HR Advice: 10 Tips For Job Application Success

By Angela Wahome,
1. Read the job specifications; always read the job description and make sure you address each of the essential criteria for the job. Then tailor your cover letter, CV and also prepare for the interview with this specific information. List and be specific how you fulfil the requirements of the job.
2. Ensure your application is neat and accurate without spelling mistakes, and has a good layout. Presentation is very important the font in the cover letter and CV should be easy to read and your hand writing when you are filling a form should be legible and written in black ink as other colours look fuzzy and pale when they are photocopied.
3. Sell yourself in the CV, make it easy for the recipient to pick out the key requirement in your CV. Try to make your CV easy to read you may list all the requirements of the job. Make sure your writing is clear and concise saying how you are a good fit for the job, making them think they cannot do without you. Do not lie or enhance the truth. Don’t be afraid to use headings such as, Relevant Experience – Customer Service Skills and Communication Skills.
4. Follow instructions, quote the reference number and pay attention to the closing date. If you are asked to send in a hand written application use black ink, rather than sending your CV. Heed the closing date. Follow instructions that given when you are shortlisted. Being late, missing appointments or answering pre-interview question forms without taking time to prepare does not make a good impression. Give yourself enough time to make it to the interview location. Know how to get there before the day and be there early.
5. Explain why you are applying for the job by writing a good cover letter tailored to suit the job. Do not make comments about your previous employers and why you wish to leave your job. Do not use general comments, “I am a good communicator and work well in a team”. Instead you may write “ I improved communication in my team by introducing daily review of workload”
6. Lengthy CVs/applications that are too long, with the details not in any particular order make it difficult to ascertain if you are suitable for the job. Ideally CVs should be at least 3 maximum 4 pages. Do not attach any documents (thesis, research papers) you have not been asked for. If you fill an application form with all the details required, you do not need to attach your CV.
7. Always ensure you supply all your contact details, P. O. Box, telephone numbers and email addresses on your application. If you don’t do this it makes it very difficult for the recipient to get in touch with you for short listing.
8. Be concise. Make sure the application is not too short, not to wordy but short, concise and uncomplicated. The longer and more difficult your CV is the less likely your prospective employer will be to read through it.
9. Provide full referee details. Complete the application fully; provide full referees addresses (name, position, company, P. O. Box, phone number and Email.) If you don’t give full addresses the recipient will be forced to spend a lot of time to get these details.
10. Put yourself the place of the person reading your application. Would you be happy with it? Does it tell you everything and is it legible? If you’re not happy with it, then why should they be?

The Do’s & Don’ts For Success In Your Internship Jobs

By Tabitha Makumi,
I know a couple of people who got their first jobs in the company/organization that they were interning for. Heck, isn’t that how most of us get their first jobs?
Maybe not…if you are ‘just’ interning because your learning institution requires you to attend an internship for a period of six months or three as it is the norm with most universities and colleges in Kenya then you will ‘just’ go along and the internship will end and then what?
Striving to be your best at your internship should be a way of life for every graduate who hope to gain experience or a job.
When you are preparing to start your internship consider the follow advice to be successful.
The Do’s (Before Starting Your Internship
a)Research the company or organization you will be working for in order to be prepared for what your environment and responsibilities entail.
b)Complete any required paperwork from your employer’s Human Resources department and ask what documents you need to bring on your first day.
c) Communicate with your supervisor about expectations for your first day (i.e. dress code, arrival time, parking, directions and security information)
The Do’s (During The Internship)
a)Be responsible!
b)Arrive to work on time, exhibit a strong work ethic and use your time efficiently.
c)Limit the amount of time you spend socializing with other co-workers, other interns or online.
d)Display Energy & Enthusiasm- Have the Right Attitude!
e)Do the best job you can on every project no matter how small, as quality counts.
f)Be Professional
g)Dress appropriately for work.
h)Contribute: Your suggestions and ideas are important to your employer.
i)Take Initiative!
j)Consider Innovation
k)If you have a particular activity or experience you want to try, don’t hesitate to ask if you can pursue it.
l)Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions. While the employer expects to get a certain level of work from you, you are not expected to know everything.
m)Never underestimate an opportunity to learn more.
The Don’ts
a)DON’T dress like an intern…
Tht’s just the way world is…we are judged by how we dress! It really does matter and the way you dress plays into the way you are perceived in the workplace.
You are not in your college anymore where you can sag your trousers and have no one bat an eyelid. Make sure your shirts are ironed and you are always appropriately dressed for the professional atmosphere.
b) DON’T go on social media too long
Sure you are an intern and you may not have a lot to do but try to stay off of social media sites at work unless it is part of your job requirement.
If you’re bored enough to be scrolling through Facebook or Twitter, you clearly don’t have enough to do and people will notice that.
Soak up as much as you can from your internship by looking for more assignments and projects if you are free.
c)Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Remember It’s OK to make mistakes. Always strive to do your best, but remember that internships are designed to offer a learning experience and even a job at the end You’re not going to know everything, and you’re going to botch things a time or two. That’s expected, and a good manager will recognize this, expect this and be patient. Ask questions and for assistance when you’re struggling, and ask for feedback for how to prevent making the same mistake twice.

The Do’s & Don’ts For Success In Your Internship Jobs

Posted on October 1, 2013 at 2:57 pm

By Tabitha Makumi,
I know a couple of people who got their first jobs in the company/organization that they were interning for. Heck, isn’t that how most of us get their first jobs?
Maybe not…if you are ‘just’ interning because your learning institution requires you to attend an internship for a period of six months or three as it is the norm with most universities and colleges in Kenya then you will ‘just’ go along and the internship will end and then what?
Striving to be your best at your internship should be a way of life for every graduate who hope to gain experience or a job.
When you are preparing to start your internship consider the follow advice to be successful.
The Do’s (Before Starting Your Internship
a)Research the company or organization you will be working for in order to be prepared for what your environment and responsibilities entail.
b)Complete any required paperwork from your employer’s Human Resources department and ask what documents you need to bring on your first day.
c) Communicate with your supervisor about expectations for your first day (i.e. dress code, arrival time, parking, directions and security information)
The Do’s (During The Internship)
a)Be responsible!
b)Arrive to work on time, exhibit a strong work ethic and use your time efficiently.
c)Limit the amount of time you spend socializing with other co-workers, other interns or online.
d)Display Energy & Enthusiasm- Have the Right Attitude!
e)Do the best job you can on every project no matter how small, as quality counts.
f)Be Professional
g)Dress appropriately for work.
h)Contribute: Your suggestions and ideas are important to your employer.
i)Take Initiative!
j)Consider Innovation
k)If you have a particular activity or experience you want to try, don’t hesitate to ask if you can pursue it.
l)Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions. While the employer expects to get a certain level of work from you, you are not expected to know everything.
m)Never underestimate an opportunity to learn more.
The Don’ts
a)DON’T dress like an intern…
Tht’s just the way world is…we are judged by how we dress! It really does matter and the way you dress plays into the way you are perceived in the workplace.
You are not in your college anymore where you can sag your trousers and have no one bat an eyelid. Make sure your shirts are ironed and you are always appropriately dressed for the professional atmosphere.
b) DON’T go on social media too long
Sure you are an intern and you may not have a lot to do but try to stay off of social media sites at work unless it is part of your job requirement.
If you’re bored enough to be scrolling through Facebook or Twitter, you clearly don’t have enough to do and people will notice that.
Soak up as much as you can from your internship by looking for more assignments and projects if you are free.
c)Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Remember It’s OK to make mistakes. Always strive to do your best, but remember that internships are designed to offer a learning experience and even a job at the end You’re not going to know everything, and you’re going to botch things a time or two. That’s expected, and a good manager will recognize this, expect this and be patient. Ask questions and for assistance when you’re struggling, and ask for feedback for how to prevent making the same mistake twice.

The Do’s & Don’ts For Success In Your Internship Jobs

Posted on October 1, 2013 at 2:57 pm

By Tabitha Makumi,
I know a couple of people who got their first jobs in the company/organization that they were interning for. Heck, isn’t that how most of us get their first jobs?
Maybe not…if you are ‘just’ interning because your learning institution requires you to attend an internship for a period of six months or three as it is the norm with most universities and colleges in Kenya then you will ‘just’ go along and the internship will end and then what?
Striving to be your best at your internship should be a way of life for every graduate who hope to gain experience or a job.
When you are preparing to start your internship consider the follow advice to be successful.
The Do’s (Before Starting Your Internship
a)Research the company or organization you will be working for in order to be prepared for what your environment and responsibilities entail.
b)Complete any required paperwork from your employer’s Human Resources department and ask what documents you need to bring on your first day.
c) Communicate with your supervisor about expectations for your first day (i.e. dress code, arrival time, parking, directions and security information)
The Do’s (During The Internship)
a)Be responsible!
b)Arrive to work on time, exhibit a strong work ethic and use your time efficiently.
c)Limit the amount of time you spend socializing with other co-workers, other interns or online.
d)Display Energy & Enthusiasm- Have the Right Attitude!
e)Do the best job you can on every project no matter how small, as quality counts.
f)Be Professional
g)Dress appropriately for work.
h)Contribute: Your suggestions and ideas are important to your employer.
i)Take Initiative!
j)Consider Innovation
k)If you have a particular activity or experience you want to try, don’t hesitate to ask if you can pursue it.
l)Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions. While the employer expects to get a certain level of work from you, you are not expected to know everything.
m)Never underestimate an opportunity to learn more.
The Don’ts
a)DON’T dress like an intern…
Tht’s just the way world is…we are judged by how we dress! It really does matter and the way you dress plays into the way you are perceived in the workplace.
You are not in your college anymore where you can sag your trousers and have no one bat an eyelid. Make sure your shirts are ironed and you are always appropriately dressed for the professional atmosphere.
b) DON’T go on social media too long
Sure you are an intern and you may not have a lot to do but try to stay off of social media sites at work unless it is part of your job requirement.
If you’re bored enough to be scrolling through Facebook or Twitter, you clearly don’t have enough to do and people will notice that.
Soak up as much as you can from your internship by looking for more assignments and projects if you are free.
c)Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Remember It’s OK to make mistakes. Always strive to do your best, but remember that internships are designed to offer a learning experience and even a job at the end You’re not going to know everything, and you’re going to botch things a time or two. That’s expected, and a good manager will recognize this, expect this and be patient. Ask questions and for assistance when you’re struggling, and ask for feedback for how to prevent making the same mistake twice.

3 Tips For Best Career Choice Even When In Odd Jobs

By Angela Wahome,
As a career advisor many candidates that come into my office are unclear about where they need to be in the future. This creates a challenge for them as they lack focus and end up continually struggling. If you do not know where you need to go, no matter how hard you put effort into you roles you will repeatedly be faced with situations where you will feel perpetually like you are in the wrong place. Job wise you will end up job hopping.
1. Questions to get you started. In order to set clearly defined goals, start by asking yourself a few open ended questions just to get the creative juices flowing:
a) Where am I going?
b) Why am I going there?
c) How can I get there?
When answering these questions get out some paper and write everything that come to mind. Use the results of this activity to list your primary long term career goals.
2. Visualize these goals. This is an extremely important step in helping you to achieve your goals. When you visualize a goal do your best to make the visualization as clear and detailed as possible. If my goal is to be a Managing Director, I would visualize myself seated at large dark brown desk, in a big black chair, listening to the Finance Director, team as we begin discussing the budget strategy for the month.
Once you paint a picture of the end result this goes a long way to increasing the chances that this goal will be attainable. In essence you are already there in your mind; all you need to do is turn it into a reality.
3. How do you get to your goals? Map out the stepping stones, for your long term goals.  Utilize the following process or whichever parts are useful;
a) Define the goal and be as specific as possible. I would like to develop my career in Marketing and be Sales Supervisor in four years.
b) List the benefits you will enjoy from achieving the goal. Describe the benefits in detail as the more benefits you list the more motivated you will be.
c) List some action steps that you will need to take. If your goal was to get your Professional Certificate in Sales and Marketing, register with Marketing Society of Kenya to do a course with them.
d) Attach a time deadline to the goal. Is your goal for a year goal, two years goal, 5 years the length of time does not matter, what is important is that you review your goal, see if things are working, make adjustments. If you find that you are continually putting your goal off, ask yourself on a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it for you to achieve this goal? It is a good idea to prioritize your goals as you see fit.
The last thing you should do is once you reached one of your goal deadlines is review your progress. So, one year from now review the progress of your one year goals. If you have achieved some or all of them, celebrate! Take time to reward yourself.

When To Decide You Need A New Job!!

By Dorcas Karuana,
In the current economic climate, job listings come few and far between. News reports are constantly telling the story of how jobs are becoming increasingly competitive, with hundreds of applications for a single position.
However that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t probe around the job market if you are unhappy or just want a change – take a look at these tips to identify if you need to be on the hunt for a new job.
1. Your performance has declined
A clear-cut sign of needing a change of job is a decline in performance. That isn’t to say that just having a bad day (or even week) is a sign of needing a change – we all have bad days when we feel like giving up work. You may find yourself unmotivated due to a lack of excitement or being overworked, but either way you can start looking for jobs while in your current position if you feel that you no longer perform to the best of your ability.
2. You can’t picture a future
Not being able to see yourself in five years’ time in the company is a sign that you need to move elsewhere. It’s unlikely that you’ll be in your perfect job, but you should be able to imagine some progression in your current career. Going on the jobs search for a career in which you can progress can really make a change to your whole lifestyle, so take a look at what’s out there.
3. Look at the pros and cons of the job
Although it may seem cliché, make a list of what you like and dislike about your current job. After that, it’s a simple case of subtraction – are your cons outnumbered by your pros?
4. Your skills have stagnated
If your current position has given you no chance to improve your skills, you may want to turn to the job listings page of your newspaper. Being challenged and improving in your job is important for the motivation of any employee, so if you aren’t receiving that basic requirement then perhaps it’s time to go.
Under no circumstances do you have to resign from your current job before looking, so start looking for jobs while in your current position. Good luck!
Dorcas is a Recruitment Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke. Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke

5 Reasons Why You Are Not Progressing in Life

Let’s no beat around the bush about this, a lot of us myself included have not achieved all that we are capable of.  We go to universities, colleges, get a job, start our own ventures life goes on and in five years down the line you have that gut feeling that you could have done better.
Deep, deep down where you only know where,  you know you could have done better in your life. You could have had a better life than what you have now, you could have had a better career instead of that miserable and mediocre  8-5pm thing you call a career…..but let’s stop and think about it, what is stopping you from a making a change?
What is stopping you from saying Heck, I am done with this kind of life! I am done with being average! I am done with being miserable…..
What is stopping you? Here is what
1.You just don’t believe in yourself 
Yes, you do have all the potential in the world but wait a minute where is your faith? You have decided to sit on your dreams and talents because you have that voice in your head telling you that you are not good enough to make a debut just yet.
Be self critical and push yourself hard because you  know that they can achieve more.
What is it that is special about you? What is the talent that you have not developed? What do you know you are capable of?
2. You do not have written goals to begin with
When you do not have written goals to work with, any road will be alright with you and then what?
It is hard to make progress if you have no clear goals for your life. You should set yourself targets in the areas that are important to you e.g. career, wealth, health, relationships and social life.
Read books which give details on goal setting. Don’t beat yourself up…if you do not achieve some of the goals then reset them. You can be flexible and adjust how you move forward but you must keep moving.
3. You are too comfortable where you are.
Question is…..why try something new when you are already doing what you are good at? High achievers go further. They take risks. They move out of their comfort zones. They take on difficult challenges. They push themselves to acquire new skills and to face new examinations of their abilities. This means that they run the risk of failure. Where are you right now – inside your comfort zone or taking risks?
4. You are too DAMN lazy.
Either that or you waste a lot of time every day on low value activities.  Thinking and planning are great but it is action that leads to success. It is only by doing things and doing the right things that you change the world.
If you have clear goals but are not making progress towards them then look at your activity level. If you are a writer are you writing enough? If you are a salesman are you selling enough? If you are a leader are you leading enough?
5. You are not mixing with high achievers.
Let’s face it – your friends and family are really nice people but they are not challenging you to achieve more.
Spend more time with high flyers and positive thinkers who understand ambition and achievement. Share some of your thoughts, dreams and challenges with them. They will encourage you and give you the direct advice you need.
How much time are you spending with really successful people?
This Article first appeared on Life Hack

How To Conduct A Career SWOT Analysis

By Angela Wahome,
How can you be sure of the right path to follow in your career? Remember this, “play to your strength, set your passion free and find the right people to work with.” Today’s post is a continuation of our career work in progress journey and I would be unfolding another useful concept – how to conduct a career SWOT analysis!
What makes SWOT especially powerful is that, with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you would not otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that might otherwise hurt your ability to move forward. If you look at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to separate yourself from your peers, and further develop the specialized talents and abilities you need to advance your career.
Find outlined below, is a quick guide to how to conduct a Career SWOT analysis:
Strengths: By strengths we refer to the internal positive aspects of your career that are under your control and upon which you can base your career planning process. These areas include but not limited to educational qualification, professional certification/affiliation, work experience, technical knowledge of your field, personal characteristics, specific transferable skills etc. Why choose a career or apply to a job you are not qualified for?  The idea here is to play to your strengths!
Weaknesses: By weaknesses we refer to the internal negative aspects of your career that are under your control and upon which you plan to improve. These areas include but not limited to lack of work experience, low grade, weak technical knowledge, weak job-hunting skills etc. The idea is not to focus on your weaknesses but acknowledge them and find ways to reduce their effect on your career.
Opportunities: By opportunities we refer to the external positive career conditions that are not under your control but you can plan to use them to your advantage. These include but not limited to economic growth in a field that leads to creation of more jobs, technological advancement/globalization, opportunity for professional development in your field etc. The idea here is for you to maximize these opportunities to your advantage.
Threats: By threats we refer to the external negative career conditions that are not under your control but you can plan to lessen its effect on your career aspirations. These include but not limited to negative economic trends that may lead to downsizing, talent war with job seekers that has superior skills/experience than you do, companies are not people with your class of degree etc. The idea is for you to plan to lessen these threats as much as you can.
The above list of Career SWOT analysis is not exhaustive, go ahead and make your own personal career SWOT analysis. Once, you have your SWOT result, you can use it as a guide as you plan to chose a career as well as apply for a job.
I believe this post has been a paradigm shift experience for you.  The essence is for you to be better quipped in the career planning process and come to terms with the fact that you can actually take charge of your career!
Feel free to drop your views in the comment section of this post.
Till next time, we are all work in progress!

6 Discouraging Thoughts That Blocks Your Destiny

By Dorcas Karuana,
As a man thinks so is he.’  Your mind is a reflection of your thinking. The power of positive thinking can give life to your dreams and change your destiny.  The human mind is wonderful and powerful, but it’s far from perfect.  Too often we are addicted to our thoughts, and we can’t change anything in our lives if we can’t change our thinking.  If you want to move forward with your life, you must change your mind and get these thoughts OUT of it:
Today, make it a point to defragment your consciousness and center your spirit on positive, productive thoughts.  Whatever you do, don’t get stuck on the one thing that ruins your day.  Smile and be grateful.  Life is too short to waste on negativity and destructive thinking.
1. Life sucks and that’s just the way it is - The mind can be the harshest battleground. Don’t think yourself into a nervous breakdown, into depression, into hopeless defeat. If you’re being negative when you’re alone, the warfare is in your mind. Tell the negativity committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up. Always remember that you can’t change what has happened, but you can choose how you’re going to deal with it.
2. Those haters are right about me - Be wise enough to walk away from the negativity around you; don’t let it infect your thinking.  Don’t let someone else’s negative opinion ruin your reality. YOU decide how your soul grows. When the people around you give you every reason to be negative, think of one good reason to be positive.  There’s always something to be grateful for.
3. The way it is now is the way it will always be- Don’t confuse your path with your destination.  Just because it’s stormy now, doesn’t mean you aren’t headed for sunshine.  You write your own destiny through the choices you make.  You become what you repeatedly do.  It is more important to know where you are going and why, than to get there quickly. Every time you are tempted to react to the same old circumstances in the same old way, ask yourself, “Do I want to be a prisoner of the past, or a pioneer of the future?”
4. Life is supposed to be easy- Nothing worthwhile in life was meant to be easy; learn to take it easy with your expectations in this area. Facing challenges and working through them, that’s what makes you strong.  Don’t expect things to be given to you.  Go out and achieve them!  It’s the only sane way to deal with life’s challenges.  If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for. So stop wishing for it and start working for it.  Talk is cheap.  Action is priceless.
5. I just can’t stand X, Y and Z! - Today, let your small annoyances go.  At any given moment, the way you feel is the way you choose to feel, and the way you react is the way you choose to react. Move through your day consciously and make an effort to notice at least one insignificant little frustration that you would normally get frustrated about.  Then do yourself a favor and simply let it go.
6. It’s too late.  I missed my chance - Be done with regrets; they are an excuse for people who have given up.  You are still here trying and growing.  Life is about learning from the past, trusting your intuition going forward, taking chances, finding moments of happiness, and realizing everything is simply a lesson that happens for a reason. Don’t stress over what could’ve been; chances are if it should’ve been, it would’ve been.  Focus on the present; you have a lot to look forward to in it
What would you add to the list?  What negative thoughts and destructive thinking traps do you struggle with?  Leave a comment below and share your thoughts .

4 Ways To Survive & Win Office Politics

By Tabitha Makumi
“I don’t want to go to work tomorrow?”  My friend Jane told me the other day while we were in a matatu somewhere near Kinoo
“Why?,” I probed
“Argh, the politics in that office is driving me crazy. There is always gossip, and the ‘she said, he said kind of stories’  I swear I feel like quitting that job.”
You see, friction, deceit, gossip, rivalry, power plays are all fine for movies and those soap operas we love so much but take them to the work place and it will be a huge DISASTER.
Heck, I even know of a CEO who in a midst of others said that when his company was young and still trying to establish itself, his employees made him want to quit his job…he went on to say that there were a times when he would get worried to get to the office because he knew what was waiting for him…and that’s the dangers of office politics.
They will never go away. It’s a fact of company life. However, destructive office politics can demoralize an organization, hamper productivity, and increase turnover.
Here are some tips, applicable for both staff and management, on dealing with office politics.
1. Always know that you have a choice to participate or not - You will find that in most common reactions to politics at work you will either have to fight or flight. It’s normal human reaction for survival in the wild, back in the prehistoric days when we were still hunter-gatherers.
Sure, the office is a modern jungle, but it takes more than just instinctive reactions to win in office politics. Instinctive fight reactions will only cause more resistance to whatever you are trying to achieve; while instinctive flight reactions only label you as a pushover that people can easily take for granted.
Neither options are appealing for healthy career growth. Recognize that no matter how bad the circumstances, you have a choice in choosing how you feel and react.
2. Learn to live at peace with others - The easiest way to avoid problems with politics is to get along with people. I’m not saying you need to hug everyone and sing songs, and I’m not saying you have to be a pushover for everyone. You can be pleasant and professional, while at the same time being assertive when necessary. If you have a concern, focus only on the issue, not on the person.  If you have to refuse a request, explain why and try to come up with alternative solutions.
3. Stay away from gossip - Nothing destroys the dynamics of an office more than gossip. Stay away from it, because nothing good comes from it. Just be sure you avoid the “holier than thou” attitude of lecturing your co-workers on the evils of gossip. You’ll make them lose face, and they’ll resent you. Instead, try subtly changing the subject.
4. Don’t take sides - In office politics, it is possible to find yourself stuck in between two power figures that are at odds with each other. You find yourself being thrown around while they try to outwit each other and defend their own position.
All at the expense of you getting the job done. You can’t get them to agree on a common decision for a project, and neither of them want to take ownership of issues; they’re too afraid they’ll get stabbed in the back for any mishaps.
While you are at it remember that people in an organization look to leadership to see how to act. Do you want your staff to refrain from negative politics?
Do you want to see collaboration and teamwork instead of petty rivalries, jealousy, and back-stabbing?
Act the way you want your staff to act, and they will follow you

How To Ask Your Boss For A Salary Raise And Get It

Asking for more is not always easy in working environment, doing it wrong can send the wrong signal and might cost you your work.
The difficulty lies in asking, knowing when to ask, how to ask and how to get the raise. Why not just walk up to your boss and say I need a raise? Simple, right? But it actually goes beyond that. Imagine if you are a boss and one morning your employee walks into your office and demands for a raise, what will come to your mind at first?
You would first think what he/she is up to, then why he/she is asking, whether they deserve it and if they are still dedicated to working with you. Asking for a raise can put you in trouble if you do it wrongly.
So how do you go about getting a raise?
1.Don’t tell your boss you need a raise
Your boss won’t be interested to know you need a raise. He/she does not care what your financial needs are or whether you have a debt you need to pay. Your boss can only consider a raise because of your abilities and accomplishments not any other thing expect in some circumstances, even at that it all boils down to how important you are to the company and how much you have contributed to its success. So before you think of telling your boss you need a raise, think of what value you are to the organization. You should deserve a raise based on your contributions not based on your personal problems.
2. Let your boss know of your achievements regularly.
Find a way to inform your boss of your achievements in terms of goals attained or targets reached, this way he/she will see the value you are adding to the company. You could do this weekly or monthly either through emails or any other convenient means. However, make sure you don’t make it up or do it too often.
3. Sign up for the worst project/task at work and succeed at it
There are always tasks or projects nobody wants to handle, it could be a difficult client, complicated task or a boring task. Take up the task or project and do well at it. Those tasks people shy away from could be very important to company, doing it very well can put you in limelight and change your career for good.
4. Know what the industry pays for your type of job
Try and find out facts and figures showing what the market rate is for your job title, you stand a much better chance of getting a raise than just going in blind. This can also keep you from overselling – or underselling – yourself.
5. Pay attention to your company’s performance evaluation system
If your firm does annual reviews, be aware of what you will be graded on, and be sure to succeed at each task. Basically, you need to do what your boss thinks is important, not what you think is important. All too many employees fail to understand that distinction.
6. Ask at the right time
Asking for a raise at the wrong time will boomerang. You should not ask when your boss is moody or the day your company lost a client. To increase your chances of getting the raise, you should ask at the right time. You could ask during your company’s dinner/party (if you company organizes party for all employees annually, quarterly or monthly) or when something good has happened
7. Get another job offer
This is a risky move and should be your last option. You could potentially get more money at your current job if you have a job offer in hand from another company. But this depends on how important you are and what value you give to your company. However, this option could be dangerous, in some cases, your employer may wish you good luck, and not match or exceed the offer. In others, you might get the raise, but your boss may view you as disloyal. So do not try this unless you are ready to jump ship.
Asking for a raise is not easy, before you think of asking do the right thing first by making more for your company.

The 10 Commandments That High Achievers Never Break

For you to become successful in life, there are certain rules you ought not to break. Life itself is governed by principles, and it’s those principles that we embrace that determine whether or not we will attain greatness.
After looking at the lives of certain great men, I was able to come up 10 rules that high achievers never break. If you obey these rules, you will become a high achiever too.
1. Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them; you have no idea what their journey is all about.
Stop trying to be someone else. We all have our own distinct purposes in life. Be yourself always and become the best version of you. You are original, not a counterfeit.
2. Don’t act the way you are feeling. Instead, act the way you want to feel.
There is a saying that action precedes feeling. If you feel sad, act like you are happy, and you will eventually become happy. High achievers get disappointed a lot because they fail many times, but since they are highly-optimistic people, they see advantage in adversity and make the best of every situation.
3. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up your present.
You need to forgive yourself for every mistake you have made in the past. High achievers don’t go around beating themselves up for the mistakes they have made. Forgiveness is the first step to progress and only those with a strong heart can forgive themselves and those who have hurt them.
Move forward today and stop dwelling on the past.
4. Don’t answer ads that promise get-rich-quick schemes because it won’t be you who gets rich quick.
Believe me when I say this: apart from bonanzas, lottery, promos or TV shows, there is nothing you can do in this world that gets you rich in a jiffy. If it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is.
5. You can’t do everything yourself, so get help along the way.
High achievers are people of great influence. Your level of influence in most cases determines your level of success. Make meaningful relationships and help others get what they want.
6. Don’t envy what others have; you don’t know how they got it.
They say that not all that glitters is gold. The truth is that you don’t know how he got what he has or the price he had to pay in exchange for it. Think about this before you envy somebody.
7. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say.
High achievers don’t talk just because they have to say something; they talk because they have something to say. Most successful men are very careful with their tongues–they hardly speak out of turn or when it is unnecessary. Learn to talk less and listen more.
8. Be comfortable only outside of your comfort zone.
- Do something every day that scares you, and break your own records each day. This is the gateway to tremendous self-improvement. It is the secret of high achievers.
9. What others think of you is none of your business.
What matters most in life is your belief in yourself. People will always talk about you, and if they don’t, then you are probably not worth much. Ignore whatever anyone has to say about you and hold firm what you know and what you believe.
10. Never test the depth of the river with both feet.
This is very important. Don’t put all your eggs into one basket; you may never recover from it. Spread out your risks in life.
There is no way to succeed without taking risks, but its wiser and safer to take calculated risks.

Easiest Way To Get An NGO Job In Kenya

By Dorcas Karuana,
NGO jobs in Kenya are one of the most sought after by many people. However, some people would like to find a NGO Jobs, or the non-profit sector but just do not know how or where to start. NGO’s are thought to pay very well, have opportunities for career growth through trainings, have free time and reduced work load.
Before searching for NGO jobs in Kenya, you need to know exactly what you want, i.e what drives you, what’s your passion? This helps you to narrow down your search for that perfect NGO job in Kenya. Also, know whether you would want to work locally or internationally.
To work for an NGO you have to forget about the money first since in most of them, you start as a volunteer. That is so much work with little or no pay. In addition, you may even work in remote areas for days. Therefore you need to first prove the passion for the job before money comes your way.
Most NGO Jobs Kenya engage in some kind of humanitarian work which involves great mobility and job rotation, because of this, they prefer to hire individuals with certain qualities. E.g, someone who is multilingual, adaptable to different conditions, can persevere hardships, someone with understanding for different cultures and mostly, someone committed to the course of that specific NGO. Therefore, when writing your CV, you may want to put in some proof that you actually possess these qualities.
If you are interested with a specific NGO jobs in Kenya you can volunteer to the NGOs. Once you are inside it is much simpler to showcase your qualities and qualifications and also get information about other job opportunities within the organisation.
On the other hand, with proper work experience, knowledge and skills, you do not have to start as a volunteer in NGO’s, but can be hired directly.

3 Lessons From County Rep Shoe Shiner Who Cleans Public Toilets

By Tabitha Makumi,
‘Why’ is the question that came to mind when I first saw the story of one Moses Gichangi who is a Flamingo Ward Representative in Nakuru County
Why would a person earning at least Sh200,000 a month continue with his previous job of washing toilets and shining shoes for people who should be calling call him mheshimiwa?
Who does that?
Most of us would quit the job the minute we are elected into office and never look back but not Moses Gichangi.  Come to think of it, how many job seekers who have gone to universities and colleges are willing to do this kind of job?
That kind of job is beneath us is the kind of response you are likely to get if you asked around….if only they knew what Moses makes in a day……how much you ask? A whooping Sh3,000 a day!
Here are lessons to learn from this man whose story if you’ve read the Bible is similar to that of Jesus washing his disciples feet.
Shouldn’t the disciples have been washing Jesus feet? Shouldn’t the people of Flamingo Ward be cleaning the toilets for Moses?
Anyway, here we go…..
1. Don’t be too choosy with the kind of jobs you are willing to take.
Did you know that you could make Sh3, 000 a day from washing toilets and cleaning shoes? I didn’t know that!
Truth is there are so many job seekers in Kenya who are still jobless because they have turned down jobs that they believe  are ‘beneath’ them.
They say, I have my degree, why would I be doing that kind of job. Well, Moses Gichangi has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and we don’t see him complaining.
Sometimes you will have to do what a man got to do to make a living.
2. Forget about what people are going to say
There’s always that fear which we all have about what people are going to say about us if we take a different route from what they were expecting.
You know what they say, people will always talk whether you are doing good or bad.
During the political campaigns Mr Gichangi says he didn’t bother with people who labeled him a toilet cleaner in a bid to make Kenyans not vote for him. He couldn’t be bothered and much to his opponents surprise he managed to clinch the county rep seat.
What chances and opportunities have you turned down because you were worried about what people were going to say about you?
3. Every Job Has It Challenges
Yes you read right. There’s not a single profession that does not have its own pitfalls. Some are major than others but there are there.
The thing is, you always have a choice, to quit when challenges appear or to hold on?
Mr Gichangi says discipline is what has enabled himself and his coworkers to handle any type of client. He comes face to face with arrogant and disrespectful people in his line of work, drunkards who who vomit on the floor while others deliberately misuse the facility.
Isn’t he an inspiration to all youths out there?

How To Get Accountant Jobs In Kenya

The accountancy profession in Kenya has become extremely competitive in recent years with a large number of candidates competing for limited opportunities. It’s no doubt, ‘Accountant Jobs in Kenya’ ranks as one of the most searched term on Google.
Truth is that  every company in Kenya; small or big requires an accountant to run an accounting department for accountability purposes. Accounting recruitment agencies and employers can advertise their Kenya accounting jobs online within a few minutes and get a qualified candidate since there are so many ideal candidate for any accounting jobs. This has made employers have a wide choice of CVs to choice their best person to fill a job vacancy in accounting.
Many people find themselves choosing a Career in Accounting not only because it is of the many job openings or prestige but also because of various benefits of that one can obtain from a job in accounting. First, the experience gained from working in the accounting sector helps one learns how businesses work and operate in an ever evolving field.
Also, another benefit of a career in accounting is the great pay. In fact, in your first year of accounting you can make between 30,000 -70,000 a month. Within ten years or less of your career in accounting, you should be making over six figures. This can be obtained quicker by furthering your degree in accounting which you can reach as high as an Masters in Business. There are many careers that take much longer to receive accreditation for that does not allow you to earn that type of income so quickly.
There are various jobs in accounting which vary from entry level positions to management level. Also, there are other careers in Kenya that require accounting qualifications. These include; audit jobs in Kenya, Finance jobs in Kenya and banking Jobs in Kenya.
The entry level accountant jobs in Kenya include: Account Assistant jobs, Accounting Clerk jobs, Accounting auditing jobs to Accounts payable jobs, cashiers, loans assistant, Accountant,  and many more accounts jobs
Other advanced jobs in Accountancy have job titles such as;  Accounts Manager, Audit Manager, Audit Senior, Bookkeeper, Management Accountant,  Cost Accountant, Credit Analyst, Credit Controller, Financial Accountant, Fund Accountant, Internal Auditor, Accountant, Payroll Manager, Purchase Ledger Staff Auditor, Tax Accountant, Tax Assistant, Tax Manager, Vat Accountant, Tax Accountant.
To get an Accounting/ Finance/ Audits job in Kenya; a candidate must have: professional qualifications in Accounting CPA (K) or ACCA as mandatory plus a Bachelor of Commerce or a Business related Degree. The number of years of work experience depends on the post advertised.
In addition, there are skills required in Accounting jobs in Kenya such as: ability to use accounting packages such as (Quickbooks, sage, pastel), and working experience with an ERP (Preferably SAP or Oracle). Also an accountant should be analytical with good computer skills, and excellent communication skills, confident and determined approach. S/he should also be able to work both independently and as part of a team and have high confidentiality among others.
When applying for accounting jobs in Kenya, it is important to customize or tailor your CV to a specific field of accounting depending on the job description of the advertised position. Include specific skills required for the post and match some of the job responsibilities with yours. This will increase your chances of getting an interview call.
From being able to work in a professional setting either for a large corporation, the government or yourself, accounting offers some key features and benefits that cannot be found in other professional careers.

How To Get IT Jobs In Kenya

By Dorcas Karuana,
Information Technology (IT) is one of the most marketable degrees especially with the rapid growth of technology and its adoption in the Kenya. With most companies, if not all, using computers that serve as their data storing devices, communication tools, and more, IT courses and IT jobs in Kenya are and remain to be one of the most sought after jobs. This is mainly because of the high salaries that one can get, as well as wide-ranging job opportunities it can offer.
Getting an IT job in Kenya can be difficult and does not magically happen especially at entry level positions. First, one needs to get hands on experience since no one wants to hire anyone without experience. If new or fresh to IT profession, experience may be difficult to come by. You cannot get experience without getting a job, therefore you can consider volunteering or internships in IT companies in Kenya.
IT Jobs in Kenya vary with the disciplines of specialization by the job seeker. Different disciplines within IT, are classified as jobs in IT, require completely different skills sets as well as different personal strengths sets.
For instance a candidate for a database job will be a different type of person than a Python developer, requiring different skill sets, different training and different personal strengths. Both require a very logical way of approaching things and methodical mind-set however they also require different languages. Languages do differ within IT jobs in Kenya
To get an IT Job in Kenya faster; you need to identify It discipline you are adept, learn as much as possible about the discipline as well as other related disciplines. E.g take short courses on programming, networking, e.t.c Also, have a profile website where prospective employers can see examples of your previous work. A portfolio site will get an applicant past the initial hurdle of trying to get an interview. It is essential to get to an interview in order to be able to prove skills..

2 Job Search Strategy Questions That Can Simply Your Search

Today in Kenya jobs are hard to find more than anything else. Anywhere you go you will get people complaining that there are no jobs or rather jobs are gold. They are hard to find. But the question is what techniques you are using to get those jobs.
How many jobs do you apply for per day? Do you make follow ups on the jobs that you have sent to your resumes? If the employers don’t get back to you, then there is something wrong with either your CV or your cover letter wasn’t catchy.
Here are some of the questions that you should ask yourself as a job seeker:
1. How long should my job search take?
There a number of things that determines the length of search. For example how much time are you willing to take on the search? Have you set certain goals, in terms of contacts your suppose to make, how many positions you need to identify, etc.
Geography also plays a role, like if the job you are looking for matches up with where you live. Like its said, you don’t expect to survive in a desert without water to sustain your life. If you want to find water that you can rely on, for life, don’t live in a desert. Same principle applies to job search.
A rough thumb for how long a job search can take is to calculate one month for every Sh 10,000 in salary. So if your salary requirement (assuming it’s in line with your industry) is 50,000shs, you can generally figure  about five months of dedicated job search. Of course that will vary depending on the variables listed above.
2. Doesn’t it make more sense to apply to as many jobs as possible, even those that are a bit outside your skills set?
There are those who clearly believe that, the more jobs you apply for the better chances of getting an interview. That’s the school of more equals more. I’m from the school of less equals more. By carefully targeting the companies and people who can offer the kinds of career opportunities of which you are best qualified, you stand a better chance than blindly apply for anything that looks good. The less is more process is counter-intuitive, which explains why most people think that applying for more positions equals more opportunities. Not so fast there job seeker.

Resignation Letters: Can An Employer Reject?

By Tabitha Makumi,
If you have the courtesy of drafting a resignation letter before you quit your job, then that’s the right way to do it. You will be surprised by the number of people who just wake up one day and decide to never show up for work again no calls, nothing.
And then there are those who call in and drop the bombshell.
But hold on can a resignation letter be rejected? Can the boss take a look at your letter and tell you, I don’t think so buddy.”
I received an email which read,
Hey…I am in urgent need of advise. I resigned from my post as Clinical Nurse with an NGO in Laikipia  a few months back due to the company being in much financial difficulty and I had the opportunity for another job.
I resigned first verbally by telephone and then later confirmed this in writing, however when I handed in the resignation, my boss refused to accept it and told me to take a second look at my contract which states I have to work there for another 6 months.
I was wondering, can a resignation letter be rejected?
Here is your answer,
An employer cannot turn down an employee’s resignation UNLESS the employee  signed a contract or agreement which states that he/she will stay in the company for a period of years/months.
If this is your present situation then you cannot resign until you have finished the contract agreement or otherwise pay the company.
But if not, then you are free to go my friend, the company cannot force you to stay. If there was no contract in the first place, their refusal of accepting your resignation letter is unlawful. It also means that you have no way of knowing what your rights are or what the employer expects of you.
The resignation letter can also be rejected in situations where the employee’s resignation is un-ethical. For instance, if there had been a prior agreement to work for two years with a company and one year down the line one tenders resignation without notice.

Top 7 Time Management Mistakes To Avoid

By Dorcas Karuana,
I was recently sharing with a friend about her frustrations at work and she felt overloaded, oftenly having to work late to hit her deadlines. Her days seem to go from one crisis to another, and this was stressful and demoralizing to her.  As we shared her disappointments, I came to think of a very important thing called time management.
How well do you manage your time? Many people’s answer may not be completely positive! Many of us know that we could be managing our time more effectively; but it can be difficult to identify the mistakes that we’re making, and to know how we could improve.
When we do manage our time well, however, we’re exceptionally productive at work, and our stress levels drop. We can devote time to the interesting, high-reward projects that can make a real difference to a career. In short, we’re happier!
Here are some common time management mistakes and tips that you can use to overcome them
1. Failing to Keep a To-Do Lit - The trick with using To-Do Lists   effectively lies in prioritizing the tasks on your list.  Make sure that you break large tasks or projects down into specific, actionable steps – then you won’t overlook something important.
2. Not Setting Personal Goals- Goals give you a destination and vision to work toward.Do you know where you’d like to be in six months?  When you know where you want to go, you can manage your priorities, time, and resources to get there. Goals also help you decide what’s worth spending your time on, and what’s just a distraction.
3. Not Prioritizing - Sometimes, it’s hard to know how to prioritize, especially when you’re facing a flood of seemingly-urgent tasks. Prioritizing tasks effectively requires one to understand the difference between urgent activities, and important activities. You’ll also learn how to overcome the tendency to focus on the urgent. Also prioritize tasks depending on its values; high-priority, or low-value, “fill in” work.
4. Failing to Manage Distractions- If you want to gain control of your day and do your best work, it’s vital to know how to minimize distractions  and manage interruptions   effectively. E.g from emails, chats, colleagues in a crisis, or phone calls from clients, distractions prevent us from achieving flow.
5. Taking on too Much – If you have a hard time saying “no” to people then you probably have far too many projects and commitments on your plate. Taking on too much is a poor use of your time, and it can get you a reputation for producing rushed, sloppy work. Learn the subtle art of saying “yes” to the person, but “no” to the task  . This skill helps you assert yourself, while still maintaining good feelings within the group.
6. Multitasking - Truth is it can take 20-40 percent more time to finish a list of jobs when you multitask, compared with completing the same list of tasks in sequence. The result of multitasking are poorl due to lack of concentration. Always focus on one task at a time to produce higher quality work.
7. Not Taking Breaks - It’s nice to think that you can work for 8-10 hours straight, especially when you’re working to a deadline. But it’s impossible for anyone to focus and produce really high-quality work without giving their brains some time to rest and recharge. Breaks are not a waste of time, they provide valuable down-time, which will enable you to think creatively and work effectively.

Why Companies Advertise Using Blind Job Adverts

There’s a lot of competition for top talent in the Kenyan job market today; within various companies dealing with the same products and therefore compete in terms of market share, profits, assets base e.t.c. Human Resource Managers have to write a standout job description to attract the right individuals to join their companies, and are now adapting to posting adverts with hidden identity. These are called blind adds which are posted across various mass media; print, electronic, or social media.
The job description is just like a recipe for creating the candidate. If the recipe is flawed, the end result will be flawed.
Job postings that do not contain the company name are called “blind job postings.” In Kenya, these job posting take the form of DNA (Number this and that). Employment agencies and HR consulting firms are also fond of this.
The adverts exist for various reasons. First, when you are job hunting, you will see many job openings listed both by actual employers and by recruiting firms or employment agencies that have contracted with specific companies to post jobs and conduct the initial screening of candidates.
For many companies, using recruiters is a cost effective and efficient way to find the most qualified personnel. The agency will not want to make the company information public, since revealing their client’s name would mean that their competitors have the information they need to try to take that business from them. In addition, many candidates will bypass the listing and apply directly to the company’s HR and/or inundate managers with emails or phone calls.
There are also many legitimate reasons why a company may not want competitors, customers or current employees in the company to know they are looking for someone to fill a position.
In addition, some jobs listed as blind ads do not represent actual job openings at all. Some HR managers and employment firms use the ads as a way to gather a large number of CV’s for a particular set of skills so that they will have potential candidates when an appropriate job comes up.
So that’s the good news – there are legitimate reasons for “blind ads.”
However, the shortcoming of blind ads is that; in a minority of cases they can be used to gather personal information about individuals as part of an identity theft scheme. If you answer such an ad, be sure to include as little personal information as possible.
Also, the advert can be a scam. Many job seekers have fallen into this trap of scams by just applying for jobs that have no specific companies. They are asked to pay money for the recruitment process either as health fee, filling a form e.t.c. No serious employer will ever ask you for money to give you a job and in any case, the employer needs your services so why pay to get the job. Quote “Establish the authenticity and credibility of the organisation before sending your documents
There is nothing necessarily wrong with applying to a blind job posting. However, if you are contacted by an agency and invited for an interview, you should ask for the name of the organization so that you can do your research and exercise “due diligence” prior to accepting the interview. Do not agree to interview if the name of the organization with whom you will interview is still being withheld.
The bottom line is this: Employers need to protect themselves and their business. A blind ad might not show the company, but it shows opportunity – and if it’s an opportunity you want to pursue, proceed as you normally would when applying for a job. And if you’re a fit and there is interest, you’ll eventually find out which company it is.

Get The Job You Want: 10 Job Search Mistakes To Avoid

By Dorcas Karuana,
How successful is your job search? Do you feel frustrated when results do not come as fast as you expect?
Recently, a reader wrote this to me:
“I have read your articles on job searching and application and I appreciate then since they give me motivation to go on even harder with my job search.”
I graduated last year, did Sociology and Public Administration, Second Class Honours, Upper Division and up to now have been looking for job or even place where I can do intern, but it has not been forthcoming.
Sometime, it’s frustrating when there is no positive result to talk about. What am I doing wrong that makes me not to be hired by the employers as someone who does not have work experience?”
Here are some of the top job search mistakes that many people make and how to avoid them.
1. Relying on online job postings. Some of the best chances for jobs from ads are in specialty trade publications and websites of specific industries. Myers suggests spending no more than 5 percent of your time on public job postings.
2. Mailing unsolicited CVs- Unsolicited resumes are considered garbage, scrap paper and wasted effort. Myers advocates abandoning this job search tactic completely.
3. Looking only for job openings. Searching for companies with “openings” is an obsolete job-hunting method. Shift your focus from “openings” to “opportunities” (which exist nearly everywhere).
4. Ineffective networking. Networking should be the primary focus of every job search. The best networkers are listeners rather than talkers, have a clear agenda, and are not shy about asking for feedback and guidance.
5. Leaving yourself open to many kinds of jobs. Focus on finding the RIGHT job — not “just any job.” Don’t try to be “all things to all people.”
6. Being unplanned in your search. Be 100 percent clear about your job search objective. Have a well thought out methodology, daily solitude and planning, space in the home dedicated to the search, and a system for accountability.
7. Doing it alone. The job market is just too tough to think that you can achieve optimal results by yourself.
8. Letting others control your job search. Remember: only you can “sell yourself” effectively and land a job. Myers suggests working with a small selection of professional recruiters, who can serve an important role in your search.
9. Not preparing well enough for job interviews. All job interviews are comprised of five basic elements: articulating your value, conveying your knowledge of the company, asking intelligent questions, negotiating compensation, and following-up. Each of these items has to be practiced in advance so you can “ace” the job interview.
10: Not knowing your market value. Never disclose your salary requirements — always get the employer to name the salary or range first.
Dorcas is a Human Resource Officer at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke

How To Balance Your Employment Life in 4 Easy Steps

Phew, thank God, it’s finally Friday….We have a question for you this morning, do you sometimes or all the time feel like you are going to explode at work? Who doesn’t….
You get overwhelmed and fatigued from time to time and you can’t remember a time when you weren’t stressed. It can get crazy I tell you.
How about finding some balance in your life?
Here is an article written by Tone Mase on how you can do just that by learning to find balance.
1. Give yourself some “me time”.
What’s the first thing you sacrifice when things get tough? Your personal quiet time! You don’t feel right cutting out “real” responsibilities, so you figure you can make do by skipping out on “me time”.
That’s a big mistake though.The less time you spend relaxing, the worse you’re going to feel. Your energy supply won’t be able to keep up and even the simplest of responsibilities is going to feel like a giant boulder on your shoulders.
Even if you only take a few minutes to do some quick meditation, read one chapter of your favorite book, or simply sit down outside and enjoying nature, you’ll feel much better. Suddenly, the stress won’t seem so bad and you’ll actually feel peaceful!
2. Take care of yourself.
The best “me time” in the world won’t make up for bad habits. If you want to balance your life, you’ve got to give your body the tools to do it – like 8 hours of sleep every night, a diet chock full of healthy foods, and daily exercise. In addition to giving you extra energy, all of these will make you better able to speak kindly to yourself, instead of drowning in a sea of negative thoughts. After all, when YOU can’t cut yourself some slack, you’re going to feel like the rest of the world can’t either!

Finding balance in your life is important

3. Stop thinking about the “shoulda”, “coulda”, “woulda”.
Everyone has a mental picture of how their lives “should be”. Then, when some obstacle gets in the way, you can’t deal with it! Instead of heaping all of that stress on yourself, be flexible. Just because things “shoulda”, “coulda”, or “woulda” been different doesn’t mean they necessarily would have been better.
Plus, when you’re constantly trying to live up to unrealistic expectations, you’ll never appreciate what you’ve got.
If you can learn to go with the flow, you’ll be able to tackle problems and crises much more successfully. Instead of measuring them up to how things “should be”, you’ll focus your energy on solving problems – without drama and frustration.
4. Be on the lookout for simple outer changes.
Yes, balancing your life starts from within, but there may be a few things you can do to change your external situation too.
For example, if you get stressed out because you have your son’s Little League team over after every win, stop – or, only have the team over sometimes. If it has become too much of a drain on your time and energy, why not ask the other parents to take over the hosting duties every now and then? That way, you can help with the party, instead of taking full command over the party.
Bottom line – there are probably plenty of activities that no longer fit into your desired lifestyle. If you get rid of them, you’ll have a much easier time feeling balanced!
Courtesy

5 Habits To Change Your Emplyment Life For The Better

On a daily basis, habit drives us to do what we do—whether it’s a pattern of thoughts or behavior that occurs automatically. But what if we could harness the power of our habits for the better?
Imagine a life where you have a habit of completing projects, eating well, keeping in touch with family and friends, and working to your fullest potential.
When you have a foundation of good habits, you’re setting yourself up for a full, healthy, and successful life.
Here are 5 steps  to changing your habits that can in turn, change your entire life.
1. Identify your Keystone Habit, and focus on it.
The habit you identify as the most important thing you can change about your life. To find out what that is for you, ask yourself, what constantly gnaws at you? Is it something you do that you want to stop, or something you don’t do and want to start?
Whichever habit you’re working on, pick one at a time.
More than one at a time will be overwhelming and will increase your likelihood of failing to improve any habits.
2. Identify your current routine and the reward you get from it.
Let’s say you want to build a habit of getting to the office a half hour early each day. You want to do this because you think the extra quiet time in the morning will help you to be more productive, and that productivity will be rewarded by an increased sense of job satisfaction, and an overall better work environment.
Currently, you get to the office just on time. Your current routine is to leave your house in a rush, at the exact time you’ve calculated that (without traffic or incident) will get you to work on time. Your reward is spending some extra time at your house in the morning, spending an extra half hour sleeping or “charging your batteries” for the day ahead.
3. Consider the challenges.
Challenges are often cues that push you to fall back into old habits. In the example of getting to work earlier, your challenges may lie in your sleep patterns the night before, or in coordinating schedules with a partner. These challenges will not magically disappear so you need to take them into account.
But don’t let the presence of challenges, or worry that new challenges will come up in the future, deter you from establishing your new habits. If your challenges include coordinating with other people, make them a part of your new routine, as I’ll explain later. Right now, simply identify what the challenges or obstacles are.
4. Plan your new routine and pinpoint the reward.
Old habits never disappear; they are simply replaced with new habits. In the example of getting to the office earlier, the new routine involves leaving the house a half hour earlier.
If the old habit was rewarded with the thought that you’ll have more energy for the day by staying in your house longer, the new habit needs to focus around the idea that more rest doesn’t necessarily mean more energy. In other words, you’ll want to address what you think you’ll be giving up by replacing the old habit.
5. Power through setbacks.
Sometimes, it’s not just willpower that runs out. Sometimes we are swayed from our paths by life “getting in the way” of new goals. If something sways you from your challenge, the best course of action is to evaluate the situation and see how you can get around, over, or through that obstacle.
However, once a new habit is established, it actually becomes our default setting. If your usual habits are healthy, then stressful times are less likely to throw you off from your usual routines. In other words, we’re just as likely to default to healthy habits as we are to self-sabotaging habits, if those healthy habits have become a part of our everyday routine.
[Courtesy]

Interview 101: How To Answer ‘Do You have Questions For Us?’

By Tabitha Makumi,
You have been grilled in an interview for maybe 30 minutes, you probably broke a sweat during the interview but now it’s coming to an end…
The interviewer looks at you you feel your heart race.
Do you have any questions for us? He asks.
If you are prepared enough and you should be, then you knew this had to come. You were expecting this kind of question. If on the other hand you had no clue that this was coming, it will catch you off guard.
You’ve got to say something other than replying that you’ve got nothing to ask.
Doing otherwise might leave the impression to the interviewer that you are not exactly keen to get the job.
If you must ask, do make sure that they aren’t those with obvious answers that you can get if you have done the research thoroughly.
Try to incorporate your knowledge of the industry and the company into a question that will address a genuine concern of yours.
Candidates are judged by the quality of the questions they ask during an interview. Candidates who have no questions at all might be perceived as having no interest in the position.

Learn how to ask questions in an interview

Even worse than that, inappropriate or off-track questions can be viewed as a huge red flag by any interviewer. Asking the wrong questions can easily sink an otherwise successful interview.
Here are some of the questions you can ask…
How do you expect the new hire to change or improve this position?
This is the kind of question which will let you know why the last person who held that job you are interviewing for lost the gig.  What didn’t he do enough? It’s the kind of question which will you the bigger picture of what your potential employer counts as success. (Then, when (if) you get the job, make those goals happen.)
Why would I not be a fit for this job?
This kind of question invites critique and shows you can handle feedback. It also lets the interviewer give voice to any worries they might have about you and this way you can know where you stand.
Ask open-ended questions, as opposed to yes-no questions.
Remember that the idea is to get the interviewer to talk more. You ask questions that start with “Can you tell me more about …” “What is your opinion of …”  This way the interviewer gets to reveal more information about the company, about the position, about themself and about their expectations.
Ask question related to the interview
This is a good thing because it will show that you have been paying attention.  Expand on topics already covered, and ask for more details. It shows you are curious, interested and eager to learn more about the position.
While there may be tons of questions to ask, there are some you should never be caught asking. Things like:
a)what does this company do? (you should already know)
b)Is it possible for me to get a small loan
c)How many warnings does one get before one is fired?
d)Would anyone notice if I came in late and left early?
e)You can also not ask the interviewer point blank if you are going to get the job. That tends to put the interviewer on the spot, and makes people feel very uncomfortable.

Accountant Job Interview Questions & Answers

By Angela Wahome,
Here are sample job interview questions and answers for an accountant position.
What accounting packages are you familiar with?
When I was studying CPA I did two accounting packages being Sage and QuickBooks. I also became familiar with ERP when I joined the first organization where I worked for a year and three months. The organization that I am in at the moment uses SAP, which also has and accounting module in it.
Describe an accounting process that you sought to improve.
In the last organization I worked at the owner was never in the office as he did a lot of field work. He preferred to work on paper.. After we ran out of toilet paper, petrol and airtime for the company sales team on the same day. I suggested that we may sms him the requisition for approval which he would later come to the office to sign.
Describe a time when you faced a particularly demanding deadline to prepare a financial statement or report. How did you react? What was the result?
The time to create an initial budget was drawing near. We had been given a 6 months count down and a break down of all the expenditure for the previous year together with the possible activities. I created a budget that was very frugal based on the expected return for each Marketing activity or event having studied both accounts and marketing. The Marketing Department had all the figures ready and when we presented our budget the Management were grateful that we were able to use much less than the previous year. The sales increased and a profit was realised that year of 30% more than the previous years.
How do you ensure that you do not forget details and ensure accuracy when you prepare monthly journal entries, record transactions, etc.?
Working in a team and directly reporting to two Managers as well as the CEO, made this a bit of a challenge. There were times I had to reallocate work, or juggle work while keeping everyone in the loop. Eventually I began coming in early in the morning to gain an additional 3 hours, which allowed me time to focus on the difficult activities, before the office got extremely busy. I kept a diary with a list of things to do and a summary of the days work. The most important skill I gained was the ability to be flexible and to switch tasks without losing focus.
Describe a time when you had to use numerical data or a graph to convince a manager.
We had an exhibition to go to one time as one of our clients decided to cancel and since they were not able to get a refund offered us the stand at a fraction of the original price. I quickly made a decision to take the stand and took it upon myself to get all the marketing material ready. With some hand written calculations, of basic expenses which required a lot of skipping on traditional expenses (like expensive lunch and transport) I was able to convince the Finance Manager to provide money for lunch for two people and the stand. We washed the banners, table cloths that morning. Then early that afternoon we piled everything including banners, cloths, books, all the brochures old and new and anything that would help us make the stand look nicer in a little car which went to the event. This included 2 office chairs. I paid for a decorator and bought a flower arrangement but had it put in a borrowed flower pot.  The CEO was furious, but when he arrived took a picture of the stand. The event was a success we ended up selling our products and services for more than we paid for the entire exhibition.

Sales & Marketing Job Interview Question & Answers

By Dorcas Karuana,
Here is sample interview question and answers for a sales and marketing Position
1. Tell us about yourself?
I am Jane Wangui, a sales professional with over 5 years working experience. I am knowledgeable in the process of sales and marketing from the idea stage to when the marketing program actually hit the streets to be sold. In addition, I have been a team sales team leader with a proven record of achieving sales target and meeting set deadlines.
I am a graduate of Bachelor of Commerce- Sales and Marketing option from Kenyatta University and a Certified Marketing professional who hold a post graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
2. What Do You Know About Our Products/Business?
Based on the research I’ve done, the company is an industry leader. When I visited your web site, I was impressed with the mission and vision and also found some impressive information about the many products that you deal with. In particular,
This is the company I’ve been looking for; I want to be where things are developing, changing, and growing; to make a meaningful contribution to that development and growth.
I would want to be part of an excellent diverse workforce, rendering your diversity a source of strength.
3. Can You Tell Me About a Successful Marketing Campaign You Helped Develop?
Planning a marketing campaign starts with understanding your position in the marketplace and ends with details such as the wording of an advertisement.
As a sales Lead in ABC Company, I was part of the team that came up with a marketing campaign for a new product in the market.  First we described your product and its features and benefits in detail, focusing on how it differs from the competition in terms of pricing, service, distribution and placement.
Secondly, we looked at the various market segments to introduce demand for the product; describing the type of target customer in terms of demographics: age, sex, family composition, earnings, geographical location, lifestyle, purchasing patterns, buying objections, and the like. This was to know exactly who will be driving your growth.
Then we came up with a strategy for communicating the message that would produce growth. This involved finding out what the target customers read and listen to, as well as spelling out our promotional objectives. We crafted a message that addresses their needs and differentiates the product or service from the competition.
4. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
I would say that my greatest strength is my ability to follow through. In sales, I have found that I am most successful when I pay attention to every piece of the sales cycle, from the first contact, to the thank you at the completion of the sale.
I believe one of my weaknesses is my impatience. Whenever I work in a team and any of the team members do not perform up to my expectation, I tend to get extremely impatient and annoyed. I do understand if they’re working hard and if their sales portion is difficult, but there are occasions when a person can’t do an assignment due to incompetence and laziness. I’m trying to work on this weakness by explaining things to some people in greater detail and encouraging ‘lazier’ individuals by reminding them of deadlines.”
5. What Motivates You?
I am motivated by constant progress of making a sale and having a new customer on my list, as well as ensure that my company’s clients get the best customer service I can provide. I have always felt that it’s important, both to me personally, and for the company and the clients, to provide a positive customer experience.
6. Why do you want to leave your current job?
I’m currently looking for new opportunities because I don’t feel that I am able to continue to grow at my current company.  In speaking to other employees at your company and reading the website, I realize that growth and mobility is something that is a big focus and priority at [company you're interviewing at]. That is the type of place I want to spend the next years in my career.  I’ve had an amazing experience overall at [past company] but I think now is the right time to move on.
7. Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
I would like to work in an environment where there is a blend of both since both are two side of a coin. Its great working in teams while sharing and learning ideas with each other as well as emergence of creative solutions and sharing of the work load. However, it’s also great to sit at my own desk and work hard productively. Therefore I would like to work independently towards a team goal
8. Do you have a proven record of accomplishment in sales?
Yes I do, in my previous work, I led a team of sales and marketing executives in a promotional campaign that resulted in increased sales of Kshs 10 Million and the company exceeding its annual sales targets by 25%. As a result, I was seconded by national sales manager to support sales teams in other regions and ensure that their quarterly targets were achieved which has increased my territories client base by 30%.
9. How do you find prospective clients?
Email Cold Call- This way, I send my prospect client an email, with a write up of the product and how it can be of benefit to his/her company, and follow up a few days later if I haven’t got any reply by then. I then ask for a one to one meeting where I can discuss the proposal further with the client as I give samples.
Also, I do a lot of networking by attending as many events as I can but always make sure that they are the ones my prospects attend as well. I try to make friends with the prospects; and many of the connections actually result in a business being done.
10. Give an example of when you had to change your approach to a prospect because the initial one failed.
I always maintain performance and my effectiveness in different situations and faced with different people. Include how you are able to adjust your approach to match different demands and challenges.
11. Tell me about a time you worked hard for a sale but didn’t get it in the end, how did you handle the situation?”
I am very resilient and I know the key to continued success in sales is the ability to handle disappointment and rejection.
have maintained enthusiasm and performance after disappointment. I take negativity in my stride and bounce back quickly.
Include examples in your sales interview answer of persistence and determination in finding solutions to obstacles or challenges.
12. What do you regard as the biggest challenge in a sales position?
The greatest challenge I’ve faced in my career to date has to be the key role I played in helping my company survive the recent recession.  The company was undoubtedly ill-prepared for the advent and impact of the recession; their financial reserves were just too weak.  After a spate of redundancies, those of us who were left faced an uphill struggle to keep sales levels up and costs down while maintaining our standards of customer service.
I learned a great deal from the experience.  It was a great challenge.  While we certainly did have a tough time of it, we successfully rode out the recession and the cost control measures which I personally devised and implemented ultimately resulted in a significantly healthier bottom line than we had had before the recession.
Dorcas is a Human Resource Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke