By Standard reporter
Looking for a job is a tricky affair. A small mistake or omission of a key detail in interview or CV can cost you a great employment opportunity.
And in a busy world where many employers have little time to scrutinise jobseekers’ strengths, recruitment experts say the applicant should be forthcoming with details that highlight their most important qualities.
Mr Perminus Wainaina, a recruitment consultant with Corporate Staffing Services, says the most critical stage that will win the job or disqualify you is how well you market yourself on your CV and the cover letter.
Jam-packed
“The current job market is jam-packed with many qualified candidates in various fields,” says Wainaina. “A smart job seeker should not follow the crowd as this will make him part of the herd that stays jobless.”
He says to be an effective jobseeker, you should brand and market yourself. This should not be one-off, he said, but an ongoing project where you update your own brand by bringing yourself up to speed with changes in the job market, even after you secure employment.
“This way, you remain relevant and ahead of competition,” he says.
ICT professionals, for example, should stay abreast of their very dynamic field. With new technologies coming up rapidly, you should stay on top of trends not to be rendered obsolete.
The job-seeking strategy should begin in college where, as a student, you should make sure you undertake internships in your specific area of interest. This gives you a feel of the job. Professional networks created during the internship will prove invaluable when looking for a job.
“As a job seeker, interact with like-minded people who add value to your life as a professional. Register with professional organisations in your area of expertise and be part of a professional network,” advises Mr Wainaina. “Firms always seek to cut costs, and being part of a network will not only aid in getting inside information on a vacancy but may also provide recommendation from working members in the network.”
Even those already employed are not safe, says Wainaina, as they face the constant challenge of retaining their jobs, if not getting a promotion. The only way to achieve this goal is value-addition.
Whether by helping in cutting costs or bringing in new business, the employer must see value in keeping you on the payroll.
Very specific
“Kenyan employers are very specific when looking for employees. In the same way, job seekers should target certain employers. Focus should be on employers with whom you share similar values,” said Mr Wainaina. “If working in an environment where religious values are infringed, there will be job dissatisfaction. Consequently, one’s performance will be affected. Think on how challenging the job is and what opportunities for growth are available.”
Before applying for a job, check out the employer’s management style and if it fits in with you. For example, while the private sector is more profit-oriented, it puts a lot of pressure on the workers to deliver results. The government sector is more service-oriented, while NGOs have attractive, but require workers to either travel a lot or work in marginalised areas.
Taking up a job in area different from your professional specialisation may put you at a disadvantage for lack of the experience required in that field. However, Wainaina says it can be a plus, as it equips the individual with new skills.
Dream job
“As you wait for that dream job, keep yourself busy with another. This will hone your skills in other areas as well as provide cash that will help you acquire more training in your area of expertise, enable you to buy that nice suit that will help you package yourself presentably and create inestimable networks,” says Mr Wainaina.
“As a jobseeker, identify your strengths and capitalise on them, improve on weaknesses and package yourself as an attractive brand.”
