What's in a name in the case of a person seeking employment?
Unskilled jobs, as the name suggests, do not require any special skill or skills. Most of such jobs include brawn jobs and simple jobs such as janitors and cleaners. Any healthy person who is willing to dirty his hands can do such jobs. However, an unskilled worker may, in time, learn to perform a skilled job or to perform his job in a more skillful way.
It is fairly uncommon for an unskilled person to become a manager. But there are a number who rose up to hold the top job. The following are a few examples:
1. Karen Kaplan who rose from a receptionist to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
2. Steve Tappin's first job was a cleaner at ICI. This was during semester breaker at high school. He later secured a job at the same company and rose to the position of CEO.
3. Juliet Wu Shihong started as a cleaning lady but she worked up the ladder until she became the regional general manager of a China company.
There are other true stories no less amazing. But these people could be the exceptions.
Angelina Jolie to take up Teaching Position
It has been reported that Angelina Jolie who is a visiting professor at London School of Economics will be joining Georgetown University. She has the credentials.
But some may ask, if she is an ordinary person, would it be that easy to secure such a job? Is that fame giving these people an unfair advantage over others which the law may seek to regulate?
Perhaps, if one cannot get a proper job, then he or she may try to apply for the position of celebrity assistant. Well, this is just a thought!
What is important for anyone who is seriously looking for a job is never to lose hope. Keep on looking. You will get employed if you don't give up.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Learn Additonal Skills
The world of work is changing fast. It is not as easy to secure a job, what more a good paying job, nowadays.
Many among those who have tertiary education find it hard to get employed. There are thousands of graduates who are unemployed.
So what do you do if you happen to be one of these unfortunate graduates? Must you take any job even if it has little or irrelevant to your qualification?
Building a career in your chosen field will have to wait.
One of the necessary things you may need to do is to look for relevant courses to improve your skills or to learn new skills. Among these are soft skills. Find a course relevant to your interest.
These additional skills will give you extra advantage over other job seekers.
Many among those who have tertiary education find it hard to get employed. There are thousands of graduates who are unemployed.
So what do you do if you happen to be one of these unfortunate graduates? Must you take any job even if it has little or irrelevant to your qualification?
Building a career in your chosen field will have to wait.
One of the necessary things you may need to do is to look for relevant courses to improve your skills or to learn new skills. Among these are soft skills. Find a course relevant to your interest.
These additional skills will give you extra advantage over other job seekers.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Having a Degree may not be Enough
During these turbulent times, having a graduate degree may not be enough. But then, not everyone can afford to go to college or have the necessary grade to enter university.
When you go for a job interview, they are also looking for other qualities that you may have. So even if you don't have a degree or have paper qualification that has little bearing on the job to be filled, you may still stand a chance if you can demonstrate your competence and personal skills during the interview.
However, don't take any chances. If you don't have any skill training, attend some courses that can enhance your skills. Improve your public speaking skills. Attend some computer courses.
If there is no job commensurate with your qualification, accept a lower level job if you are offered one. Once you are in, you can slowly work your way up. If you are patient enough and work hard in improving yourself, one day you will yourself holding a more senior job.
It has been said that more organizations now prefer to hire people who possess the skills that they need. They cannot afford to wait six to nine months or even longer for a new employee to learn the nitty-gritty of the job. That is why skilled people may get hire more easily. In fact, they may even be booked by employers even before they finish their courses.
Preference for a Degree Holder
Surely, most employers prefer to hire someone with a degree. But a graduate may not exactly fit the job and may even fail to perform well on the job. But the fact that a person has a degree demonstrates to potential employers that that person will most probably have the ability to do it better.
So, get qualified for the types of jobs that you want. If you have to go back to college to get a higher qualification, then do so. Of course, this depends on whether you have the financial capability.
Having a degree does not guarantee that you get a job or that you will perform well in that. But being a graduate gives you more confidence. So get a higher qualification if possible.
The Job or the Pay?
When looking for a job, are you seeking one that you like or one that pays well? Getting a job that you like and pays well at the same time will be the ideal. But these two do not always together. Unfortunately!
Be practical! Take stock of what you have - qualification, personal skills, personal qualities and weaknesses. What are you good at? How can you make good use of it when looking for a job and during a job interview?
If you only high school qualification, you cannot expect to start higher up in the hierarchy. You can take a low level job and slowly work your way up. Some of the very successful people in the world started from the shop floor. Some started as a janitor or as an apprentice.
Having a degree is not a guarantee that you can find a job that pays well or that you will get employed any time soon. In fact, in most cases those who have technical skills will get employed first. Employers will 'book' them even before they finished their training.
However, having a degree coupled with necessary skills and good attitude will get you promoted faster. And thus, higher pay. But being paid well in a job that you dislike or has started to dislike is not ideal. You may end hating the job because of the way the supervisor or some senior officers treat you. If you have no other option, may be it is better to leave. But remember, don't resign until you have received a job offer from another organization.
Which Job Offer Will You Take?
If you are offered two jobs, one that you like but with low pay or a job that has not much attraction but pays well, which one will you choose?
Most people may choose the latter. Perhaps, they will learn to love the job. May be they are right. Perhaps, this is the better choice. No one wants to lose the opportunity of enjoying a better life.
But there are people who may take the former. Money is secondary to them. They may have to budget but they will not have the problem of whether they will go to work the following day.
But whichever job you take, you still have to make a good job of it, whether you like it or not, whether you look forward to doing it the next day or not. Failure to do so will end up in dismissal unless you have already resigned.
Be practical! Take stock of what you have - qualification, personal skills, personal qualities and weaknesses. What are you good at? How can you make good use of it when looking for a job and during a job interview?
If you only high school qualification, you cannot expect to start higher up in the hierarchy. You can take a low level job and slowly work your way up. Some of the very successful people in the world started from the shop floor. Some started as a janitor or as an apprentice.
Having a degree is not a guarantee that you can find a job that pays well or that you will get employed any time soon. In fact, in most cases those who have technical skills will get employed first. Employers will 'book' them even before they finished their training.
However, having a degree coupled with necessary skills and good attitude will get you promoted faster. And thus, higher pay. But being paid well in a job that you dislike or has started to dislike is not ideal. You may end hating the job because of the way the supervisor or some senior officers treat you. If you have no other option, may be it is better to leave. But remember, don't resign until you have received a job offer from another organization.
Which Job Offer Will You Take?
If you are offered two jobs, one that you like but with low pay or a job that has not much attraction but pays well, which one will you choose?
Most people may choose the latter. Perhaps, they will learn to love the job. May be they are right. Perhaps, this is the better choice. No one wants to lose the opportunity of enjoying a better life.
But there are people who may take the former. Money is secondary to them. They may have to budget but they will not have the problem of whether they will go to work the following day.
But whichever job you take, you still have to make a good job of it, whether you like it or not, whether you look forward to doing it the next day or not. Failure to do so will end up in dismissal unless you have already resigned.
Friday, July 18, 2014
What Career? Which Job?
Are you a career person? Most probably, in the affirmative.
So what career, and which job?
By the way, what is a career?
A career is something that you want to spend the major part of your life doing. What it is depends on what you want, your likes and dislikes, whether you prefer staying indoors or under the sun. It depends on whether you like using your head or your hands. Do you like working in a group or individually? There are thousands of possibilities.
Which Job?
Some people want to have a career but do not like working. Some want to work but they cannot get a decent job. They may not have the necessary qualification, skills and / or competence. They may not be physically fit for the job. Suitable jobs may not be available or if available, they are too far away.
In order to secure a job, you need to have some skills in doing something useful. Skills range from the brainy types to the physically challenging. These skills and competence must be the ones employers are looking for. Having the right qualification, skills, competence and personality is essential in order to get employed.
Man must work
Every capable person needs to have something to do. Even those physically-challenged can earn a living as long as their brain cells can function. It follows that national / state government must create jobs for its citizens. Or they bring about enabling infrastructure whereby jobs can be created by private organization. People cannot be forced to beg for their food.
On the other hand, no one must refuse to work and earn their living. Laziness is not something to be encouraged. You can't entertain such mentality. It is written somewhere that anyone who does not work must not eat.
Choose to work
So at the end of the day, you need to look for a job to earn your living, to give meaning to your existence as a human being. But you must be the one who define the job.
What you need to do is to carry out an inventory of what you know, your skills and competence. After doing this, look for a job that fits the description. If you don't try, you may never know. You may strike it big, making it to a senior position or making a fortune doing something that helps other people live their lives to fulfillment.
So what career, and which job?
By the way, what is a career?
A career is something that you want to spend the major part of your life doing. What it is depends on what you want, your likes and dislikes, whether you prefer staying indoors or under the sun. It depends on whether you like using your head or your hands. Do you like working in a group or individually? There are thousands of possibilities.
Which Job?
Some people want to have a career but do not like working. Some want to work but they cannot get a decent job. They may not have the necessary qualification, skills and / or competence. They may not be physically fit for the job. Suitable jobs may not be available or if available, they are too far away.
In order to secure a job, you need to have some skills in doing something useful. Skills range from the brainy types to the physically challenging. These skills and competence must be the ones employers are looking for. Having the right qualification, skills, competence and personality is essential in order to get employed.
Man must work
Every capable person needs to have something to do. Even those physically-challenged can earn a living as long as their brain cells can function. It follows that national / state government must create jobs for its citizens. Or they bring about enabling infrastructure whereby jobs can be created by private organization. People cannot be forced to beg for their food.
On the other hand, no one must refuse to work and earn their living. Laziness is not something to be encouraged. You can't entertain such mentality. It is written somewhere that anyone who does not work must not eat.
Choose to work
So at the end of the day, you need to look for a job to earn your living, to give meaning to your existence as a human being. But you must be the one who define the job.
What you need to do is to carry out an inventory of what you know, your skills and competence. After doing this, look for a job that fits the description. If you don't try, you may never know. You may strike it big, making it to a senior position or making a fortune doing something that helps other people live their lives to fulfillment.
Problem Solving Skills
You will need problem solving skills whatever your station in life is and whether you are employed or self-employed or unemployed. In fact, life can be full of problems if you want to look for problems.
Problem solving skills are clearly useful if you have a job. It does not matter what kind of job you may have and whatever position that you hold. From janitors to clerks to executives, they all need skills in solving problems in connection with their respective jobs.
Disasters abound in organizations if every junior employees have to refer every problem higher up. If problems remain unsolved at lower level, top management will be inundated with problems awaiting decision. Things will come to a standstill. Service suffers. Customers leave. The organization may collapse and close down. And everybody suffers including employers, employees, and other stakeholders.
Problem solving skills can be learned. Attendance at suitable training programs help you learn these important skills.
If organizations send their people to attend the right training courses they will benefit in the long run. Ongoing training is necessary to equip people with the necessary skills or to update skills and knowledge.
Delegate duties and responsibilities
Where the conditions merit, superiors can delegate some of their less important duties and responsibilities to subordinates from time to time. This is a form of training in decision making.
Coach employees
Coaching employees help them learn faster how to make good decisions. Some call this mentoring. (These two are not exactly the same in terms of time span, and so on.)
Through effective coaching of subordinates, you can rest assured that if you are not around the office, things are fine.
Career progression
Many organizations look for excellent problem solving skills as one of the requirements in those they are thinking of promoting. This is especially true of supervisory positions at whatever level in the hierarchy.
Some decisions have to be made almost instantaneously. Some problems have to be thought through for a while before a decision is made.
Equip yourself with effective problem solving skills. These are useful whatever you do.
Problem solving skills are clearly useful if you have a job. It does not matter what kind of job you may have and whatever position that you hold. From janitors to clerks to executives, they all need skills in solving problems in connection with their respective jobs.
Disasters abound in organizations if every junior employees have to refer every problem higher up. If problems remain unsolved at lower level, top management will be inundated with problems awaiting decision. Things will come to a standstill. Service suffers. Customers leave. The organization may collapse and close down. And everybody suffers including employers, employees, and other stakeholders.
Problem solving skills can be learned. Attendance at suitable training programs help you learn these important skills.
If organizations send their people to attend the right training courses they will benefit in the long run. Ongoing training is necessary to equip people with the necessary skills or to update skills and knowledge.
Delegate duties and responsibilities
Where the conditions merit, superiors can delegate some of their less important duties and responsibilities to subordinates from time to time. This is a form of training in decision making.
Coach employees
Coaching employees help them learn faster how to make good decisions. Some call this mentoring. (These two are not exactly the same in terms of time span, and so on.)
Through effective coaching of subordinates, you can rest assured that if you are not around the office, things are fine.
Career progression
Many organizations look for excellent problem solving skills as one of the requirements in those they are thinking of promoting. This is especially true of supervisory positions at whatever level in the hierarchy.
Some decisions have to be made almost instantaneously. Some problems have to be thought through for a while before a decision is made.
Equip yourself with effective problem solving skills. These are useful whatever you do.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Get a qualification that you want and will get you employed
There are thousands of graduates idling away their time. They can't find any employment. Many of them may have qualification that thousands also have. The job market for which they have the relevant qualification is saturated.
It is no surprise that so many of these graduates are forced to take up jobs that require a different type of qualification. There is qualification-job mismatch. This is a waste of talent.
This is exactly why you need get a qualification that you like but also will get you employed. But even so, you may not get employed in the industry that you prefer.
I knew of one case where a graduate is qualified for a specific job but took up a very different type of employment. There can be many reasons why a person does something that other people may find hard to understand. At the end of the day, what is more important is that the person is happy doing the job.
Having paper qualification is not enough in certain cases. The person needs to have special or specialized skills such as in the case of a mechanic, a painter or a sculptor.
A job that have something to do with people could well be among the most challenging jobs. It is believed that a person who manages people must have the brains but must have the empathy. If so, that person can do very well in managing people.
Having empathy can help you move up and when you do you can easily deal with human-related problems.
It is no surprise that so many of these graduates are forced to take up jobs that require a different type of qualification. There is qualification-job mismatch. This is a waste of talent.
This is exactly why you need get a qualification that you like but also will get you employed. But even so, you may not get employed in the industry that you prefer.
I knew of one case where a graduate is qualified for a specific job but took up a very different type of employment. There can be many reasons why a person does something that other people may find hard to understand. At the end of the day, what is more important is that the person is happy doing the job.
Having paper qualification is not enough in certain cases. The person needs to have special or specialized skills such as in the case of a mechanic, a painter or a sculptor.
A job that have something to do with people could well be among the most challenging jobs. It is believed that a person who manages people must have the brains but must have the empathy. If so, that person can do very well in managing people.
Having empathy can help you move up and when you do you can easily deal with human-related problems.
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