If you've ever written a book or a poem or maybe a song, then you know one of the first questions people tend to ask you is, "Why?" Why did you write that? Why did you create that?
I think it's a fair question. People want to know about the heart behind your creation, why behind what you do.
Earlier this year, while still serving at Ogbomoso, Oyo state, I was opportuned to return to Lagos to spend a little time with my family as schools were on vacation. It happened that I accompanied a friend to unilag where he was invited for a job test for one of the banks around. He didn't really know the venue of the test so I decided to take him there. When we eventually got to the venue, it turned out to be a kinda reunion of some sort cos we saw friends, classmates, schoolmates and the likes all there for the same job test.
Some had completed their service while others like me were still serving. As you know, the crowd was crazy. We all got acquainted on the latest happenings in our daily grinds as it had been quite an age for a few of us. I remained outside, waiting for my friend as they went in to write the test in batches. All I did was marvel at the number of people because these same peeps had at one time or the other said they weren't interested in the banking industry (y'all know why, don't you? ). It then dawned on me that in a few months I would be joining this group and others at large who were in this pursuit of happiness(job hunt). It was a sickening and frustrating feeling, trust me. I felt like we were all doomed and hopeless,really. So it got me thinking, remembering that I was created to solve my frustrations.
My mentor, @iamsteveharris once taught me that our design is hidden in two things;
- our frustration and,
- our fascination.
Its simple just ask yourselve these questions;
- what frustrates me when its poorly done? You are designed to solve that frustration
- what fascinates me when its properly done? You are designed to add to your fascination.
That's by the way, anyways. I got really frustrated by number of graduates/corpers who were on this pursuit for happiness yet couldn't make any headway. Hence, this blog.
I went back to my ppa and took a survey like I mentioned in my first post. You can look it up if you haven't. The results were shocking. I asked some of the corps memebers questions like, "what are your post NYSC plans with respect to getting a job?" I got funny answers like "Na God ooo", "No job for naija oo, wetin man go do na?" etc I kept asking myself if this guys maybe expected God to descend from heaven to get them jobs or something. Dunno, just saying.
Hence, I decided to use this medium to air my version of events to at least help alleviate this decay in our system. Hopefully, I've been doing justice to that with your support of course.
Please do keep your comments, questions and requests coming. Follow me on twitter @daviesreward or send a mail to daviesreward13@gmail.com . Indebted to helping you overcome your challenges.
Cheers!
Sunday 27 October 2013
Tuesday 15 October 2013
What's next after POP(3)
Hello people, how's it going? Hope the past articles have been really helpful. Thanks for the comments, requests, and questions. Please keep them coming. I'll be dealing with a few of the questions in this post.
I'm quoting someone here, "Hello, I read your post online on the steps to take after POP. I liked it indeed. I would like to request for your model cv to know if its better than the one I have composed personally. I have registered with some job sites like hotnaijajobs. I graduated with a 2.2 and almost always can't apply for any jobs because of the requirement issues. Its frustrating but I can't give up. Sometimes I feel it would be a good idea to get another degree so I can make atleast a 2.1. I would like you to write on this issue for people below the requirement line. Thanks"
Hmmm, what can I say? Here's the deal,
I won't advice going for another degree (Bsc,Btech etc) except that's what you really want. I feel our educational system isn't worth wasting between 4-5 more years of your life(#MyOpinion). Besides, what's the guarantee that you would make a 2.1 this time? Just saying. Not to mention the ASUU strike that seems hopelessly doomed to continue. Rather, I would suggest you beef up your 2.2 or whatever degree you have with certifications. Take a professional course or something. There are many of them these days ranging from PMP to HSE to ICAN, CCNA etc. Try getting at least one of them. Doesn't really have to be related to your field. For example, every graduate should be able to manage projects. Hence, PMP comes in handy.
Service year would have been the best time to accomplish this but its never too late (if you've passed out i.e). Basically, its about having something that would give you an edge out there. For instance, I'm a computer scientist by degree. During my service year,I got a French certification, oui francais! Awkward right? The point is, let's say I went for an interview after passing the tests and there was this other guy being interviewed for the same position. The guy could do almost everything I could. Programming, networking, database management bla bla bla... What if I could also write those programs in french. Who do you think the company would go for? #thinkonthis . The bottomline is to get something that would give you an edge. It doesn't necessarily have to be a certificate (afterall, its just a piece of paper like some would argue). I'm confident there are jobs out there that would take a 2.2 graduate as long as you can back it up. Y'all can follow my friend @StevenHaastrup, he's a testimony to that.
There's also the issue of work experience. Most job adverts these days require people with varying years of experience. The big question is where/how do you expect a fresh graduate to get experience if he/she won't get employed? Dunno, but you guys ever thought about volunteering (like working as a volunteer without getting paid)? Hope that didn't sound absurd? You could actually volunteer to work for free in some companies. Afterall, the requirement doesn't ask to state one's pay package during the years of experience. So its possible to work for free and acquire the experience needed so you could later apply as an experienced person. As long as its something you love doing. Remember, God's desire is for you to be able to charge a FEE doing that which you can do for FREE.
In summary, identify the industry you wanna work in, identify the skills required, learn those skills either through internship or paid training then you can apply as an experienced person.
Stay purpose driven. Cheers!
I'm quoting someone here, "Hello, I read your post online on the steps to take after POP. I liked it indeed. I would like to request for your model cv to know if its better than the one I have composed personally. I have registered with some job sites like hotnaijajobs. I graduated with a 2.2 and almost always can't apply for any jobs because of the requirement issues. Its frustrating but I can't give up. Sometimes I feel it would be a good idea to get another degree so I can make atleast a 2.1. I would like you to write on this issue for people below the requirement line. Thanks"
Hmmm, what can I say? Here's the deal,
I won't advice going for another degree (Bsc,Btech etc) except that's what you really want. I feel our educational system isn't worth wasting between 4-5 more years of your life(#MyOpinion). Besides, what's the guarantee that you would make a 2.1 this time? Just saying. Not to mention the ASUU strike that seems hopelessly doomed to continue. Rather, I would suggest you beef up your 2.2 or whatever degree you have with certifications. Take a professional course or something. There are many of them these days ranging from PMP to HSE to ICAN, CCNA etc. Try getting at least one of them. Doesn't really have to be related to your field. For example, every graduate should be able to manage projects. Hence, PMP comes in handy.
Service year would have been the best time to accomplish this but its never too late (if you've passed out i.e). Basically, its about having something that would give you an edge out there. For instance, I'm a computer scientist by degree. During my service year,I got a French certification, oui francais! Awkward right? The point is, let's say I went for an interview after passing the tests and there was this other guy being interviewed for the same position. The guy could do almost everything I could. Programming, networking, database management bla bla bla... What if I could also write those programs in french. Who do you think the company would go for? #thinkonthis . The bottomline is to get something that would give you an edge. It doesn't necessarily have to be a certificate (afterall, its just a piece of paper like some would argue). I'm confident there are jobs out there that would take a 2.2 graduate as long as you can back it up. Y'all can follow my friend @StevenHaastrup, he's a testimony to that.
There's also the issue of work experience. Most job adverts these days require people with varying years of experience. The big question is where/how do you expect a fresh graduate to get experience if he/she won't get employed? Dunno, but you guys ever thought about volunteering (like working as a volunteer without getting paid)? Hope that didn't sound absurd? You could actually volunteer to work for free in some companies. Afterall, the requirement doesn't ask to state one's pay package during the years of experience. So its possible to work for free and acquire the experience needed so you could later apply as an experienced person. As long as its something you love doing. Remember, God's desire is for you to be able to charge a FEE doing that which you can do for FREE.
In summary, identify the industry you wanna work in, identify the skills required, learn those skills either through internship or paid training then you can apply as an experienced person.
Stay purpose driven. Cheers!
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Hi guys. How's it going? I talked about the process required to apply for jobs at the last post. I hope it was pretty clear and you guys have gone about doing just that? Well, this post is about preparation or preparing for the job. Its one thing to apply for jobs and its another to be ready/prepared when you get an invite for a job test/interview.
We all know the saying that "practice makes perfect" right? Trust me, its not overrated. The truth is that you should have spent your service year preparing for this but let's be honest here,most didn't. Let me cut straight to the chase. At camp, some guys must have lectured y'all about this (unless you were sleeping during lectures) so I'll just focus on the specifics here. Most companies these days base their tests on GMAT. Sure you knew that already. So, the best way to prepare for such tests is to get a GMAT book and practice answering the questions there. You can only get better as you keep practicing. The key thing is to answer as many questions as possible correctly within a given time limit. So, get on with it if you haven't started already.
There's a saying that "everyone who reigns in public, trains in private". You have to be in form before you are given the platform. Yea, you can take that to the bank cos it sounded good. Bottomline is, Practice! Practice! Practice! GMAT is quite cheap these days anyways.
Now, that you've aced the test, you'll probably be invited for an interview. I can't cover everything here because various companies have varied means of conducting interviews. You can follow me on twitter @daviesreward or comment on the blog if you have questions and I'll try as much as I can to reply. Most companies conduct their interviews in stages. So, you've definitely gotta be well prepared to scale through. I won't bore you here with dress codes, etiquettes, and what nots because I know you know that already. Basically, its about getting grounded about the company. You don't expect a company to employ someone who's clueless or doesn't show enough interest about the company. Thank goodness for the internet. You could google the company,visit their website and get updated. Paramount interest should be placed on the company's vision,mission statement and core values. Most times I wonder what we use our phones for. I met a guy who's of the opinion that "if you have a smartphone,and that smartphone can't renew its subscription or buy itself, then, you should be slapped". I totally agree. Topic for another day though. Job forums and the likes can also help with information about different companies. Just subscribe and join the forum, simple.
So, don't just read this blog and marvel at my awesomeness (yea right). Get to work! Start practicing! Like my mentor (@iamsteveharris) always says, "Its not what you don't have that limits you, its what you have but don't know how to use".
#thinkonthis
We all know the saying that "practice makes perfect" right? Trust me, its not overrated. The truth is that you should have spent your service year preparing for this but let's be honest here,most didn't. Let me cut straight to the chase. At camp, some guys must have lectured y'all about this (unless you were sleeping during lectures) so I'll just focus on the specifics here. Most companies these days base their tests on GMAT. Sure you knew that already. So, the best way to prepare for such tests is to get a GMAT book and practice answering the questions there. You can only get better as you keep practicing. The key thing is to answer as many questions as possible correctly within a given time limit. So, get on with it if you haven't started already.
There's a saying that "everyone who reigns in public, trains in private". You have to be in form before you are given the platform. Yea, you can take that to the bank cos it sounded good. Bottomline is, Practice! Practice! Practice! GMAT is quite cheap these days anyways.
Now, that you've aced the test, you'll probably be invited for an interview. I can't cover everything here because various companies have varied means of conducting interviews. You can follow me on twitter @daviesreward or comment on the blog if you have questions and I'll try as much as I can to reply. Most companies conduct their interviews in stages. So, you've definitely gotta be well prepared to scale through. I won't bore you here with dress codes, etiquettes, and what nots because I know you know that already. Basically, its about getting grounded about the company. You don't expect a company to employ someone who's clueless or doesn't show enough interest about the company. Thank goodness for the internet. You could google the company,visit their website and get updated. Paramount interest should be placed on the company's vision,mission statement and core values. Most times I wonder what we use our phones for. I met a guy who's of the opinion that "if you have a smartphone,and that smartphone can't renew its subscription or buy itself, then, you should be slapped". I totally agree. Topic for another day though. Job forums and the likes can also help with information about different companies. Just subscribe and join the forum, simple.
So, don't just read this blog and marvel at my awesomeness (yea right). Get to work! Start practicing! Like my mentor (@iamsteveharris) always says, "Its not what you don't have that limits you, its what you have but don't know how to use".
#thinkonthis
Tuesday 8 October 2013
Mastering the business of your talent
FOUR SUCCESSFUL CEO's SAT AT
A TABLE TALKING...
'It's interesting that people
want their lives to change, but don't want to sacrifice for the thing that is
certain to change their lives' said the CEO of the Energy company.
'I agree, sometimes they take
it as one big joke, laughing that they have time' replied the CEO of the
Entertainment company.'
'If only they knew that the
makeup for greatness already lay within them' agreed the 3rd CEO.
"I would really love to
teach them how to brand themselves and stand out' concurred the CEO of the
global Advertising Consortium.
'They would gain so much and
shorten their learning curve, as our combined business experience is over 80
YEARS!'
Imagine 4 of us in an MBT
class! It would be amazing! But truth is, we shouldn't make it free. Let those
that desire TRUE CHANGE come. Only those who are DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR
PRESENT, TIRED OF THEIR PAST & HUNGRY FOR THEIR FUTURE should attend this
MBT class.'
'What will we put the class
fee at' asked the CEO of the Beauty Group.
'N10K . It's not worth 10mins
of our time, but enough for the serious minded to make a way, and for the
unserious to make excuses. We will give them an hour each' said the Energy Don.
By the way, what does MBT
mean? asked the Entertainment CEO.
The Brand CEO responded
'Masters In Business of Talent'
They turned to a 5th member,
a younger CEO who they were grooming and was listening quietly, because when
THE FOUR spoke, he listened.
'Steve, make it happen'.
Consider it Done and Dusted'.
Our CEO's:
Tonye Cole: (Energy),
AliBaba: Entertainment (Comedy), Tara Fela Durotoye :(Beauty) &
Charles O'Tudor: (Branding)
have requested that you
attend a 1 DAY 'Masters In Business of Talent' (MBT) course.
Sat, October 26th 2013.
Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage
Street, VI @11am
Course Fee: N5K (STUDENTS
& NYSC) N10k (YOU).
Call Oluchi on 08096581956
http://evt.so/biz-talent
Have a Ruthlessly Executed
Day
@daviesreward for
@iamsteveharris
WHAT`S NEXT?
Yepee! Its 2 days to POP,isn't it? Was wondering what would
be going through your minds and thought I should share this.
For some of y'all it's a feeling of nervousness mixed with fear while for some its sheer joy and relief from the shackels of NYSC. Funny enough all these feelings boil down to how you spent your service year,the last 12 months of your life basically. So the question on everyone's lips should be; WHAT NEXT? Reality must have set in one way or the other. No more allowee. What seemed like peanuts a while ago would be needed so dearly now. You had better plan how to spend the last one wisely.
Back to our main question, WHAT NEXT? A job, masters, business, trade... The sad reality is that quite a number of "good to go" corpers are clueless about the answer to the above asked question. Most spent service year flexing, partying/clubbing, working at their ppa's, "chopping space"etc without really adding value to themselves. A friend of mine calls it building capacity.
The truth is that 90% of you guys won't get jobs (no be curse ooo,lolz) unless you create (for the entrepreneurs) them because there are really no jobs out there. You might be wondering,what the heck is wrong with this guy sef but the truth hurts sometimes. There are thousands of unemployed graduates out there and the numbers will only increase with you guys passing out soon. So what's the way forward?
This article would be strictly for job seekers,I would deal with that of masters (Msc) and the likes at susbequents editions.
Firstly, get a functioning email address. Sound ridiculous right? Its 2013 afterall. I took a survey a while back at my ppa which I would like to keep anonymous for now and discovered that some corpers didn't have a "functioning" email address. Mark the word "functioning". I won't bore you with the details just open an email account. Yahoo or gmail preferably would serve and please be formal about the names you choose for the account. Your first name and surname alone would serve. Shows your professionalism. Secondly, subscribe to job forums. We are blessed with social media these days. You don't have to buy newspapers to check for job adverts before you can apply. Just google: "nigerian jobs for recent graduates", many links should pop out. Click on as many as you can,register or subscribe with your email address. The jobs forums would notify you anytime there's an opening.
Lastly,apply! Sounds lame but some people really don't know how to. I don't need to need to tell you that you need an updated cv/resume for this. I won't bore you with details either. Just send me a mail, daviesreward13@gmail.com to request for a model cv which I'll give freely. Yea,it costs absofreakinglutely nothing. You can also follow me on twitter ;@daviesreward to reuest for the cv. All you have to do is just edit it to your taste. Then voila, you can applyy for whatsoever job you deem fit. Preferrably graduate trainee jobs for now. I'll be writing on the next phase soon.
Thanks
For some of y'all it's a feeling of nervousness mixed with fear while for some its sheer joy and relief from the shackels of NYSC. Funny enough all these feelings boil down to how you spent your service year,the last 12 months of your life basically. So the question on everyone's lips should be; WHAT NEXT? Reality must have set in one way or the other. No more allowee. What seemed like peanuts a while ago would be needed so dearly now. You had better plan how to spend the last one wisely.
Back to our main question, WHAT NEXT? A job, masters, business, trade... The sad reality is that quite a number of "good to go" corpers are clueless about the answer to the above asked question. Most spent service year flexing, partying/clubbing, working at their ppa's, "chopping space"etc without really adding value to themselves. A friend of mine calls it building capacity.
The truth is that 90% of you guys won't get jobs (no be curse ooo,lolz) unless you create (for the entrepreneurs) them because there are really no jobs out there. You might be wondering,what the heck is wrong with this guy sef but the truth hurts sometimes. There are thousands of unemployed graduates out there and the numbers will only increase with you guys passing out soon. So what's the way forward?
This article would be strictly for job seekers,I would deal with that of masters (Msc) and the likes at susbequents editions.
Firstly, get a functioning email address. Sound ridiculous right? Its 2013 afterall. I took a survey a while back at my ppa which I would like to keep anonymous for now and discovered that some corpers didn't have a "functioning" email address. Mark the word "functioning". I won't bore you with the details just open an email account. Yahoo or gmail preferably would serve and please be formal about the names you choose for the account. Your first name and surname alone would serve. Shows your professionalism. Secondly, subscribe to job forums. We are blessed with social media these days. You don't have to buy newspapers to check for job adverts before you can apply. Just google: "nigerian jobs for recent graduates", many links should pop out. Click on as many as you can,register or subscribe with your email address. The jobs forums would notify you anytime there's an opening.
Lastly,apply! Sounds lame but some people really don't know how to. I don't need to need to tell you that you need an updated cv/resume for this. I won't bore you with details either. Just send me a mail, daviesreward13@gmail.com to request for a model cv which I'll give freely. Yea,it costs absofreakinglutely nothing. You can also follow me on twitter ;@daviesreward to reuest for the cv. All you have to do is just edit it to your taste. Then voila, you can applyy for whatsoever job you deem fit. Preferrably graduate trainee jobs for now. I'll be writing on the next phase soon.
Thanks
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