Employability & Positioning for a job

Fola Daniel AdelesiCEO

Edible Pen Training & Development

IntroductionThis is a crash course on employability skills

and positioning for jobs.

In the time that we have, we shall look at employability and how to position yourself for any job.

We will also look at practical ways to search for jobs and prepare for interviews in your desired roles.

ObjectivesEvery listener or reader of this slide should

know the difference between employability and having a degree

You will learn that the selection process does not start in the interview room. In fact, it may have been concluded before the interview date and you will find out why as we go on.

At the end of this short training, you would have seen other unconventional means that interviewers use to interview prospective job seekers.

Employability

It means to be employableTo be suited for a jobTo have a skill that an employer of labour can

useTo be able to render a relevant serviceAbility to deliverCapacity to match competence and

certification

What employability is notIt is not your university degreeEmployability has nothing to do with the

school you attendedIt is not all the skills and certifications you

list on your resume

Searching for a job

What job seekers should doHave a CV that shows your skillDownload professional CV template online to

build a good looking CVEnsure you use a single font when preparing

your CV

In the bid to impress, don’t appear over qualified for the job.

If possible, have a one page CV but don’t go beyond two pages.

Learn to write cover letters

Looking for the jobHave an online presenceCreate an online profile – LinkedIn.comJoin professional groups onlineSearch jobs in your desired field online

Acquire professional qualificationsGet free online degreesEquip yourself in anyway you can while

waiting for a job

Practical job searchMake a list of companies where you will like

to workBe sure you have some skills that the

companies needCheck the websites of the companies for

vacanciesApply immediately if they have vacancies

Some companies receive CVs in advance, you can submit yours to their CV bank.

Do some research about the companyTell them what value you can add to them if

they will employ you

Preparing for the Interview

• Do your research about the company.• Have a printed copy of the same CV you

submitted to the company• Get to know the location in advance or set out

very early to get to the venue of the interview in time.

Volunteer for experience Look for companies in the industry where you

would like to work, preferably the big ones.Offer to work for free for a couple of months

– you will need the support of some relatives or have some savings for your upkeep during this period.

While in the company, put in your best and gain as much experience as you can

In return for your free service, ask for referrals or recommendation from the company.

As you work, it is also very important for you to network with people within and outside the company

While volunteering, don’t act like you have nothing to lose. Take the job as you will take any other job from which you can be fired or punished for under performing.

Dressing for the interviewBe conservative but smart with your choice of

clothYour suits can be black, navy blue or brownLadies should avoid lousy footwearMen should not wear pocket squares

Men should avoid striped shirts on striped ties or suits

Ladies should avoid flowery camisole. I suggest you wear shirts under any jacket you want to put on.

For the men, your tie must touch the tip of your belt

Your belt and your shoes are also expected to have matching colours

Ladies are not to wear any cleavage revealing cloths

Leave all tight or body fitted dresses out of the choices for interviews

In the waiting roomSometimes, the candidate who gets the job is

chosen in the waiting room. How? It could be:A tea interview or any other form of breakfastInteraction with other interviewees Interaction with the receptionist or front desk

executiveWhat you decide to do while waiting to be

called upon

In the interview roomBe as calm as you can. There is no reason to

panicWhen you walk into the room, greet

everyone.Do not stretch forth your hands except the

interviewers do that to you.Get a proper handshake

After greeting, wait for instructions.Do not sit until you are told to do soWhen you sit, you have to sit up. You can’t

slouch.

Answer questions as best as you can.Don’t try to prove you know too muchGo straight to the answers when asked

questions.If you don’t know the answer to a question,

just say, ‘I am sorry I do not have the answer.’Be natural with your accent or diction

The sixty second trailerIn a lot of interviews, you will be asked to

sell yourself in sixty seconds. Some others may not say, ‘sell yourself.’ You may be asked to introduce yourself or someone may say, ‘can we meet you?’

When this question comes up, don’t just tell them your name and stop.

It’s a golden chance to humbly sell your skills

Where others goof!One common question that makes a lot of people

goof is:How much do you want to earn?

Avoid the question in the most professional way possible but if the interviewers persist, give them a figure.

Don’t be too ridiculous in asking for a salary. Find out what the average pay is for your level and state that as your desired pay.

Send appreciationMost people don’t do thisIt is not out of place to send an appreciation

letter to the company that interviewed you.Don’t try to be smart about this. Just send an

appreciation letter and leave it at that.

Unconventional InterviewsYour interview may not be the regular one

where you will sit in a room with the interviewers. It could be:

A video callA phone callA search into your online activity

That means you have to be ready and versatile. Constantly update yourself and skills.

Fola Daniel Adelesiwww.foladaniel.com