Job Interview Answer To ‘Why Are You Leaving Your Present Job?’

By Dorcas Karuana,
A successful job interview takes careful planning and preparation by a candidate.  Part of an interview preparation involves taking time to prepare answers for the most common job interview questions. The way that you answer the interview question “why are you leaving your current position” is crucial in the interview process. Therefore, prior to the interview, think about exactly how you are going to answer this question because it will come up very early in the interview process.
The real purpose of this question is to understand your motives for leaving a company.  Research has shown that most people quit their bosses, not their jobs, but as human resource manager that is the last thing you actually want to hear.  Make sure make sure the employer is not alarmed or concerned in any way as to what is causing you to be it the market.
When you are explaining why you are looking for another there are 2 extremely important basics that you must remember.
1. State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment. Keep the answer upbeat concentrating on the advantages of what the new job would offer.
2. Do not be negative in your reasons for leaving. Resist the temptation of giving a negative connotation and expectancy about ex-employer or ex-employee. Also, remember not to only focus on salary as your primary motivator. You could mention the increased salary but do not
Also, make sure you are brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself.
Here are sample answers to Why Are You Leaving (Did You Leave) Your Present (Last) Job? In various situations.
1. Answer assuming you are still working:
I am happy at my current firm and have learned a great deal. I just feel that at this point in my career I have reached a plateau where I am at, and based on discussions with mentors in our industry, I was encouraged to passively see what else is out in the market. I very much want to continue in the path I am on, but am looking to add to my duties and responsibilities, and feel that this role and company would provide me with this opportunity.
2. Answer assuming you were laid off:
Unfortunately, due to market conditions beyond anyone’s control, revenues were down a considerable amount for our company, and the firm was forced to let our entire department go. Although I had a feeling this would happen, I am a very loyal and dedicated individual. I did not interview until I was officially laid off. I wanted to make sure that all loose ends were resolved and that any pending projects or cases I was in handling were transferred over smoothly to the new team taking over.
3. Answer assuming you were fired:
Unfortunately, there was an error made, and this error was made by me. I took full responsibility for it, although between you and me, I think that the amount of workload and responsibility given to me at the time was just way beyond my skill set and expertise, which led to an error that caused my termination. But I am a team player, and never say no to additional work.
Unfortunately, this one project I handled backfired, I made an error, and due to this mistake, I was terminated. I completely understand if this changes your perspective on me, but I can assure you that I learned a great deal from this unfortunate situation, and will know, from now on, if I have too much on my plate, I will immediately go to my supervisor and state so. We are all humans after all, and no one is perfect. I have learned a big lesson from this.
4. Answer assuming you resigned:
This is good and bad. As mentioned above in the “termination” section, if you are able to resign before getting fired, you can then state as you interview some valid story that would make sense with what is going on in the market. E.g. If there are economy concerns, potential layoffs, rumors of layoffs, etc). Although it is not good to leave your job without securing a new one, especially since the market is so bad, a HR Manager would understand if you chose to resign to dedicate yourself to finding a new job.
Nevertheless, a good answer would flow like this: ‘There were rumors that the firm was not doing well, and with the market pull back, I just suspected that soon I would be let go. I felt the best thing to do was to resign and dedicate myself full time to finding a new position.’
Dorcas is a Human Resource Consultant at Corporate Staffing Service. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke. Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke

5 Most Effective Tips For Job Search Success

By Dorcas Karuana,
Most people have found themselves taking any job that comes their way since jobs are becoming very hard to find these days, especially ones that are well-paying and interesting.  With the current tough economic environment, running an effective job search requires that you stand out from the crowd of experienced or entry level job seekers. For any given advertised position, the employers have a wide choice from a pool of qualified candidates who apply.
A job search is a journey into the unknown. There is much that you cannot control. Most job seekers will tell you that; one day things look promising the next you get a rejection on a job you were ideally suited for. This has discouraged many job seekers who get stressed thinking there is an unseen conspiracy working against their job hunting efforts.
However, job seekers must understand that searching for the right employment can take up quite a bit of your time if you have a run of bad luck. You need to get started on your job search at the earliest or else you’ll miss out on the best opportunities. Perhaps by taking a closer look at various aspects of job hunting you’ll be able to develop a different and more positive outlook.
Creating a well thought-out job search plan will help you take full advantage of the time you spend job searching and identify the opportunities that provide you with the best chance of success.
1. Focus your efforts on the right companies- Most of us just apply for any job and in fact 90% of people who write to me for job search assistance, perhaps because of frustration, ask me to get them any job. You need to target your search on the companies that are most likely to hire you. Make a list of these companies and do plenty of research on them so that you know exactly to whom or where you have to apply to for a job. If you apply indiscriminately for a job then you’ll just be wasting your time effort.
2. Use your network of contacts to hear about jobs that are not advertised- There are many big/ small companies in Kenya that never advertise for their jobs, while others do it as a formality. This is where you need to know people. Networking is proven to be the most effective job search method that accounts for 99% of hired jobs. Therefore, while it helps to apply through job search agencies, you should also start doing networking so that you let people know that you are looking for a job. You’ll be surprised at the number of job openings you hear about in this manner.
3. Make sure that your reputation is very clean: This includes your online reputation. You can be sure that potential employers will dig into your background. If your social networking profile has photos of yourself doing foolish or illegal things then you should take them down immediately. If you can’t do that then you should at least be prepared to answer tough questions very honestly.
4. Have a great CV: Prepare your application by customizing it to the company you are applying to. Be sure to highlight your strengths with specific reference to a company’s requirements. In other words, it should reflect exactly why you are the best person for the job.
5. Don’t get discouraged: Job hunting can take a lot of time if you are really unlucky. You’ll need to keep your spirits up during this difficult time so that you can focus on searching for the right employment.
There are plenty of jobs available, even in the most difficult of times, for those people who know how to search for them. If you use these tips then you’ll find that your job search comes to a fruitful conclusion at the very earliest. In fact, you’ll be able to get started on a career and not just any sort of employment.

Corporate Schemes Asst Jobs in Kenya

Latest Jobs in Kenya
The Nairobi Hospital, a leading health care institution in Eastern Africa has excellent career opportunities for individuals who possess a passion for excellence, strong work ethic, are results oriented and committed to continual improvement.
The successful candidates will be team players with the ability to effectively add value to a wide range of professionals and shape best practice.
Corporate Schemes Assistant
Ref: HRD/CSA/09/13
Reporting to the Corporate Schemes Officer, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following amongst others:
Ensuring efficient and timely delivery of service to third-party clients and that third party support is available at the service points.
Providing information to external and internal customers.
Ensuring proper record keeping and maintaining an effective document handling system for the schemes
Updating corporate schemes individual staff listing database.
Arranging proper credit facilities, including renewals and terminations of accounts as they fall due.
Identifying and solving problems affecting the third party clients to their satisfaction.
Assisting third party patients who may need administrative assistance.
Vetting and maintaining record of returns from corporate clients to confirm actual account status.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Diploma in Business Administration
Degree will be an added advantage
Computer literate
Minimum 1 year experience in a busy credit department preferably in the service industry.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
If your background, experience and competence match the above specifications, please send us your application quoting the reference.
Include your current remuneration, testimonials and give full contact details of 3 referees to:
The Human Resources Manager
The Nairobi Hospital
P.O. Box 30026
Nairobi – 00100 or recruitment@nbihosp.org
To be received not later than 3rd October 2013.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Hospital Theatre Technicians Kenyan Jobs

Medical Kenyan Jobs
The Nairobi Hospital, a leading health care institution in Eastern Africa has excellent career opportunities for individuals who possess a passion for excellence, strong work ethic, are results oriented and committed to continual improvement.
The successful candidates will be team players with the ability to effectively add value to a wide range of professionals and shape best practice.
Theatre Technicians
Ref: HRD/TT/09/13
Reporting to the Charge Nurse Theatres, the successful candidates will be responsible for the following amongst others:
Cleaning the operating rooms and equipment.
Preparing theatre machines for surgery.
Availing the necessary accessories for operations.
Assisting in positioning patients before, during and after surgery.
Ensuring that the operative lights, air conditioners and related items are regulated and in good working condition.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Anaesthetic Theatre Technician Certificate.
Two years theatre experience.
Good communication skills.
Good organisational skills.
If your background, experience and competence match the above specifications, please send us your application quoting the reference.
Include your current remuneration, testimonials and give full contact details of 3 referees to:
The Human Resources Manager
The Nairobi Hospital
P.O. Box 30026
Nairobi – 00100 or recruitment@nbihosp.org
To be received not later than 3rd October 2013.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

5 Types of Co-workers Who Can Sabotage Your Career

By Dorcas Karuana,
In the workplace you’ll encounter the good, the bad and the ugly.  Some co-workers are really good and you can count on them at all times. Some are bad, meaning they just don’t know what they are doing and they make mistakes, while others are ugly, meaning they are out to get you.
Just the other day, we saw the career of Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Gladys Sholei almost sinking. Her being sent away on compulsory leave by a few members of the Judicial Service Commission unproceduraly brought in an element of malice in the saga.
Career sabotage is not about a co-worker who takes credit for your work or occasionally alienates you in the office, but it is generally rooted in cunning and unscrupulous, revenge or malice with the underlying intentions being insidious and quite threatening.
Co-workers can try to sink your career because  most workplaces prize individual achievement over and above anything else. Some may feel threatened and are intimidated by you and your talents. Others want your job outright, and making you look bad may allow them to get their foot in the door. Or some are struggling at work and feel insecure in their job, hence react by also trying to bring down others.
1. The master delegator - This co-worker is either always asking, “Can you help me with …?” or saying, “I need you to …” And whenever s/he’s in charge of a big project, the person shoves a bulk of the tasks your way. Some are also quick to say, “I’ve already got a lot on my plate.” But, as far as you can tell, his plate is no fuller than anyone else’s. In fact, with all of his delegating, it’s starting to seem like he’s not pulling his weight.
2. The control freak - You point out a new idea or an improvement—like getting more creative with the wording in a report or tweaking the steps in an old procedure—but she’s determined not to change a thing. With her, there’s little room for input or innovation. Sure, tenacity has its virtues, but her stick-to-imitativeness feels more like pain.
3. The know-it-all - You may also know him as the Super Achiever or the Spotlight Hogger. He’s not always the best or the brightest (often, he’s quite average), but he certainly thinks that he’s top dog. He also expects to lead, not follow. So he’s the first person to take the floor, always piping up with a “here’s what we should do” idea in a meeting—even though he doesn’t always have the substance to back up the hype.
4. The Procrastinator - His catchphrase: “I’ll get it to you tomorrow.” His schedule is always full of hold-ups, and his emails have plenty of excuses for why something’s unfinished (and possibly not even started yet). Maybe he’s legitimately overwhelmed, maybe he’s lazy—who knows why he’s always late. But you’re not the only one who wishes that you could count on him to deliver the goods on time.
5. The Gossiper- This toxic co-worker is a splitter who is often involved in office gossip with a mean streak and bad intentions to create riffs—or splits—in office relationships. They aim to build mistrust over time with the other person, side-eyeing one another and second-guessing each other. Such gossipers will tell you what they overheard someone deriding your work, only to sidle up to that other person to tell her/ him something entirely different.
Dorcas is a Human Resource Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@coproratestaffing.co.ke. Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke