Workplace Readiness Season 2 June 4, 2016; 9am-5pm Workplace - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Workplace Readiness

Season 2

June 4, 2016; 9am-5pm

Workplace Readiness – Season 2: Agenda

01 01

Context Setting

03 03

Hire for Attitude…

05 05

“Positioning” for Success

07 07

Q & A

02 02

Employers say…

04 04

Basic Skills

06 06

Finding & Charting Your Course

What Employers need

02 02

Employers say…

01 01

Context Setting

What Employers Need: Survey Response

Non-Profit 92% 4% Private Government 4% 47% Managers

• Ex. Mgt/Bus. Owners

30% HR Managers/Recruiters 23%

ROLE SECTOR … a fair representation amongst Executive Management/Business Owners, Managers and HR Practitioners; primarily from the private sector

Medical 4% Real Estate 2% 4% 6% Oil & Gas 4% Agriculture Consulting/Professional Services Retail Trade 6% 13% 4% FMCG/Manufacturing 29% 25% Financial Services Education/Training Transportation 2% Public Sector

… 79% representation from Financial Services, Consulting/Professional Services, Retail Trade, Oil & Gas and Education industries INDUSTRY

What Employers Need: Survey Response

What Employers Need: Survey Response

M O ST IM P O RTA NT SKILLS 01 Analytical & Critical Thinking Communication Problem Solving Team Work Ethics & Integrity Positive Attitude IT/Computer Trainability Innovation & Creativity Interpersonal Customer Orientation 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 10

What Employers Need: Survey Response

1 Enthusiasm & Energy 2 Initiative 3 Goal Oriented 4 Reliability/Dependability 5 Professionalism 6 Research

7

Job/Function Knowledge/Skill

8

Resilience & Adaptability 9 Working Under Pressure 10 Passion

O TH ER IM P O RTA NT SKILLS

What Employers Need: Survey Response

1 Persuasion 2 Academic Achievement 3 Leadership 4 Networking 5 Entre/Intra-prenuership 6 Work Experience 7 Commercial Awareness 8 Selling 9 Confidence/Courage 10 Commitment

Is it really true that employers ask for work experience and the ability to bring in business from recent graduates?

LEA ST IM P O RTA NT SKILLS

What Employers Need: Top ’10’ Skills

Analytical & Critical Thinking Communication Problem Solving Team Work Ethics & Integrity Positive Attitude Computer Skills Trainability Innovation/Creativity Interpersonal Customer Orientation

Behavioural Attributes

What Employers Need: Top ’10’ Skills

“Hire for attitude, train for skills”

• Anonymous

Critical Behavioural Skills

03 03

Hire for Attitude…

Detoun Ogwo ED, Skills Dev. Practice Topic: Critical Behavioural Attributes that Employers require

• Detoun Ogwo, currently a doctoral researcher at the University College

London(UCL) Institute of Education UK is a Development & Human Resources Practitioner passionate about making a difference in the youth employment

• sector. With a career spanning over nearly two decades, she has functioned in

the human capital, strategic recruitment and customer care divisions of several multinationals in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

• She holds a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Lagos, certification on

effective youth employment policies & the impact evaluation of youth programs including a Masters in Development from the ILO International Training Centre

• f the United Nations System.
• An Ashoka Fellow, Fortune Global Women program mentee, twice nominated

and shortlisted for the Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year award (Africa), Detoun has attended several leadership and enterprise development programs at the EDC of Lagos Business School, the London School

• f Economics and Political Science UK, Columbia Business School USA and

received a World Bank Institute scholarship for studies on Global Strategies for Education Reform.

• An experienced project manager, she was the pioneer Executive Director and co-

founder of AGDC, a Federal Ministry of Education accredited national career centre for 7 years and sits on the board of several organisations including The Skills Development Practice, where she actively supports training and coaching programs for youth burdened by the scourge of unemployment. She advocates for systemic and efficient school-to-work transition enablers that guarantee that the skills and potential of young people are harnessed maximally and ensures businesses stay competitive through a robust pipeline of work-ready personnel.

• Detoun, who currently serves as the Editor of the Woman Leader magazine of

the Fountain of Life church is married to Amechi, an Architect and they are blessed with 4 children.

DETOUN OGWO COVENANT CAPITAL WORKPLACE READINESS SERIES LAGOS, NIGERIA CRITICAL BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES THAT EMPLOYERS REQUIRE 4 TH JUNE, 2016.

Birth of an Idea…

2006-CRITICAL INCIDENT.HR MANAGER. BOTCHED RECRUITMENT TESTS. WORK READINESS FACTOR.

2014-CUSTOMS RECRUITMENT

• TEST. SIGNALS-INSTITUTIONAL

CHALLENGE, POLICY/REFORM GAP.

Representatives from all sectors are worried about the skill gaps of Nigerian graduates.

Problem

“Nigerian youths are unemployable.” Dr Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister “The core problem of the rising unemployment crisis is lack of employability development by 99 per cent of today’s graduates.” Mr Kennedy Brake Director, Brakins Resources “Many graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions don't get jobs because they are not employable.” Toyin Ademola , Head of ACCA, Nigeria “Nigerian graduates are not e mployable, because quality and focus of th e training

• ffered by the universities are

not in tune with the needs of s

• ciety.”
• Prof. Julius Okojie,

NUC Executive Secretary “Nigeria needs to improve the quality

• f education to produce quality graduates.”

Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, Vice-Chancellor of FUNAI, Ebonyi State

Survey Data 2010..Employability Skills of Graduates In Nigeria

Employers express concerns about the competency of the graduates that do apply for very limited job vacancies. The problem is that these skills are rarely taught or harnessed in schools even when the jobs are there. Findings have shown that

• 48% of employers rated young graduates ‘poor’ in conceptual and creative

thinking.

• 44% of employers rated young graduates ‘poor’ in self awareness.
• 39.6% of employers rated young graduates ‘poor’ in time management
• 36% of employers rated young graduates poor in global and commercial

awareness

• 34.1% of employers rated young graduates poor in sense of career direction
• 34.1% of employers rated young graduates poor in emotional intelligence.

31.9% of employers rated young graduates poor in managing school to work transition.

Task…Critical Behavioural competences that stand YOU out from the crowd.

If you are one of those graduates that make the mistake of equating your ‘skills’ with your degree or qualifications, you should remember that while what you have studied and what you can do are connected, they are not the same thing! Rather than a narrow interpretation of your skills that is based

• n your discipline, think in terms of ‘transferable skills’ or

‘employability skills. Q: How can the knowledge and competencies you have acquired be applied to a workplace environment? ( i.e Who you are + What you know + What you can do) Your Game: Think about other ways in which you can differentiate and market your unique SELF.

Your next level may demand you hone/master these skills…

Personal Skills Interpersonal Skills Study Skills

Mastery of who you are, what you carry. How you relate to others. What you know/do with your spare time.

Entrepreneurial Skills Influencing/ Management Career Management Skills

How you turn problems into income How you persuade others/inform outcomes How you navigate the labour market for self & value for society . for preferred outcomes

Translating to Reality

Critical Thinking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLyUHbexz04 Self and Career Management techniques

• Tell me about yourself
• The power of A4 Paper
• Interview answers from REALITY.
• Career Profiling

Critical Behavioral Competences

Employers like to see that applicants have some commercial awareness – an insight into how firms

• perate, what is happening in the business world and the impact this could have on their
• rganisation.

Drive – are you results orientated and proactive? Core Values of Integrity,honesty,disciplined work ethic. Analytical thinking – do you possess the ability to break down a problem into its component parts, identifying implications and causal relationships? Conceptual thinking – can you recognise patterns and the key underlying issues, making the complex simple and finding creative solutions? Business sense – do you have a desire to make or save money? To generate value above your pay/cost? Influence – Are you persuasive? Can you convince others of a view,benefit or position? Empathy and Humility Leadership – do you enjoy teamwork and cooperation while leading a group of people, articulating a purpose for the group and motivating people to fulfil that purpose? Teamwork – are you good at working with others – seeing issues from another person’s point of view? Are you willing and able to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others?

Task…Get a Sample Job Description

Begin with the end in mind.

Craft your language of Value

Customer: ____________ (who your customer is). Problem: ____________(what problem you're solving for the customer). Solution: ____________ (what is your solution to the problem). AND For ____________ (target customer) who ____________ (statement of the need or opportunity)

• ur (product/service name) is ____________ (product category)

that (statement of benefit) ____________

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY OR CREATE ONE!

According to Jide Ogunsanwo, statistics show that in the last 90 days, 1,598,642 more people entered the labour market. Signaling that Nigeria has a 31.2% unemployment rate. Successful employees are flexible, able to evaluate options to determine the best approach for a given situation and adapt accordingly… Begin with the end in mind. Take your best YOU to the market place. No

• ne ever said No to real Value!

Useful Links

edX.org — Take online courses from the world’s best universities. More Critical Thinking Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0yEAE5owWw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OLPL5p0fMg Coursera.org — Take the world’s best courses, online, for free. Coursmos.com — Take a micro-course anytime you want, on any device. goHighbrow.com — Get bite-sized daily courses to your inbox. Why should we hire you resource- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLdboEjNSdM

Useful Links

Skillshare .com— Online classes and projects that unlock your creativity. Curious.com — Grow your skills with online video lessons. lynda.com — Learn technology, creative and business skills. CreativeLive.com — Take free creative classes from the world’s top experts. Udemy.com — Learn real world skills online. Competences Employers seek http://www.workforce.com/articles/31-core-competencies- explained Job Person Specification Template

Thank you!

Detoun A Ogwo Twitter: Dets4Change Ig: Dets_DT Linkedin Detoun Ogwo

Critical Technical Skills

04 04

Basic Skills

Olatunde Samuel-Ipaye Partner, Phillips Consulting Topic: Critical Technical Skills that Employers require

• ‘Tunde Samuel-Ipaye is an Associate Partner and leads the Human

Capital Management and Recruitment practices of Phillips Consulting. His extensive experience spans directing, managing and executing business transformation, strategy,

• rganisational

design, talent management, and business growth/expansion projects in Nigeria and some key markets across Africa. He has led projects for clients in various industries including Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Financial Services, Power, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Government institutions.

• ‘Tunde’s passion is to drive organisational transformation towards

achieving corporate renewal and market dominance. At the core of this is his drive for building high-performing teams through fast-paced professional development and project execution. With over 18 years industry and consulting experience, Tunde is poised to delivering business and enterprise-level impact geared towards creating stakeholders value.

• He is a graduate of Computer Science with a post graduate degree in

Management from the University of Calabar, and is currently concluding his MBA at the Warwick Business School. He is a Certified Knowledge Management practitioner, a certified Thomas International (a renowned Psychometric Analysis institution) practitioner and an Organisational Development (OD) specialist. He has also attended several leadership development programs at prestigious institutions such as Aston Business School, London Business School, Wharton Business School and Warwick Business School.

• He currently seats on the board of two companies in Nigeria.

Wor Workp kplac lace

READINESS SERIES

Essential Basic Skills That Employees Require

A recent study by Payscale showed the perception gap between Millenials and their Managers on their preparedness for the workforce

20% 9% 68% 46% 10% 33% 2% 13% Extremely Prepared Mostly Prepared Minimally Prepared Unprepared Managers Millenials

It also showed the top 6 skills Managers feel Millenials lack the most

44%

• f managers think millennials

lack writing proficiency skills. 60%

• f managers think millennials

lack critical thinking skills 56%

• f managers think millennials

lack attention to detail 46%

• f managers think millennials

lack communication skills 39%

• f managers think millennials

lack public speaking skills. 36%

• f managers think millennials

lack data analysis skills

If this is the situation in an environment in which students are given better education and have more opportunities, what do you think the case is here?

A survey for this very program was done and had responses from Managers, Business Owners and Recruiters.

The top 10 skills which Employers say they need include:

1 Analytical & Critical Thinking 2 Communication 3 Problem Solving 4 Team Work 5 Ethics & Integrity 6 Positive Attitude 7 IT/Computer 8 Trainability 9 Innovation & Creativity 10 Interpersonal 10 Customer Orientation

Hold that thought for a second… …Lets build a little Background

What kinds of Tasks are Entry Level persons often required to do?

Shadow work of superiors Research and Analyse information Track and Prepare reports Receive requests from internal and external customers Comply with organisation policies, consistently Monitor quality of own work Accept and use constructive criticism Work with a team Follow Procedures Learn new skills related to your job Solve basic problems Data Entry, Filing and Record keeping Assist senior colleagues Scan, mail, print

These Tasks are the same irrespective of the fields or industry in which an entry level staff is working So what specific Skills do you need to have to be able to perform these tasks?

There are clusters of skills expected from any Entry Level Staff regardless of the job type, whether blue collar, white collar or pink collar.

Foundational or Basic

Skills, knowledge and capabilities to perform specific tasks. They apply to any type of job

Behavioural

Attributes or Skills used to successfully interact with others in the workplace. Involves how you conduct yourself

Job Specific

Skills that apply to your specific job type e.g accounting, electrical engineering, marketing

Leadership

Managerial and strategic thinking skills required for higher job levels

When we say Basic Skills, what do we mean?

This refers to abilities acquired through learning and practice. They are often job or task specific; in other words, a particular skill set or proficiency required to perform a specific job

• r task.

Source: investopedia

For the purpose of this presentation, we shall be focusing on the Foundational Skills Foundational Skills Job Specific Skills

Remembering our surveys, lets pull them all in. These Technical Foundational Skills include:

Writing Proficiency Goal Setting Presentation Skills Effective Communication Public Speaking Data Analysis Time Management Researching Planning & Organisation IT Skills Problem Solving Critical Thinking

Today we will focus on the following

Researching Critical Thinking Business Communication Knowledge and Use of Technology Planning & Organisation Problem Solving Time Management

Knowledge and Use of Technology

Word Powerpoint Excel Outlook

• A. Use of MS Suite

The Basics:

Knowledge and Use of Technology

• B. Use of professional internet tools

Others: Project Visio Access

and many others

1. Save, print, protect a document 2. Change fonts, colours, size of words 3. Insert comments, track changes 4. Use smartArt, insert and edit chart 5. Edit margin, orientation, columns 6. Separate pages with page break 7. Publish to pdf 8. Mail merge

Assess yourself: How many tasks can you do?

1. Send and receive mails 2. Set appointment 3. Set meeting request 4. Mail merge 5. Group mails 1. Save, print, protect a document 2. Change number formats (general, text, date, custom)

• 3. Simple functions: SUM, LINK CELLS
• 4. Manage data: FILTER, SORT, REMOVE

DUPLICATES

• 5. PIVOT TABLE

1. Save, print, protect a document 2. Change fonts, colours, size of words 3. Create templates, 4. Create and modify shapes 5. Insert pictures, smartArt, charts 6. Animate objects 7. Edit SlideMaster 8. Hyperlink For every task, give your self 1 point, if you can only perform part of the task listed then rate your self 0.5

Assess yourself: How many tasks can you do?

For every task, give your self 1 point, if you can only perform part of the task listed then rate your self 0.5

0 – 5 Very Poor 6 – 10 Poor 11 – 15 Average 16 – 20 Good 21 – 26 Excellent!

8 points 8 points 5 points 5 points Total Points

How to learn / improve on these skills

• Go through Microsoft Office

Training online (microsoft.com)

• Go through the ‘Help?’ Tool in

any of the MS programs

• Compete with your friends
• Watch free tutorials on

youtube.com

• Practice, practice, practice!

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

If a plane crashes on the border of Germany and Poland, where do you bury the survivors. A. Germany B. Poland C. You dont D. There is no German poland border E. Switzerland In what sport are the shoes made of metal? A. Soccer B. Basketball C. Athletics D. Horse racing E. Tabletennis Answer C. You don’t bury survivors Answer D. Horse racing

Source: investopedia

Critical Thinking

Josh has twenty years of typing experience behind him; therefore, if you are looking for an efficient typist to enter your data into the new system, you need look no further. The speaker assumes that A. Twenty years of practice ensures typing efficiency B. The type of typing required for the new system is identical to what Josh has been doing C. Josh’s job profile is the best that the new employer is going to get

• D. Josh is an outstandingly fast and accurate typist

E. Josh will fit well into the new office Answer A. Twenty years of practice ensures typing efficiency

An assumption is an unstated premise. So we are looking for something that is implied in the argument, and if wrong, will undermine the argument. All that the speaker implies is that Josh is efficient because he has twenty years

• f practice, and so answer A is correct.

Eliminate B because the word ‘identical’ is not implied. Eliminate C because we are talking about typing not the whole ‘job profile’. The argument claims that Josh is efficient but without defining efficiency we cannot assume that it involves both speed and accuracy, and certainly ‘outstandingly’ is not warranted. Nothing is implied about fitting into the office.

Let us take it up a notch

Source: investopedia

Critical Thinking

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItUGF8GdTw Why is Critical Thinking important How to Think Critically

Source: investopedia

Play

Business Communication

Business Communication

This is the sharing of information between people within and outside the organization that is performed for the commercial benefit of the

• rganization

Source: wikipedia; skillsyouneed.com

5 Ways to Improve your Business Communication Skills

1. Increase your vocabulary: focus on terminologies that are used in your field of interest 2. Read Business-Related Material: harvard business review, forbes.com 3. Play Games: a fun way to improve your business communication is with crosswords and puzzles 4. Watch Business oriented programs: focus on programs by experts in your field of

• interest. Even when you don’t fully understand what they are saying keep watching,

you will catch on 5. Practice! Use what you have learnt as often as possible and it will stick

Planning & Organisation

Planning & Organisation

Answer C D B A

Planning & Organisation

Planning simply is the organisational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired future on some scale & Organising is making optimum use of the resources required to enable the successful carrying out of plans

Source: Phillips Consulting

Planning & Organisation

Steps to Planning & Organisation: Identify your sources Make a list of tasks and prioritize Create timelines Determine how to measure yourself Make adjustments Establish your goals

1 2 3 4 5 6

Researching

Researching

To research means to conduct investigation systematically to establish facts and reach conclusions. There are many ways to conduct a research, this will depend on your objective and field you are working in, for instance An engineer researching on the causes of gas leakages is different from a marketer researching on the preferred products for customers

Source: Research Paradigms: Introduction to basic Concepts

Researching

You would most times either be doing: Desk Research Relying on existing data and information published on the internet, printed magazines or valid sources Field Research Collecting new data through primary research techniques

Source: Research Paradigms: Introduction to basic Concepts

Researching

To be a good researcher you must:

• Know the techniques- surveys, online

search, interviews

• Be very curious, keenly interested in

finding answers

• Approach the task analytically; ask

questions-when should I do it, how best do I communicate, what are synonyms

• f the words
• Be patient
• Be systematic, check and check again

Source: mustardresearch.com

• Use your network
• Check your sources

Problem Solving

Problem Solving

Problems solving involves setting out to achieve some objectives or desired state of affair and can include avoiding a situations or events. Problem solving involves overcoming the barriers or obstacles that prevent the immediate and long term achievement of goals.

Source: skillsyouneed.com

Stages to Problem Solving:

Structure the problem Look for possible solutions Identify the problem

1 2 3 4 5 6

Implement Monitor and seek feedback Make a decision

Problem Solving

Problems solving Exercise: How do I catch the rat that has been eating my books

Source: skillsyouneed.com

Structure the problem Look for possible solutions Identify the problem

1 2 3 4 5 6

Implement Monitor and seek feedback Make a decision Books

• Move the books?
• Spring clean and rearrange books
• Trap the rat with gum ekute
• Kill with otapiapia or sniper

My books are being eaten by rats Rats How Important How large Buy Sniper from the market and spray it strategically Check your books after a week Use Sniper How many How often How large

Time Management

Time Management

• I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up at work
• I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up with responsibilities
• I am regularly late to appointments and scheduled activities
• There is rarely a break in my schedule
• My shoulders are not relaxed right now
• A vacation? I’ve never had one of those
• Keeping up with household chores is a struggle because of time constraints
• I don’t have time to exercise
• My e-mail is piled up and I haven’t had time to open it
• My to-do list rarely gets completely checked off for the day
• I have not gotten together with friends for fun in over a month

You see where this is going?

Source: Time Management, The 3 P’s

Which of these apply to you?

Time Management

“Gosh, I’ve been so busy lately, I didn’t even notice that I gave birth Tuesday!”

Time Management

“Tips to Managing Time”

Source: entrepreneur.com

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go5XyuI7DkA

Play

Time Management

It is very essential to always have a note pad and pen anywhere you go.

• You go to a meeting, you take notes
• You are in the car on your way out and you get a bright idea, you

take notes

• Your boss is giving you instructions, you take notes
• You are in a Workplace Readiness Seminar,…..

There are several time management tips but my best and one of the most essential is “Taking Notes”

Source: entrepreneur.com

One more thing…

In addition to picking up, building and improving on all these skills, it is absolutely necessary to, Build

Build your

Build your personal

Build your personal brand

What do you want to be known for?

Making extremely good presentations The go-to for finding information online Being a “Harvey Specter (from suits)” to any problem The most Reliable staff Eloquent and poised Selling ice to an eskimo Effective Management in any project Making it happen, no matter what An early bird A Ms Excel Guru Specialist in any kind

• f analytic tools

QUESTIONS

CV Writing

05 05

“Positioning” for Success

David Ashiru CEO, Value Endowment Co. Topic: CV Writing & Interviewing Skills

• David Ashiru is a business strategist, management consultant, executive

coach, certified trainer and passionate people developer with proven record of success in business development, leadership development, personal development, organisational transformation, entrepreneurship development & general management. He has over fifteen years leadership and management experience garnered in corporate establishments (United Kingdom & Nigeria) and government (Nigeria).

• He is an Alumni of the Harvard University and Lagos Business School. A

Myers-Briggs Certified Practitioner; John Maxwell trained & certified Coach, Speaker & Trainer and a certified Micro-MBA Entrepreneurship Trainer & Mentor.

• As a people developer, David has been and is involved in several skill

enhancement and development programs on behalf of several

• rganisations in the areas of Talent Sourcing and Management,

Leadership and Management Competencies development, Organisational Change Management, etc. David’s style is impactful and candid; he uses daily and familiar anecdotes to ensure understanding and assimilation.

• He specialises in other areas including customer service mastery, team

building & career counselling.

• Early in life, he imbibed a personal mantra that “one is not successful until

you make success happen for others/of others around you”; as such, he keeps developing himself and has attended several training programmes in human competence and performance related fields both within and

• utside the country with the aim of further expanding his capacity &

capability to help individuals and companies reposition for greater success.

EFFE EFFECTIVE CTIVE CVS CVS & CO & COVER VER LET LETTER TER

Learning Objectiv ives

By the end of this session, you should

• know the importance of writing a good CV
• identify different types of CVs and the rationale for

choosing one or another

• identify your skills and personal qualities to include

in your CV

• understand how to write an effective CV and cover

letter

• know how to proof-read your CV for spelling,

punctuation, grammar and meaning.

The Curriculum Vitae

What it is What it does Types and How to write it

Why have or writ ite a CV?

• A CV will get you an interview, not a job!
• A well written CV informs an employer about your education,

work experience, interests and persuades an employer to invite you for interview

• It is primarily a self marketing tool that presents you in

the best possible light by painting a factual and positive picture of YOU

• A well written CV should sell your best qualities by drawing the

attention of an employer to your relevant skills, achievements and potential.

• It is not an application and should not substitute one.

A well ll-designed CV should

• show an employer why you are the ideal candidate

for a role or job

• set a positive tone for the interview
• guide the interviewer when drafting questions for

you

• influence decision maker(s) in your favour

Types of CV

• Chronological: the most traditional and standard format.

Summarises work experience and education by time periods listing most recent experiences first.

• Skills-based / Functional: allows you to demonstrate how

your skills, knowledge and abilities can be applied to different job roles.

• Blended / Combination: allows you to frame your skills to

be relevant and complementary to the job you are seeking as well as maintain an employer preferred chronological work history.

Chronological

Advantage:

• Most widely accepted and more

familiar to interviewers

• Easiest to write
• Useful if you have work experience

directly related to the job you are applying for

• Highlight / reference relevant skills in

various sections of the CV Disadvantage:

• Boring to read
• Difficult to show themes in work

experience

EMPLOYMENT April – December 2011: Venture – Editing Assistant Working with Photoshop, I have learnt various editing styles. I have gained customer service experience and understand the importance of listening to what customers want in order to achieve high sales. February 2009 – March 2010: Zara – Retail Assistant My interest in fashion enabled me to help customers and to suggest styles that might suit them. I helped to design the layout of the stock in the store, with an aim to increase our revenue by positioning various items in ‘eye-catching’ places.

Skills-Based/Functional

Advantage:

• Well defined skills section that focus
• n the skills and attributes you have

that are relevant to the job

• Useful if you have limited or

unrelated work experience

• Often more interesting to read

Disadvantage:

• May result in minimal details in other

sections, therefore creating an imbalanced structure

SKILLS

• Attention to detail – as an Editing

Assistant at Venture, I needed to prove that I could spot any mistakes or flaws in the photographs, as well as being attentive to the requests

• f

the customers

• Computer skills – I regularly used

Photoshop during my time at Venture. I am also a competent user of Microsoft Office, which I proved throughout my time as a Retail Assistant at Zara, where I was often required to produce reports

• n our sales
• Customer service – in all of my roles,

customer service has been of key

• importance. I have experience of

dealing with difficult customers, and try to ensure that every customer is satisfied with the service they have received.

Ble lended

85

• Combines the best and

most relevant aspects of chronological and skills- based CVs

• Includes a separate but

shorter skills section than in pure “skills” CV

• Includes commentary

within the work experience section

MARY ANN JONES

2069 Cherry Lane Plateau, AL 12345 Phone: (256) 555-1212 majones@calhoun.edu

Professional

Educated and skilled in classroom management, instruction and training.

Profile

Excellent problem-solver. Team-player able to establish positive rapport with others. Creative, energetic self-starter motivated to succeed.

Education

University of Alabama B.A., Elementary Education, May 2006 anticipated GPA: 3.95 Calhoun Community College A.S., Elementary Teacher Education, May 2004 Graduated: Phi Theta Kappa

Achievements

 Brochure Design. Designed brochure for Sandman Daycare Rising Toddler Program.  Classroom Practicum. Received “Assistant of the Year” Award for Sasquatch District.  Presentation. Co-presented “Phonics I-O-U” at NACCE Regional Teacher’s Conference.

Work Experience

Teacher’s Aid, SEESAW ELEMENTARY, Seesaw, AL 2003-2005  Assisted teacher with reading and basic math instruction  Supervised playground activities and Story Days  Tutored students in after school program Day Care Assistant, HAMNER DAYCARE, Relevance, AL 2001-2003  Organized recreational activities for toddler group  Coordinated after school arts program for pre-teens  Maintained bulletin boards and updated newsletter

Activities

 President, Gamma Beta Phi Education Service Fraternity 2005-2006  Member, Student Government Association, Philanthropy Chair 2004  Summer Softball Coach for Sasquatch Little League, 1999-2002

Computer and Technical Skills

 Can operate Windows XP, 2000, and 98 operating systems  Proficient with Quark Express and Adobe Photoshop  Utilize email, Explorer, and Netscape efficiently

CV Facts

• It must be concise; no more

than two sides of A4

• It should market you and

your suitability for the role

• There is no such thing as a

general CV. It should be targeted to the sector, the employer, the job

• Clear layout and ordered

structure

• Avoid ready-made

templates

• Information in it must be

true

• Information in it must be

relevant

• Highlight relevant skills
• Use positive language,

avoid jargons

• Spell check
• Grammar check
• Proof read!

MY CV

Creatin ing My CV

What structure do I use? What do I includ e? How do I package and improve my chances?

Creatin ing My CV

What do I include in my CV?

• Personal details
• Personal profile or career
• bjective
• Accomplishments
• Education and qualifications
• Work experience
• Skills profile
• Interests/extra curricular

activities

• References

How do I structure my CV?

Start with your personal details……… ………………decide what you want to include and how to structure ……………………………and end with your references

Creatin ing My CV - Personal Details

• Name
• Address – use only one correspondence address if

possible

• Telephone number
• Email –use an appropriate one
• Date of birth – not needed
• Gender – not needed
• Photographs – situational

Creatin ing My CV - Personal profile or

Career Objective

• Not compulsory but good to have
• Use it to play up key points that you want an employer to know and those

that will make you look attractive and qualified for the new job

• Use action verbs and strong, positive language
• Avoid excessive superlatives
• Less is more. Keep each statement to one line and have 1 – 3 statements

with maximum of 4 lines

“During my studies, I successfully combined my studies with work and other commitments showing myself to be self-motivated, organised and capable of working under pressure. I have a clear, logical mind with a practical approach to problem solving and a drive to see things through to completion. I enjoy working on my own initiative or in a team”. “Objective: An entry-level position in mechanical engineering where strong leadership ability and good communication skills are needed”.

Creatin ing My CV - Education

• Should be listed in reverse

chronological order

• post graduate
• first degree
• secondary school.
• Only include subjects or modules

that have a clear link to the job / role being applied for

• Only state good grades!
• For degrees obtained overseas,

show the name of the qualification and indicate a Nigerian equivalent. Education and Qualifications

2011 – Present University of Lagos B.Sc. (Hons) Business Administration Modules include: Book keeping and Finance, Management Human Resources Project: Mergers & Acquisition in Nigeria 2005 – 2011 Lekki Grammar School SSCE: 8 SSCEs including English and Maths Subjects: Economics (A), Information Technology (A), Fine Art (B)

Creatin ing My CV - Work Experience /

History

• Include full time, part time, voluntary work and industrial attachments, especially

those that show experience related to the job

• Include ALL jobs IF you have very little work experience
• Use reverse chronological order or group into “relevant” and “other” work

experience

• Show the employer/company name, location and nature of business
• Show dates of employment, job title and responsibilities
• Focus on the skills used and your accomplishments
• Avoid repetition of duties – use job groupings
• Avoid lengthy paragraphs or statements; use bulleted lists.
• If you are CURRENTLY unemployed, find an immediate short-term opportunity to

get some unpaid volunteer work experience, preferably in your area of qualification

• If you have gaps in your work experience, explain what you were doing.

Creatin ing My CV - Work Experience

• FEB. 1999 TO 2001

DIGICOM SOLUTIONS LIMITED LONDON, ENGLAND ABUJA, NIGERIA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER  Recruited high achievers as company staff;  Managed daily business operations;  Prepared management and in-control accounts;  Conducted monthly reconciliation and internal audit;  Prepared budget forecasts using historical and current data;  Responsible for budget management ensuring that agreed expenditure levels are adhered to;  Liaised with company retained solicitors;  Developed proposals for identified viable opportunities;  Set-up of regional office in Abuja.

Creatin ing My CV - Id

Identify fying relevant skills

• It is important to know the skills you have and / have use(d)
• It is important to know what skills are required for a job. Get these from
• The job description
• The person specification
• The job advert
• The company’s website
• Informational interview: this is one of the most resourceful ways to find out

exactly what skills a job requires

• Research – industry and occupational
• It is important to make links between your skills and the job to show how

you are a good match with the job requirements

• Involves two elements
• giving an example (broad or specific) of when you have used the skill
• defining the skill in a way that is relevant to the job or employer concerned
• Only include skills which are relevant to the job/role and for which you can

provide evidence – DO NOT LIST SKILLS

Creating My CV - Skills profile

96 Chronological CVs include references to skills throughout the CV

SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Effective communication

• Improved client communication by showing interest,

carefully listening to their needs and relaying their concerns to management for immediate resolution and/or follow-up

• Developed good oratory skill and confidence through

delivery of bi-weekly sales presentations to groups of five to fifty. Customer service

• Assisted customers in products selection
• Built rapport with and gained the trust of customers by

calmly dealing with any problems in the high pressure environment of Shoprite

• Maintained professional relationships through email and
• ther written correspondence such as monthly
• newsletters. This led to longstanding business

relationships with customers that is needed for repeat business.

Skills-based and Blended CVs often have separate skills sections

2008 (Jan – Aug) DASH Financial Services Ltd (Ikoyi, Lagos)

Financial Assistant

• Client statement reconciliation: Worked in a

team of four matching invoices to payments made on account

• Matched income to expenses over the

financial period.

Computed and recorded inventory valuation on a monthly basis; Verified the amount outstanding clients weekly in the Accounts Payable account. Your skills profile provides another

• pportunity to use ACTION VERBS /

STATEMENTS – take advantage of it!

Creatin ing My CV - Action Verbs

created instructed analyzed produced negotiated designed calculated maintained administered controlled reviewed consolidated delivered founded increased studied invented supplied detected programmed recommended distributed developed solved prepared installed selected arranged formulated solved started

Creatin ing My CV – In

Interests and Achievements

• This is optional so if you are low on space, leave it out
• If you have the space, think about what the information adds to your CV
• Use it to highlight relevant personal development, training or education in the line of

work

• Share a special achievement or recognition or interests that you are comfortable

being questioned about in an interview

• Talents, special knowledge, your attitude or work ethics
• Choose interests and activities which can demonstrate skills relevant to the

job e.g.

• Teamwork
• Organising
• Commitment
• Intellectual artistry.

Creatin ing My CV - References

• Provide the contact details of two referees (name, address,

job title, telephone no. and email address)

• For recent graduates, it is okay to provide one academic and a

character referee

• For 1-3 years experience, one academic referee and your line

manager

• Out of courtesy, ask permission from your referees and let

them know what position(s) you have applied for

• If you prefer not to include details on your CV, you can state

“References available on request”

Creatin ing My CV – DOs and DON’Ts

Do

• Use a standard font size in black ink
• Include recent and relevant work experience (paid
• r voluntary)
• Be consistent in your layout
• List your skills and achievements and back up with

evidence

• Keep it short (maximum 2 pages)
• Use positive action verbs
• Include a statement about your career aspirations

and what you have to offer the employer

• Be honest but positive (negatives can always be

turned into positives).

• Proof-read for spelling, punctuation, grammar and

meaning

• Ask someone to review for you.

Don’t

• Write your CV in a hurry
• Leave gaps in employment
• Lie or Fabricate
• Include irrelevant personal details
• Simply write a list of duties under work

experience (remember you are selling yourself!).

• Use flashy or large font

Creatin ing My CV – Reminders

• The reality is that there is no single way to write a CV; but it must be

structured and presented within acceptable framework.

• It is your marketing communication tool so make the first impression count

as it may be the only opportunity you get

• Every job and employer is unique even in the same industry; as such, find
• ut what each is looking for and emphasise the relevant parts of your CV.

What may seem or is time consuming now will eventually stand you out

• Please ensure your CV is
• Easy to read – logical, clear, organised
• Focused – targeted at the opportunity
• Prioritised – it gives the most important and relevant information towards the

beginning

• Positive – it includes pro-active language.

Cover Letters

What is is a Cover Letter?

• A cover letter generally accompanies a CV (never send

a ‘naked’ CV)

• It completes and builds on the information in the CV
• Two types
• Speculative letter
• Letter of application
• It must be targeted at the job you are applying for and

accentuate your key skills and suitability for the job clearly, concisely and positively

Cover Letters - Speculative

applications

• Should be no more than three paragraphs
• Opening paragraph – why you are writing: state broad type of

work you are interested in and when you are available.

• Paragraph 2 – demonstrate knowledge of employer; include some

information about YOU linking your skills and experience to the job and/or company

• Paragraph 3 – Refer to your CV and inform that you will follow up

with a telephone call within a certain period e.g. a week

• Be genuine – it shows in how you convey your interest in

the company and / or job

Cover Letters – Responsive

applications

• Use a responsive cover letter or letter of application when applying for a specific

vacancy and / or asked to ‘apply in writing’ or ‘send CV and cover letter’

• Three concise paragraphs
• Paragraph 1 should focus on the purpose of your writing: name specific job vacancy and

where advertised

• Paragraph 2 should address your motivation for wanting the job; demonstrate your

understanding of the job role; cover why you want to work for the company: answer questions as to why the company, the job and/or industry.

• It should also answer the question of why you should be considered for the job
• It should include statements with evidence that match your skills, experience and qualifications

to the job

• Paragraph 3 is your closing paragraph and should convey interest and enthusiasm in the

role, state what you can offer the employer and indicate your availability for interview.

Cover Letters – Samples

Dear Ms White, I am writing to enquire about administrative vacancies in your company. I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people. I believe I could fit easily into your team. I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I'm flexible, quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I'm keen to work for a company with a great reputation and high profile like DASH Business Support Services. I enclose my CV for your information and peruse. I would be delighted to discuss any possible vacancy with you at your convenience. In case you do not have any suitable openings at the moment, I would be grateful if you would keep my CV on file for any future possibilities. Yours sincerely Dear Mr Black, Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the Guardian on 30 November. The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great deal of independent research, requiring initiative, self- motivation and a wide range of skills. For one course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this subject very stimulating. I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful for the

• pportunity to progress to market reporting. I am

able to take on the responsibility of this position immediately, and have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely

Cover Letters – Presentation

• Maximum 1 side of A4, word processed
• Consistent font size and type (and consistent with your CV)
• Send to a named person where possible
• Correct spelling and grammar
• Formal “business letter” layout
• E-mailing – send the letter as an attachment with your CV

References

• Career Service Office Materials of
• Oxford University
• University of Kent
• Middlesex University
• McGill Career Planning Service Guide to Writing a

CV

Interviewing Skills

05 05

“Positioning” for Success

ACING YOUR JOB INTERVIEW

Learning Objectives

• By the end of this session, you should:

– understand the different types of interviews – know how to adequately prepare for interviews – know how to do well in any job interview

First

• “The secret of success in life is for a person to be ready for

his/her opportunity when it comes” – Benjamin Disraeli

Interviews – what they are

• Interview = A meeting with an objective: it is a two way process
• Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job

– Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities

• Can you do the job? (to establish whether you have the competencies (skills,

abilities, qualifications) for the job

• Will you do the job? (to establish your knowledge, interest and motivation)
• How will you fit into the organisation? (to find out what you are like -

personality)

• Your objective is to market yourself, skill set and knowledge

– You: impress employer and assess position on offer

• Who is this employer?
• What does this position offer me?
• How does it fit with my career plans?

The Key – Market yourself as the top candidate

Interviews – what to expect

• Introductions – process explained by interviewer
• Warm up questions - on your skills and experience
• Questions and discussions

– CV/application form questions – Questions based on selection criteria – “probing” – Behaviour based questions – Questions from candidate

• Summing up – next steps

Interview components

• a job interview consists of three components:

– Before the interview – During the interview – After the interview

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW (PREPPING)

Failing to Prepare is Preparing to FAIL!!!

Interviews - Prepping

• Adequate preparation enables you to

– Make a good first impression – Prepare for predictable questions – Respond to interviewer’s criteria – Answer questions effectively – Present skills and experience effectively – Cope with unpredictable questions – Cope with increasingly probing questions

Typically, your interview starts before you walk into an interview room; interviewing is a skill and preparation is the key to success. Like any

• ther skill, your interviewing improves with

practice so, practice for interviews with family

• r friends.

Interviews - Prepping

• Always, always, always make sure you prepare for the

interview

• Preparation involves knowing about:

– Yourself – The Job – The Company

Interviews - Prepping

KNOW & UNDERSTAND YOURSELF – review your life

• Education (post-secondary)
• Experience (IT year, internships, holiday, NYSC etc)
• Skills and competencies
• Accomplishments
• Extra-Curricular and Social activities
• Community service and Volunteer work
• Work ethics
• Personal values

Interviews - Prepping

KNOW & UNDERSTAND YOURSELF

• Why do I want the job?
• Why am I a suitable candidate and what evidence do I have of

this?

• What have I gained from my academic / employment / extra-

curricular activities?

• What are my career ambitions/what do I want to be doing in

5years?

• What was my - best/worst decision, my greatest achievement?
• When did I - work in a team/solve a problem/use my initiative?
• What are my main strengths and weaknesses?
• Be sure of your strengths & how they apply to the job

Interviews - Prepping

KNOW & UNDERSTAND YOURSELF

• Now that you’ve perfected your CV, it’s a good strategy to develop your

‘commercial pitch’. Your ‘Commercial Pitch’ or ‘Elevator Speech’ is a clear, brief message about you – ‘who you are’, ‘what you’re looking for’ and ‘how you can add value to a company or organisation’.

• You must be able to recite it confidently and articulately within 60

seconds

• The idea behind having one is so that you can use it to introduce

yourself to prospective employers and answer the all important “Tell me about yourself” question

• It must sound and be natural; as such, only use language you're

comfortable with and familiar to you. Once a final version is produced, rehearse it out loud in front of a mirror or with a friend or family member.

Interviews - Prepping

KNOW & UNDERSTAND THE JOB

• Research job and occupational area

– Job description / duties of the position – Current issues

• What do I know about this type of work?
• What attracts me to this type of work?
• What relevant work experience do I need and have?
• What kind of training/additional skills do I need or am I hoping to

gain?

• Other things

− Compensation range − Location − Work schedules − Benefits

How to get to the top of the pile in a very competitive market place? Do your homework. Research, Research, Research.

(Carl Gilleard,

Association of Graduate Recruiters)

Interviews - Prepping

KNOW & UNDERSTAND THE COMPANY

• Research the organisation

– Name – Status - Private or public – Industry – Products and/or services – Key management team

• Sources of information

– Company Websites, reports, articles, literature etc – Personal Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector/Networking – Relevant articles in the press – Conduct informational interviews – Personal visit or telephone call

How to get to the top of the pile in a very competitive market place? Do your homework. Research, Research, Research.

(Carl Gilleard,

Association of Graduate Recruiters)

DURING THE INTERVIEW (D-DAY)

5Ps - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

• Choose your attire, review and make ready days before the

interview day

• Be well-groomed and ensure a smart, wrinkle-free appearance
• Rest well and have a good night's sleep
• Watch your dietary intake - eat a healthy meal and hydrate

adequately

• Pre-plan your travel route and allow plenty of travel time
• Prepare necessary materials (copies of CV, academic

qualifications, pen/pencil, pocket notebook, breath mints).

Interviews – D Day Physical and Mental Alacrity

• Arrive early at least 15mins before scheduled time; compose /

dress yourself and relax

• Realise that the interview begins when you step into the

company’s premises

• First impressions are very powerful

– Halo effect or Devil effect

• Greet everyone in a friendly and professional manner; as staff

are often asked their opinion of candidates

• Turn your mobile phone OFF – vibrations make noise
• No BlackBerry, WhatsApp, Instagram and ………………….

Interviews – D Day

• Conservative two-piece business suit (navy or dark grey)
• Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse
• Clean, polished conservative shoes
• Well-groomed hairstyle
• Clean, trimmed fingernails
• Minimal perfume
• Empty pockets - no bulges, tinkling coins or keys
• No chewing gum or cigarettes
• Light briefcase or portfolio case for extra copies of your CV,

credentials and references

• No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings,

etc.)

Interviews – Dress the part

• Ties - conservative colour and pattern
• Shoes - black lace-ups, classic single monks or loafer
• Dark socks
• Groomed haircut and mustache - No beards
• Wedding ring and wristwatch
• No earrings

Interviews – Dress the part (Male)

• Always wear a suit with a jacket
• Court shoes - conservative heels
• No handbag - small or large; use a briefcase
• Nail polish - not required, otherwise clear or a

conservative colour

• Makeup - minimal
• Jewelry – wedding band, wristwatch, no bangles or

wrist chain

• Earrings – studs, single set

Interviews – Dress the part (Female)

Interviews – Greeting & Introductions

For sweaty palms, ensure you carry a clean handkerchief on you and wipe your hands before stepping into the interview room.

• Greet interviewer by name (or when

greeted, introduce yourself), smile and make eye contact as you shake hands

• Offer a firm handshake unless prohibited

by religion or physical challenge

• Extend your hand; your palm should

touch the palm of the interviewer

• Use a firm handshake; adjust your grip to

the other person’s hand

• Hold the handshake for 2 to 3 seconds

making a slight up and down pumping motion

• Be calm; be aware of non-verbal / body

language of interviewer

• Be aware of your environment and your
• wn movements
• Remain poised and confident.

Interviews – Greeting & Introductions

• Mind your poise and body language as you most likely will be

assessed on

− Appropriate eye contact and posture − Correct pronunciation of interviewer’s name − Verbal expression – do you talk easily or are overly formal and reserved − Enthusiasm and confidence

• Do not sit until interviewer is seated and / or motions you to
• Never chew gum during an interview
• Ask permission to take a few notes during the interview in case

you need clarification at the end of the interview

• Your first five minutes in an interview tells a lot about

you as a person so make a good first impression.

Interviews – Answering questions

• Listen carefully, understand the interviewer’s questions and seek clarification when

necessary

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Pause for a moment to collect your thoughts if required
• Keep your answers specific using factual examples and evidence to support claims
• Keep your answers brief but avoid yes/no answers
• Be alert to interviewer’s body language and give positive nonverbal feedback to the

interviewer by smiling, showing enthusiasm and a positive attitude

• Know what you want to say and find the opportunity to talk about your PERSONAL

contributions

• Be honest – do not try to cover up mistakes, rather focus on lessons

learned from them

• Avoid negative terms and comments; describe positive outcomes
• Confidence and a pleasant disposition bring out the positive energy in you
• Enjoy the interview and be enthusiastic when responding to the

interviewer's questions.

Interviews – Asking Questions & Closing Statements

• Prepare at least two or three intelligent or researched questions.

REMEMBER, questions give away how much you know or do not know

• Start off with what you do know based on your research
• Do NOT ask about salary, benefits or vacation time; focus more on

responsibilities, career development opportunities, ideal staff profile, reporting structure, next steps after the interview

• Avoid asking questions that have been answered elsewhere
• Turn the table by asking your interviewer: “Why did you join? How

would you describe the culture here? What do you like/dislike in your job?”

• If you have had all your questions answered, say so and

make your closing statement

Interviews – Body language: dos and don’ts

DO

• Firm handshake
• Eye contact
• Smile!
• Open posture
• Relaxed, but alert
• Look neat & professional
• Adopt appropriate dress code
• Listen actively – ‘head nods’
• Sit in the right seat
• Visit the toilet beforehand!

DON’T

• Limp/clammy handshake
• Bring in carrier bags/clutter
• Wear jeans
• Look down
• Cross arms(?)
• Flop into chair
• Wave arms
• Stare out of window
• Shake with nerves
• Adopt a threatening posture

THE INTERVIEW

Types of Interview

• One-on-One Interview
• Panel Interview: Two, three or more people interviewing you at the same time.

You are to engage each member of the panel when answering a question. Start by making eye contact with the person who asks the question then gradually shift your focus to each of the other panel members while continuing to answer the question

• Peer Group Interview: utilizes the people within the organization to gain a more

complete idea of a candidate’s appropriateness for a position for team-based

• perations, as it allows the organization to get a more complete idea of a

candidate’s overall fit.

• Task or Technical: you are given a problem or topic for which you must prepare

a presentation, either before arriving or directly on the spot. They want to see how you communicate your ideas in front of a small group. That’s why you do you homework and show up ready to perform. Keep in mind who your audience is, what they might be expecting to hear, and the time limit you’ve been given to make your pitch.

Regardless of the interview type, your goal is to always come across as the best candidate. Knowing in advance which format you will be facing can help you prepare effectively.

• Telephone Interview: Same as ‘one-on-one’ but on the telephone; prepare as

thoroughly as for ‘real’ interview. Ensure your environment is comfortable, private and quiet. Have a copy of your CV, researched information, pen and paper at hand. Be yourself, smile and use gestures

• Video/Video Conference Interview: One-on-one or Panel interviewing by

video conference.

• Competency/ Behavioural : Competency based interviewing is focused on

discovering how you acted in specific situations. It is founded on the logic that “past behaviour/performance is predictor of future ones.

Types of Interview

Regardless of the interview type, your goal is to always come across as the best candidate. Knowing in advance which format you will be facing can help you prepare effectively.

Interviews – FAQs

About you – Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV? – Why did you choose that particular degree programme? – What experience have you had that is relevant to this job role? – Which of your achievements/ideas do you feel most proud of? – What was your contribution to a recent team task? – Why do you want a career in this area? – What do you see as the most significant personal challenge for you in this career? – What skills will you have to learn or develop to be successful? About the job – What interests you about this job? – What do you know about our company? – What other options are you considering? – How do you see your career developing over the next 5 years? General knowledge – What do you think of the Government’s policy on privatising Universities? – What’s your opinion of the recent leadership tussle in the National Assembly? – If you could advise the President, what would you say about the deregulation of petroleum products?

• “What if” Questions

– No experience - how are you likely to respond to a situation

• Probing Questions

– How exactly did you deal with the situation? – How did you know it worked? – How did you feel about the outcome? – Could you have handled it differently?

• Competency-based Questions

– Describe a team project you worked on. What problems arose? How did you deal with them? – Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve a challenging goal.

Interviews – Other Question Formats

Interviews – STAR Technique

• Provide complete answers to competency-based

questions by using the STAR Technique

– Situation – describe the situation, problem, or issue that you encountered. – Task – describe the tasks/responsibilities you took on to help solve the problem. – Action – discuss the steps you actually took to effect a solution. – Result – describe the positive results of your actions.

Interviews - Top 10 Skill Employers want

SKILL/COMPETENCE DESCRIPTION 1 Verbal Communication

Able to express your ideas clearly and confidently in speech

2 Teamwork

Work confidently within a group

3 Commercial Awareness

Understand the commercial realities affecting the organisation.

4 Analysing & Investigating Gather information systematically to establish facts &

• principles. Problem solving.

5 Initiative/Self Motivation Able to act on initiative, identify opportunities & proactive in

putting forward ideas & solutions

6 Drive

Determination to get things done. Make things happen & constantly looking for better ways of doing things.

7 Written Communication Able to express yourself clearly in writing 8 Planning & Organising

Able to plan activities & carry them through effectively

9 Flexibility

Adapt successfully to changing situations & environments

10 Time Management

Manage time effectively, prioritising tasks and able to work to deadlines.

University of Kent Careers and Employability Service

Interviews –What creates a bad impression

• Poor personal appearance
• Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses, blaming
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm
• Lack of preparation
• Poor knowledge of role
• Failure to give concrete examples of skills
• Over emphasis on money/rewards
• Lack of career plan.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Title Interviews – After the interview

• Be prepared with your closing statement restating your interest and abilities
• Leave positively: thank the interviewer(s) and ask for a business card(s)
• Confirm the correct spelling of interviewer(s) names, don't make assumptions
• Send a thank you note immediately
• Make notes regarding the things you learned about the company as it may be

helpful for your next follow up interview

• Summarise your interview experience and evaluate if the job is right for you
• Review your performance thoroughly and honestly

– what went well – what went badly – what you wished you had said – prepare for next stage

• Research salary information in preparation for potential negotiations
• Rejection letter / email – do not be discouraged – each interview is

a skills development opportunity

– if you can, request feedback and use it

Finally

"Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself.”

– Chinese Proverb

Identifying and Charting a Career Path

06 06

Finding & Charting Your Course

Oluwatosin Okojie CEO, Total Ascent Topic: Identifying & Charting a Career Path

• Tosin Okojie is a Leadership Consultant and Technology Entrepreneur with
• ver fifteen years of experience in Consulting, Corporate Finance,

Leadership Development and Executive Level Management. He has a track record of successfully building businesses in multiple industries including Financial Services, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, FMCG, Retail, Oil & Gas, and Media/Entertainment sectors. His passion is “building leadership at all levels” and consequently creating sustainable profitable enterprises.

• Tosin has a first degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the

Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from Yale University. He has held various senior leadership positions in the United States and Nigeria, including Finance Manager for Unilever, Director of Sales Planning for Merisant (Monsanto Group), Director of Marketing Finance for Sears Holdings Corporation, Group Chief Operating Officer for Minaj Holdings Limited and Country Manager for Invensys Operations Management (a multinational listed on the London Stock Exchange).

• He is the Founder and CEO of Total Ascent, a Leadership Development and

Human Capital Management company that specializes in empowering individuals and organizations with the skills, knowledge and tools to fulfil their potential and achieve success in business and life.

• Tosin is an Executive Coach and an MBTI Certified Practitioner, and has

successfully applied this Psychometric tool as a framework for Leadership Development, Career Management and building critical competencies such as Strategic Planning, Communication, Team Management, Decision Making, Conflict Resolution and Coaching.

• He is a regular speaker at Leadership events, a trainer across Finance,

Strategy, Sales, Operations and Marketing functions, and a facilitator for Corporate and Team Building initiatives.

“…building leaders, building organizations, building nations…”

Total Ascent

presentation at:

Covenant Capital: Workplace Readiness Program

(June 4, 2016)

Introducing Tosin Okojie: 3 Things

• POSITION: CEO, Total Ascent and TotalPrep
• QUALIFICATIONS:

– BSc. EEE (OAU) – MBA (Yale University) – Certified MBTI Practitioner

• EXPERIENCE:

– Over 15 years (US and Nigeria) – Functions: Finance, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, HR and Supply Chain – Industries: Oil and Gas, Financial Services, Telecoms, Mining, Trading, Education and Training, etc.

15 1

www.total-ascent.com

About Total Ascent Who We Are “…a Leadership Development and Training company that empowers organizations and individuals with the skills, tools and insights to succeed in business and life…” Our Vision “…to be the foremost Talent Management company in Nigeria by the year 2020”

15 2

www.total-ascent.com

Our Services

www.total-ascent.com

15 3

Leadership Development Training Testing and Assessments Professional Services

Some of Our Clients

www.total-ascent.com

15 4

“we equip organizations and individuals with the skills, tools and insights required to achieve their goals”

Career Pathing 101: Identifying and Charting a Career Path

The Road Not Taken…

15 6

www.total-ascent.com

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Career Pathing 101

15 7

www.total-ascent.com

• What is a Career Path?
• Why is it important?
• Identifying a Career Destination
• Exercise: Psychometrics
• Charting a Course
• Review and Conclusion

What is a Career Path?

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• The Journey of your Career from your

First Job through to Retirement

• The way you Progress in your work, from

first foray in employment to Final Position Finding Purpose Achieving Potential Enjoying the Ride

What is Career Pathing?

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Career Pathing is a systematic approach to career development, enabling employees to map multiple career path scenarios, review job competencies and evaluate skill gaps.

WIIFM: Why Is It Important?

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Both Hands on Deck Numbers Game

The Destination: Where Should I End Up?

Destination: Critical

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"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.“

– Lewis Carroll

What is Your Destination?

Passion/ Interests Personality Skills/ Experience

Finding Purpose Achieving Potential Enjoying the Ride

Digging Deeper: Psychometrics

• Understand your innate preferences and behaviors
• Discover and develop your potential
• Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
• Identify Job Families and Career Options
• Improve Career Choices

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Exercise: Psychometrics

Where we focus our attention and get energy

Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)

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E–I Illustration

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Where People Focus Their Attention

People who prefer Extraversion (E)

• Are energized by

interacting with others

• Have broad interests in

many things

• Learn best through doing
• r discussing
• Prefer to communicate

face-to-face

• Work out ideas by talking

them through

People who prefer Introversion (I)

• Are energized by
• pportunity to reflect
• Focus in depth on their

interests

• Learn best by reflection,

mental “practice”

• Prefer to communicate

by writing

• Work out ideas by

thinking them through

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Key Words Associated with E–I

Extraversion Action Outward People Interaction Many Expressive Do-Think-Do Introversion Reflection Inward Privacy Concentration Few Quiet Think-Do-Think

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E–I Self-Assessment

Given the choice, which do you prefer: Extraversion or Introversion?  your self-assessment

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Self Assessment: E/I Dichotomy

• People with a preference for Introversion:

– "inward-turning" and tend to be thought-oriented – enjoy deep and meaningful social interactions – feel recharged after spending time alone

• People with a preference for Extraversion:

– "outward-turning" and tend to be action-oriented – enjoy more frequent social interaction – feel energized after spending time with other people

“How we interact with the world and direct our energy”

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Application: Career Pathing

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E/I S/N T/F J/P

Strengths Weaknesses

Make better choices e.g. career Understand self and

• thers

Develop self and others

Career Satisfaction (Illustration)

“How we interact with the world and direct our energy”

Dimension Me My Career Motivation E I Communication E I Idea Development E I Interests E I Learning Style E I

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The Journey: How Do You Get There?

4 Step Process (Repeat Regularly)

• 1. Know Yourself

– Who are you? Where are you? Where are you going?

• 2. Explore The Possibilities

– Research and Interview – Internships and Volunteering

• 3. Make (hard) choices

– Delay gratification

• 4. Make it happen

– “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me” mentality – PAY THE PRICE

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Stay Focused on the Destination

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Final Notes

• Be TRUE to yourself…or find someone who will be!!
• Have a BIG dream
• BELIEVE in yourself…life’s a journey
• WATCH OUT for diversions, twists and turns
• DEVELOP yourself (both on and off the job)
• The only constant thing in life is CHANGE
• It takes a VILLAGE to raise a child
• Delay gratification and PAY THE PRICE
• DO YOU!!!!!

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The Road Taken…

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Finding Purpose Achieving Potential Enjoying the Ride

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The White House, 120/12 Bosun Adekoya Street Off New Market Road, Oniru – Lekki Lagos, Nigeria

“…building leaders, building organizations, building nations…”

Question & Answer Session

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Q & A

Oluwatosin Okojie CEO, Total Ascent David Ashiru CEO, Value Endowment Co.

Detoun Ogwo ED, Skills Dev. Practice

Olatunde Samuel-Ipaye Partner, Phillips Consulting

The Workplace Readiness Panelists

Workplace Readiness Season 2