This document provides guidance on employability skills and job searching. It discusses that employability is about having skills that employers need rather than just a degree. The selection process can begin before interviews through an applicant's online presence and research into them. Job seekers should have a well-formatted CV, cover letter, and online profiles to actively search for roles. Other tips include volunteering for experience, appropriate interview attire, researching companies, having questions prepared, and thanking interviewers afterwards. Interviews may occur through unconventional means like video calls, so applicants need to be versatile.
2. Introduction
This is a crash course on employability skills and
positioning for jobs.
In the time that we have, we shall look at employability
and how to position yourself for any job.
We will also look at practical ways to search for jobs
and prepare for interviews in your desired roles.
3. Objectives
Every listener or reader of this slide should know the
difference between employability and having a degree
You will learn that the selection process does not start
in the interview room. In fact, it may have been
concluded before the interview date and you will find
out why as we go on.
At the end of this short training, you would have seen
other unconventional means that interviewers use to
interview prospective job seekers.
4. Employability
It means to be employable
To be suited for a job
To have a skill that an employer of labour can use
To be able to render a relevant service
Ability to deliver
Capacity to match competence and certification
5. What employability is not
It is not your university degree
Employability has nothing to do with the school you
attended
It is not all the skills and certifications you list on your
resume
7. What job seekers should do
Have a CV that shows your skill
Download professional CV template online to build a
good looking CV
Ensure you use a single font when preparing your CV
8. In the bid to impress, don’t appear over qualified for
the job.
If possible, have a one page CV but don’t go beyond
two pages.
Learn to write cover letters
9. Looking for the job
Have an online presence
Create an online profile – LinkedIn.com
Join professional groups online
Search jobs in your desired field online
10. Acquire professional qualifications
Get free online degrees
Equip yourself in anyway you can while waiting for a
job
11. Practical job search
Make a list of companies where you will like to work
Be sure you have some skills that the companies need
Check the websites of the companies for vacancies
Apply immediately if they have vacancies
12. Some companies receive CVs in advance, you can
submit yours to their CV bank.
Do some research about the company
Tell them what value you can add to them if they will
employ you
13. Preparing for the Interview
• Do your research about the company.
• Have a printed copy of the same CV you submitted to
the company
• Get to know the location in advance or set out very
early to get to the venue of the interview in time.
14. Volunteer for experience
Look for companies in the industry where you would
like to work, preferably the big ones.
Offer to work for free for a couple of months – you will
need the support of some relatives or have some
savings for your upkeep during this period.
While in the company, put in your best and gain as
much experience as you can
15. In return for your free service, ask for referrals or
recommendation from the company.
As you work, it is also very important for you to
network with people within and outside the company
While volunteering, don’t act like you have nothing to
lose. Take the job as you will take any other job from
which you can be fired or punished for under
performing.
16. Dressing for the interview
Be conservative but smart with your choice of cloth
Your suits can be black, navy blue or brown
Ladies should avoid lousy footwear
Men should not wear pocket squares
17. Men should avoid striped
shirts on striped ties or suits
Ladies should avoid flowery
camisole. I suggest you wear
shirts under any jacket you
want to put on.
For the men, your tie must
touch the tip of your belt
18. Your belt and your shoes are also expected to have
matching colours
Ladies are not to wear any cleavage revealing cloths
Leave all tight or body fitted dresses out of the choices
for interviews
19. In the waiting room
Sometimes, the candidate who gets the job is chosen
in the waiting room. How? It could be:
A tea interview or any other form of breakfast
Interaction with other interviewees
Interaction with the receptionist or front desk
executive
What you decide to do while waiting to be called upon
20. In the interview room
Be as calm as you can. There is no reason to panic
When you walk into the room, greet everyone.
Do not stretch forth your hands except the
interviewers do that to you.
Get a proper handshake
21. After greeting, wait for instructions.
Do not sit until you are told to do so
When you sit, you have to sit up. You can’t slouch.
22. Answer questions as best as you can.
Don’t try to prove you know too much
Go straight to the answers when asked questions.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, just say, ‘I
am sorry I do not have the answer.’
Be natural with your accent or diction
23. The sixty second trailer
In a lot of interviews, you will be asked to sell yourself
in sixty seconds. Some others may not say, ‘sell
yourself.’ You may be asked to introduce yourself or
someone may say, ‘can we meet you?’
When this question comes up, don’t just tell them your
name and stop.
It’s a golden chance to humbly sell your skills
24. Where others goof!
One common question that makes a lot of people goof
is:
How much do you want to earn?
Avoid the question in the most professional way possible
but if the interviewers persist, give them a figure.
Don’t be too ridiculous in asking for a salary. Find out
what the average pay is for your level and state that as
your desired pay.
25. Send appreciation
Most people don’t do this
It is not out of place to send an appreciation letter to
the company that interviewed you.
Don’t try to be smart about this. Just send an
appreciation letter and leave it at that.
26. Unconventional Interviews
Your interview may not be the regular one where you
will sit in a room with the interviewers. It could be:
A video call
A phone call
A search into your online activity
That means you have to be ready and versatile.
Constantly update yourself and skills.