‘Tell us about yourself’ The dos and don’ts

I remember we have tackled this question before but a good refresher is not a bad thing. Well, let us start with the obvious; the first question in an interview is of the utmost importance as it sets the initial impression. The impression you create at the beginning sets the mood for the rest of your interview. After a little pleasantries, this is definitely the next question in line.

We will advise you to use the pleasantries very well because you do not want to tense when you are in an interview. Engage the interviewers and make sure you are at a common ground not in a case where they are throwing questions at you. Let an interview be a conversation and not an interrogation. If you let it turn to the latter, you will definitely tense and fail. The first contact is important for setting the atmosphere in the room and that is why today we want to handle this very obvious but important question.

When asked this question there are things you need to avoid. Just think about it, the ‘tell me about yourself’ question is quite vague and general and usually creates confusion or a dilemma for the interviewee. There are two very important things you need to know; first, prepare yourself to typical interview questions and avoid looking surprised and speechless. Second, try to avoid turning the interview into an informal and personal conversation. Do not appear to induce sympathetic feelings in the interviewer and turn the occasion into a warm and friendly one.

This attitude does not coincide with a professional manner. You must try to toe the line of remaining professional all the time. Do not tell interviewers how you have suffered in the past to draw sympathy or any other thing for example your family (how poor or troubled it is). When you are unconfident, hesitant or apprehensive you will have a harder time responding to such a question.

There are questions you need to refrain from asking when asked to respond to this question. Do not ask: What do you mean exactly?"  "Could you be more specific?"  "This is a question I often have difficulty in answering". This is very dangerous because it means you are trying to figure out the interviewer's intentions. Don't try and decipher the interviewer's agenda. Such responses present the interviewee in an insecure manner and may affect the development of the interview.

Avoid lengthy and cumbersome responses. Long answers are tiresome and may create a feeling that you are trying to control the progression of the interview. The interviewer has no interest in your personal experiences; they are interested in your abilities as a professional. Concentrate on your professional accomplishments and advantages and refrain from personal stories.

Please answer concisely, in a manner that exemplifies your capabilities which are relevant to the position interviewed for. The first question in an interview is an opportunity to make a concise and professional manner. It is vital that your response remains to the point and focused; 60 – 120 seconds that describe your professional experience in a nut shell. You came to an interview to succeed! If the interviewer provides you with an opportunity to present yourself seize the moment!

Keep focused, concise, don't hesitate and don't be concerned; open the interview with a sense of power and enthusiasm. Put emphasis on your professional skills; concentrate on the aspects that present your abilities and accomplishments at work.

Respond enthusiastically and cooperate with the interviewer. He / she is not your enemy; they are trying to figure out if you are a worthy candidate and you need to prove it to them. Cope with the situation and the question asked, do not indulge in self pity. 

The structure of the answer should be as follows:

1.   Begin with a description of your last position, the main responsibilities you had in 45 Seconds.

2.   Continue with the description of your position prior to that and so on with any other positions you had which are relevant to the position you are applying for. This should take you 30 Seconds.

3.   If your education is relevant, present it briefly; if it isn't, please leave it out. Take 30 Seconds in this.

4.   Conclude with a few words on the traits you have that are important for the position. Concentrate here for more than a minute.

We hope you find this helpful.

6 secrets to a successful job search.

I remember a few months ago getting an email from a student at one of our local universities asking what are the secrets of getting a job, any job. My response was that he should not only be looking for just any job but rather searching for a job that you have admired and are passionate about. If you remember an article we did about ‘the truth about the corporate world’ then you can appreciate that the job market is a big monster if you can avoid then you will be better off. If you get capital, please start a business you are passionate about. I am not advising you away from job hunting but sometimes even to get that capital you need to work.

Everyone looks forward to the day he will be independent but you must start somewhere and that is why today we want to share the secrets of a successful job search. If you already have a job it may be very hard for you to dedicate many hours to a job search but if you are not, then you have all the time for getting the right job. Whether you have a job or not then this advice is for you. Searching for a job is not easy in this economic climate and thus you need a very positive mindset. Ever heard the phrase that we are what we think?

Here are a few pointers to a successful job search:

1.   How you think is everything: Always be positive, think success not failure, and be aware of a negative environment. Think of a job search as the process of selling and marketing yourself as a product to the customer-employers. The best way to sell you is to have a passionate belief in the product, namely you, and then prepare, package and promote yourself based on that belief. A successful job search starts with mental preparation: focusing on a positive outcome, letting go of old workplace grievances and developing a mental and written check-list of your key accomplishments, talents and abilities. Nobody is perfect and we are often harder on ourselves than anyone else would be. Negative thoughts get in the way of positively packaging, promoting and marketing us. A job seeker who is prepared with positive, solid answers to questions about previous work experience, their qualifications, top of the list strengths and weaknesses makes the best impression.

2.   Decide upon your true dreams and goals: Write down specific goals and develop a plan to reach them. Going job hunting without an action plan and a clear set of goals is like running cross-country without a map, it can take a lot longer and you might not end up where you had originally intended. Initially, a good job search entails setting up a plan to reach the goal of a new job at a specific date. The next step is to develop a month by month, week by week schedule of things to do, and people to see. Researching and targeting 10-20 companies, developing a networking list of contacts requires a systematic, well-planned approach. Job search goals are realized when clearly identified and an action plan is developed to achieve them.

3.   Take action: Goals are nothing without an action. Don’t be afraid to get started, just do it. Dreams stay unrealized because fear and worry about what could happen keeps many people from moving on from unsatisfying positions and unfulfilling situations. Career and job search plans have to be acted on to succeed. The fear of the unknown and the ambiguity of the job search process cannot deter us from getting started. When we move on our plans and just do it, the discovery of our own inner courage is the bonus.

4.   Never stop learning: Go back to school or read books, get training, acquire skills. Staying ahead of new methodologies and technologies with life-long learning/ training and new skill acquisition is now a career survival skill. Demonstrating this to prospective employers in your resume and during an interview gains you credibility as well.

5.   Be persistent and work hard: Success is a marathon not a sprint, never give up. If we all found the perfect job, applied for it and were hired the first time out the gate, wouldn’t life be grand? HR executives generalize that a typical job search runs an average of 3-6 months, nationally, depending on position level and demand for the skill-set. The typical job seeker will mail out countless resumes, get phone screens, 1^st and 2^ndround interviews in multitude, many rejections and even several offers before landing the right position. It is most usually a marathon and only a sprint when you luck out. Perseverance, persistence and determination are essential attributes to job search success.

6.   Learn to analyze details: Get all the facts, all the input, learn from your mistakes. A typical interview question is “Why would you like to work for us?” and companies listen carefully for the answer. They are looking for a well thought out reply that shows a real interest in who they are and a demonstrated desire to work for them. Only significant research on the company and fact-finding on its corporate culture will help avoid many wrong job choices and career mistakes. There is nothing worse than not having all the details, facts and information about a potential employer at the top of mind when having an employment conversation.

If you are a careful follower of Us then by now you know that the more you sound credible, knowledgeable during interviews, the more desirable candidate you become. You have to be sharp and if you are not then appear to be. Imagine yourself as an HR guy interviewing! What will you want to hear from your interviewee?  Then tell your interviewer that. It is important to have knowledge about not only your employer but the industry that he operates in. This calls for extensive research around this area.

In the above pointers we also failed to mention that you should never give up. Basically this was a motivational article and if you give it a straight thought, live it and behave it, you will be lucky. Stay positive and always have positive thoughts.

If you can’t get a job, then………………

There is very little in life more discouraging than spending thousands and thousands of shillings (even if it’s your parents’) on an education only to find no one willing to give you a job and a chance. At a time in your life when the bills start pouring in, your home is in limbo, your relationships and friendships are askew, and your excitement to get your life “started” is at its peak, there really is nothing more crushing. It takes patience, faith, and hard work to press on, maintain your confidence, and relax.

To have to accept an unrelated job where you are not treated well and you not so schooled co-workers are paid the same as you. Or to work in an environment where everyone is miserable and work sucks out your will to go on.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, the important thing is to be willing and able to step back and take a good look at the big picture. Remembering what you’ve accomplished thus far, reminding yourself of how young you are, and realizing that nothing is permanent – “this too shall pass” – is essential for keeping a positive, focused, and balanced outlook. Not to mention dealing with stress and anxiety.

Besides maintaining a healthy mental perspective, keep searching! No matter how aggravating it can be to submit cover letter after cover letter, only to receive zero response, do not stop looking for and applying to new jobs! Make job hunting part of your daily routine. Looking for a job can be a difficult, time-consuming process that provides little feedback or motivation that you’re on the right path. So try everything… check your regular job websites and keep looking for more.

Talk to people, network, don’t burn any bridges, and whatever you do, don’t give up. Keep your eyes and your mind open and the right opportunity will find you eventually. It may be the ultimate test of patience waiting until that fine day, but the strength of self you will gain in the process will be worth it.

Be open to new challenges. So what if you have a degree in Anthropology. If a job comes along, completely unrelated, but sounds like it could put you on an interesting path – go for it! Avoid deciding that something is not worth applying for if it’s not EXACTLY what you want in a job. And on the other side of the coin, don’t apply to relevant jobs if they don’t excite you.

Why waste your time just because they’re in your field? Follow your instinct… if you read a job posting and your gut reaction is interest… then apply! An unrelated job that lights a fire under you is never a bad choice, especially at this point in your life. Don’t limit yourself. Don’t worry about what choice you will make if you get two job offers.

Don’t stress yourself out about what you will do if you land your dream job three weeks after you accept a pay-the-bills job. Make the decisions as they present themselves; don’t waste your time worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, and most importantly, don’t limit yourself because you’re afraid of situations that might happen…chances are, they won’t.

Know when it’s time to make a change. Be aware of your progress, your finances, and your overall situation. Understand what your last-resort options are, and know when to take them. If you’ve been searching for a career for 8 months to no avail and are growing deeper and deeper behind on your bills, then it might be time to give it up and look for any job.

At a certain point, any job is better than none. Remember, it’s only temporary. Chances are, with a college degree, you really can get a general job if you want one, say a sales marketing job. It may not be paying much. 

But it’s a job, for now. And your job search shouldn't stop here. Keep job hunting while working and something eventually will change. If you are working a pay-the-bills job but are still struggling, falling behind, and unable to land what you consider the “right job” – then it’s also important to know when it’s time to move on.

Lastly, enjoy this insecure, adrift, wandering phase of your life. Because with all certainty, it won’t last. Someday you will have a job, you will be settled, and you will absolutely reminisce about the days when all you had to do was wake up and explore the possibilities of where your life will go.

Looking for a job, though challenging and daunting, is the equivalent of standing at a cross-roads and choosing which way to go.

Entertain your craziest ambitions and remember that the choices you make now will affect the rest of your life. And if nothing else, enjoy the fact that you can spend the day wallowing in your life and the direction you want to take it.

Why first impressions matter on your Job search / Interview.

I think I’m a pretty sensitive guy. But if you showed up to a first ever business meeting in a T-shirt and shorts, would my feelings be hurt? Would I feel that you were not respecting me or my position? Absolutely not — not even if it were a job interview. But then, I’m not the kind of guy who sits around thinking, “I wonder if the person I’m about to meet has figured out how he (or she) is going to impress me!”

Ironically, if you are trying to make a good first impression on me, letting me get the idea that you are actively trying to impress me is almost the worst thing you could do (well, short of being genuinely 
disrespectful or abusive, anyway!). Because then I become suspicious.

Why am I telling you this? Am I saying that first impressions don’t matter? Absolutely not — I’m explaining why they DO matter, even to someone like me. Maybe especially to someone like me.

So how can you pass that test? As a consultant, I have to pass that test all the time. Here are the tips and strategies that I’ve gathered over the years:

At the risk of sounding trite, always be yourself — even if you are not a people person. If you are an introvert trying to act like an extrovert to make a good impression, all that will happen is that you’ll set off your new acquaintance’s internal lie detector — and everyone has one. People will wonder what else you are lying about. If you’re shy, a better strategy is to come right out and admit it. If you do, people will tend to fall over themselves trying to make you comfortable.

Likewise, wear what makes YOU feel the most comfortable. Obviously, don’t show up for a job interview in pajamas — or, in most cases, even in the T-shirt and shorts I mentioned in my example. But within the bounds of what is appropriate for the setting, wear something that you feel like yourself in. If you have to wear a suit and you hate suits, find some small way to modify what you’re wearing to make it more you. Otherwise you won’t feel free to be yourself — and again, you’ll set off those internal lie detectors.

Prepare for meetings in advance so you can focus. I don’t mean prepare by making sure that you know your facts — I am assuming you already do that. What I mean is, take time to center yourself before meeting someone. Take a few deep breaths. If possible, meditate. Do whatever you need to do ahead of time to get yourself into the best mindset for your meeting. Find a way to bring yourself into the present moment so that you can truly pay attention to the person you are about to meet. For the duration of the meeting, be present in the meeting, not thinking about the million other things on your to do list.

Point out your own flaws — don’t try to hide them. If you have obstacles to overcome, if you face your own unique set of challenges in a work environment, point them out. Explain what you’re up against and what your strategies are for overcoming these challenges. This way you’ve set the stage for honest communication, you’ve showed that you are being truthful and authentic, and you’ve let the person you are meeting know that you’re human — just as he or she is. That makes for a powerful connection. You don’t really want the people you meet to think that you are flawless and superhuman — no one can really connect with that, because none of us meet that standard.

Be aware that you get more than one chance to make a first impression. The fact is that while you may make a good impression on someone you meet in a social situation (which is essentially what a job interview is, for example), that’s a very different matter from having your work make a good impression. The first work that you do on a new job will make its own first impression. Your place of business makes its own first impression on everyone who walks through the door. Your business card makes a small first impression on everyone into whose hands it falls. Your web site makes a first impression. You get the idea. Make the most of each chance you get to make a new first impression.

Contrary to popular opinion, you CAN reverse a bad first impression. See point 5, above. Consider when your next opportunity to make a better impression will arise — and make the most of it. My experience tells me that if you give people a chance to reevaluate you, they will. Likewise, if you make a good first impression and later screw up, the good first impression may soften the impact, but it won’t delete it. Keep trying to make a good impression in all your interactions. Each of us is transformed by our continuing life experiences — again, not to sound trite, but you are a new person every day, and so are the people you meet and those you already know. Keep making new first impressions on the people around you — make your continuing impressions good ones.

For the past one week, there have been rumours on Facebook and Twitter that Tusker Project Fame judges Ian Mbugua and Juliana Kanyomozi were are engaged and are actually planning to wed soon. 
It's still not clear who started came up with the claims, but Judge Ian has chosen to ignore them.

Juliana has however responded and this was her statement on Facebook yesterday.

Hey friends, I've seen some disturbing rumours on Facebook and would like to categorically say, I'm NOT planning any wedding with judge Ian. I've also never had any romantic relationship with him and have no intentions to do so. Ian is someone I've worked with on TPF and that's it. I have a lot of respect for him as a person, fellow judge and family man. These rumours are misrepresenting and unfair.

- See more at: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/05/tpfs-juliana-denies-having-romantic.html#sthash.R9kXiueX.dpuf

Mohammed Ali (Jicho Pevu) Spotted Hanging Out With AG Githu Muigai

Not sure whether he's working on another investigative piece, but if he is, you can bet Githu Muigai or the office of the Attorney General is involved, either directly or through addition of valuable input. 
Or maybe they're just good friends. - See more at: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/05/photo-mohammed-ali-jicho-pevu-hanging.html#sthash.dzD6RumW.dpuf

Not sure whether he's working on another investigative piece, but if he is, you can bet Githu Muigai or the office of the Attorney General is involved, either directly or through addition of valuable input. 
Or maybe they're just good friends. - See more at: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/05/photo-mohammed-ali-jicho-pevu-hanging.html#sthash.dzD6RumW.dpuf

Not sure whether he's working on another investigative piece, but if he is, you can bet Githu Muigai or the office of the Attorney General is involved, either directly or through addition of valuable input. 
Or maybe they're just good friends. - See more at: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/05/photo-mohammed-ali-jicho-pevu-hanging.html#sthash.dzD6RumW.dpuf

Not sure whether he's working on another investigative piece, but if he is, you can bet Githu Muigai or the office of the Attorney General is involved, either directly or through addition of valuable input. 
Or maybe they're just good friends.

- See more at: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/05/photo-mohammed-ali-jicho-pevu-hanging.html#sthash.dzD6RumW.dpuf

Not sure whether he's working on another investigative piece, but if he is, you can bet Githu Muigai or the office of the Attorney General is involved, either directly or through addition of valuable input. 
Or maybe they're just good friends.

- See more at: http://www.nairobiwire.com/2013/05/photo-mohammed-ali-jicho-pevu-hanging.html#sthash.dzD6RumW.dpuf