IF YOU WANT TO GET STARTED IN YOUR DREAM CAREER THIS YEAR? YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!


Maybe you've always known what your dream career is — you just haven't discovered how to get started. Or maybe you're not yet sure what your dream career is — you just know it isn't what you're doing now. Wherever you are in the pursuit of your dream career, Koboheights guides can help you get started and succeed.

CONTENT
I. A different look at the curriculum vitae
II. The importance of feedback during job hunting
III. How to cover up loopholes on your curriculum vitae
IV. Morphing your curriculum vitae
V. Preparing for a job interview
VI. The evolution of social recruiting
VII. Turning Internships into full time jobs
VIII. How to launch yourself into the job market in 2017

i am available on
facebook : koboheights
whatsapp: +2348082783860

A different look at the curriculum vitae
Job search in this country is different and difficult for many job seekers, especially Men & Women of A Certain Age, professionals who are used to being recruited, people at all levels in all professions who have not been involved in a job search or updated and modernized their Curriculum Vitae(CV) for at least the past 3-5 years.

Whereas it is true employers do not hire a CV, the vast majority of job seekers are totally unaware of the behind the scenes influence a professional or amateur looking CV has on candidate selection and the subliminal impact it has in an interview.

open your minds to a new set of dynamics that can help you get desired results faster and with much less frustration.

The key to a successful CV is the same as the key to a successful job interview. You must approach both from the perspective of the Dangote,otedola or adenuga sitting behind the desk asking the questions and not from the vantage point of the person sitting in the interviewee’s chair. In one sentence what this means is “ a CV and job interview is less about what you have to offer than you think it is and everything about what recruiters, screeners, interviewers and decision makers want to buy.”

Unless you’re able to avoid the natural tendency to place YOU and what you do best front and center and transition your mindset to understand and address the buyer’s needs, priorities and value system your job search may not go as you hoped and planned.
To be continued...

A Different Look At The Curriculum Vitae II
Here are two key reasons a standout CV is so vital for a successful interview.

Point #1: Whether you believe it or not the likelihood is 65% of the people who apply for the jobs you applied to are a carbon copy of you and I dare say this rises to 85% among those chosen along with you for a face-to-face job interview. You’ll all have similar experience, have undertaken the same job responsibilities, have equivalent education and skills sets, and share most other factors employers look for in certain roles such as leadership ability and industry specific knowledge & experience etc.

Therefore your CV, and by extension your job interview, must go well beyond the “You want someone who has been there and done that” – “I have been there and done that” dialogue if you are going to come out on top. The goal of both is to place you apart from the other contenders and not come across as merely one more really good candidate in a crowded field of lookalikes.

Point #2: When a Dangote company prepares for the initial round of interviews there are many people they select and you are one among them. However before anyone walks through the company’s door they mentally sorted all the candidates he or she is scheduled to meet into 2 distinct categories based in great part on their CV and nairaland page ( free advert).

The candidates with the best résumés enter the interview with a distinct advantage because Dangote plc is already predisposed to see them as viable and, sight unseen, they’re already seriously considering hiring them or passing them upstream if they live up to their advance billing.

Usually there are only 1 or 2 people in this category. They are the odds on favorites to be hired because Dangote plc is looking to confirm their value and worth and screen them into the company and away from their competitors in talent acquisition. Therefore the interview will be friendlier and less confrontational and these candidates will be shown an extra degree of respect.

The second category of candidates being interviewed is what I call “The Usual Suspects”; candidates who based on their CV are near impossible to differentiate one from the other. These are the majority of those interviewed and they enter the interview room needing to sell themselves from the first second of the interview onward because the interviewer mentally goes into this meeting in DESELECT mode looking to weed people out of contention within the first 5 minutes and go on to the next prospect.

That said, this is why to enter an interview as a front runner you need to make certain that your CV positions you as such.

The Importance Of Feedback When Job hunting
Asking others for feedback is one of the easiest ways
to immediately improve your performance and
happiness on the job. Simply ask those you work
most closely with, "How am I doing?" and you’ll gain
insight into steps you could be taking right now to
work smarter not harder. Why More People Don’t
Ask for Feedback What if you hear from others that
you’re not doing such a great job? What if you are
asked to change the way you do things? What if you
have to own up to your weaknesses in front of
others? What if asking the question highlights for
your boss (or staff) that you’re not really that useful
afterall? You’re Better Off Knowing The truth is,
you’re better off knowing what your boss, coworkers
and subordinates think of your performance even if
you don’t like the answers. Why? Because what you
don’t know can hurt you. I worked with one
executive who’s "direct" style at a new employer was
taken as aggressiveness by the staff. He thought his
team was working well. So he was shocked that HR
had received several complaints. With coaching (and
feedback), this executive was able to adjust his
communication style to one his staff could better
appreciate and immediately his working
relationships improved. An Easy Formula For Asking
For Feedback Stop. Start. Continue. Ask for one item
you might start doing, another you might stop doing
and another you might continue doing when it
comes to working together. We often used this
format when I was a management consultant at
phillips consulting- Arthur A. It was very effective in
getting to specific items to improve and further build
our client relationships as well as deliver quality
work to them. Don’t let fear keep you from asking for
feedback. "How am I doing?" is a simple yet
powerful question that can improve the quality of all
of your relationships, not just work-related ones.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

QUESTION:
I'm a fresh graduate who is currently unemployed however I fear that my idleness may tell on my CV and ability to secure a job how is it possible cover that loophole?

For most job seekers the longer you search for a
job the more financial stress you’re under. Not only
that, but long employment gaps also raise red flags
for hiring managers. So how do you take time to
find the right job and stay afloat?
If you’ve been on a long job search and need a way
to make money? consider becoming a
freelancer while you look.
Freelancing will do more than help you pay the bills
during your job search. Here are five ways
freelance work, during your job search, can
actually help you land your dream job:
1) Freelance work keeps your skills sharp.
One of the reasons hiring managers get nervous
about employment gaps on a resume is that they’re
worried you haven’t kept your skills sharp.
Taking on freelance work gives you a chance to
hone your skills. Whether you’re a writer, designer
or chef, freelance work helps keep you engaged
and up to date in your industry, and prepares you
for anything an interviewer may throw at you. For
the best results, look for short-term projects that
will help you grow professionally and showcase
your talents for potential employers.
2) Freelance work helps you develop new skills.
Keeping your skills sharp is one thing, but what if
you could develop new skills to add to your resume
while you’re job searching? Freelance work gives
you that opportunity.
Freelancing can be a great way to get yourself out
of your comfort zone. Take on projects that you
know you can handle, but that will also challenge
your skills. Learn everything you can from every
person you interact with and every project you
complete…especially the projects that mirror what
you’d be doing at your dream job. This way, as
you’re working with new people, clients and
industries, you’ll be able to develop new skills that
may help you land your dream job.
3) Freelance work helps you build your
portfolio.
Freelance work doesn’t just help you with your
skills, it also helps you build your portfolio —
especially if you’re recently graduated or switching
careers.
Often times, job seekers spend months networking,
searching job boards and submitting resumes to
find a job, but they forget that they still need to
show a hiring manager why they are the right
person for the job. Doing freelance work while
you’re job searching allows you to build an up-to-
date portfolio that highlights your skills for
potential employers and shows them why you’re
the right choice.
4) Freelance work helps you make connections.
At CareerShift, we truly believe that networking is
the most important job search strategy any job
seeker can employ. Not only is it the number one
way recruiters find candidates, but it exposes you
to people who can help shape your career.
Freelancing connects you to different companies
and professionals in your industry that may be able
to help you find your dream job.
Searching for freelance work is all about making
connections with different hiring managers and
industry professionals, just like networking during
your job search. For a job seeker that’s actively
freelancing, keeping in touch with the people you
work with and the hiring managers you talk to
could mean the difference between just freelancing
for the company you love and being the first to
hear about a permanent opportunity that could be
yours.
5) You may love it.
We promised five ways doing freelance work while
you’re job searching could help you land your
dream job, and here’s number five: freelance work
could be your dream job!
There’s a reason so many nigerians are
freelance workers. Freelance work provides many
people with the freedom and flexibility they are
looking for in a career without all the corporate
structure and red tape. You never know, once you
start taking on freelance work during your job
search, you may end up loving it
If you’re worried about having an employment gap
on your resume or you simply need a little money
to keep you going during your job search, consider
taking on some freelance work. Not only can it help
you find your dream job, but you may just find that
freelancing is the dream job you’re looking for.

QUESTION:
I heard that when applying for a job you should adjust your CV to fit the job description, so the question is; how do morph my cv to fit the job description of an Editor even though studied engineering at the university

If you’re eager to land a job, it’s tempting to try to
be all things to all people. You see a job
description and think “I could do that” or “That’s
a little like what I did before.” While versatility is
good, applying to anything and everything can be
problematic.
Forcing competencies in one area to match only
vaguely related needs in another denigrates your
true area of expertise
A "Jagajaga" approach wastes your energy on
applying for jobs you are not truly qualified for
and are not likely to get
Portraying yourself as an expert in a wide variety
of areas can confuse your network. They want to
help you, but may be unclear about your true
qualifications and your job search goals
You may come across as false, desperate, or as
someone who has not clearly defined their brand
and objectives
A hiring manager may perceive you as having
shallow experience in lots of areas, but lacking
deep experience in any area
Your depth in one area may be lost if you paint
yourself as a versatile generalist
You may find yourself pursuing or even taking a
job that isn’t really right for you
For a more focused approach, begin by being very
clear about your past successes and areas where
you can truly claim competency or expertise.
Create a concrete list including quantifiable
achievements. As you consider various
opportunities, look for a very clear connection
from your past to the current opportunity. This
more selective approach will bring many benefits.
Your energy will be spent on jobs you have a
much greater chance of getting
You will present yourself with greater confidence
because the connection between your past and a
company or hiring manager’s current needs is
very clear

To be continued......

Your network will have be able to support you
because they know what you are looking for
It will be much easier for you and for your
network to recognize good opportunities
You are much more likely to end up in a job that
is truly a fit
It’s certainly good to stretch and to consider jobs
that go beyond what you’ve done in the past, or
take your skills in a new direction. Do not feel you
should be unreasonably narrow in your job
search.
Pursue “stretch” positions that take existing skills
and use them in new ways
Make very clear how your past experience relates
directly to the new position. For example, a recent
University graduate had experience managing a
Campus gossip magazine. He related past experience
managing inventory, maintaining equipment and
setting schedules to the job description for an
office manager at Procurement firm. He was successful because he
“connected the dots” and made the transition feel
natural.
Network with others who have similar
backgrounds and have moved in new directions
and find out how they made the connection. For
example, a job seeker with a background in direct
sales sought out contacts with a similar
background who had transitioned into customer
service. He learned how abilities like
understanding and meeting a customer’s needs,
customizing products and services and timely
follow up were useful in both fields.
Demonstrate versatility and flexibility by sharing
stories of how you’ve used your skills in a variety
of settings and created success. In the example
above, a sales person applying for a customer
service job might share specific stories of times
he jumped in to exceed a customer’s expectations
and keep a customer satisfied even after a sale.
While presenting yourself as flexible and
multifaceted, beware of casting too wide a net or
portraying yourself as a jack-of-all-trades who
will do anything for a paycheck. Letting your true
expertise show is a faster path to success.

QUESTION:
hello, i have a job interview scheduled for next week i've prepared my dressing, my CV and my competency for the job so what else can i do when preparing for a job interview?

Wow! You've been busy you're prepared in every sense
But, there’s another thing to consider when preparing for a job interview. Employers have had some memorable interview experiences, both good and bad. And they don’t always give news except it's good(i mean who wants to be bearer of bad news)

If you want to leave a good impression at your job interview, be aware of what information the employer is looking for and what you shouldn’t bother saying. They often won’t tell you directly.

Here are a few things you might never hear an interviewer say, but you can bet they’ve thought:

1. “Please don’t beg for the job.”

Of course you want the job. It's Dangote, its Nestle, its shell yes You've applied and you’re showing interest by being there. But until you know about what the job really entails, don’t start a monologue about why you’re the perfect fit. Get to know the company and what you're looking for. You can talk about your relevant qualifications as you talk about different aspects of the position.

2. “You have great qualifications, but your lack of confidence makes me doubt you.”

No matter how good your qualifications look on paper, if you don’t present yourself as a confident, capable individual during the job interview, I won’t consider you. Moreover, I’ll question why there seems to be a big disconnect between the person on paper and the person in front of me especially since we are in Nigeria where people just go all copy and paste on their resume. A person with valuable experience and accomplishments shouldn’t be looking down and speaking with such uncertainty.

3. “I don’t see what makes you different from everyone else.”

Dear lagbaja, you’re my tenth interview this week. After seeing so many candidates, they all start to blur together. If nothing about you stands out, I probably won’t remember you. So tell me something interesting about yourself. Maybe you have a unique hobby or side interest (keep it professional, please). Even better, tell me how it influences your personal values and will make you a good fit for this company.

4. “I don’t want to hear about your cheating boyfriend or your love life.”

Sure, I may ask a few questions about your interests outside of work, to assess whether you’ll get along with the team, but the conversation should always come back to your professional background and goals. Remember, this is a job interview, you’re not guest star on soundcity

5. “Please follow up, and be genuine.”

I appreciate when you thank me for my time. Send a thank you note — paper or email, it doesn’t matter — but be genuine and specific. Help me remember who you are. Mention something we talked about during the job interview that intrigued you. Mention an upcoming industry event I might be interested in, and ask if I’m going. Show me you’re committed and engaged in the industry, regardless if you get the job.

During your interview, you want to stand out as a memorable candidate, but not for a negative reason. Just remember, when preparing for a job interview, you’ll want to stay on topic, be confident in your abilities and, of course, follow up. You’ll be called in for a second interview in no time!

QUESTION:
hi, i had a plan to be employed by the end of this year but it's just three months away and i haven't even been called for an interview is there something i'm not doing? Or something i should stop doing?

Well it depends on when you apply, perhaps the best time to apply is when the year is coming to a close so the year begins with your application being viewed, it's usually refreshing that way needless to say, sorry they won't be too much recruiting by this period let's keep our fingers crossed for next year. Employment trends is very important for job seeking
2015 is coming to an end and one can assume that 2016 will be in full swing,
and a new group of soon-to-be job seekers will be hitting the job market
looking for new positions. It’s your job to be up to date on the trends you to know to land a job.
To take advantage of the 2016 job market,
You should be informed about these emerging hiring trends:

The evolution of social recruiting

Social media has played a role in the job search for
years. It’s nothing new. But social media is
increasingly becoming more important to
recruiters and job seekers alike.
In fact, over 50 percent of recruiters are using social
media to source potential hires, and 26 percent of
them are using Facebook,
Social recruiting is evolving, becoming more
sophisticated, and taking on greater significance.
Hiding unsavory social media profiles, instead of crafting a well-rounded online presence won’t cut it anymore. Recruiters are beginning to use social
media in new ways, to identify and select top candidates.
For example, a job seeker’s “likes” on Facebook can
provide recruiters with an accurate snapshot of his
or her personality and in reality
judgments, based on Facebook likes, are more
reliable than personality judgments made by
respondents’ Facebook friends. assessments
are based on predicting personality traits like
openness, conscientiousness, extraversion,
neuroticism and agreeableness.
As social recruiting gets smarter, job candidates
will need to spend more time managing their social
profiles and communicating through social
platforms, to find more opportunities.

The move to mobile hiring

The power of mobile is allowing job seekers to look
for jobs any time, any place. professionals
search for new positions on their way to work, at
work, and even in the bush canteen.
Recruiters are hopping onboard, using mobile
options to connect with candidates. More
recruiters are texting job seekers and, job seekers aged 45
and younger consider this method of
communication to be professional.
As a Job seekers you should be prepared to communicate
with recruiters through traditional phone calls,
emails, text messages and social media.
As a job seekers you should remind yourself that your favorite devices are powerful job
search tools that make the process easier, and
more convenient for you and your employers. You should also keep an open mind about
freelancing and temporary positions, and especially with the current Economic situation in the country and
the opportunities may help you find a
more permanent role down the road.
The referral reliance

Recruiters are flooded with applications, resumes
and emails from potential employees each day, and
don’t have time to consider each job seeker. To
identify the best candidates, recruiters turn to
those they know, or those who know someone they
know.
Networking is more important than ever. Making
connections with industry professionals should be
a habit for you job seekers, but you need to take it one
step further and actually leverage your network.
Reaching out to connections is a critical part of the
job search, and those who fail to do so can easily
get lost in a sea of similar candidates.
Although job seekers may feel shy about asking
their connections for referrals, it is a necessary
part of today’s job search.

[url=http://koboheights.page.tl/%23BrainExplosion.htm]Visit Koboheights[/url]

QUESTION:

internships,what is an internship what is the use of an internship and how do you turn an internship to a full-time job

An Internship is a brief working period where you are outsourced to a company in your field to learn how their work is done
Some people think that internships are a means to pad resumes, but
the majority of people take
internships very seriously. In fact, it often
influences their career path. It’s evident that
many people want to turn their internships
into a career, but only a few make that
happen.
Not to worry though,here are five ways you can transition from a
part-time intern to full-time employee:

1. Clearly communicate.

As an intern, it’s common to not speak up because you don’t want to overstep your boundaries. However, 85 percent of employers value students who have the ability to effectively communicate. In fact, effective communication is the number one skill employers look for in an intern.
If you want to get noticed, you have to step
outside your comfort zone and talk to as many people as you can.
Whether it’s going out of your way to talk about projects with your employer or even asking advice from a more experienced employee, these conversations can sharpen
your communication skills and show you have what it takes to land a job after your internship ends.
Even though speaking is the most important
quality to employers, the ability to write well
doesn’t fall far behind. In fact, 82 percent of employers said they value the ability to effectively communicate in writing. Writing, rather than speaking to someone,
doesn’t allow for the same inflection.
However, many people underestimate the
power of expressing your thoughts in words.

2. Be a team player.
Companies are not successful because of one person, they are successful when the business functions as one cooperative team.
That is why 83 percent of employers value soft skills like the ability to work effectively in teams.
Internships are tricky because you would think that to stand out among the interns, you have to perform well on your own. But not collaborating with others can give employers the wrong vibe.
Make it a point to ask for feedback from peers, bounce ideas off your team, and always lend a helping hand wherever you can. The fact that you put the success of the
team before yourself shows that you are true leader.

3. Stay true to yourself.
When it comes to internships, you may think you have to act a certain way depending on
the company culture. However, acting like somebody you are not can cause you to make
decisions that go against your values and
work ethic. This can hurt you in the long run
because 81 percent of employers value
ethical judgment and decision-making.
When something happens in the office that you know is wrong, speak up and — appropriately — address the problem.
Speaking your mind will show employers that
you make decisions based on what is right,
which is ultimately what they want to see. Additionally, taking the reins when times get tough, fixing problems, and delegating tasks
to others proves that you know how to take
charge when push comes to shove.

4. Think outside the box.
It is one thing to do what is asked of you —that’s expected — but it is another thing to go above and beyond. Employers will tell you how to go about
certain tasks. However, it’s up to you to push
yourself to try more efficient ways of
completing those tasks. Even if you fail,
channeling your creativity shows you are an innovative worker with an entrepreneurial
mindset — two qualities that are valuable to
any company.

5. Don’t just rely on your book
smarts.
You can be the smartest graduate in your class. But, if you can’t apply the knowledge in
the workforce, what’s the point? That being
said, 80 percent of employers value the ability
to apply knowledge and skills to real-world
settings.
Going beyond textbook know-how and
actually applying your skills in internships
shows you don’t just want to learn — you are
ready to work.

Do you have a plan for your job hunt? No? Then perhaps you get the kobo questionnaire,
The kobo questionnaire asks you all the questions you need to create a career or business plan and best part, its free just download it below or order a PDF version by sending a mail to koboheights@gmail.com

HOW TO LAUNCH YOURSELF INTO THE JOB MARKET THIS NEW YEAR

Work on your technology skills
It’s impossible to find a career or course of study that doesn’t use a form of technology. So, it’s no surprise tech skills are number one in demand on LinkedIn’s list of Top Skills of 2016. No matter what field you decide to jump in this coming year, it’s beneficial to begin with an online tech course to upgrade up your skills and career possibilities.
It’s wise to work on tech skills, because technology is always evolving. Bring yourself up to speed by taking a few online courses. Consider both a generalized tech course to re-familiarize yourself with common programs and a specific class that will give you a specialized skill.

Work on your virtues
One thing many Nigerian tertiary institutions leave out of their lessons is employability skills and this results in many job seekers missing out on those hard-hitting job specific skills employers are looking for. If you are stressing over this possibility — take a breath and relax. Employers are looking for candidates who have a knack for soft skills, like dependability(aka oversabi ), integrity, and respect(aka eye service ), No matter how you’re presenting yourself — resume, cover letter, online presence, or interview — showcase your values, behavior, and professionalism. Research a company before sending in your application or speaking with an interview to understand their company culture.
If a company focuses on their outstanding teamwork capabilities, explain how you’ve demonstrated teamwork skills in previous jobs or during volunteer opportunities.

Gain experience
. If you haven’t immediately landed your dream job, don’t give up or idly sit by. You can volunteer, Volunteering will not only add work experience to your resume, it may help clear up any uncertainties you had about a career path.
Sometimes it really is all about who you know. Networking (aka long leg) not only gets you noticed by recruiters and employers, it’s also a great way to find a job that’s right for you. Speaking to a company’s current employees helps you get a true feel for its culture and position details. Remember, it’s not all about an interviewer choosing you it’s about you choosing an organization and career that fit your passions and needs as well.

Show yourself
What did you learn about your career path or yourself during the gap-year? Where was most of your time spent and how will that benefit your professional life in 2017?
Once you’ve determined the positive aspects of your break, it’s time to begin sharing that with employers. Be confident in your decision to take time off by explaining it to potential employers in the beginning of the interview. Let them know which soft skills you’ve obtained, how your experiences will directly benefit their company, and that you’re ready and eager to start working for them.
What’s important now is where you’ve ended up, what you’ve learned, and where you want to go next. Get creative. Use any skills and experiences gained during your break to set yourself up for success .

Hi guys! Thanks for this suggestion, I will think about it. But please share do you usually find reliable job offers? I found my last [url=https://jooble.org/jobs/Baytown%2C-TX]Baytown job[/url] on Jooble. It is quite a trustworthy platform. But I'd like to compare it with several different ones. I see lots of appropriate offers there. But maybe I'll find more on other websites. Thanks for helping me, guys!