₦airaland Forum

ferdyferd:
Totalgist if you get called for an interview is it a must you take your certificate with you?

Will they ask you to present your certificate during the interview?

Because am having a lil problem with mine. Thanks

It is always best to be over prepared than under prepared. It is not compulsory to take your certificate along with you to an interview, but you don;t want to give the interviewer any reason to count something against you.

If you are able, take your certificate with you. But if you are not, go to that interview with other documents that you have that can show the validity of your certificate. Do not present any document to them until the interviewer requests for it.

Try as much as you can to have an interactive and impression interview/first impressions and you may not need to present that certificate at that point.

If you don't understand what your worth is to a company, it is harder for them to understand it. So begin by writing down what your personal mission statement is.

Everyone should have a personal mission statement. WHY? A personal mission statement can help guide you along your career path as well as life. Your personal mission statement should include your principles, what you stand for, your goals, how you plan on getting there etc. You don't have to share it anyone or you could share it people you want but understand that your personal mission statement is you.

If you don't have definition or direction, you will fall for anything. Your personal mission statement helps you set goal and know what you will or will not accept.

So pause, and write yourself a personal mission statement. Good companies and organizations have one- why can't you too?

myke92:
How does one best answers d question of what are ur strengths and weakness

This is one of the cookie-cutter questions that interviewers ask- it's silly but you can't escape it.

The idea behind answering this question is to maximize your strength while minimizing your weakness always in relation to the specifications/qualifications of the particular job you seek.

Example: You are seeking a job in a service-focused company

Your answer would be: "My strength lies in the fact that I am customer-service oriented. I work towards ensuring that my customer walks away satisfied with our services. An example of this is....(cite an example in your past life where you did something that helped someone)

Your weakness cannot be one that harms your chances for the job. State a weakness, then say what actions you have done to overcome that weakness. It shows that you are being proactive; you recognize that weakness and that you have done something to overcome it.
Use the STAR Method

Think of a Situation or Task where you demonstrated that skill set.

Identify what Actions you took to resolve the matter.

Discuss the Results of your actions – did you save the company money or increase revenue, or bring the project in on (or ahead) of time, under budget and with great results?

Out of all the applications received, what makes you stand out? You won't get a good job until you know what you bring to the table. Until you realize your contributions and impact on that employer in a positive way, you are going to continue looking at it, as though you employer is doing you a favor.

Your paycheck is payment for the job/skills/talents/qualifications that you bring to your employer. When you continue to go into an interview with a mindset that you are begging for a job or are desperate, the interviewer senses it and (in some situations) can use it against you.

I am here to build your confidence up so that you can feel your power and know what you bring to the table. As someone once said, "hanging in there is NOT a job strategy".

What. Do. You. Bring. To. The. Table?


This thread is strictly for questions and discussions concerning preparing for an interview and I'd frequently update it. P.S- If you'd prefer privacy, shoot me an email at my username @gmail.com.

ksstroud:
No spoil the guy show now... Him dey eye fp...

Not true. Actually unconcerned about front page. More interested in being a source of help.


“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”

ambassadorgozie:
Is it proper to send d tank u message via dia recruitment email address? I mean d one u sent ur CV?

Only as a VERY last resort with the name of the interviewer in Subject line. I would still advise you follow up with a letter or if able drop it off at the front desk/reception of the company.

The recruitment email address is mostly dedicated to receiving resumes/CVs and as such would be bombarded decreasing the chance that the intended person would get your e-mail.

Jhamzy:
Thanks for the info boss. I have similar issue like this. After my interview in November, I have been calling the lady's contact i have but i kept getting reply that they are waiting on management. Am running out of patience and i don't want to appear desperate. Though i have been praying n praising God for his perfection. @Totalgist what do u advice i do? Was thinking of going to their office?

There is a fine line between perseverance and stalking and most HR managers get easily ticked off when you cross that line. Was this a small, big, medium company? Is there a chain of command one has to go through for the hiring decision.

"Waiting on management" could mean so many things. In cases like yours, where your direct contact is unable to give you a response, it is either because he/she is unable to make that call or the budget is no longer available for the position or you simply did not make the shortlist. Again, these are all assumptions and only know how the interview went.

Were you given or did you ask for a time frame in which to follow up after the interview? Going forward, it would be helpful for you to find out these information beforehand.

If you have exhausted all options and have nothing to lose, then by all means, do follow-up in person. But, remember, that a company should get you only if they deserve you. Let us know how it all went

nigeriancuban:
will they give you their emails to send to??

Ideally, well established companies have their contact information (email, phone number) on their calling cards. But where this is not readily available, then you may go the route of snail-mail- by using the old-fashioned but not out of fashion method of posting mail.

Even if you do not get the present job that you interviewed for, it would create a positive impression on the interviewer for future openings.

[center]" Success occurs when Opportunity Meets Preparation"[/center]

After getting the opportunity of being invited for an interview, the last thing you want to do is to mess it up. So preparation is key and here are some helpful guidelines on preparing for your interview.

1. A well-groomed and professional appearance : It is seldom easy to undo bad first impressions, so you always want to try your best to get it right the first time. For your job interview, select the right outfit- it should be properly ironed and understated. Actually, if you're able, you should invest in a professional attire- a blazer, cuffed shirts, well-tailored skirts/ blouses, that makes you look professional, feel good and confident. Remember, that being well-groomed, includes your fingernails, hair and smell.

2.Research the Company/Organization: Don't go blindly into the interview intending to wing it.This is a company that you plan on investing a portion of your life. So do your research, find out more information to help you determine, if the company/organization is a good fit for you and vice versa. An added bonus, if you know before hand who your interviewer would be- you should also research them and get you some talking points. The point behind researching is that it helps you identify a way, in which to best put your qualifications to use for the growth of the company. All good companies like this.

3. Come prepared to ask questions: A good interview should be engaging and interactive. With this job market, you want to stand out! One good way to do this is to have written down INTELLIGENT questions to ask the interviewer- It tells them that you have done your homework/research on the company and came prepared and also keeps the interviewer engaged plus remember you. Interviewers sometimes go through so many applications and interviews in a day, you don't want to become one of the many, you want to stand out.

4. Give Examples: When responding to interviewer's questions regarding your skills, qualifications, be sure to give examples. If you state you are hardworking, give an example from your previous job, or a life experience that illustrates that strength. If you say, you are a programmer, give an example of a programming you have done. It does not have to be very specific but allows the interviewer you know your business.

5. Be relaxed: Take deep relaxing breaths before you step into the interviewing room. It is okay to be nervous, but put things in the proper perspective- understand that as much as you want the job, you would understand if it is not the best fit for you or you for them. Practice some positive affirmations as you prepare for the interview. Remember, that you have a talent, a job skill or qualification and you want the most deserving company that would help in your growth get those talents. The interview helps you decide that.

In conclusion, be pleasant, be polite. If you don't understand a question, politely ask the interviewer to repeat it. Thank the interviewer after the interview.

kavey10:
OP, how will one get the contacts of the interviewers? By asking for it after the interview?

Thank You.

Awesome question! Yes, do ask for the contact information of the interviewer. Be polite when requesting this information and ask the interviewer, how they would preferred to be contacted. Also be honest in stating why, when they ask you. Say something in this nature- "I appreciate the opportunity of this interview and would like to send a follow-up letter".

In the (unlikely) event, that no contact information is available, remember to get the names of ALL people who interviewed you and send a Snail-mail (by post). Yes, it may be slow, but sending a thank you letter after the interview always leaves a good professional impression.

If you are not called for that particular job, they may remember you when another comes your way. And in the saturated job market, you always want to leave a positive first impression.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhA45hY1GUs&amp=&feature=youtube_gdata_player

You got to the interview stage- Congrats! You have done well, but you are still not at the goal post( received an offer letter). Until you get that letter stating you have been offered an employment with that organization, you have to continue to do well to stand out.

1. Immediately after the interview-(not MORE than 24hours later), be sure to write a letter of thanks to everyone who interviewed you. The purpose of this letter is to sell yourself again to this company. These days, it is okay to send an e-mail. A text message is iffy, depending on who the interviewer was and how the interview went.

In your letter, you should thank all the interviewers for the opportunity to interview with than and re-state your interest in the job and how your strengths/ qualifications can be an asset to the company/organization. If they(interviewer) did not already say so during your interview then in your letter, give a time frame on when you should follow up regarding the job position.

Read through to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or have someone else read over for you.

Going into a new year 2016, you may be interested in changing jobs or just getting one first! Your resume/ CV is your calling card. it is the first contact potential employers have with you before an in-person interview. Your resume determines IF you get to that stage of an in-person interview.

Here are some helpful tips in creating that ideal resume for that ideal job
1. Don't create a one-size fits all: You have to tailor your qualifications according to the job. Don't include any false-hood but magnify your strengths you have that are specific to that job. Read the job advert and if you feel that job is a good fit for you, then create your resume in such a way that your qualifications stand out specific to the desired qualities for that job.

2. Be chronological- However way you want to do this is fine (ascending or descending). Though it is best, your start with your most current job/position and work your way backward.

3. Be human: Give your resume a voice- let your passion speak through your resume. Remember that is is your first contact with that potential employee. Don't only list your duties, show how it was impactful in your previous job you held.

4.Bullet-point your strengths: Remember, the deal here is to maximize your strengths and minimize your weakness.

5. Start with a Powerful Summary/Profile of yourself: Remember that employers/HR go through so many applications, you want yours to stand out and not be bland or boring.

P.S- If you have a resume/CV, you are unsure of and want someone to review, send me a message and I wouldn't mind helping you review it. Now go out and work on your new amazing resume!

pet4ril:
domestic violence but i flee when he least expected and gave him the greatest heartbreak /shock of his life because he thought I was still going to walk down the altar with him........ Nonsense






In short i ran to another town because for the past 2yrs, hes still telling people he doesn't know i can do such a thing to him, but who care Mtcheeew

Bravo! I am sorry to hear about the domestic violence you suffered but very happy that you got away from it all. Abusers (especially in DV) always put on a persona of being charming outwardly to the public. You went through the experience and so know the true reality of it all.

Continue being a survivor!

kossyablaze:
Yeah shared it with 3 of my friends(girls).My mum and sisters dunno a thing bout it.Thanks for the link

You are welcome. Keep in touch.

@Kossyablaze and anyone dealing with a past childhood trauma, know that, "confronting the totality of our painful experiences is the only way to gain mastery over the past". As this is an open forum, I'll share a helpful link to get you started.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/culturally-speaking/201303/overcoming-the-pain-childhood-abuse-and-neglect

kossyablaze:
I'm male...Nah not living in the same environment.Haven't seen her for a decade now.

Great to hear that! The first thing to always do, when able, is to remove oneself from immediate harm.

You've held this memory for ten years now, so I will take it that you were at an age where you could tell something was wrong. Have you ever shared this memory with anyone else? Sometimes talking through the abuse,helps you understand that you did nothing wrong. It was NOT your fault, you did not ask for it nor invite it- you were abused.

The most successful kinds of businesses are those that meet a need. It could be something as simple as a spoon for eating, or something as large as a car for faster and easier transportation. It could be anything, as long as it meets a need AND people are willing to pay you for that service or product. Remember, you can have something people THINK they need but if they don't pay for it, then it is not a business.

Here are some business guidelines
1. Define your business: Determine if your business is a niche or the underlying problem or need that you want to solve. How big is this need or opportunity?

2. Communicate your product or service well: After you have defined and determined what business opportunity you have, make sure to communicate this idea very well to potential customers, investors etc. It is one thing for you to have a great business idea/ opportunity and it is another to communicate that idea of vision to people around it. So be sure to articulate your idea well and in terms that the layman will understand.

3. Capital: How much funds will you start to start up your business, what sources are you looking at in raising this funds eg. financial entity, individual loan, self, etc

4. Target Market: Who are the main consumers of your product? Who is your target market? Meaning who do you think your product or services will be of the most help to, that is your target market.

5. Marketing: This is not an initial requirement but if you have enough funds for it, then create an advertising blitz focused on your target market. You do not want to spend useful available funds on people that are not going to even buy your product or services. In this age of social media, you can build a base by getting interactive with your potential customers.

Write and share with me helpful tips that you used when starting up your business.
Coming Next Time: How to Grow Your Business

kossyablaze:
Itz a painful experience growing up recalling how my neighbours daughter dah was way more older than I am molests me.She explored and took advantage of my innocence.Doing some nasty things to me....it hurts...can't continue anymore,my eyes are already heavy.

Very sorry to hear about this painful memory you suffered. May I ask, if you're male or female? Do you still live in that same environment? Please remember to respond to what you feel comfortable to do.

kossyablaze:
Yes

Would you care to share? With the understanding that they would remain anonymous? Or a private message, whatever is more comfortable for you.

Decker:
There are different forms of abuse. Such as: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and psychological abuse.

Which of these forms of abuse are you actually referring to?

Great observation, Decker! The post has been modified to indicate Domestic Violence, though some of the types of abuse you mentioned also fall under "Abuse" in general.

Some Warning Signs of Abuse

Isolation
Injuries & Excuses
Sudden change in personality or appearance
Self-blame
Extreme Jealousy on the part of the abusive partner

Helping a friend in an abusive Relationship

Listen without judging
When & If possible, remove them from immediate harm
Offer information, not advice
Keep it confidential
Let your friend know that you are there, no matter what
Be patient

You don't have to spend a ton of money to pay someone to help you look good. With proper tutorial, you can do it yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IWSmMtmt8s

As always