Plan for Job Search

As you apply for jobs consider your own ambitions and plans. Jidaw asks: Newcomer what is your plan? Your focus is your career. Big or small organization, local or international, the job is a tool not your final destination. Beginner or experienced professional, everyone needs to have a plan. The job is a vehicle to get you to where you are going. Just any job will do? 

Jidaw insists that you must have dreams. Everybody needs a dream. You can’t limit your career to a job. Everybody needs a roadmap; otherwise the dream remains a dream. Planning brings your dreams from the back to the front of the brain. It keeps you coordinated - all your activities fit in and reinforce each other.

Without a career plan how do you search? Or will growth just happen? Lack of experience does not mean lack of ability to plan. Planning provides direction. It is certainly better than jumping on whatever comes along. Rather than shooting aimlessly in the dark make your efforts focused and purposeful. Get your career growth perspectives right and develop an effective career plan. Jidaw advises that it may not appear glamorous but it is meaningful and needed. As grow your career you will appreciate the need to plan.

Applying for the job because of the announcement shouldn’t be the only thing in your mind. How does the job fit into your plan? Is the job is in line with where you are going? It is important in planning that you have ideas not just about how and where to search but also about how jobs will be employed for strategic advantage.

Jidaw recommends the following to make your plan effective:

• Have ideas that expand your thoughts past the narrow confines of a fresh graduate looking for a job. 
• Make your mental involvement in the job search and career development process big picture and future oriented. 
• There are no dumb ideas. And it isn’t a crime to run out of ideas. 

Jide Awe

Do Whatever it Takes Get the Job done

Do-whatever-it-takes, Get the job done 

Fresh graduate, job searching? Are you doing what you can or doing whatever it takes?  There is a big difference.

You are young, new to the scene. But don’t sell yourself short. Your ability to handle the tough or unexpected can set you apart. Your qualification is essential for graduate positions. However, differentiate yourself by stepping above the degree. Your degree is simply a tool and is no guarantee of what you will do in real life, and how you will react to unexpected situations. You have a degree but forget the book qualification.

An issue comes up with the bank’s servers you are supporting can you move fast, think on your feet and resolve the problem? The answer may not be in any book or classroom. Get past your academic and technical abilities. Why keep yourself in the box when your abilities are actually unlimited? If the pressure is high will you be able to take smart decisions about issues that affect the business in a calm and sound manner? There is a sudden and major change while handling a service request, how well can you read situations and make wise recommendations?

• There is no substitute for someone who is quick to grasp the dynamics of the work environment and can react appropriately. Always look for opportunities to share experiences with interviewers and employers on how you have resolved tough or unexpected encounters in the past, maybe in school or in public.
• But stepping up to carry the weight and show initiative is not a reflex action for many. A major disturbing issue in the job search arena is the dearth of people who think and act like solution providers – most prefer to highlight rather than address problems. “Someone else will solve the problem.” Sometimes challenges could spring from changes in the IT world, system faults, dealing with organizational issues, unfriendly clients or uncooperative colleagues.
• Stand out by showing that you have the mental edge and desire to solve problems– you don’t have experience but you can think, resolve issues and make things happen despite the presence of obstacles. With or without experience, those with real desire give birth to positive action. The work environment is reality not an excuse for incompetence. Employers don’t want to be reduced to nannies or babysitters.
• In the interview do you show that you are dependable, or do you come across as a baby holding tight to toys in a pram? Want the fresh graduate job? Lack of desire is not a selling point. Where is your hunger? Just doing the routine, doing what you can? Where is your sense of urgency? 

Your qualification means nothing to the employer without the relentless determination of an intense do-whatever-it-takes attitude. Grow up and take charge.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree with the do-whatever-it-takes approach? Please share your thoughts and opinions.



======================================================
Jide Awe
Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT

ICT Development Advisory Support and Consulting Nigeria
http://z.jidaw.com/ictDASC
"Technology matters, but it is always about people".
======================================================

Put Efficiency in Your Job Search

Searching for the right opportunity often means you are doing several things at the same time. Jidaw believes you get results when you put efficiency into the job search. It is important to be organized and professional. 

• Ensure the right balance. In taking advantage and preparing you should identify priorities and critical issues. As a Network engineer you have done a good job of identifying networking opportunities that match your needs. But Jidaw asks: does it end there? 
• Beyond your technical qualifications are you prepared for other requirements of the opportunity? What have you done about the requirement for “a letter of recommendation” from your educational institution? You have sent your CV before the deadline but was it wise to send it in the wrong format? 
• It doesn't make sense to focus only on one key aspect of the hunt while neglecting other important areas. You see, very often opportunity search requirements do not just appraise your technical competence. They are also used to assess your ability to follow instructions and cooperate with others. It can serve as a measure of professionalism. 
• Attending meetings and interviews won't amount to much if your resume and other related materials are flooded with spelling and grammatical errors. Your approach therefore needs to be professional and coordinated. 
• For example, how well packaged is the information you’re using to prospect and position yourself for opportunity? It’s about hard (substance) and soft (presentation). You have SCJP, MCSD and quality experience to back up the tech certifications – so you are solid. 
• But in the drive for opportunity, solid expertise is not enough? How do you present yourself in interview situations? Do you communicate well – written, verbal and body language? And the question really is: what is the message you send if your documentation is untidy, rough and cluttered? What is the message you send if you forget to include important dates with your achievements? And it could the other way too – your presentation is solid but substance is lacking. Be organized and professional

 
 Agree with these suggestions? Which tips have worked for you in making your job search more efficient? Share your comments and ideas.


======================================================
Jide Awe
Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT

ICT Development Advisory Support and Consulting Nigeria
http://z.jidaw.com/ictDASC
"Technology matters, but it is always about people".
======================================================

Job Search Research You need to be doing

Looking for a job? Information is power. The right information can make all the difference. As we say at Jidaw – more knowledge means more power. Better information keeps you ahead of the pack. It differentiates you by portraying you as an interest, dedicated and knowledgeable candidate. The right approach to job search research can confer advantage.

Where are you searching? And why? Is it based on an area of interest, a target organization you wish to work for or a job announcement? In whatever situation, Jidaw advises candidates to appreciate the job need. If it is an announcement, read the announcement or advert carefully. What is required? How much do you know about the employing organization? Company websites and financial records are sources of information. But don’t restrict yourself to historical information. In particular find out more the organization’s interests, values, areas of focus and mission.

You need information on what the organization has done, what it is doing now and what it intends to do. It’s not just about where the organization has been, it’s also about where it is going. During counseling at Mastercomputers seminars we encourage candidates to adopt forward looking approach to job search and career development. How does the employer plan to create the future? Is the organization expanding into new territories, maintaining the status quo or contracting? If it is expanding, which areas will be affected and what are the anticipated needs? Will the company be opening new plants? Is the organization planning to overhaul its IT infrastructure? Or are meeting up with new standards and government regulations the focus?

At Jidaw we stress that information must translate to knowledge if it is to be applied for advancement. Progress requires quality and relevant knowledge about the employer and the environment. Go past surface awareness and get in-depth knowledge. Do your research. Sure your desire must be high but passion is nothing without knowledge. Furthermore, what do you know about the unique challenges, peculiarities, rewards as well as learning and career growth perspectives on offer? Is there a special scheme for young graduates? What are the career prospects? Don’t fly blind. Jidaw questions: Will you work for a well known company even if it will mean suppressing your talents and passions? Understand what the particular organization represents and how members in the IT field, department or team contribute towards the organization's vision and mission.

Make your research meaningful – what are the strengths you bring and how will you fit in to the organization? Jidaw asks: do you know what will be expected of you and what is it like to work in that organization? For example, the culture and requirements at service providers are quite different from what obtains in banks like Ecobank or UBA. Do your research. Are your expectations for pay and benefits realistic – or too low or too high? How much do you know about salary and compensation structures in the sectors?

During career seminars at Mastercomputers we always urge participants and job seekers to ensure that they live in the same value city as the organization of interest. Jidaw urges the job seeker to make research a priority. Equipping yourself with such knowledge garnered from research and contacts helps you know how to search and differentiate yourself in an effective manner. It’s more than just who you are. Knowledge with purpose means power. Jidaw, asks: how real is your passion? Research is an indication of desire. It is integral to preparation. But not just research for the sake of research. Focus on the job research you need to be doing

All the best in your job search!

Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw

Career Development. Training. Consulting. Web Content Provision

Job Search Passion not Desperation

When the job search isn’t yielding results desperation can set in. “I’m eager for any type of job”, “any job will do.” Jidaw notes that this perspective can be damaging both in the short and long term. Hunger and desire are good. But no matter how long you have been searching, never cross over to desperation. Desperation undersells. Desperation is unhelpful because it doesn’t connect with the needs of the employer and your life mission.

Avoid giving the desperate "I just want a job" impression. Be honest, what does the job in IT mean to you? What does the accounting work opportunity offer you? How does it fit into your life goals? Are you simply falling in line to meet societal expectations or do you desire the ability to make a difference? At Jidaw we believe you should be enthusiastic about what you want to spend your life doing. Otherwise what is the point? For most of us our enthusiasm for sports and entertainment flows naturally. But what is your career passion?

Even though you love football and music, do have such passion for your job interests? You stand out in the eyes of the employers if they are convinced that you care deeply about the potential job opportunity and the impact it will have. It’s about living a fulfilling life in which your job plays a major role. A job should be more than an “I’m just working for my pay” meal ticket.  Jidaw’s core interest is in Information Technology (IT).

At Jidaw’s human capital empowerment seminars, the need to own the desire to achieve through IT in the specific sector is constantly stressed. For example your area of interest could be information technology in the banking sector. Why banking? It helps to know more about the field and how IT functions in the sector. Though you have no work experience, your desire is apparent in the research in you have done on the sector, volunteer opportunities you have seized, the knowledge you have about what it takes to work in that field and the enthusiasm you display about the nature of experience.

No employer really wants someone who is merely in need of a job or salary. Our belief at Jidaw is that in the job search and career development, passion rather than desperation stands you out. Organizations need of contributors to their mission not people who are looking for “any job”. Passion that is directed and purposeful connects and sells. It is passion that tattoos the pursuit of excellence into your DNA. Are you prepared to go the extra mile just to complete a job with excellence?

In assessing you employers will look for clues of what make you come alive, what makes you tick. What do you love doing outside the work setting? For example, do volunteer for causes that impact society? And if you do, how involved are you? Some employers will want to know if you are capable of translating the motivations behind your “external passions” into the work environment.

Is there passion in your job search? Where is the purpose in your career development? Embrace hunger; Avoid desperation.

All the best in your job search!

Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw

Career Development. Training. Consulting. Web Content Provision

Desire the Job Game Changer

In the job search? Need to oil the tank to boost your job search effectiveness? Relying only on qualifications and experience? You need to add more to your arsenal.  Make no mistake, your skills and previous work background will always come into play. Your ability to deliver is important and should never be downplayed. But at Jidaw we stress that desire is the game changer. 

What pushes you to keep maintaining that effort? What pushes you to keep your energy levels high? What pushes you to ignore the taunts and mocking laughter when the search isn't going your way? Jidaw emphasizes that desire is the force behind enthusiasm.

However, a critical question is this: Is desire evident in your application? Or is it only resident on your inside? Internal strengths are critical and desire always starts from within. At Jidaw we label we give desire is the beginning of the "inside job". It is however, important that your desire shows up as well on the outside. Desire should not be the “invisible man"? Does the interviewer need to dig and search really deep and relentlessly to discover desire in you? Your desire should be evident for all to see. But at Jidaw we also caution that you should not mistake desperation for desire. Desperation can be crude, selfish and short term, without ethics and professionalism.

You don’t have experience, or maybe you have experience. Tell me one organization interested in hiring talent especially newcomers without passion. Certainly no one I know. And playing the sympathy card instead of having desire isn't too helpful. Let your passion flow- spread it like a virus infecting those that come in contact with you. Let it show at all times – not only during the job search process. 

During Jidaw's career seminar, we state that if your passion only shows up when you are job hunting, it isn’t passion, you are simply acting. It is simply a show mimicking the real thing. Desire is not an eight to five office job. Passionate about sports, entertainment? Do you have that same passion for your career field? Or are you just working for the pay? 

For example, through Jidaw's activities in IT we know it is a field that has the ability to change lives and society in incredible ways. So if you are interested in a job in IT, how driven you are about your interests in IT – networking, programming, web design, technical support, etc.This works for applicants in all fields - architecture, construction, medicine, education, finance, etc. Jidaw insists: Show your passion. Make change happen with desire.

All the best in your job search!

 

Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw

Career Development. Training. Consulting. Web Content Provision