by Fabianna Mueti | Oct 22, 2019 | Career Happiness, Mapping and Transition, Self discovery
Did you just get back from a long or short sabbatical break (to take care of family, study, go on a discovery journey, etc) and the question of how to get your foot back in the job market is bugging you? We got you covered!
Today, we are sharing with you a Sabbatical Come Back Checklist and Tips. Check out the checklist here
As you tick your list, there are a few things that need a bit of thinking through and planning. Read on to find what and why.
- Update your CV to show your career break; it’s important that a recruiter/hiring manager assessing your resume understands why there is a gap in your CV. You want to give a clear visibility of your career ladder and decisions and leave no room for second-guessing. Remember there are many other professionals seeking the same opportunity as you!
- Utilize your network. Your network is your net worth. This is a strategy that should go long back, from when you decide to go on a break. The power of weak ties comes in handy. Who should you keep in touch with? And when you come back, what new connections do you need to create? With social recruiting taking over the hiring world, you want to keep your connections warm and keep building new ones. For more on building and sustaining weak ties, check this article out.
- Reassess your needs and values. Okay; let’s say you went on a break because you were just not feeling that job. Or you were just done with certain types of work environments. What have you learned about what matters to you? How is this aligned to the type of workplaces you need to be and the type of work that inspires you to rise every morning? What needs and values MUST be met in your next job? This way, you’re able to redefine what fulfillment means for you and apply to the right roles, and organizations.
- Research, research, and research – Most likely, things have changed since you took a break. This means that you need to take the time to re familiarize yourself with the industry you want to be in, new trends, roles and even networks. Interviews will then feel like you have been around all along.
- And if the job is taking some time to come along, how about you consider the not so fun things such as volunteering or going to back to school (if these were not your sabbatical options), it will go a long way in bringing you up to speed with the current realities in your career space.
- Lastly, but not least; consider working with a career coach to accelerate your come back. A coach will provide you with the tools and guidance you need to navigate the hurdles that come with job hunting after a break, and will also help you articulate yourself better when packaging yourself.
Or maybe you want to come back to a whole new industry? Check out this video, which contains tips on how to transition into a new industry space as well.
For those of you, who have successfully transitioned into new jobs/careers after a break, what worked? What did you learn?
Share with us on our social media platforms, where you can also find more content like this: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you’re in this chapter in your career life, and are looking for a partner to guide you, reach out to us today! Send an email to happycareers@edgeperformance.co.ke and start your journey to a happy career!
by Fabianna Mueti | Oct 18, 2019 | Career Happiness, Job Applications, Job hunting, Job Search
So your job hunting hustles have paid off, and you’ve been invited for an interview with the recruiter, or the hiring manager. How do you ensure you’re prepared to succeed in the interview and potentially get shortlisted, or better yet, get the job? We’ll be sharing with you some tips today.
But first, why not begin by checking out this interview checklist we created.
And now, the tips:
1. Show up on time for the interview (always communicate in advance, communication is a key skill in any job and lack of doing so could lead to you being potentially disqualified)
2. We can’t stress this enough: Do your research; about the organization, projects, financial state, culture, etc. Not only will this show the interviewer that you’re prepared, but it also shows that you did your due diligence and emphasizes your interest to join the organization.
3. Reflect on and prepare your answers in advance. How? Go through the job description, as many times as you can, identify relevant roles you have undertaken, list your successes, include challenges you faced and how you navigated them. If it’s a managerial role; think about the sizes of teams managed, your coaching approach, attained results by said team, project goals versus achieved results, etc. Google is your friend here guys. Look up anticipated questions for what you’re applying for and the expected answers.
4. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) method to answer questions. Here is a great article to kick you off; there are plenty more on the World Wide Web where this came from. This approach is also key to keep in mind when making written job applications.
5. Ask questions after the interview! We know it can be nerve-wracking for some of us to know what to ask a recruiter or employer at this stage. However, we highly recommend that you still ask. If you don’t know what to ask, here is an article that can guide you. Pick what is relevant and connects with you. Asking questions shows the recruiter/hiring manager that you’ve reflected on the role you applied for and you get extra points if your questions are brilliant!
What are some of the other tips you know of that have helped you ace your interviews?
Share with us on our social media platforms, where you can also find more content like this: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
As always, if you’re looking for a thought partner to help you navigate this topic and more of your career queries, we’re happy to help. Send an email to happycareers@edgeperformance.co.ke and start your journey to a happy career!
by Fabianna Mueti | Oct 18, 2019 | Career Happiness, Job Applications, Job hunting, Job Search
Have you been looking for a job lately, and just feel like you’re in a rut and things are not moving?
Approaching job hunting with clear goals and strategies is more likely to increase your chances of success.
Many times, when we have interacted with job seekers, they are rather in shock to hear that the number of job applications is not directly related to your success. And just sending out applications and hoping it will all work out is not a strategy either.
It may also surprise you to hear that you have a good amount of control over your job hunting hustles. How recruiters perceive you through lenses such as; how you present your best self in an interview, the level of effort in your job hunting, the awareness of what value you can add, the quality of your application, etc. is all dependent on you.
Today, we’re sharing with you 5 key strategies you can adapt to support you in hacking the hustle of job hunting:
1. Map out your target jobs and organizations – Narrowing down your search to companies and jobs that are aligned to your career plans & interests makes it easier for you to confidently articulate your skills and experiences when applying, and in the event of talking to a hiring manager; you’re more confident and clear on what value you can add. With the rise of companies seeking more intentional and purposeful applications, there’s no need for you to apply for irrelevant jobs that will not contribute to your career growth.
2. Use multiple proactive approaches – Sent applications on the 5 websites and think it’s enough? Have an active LinkedIn account and connect to all your prospective employers and confidently reach out to them, that’s what LinkedIn is for. Sharing relevant industry content also shows that you’re passionate about the work that you do. Go to career fairs, talk to your professional networks, attend career coaching if you need more guidance mapping out your career, schedule informational chats with people who are in your target jobs, and they may help you get your foot in the door….see where I’m heading?
3. Update your CV constantly – Listen. Don’t undermine added responsibilities even if they are not in your JD. If any additional work you’re doing is adding value to your department/organization, include it, but ensure it’s relevant to the jobs you are applying for. Even better; have multiple resumes you can use, especially if you’re looking to transition careers.
4. Set periodic job hunting goals – Whether it’s updating your CV, connecting to a number of people on LinkedIn, doing market research, going to a career event, talking to 5 other people outside your circle in the industry. All these small steps; when articulated into a plan are more doable and set the pace to being intentional, which is the foundation of job hunting.
5. Prepare for interviews – Yes! This is part of it too. If you can, run dry runs with a friend and see how well prepared you are, research the organization, Google likely interview questions based on the JD and have your success stories at your fingertips, always!
We leave you with this short video that highlights some tips about for preparing for interviews.
What tactics have you used in your past hunting hustles to secure a job?
Share with us on our social media platforms, where you can also find more content like this: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
And if you’re looking for a thought partner to help you navigate these and more career queries, we’re happy to help. Send an email to happycareers@edgeperformance.co.ke and start your journey to a happy career!
by Reynold Owuor | Oct 18, 2019 | Career Happiness, CV, Job Applications, Job hunting, Job Search
The job market is stiff and it’s a no-brainer that your CV has to be in top shape in order to attract a hiring manager or recruiter, and it has to be 2-3 pages long.
Some things have become obsolete and take up too much space and as a result, are no longer required in today’s CV i.e.
1. Personal Information – Other than your contact information all other information is unnecessary i.e. age, date of birth, race, religion, sex, or marital status. Although some of these might be useful in international applications, if the job is in your home country it’s better to leave it out.
2. Education Level – Always include your latest educational level on the CV and any other certification that might be relevant for the role you are applying to. Often little attention is given to where you went to primary or high school. Unless it’s the highest level attained or is required in the application, leave it out.
3. Unrelated skills – Employers are interested in learning about your current skills that will be useful for the role, not skills you gained in your entire career. Be careful when using overused words and phrases. Balanced careers have created a guide on the list of skills and words that will give you an edge. Read more here.
4. Work Experience – Only include experience related to the job opening. If you worked as an assistant in your uncle’s company while in campus it’s best to leave it out unless the job you are applying for is for an assistant position, or this is your latest experience. Also if you have had an 8+ years experience, it’s best to include experience related to the job you are applying for. If narrowing down is a challenge, talk to a recruiter or career coach to help you out.
5. Career Objectives – Lengthy objectives might end up doing the opposite of what it’s intended to i.e. be a career summary. Make sure it’s concise and ties up your key areas of contribution and ambitions well. I can’t stress this enough but it should be tailored to the role you’re applying for and your career aspirations.
Other things to leave out include; personal pronouns, long descriptions, acronyms, exaggerations, spelling and grammatical errors.
by Martha Karimi | Oct 15, 2019 | Career Happiness, Happy Workplaces, Self discovery, Succeeding where you are
Hey there, how are you feeling about your work today?
Does achieving work satisfaction keep you awake at night? Start by figuring out what tasks give you energy and which ones drain you.
Your STAR Tasks
You love these tasks! You want more! You wish work was only these tasks for the rest of your life.
- Work feels effortless
- You approach every task with excitement
- You want to keep going on and on
- Quick results, high levels of productivity
- You are confident you can deliver with your eyes closed
- You are confident you can find solutions for challenges that arise
- Where did time go? Is your everyday slogan
- You learning fast,
- You love trying out new skills and approaches seemingly by auto-pilot.
Your JUST OK Tasks
You can handle these but just up to a certain amount. You don’t mind them too much.
- You are just comfortable, but not overly excited.
- Sometimes tasks are boring yes
- You feel ok to jump into these tasks but given a chance choice, you possibly wouldn’t
- You deliver just good enough work unless you put conscious effort into going the extra mile
- If you take on more of this work, you start feeling drained
- You are ok to learn new skills, in this area but would rather choose something else
- You often need a motivation boost, to get going
Your DRAINER Tasks
You dread them. You want to disappear or call for sick leave. You hack them or not, either way, you hate them. You wish there was a way out.
- In another life, you would be doing anything else but this
- You are always tired after this type of work
- You remain unenthusiastic about the tasks, and need to really psyche yourself for the task or find a higher purpose to get it done
- Tasks take forever to complete
- After 1 task, you need an hour break
- If someone takes these tasks from you, you jump around like a 5-year-old
- Work just feels like a punishment, you can’t relate how other people enjoy what they do
- Learning any new skill, makes you feel incapable
How is work feeling lately? Getting your JD 70% aligned to tasks that give you energy is a key ingredient for career satisfaction and happiness.
Our Career Happiness Diagnostics Tool coupled with our Right Job For You Assessment, does the magic in helping you figure your first steps for alignment.
Let’s start talking!
by Martha Karimi | Oct 15, 2019 | Career Happiness, Happy Workplaces, Self discovery, Succeeding where you are
Don’t know what you are really good at? Try this simple activity over the next few days. Probably one of the most powerful things, I have ever done.
- Make a list of 3-4 close friends from different circles. Spiritual, party/drinking buddies, workplace best buddy, former best boss/colleague, one hater who pretends to be a friend, and so on
- Send them these reflection questions, asking for genuine feedback. What am I really good at/what comes naturally to me? What is the one thing, if I did better or developed muscle for, I would be an even more awesome individual? What do you think is holding me back from my highest potential?
- Take them out for a coffee and just listen. Listen. Just Listen.
- Consolidate everything, let it marinate, watch it sink in. Then make a start, stop continue plan.
- Implement your plan and watch the magic happen
