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Most youths after finishing school are caught up in an air of uncertainty. They are uncertain whether to get a job or to work for someone else. This dilemma is more so pronounced these days that jobs are scarce and the funds needed for starting up a business are equally scarce. Thus, we have a large number of youths who neither are employers nor employed.

For me and in the long run, I think it is best to be your own person; to work for yourself. I remember what my principal told me while I was on externship. He said that when you work for someone, two things would happen. First, your employer will overuse you. Second, your employer will underpay you. On greater reflection, I discovered that what he said holds true. You will always be paid less than the value you create when you are an employee.

However, to get there you must begin from here. To be a manager of others, you must learn the values of organisation and leadership. That is where getting a job comes in. For me, getting a job is simply to acquaint myself with much needed experience that will be invaluable to me later on in life.

Whether you want to be your own boss or you want to be bossed, the bottom line is that jobs are scarce in Nigeria. However, by following some simple tips, you can better position yourself in the labour marker and increase your chances of employability.

First, you should know what you really want. You need not apply for every job opening. Have a standard and tailor your life towards it. Determine where you want to fit it. Have a focus. With a focus in mind, you maintain a clearer perspective in relation to opportunities that may become available.

There is no need applying for all the available vacancies that there is. True, the law of averages evens out in time. However, you psychologically distract yourself from the opportunity when it arises. Not every job is meant for you. Learn to be selective.

Second, know how to write good curriculum vitae (CV) and resume. Unfortunately, some people do not know the difference between the two. A Curriculum vitae is a detailed document that gives a comprehensive outline of your profile. It contains educational as well as occupational details. It also contains educational achievements as well as professional courses attended. It usually spans two to three pages. A resume on the other hand is a concise summary of your career goals and work experience. A resume is custom made for a particular job application. It is usually a one-page document. When there are changes in your personal circumstance, it is usually reflected in your resume (for instance a higher degree obtained) while your CV usually remains static. In essence, you may have many resumes custom made to suit various jobs you are applying for but just one CV.

The difference between the two is crucial. In an advert, the recruiter usually states whether it is a resume or a CV that should be sent. You should have a soft copy of your resume, in other to edit when necessary to reflect recent changes. Many applicants make the mistake right from this phase.

Third, some details needs not be included in a resume or CV. You need not state the class of degree obtained (i.e. whether second class upper or lower), except indicated in the advert. You may just prejudice yourself in the process, especially when you possess an inferior degree. The document should speak for itself. In addition, you need not state your marital status or your religious inclination except it is required by the recruiter. Such details are unnecessary and may cast you in a bad light.

Above all, always engage in a thorough examination or reexamination of your resume or CV. ideally, it should be given to a third party to look at in other to highlight errors. Sending a resume or CV with grammatical blunders to a prospective employer may just deny you the opportunity of an invite.

Fourth, you must understand what a cover letter is. Many people fail to understand this. A cover letter is simply an application letter. All serious recruiters usually indicate whether a cover letter is to be included in the application or not. A cover letter is simply a formal letter accompanying your CV or resume. As with all formal letters, it must be reasonably long and reasonably short. Ideally, it should contain just four paragraphs. The first paragraph introduces you and states how you came to know of the offer (i.e. you reference the advert). The second paragraph states as briefly as possible why you think you are suitable for the job. The third paragraph appreciates the recruiter for his anticipated cooperation and creates a favorable impression. The last paragraph is the complimentary close. All these should take roughly three-quarters of an A4 sized paper. Under no condition should the cover letter exceed a page.
(culled from http://www.vincentwasini.)

For me, it may reawaken such old feelings which may come between you and your current partner. Some things are better left in the past.

Over time, I’ve realized that many people after breaking up still maintain some form of contact with their ex. This can be by way of phone calls, chats or even outright visits. Some people are of the view that such activities should be discouraged while others see no big deal in it. For me however, I think it is absolutely unnecessary to maintain ‘friendship’ with an ex. I think so because of the following reasons:

It is emotionally draining: often times after a breakup, there is still some feelings left for the other partner by the other partner. By keeping in touch on a regular basis, those feelings may resurface repeatedly. The truth is that, one (or both partners) most often than not may like the relationship to continue. By keeping close, we seem to shut ourselves to the reality that our ex is what once was. This longing may prevent us from moving ahead with life and even meeting better persons. If already in a relationship, we may compare our partner with the ex. The point is to stay away from the ex. Let him/her remain in the past.

It may lead to cheating: cheating is not only in reference to sex. Cheating also refers to being emotionally involved with a person other than ones current partner. It has been said that everything begins from the mind. Being in a relationship and keeping in touch with the ex leads to sharing of one’s feelings with one’s partner and the ex. Why not concentrate on one?
It is simply awkward: I am not a proponent of pre-marital sex. However, it is common knowledge these days that many relationship usually lead or rather end up in the other room. By getting sexually involved with a person, science proves that a certain amount of our DNA remains with that person. There is a sort of chemistry that is associated with sex. It appears awkward to remain friends with a person that you have gotten down with. If the opportunity arises again (and many people pray for the opportunity to arise), why should you not go down again? When your partner realizes that you have been in constant contact with your ex, what goes on in his/her mind?
NOTE: You can continue the article at http://vincentwasini.