Prelude to
Interviews
JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES :
BY
Nicholas Omondi Ouma
BEd. (KU) MEd.(Educational Communication &
Technology, KU)
County Director of Youth Development, Taita Taveta
Presentation Overview
 Self-Assessment
 Job search ‘tool kit’
 Research
 Networking and the “hidden” job market
 Implementing/managing your search
 Final thoughts
Self Assessment
 What do you want to do? What are your skills
and interests? – what do you find enjoyable?
Helps to narrow audience
 Informational interviews – talk to friends, family,
faculty members. Identify likes/dislikes
 Ask yourself questions - ex. What was your
favorite class? To gain insight
Desirable Skills & Qualities
Here are the top skills and qualities of the “Perfect Job
Candidate,” according to employers of college
graduates, polled in 2010:
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Communication skills
Detail-oriented
Strong work ethic
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving skills
Flexibility and adaptability
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Computer skills
Initiative
Analytical skills
Leadership skills
Teamwork skills
Draw the connections
Examine your profile!
Self-analysis exercise
Your
Education:
•
What did you
do or learn
during your
education
(diploma,
courses,
projects) that
could
convince the
employer that
you are able
to do each
task?
Your
Experience:
•
What did you
gain from all
your work
experience
(job title,
responsibilitie
s, tasks, etc.),
paid or
unpaid, that
could be
connected to
this future
job?
Your
Personality
:
Your
Knowledge:
•
Among all
your
specialized,
technical,
computer and
other
knowledge,
which items
are pertinent
for this job
offer?
•
Among all
your
personality
characteristi
cs, which are
pertinent for
this
position?
Others:
• What
other
experiences
and skills
could be
interesting for
your profile
(ex.
Professional
membership,
certification,
continuing
education,
etc.)?
Job search tool Kit –
Resume/CV and Cover letters
 Are your primary (and mandatory!) marketing
tools so be strategic.
 Must demonstrate your skills and experience
 Tailor your resume/CV and cover letters for each
opportunity (paid or volunteer) that you apply for
 Focus on the most relevant skills and experience
to the employer for that opportunity.
 An employer looks at your application
(resume/cover letter) for approximately 15-30
seconds when deciding if they should invite you
for an interview!
Job search tool Kit – Calling
Card/Business Card
 Helpful for situations when distributing a resume
is not appropriate or convenient e.g. in: networking events, association meetings, career
fairs, information sessions, or impromptu
meetings.
James Mrefu
0721 000 xxx
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james_mrefu@gmail.com
B.Com (Accounting Option)
CPA (K)
Excellent Accounting and Tax compliance
Goal oriented and competent
Excellent customer relationship management
Proficient in Computer skills …
Job search tool Kit – Social
Media
 Includes Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube, Twitter,
blogging, personal websites, e-portfolios
 As opposed to a candidate “finding” their employer
of choice, an employer “finds” YOU, the
candidate as a result of your involvement. Eg
Dennis Itumbi – now working @ OP.
 Keep it professional: Your screen or profile
name, the pictures posted on your profile (or on
those of your friends or contacts), the videos
uploaded to YouTube, and status
updates/posts/tweets should be appropriate.
“clean up your social media footprint”.
Research - Job Sources
 On Campus Interview Program
 Internships
 Career Fairs
 Employer Information Sessions
 Online Job Sites
 Direct Contacts with Employers
 Networking
 Professional Associations
 Newspapers/Professional Journals
 General Employment Agencies
Job Search Tip:
 More than 80% of students who had full
time jobs before graduation connected faceto-face with employers:
 Employers interviewing on campus (OCI)
 Speaking with company representatives
 Attending employer information sessions
 Attending career fairs
 Participating in internships
 Networking
On Campus Interview
Why participate?
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It’s FREE!
Save on transport! Interview on campus
Chance to interview for multiple internship and full- time positions
Employers chose TTUC and want to interview you! Depends on the
profile the college has built over time & nature of its alumni.
Get email notifications
Greater chance of being hired
Secure a job before you graduate
Easy online sign-up
Who can participate?
• All
current TTUC students are eligible depending upon
employer requirements.
•TTUC may need to establish a Career Centre under the
office of the Dean to organize this.
TTUC CAREER CENTRE
Functions of such a centre could be, among others;
 Offer career guidance (course/unit choices, job
search, CV writing, interviewing skills, etiquette
etc)
 Making Professional Connections
 Liaising with potential employers for On
Campus/college Interviews (OCI)
OCI is used by employers for: full-time entry level
positions, management training programs and
internship programs.
Research - Employers
 Employers expect it
 Displays your seriousness, thoroughness and
attention to detail
 Helps to personalize cover letters and resumes,
and answer questions appropriately
 Helps determine your “fit” with the organization
What to Learn About a
Company/Organization
 Description of job responsibilities
 Personnel information (NAME, policies,
relevant information of executives)
 Organizational culture, goals, and
strategies.
 Size, age, location, history, ownership
 Products or services, major competitors,
recent development, expected growth
Career Fairs
Before the job fair:
• Obtain a list of participants and research those
organizations of interest and prioritize list
• Develop error-free resume and your 30-second
commercial
• Be prepared with questions to ask employers
At the job fair:
• Greet the employer and present your resume
• Dress professionally, ask questions and get their business
card
After the job fair:
• Follow the instructions from each employer regarding
follow-up
• Send a letter to employer to refresh their memory of your
conversation
Online Job Search
 National job sites
 Industry-specific sites
 Company-specific sites
 Association sites – professional associations
 Government sites
 International sites
Internships
 How can internships be valuable?
- Test the water, how you fit…
- Put your theory to practice
- Applicable experience for your resume
- Earn extra cash especially if it is paid.
- Gain industry networking contacts
- Get your foot in the door and turn your
internship into a full-time job
Characteristics of the labor market
 Hidden job market
DID YOU KNOW?
10% of job
seekers apply
for 80% of
potential jobs in
this market
90% of job
seekers
apply for
the 20% of
jobs
available in
this market
Networking
Why network?
Uncover the hidden job market
• 75-80% of jobs are obtained via personal
contacts (Canvassing)
• Learn more about your chosen career field
• Get advice through informational interviews to
find out how to conduct your job search
• Do not limit yourself to only top organizations
• Make contact before an employer knows they
need you!
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Networking
How do you network?
• Talk to everyone you know!
• Informational Interview
• Join the student chapter of a professional
association*
• Pass out your calling card
• Share how you can be a valuable resource for
them
• Grow your connections
• Stay connected
Networking
Who do you network with?
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Current students and alumni
Family, friends, relatives
Faculty, department staff
Current supervisors
Employers directly
Network through
Informational Interviews
• Make courteous initial contact
• Ask for information….NOT a job
• Face-to-face meetings
• Be politely persistent
• Try to obtain several referrals from each person
you contact
• Follow up and keep them informed of your
progress
• Thank them
Implementing/Managing
Your Search
 Organize yourself with a system
 Keep records of initial contacts and follow-
ups
 Set reasonable daily/weekly goals for your
career search
 Continue to assess process
 Update/review resume/CV with a Career
Advisor
Get Organized!
Final Thoughts
 Be organized, self-motivated, and assertive
 Job searching requires time and energy
 Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few months
to secure a desirable position
 If you’ve searched for 6 months, you may need to
redirect your search or gain experience
 Take a temporary position or internship
 Volunteer work
 Persevere
 Continue to develop and use new resources to
diversify your search
Job search websites
www.myjobsinkenya.com
www.bestjobskenya.com
www.psckjobs.go.ke
http://www.careerpointkenya.com
www.kenyancareer.com
www.kenyanjobs.blogspot.com
www.jobs.n-soko.com