In planning for a job, the following should form the basics of the campaign: Information of the job in opportunities, information about prospective employers, a curriculum vitae, letter of application, and preparation for an interview.
Sources of Information on Job Opportunities
The first thing to do in planning a job campaign is to locate the possible sources of information on job opportunities. For final year students in higher institutions, the Students Affairs Office should be the first port of call for potential job seekers. Many companies usually write to students affairs departments intimating them of the job opening they have.
Pivate employment agencies also have information about job openings. These are usually found in large towns and students or graduates have to register with them to become acquainted with such information. Local newspapers also have classified advertisements sections which provide information about prospective job openings. Such opening are usually for lower level manpower. Professional and trade publications often carry advertisements about higher levl positions which appeal to university graduates.
Sources of Information on Prospective Employers
Information about prospective employers may be obtained from various sources. These include newspapers, books, periodicals, and company manuals. Large companies furnish the public with extensive materials on their training programmes and job opportunities. The materials will enable job seekers to get certain information, which includes, the names and addresses of companies, the type of business they are engaged in, and the names of their managing directors or chief executives. Such information make it possible for job appicants to make initial contacts with the chief executives of the listed companies.
Writing An Application letter
The purpose of writing the application letter is not to "get a job" as many people usually think, but to get an interview . This is so because the positions which educated appicants seek are almost never given without an interview. Therefore, an application letter should feature the applicants best qualifications and should be direct, personalized, and should end with a request for an interview.
The initial paragraph of an application letter should be a direct opening statement of why the applicants training and qualifications would be useful to the prospective employer. It is aimed at captivating the attention of the reader. The middle paragraph should amplify the special features indicated in the opening paragraph by stressing why you desire to work for the company.
The final or closing paragraph has just one function name, to request for a formal interview. An effective application letter will at this point created a desiree on the part of the employer for an interview.
Preparing The Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae or resume is a personal data sheet that summarizes yoyr personal, educational, and experience factors that indicate your ability to perform job. Since most companies receive more job applications than they can accomodate, you need to sell yourself well through this personal advertisement.
A curriculum vitae should be short, concise and well organised. Most curriculum vitae contain the following headings:
1.Identification: Your name, address, telephone number, email address.
2. Personal Details: These include sex, marital status, date of birth, height and weight.
3. Education:Your highest educational qualification should be listed first.
4. Experience: For new graduates the work experience should focus on what you did during vacations.
5. Special Skills, Hobbies or Interests: only these that relate to the desired job should be listed.
6. References: About three names and addresses of people who can testify to your experience, education, and character should be listed. Common courtesy requires that you seek the consent of such people ahead of the actual application.
How To Prepare For An Interview
In preparing for an interview you should bear in mind that your communication skills, personality, poise, and appearance are factors that a prospective employer will use in evaluating you at the initial job interview. Therefore, you should spend reasonable time in preparing for it. Pre-Interview research should be done to enable you collect adequate information about the company. Such information not only enable you to ask intelligent questions at the interview but to project an image of self confidence.
Your conduct at an interview usually determine whether or not you get the job. Therefore, you need to be on your toes and to be honest in your answers. The following points should be remembered when preparing for an interview.
1. Analyse your strenghts and weakness ahead of the interview date.
2.Read employer literature. Study the prospective employers by reading their manuals to gain knowledge about their policies, philosophies, products, and services.
3. Dress in good taste. Remember that some employers appearance could be the deciding factor.
4. Be yourself. Emphasize your strong points and remember that the recruiter is looking for inherent personal energy and enthusiasm.
5.Dwell on the positive. Do not cover up your past failures.
6. Ask questions when indicated. Ask meaningful questions particularly when you are not clear about the details of the job, the training programme, or other job-related concerns.
7.Follow up. Provide whatever credentials, references, or transcripts that are requested by the prospective employer as soon as possible.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What do you consider your strength and weakness?
2. In what kind of setting would you feel most useful?
3. What can you contribute to this job?
4. Why are you seeking a job with us?
5. Have you had any experience in dealing with personal conflicts?
6. Have you handled criticism?
7. What are your future plans in this field?
8. How do you plan to achieve your goals?
9. What are your interest outside of work?
10. Tell me your academic background?
11. Do you have any question about the job you are applying for?
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