CV Writing: How to Create A CV With No Job Experience

By Dorcas Karuana,
Most graduate’s biggest challenge in the entry into the job market is lack of experience. This is the nightmare that frustrates graduates in job search since employers want to see only qualified professionals in their organization. So is it possible to find a place in the sun for those who just start a career and have no practical knowledge?
Yesterday, I went to facilitate a Career Advice Session in an Intervarsity forum for Accounting Students Association – KCA University on “Making an Impact, Standing Out and Moving Ahead in Your Career.” One of the things I touched on was your personal brand. How a job seeker package him/herself to a potential employer should send a message that you are the solution that the company needs.
Unfortunately, graduates are not able to stand out among the large number of job seekers and are not offered a good post. Packaging your personal brand starts from your cover letter and CV among others. A CV is your gate pass to interviews and should therefore portray you in the best light possible. Your main task is to ensure your CV is seen by the employer and not thrown in the trash.
However, if you just graduated and have no experience and professional achievement, how do you make the right CV? In this case you must show your best qualities to the employer and to prove that you will be able to perform tasks even without the practical skills. Highlight your abilities and check for grammatical errors.
1. Personal Details: – Include your full name, date of birth, e-mail and phone number.
Additional knowledge of foreign languages will be a good advantage between other candidates.
NB: You may also add photo to your CV, especially if you are looking for acting or modeling jobs.
2. Education Background- Specify the level of education, full name of the institution and year of graduation in the next
3. Skills and Competencies
This provides additional information about you. Describe in detail your personal qualities, skills and benefits (e.g., knowledge of the Internet and computer programs, a driver’s license). In this section you can add additional training courses in case they are useful to the future job.
4. Work Experience- Your Job experience is the most important information of any CV. Do not be afraid to point out a little job experience, even if it includes 3-4 months and is not related to the future profession.
Include any job experience gained before graduation from the university or college such as volunteer work, part-time or internships if you have any.  Such experience will prove that you are able to manage your time and combine academic and work life effectively.
Also, you can put short term jobs like Conducting Census- Enumerator, Election polling Clerks, e.t.c.
You can also include leadership roles you had in college or university whether in student’s union or clubs.
5. Trainings/ Seminars Attended
If you have undergone practical training in any company or organization indicate this information, because such a CV can be more perspective than other resumes of fresh graduates.
6. Awards/Certificates Awarded
Indicate certificate awarded for participation in various Clubs in the college or universities.
7. Hobbies- Include relevant hobbies
8. Referees. – Include names of at least 3 referees (Include at least one Professional referee, and Educational Referee)

Advertising Sales Jobs in Kenya

Sales & Marketing Jobs in Kenya
Position: Advertising Sales Executive
Reporting To: Sales Manager
Industry: Advertising
   
Role Objective
Builds leads of prospective clients and closes the same; maintaining relationships with clients.
Duties & Responsibilities
Growing sales in Outdoor Media and Branding initiatives from corporate players and advertising agencies.
Developing creative ideas for marketing and special promotional material.
Keeping abreast to emerging technologies in new media particularly design programs.
Meeting and liaising with clients to discuss and identify their advertising requirements.
Working with agency colleagues to devise an advertising campaign that meets the client’s brief and budget.
Working with the sales manager to brief media, creative and research staff and assisting with the formulation of marketing and sales strategies.
Liaising with and acting as the link between the client and advertising agency
Maintaining regular contact with the client and advertising agency ensuring that communication flows effectively.
Presenting creative work to clients for approval or modification.
Qualification & Experience
Degree/ Diploma in sales & marketing
Minimum 2 years sales experience in a similar role
Must  have vast exposure in the Advertising industry
Excellent Interpersonal, presentation and communication skills
ONLYthose fulfilling the requirements of the positions should email
Their Detailed Cvs,
Indicating Your Availability
Expected Salary
On the Subject line clearly indicate “ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE”.
E-mail to: philip@dafinaconsultants.com

10 Things Every Recent Graduate Should Know

A lot of people graduate with great hopes about post-graduation life. While these hopes can, and hopefully will, be met – they need to realise that times have changed, and success is no longer as ‘easy’ to achieve as it was many years ago.
For this reason, graduates should arm themselves with the following observations – things I was forced to learn based on experience – to prevent disappointment:
1. Getting a degree is a great achievement, but it is only the starting point. Professional qualifications, skills-enhancement training and certifications have made the labour market more competitive. The wise graduates will immediately find ways to enhance their profiles.
2. There will always be far more job seekers than jobs, and not every graduate will receive an employment offer within their first year of graduation. The wise graduates will explore (goodly) alternatives right from the start. This leads to point 3 -
3. Many graduates are in a position to create wealth for themselves, but most will not, either because they are adamant about getting a ‘suit-and-tie’ job, or because they are waiting for a huge investment to come in. The wise graduates will start what they can with the little they have.
4. University education was not primarily designed for job-finding purposes, so it baffles me when graduates think that the ONLY way forward after graduation, is to receive an employment offer. Your university degree is designed to enhance your profile, to increase your knowledge, skills and world-view – to make you more useful to yourself and to the world.
5. Graduates need a teflon-coat. The job market and the business world are both very tough, but through resilience and continued effort, success is almost guaranteed.
6. It’s not necessarily the brightest and the best that make it to the top. There are a number of factors / skills that are not taught in the university or by most career centres, but which influence career success. These include: likeability, emotional intelligence, tact, aggressiveness (but not over-aggressiveness) and continuing professional development.
7. Not every job vacancy actually exists. Some are posted by recruitment agents to build their candidate database. In our beloved country, some others are posted by scammers to exploit graduates.
8. Not every job application you make will be seen by the company (because there will be many other applications). The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to have your application seen.
9. Your physical appearance (not in terms of beauty but in terms of neatness, carriage, composure and speech) will many times influence your career more than other factors. The wise graduates will ensure that they look their best and act professionally at all times.
10. It would be unwise to look down on any job opportunities. The ‘low’ jobs are only a ladder towards a better job / career.

ACTED NGO Jobs. Security Officer Job

NGO Jobs in Kenya
Department:       Logistics
Contract duration:        Open ended
Duty Station:        Nairobi
Starting Date:        ASAP
ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization thatoperates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non-discrimination.
ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based inParis, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000national staff.
ACTED sectors of intervention include emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development,education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion.
For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org.
ACTED Kenya/Somalia is looking for experiencedself-driven and self-oriented professionals to fill the following position;
Security Officer
Reporting to the Logistics Officer, her/his duties will include:
To provide efficient security and safety support toACTED’s programmes in Kenya and Somalia including the safety and security of all ACTED staff, eligible dependants, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects while ensuring compliance with ACTED’s security policies and SOPs.
Contribute to the development and updating of the Country Safety & Security Plan, collecting contributions from the field teams, and submitting it to the Country Director’s review.
The operationalization of the Security & Safety Plan, in particular putting in place the necessary systems and equipment (Communication equipment, Vehicles, Stocks, etc.).
The implementation of security & safety measures decided by the Country Director.
Conduct regular threats and risks assessments, identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures for all operational areas.
Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of premises and equipment and advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions.
Provide timely and accurate security advice to Coordination and disseminate crucial security information to all staff.
Immediately report all security-related incidents involving ACTED staff and eligible dependents to the Country Director.
Provide all staff with regular security briefings and updates and ensure that all staffs adhere to security policies and procedures.
Provide training and capacity building for staff members in order to increase thelevel of technical ability and skills in terms of safety and security. Ensure that staff members are proficient in the use of safety and security equipment, including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment and personal security safeguards required for work in the field.
The organisation of security & safety briefing to all newly recruited staff joining ACTED.
Responsible for security monitoring, liaison with national authorities, law enforcement, UN Agencies, and NGOs to ensure a smooth flow of security information.
Monitor all national/international staff movement and facilitate security clearances for areas where required.
Be a member of the Crisis Management Team and responsible for the practical organisation of any relocation or evacuation.
Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.);
Provide advice on the security of transportation and logistics.
Responsible for complying with all the reporting requirements within the various sub departments to the country department team, HQ as well as donor requirements within the FLAT process.
Provide inputs to donor reports, as required.
Ensure proper filing/file maintenance of security related documents.
Act as the security focal point for the Nairobi Office; supervise the securityguards performance in Nairobi; in cooperation with the Administration, maintain an updated staff lists, including details of visitors.
Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary.
Collaborate with other tasks within the logistics department, including the procurement of security equipment.
This position will require frequent travel to ACTED’s areas of intervention in Kenya and Somalia.
Qualifications/Skills Required
Bachelor degree in Arts, Social Sciences, Management, or a related security field. However, a diploma backed by strong relevant technical experience will also be considered.
Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment with NGOs is an asset;
In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management;
Three years relevant experience, preferably in a security management environment.
Strong analytical as well as administrative skills
Computer literate.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective work relations at all levels,
Excellent communication skills.
Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
Ability to manage varied workloads, and deal constructively with stress and working long hours.
Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision, pro-active and a good team-player.
Being conversant in Somali language will be considered an advantage.
Application Procedure
Qualified persons with the required skills are invited to submit their applications accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae, three work related referees, contacts and expected salary to kenya.jobs@acted.org and received on or before 5.00PM on 24October 2013
Kindly note that due to the urgency of the position, CVs will be shortlisted on on-going basis. ACTED reserves the right to hire prior to the application deadline. Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
ACTED is an Equal Opportunity Employer, qualified female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Cargo Sales Jobs in Kenya (20-40K)

Sales & Marketing Jobs in Kenya
Cargo Sales Person (Air and Sea)
Location: Nairobi
Industry:  Clearing and Forwarding
Our client, a leading freight company in clearing and forwarding in Kenya and an agent in East and Central Africa, is looking for a Cargo Sales Person (air and sea). We are specifically looking for candidates with similar working experience in any of the major clearing and forwarding outlets in Kenya.
Salary: Kshs. 20, 000 – 40,000
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Maintaining and expanding business of the company
Negotiating agreements and resolves potential issues or problems with clients
Building strong relationships with customers
Creating awareness of all the products and services in the area to magnify market influence and generate future sales
Developing sales network and price structure to attain targets and increase revenues.
Implementing customer service procedures to ensure customer satisfaction
Other administrative tasks may include some required budget assistance; payment processing, personnel activities, and staff scheduling
Strictly following company guidelines and policies
Prepare Sales activities reports such as Sales performance report
Reporting the time recording reports
Skills and Qualification Required
At least 2 years experience in Sales Cargo both air and sea
Very good knowledge of International and domestic Airlines
Airfreight Sales Cargo, good knowledge of customs, air and surface
Movement, local state legislation related to the industry
IATA/FIATA Certificate is preferable
Diploma in Sales and Marketing
Must possess a complete understanding of the flight/cargo operations
Excellent communication and building relationship
Excellent customer service mindset
To apply, send your CV ONLY to info@flexi-personnel.com before Friday 22nd October 2013.
Clearly indicate the position applied for and the minimum salary expectation on the subject line.
ONLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO APPLY