Very few programs/shows on Ghanaian television enlighten me as much as "The Today's Woman Show"on TV3.Well,there are a couple more programs that get me adding a few things to my knowledge bag,I have to say.
However,today's edition of the show blew me away.GOOD JOB! Audrey and the ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is what you get when a very intelligent and eloquent host in the adorable Audrey Selormey meets two other equally brilliant and "accomplished"ladies in one studio.
Of course,Dzigbordi Dosoo as you know is the founder and C.E.O of Allure Africa,lifestyle coach,consultant and talk show host.When it comes to anything image,think Dzigbordi.
Edem Adzaho is also the founder and C.E.O of SPEC consult limited,an international training consultant,and an Author.
These two excellent ladies were on the show to discuss basically essentials graduates need to be relevant and gain employment in the hugely choked job market;white or blue collar specifically with the case of an unemployed HND graduate turned head potter as reference.
Trust me when I say it was a the best show I have watched in months on national television.
Everything the ladies discussed was worth my while,inspiring,informative,educative and indeed an eye-opener,so I decided to highlight a few points so you share in it,if you missed the show,are we cool??? OK
Preparing a CV and prepping up for a job interview
Dzigbordi calls something the ABC of an interview session,what she looks out for,even before your competences and all of that.......
°°°A-Appearance (outward look,physical postures and image as in what you wear and how you wear them)
°°°B-Behaviour (Attitudes;basic courtesies,mannerisms etc)
°°°C-Communication ([verbal and non-verbal] flow and command
over language,near-flawless presentation of ones thought processes and ideas)
She calls them ESSENTIALS for employer consideration on the first interaction,and I totally agree!!!!!!!
You don't want to walk into an interview looking confused inward and outward,do you??
Our educational system has over the years received a lot of flack for being overly grammar-type instead of being skills,and talent oriented.And so many people think their degree is all it takes to land a job,but Dzigbordi says,it's fine to have a job,but in this competitive world,you have to identify your talent,hone it,and get it developed to make some money aside from your salaried job.
Add value to yourself,and ensure you're prepared for the job;the degree alone is not enough.......attempt voluntary internships while after school,learn on jobs,build your personal belief.
Few tips:
Your CV is your selling document,should not have on top of it,CURRICULUM VITAE,everyone knows it is your CV
Do not go on and on about
NAME:
DATE OF BIRTH:
RELIGION:
and on and on.....NOP!!!!!
Simply do your name on top KINGSLEY KOMLA ADOM,because it's your document.YOU,and YOU only.
And then your simple address,phone number (use the +233 thing when
you're actually applying for a job outside of Ghana,if within,do your normal
0242156697).
Your educational status and background must come next if you're a new
graduate..Don't go on and on till kindergarten,and all,maybe Senior High School is enough.........
If you held some big positions,obviously you must include them (school prefect,assistant,etc) not red section leader,senior on duty,cupboard boy etc.
Before you come to professional levels.
If you had tasks at a previous workplace,QUANTIFY them,don't write your duties;
I TALKED TO CLIENTS
I DID PHOTOCOPIES
I DID PRESENTATIONS
I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING FILES
Write instead that;
I TALKED 500 CLIENTS INTO DOING BUSINESS WITH US OVER TWO WEEKS,results were that,the company recorded so so and so amount of revenue!
I RUN over a 1,000 PHOTOCOPIES IN TWO DAYS for project A or B ,bla bla bla
And your hobbies must be exciting,and worthwhile....don't say swimming,watching movies when the last time you even did any of these was a year ago...
Remember Employers consider persons with adventurous hobbies,exciting ones,and you must be as regular with them as possible..
COMPETENCIES:
Don't just write sweeping statements,
Don't write EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS,give examples,two or three
instances what do you do let the panel stop you on that (like ok that's enough).
Do you write articles,do you prepare quarterly reports,do you do Public speaking,do you do media relations etc
ABLE TO USE MICROSOFT TOOLS and DO PRESENTATIONS:
actually demonstrate it..
If there's space,do the referencing,give as many as you have them and their contacts...
In all the CV must sell you,sell sell sell....
Should not be long and boring..Two pages maximum isn't bad.Ensure grammar is good,and presentation is super.
Remember,you'll have to prove/defend everything you put in the CV during the
interview,so if your CV is as good,you should match it......
They (Dzigbordi and Edem)add that,as a lady,you have to get all your hair off your face for an interview,braids are beautiful,they're cool but the interviewer needs to make contact with your eyes and mouth..
The hair flying all over your face,is an unnecessary distraction.......so are colorful hair bands.
Also the job interview is not your time to exhibit excess creativity and your bubbly self with three or four earrings....NO NO NO
That's a turnoff and a distraction too,keep it simple; decent hairdo,one cool earring,and you'll be fine...Not too much flesh showing,bright smile,that's enough.
Your dress speaks volumes on an interview panel..even the colours mean
a thing or two to the panel...
Blue,Grey,Black,White,Orange,all have what they stand for....and may tell the prospective employer what you're communicating non verbally.....take note,and make sure the dress colour is communicating the right things in the right ways.........
You should keep regular eye contacts with all members on the panel.
You should be confident enough,and be prepared for tricky situations,where your ability to think on the butt would be tested....
You must actually listen very well during an interview session,and take charge of your space.
Request a seat if you are not given one,and remember you're matching
what's on your CV,so you must be excellent...!!!!!!
Thanks Dzigbordi,Edem and Audrey,you ladies made my morning!!!!!!!!!!
Guys guys,I hope you've learnt as much as I have from all of these.Its like I've just participated in a seminar................the power of TV!!!!
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