HR NAIJA

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: Reasons Your Relatives Can’t Help You Get A Job Wh...

2015-02-04T16:14:00.001-08:00

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: Reasons Your Relatives Can’t Help You Get A Job Wh...: Reasons Your Relatives Can’t Help You Get A Job Where They Work. We all have relatives working in big establishments both governm...

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: A Damsel's Thoughts About The Job Seekers’ Creed™

2015-02-04T16:13:00.003-08:00

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: A Damsel's Thoughts About The Job Seekers’ Creed™: Meet ifycynthetic , she is an embodiment of Beauty, Brains and Brawn. I visited her recently to deliver a complimentary copy of The Job Se...

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: Surviving a rightsizing (in a private company) in ...

2015-02-04T16:13:00.001-08:00

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: Surviving a rightsizing (in a private company) in ...: Rightsizing is a corporation reorganizing or restructuring their business by cost-cutting, reduction of workforce or reorganizing u...

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: Consequences of Lying in a Job Interview (Real Lif...

2015-02-04T16:12:00.001-08:00

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: Consequences of Lying in a Job Interview (Real Lif...: Hello Job-seekers, i found a story on the internet that reiterates the need for absolute sincerity during a job interview. A job-seeker...

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: THE JOB SEEKERS’ CREED™ is now available for purch...

2015-02-04T16:11:00.001-08:00

THE JOBSEEKERS' BLOG™ ...: THE JOB SEEKERS’ CREED™ is now available for purch...: Finally , THE JOB SEEKERS’ CREED ™ is now available for purchase on konga.com. Visit http://www.konga.com/the-job-seekers-oa-creed-1408...

ADAM THE GRUMPY GRUMP

2015-02-03T15:53:00.003-08:00

Adam was an amazing worker but man was he temperamental! Any small thing Adam would be pouting like a 7 month old toddler who had his favorite toy snatched from him. Adam was starting to annoy his colleagues with his attitude because when he was moody his and everybody else’s work suffered. What’s a boss to do? Fire him or hide under a rock and pretend everything was ok?
While you might have a high emotional intelligence quota, a few of your coworkers might not and therefore its not so easy for them “leave their problems outside the door” when they come into work. Moodiness is natural, we can all be out of sort, pissed off, hormonal or just not in the mood for any type of nonsense. However, when dealing with a coworker who is persistently in a bad mood, you must take steps not to let it affect your productivity and lower your morale.

First – Acknowledging their moody tendencies is the first step to gaining back control and ensuring a positive work environment for not only yourself but also for other co-workers; act friendly regardless of his or her mood.
Next Find out what pisses him/her off – few people really take time to understand grumpy co-workers, if you open your eyes and pay attention you’ll probably be able to sort out what triggers his/her bad mood.
Then Don’t simply ignore your coworker’s enduring bad mood because he/she won’t modify his/her behavior if they are not aware of how their actions affect you including the job however when the grumpiness starts do give them plenty of space which may help them sort through their issues mentally and snap out of their bad mood.
Remember, although it may be difficult to keep cool head- particularly if your colleague is rude or speaks to you disrespectfully, stay calm and don’t over react. Don’t take such behavior personally because his/her moodiness may stem from problems at home or dissatisfaction with his/her or job- none of which have something to do with you personally, if you react in anger to his/her moodiness, it will likely exacerbate the situation.
Now this is a good one, ask your grumpy colleague if there is anything you might be doing that is causing his/her frustration. If he/she tells you that you are partially or fully to be blamed, don’t take responsibility for his/her bad mood. During open dialogues, tell him/her how their bad mood affects you without being harsh or critical. Don’t be afraid to respectfully request that he/she modify his/her behavior. Tell him/her that you respect them enough to modify your behavior if there is something you do that causes frustration. Avoid making spiteful and/ or sarcastic comments. This will make the mood intolerable and worsen the relationship between the two of you.
Now remember this too, when someone at your job decides to take his/her personal problems out on you, it might be time to set clear boundaries in your work relationship.You have a right to express your boundaries in the workplace. This means making it clear in a polite but forthright manner when things are not appropriate in your interaction together. For example, if your moody coworker, senior colleague or even your boss is working up to a screeching match about some work you’ve done: Instead of screeching back, simply say firmly that you will return to discuss the work when the two of you have had the chance to calm down and think about it there or if you feel constrained to sit there, be calm and confident and when the tirade ends, simply say “thank you for your observations. I will consider them all in details and provide you with a written response.”
Don’t take to hiding from grumpy coworkers. This will make you fearful and worried. Instead, always be ready to stand your ground, argue your case politely, and point out salient facts to deflect being sucked into their moodiness.
If approaching him/her in an open and honest manner fails to yield results, speak to someone in your human resource department.

In conclusion, if you develop the ability to work with anyone and handle tough people and issues, you’ll be the natural choice for promotion and leadership positions so don’t let any grumpy grump steal your shine and thunder at work.
Written by HR ninja in training – Jesse Ante

department. Use evidence and logic when moody coworker veers off into blanket allegations or ranks.

In conclusion, If you develop the ability to work with anyone and handle tough people and issues, you’ll be the natural choice for promotion and leadership positions so don’t let any grumpy grump steal your shine and thunder at work.
Written by HR ninja in training – Jesse Ante

URGENT VACANCIES NEED TO BE FILLED IN ABUJA

2015-02-03T15:51:00.001-08:00

Hola everybody! Hope you have had a fantastic year so far? With elections coming up a few people have complained that jobs are few and far between but let’s try and hang in there we just have a few more weeks to go and we know that we will have loads more vacancies to share with you. HOWEVER we do have a few vacancies to share with you guys. If you are interested in any of these positions listed below, please send your CV to cv@insitefulsolutionsconsult.com and indicate the job role you are applying for in the subject line of the email. Kindly be advised that only qualified candidates will be invited for interviews that will take place on Friday the 6^TH FEBRUARY 2015.

RESTURAUNT MANAGER

A high end restaurant located in the heart of Wuse 2 is looking to immediately hire a manager (front of house) to ensure the restaurant operates efficiently and profitably while maintaining its reputation and ethos. The Managers will also be responsible for ensuring the restaurant’s achieves or surpasses its sales targets as well as maintaining high standards of food, service, and health and safety. He/she will coordinate a variety of activities including: taking responsibility for the business performance of the restaurant; Analyzing and planning restaurant sales levels and profitability; Organizing marketing activities, such as promotional events and discount schemes; Preparing reports at the end of the shift/week, including staff control, food control and sales; planning and coordinating menus; Coordinating the entire operation of the restaurant during scheduled shifts; Managing staff and providing them with feedback; Responding to customer complaints; Ensuring that all employees adhere to the company’s uniform standards; Meeting and greeting customers and organizing table reservations; Advising customers on menu choices and training and motivating staff. The salary for this position starts from One Hundred Thousand Naira and to qualify for an interview, you must have relevant experience and pass our personality assessment.

SALES AND MARKETING EXECUTIVE

A reputable company is looking to hire a Sales and Marketing Executive to resume work immediately in Abuja. In this job role, you would be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, making sales, maintaining and expanding the existing customer base as well as overseeing all marketing activities and meeting all marketing targets. Please note that this is a target driven job role for a company that deals with FCMG. Experience with marketing and selling FCMG in the pharmaceutical industry will be a definite bonus. The salary for this position starts from Eighty Thousand Naira and commission payments are also made in line with an in-house commission scheme. To qualify for an interview you must have relevant sales experience and a valid driving license.

SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER

A reputable company located in the heart of Abuja is looking to hire a sales and marketing manager to head its business operations and sales team. The manager will be responsible for creating and overseeing the deployment of strategic marketing activities and he/she’s duties will include: Developing and implementing marketing campaigns; Providing weekly and monthly sales/marketing reports; Advising management as regards new business opportunities; Creating strategies for meeting marketing targets; Sourcing opportunities; Creating and maintaining a database for marketing activities; and undertaking marketing research and competitor analysis. The salary for this position starts from One Hundred Thousand Naira (commission payments also available) and to qualify for an interview you must have relevant sales experience and a valid driving license.

HAPPY 2015 MESSAGE FROM THE HR AGONY AUNT HERSELF

2014-12-28T16:35:00.001-08:00

Dear beloved readers of my humble little blog,

It’s been an amazing year for me and for you as well I am sure. All through the year I have done my best to write on current trends within the business world, share tips to move your life/career forward and provide advice on how to improve your business by focusing on your most important resource, your human capital. Thank you so much for reading and interacting although I hope we can do a little more talking in 2015! I have so much more to say but I will leave all that yapping for my next article. for now I just want to say I am grateful that you allowed me send you emails, update you on what I've felt could push your business/career forward as well as providing me with data when I needed it. It has been an enlightening year filled with new possibilities that I plan to explore further. And from me and my entire team at Insiteful Solutions Nig Ltd, have a wonderful, productive, enlightening, enriching and safe 2015!!!!

READY TO MAKE MONEY - BRAND YOUR BUSINESS LIKE AN EXPERT!

2014-11-16T14:52:00.001-08:00

Most Start-ups & SMEs fail to understand the importance of branding. I and my team cannot begin to count the amount of horrible business cards, poor logos, boring business names and ugly office interiors we’ve encountered over the years. Upon trying to convince the owner to invest a little money in a graphic designer we’d start hearing things like

...“I’ll hire a designer when I make my first twenty million Naira”; “my business has been open for 20 years without a logo or website and we’re still here”; “Abeg I want to make money first, anything else can follow after”...

They fail to understand that the difference between them and their competitor who may be making ten times the amount they see as profit may only be because of a solid logo (which can cost as little as N10,000.00 to make) With the right branding & marketing strategy a company can easily triple its sales without adding to its manpower or resources! Let me give you a practical example. Who is your best friend? What do you feel when their name is said out loud?-Happy? Excited? Calm? This is the brand associated with your best friend…positive and there to protect your best interest. Wouldn’t you want the same for your company? You would want the public and clients to understand what you represent and believe the products and services you offer are second to none other and your company is here to stay. You as a business owner need to understand that

Like larger companies, SMEs & Start-ups need an awesome brand name, “sweet” packaging and marketable products
In order to create the right #brand & service, as a CEO you must put your ego aside so you can create something sustainable
You must research, attend seminars, & think so you can create a 50 year plan for your brand image and subsequent marketing plan
Your logo, mission, vision, people/ services/products, colors and offers make up[ your brand and its image
You can’t have awesome services/products with badly behaved staff & no market visibility. That will ruin your brand

What do you need to do before you embark on creating and deploying a brand strategy?

Know client’s needs better than anyone else
Fuel the strategy with a culture that reflects you
Translate all these acts into an implementable internal and external communication policy
Build a platform that incorporates both traditional and social Media plans

You will then be ready to create your brand strategy but you must make it a priority and promise to stick to it for at least a year before you review and adjust it. Ready but don’t know what to do? Send us an email at info@insitefulsolutionsconsult.com Have a blessed and wonderful day everyone!

HOW I STARTED MY BUSINESS WITH 120.00 NAIRA- CHISCO CEO

2014-11-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

When it comes to entrepreneurship, Chief Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu, CEO Chisco group has not only proved himself but has blazed a trail that others can follow. He started out selling Spare parts but with a seed fund of just NGN120, goodwill, a detailed plan and a passion for excellence, Chief Anyaegbu has grown his transport business into the conglomerate, Chisco group having arms in Oil and gas, finance, hospitality, real estate, education, import and export.In the course of his business, he also attended several short Management and Entrepreneurial courses in France, USA, Brazil, Germany, and United Kingdom. He was conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) by Penn State University, USA in 1996. He is a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (International) London and possesses the Business Certificate Award by University of Houston USA.

In this interview with Tobi Solarin from Vanguard Spark, this passion-driven entrepreneur shares his perspective on success, business and service to God and humanity which I’ve summed up as follows:

He stated his greatest achievement in life is his God-given opportunity to serve humanity across the globe and what keeps him going is the provision of over 4000 jobs to the Nigerian populace of which the youth segment is a clear majority. He started off with a spare parts business in 1978 and was very successful but the demand for transport and logistics services was overwhelming as cargo would always be stuck for days with no vehicle. Chisco Transport began its pioneer route with Lagos to Onitsha. Hard work and a keen eye on customer satisfaction allowed the group to grow into supplying services within the hospitality, energy, haulage, courier and automobile sectors. We strive to live to the expectation of our loyal customers by being consistent in delivering quality service. And as for the N120.00 that he started his business with, guess where it came from? N150.00 that his master settled him with in 1978 after serving as an apprentice. So here is what I gained from this article:

Before you even think about starting a business or career, acquire the skills you’ll need. Opt for an internship, apprenticeship or training program. It will be time well spent.
Invest in yourself! Everyone is looking for a venture capitalist to come and invest in the dream but do you really think anyone will invest in your dream when you are not willing to do so?
Find a profitable business service but make sure it’s something that you absolutely love doing.
Your customers are the reason you are making money. Give them the respect attention and dedication they deserve

That’s all from me folks, have a brilliant weekend!

INTERSWITCH LAUNCHES A NEW BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PLATFORM IN NIGERIA- SMES TAKE NOTE

2014-11-07T00:32:00.000-08:00

Interswitch Transnational, a Pan-African integrated payment company, has launched Retailpay, a mobile business management platform. Retailpay provides growing businesses with the technology to remotely manage and monitor their operations via mobile devices irrespective of location.

Retailpay is an application that allows retailers have access to their business records from any smart device. A statement issued by the company in Lagos gave key features of the new offering to include; sales and inventory management, intelligent business reporting, online store front, records access, staff monitoring, among others.
“This new sales and inventory management solution enables the monitoring and control of stock movements thereby preventing revenue leakages and increasing business profitability. Available via web and mobile, Retailpay is compatible with Windows, Android, Blackberry and Apple iOS devices using Chrome, Firefox and Opera web browsers,”
According to the statement, with the new product, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can now be equipped with the technology they need to be completely efficient enabling them manage their daily business operations end-to-end.
Group Managing Director, Interswitch Transnational, Mitchell Elegbe, described the system as a revolution in retail business management. He said it was designed in response to identified gaps within the SME space in Nigeria. For more information on this platform click here http://www.interswitchng.com/#RETAILPAY

Article culled from http://businessnews.com.ng/2014/11/07/interswitch-unveils-business-management-platform/

JOBS IN NIGERIA ARE NOT SECURE - THIS HAS TO STOP!

2014-11-07T00:12:00.001-08:00

Anti-labour practices are rampant nowadays in Nigeria and these practices by employers in their drive for profit maximization will soon turn workplaces across the country into a battle field between workers and business owners if feelers from labour movement are anything to go by. Casualisation, outsourcing, contract staffing and other non-pensionable employment has become the new norm. These are now fashionable practices in all private sectors of the economy; manufacturing, construction, banking, telecommunication, petroleum as well as many public sector establishments.

Jobs no longer safe

However, like-minded unions and associations affiliated with the All Global Union Federation in Nigeria recently gathered to raise their voice against unfair labour practices in Nigerian workplaces. Affiliates included National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non Metallic Product Employees, NUCFRLANMPE, Petroleum and natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, and Chemical and Non Metallic Product Senior Staff Association, CANMPSSA.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of African Region of Industrial Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, said jobs in Nigeria were no longer secure as employers opt for short-term, flexible employment as part of strategies to save cost and boost profit. He explained that these developments informed the decision of affiliates of Industrial global union in the country to use the occasion of the ILO’s decent work day to launch the “Stop Precarious Work Campaign.” Low income, job insecurity, delayed payments of salaries and pensions, long hours of work without overtime payment, denial of sick leave and payment for sick leave, denial of annual and maternity leave, job insecurity, lack of redundancy benefits, poor health and safety conditions and non-payment of compensation for injuries sustained at work, poor working conditions, poor motivation, lack of social protection, arbitrary deduction and non-remittance of pension contributions and taxes, denial of rights to join the union and bargain collectively are some of the effects of casualisation and other unethical employment practices currently embraced by employers.”Aremu, also a Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and General Secretary of NUTGTWN, expressed concern over increasing disregard for the rule of law by several private sector employers, lamenting that violation and open disregard for the law is capable of creating an atmosphere of industrial anarchy and chaos. Speaking on the violation of workers’ rights, Aremu insisted that Nigerian labour laws in spite of the need for review still offer great protection for working class people. He lamented that the progressive laws were being violated with impunity by employers particularly in the private sector as workers were denied the right to organize.

He asked employers of labour to respect the law and where the law is observed in the breach, the Ministry of Labour and other agencies of government should enforce the law. “To the millions of workers subjected to inhuman and un-dignifying employment, we are determined to join forces to embark on unbroken struggle to force recalcitrant employers to respect workers right to join –

Read more at http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/workers-battle-employers-worsening-anti-labour-practices/#sthash.O1nYhDv0.dpuf

Change is on the horizon in Nigeria folks, very soon Nigerian employees will no longer be able to treat workers with impunity knowing that they can and they will get away with it. Proactive workforce planning and setting up of organizational structures will become the new norm. if youd like to sort your office out and don’t know how, send us an email at info@insitefulsolutionsconsult.com and we will help you out

Ciao folks

SOMETIMES ITS HARD TO BE A WOMAN

2014-09-02T17:48:00.002-07:00

So you are determined to make it as a fabulous female Chief Executive Officer/manager/team lead by any means necessary and you keep hearing the same thing over and over again…stop being such a girl, be a man about things, be tough!! But being who you are is what will make you succeed at work, not becoming someone else, so it is important that there is a balance. However, have you ever been curious why people are so hard on women? Here are some of the things we are accused of:

Women are too emotional...any small thing and they starting crying

Women are petty. I missed one meeting and she wiped my details off the entire project

Oh! You don’t know why that female manager is so aggressive….she’s single and frustrated!

My female colleagues will fight and keep malice till the day they quit or are thrown out!

She’s always taken days off and skipping out working weekends…Haba is she made of salt?!

Yep, folks, from the moment people see a woman, she’ll be misjudged as being emotional, petty, flaky, fragile and if you’re single FRUSTRATED. It isn’t really about what you wear but being judged for who they assume you are. Sadly, a lot of times the assertions listed above are not that far off the mark for some females (and quite a few men too) So if you want to be taking seriously focus on being logical, proactive, and assertive without being aggressive, pragmatic, friendly, diplomatic, and ready to put in the extra hours when necessary. Sometimes that might even mean pushing through some aggressive PMS with an extra strong dose of paid medicine and a huge smile. .

Don’t be afraid to chart a course of action and firmly expect your team to toe the line. Expect backlash from some people but this can be dealt by playing some diplomatic office chicken were you face your aggressor in a diplomatic manner. Simply put, someone challenges you in the office, firmly deal with the situation, then brush it off and continue with business as usual. You can still be pretty in pink but try tailored pieces, longer sleeve shirts, and colorful accessories as opposed to crazy color blocking. If you’re still not sure how this translates to how you can be a bold fabulous female at work, please do not hesitate to drop us a line at info@insitefulsolutionsconsult.com Remember, life is what you make of it and above all, always, always, to thine own self, always remain true

BECOMING A STAR PERFORMER WITHIN THE SME WORK ENVIROMENT

2014-09-02T17:44:00.002-07:00

For the greater part of my teenage years and the same goes for a lot of us out there, we were first encouraged to go for certain professions (Lawyer, doctor, engineer, teacher, etc.) then it became get your first degree, go for your masters (and it must be abroad) and then come back to look for a “good” job in a big company. If you broke the “rules” and came back with an employment letter for a company no one had heard of, you may be faced with looks of pity or even a prayer the next day that God please give my child a job. However with unemployment currently standing at around 24% (roughly ¼ of our estimated 158+ million strong population) and with economic forces shifting the very face of business in Nigeria, small to medium size enterprises now compete with the bigger companies as employers of labor and like the bigger companies, small to medium sized enterprises have their own unique work cultures and structures

Whether it is an IT firm, architectural firm, legal chambers or marketing consultancy, SMEs have unique features which usually include one or more of the following:

§ Much smaller workforces

§ Flatter work structures

§ CEOs and MDs being part of the management team

§ There being more responsibilities and duties than the people working

A lot of people who work in SMEs and who have worked in larger companies have also been surprised to find that their job roles are less defined, there is a lot more interaction between business owners and staff, and financial issues had an immediate impact on the organization. Simply put, SMEs are a very different place to larger co-operations but just like anywhere else, there are things you can do to excel at your job and safe guard your career.

§ BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE

A lot of people complain about not liking the insecurity in SMEs. They believe they can be sacked at any time for the smallest of reasons. This isn’t true. The problem is people do not understand that larger companies usually have a very large workforce that cushion errors, mistakes, and problems. For ex: if I work in a large company and there are 50 people between me and the head of the unit, and I make a mistake, how long will it take management to know what’s wrong? What’s the possibility of management ever even finding out about my mistake? However if I work in an SME where it is just 6 of us and I make an error for a document the CEO wanted, how soon will he/she know? Chances are, in a large firm I can get away with a lot simply because of the size and number of people there. In a smaller firm, I make a mistake and it cost me the same thing as if it was noticed in a larger firm, it’s just guaranteed it will be spotted and the necessary action taken almost immediately.

§ WORK WITH PASSION

Irrespective of why you took the job, the important thing is you took the job!!! You now have to be passionate about what you do. Love your job, embrace it. It’s a smaller firm so more than likely there will be more work, longer hours, and bigger responsibilities. You must as an employee be passionate about what you do and show it all the time. Also be passionate about what your boss is passionate about. SMEs are usually run by business owners and managers you interact with face to face. Remember to show you are passionate about what they are passionate about.

§ FOCUS YOUR PRIORITIES

When I worked for larger companies, I knew my responsibilities. I came in the morning and had my to do list for each day, finished them, and went home happy in the knowledge id done my bit. But its very different in SMEs. Although I had clearly defined roles, I would find myself doing a hundred unexpected things and I would still have my to do list that had to be completed!! Refocusing my priorities was very important and anyone working in an SME should keep this in mind. Make sure you have your to do lists. Always end each day assessing how it went and making plans to catch up with what you hadn’t accomplished.

§ START THINKING DIFFERENTLY ABOUT YOU “ME” TIME

A lot of people complain that in smaller firms they get calls, emails, and txt after work. Some people even go as far as to say their office and personal lines are turned off when they leave the office. I’m here to tell you that unless you own the company, make sure you are as available as much as possible out of office hours. If you have a blackberry, don’t turn it off at night and self righteously say, this is now my time! Make sure your phone is connected your office emails and you are accessible after work. Check you emails and be prepared to get and answer phone calls outside of official working hours. It is no longer unexpected for employees in SMEs to have to go the extra mile, so don’t be surprised and make room for work both in the office and at home. Be remembered for going the extra mile which gets you recognized for all the right reasons. Do not be remembered as the employee who is never available and is therefore disposable.

§ TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR JOB

It is important in an SME that you take active ownership of your job and time in the office. You have to do the job you are paid for and spend time really studying your boss so you can stay one step or more ahead of their needs and wants. You also have to be aware of what is acceptable and more importantly, what is not acceptable because remember, the lesser the people the bigger the spotlight when you do something right and especially when you do something wrong. When there is a problem and you find out it is a lot bigger than you think (for ex: you committing an offence that could get you fired) remember disciplinary procedures are much shorter and can even happen in the space of hours.

Above all, In smaller establishments you are responsible for yourself at your job and this goes for the good, the bad, and the ugly that happens. Jobs are no longer lifetime guaranteed careers and every day has to be viewed as a new opportunity. Do not ever be complacent. Respect your bosses and colleagues. Take advantage of all opportunities to learn new skills so that you are always remain relevant. Go the extra mile at work and be noticed for all the right reasons.

Share your views/questions with me in the comment section and be sure to get it answered.

Do have a great day.

INTRODUCING INSITEFUL SOLUTIONS CV EDITING AND CAREER COUNSELLING SERVICES

2014-09-02T17:39:00.002-07:00

With over 35 million Nigerian youths currently unemployed, it may interest you to know a large portion of these applicants are unemployable because:

· They lack the relevant skills

· They have been unable to package themselves properly in terms of their cv and cover letter

· They are unable to respond to each job vacancy as a separate entity

· They are unable to sell themselves if and when they get a job interview

Do these sound like insurmountable problems? Definitely not! Based twelve years of experience within the recruitment sector, Insiteful Solutions is able to offer detailed cv rewriting and career counseling services to give you the much needed edge in your job search and increase your success rate by at least 70%

CV EDITING – N3,000.00

The objective of your CV is to achieve an interview. Your aim should be to maximize your chances of selection and to minimize the risk of rejection. Employers and Recruitment Agencies critically check the quality of your presentation and first impressions count. The quality of your CV will reflect you as a quality candidate. Our CV rewriting service includes the following:

· Initial consultation to assess you against what is required in today’s job market

· 2 versions of your cv

· Addition to our work database

· Automatic mapping to any jobs your cv match

CAREER COUNSELING - 12,000.00

In today's volatile employment market many challenges are facing employees, whether a seasoned worker or a younger entrant. It is therefore vital that sound and informed decisions are made at all times. As your career consultant, I will work with you to ensure the following

· A two hour conversation to get to know you better and assess your desired career choice versus the reality on ground

· skills assessment

· CV rewriting and career/training road map

· Addition to our work database

· Automatic mapping to any jobs your cv match

Please note that for any of the above services to be successful, you must strictly adhere to what is agreed during the consultation.

If you are interested in any of the following services please indicate by sending an email and we will generate & send to you a payment invoice and arrange your next meeting. Please note that for applicants in Abuja, we will have face to face meetings. For applicants outside of Abuja, we will arrange a skype or telephone interview.

Please note that Insiteful Solutions does not solicit funds for interviews or placement in permanent job positions. This service covers CV writing and Career counseling. Should you qualify for a job interview or gain successful placement in an open vacancy for a permanent job position, you will not be required to make any payment.

Have a wonderful day beloved readers

Best Regards,

NVEfretei
Nkoyo V Efretei
Chief Executive Officer – Insiteful Solutions

JOB HUNTING - IS YOUR CV WORKING FOR YOU OR AGAINST YOU?

2014-09-02T17:35:00.002-07:00

Good day Readers,

I was thinking yesterday about a vacancy I recently posted online. I still cannot believe some of the responses I got. CVs written so badly I couldn’t get past the first sentence, rude email addresses; hostile language through out the CV, and long rambling personal statements. So many people were disqualified before I even had the opportunity to know whether I could consider them for the job because their CVs were so horrible.

You may be at home right now wandering why you are not getting called back for interviews and it could be a simple reason of your CV not making it past the secretary's desk, much less passing HR's scrutiny and here are 22 reasons why:

A recruiter, manager or HR manager can’t get the gist of you and your story in less than 10 seconds
You can’t stand to look at your own résumé because you dislike it so much.
It is loaded with buzz words and meaningless words you copied from the Internet.
Your CV looks like a template.
Your CV is longer than two pages and you have only worked in 2-3 places.
It doesn’t sound authentic – like you’re a real person who solves real problems.
Your CV contains lies of any variety – big or little.
Your CV contains exaggerated job titles.
Your CV doesn’t showcase your key successes, achievements and accomplishments.
Your CV doesn’t integrate a present-future focus along with your past employment record.
Your CV looks like 2500 other résumés in the pile.
Your CV doesn’t sound like you.
Your CV lacks a flow and good organization.
Your CV reads like a job description.
Your CV is unattractive and in some cases, downright difficult to read.
Your CV has a boring account of your work history.
Your CV doesn’t provide direct evidence (proof) as to why your qualifications warrant an interview.
Your CV contains errors (One of the worst offences).
Your CV doesn’t represent you with excellence in your absence.
Your CV gives the reader reasons not speak with you.
Your CV doesn’t exemplify the very best of you and your amazing brand.
Your CV doesn’t generate any action for you.

Culled from http://www.careerhubblog.com/main/2012/05/does-your-r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9-suck-22-things-to-consider.html

So darling readers, going thru the above points, did any of them jump out at you that you may be committing one or more of these offences on YOUR CV? If your answer is yes, it's time to redraft your CV and do let me know if you need professional advice, I'm always happy to help!

GETTING A JOB AFTER SCHOOL – POWERFUL INSIDER TIPS

2014-07-29T18:46:00.003-07:00

Almost every university graduate faces the same issues when searching for a first job: How do you demonstrate you possess the necessary qualifications for a job when you haven't had a "real job" before? With more and more people returning from overseas with both foreign degrees AND work experience, coming into an interview and announcing you are a fresh inexperienced graduate is no longer acceptable. In fact, stating you have no real skills and training in this age of more people than jobs is no longer acceptable or pleasing to most employees. As unfair as this sounds, it is our present reality. However like everything else in life there is a way round this situation and here's how you do it:

· Drop the ridiculous email address: having the email address hashtagbeautifulbabe@yahoo.com might work in uni or high school but not in the job market. If you have to, open a new email address and keep it simple. For example my first out of school email address was enkoyo@yahoo.com (combination of my first name and first letter of my surname) it looked professional then and it still looks professional now.

· Drop the objective statement: Most objective statements ("Go-getter seeking sales position") say more about what a job seeker hopes for in a job than why that person would be a good fit for the position. So ditch the objective statement and create a summary section instead. It's a brief rundown of your skills and qualifications, targeted to the company and opening. For example: "Economics graduate with experience gained through internship with a reputable PR firm. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including expertise in Excel."

· Create a combination CV: Instead of submitting a traditional chronological CV, consider a combination CV. This format allows you to place more focus on your professional skills by grouping them near the top of your document. You might, for example, have a section titled "Computer Skills" or one called "Supervisory Experience." Don't limit yourself to abilities you've honed through full- or part-time jobs. Skills you've gained through internships, volunteer work, or even clubs or social committees can be just as relevant.

· Focus on transferable skills: Think the years you spent waiting tables, helping in your mother’s company, working in your dad’s firm, or volunteering in an uncle’s ICT firm won't help you land a job? Think again. This experience may have prepared you for your career better than you realize. If you supervised some other staff members, for example, you have managerial experience to add to your CV. You could also highlight your strong customer service and communication skills. Almost every employer values these abilities. #freetip: provided you are not losing money, take advantage of each and every volunteer and paid work experiences that come your way. HR and Management are always on the lookout for value adders not value reducers. A fresh graduate with relevant skills will almost always get a job over someone with more years of “irrelevant” work experience.

· Include keywords: You can increase your chances of getting an interview if you look at the job listing and use words or phrases from it in your own CV. Use these keywords to describe skills you possess -- as long as they are accurate, of course.

· Create a LinkedIn profile: creating a profile on LinkedIn or a similar professional networking site may help in your search for employment. Many hiring managers and recruiters search sites such as LinkedIn to find job candidates -- and the trend is growing.

Take the time to create a quality document that shines a light on your most marketable skills and experience, and you'll give yourself the best shot at landing an interview and, ultimately, your dream job.

Have a great week everyone!!

Succeeding In A Small Business - Take Care Of The Details

2014-07-08T02:47:00.000-07:00

I can't count how many times I've met entrepreneurs (myself included) who feel like they must make a certain amount of money before they decide to formalise their business operations. After losing out on a couple of major jobs, I respected myself and re-branded. Why? Because just like you would never go shopping without a list, you should not be in business without a plan!! If you have made even one hundred thousand naira profit from your business idea, I implore you starting this weekend to take the following actions:

1. Register your business - Look for a lawyer and register your business. Did you know cannot access certain funding and opportunities if your not registered with CAC? Now you do so go find a good lawyer and register your business.

2. Brand your company - You can carve a niche for yourself as a consultant in your field but today start thinking about the services you want to provide Nigeria within the next fifty years and create a business name and logo. Hint: if you're stuck, go online and check out names/logos of companies doing what you want to do so you can create generate ideas in order to create your own unique brand

3. Create a business and marketing plan - You will not succeed if you are jack of all trades unless you are a handyman. Decide on at least one service you'd like to do. Research what is available already in the market and find a way to do your thing differently. When this is done, create a 5 year business and marketing plan. Learn more about doing this here https://www.dropbox.com/s/0r93sfygdd5yudb/BUSINESS%20PLAN%20FORMAT%20003.doc

4. Hire at least an intern - I have learnt the hard way that I can not be in ten places at once but you don't have too. Starting today, keep your eyes open for a young woman/man that can help you achieve your goals and objectives who is waiting to serve or just finished school. Set aside a stipend each month to cater for them and build a weekly plan of action for them. Hint: don't think you must do 9am - 5pm and kill your intern in the name of saving a naira. If you need them to work 12 hours a day, stick to that and work out a plan that is right for your business and interns. If you'd like help setting up an internship programme, please feel free to write me at insitefulsolutionsconsult@gmail.com

5. Use your smart phone smartly - you may not be ready to get a website but you can open a twitter account or group on your blackberry.

6. Get a mentor - find someone who is not risk adverse and beg if you have to so that they will find time in their busy schedule to provide you advice and listen to your problems. Even if this happens for 2 hours a month, if you receive sound advice, it will make a big difference before the year runs out.

Ok readers, these are my top six tips for ensuring you increase your profit and build your business within the next seven months. Follow them and I guarantee success! If you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact me at insitefulsolutionsconsult@gmail.com Have a great evening everybody!

Common sense HR tips for Managers in Nigeria

2014-05-09T06:59:00.001-07:00

Hi folks, In this day of too many workers and too few jobs, many managers have made the mistake of under utilizing their staff and turning into corporate bullies simply because staffing has become less of an issue. However, we lose millions each year in possible earnings when we refuse become effective leaders. Effective leaders recognize and appreciate our people. Becoming an effective boss doesn't mean you become a push over or over emotional, it simply means you start utilizing your staff properly in order to improve productivity, increase income, and stop wasting hours used to manage unhappy staff. These are a few tips you should keep in mind to becomee and effective boss in 2014. #HRtipsforbosses Organizational success is not determined by your fastest learners, but your slowest. Be a leader #HRtipsforbosses your workers are not mind readers, make your plans known and disseminate goals to the last level in your organization. #HRtipsforbosses people can't reach for the stars if they don't know where the sky is. Let your people know what you expect from them. #HRtipsforbosses Nepotism will kill your business from the inside out. If you must hire family, ensure their skills align with your need. #HRtipsforbosses Don't think because the unemployment rate is so high you can treat people unfairly. Your bad reputation will speak louder than any sales efforts and will eventually drive away both staff and customers. #HRtipsforbosses treat people fairly and be honest. #HRtipsforbosses you have to walk the talk. Be an example to your staff or hire an MD who will. #HRtipsforbosses if you know you can lead a business, but not people, hire a manager who can. Not all leaders make effective bosses. If as a manager, you want to discuss any of the tips further, do buzz me at insitefulsolutionsconsult@gmail.com Have a great day everybody!!

THE FUTURE OF WORK SERIES #1: 'HOW NOT TO MESS UP AN INTERVIEW IN 10 MINUTES

2014-05-02T12:37:00.001-07:00

Good evening everybody!!

It’s another beautiful gorgeous Friday in the beautiful city of Abuja and I and my interns are hard at work already. Now one of the goals we had this week was publishing and marketing posts by guest bloggers and we have our 1st one!! Hurrah! It comes from Obasa Olorunfemi aka Femi who is the co-founder of The Fleuri Academy; an on-line start-up designed to provide learning on the go using chat applications and live interactions and co-founder of restless Versatility - A social media and blogs management outfit. Femi has a background in water resources management with professional certifications spanning Music, Safety, Environment and Project Management and has earned his battle scars and working experience in Environment assessment, Design and Recruitment. He will be writing an ongoing series on best practice recruitment tips which will include real life case studies and best practice responses to various situations job seekers face in Nigeria. Now on to the first article:

The Future of work

#1: ‘How “NOT” to mess up an interview in the first 10 minutes’

Please tell me about yourself?

This is the first question usually asked at interviews. I believe it helps the recruiter analyze your fluency in English, your level of intelligence and most importantly to get you relaxed for the subsequent conversation.

In my short time with candidates, I have heard over a dozen infuriating, comical and often wrong answers to these questions. Let me share some of them:

Case #1

Q: Please tell me about yourself
A: My name is Tolu. I am the First son of my parents. I am humble, caring and kind. My favorite food is rice and beans. My favorite color is pink. I am born-again.

Case #2
Q: Please tell me about yourself
A: I am Jane. I am a Jobless girl from a family of five. I studied econs at gwagz.

Please note that while I have left out parts of the responses, I have not edited either. I have also only illustrated with two so you do not think I am making an attempt at comedy. In the ever-growing distance in-between what the labor market wants and what our universities need, we will continue to have this challenge.

In my experience the correct answer to the above question includes a summary of your education and work history delivered in a precise and professional manner. The smart candidates find a way to include relevant character information not present in their CVs but key to their engagement. I’ll also advice less experienced job applicants to rather opt for a brief summary of educational, work history as well as skills sets when asked the question during an interview.

and there you have it folks. In interviews at some point you will be asked tell me about yourself. I've had people blush, start to cry, stammer, and begin to narrate their CV back to me, all in the name of telling me about themselves. This is wrong, wrong, wrong! Practice what you will say in accordance to the tips mentioned above and we look forward to you joining us for the next series article next week Monday: “Deadliest responses to interview questions heard in 2014.”

That's all folks! if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them. Have a wonderful weekend

Nikky the HR Agony Aunt is back!!!!

2014-04-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

Has it ever happened to you guys that you get so sucked up in the activities of those around you, your vision is temporarily put to one side? well it happened to me and two things that suffered were my blog and my website. Luckily I have been able to find some balance and I'm once again back in the swing of things when it comes to my blog and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this time I'm consistent.

It's been depressing to see articles go unwritten and comments go unanswered. So to my dear readers i can only say I'm sorry and assure you that I'm back. I'm back. I'm back.

Articles, events, press releases, question and answer sessions are coming.

So what have I been doing? as you may or may not know, I run an independent consultancy and two months ago, a client I respect and look up to, Jacqueline Farris of Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja referred to me to a potential client. I made myself available thinking it would be a little side job but instead I received a lucrative, complex, tasking, and wonderful set of projects that introduced me to people I know love (and loath) allowed me to network with a group of people I had only previously dreamt of meeting, and allowed me buy things I had previously only dreamed of.

I learned powerful lessons in the last few months including:

1. Priorities everything or you end up doing nothing.

2. Always give your 100% in what you do

3. The right network, business partners, and support system can make or break you.

4. Know when to say yes to stressors at work/life and when to say a big fat giant NO

5. It's not every business lead you need to explore.

NEW POSTS COMING FROM NIKKY THE HR GURU

2014-04-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

Aloha Readers!!

How have you all been this fabulous April? It's been really hectic for me. I’ve decided to take my career to the next level, put my money where my mouth is, and literally take my life by the horns including speaking at events and mentoring young folks. But something happened that didn't make me happy. I had no time to write. It seemed that every minute was occupied with activities and I realised I am no longer just busy, I am also busy being busy. So I am back. I refuse to stop writing and teaching over the Internet and I want to remain loyal to you my dear readers.

So I am back. With news, topics, events, training sessions, and even vacancies across Nigeria!

I have missed you all so much and i hope to hear from you all as the articles fill up my blog. And least I forget, I still will be providing HR news and articles. I will also be sharing business tips along with news, tips, articles, and trainings to improve the careers of employers, employees, and business owners out there.

Have a great week every body.

Succeeding In A Small Business - Take Care Of The Details

2014-04-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

I can't count how many times I've met entrepreneurs (myself included) who feel like they must make a certain amount of money before they decide to formalise their business operations. After losing out on a couple of major jobs, I respected myself and re-branded. Why? Because just like you would never go shopping without a list, you should not be in business without a plan!! If you have made even one hundred thousand naira profit from your business idea, I implore you starting this weekend to take the following actions:

1. Register your business - Look for a lawyer and register your business. Did you know cannot access certain funding and opportunities if your not registered with CAC? Now you do so go find a good lawyer and register your business.

2. Brand your company - You can carve a niche for yourself as a consultant in your field but today start thinking about the services you want to provide Nigeria within the next fifty years and create a business name and logo. Hint: if you're stuck, go online and check out names/logos of companies doing what you want to do so you can create generate ideas in order to create your own unique brand

3. Create a business and marketing plan - You will not succeed if you are jack of all trades unless you are a handyman. Decide on at least one service you'd like to do. Research what is available already in the market and find a way to do your thing differently. When this is done, create a 5 year business and marketing plan.

4. Hire at least an intern - I have learnt the hard way that I can not be in ten places at once but you don't have too. Starting today, keep your eyes open for a young woman/man that can help you achieve your goals and objectives who is waiting to serve or just finished school. Set aside a stipend each month to cater for them and build a weekly plan of action for them. Hint: don't think you must do 9am - 5pm and kill your intern in the name of saving a naira. If you need them to work 12 hours a day, stick to that and work out a plan that is right for your business and interns. If you'd like help setting up an internship programme, please feel free to write me at insitefulsolutionsconsult@gmail.com

5. Use your smart phone smartly - you may not be ready to get a website but you can open a twitter account or group on your blackberry.

6. Get a mentor - find someone who is not risk adverse and beg if you have to so that they will find time in their busy schedule to provide you advice and listen to your problems. Even if this happens for 2 hours a month, if you receive sound advice, it will make a big difference before the year runs out.

Ok readers, these are my top six tips for ensuring you increase your profit and build your business within the next seven months. Follow them and I guarantee success! If you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact me at insitefulsolutionsconsult@gmail.com Have a great evening everybody!

Vacancies in ICT Firms in Abuja

2014-03-06T02:22:00.002-08:00

Good morning everybody, Insiteful Solutions, a premier recruiting firm is looking to hire senior professionals in two large ICT companies in Abuja for the roles of IT Manager, Sales & Marketing Manager, Head ICT projects, Technical Business Analyst, and Business Development Manager. To apply or for more information, please send your message/CV to cv@insitefulsolutionsconsult.com please spread the word as we do not charge candidates and there are no hidden fees. Regards, Nkoyo V Efretei Insiteful Solutions

Vacancies in an ICT firm in Abuja

2014-02-20T01:49:00.002-08:00

Vacancies! Vacancies! Vacancies! A reputable ICT firm located in Garki, Abuja is looking to hire against the following vacancies: Financial Accountant, Technical Business Analyst, Solutions Architect Technical Manager, Sales Manager & Business Development Officers. Note: This firm has one of the best welfare packages & career development schemes I've seen till date! So to apply, please send your cv to cv@insitefulsolutionsconsult.com