Career tips, CVs, resumes, interviews and workplace guidance.
Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what a hiring manager would be asking you in your next interview? While we unfortunately can’t read minds, we’ll give you the next best thing: a list of the 31 most commonly…
By Selipha Kihagi It happens to most of us. You try to be nice and cordial to someone, only to end up being rude. On most occasions you don’t even realize you were rude. But the other person(s) remembers your rudeness…
One of the most dreaded interview questions by Kenyan job seekers is; Why did you leave your last job? Most people are not sure what to say because the answers given can change the interviewers perception of you either…
These are a couple of tips needed by interviewees to survive the rigorous interview sessions organised by employers. Job hunt is a very stressful aspect of one’s life; it takes motivation and being positive to get the…
By Selipha Kihagi As the number of people applying for various positions continues to rise, employers are finding aptitude tests an ideal way to select the best candidate. Aptitude tests are designed to measure a…
Some people make the job search process harder than it needs to be. Obviously it’s not their intention to make an already difficult journey any longer. But sometimes job seekers (unwittingly) do things that work against…
Writing a CV is hard work and there are no shortcuts. The most important thing to remember when you are writing this document is to convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you are suitable for the job. With this…
This may seem like a softball, get to know you question—but really it’s your chance to make an unbelievable first impression. So don’t just spout of random anecdotes about your life or—worse—recite your resume (they…
Learning to negotiate salaries during an interview can be quite a daunting task. Most people dread it since you don’t want to aim too high and lose out on the job or aim to low and risk selling yourself short. Speaking…
By Selipha Kihagi When was the last time you paid attention to the information in your employment contract? As a job seeker in Kenya, you may be too happy to get hired that looking through your employment contract…
There are a few select phrases that no job seeker wants to hear in an interview. “Go ahead and see yourself out,” is one of them. “Did you know that your fly is down?” or “Please, stop crying,” are likely others.…
If you’re thinking about taking a new step in your career, your resume’s probably high on your mind. When’s the last time you updated it? How will you transfer the skills from your current job or industry to a new one?…
By Selipha Kihagi In a job interview in Kenya, it is very common for a candidate to encounter this interview question. In the case you do not get this exact one, the alternatives include, Why do you think you are the…
One of the most common job search frustrations stems from people who want to change careers, but are paralyzed by the assumption that they don’t have enough experience. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. I graduated from…
If you’re like many people I know, you worry about what hiring managers say about you the second you exit the interview. And you therefore probably assume that they nitpick the heck out of your answers and only hire the…
Did you know that your personality is a key determinant when it comes to making career decisions? Your personality is what determines how well you will blend into a particular work environment or how much you will not.…
Job opportunities in Kenya are always scarce, making job seekers go out of their way to find ways in which they can stand out in their respective careers. Anyone not finding jobs can relate to the fact that it’s…
They say desperate times call for desperate measures but how far would you go to get what you want? Welcome to the reality of unemployment in Kenya. As you know, there are far too many graduates in Kenya but where are…
“When you are asked what your salary range is, what should you consider? I have been asked that question severally and I find myself at a loss on what to say. Please advise,”says Antony Kirui via email. When you are job…
By Selipha Kihagi We all have our passions and that particular thing we are really good at. For you it may be that you are great in Maths or engaging customers, it could be that being a personal Assistant appeals to you…
A while back I mentioned how smart job seekers are usually the ones that get the good jobs, their dream jobs if you may. Some of our readers called me to it, concerned by what ‘smart job seekers’ actually meant, and…
By Selipha Kihagi Once you get past the selection process and a recruiter or hiring manager invites you for an interview, it is time to impress. Most people make it to the interview stage due to their well-tailored CVs,…
By Selipha Kihagi Acing an interview for a position you really want can be difficult. You could get too excited about making it to the interview that you allow anxiety to cripple your confidence. And not only will you…
At a past job, I started to have major concerns about the company where I was working. These apprehensions went far beyond my specific job; they related directly to how the business was run and how employees were…
