JOB INTERVIEW TIPS.

Job interviews require high levels of skill in both emotional intelligence and communication. Sadly, many people make some fundamental mistakes when preparing for a job interview and career limiting mistakes during the interview itself. Don't be one of them. Know the mistakes to avoid.

Job interviews mistake 1: They think their CVs are enough.
Many people I see have spent an enormous amount of time writing their CVs, resumes and job applications. These CVs and resumes get them the job interview. They do not get them the job.

The mistake they make is to sit in a job interview and not explain what is on their CV.

They think the job interview panel have read their CV and know everything on it. This may not be true.

• The panel may not have read your CV.
• The panel may not have remembered your CV even if they have read it.
• Even if they have read your CV and application they want you to tell them about it.

Do not feel shy about repeating what is on your CV. It is essential that you do.
Most interviews go a step BEYOND your CV. In many job interviews the decision is primarily based on what you say and do during the interview. In other words if you have something valuable to say, whether it is on your CV or not, say it.

Job interviews mistake 2: They think the spotlight is on them.

Are you nervous when you go to a job interview? If so, why? What are you thinking about when you go to the interview?

• Are you feeling that the spotlight is on you?
• Do you think you are about to be interrogated?
• Do you imagine that you will go blank and stumble and not know what to say?

If this sounds familiar you are making an important mistake; you are thinking the job interview is all about you. It's not. The spotlight is on the job interview panel. The pressure of making a wrong or right decision falls on the job interview panel. They are concerned in case they ruin someone's career. They worry in case they select the wrong person. They are concerned in case they don't follow the correct procedures.

How do you stop your job interview nerves? One way is by feeling sorry for the job interview panel and understanding what a difficult task they have. This is being emotionally intelligent.

Your job is to HELP the panel. Make it easy for the panel to pick you. Make it obvious to the panel that you are clearly the best person for the job. Your job in the interview is to make yourself stand out from the other applicants so the panel is left with no doubt that you are the person to select.

Make it easy for the job interview panel. When you take the focus off yourself your nerves can lessen.

Job interviews mistake 3: They don't relate to the specific job.

What do you talk about in your job interview? Do you cover all the experiences you have had? I know that many people focus their time on doing this. This is not sufficient. It ignores much of what interests the panel.

Imagine a CEO of a company or the Principal of a school looking for new staff. What is the MAJOR question they want answered? Is it what the candidate has done for the previous company or school? No, they want to know the benefit that their company or school will get from employing the candidate.

The CEO and Principal are wearing the hat of their organisation or school, thinking

• "What's the benefit to us?
• "What will she or he bring to the company or school?"
• "How will she or he help us?"

In your job interview, therefore, you need to weave into your answers information on what you will do for them. You need to explain how you can help them. You need to demonstrate your understanding of their problems and situation and how you can provide the solutions. This means you need to have researched their organisation in advance.

If you want to manage your anxiety in a job interview learn about the organisation.

Link your answers to the specific organisation you are being interviewed for and explain the benefit to them of employing you. You are putting your panel at ease and making it easy for them to pick you.

How to Plan Yourself as a Young Adult

I f we could all go back in Time, We all could have done things differently, for instance, maybe i could have chosen another career, maybe i could have started saving early to save more.....just maybe i could have rushed back to college immediately i started working.....? 

Today i want to advice young people, with the harsh economic times, you could adopt some few tips....

1) Find your Lifelong Purpose, Discover your talents and abilities, look within your inner self, have a goal to achieve it in life.

2) Go back to School. Get more certificates to advance your Career.

3) Start preparing for an early retirement Plan. Early plan and savings yields high returns.

4) Place a value on your money, ask yourself, is it worth it? Lets say you earn 1000Kshs a day, and you are considering to buy a smartphone worth 12000Kshs, ask yourself, how many days will it take for you to work and buy that phone? 12 days, really? is it worth it?

5) Evaluate the need to use your Credit Card, its much easy to spend using Plastic money but its so hard to pay it later. This also comes with an Interest which is painstakingly dipping into our pockets. Save money to meet your goals.

6) Choose your partner wise. Someone who shares the same dreams and ambitions like you. Passion is important, but trust more so. Make sure you are free to be yourself. If you hook up with an angry or overly critical partner, you will be subjected to hostility and may lose your sense of self. Conversely, if you're the one with anger issues, resolve them before they poison a perfectly good relationship.

7)  Machiavellian tactics won't really help you to survive, but instead will create mistrust in your relationships. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Avoid Gossip at work and seek out the company of people who are positive and supportive of your efforts.

8) Be prepared for the unexpected....Plan for emergency, Someday you may lose a job through no fault of your own. Prepare today by stashing money into an accessible emergency fund. The easiest way to do this is to automatically divert a portion of your earnings into a savings account in addition to the amount you're contributing to National Social Security Fund.

9) Learn about Investing and Hire out a Financial Advisor.

10) Take some time out.... Take some time out each day to reflect on the good in your life. Spend at least one day a week in a recreational activity or hobby that you enjoy, and take a minimum one-week vacation annually if you possibly can.  Most Importantly, Save for the Trip.


Hope these Tips encourages you all. Nice day.