are ready to take your success to the next level, here are some tools to create your own personal brand.

Identify yourself
Think about who you are as a person and where do you want to be. What are your strengths, what makes you unique? This is the time period to dig deep and follow your passions. This is the time for self-discovery. Write down your goals and create a vision, and a mission statement which simply encompasses what you do and who you serve. An example is, “I am a human resource professional that help young Nigerian graduates with career advice and job seeking techniques.”

To identify yourself, seek feedback from coworkers, family and friends. Share with them your vision and ask them for feedback on your path. These are people that know you best and will be able to help formalize your personal brand that you want to share with the rest of the world.

Create Your Personal Brand Tool Kit
Take time to put together a personal brand tool kit. This will include a resume, cover letter, business card, and a social media presence. Always have a business card on you even if you are a student. You never know when you will meet someone that can change your life. Do you want to meet that person and have no type of personal contact information on you? Create a resume template that you can use for jobs that you are applying to, but keep in mind each resume should be customized for each job you are applying for. Take it up a level and create an online resume as well. This resume will show up on your Google search and will give people a glance into your professional experience.

Social Media
All of your social media websites should be an extension of your personal brand. Each profile should have the same picture. That is, a clear picture of you and not other frivolous objects in the background. Most people are going to go to your social media websites to learn more about you, so take the time to write a short biography that can be on each profile that is consistent with your brand.

Facebook
With over 160 million people on this network, it is a critical social media profile for personal branding. Stand out from other FB users and use your profile as a space to share intriguing statuses that ignite discussions. Create groups where other professionals in your area can connect and form long lasting relationship. Start a fanpage, which can link back to your blog or business. Make sure to fill out your work information in order for people to see your credentials.

Twitter
Twitter is a great place to share news about your industry to millions of users. You will be surprised the value you create when you share information unique to your profession. There are many ways to brand yourself on twitter by starting a weekly chat discussion with other users, or being a place where people come to catch up on the latest trends in your field.

Personal Website
Create your own personal website that either can be a yourname.com website or your own blog that shares your personal thoughts. A few years from now everyone will have a blog, you might as well get a head start and create your own. This will be a tremendous boost to your expertise and experience in your field, and in the long run will help you stand out from the rest of the pack.

Linkedin
Lastly, treat Linkedin as your best friend. I have seen too many Africans not believe in the power of Linkedin. It is a great place to learn from leaders in your industry and even find mentors. Linkedin is a place to emerge as a thought leader by either contributing great dialogue to group discussions or setting up your own Linkedin group. Believe it or not many African recruiters are on Linkedin looking to fill the position they have on hand. It doesn’t get any easier to have direct access to these recruiters instead of submitting a resume to a company’s website. Make sure to fill out all of your information on your profile. Always include a picture. It is easier to accept a request where you can identify the person versus not being able to figure out who sent the request. Take at least 30 minutes per week to update your profile and do not forget to update your status.

All of these tools will be essential to creating a personal brand. Creating a personal brand is instrumental to your future because it represents your reputation, your size and strength of your network. Personal branding ultimately gives you a unique value to contribute to your company and clients. What is your personal brand? What actions have you taken to ensure your own brand?

Thank you everyone for the kind responses I am humbled... I have another one on personal branding that goes hand and hand with networking. Networking is not that hard but it does take courage to do it in the right way, There is a presence you must create for yourself in order for others to be drawn to you. Please let me know other areas you need help in improving I am more than happy to write another how to guide .

By Chika Uwazie

One of the keys to success is having a network that you can leverage effectively. The ability to network is truly an art that many people take for granted. Networking is not about how many business cards you can handout in a room. It is the ability to meet new people and maintain healthy relationships with them through all seasons. Remember the saying, “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”? You must build your network before you need it.

Countless times I see people trying to go to as many networking events as they can because they lost their job, or because they just graduated. Networking is a behavior that should be ingrained in your DNA in order to properly leverage its benefits. Networking can be a daunting task, especially for those that are considered introverts. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll definitely come off better and become a networking guru. Before you know it you will have a network that spans across the globe.

1. Take a friend with you to a networking event. It can help ease the tension of meeting new people. You can also use this tactic to dived and conquered and exchange contacts as you meet them.

2. If you must go to a networking event and you are not sure if you will know anyone there, wear an interesting item like a pin or another article of clothing that stick out. It is a great way to lure people to you to spark up a conversation.

3. When you introduce yourself do not just right away reveal your title. You never know when things can change in your life, and you do not want people to remember you forever as “the medical student.” Instead take this opportunity to reveal something interesting you do- like run a blog or lead a nonprofit organization. Then casually introduce your title (work).

4. Use your business cards. Hand them out to people you made solid connections with after a conversation. Do not hand it out to every person you meet unless you are in the sales industry. It is never about quantity but quality. What is the point of having thousands of contacts if only 50 of them hold value to you?

5. Make sure to stay connected with people you meet, it can be as simple as sending them an interesting news article you found through an email or sending them birthday wishes.

6. When you get newly acquainted with someone, do not right away ask for favors. Many people are guilty of this. Instead take the opportunity to get to know who the person is. People do expect to give out favors as well as receive them eventually.

7. Do your research before you go to an industry event. Make sure to know what news is current in today’s world. You should be able to strike up a conversation with anyone if you stay current on news stories. If you are going to an industry event that is different from your background, do a little research to understand their lingo. Nothing is more impressive than a person outside my industry who is able to have a conversation about my background.

8. Watch the body language of the new people you interact with. Do not squeeze yourself into a conversation if the group looks closed off and tight knit. If the group is facing outwards this indicates they are open to inviting more people to speak to them.

9. At the end of a panel, do not be like the other hundreds of people waiting in line to speak to the panelist. Instead stand out by either approaching them before they speak or getting their card and reconnecting with them at a different time. The truth is unless you say something striking the panelist probably will not remember you from the other people they met before and after you.

10. Never shoot someone down because you think the person is not an asset to you now. You will be surprised how handy that person can be later down the line.

11. Lastly, branch out and meet all different types of people. Your network should have a mixture of different passions, values, and backgrounds. Sometimes your contact can help another person, which can in turn help you in the long run. A colorful network will open you to many opportunities and can build long lasting friends.

What techniques have you used for networking in the past? What worked? What did not work? Share your thoughts in the comment box below!

http://www.ventures-africa.com/leadership/learning-the-art-of-networking/1348

Nigerian entrepreneur, Gossy Ukanwoke is changing the way students in Africa receive education through online resources. Coined Nigeria’s Mark Zuckerberg, at only 23, he has created the Students Circle Network, an academic social network and plans to launch an online university called Beni American University specifically for African students.

Student’s Circle Network has witnessed much success since its launch in 2010, but Ukanwoke says there still remains a gap in the educational systems in Africa that Student Circle Network was not offering.

In hopes to try to fill this gap, he created another startup, Beni American University.

Beni American University is a forward looking African startup with the hopes of bringing quality education to African children and adults who want to gain a post secondary diploma or degree. Due to infrastructure limitations the people in Africa who want to attend universities often cannot.

Ukanwoke’s solution to this was to build an online institution that doesn’t require going to a physical location where they are often overcrowded limiting the amount of people who can attend. Online education eliminates that issue.

Students who enroll in the university will receive perks such as a PC and internet access. With technology growing rapidly on the African continent, Ukanwoke says it is the best time to build a startup in Africa. The university will focus emerging subjects like technology, web 2.0 and entrepreneurship.

Although starting in Africa, Ukanwoke plans to expand to Central American and Asia in the future. Beni American University will be launching in the next couple months. In the mean time, check out Student Circle Network.

Via http://www.blackweb20.com/2012/03/20/founder-of-student-circle-network-to-launch-online-university-for-students-in-africa/#.T2spbxFmIsd

Many Nigerians face unethical situations daily. Nigerian companies are involved in all types of unethical business practices from bribing customers, sexual harassment in the workplace environment, state laws being violated, and so forth. I remember during one of the panels at the Harvard African Business Conference one of the panelists spoke about taking some unethical actions because in her eyes it was a necessary evil. Funny enough someone from the audience rose and gave a counter argument to the panelist statement arguing, “Africans of the new generation cannot give in to the notion of bribing because we will never grow from our past”.

Many Nigerians continue to talk about unethical practices they witness, but yet are the same ones to be right in the mix. What makes you different from the manager that gave a bribe to secure a contract when you were right in the room during the transaction? As an employee when is it time to part ways and say enough is enough? I believe it’s a difficult situation to face on, but as more of us turn away from the mentality of “business as usual” Nigerian companies will have no choice but to strive to become more ethical sound.

This morning a former executive, Greg Smith at Goldman Sachs wrote an Op-ed piece on New York Times about his resignation from the premier investment banking firm. Greg Smith decided to resign not because of age or lack of promotion, but simply because he felt ethically he could not work for the company any longer. I was so inspired by his courage to speak up against Goldman Sachs because being in such a top position it is hard to face the harsh reality that you are work environment forces you to cross unethical boundaries.

In ideal world the CEO of the company should model ethical behavior, but realistically that is not the case. If you feel your values no longer align with the company then do not be afraid to leave the organization. In the end you are doing yourself a disservice if you continue working for a company that does not live up to the ethical code you stand for. I applaud Greg Smith for telling us the unfiltered truth and hope we can learn a valuable lesson from his courageous move.

Via Naija Careerist: Working In An Unethical Environment: A Lesson From Greg Smith's Resignation At Goldman Sachs

No I have not seen any emails , thats fine I was just trying to help out the situation

Editor’s note: We are privileged to have Chika Uwazie, a human resources specialist, contribute to the Jobberman Blog. More about her at the end of the article. Enjoy!

Do you know that the average person changes careers four times in their lives? Have you ever sat down and wondered if you were on the right career path? Not the career path your parents told you to do, or the one you chose because everyone was going into the field. I mean the career path that will give you fulfillment, satisfaction, and challenges.

Many people make the mistake of choosing a career because they see wealth, but do not realize that in all actuality you are doing yourself a disservice. Picking a career because it will make you good money does not necessarily mean you will excel in it or you will be happy. There are some who dread going to work every day and it is clear in their actions. They are slow to respond to given assignments, always picking a fight with people at work, and sometimes even go as far as taking out their unhappiness at work out on their families.

Then, there are people who loved their careers, but somehow along the way they realized they passion was gone. Lastly, there are people that are just confused and jump from one career to the next. They are not sure where they belong, and are just trying to get by.
If you have ever been on one of those categories, you are probably wondering, how to get out of the cycle? How do you find the career path that will suit your personal goals?

There are many ways to go about this, but here are a few steps you should consider when choosing a career path.


Observe what areas you excel well in school, and also look into courses that you look forward to reading about. These indicators will help you guide your career choice. You can take this time to talk to professors that teach these courses about your career aspirations, and get some sound advice. Now, Here is a caution. Just because you excel in a certain subject does not mean it is the right career path for you. It is only one of the numerous factors you have to consider.
Do a paid/unpaid internship . This is one of the best ways to figure out what you like and do not like. After my first internship with a major company, I realized working in the retail industry was not for me. The earlier you place yourself in internships, the better. If you are much older, contract work can supplement for internship experience. Nothing is better than doing a short-term project that will shed light on your career interests.
Take a personality test like Myer Briggs. Through Myer Briggs, you can learn about your personality and what career choices will complement it. After taking a test I realized I was ENFJ, which indicates people who like working with people. Go figure. I now work in human resources.
Lastly, take some time to reflect on your career goals. Maybe you don’t want to be rich but want to become a humanitarian and save the world. Maybe you want to get out of the rat race of 9 to 5 and go into your own business. Whatever your passion is, it will take time to sort it out. Do not stress yourself on what your friends are doing. Not everyone has to go into the banking and oil sector. There are plenty of undiscovered sectors in Nigeria waiting for people to lead the wave of change.What is your passion? Do you think you are on the right career path?
PS: “Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”- Buddha

Chika Uwazie is a human resource professional with experience in recruiting, human capital management, and organizational development. Chika is currently a recruiting project associate at the American Institutes for Research where she leads recruiting on social media platforms and conducts data analysis for recruitment metrics. Chika runs a blog called the Naija Careerist, which gives career advice to young Nigerians. Follow her on : Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ChikaUwazie; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChikaUwazie; Website: http://naijacareerist.com/

Original Source: http://blog./jobs-in-nigeria/2012/03/how-to-find-your-career-path/

Hello @yemmight I have sent you an email!

yemmight:

If you won’t mind sending your mail add and let me forward a paper work and we talk further on same. I think the file is large I should have uploaded it here.

Can we say the HR professional is being taken seriously in Nigeria. Many people say its not about the experience you have but who you know. Are HR professionals contributing to this problem ? How can we change the way we employ people we are bringing into companies. I am sorry for the questions but there are genuiene concerns of mine. I feel that we are lagging behind even India is now up to speed in HR how can we change thins?

Here is an ebook you can use to start http://www.careerleak.com/resumes/resume-ebook.html. Here is another good website with free webinars and ebooks http://www.gm4jh.com/

Hello everyone I have seen that many people are looking for help in regards to cleaning up their CV and to help ease the load people can send their cv to naijacareerist@gmail.com. I am an HR professional based in DC and also run a blog named naijacareerist.com which gives career tips. Send your resume with the job you are applying to and we will go from there.

How many people on here have actually used jobberman. Have you actually got far with submitting a resume or got a job through them.

Do not be fooled health laws in the US have now changed and doctors are not making that much anymore espeically in primary. They are not begging people to become primary because there is simple not enough of them . If you want to be a doctor you really have to have passion for it if you want money go into business instead and save yourself the debt.

FYI doctors the US are now suffering too many are going bankrupt and can't pay their student debt. Its not cracked up for what it use to be

From my experience I just feel Nigerians are still in the world where they think being a doctor or so forth is guaranteed money when in fact you have better chances in finance or computer. It will take another generation to change the way Nigerian parents feel. I rather die trying to be what I want to be than die slowly in what I do not want to be

I remember the day when I decided to tell my mom that I do not want to go to medical school, and that I will switch my major from bilogy to psychology. A lot was going through my mind, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell her. I knew there was a possibility that she would give me backlash or tell me that I am disgracing her, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I just could not stand sitting in biology courses and chemistry courses talking about cells and chemical compounds. I dreaded going to chemistry lab.

Then one day I reflected on all this and realized that I had no desire to go to medical school. I couldn’t see myself dealing with patients everyday and going through an 8 year process of getting my medical degree. It’s five pm, time to make the call to my mom.
She picks up asking my how is school, and then I proceeed to tell her. A first she was trying to get me to change my mind,but I refused my mind was made up. At the end of the phone call she says, ” Well my dear if that is what you want to do, I can not stop you”. After that phone call I felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders, I felt free and in control. 

Six years later I am a human resource professional, loving what I do and could not be anymore happier. Nigerian youth everyday are getting pressure from their parents to pursue certain occupations. It has even become a joke among us that all Nigerians want their child to either  become a doctor, nurse, layer or pharmacist. Anything outside those professions is frowned upon followed up with questions of why do you want to pursue that field. I tell people follow your dream, do not cut your self short because your parents do not understand your career goals. Recently Forbes did an article on the ten happiest jobs and guess what none of those jobs I listed before was on the list. I am not saying there are not people out there who are not happy being a doctor or lawyer, but I am sure there is a plethora of people doing those jobs because it is the “chooses” path. Your passion and happiness will shine through your work, who says you can’t be rich and fulfilled becoming a dancer , graphic designer, or chemist.

You do not always follow the conventional route to achieve something in life. If you are worried about how your parents will react, do not worry eventually they will get over it and support you. I can say that if I followed my parents dream of becoming a doctor I would have been unhappy, and who knows where I would have ended up. Take a risk and follow your dream.

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