Career Articles
4 Things To Always Consider While Naming Your Referees
A Human Resource Officer recently confessed that while going through CV’s and short listing for a particular position, he came across a CV which had someone ‘influential’ at Nation Media Group listed as one of the referees.
“Impressed was the word I would use to describe my first reaction,” said the HR manager
It turns out that since the job candidate had attended an event where the ‘NMG person’ had been one of the speakers and having had a brief chat with him, that was reason enough to have him as her referee.
Which begs the question, who qualifies as a referee and who doesn’t?
1. Do’s: It should Always Be Someone Who Knows You
Speaking to Maureen Kiugu, HR Specialist with Pan African Life, she advises that a person who knows your skills and what you are good at is always recommended when doing so.
“Your referee should be someone who can attest to your abilities. They should not be vague when asked about your work ethics when the recruiter decides to do a reference check on you.”
She advises that you can even include your current employer, “provided you have a good working relationship with them.”
She however adds that previous supervisors and line managers serve a great purpose here.
“If you are just out of college and haven’t had a share of employers or supervisors, I say go for your lecturers because in this level most recruiters are looking for people who can attest to your character rather than your skills.”
2. Do’s: Always Inform Your Referees Before Hand
Ms Kiugu adds that’s common to find that the person most job seekers list as referees do not even remember who ‘you’ are
“Call this person and give them a heads up and it’s always courteous to ask them if they would mind if you listed them as one of your referees.
Ms Kiugu adds that, “it’s important to get your referee’s approval before putting them your CV.”
3. Don’t Give Out Wrong Job Titles & Out of Date Contacts
Ms Kiugu advices that, “It’s upon you as a serious job applicant to make sure you do not supply incorrect or out-of-date contact details.”
She adds that it’s also important to make sure that they (referees) will be available and are not planning to go away on a leave or a trip soon.
4. Don’t Just Put ‘Anyone’ as your Referee To Impress The HR Officer
Mentioning the above story where a job applicant may deem it fit to include someone with a ‘big title’ and working with a ‘big company’ as one of your referees in attempt to impress the recruiter Ms Kiugu doing so does not do you any good.
“The next probable thing the recruiter will do is toss your CV away if your referees are not credible
How To Get A Job Through A Recruitment Firm- A Step By Step Guide
Job searching in Ethiopia got easier with the emergence of recruitment firms and agencies that act as intermediaries between employers and job seekers. Today, we are going to give you an insight into the recruitment process of Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm, recruiting for top firms in Ethiopia and foreign companies interested with recruiting Ethiopian staff.
In order to get a job through Corporate Staffing Services (CSS), the first and most important step is to understand their processes and procedures. Every firm is different and you might get disappointed if you have similar expectations when it comes to CSS. By understanding the process, you can understand better how to approach each job application and achieve success.
Today, we will let you in on their recruiting process, from the moment they advertise for a position to when the hiring decision is made. You can use this information to identify where you have been going wrong and to improve your chances of getting a job interview with them.
Here is a Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Job through CSS
Step 1 – Find the Job You Want
Assuming you already have a professional CV at hand, your first step to any job hunt is to find a job opening. With CSS, all open positions are posted on their website under the “Latest Jobs” section.
Visit the website, browse the current openings, read the job descriptions and identify a position that you meet qualifications for. If you don’t find one, then it means they don’t have such a position at that particular moment. But keep tabs on the site as they post new positions as soon as they have them.
You can also find their open positions on Ethiopian job sites like JobWebEthiopia, Ethiojobs, EmployEthio, and other related sites. If you have registered your details with them, they will send you job alerts for open positions in your specific profession.
Recruiter Advice: Read and understand the job descriptions to ascertain you are well qualified and that you match the requirements. Also, your experience matters a lot in the selection process, so capitalize on it.
Step 2 – Apply as Soon as You See the Job
Getting a job through recruitment firms is very different from a direct company hire. Unlike with the government, top organisations hiring in-house and parastatals where a position can take months before shortlisting begins, they start shortlisting as soon as they advertise the position.
This is because their clients have very strict deadlines that need they need to meet. So make sure you apply for the job as soon as you see it in your inbox or on the website. Avoid waiting until the deadline nears or on the deadline day to apply.
Recruiter Advice: To improve your chances for the interview, make sure your CV is well done, and that your qualifications for the job are very clear. Also, apply to the right email address (provided in the job advert), use the Subject Line provided and remember to follow instructions.
Step 3 – Wait to be invited for the Job Interview
After making sure you have the experience and special skills required and have applied for the job, it is time to wait for the call. You might receive a call on the first day of your application, second or third. How soon you get the call will vary from one position to the other.
One thing to note; the call to the interview can come as soon as you apply, so ensure your phone is close to you. And like I said in step 2, recruiters start shortlisting for positions as soon as they start streaming in. So don’t be surprised that you were called too soon.
Recruiter Advice: If one week has passed since you made your application and no one has called you for an interview, consider making a follow-up. You can call or send an email. The feedback will help to clarify the situation of your job application and ease any doubts.
Provide the full names and the position you applied for, and the recruiter will let you know the progress or problem with your application. Sounds good?
Step 4 – Go for the First Interview
If you were successful at the application stage, you will receive a phone call and email inviting you for the first interview at their offices. Some of you have interviewed with them and understand how this process works.
When attending the interview, remember to carry your original school certificates, appointment letters for places you’ve worked, recommendation letters, current or last payslip and your updated CV.
Recruiter Advice: Come well prepared, be confident about what you do, have a positive attitude, dress for the position and don’t lie about your experience. If you have the experience the position is looking for and can demonstrate the same during the interview, all should be well.
Step 5 – Wait for the Second Interview
This stage is very crucial. When the recruiting manager is convinced that you are well qualified and can do the job, the next step is to recommend you to the client. Remember that recruitment firms hire on behalf of employers and that the final say rests with the client.
When CSS recommends you to the client and they happen to like you, you will receive a call inviting you for the second interview. It can take place at the offices in Westlands, or the employer’s premises. It will all depend on the company or employer hiring.
At the second interview, you can expect a more gruelling experience than the first one, so prepare more. At this stage, you will already know who the hiring company is, what they do and the kind of candidate they are looking for.
If you were not successful in the first interview, you will get a regret message in your email, explaining why. If, for one reason or the other, you don’t get this email, feel free to follow up.
Recruiter Advice: The time taken to get to this stage will vary, so please be patient. You might get the call in a few days or weeks. How soon you get the call is usually dependent on the time it takes for a client to confirm a meeting with the candidates or their availability to interview.
If it takes longer than a week and you are yet to receive a call or email about the second interview, consider making a follow-up. They will let you know the current status of the position.
Step 6 – The Client Picks His/Her Best Candidate
If you make it to the second interview and the employer selects you for the job, expect a phone call letting you know that you succeeded and an email with the job offer. The offer may come directly from the client who is hiring, or from them.
And if you didn’t make it, CSS will send you a regret email, explaining reasons why you didn’t get selected. But this is not to mean that you were not good. When another client comes to them with a similar job opening, they will call you to know if you are interested in the position. And you never know, it could be the right position for you.
Remember that your job search is a journey and a process that takes time. While you might not have been successful in that particular position, there will be many others you can be considered for.
Recruiter Advice: If the client doesn’t pick you for the job, remember to ask the recruiter who interviewed you what went wrong. When you are open to feedback and are ready to accept it, however negative, chances of success start to improve.
In Conclusion, Please Note
At Corporate Staffing Services, they do not charge candidates any fee for job placement. The recruiting and hiring process (as laid out above) is completely free of charges.
If anyone using their company name asks you to pay a fee for any of the stages, run as far as your legs can take you. They are cons preying on unsuspecting job seekers.
Alongside Recruitment Services, CSS also offers Interview Coaching and CV Writing Services.
Expecting An Interview? Here Are 5 Ways On How To Prepare For It!
By Susan Gitonga
Interviews can be very frightening especially when you have not prepared adequately. It is the same as going to sit for an exam without prior preparation. If you are serious about getting a job, you should take the time to prepare well for the meeting with your potential employer.
The advantages of preparing for an interview are that you gain confidence and you can meet the employer without feeling scared. Another thing is that you can easily impress the employer because you are ready with all the answers required for the interview.
With that in mind, let us look at how you should effectively prepare for an interview, to ensure that you are successful and emerge as the top candidate.
5 Ways To Prepare For An Interview
1.Understand the key skills required for the job
Here, you need to go through the job advert and identify the skills required for the job. During the interview , you should relay to the potential employer how you have used such skills as those indicated in the job advert, in your previous work experience.
For example, if the job dictates that the suitable candidate should be able to meet deadlines, you should give an example of how efficient you are in your work and how in the past you have been able to meet very strict deadlines.
When it comes to interviews, the employer is looking for a perfect match to his job advert and fitting into the role described on the job advert will give you an edge above other candidates.
2.Understand the key tasks and responsibilities the job entails
Just like the previous example, you should also take note of the tasks and responsibilities required for this job.
Yours is to then prepare yourself with examples and facts that show you have experience handling some of the tasks described in the job advert.
For the most part, the employer is looking for someone with some hands-on experience, someone who can do the job as per the requirements.
During the interview, you should explain how you have been involved in such work in the past, and the skills you acquired that will come in handy with this new job.
3.Define what excites you about the job?
No employer will hire someone who does not show a high level of excitement for the job. That said, you must explain to the employer what part of the job excites you the most.
What is it about the job, you are looking forward to?
Show enthusiasm. For example, you can tell the employer that you have always wanted to do this type of work, and your previous experience will be a continuation of just what you have been doing in the past.
An employer wants to employ someone who loves the job, and someone who is looking to excel in whichever role presented to them.
4. Research on possible questions that you will be asked
I guarantee you that every employer will ask you to tell them about yourself. Therefore, you need to be armed with good answers for the obvious questions every employer is bound to ask.
5.Your questions for them
Never leave an interview without asking the employer a question. Find out about the working hours for example, their expectations for the successful candidate, their vision for the company etc.
It shows that you are truly interested in the job.
In summary, you need to envision the interview and even go as far as practising your answers in front of a mirror before the D-day.
Alternatively, you can seek the help by a Professional Interview Coach who will take you through a 2-hour Mock Interview session and give you the necessary guidance.
5 Interview Questions You Should Always Ask To Get The Job
An interview is not just about a manager trying to evaluate your qualification for the job, it is also an opportunity to show that you have done your homework and to find out if it is the right job for you.
What questions would you ask when the hiring manager asks “So, do you have any questions for us?”
Sandra Mbogo a HR Executive at Orient Insurance gives her insight on this.
1. “One , you can ask about your position. Ask anything about the job description to get clarity on it.
This shows that you are interested in the position. For example you may ask, “What specific skills are you looking for in the job candidate?” Ms. Mbogo says.
2. “Secondly ask about the organization.
You have done your homework about the company but there is something more you need to know. For example you can ask about the organizational culture,” she adds.
3. Thirdly ask about anything that is not job related.
“A certain candidate once asked, ‘I noticed keycards are in use and I wish to know more about them?’ and this emitted interest because it was a reflection that they had made observations in what happens in the organization and that the organization appealed to them,” adds Ms. Mbogo.
4. “Fourthly, this is mostly an obvious one, ‘when will I hear from you?’.
Be sure to ask his question nicely and listen to what the hiring manager says. This shows that you are looking forward for the job if you are selected. After the hiring manager gives an answer, say “thank you, I will be really looking forward to hear from you,” states Ms. Mbogo.
5. Lastly, ask a question to clarify a part of the interview that was not clear.
“If during the interview you did not understand an issue that was mentioned before, it is right that you clarify with the interviewer. This would be a chance to do that,” says Brenda Mideva, HR Officer at FEP group.
I enquire what it means when a candidate asks the salary he/she will receive as their first question.
“It may mean two things. One it would mean that the candidate is moving towards salary and two it could mean growth because they do not want to stagnate in terms of salary. It is important to phrase your question in a clear manner if the hiring manager does not ask a throwback question concerning the money question,” says Ms. Mideva
“An interview is a venue to confirm queries in the organization. Some candidates ask how much money they will get from the position as the only question. This shows that you are money minded and you want to work for the money,” Ms. Mbogo adds.
“It is advisable that the candidate asks a question, even if it is just a single question. Failure to ask a question depicts you as someone who was not fully prepared or someone who is interested in nothing. However there is nothing wrong with not asking a question but it would be helpful if you did,” Ms. Mbogo advices.
Next time you are invited for an interview be sure to ask some if not all of these questions.
4 Best Tips On How To Write An Impressive Cover Letter To Get You Hired!
By Susan Gitonga
A cover letter is the most overlooked part of job application for most job seekers. This is mainly because most job seekers do not know how to write one, and others do not think that it is all that important.
As a person working very closely with the chief recruiters in Ethiopia, I can tell you for sure that writing a cover letter will increase your chances of getting the job you want by 95%.
According to Cynthia Wangechi, a Recruitment Officer at Corporate staffing , writing a cover letter gives you the opportunity to showcase your strengths and unique qualities, and any other relevant details that are not necessarily on your CV, to sell yourself to the employer.
That said, here are 4 tips on how to write an impressive cover letter
1.Ensure that your cover letter is both on the body of your email, and a separate attachment.
Usually, when sending your application, you need to write an email to the employer, together with your CV and Cover letter attached on the Email.
A cover letter should be on the body of the email and at the same time, it should be sent as an attachment.
Sending a job application with the cover letter as the body of the email saves time for the employer as it’s easy to scroll through the letter as opposed to first downloading it and then reading it.
2. Write an enticing cover letter
A cover letter should be enticing enough for the employer to want to open the attached CV. No employer wishes to open something boring or too lengthy; that’s why it should be brief. It is important for job seekers to note that the cover letter should not be a copy paste of your CV.
The attached cover letter especially becomes useful in case future reference is needed, as it can be downloaded and printed. The printed quality of the download is better than that of the body of the email.
3. How To Address Your Application
All the job applications should follow instructions given in the job advert. In the case that it is not indicated to whom you should addressed it to, it is okay to only write ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.
4. How To Write The Subject Line
In most cases, the job adverts will always indicate what should appear on the subject line of the email. Some may tell you to indicate the position being applied for or the job reference number in the subject line. If it is not indicated, write job title and use it as your subject line.
Also, you can be creative and write a catchy title that makes the employer want to read your cover letter. One such like title is “Why I Should Be Considered For This Job.”
In closing, there’s not a standard way of writing a cover letter. Just ensure that it is very interesting to read and persuades the employer hat you are the best candidate for the job.
Sample Graduate Trainee Cover Letter to use in 2017
Musa* a recent graduate looking to start applying for graduate trainee positions in the course of this year asked how he should go about writing a graduate trainee cover letter.
This is quite common among our readers seeing that most of them are fresh graduates without much experience which always leaves them wondering what to include on the cover letter.
Melody Mwendwa a professional CV writing expert says that due to your lack of experience, your graduate trainee cover letter should put emphasis on your academic qualifications, internships and any extra training you may have had. This, she advises helps sell your suitability for the position.
What to consider when writing a graduate trainee cover letter
1. Grammatical Errors
It is important to remember that a cover letter is an important part of your application and could be the difference between you getting the job and you missing out. Your graduate trainee cover letter should be well written with no grammatical errors.
Always make a point of going through your cover letter numerous times before sending it out.
2. Language
The language used should be simple and should be able to convey your message with ease. The graduate trainee cover letter is your opportunity to show the hiring manager that you are the best possible fit for the position.
3. Content
The first paragraph or two of your graduate trainee cover letter should be about you. Tell the employer why you are qualified for the position.
The next one should state why you are interested in the position and the company.
You should list all your qualifications (the little that you have) in a manner that shows you are the perfect fit for the position.
4. Formatting
Ensure the formatting you use is simple enough since hiring managers do not really care about fancy fonts and colours.
5. Avoid Clichés
Avoid generalized clichés in your graduate trainee cover letter as well. For example do not use generic statements such as, “I am a detail-oriented team player.”
Here is a sample Graduate Trainee Cover Letter
Doreen Okoth
P.O. Box 56987- 00100
Ethiopia,
31st January, 2017.
The Human Resource Manager,
GHF Company,
Box 38562– 00100,
Ethiopia.
Dear Mr Maina,
RE: APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE TRAINEE FINANCE POSITION
I hereby submit my application for the finance graduate trainee position at your organisation as advertised on JobWebEthiopia.com. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce – Finance from University of Gondar in April last year.
I am confident that your organisation’s graduate trainee programme will enable me to gain valuable experience in the industry.
I have worked as an intern at KLM Company where I had the chance to work as part of a team in order to meet deadlines. This opportunity gave me the chance to gain excellent numerical & analytical skills that are required to work in this industry.
I was also able to sharpen my communication skills which are important when building professional networks both with colleagues and clients. I therefore, welcome the opportunity to work with you in order to build my skills as well as to ensure continuity of your exceptional service to your clients.
I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this opportunity further with you. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Doreen Okoth
Your graduate trainee cover letter is the most important part of your application and as such it should be written with great care and consideration to what the organisation is looking for in a candidate. This is the only way you will be able to show that you are uniquely qualified for the position.
3 Things You Need to Know About Job Searching in Today’s Job Market
Job search is not easy it takes time, dedication and patience. This is made more difficult by the poor decisions we make as job seekers.
For example, I had a friend who would not take an unpaid internship because they thought it was a waste of their time and they were too valuable to work for free. Yet, she spent two years searching for a job and complaining about how every job opening she came across required someone with work experience.
Had she taken one of the internships, she would have gained the experience that the employers were always asking for. This was her biggest job search mistake.
Mistakes like these are what make the job search process more difficult for some people. In this article, read advice from a recruiter on what you need to understand about the job market.
Below are 3 things you need to know about today’s job market.
1. Qualifications though important are not everything.
Blame our parents or the 8-4-4 system but since we were young we were made to believe that ‘studying’ is a sure ticket to success and riches.
They went a step further to ‘recommend’ courses that we should pursue. So many people were told that Medicine, Teaching Etc are the best courses.
The end product is you pursuing a profession that has no value in the job market. Some of the courses that are in demand are saturated and graduates don’t get jobs that easily.
Even if the course you were told to take is marketable, if you have no passion for it then you cannot really succeed.
Then you have those already employed and pursuing an MBA to make them ‘competitive’ as opposed to first gaining skills or specializing. Take it from me, today’s employment market is more focused on what you can do more than which school you attended and the certificate you got. Read here on the best time to pursue an MBA
Many of us are fixated on getting certificates rather than taking the time to learn about the job. You become competitive because of the skills you possess or your area of specialization. Bottom line; be open to starting at the bottom and keep learning practical skills.
2. Job Search takes time and dedication.
When I was in campus I was lucky enough to have gotten a part time job. I am saying lucky because the job though not well paying or glamorous was the foundation of my career.
I continued with the same job after graduation and the culture shock of graduating and sending CVs without getting a response did not hit me as hard. At least I could afford bus fare and brown envelopes for making applications.
Job search is a marathon and not a sprint. Unless you are desperate and willing to take anything, getting a new job can take a year if not more. Why? Because it takes proper planning and execution.
Remember this is not the 80s where you could count the number of graduates. Almost all professions in Ethiopia are saturated. It might mean you taking an odd job here and there. It might mean that your first job will not be in your area of training or you will end up working for an SME instead of a multinational organisation. It might also mean taking unpaid internships.
Do anything you have to do but for God’s sake don’t be idle. Desiring a new or better job is very different from doing something about it every day. From what I now know, you should embrace humble beginnings.
3. What do you want out of your career?
I have done an informal survey on what Ethiopian professionals trained for vis-à-vis their current jobs and my finding is that majority are working in careers that don’t match what they studied for or trained on.
In the modern job market, nothing prevents a law graduate from becoming an excellent customer service executive and making a good living out of it. I know of engineers who are excelling in sales and marketing.
Today’s job market rewards those who know what they want and are not afraid to go for it. An undergraduate in whichever field should be considered as a starting point to more than one opportunity.
The above list is by no means exhaustive. My goal is to help you have a different mindset when it comes to job search by understanding the current job market. As the good Bible says, my people perish due to lack of knowledge. I hope you are now informed.
5 Best Job Interview Tips For Entry Level Job Seekers
It is always intimidating looking for your first job as a fresh graduate. As a fresh graduate, your interest at this time is not landing your dream job but just getting into the corporate world.
So you apply for all those jobs and finally, a call comes in that a particular company wants to meet you for an interview.
Sure the job is not even in your line of studies but it’s a good start considering all those other graduates out there still looking for jobs.
Therefore, you start preparing for this big interview, but the worry of failing is too much.
We have all been there and it is very intimidating to attend an interview as a fresh graduate especially when you consider that you will be competing with people who are more qualified than you are.
How then do you ace that job interview as a fresh graduate?
With these job interview tips for fresh graduate, you will be able to handle that interview as smoothly as any other job seeker.
Job Interview Tips You Should Know As An Entry Level Job Seeker
They say the first impression is the last impression, a common analogy that holds some truth.
As an entry level job seeker, you don’t have much to go on in terms of experience and that can be quite intimidating when you are attending an interview.
However, you can still turn things around to your advantage with these easy job interview tips.
1. Be prepared
There is no excuse for being unprepared for a job interview, whether you are a fresh graduate or not. The consequences will always be the same. There is no leeway now that you are an entry-level job seeker.
How do you prepare for an interview?
You do this by researching the company, going through the job description noting down key skills that the employer is looking for and preparing for common interview question HR managers often ask.
Ensure that you have all the documents you need carefully stacked up in a neat folder.
Also, ensure to make extra copies of your CV just in case you encounter a panel interview.
I will tell you for free that not being prepared will not make a very good first impression and the interviewer will just know this the moment you walk into that room.
Preparation is key whether it’s your first interview or not.
2. Dress to impress
Most entry level job seekers, for some reason, think that they could be forgiven for not dressing the part during an interview.
This will never happen. I know you are just fresh from college and haven’t had time to shop for official outfits since you just stay at home filling job applications.
However, a serious job seeker would buy at least one decent outfit they can wear when called for an interview.
Ensure that your clothes are neat and well ironed. Get a haircut for the gentlemen and ladies make your hair neat and presentable.
3. Research the company
I was talking to Ms. Melody Mwenda one of the recruitment and interview coaching experts and she was telling me how one enthusiastic entry level job seeker when asked if they had any questions at the end of the interview asked, “ What does this company deal with?”
This is a total turn off. A good job seeker who is serious about launching a career will have researched the company prior to the interview.
One of the ways an interviewer gauges your fit for the position is through how much you know about the company.
Your ignorance might just end up being the end of you.
Research the company! What do they do, their history, who is their competitor?
I mean, you can get all this information by visiting their website and using people on the inside if you know any.
4. Work on body language
It goes without saying that body language is very important in any interview.
Work on your body language – you don’t want to just sit there answering yes or no to every question like a log.
Lean forward when answering a question to show interest and incorporate gesture when talking. When you enter the room, give a firm handshake to show confidence.
Smile and nod in between questions and maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
These unspoken yet important things will go a long way in determining whether you get that job or not.
5. Prepare for common interview questions
This is the most important factor to keep in mind when preparing for a job interview.
As an entry level job seeker, there are common interview questions you will most likely come across in the interview.
Get acquainted with them and then prepare logical answers that won’t appear as if they have been crammed.
The best thing to do is to understand what the hiring manager wants to hear when for instance they ask ‘Tell me about yourself’ interview question.
To prepare you, read on Most Common Interview Questions and Answers For 2017.
Landing a job is usually a daunting task filled with stress and a lot of disappointments. Most entry level job seekers freak out when they are called in for an interview. However, you can ace that interview with the job interview tips highlighted above.
Sample Graduate Trainee Cover Letter to use in 2017
By Michelle Wanjiku
Musa* a recent graduate looking to start applying for graduate trainee positions in the course of this year asked how he should go about writing a graduate trainee cover letter.
This is quite common among our readers seeing that most of them are fresh graduates without much experience which always leaves them wondering what to include on the cover letter.
Melody Mwendwa a professional CV writing expert says that due to your lack of experience, your graduate trainee cover letter should put emphasis on your academic qualifications, internships and any extra training you may have had. This, she advises helps sell your suitability for the position.
What to consider when writing a graduate trainee cover letter
1. Grammatical Errors
It is important to remember that a cover letter is an important part of your application and could be the difference between you getting the job and you missing out. Your graduate trainee cover letter should be well written with no grammatical errors.
Always make a point of going through your cover letter numerous times before sending it out.
2. Language
The language used should be simple and should be able to convey your message with ease. The graduate trainee cover letter is your opportunity to show the hiring manager that you are the best possible fit for the position.
3. Content
The first paragraph or two of your graduate trainee cover letter should be about you. Tell the employer why you are qualified for the position.
The next one should state why you are interested in the position and the company.
You should list all your qualifications (the little that you have) in a manner that shows you are the perfect fit for the position.
4. Formatting
Ensure the formatting you use is simple enough since hiring managers do not really care about fancy fonts and colours.
5. Avoid Clichés
Avoid generalized clichés in your graduate trainee cover letter as well. For example do not use generic statements such as, “I am a detail-oriented team player.”
Here is a sample Graduate Trainee Cover Letter
Doreen Okoth
P.O. Box 56987- 00100
Ethiopia,
31st January, 2017.
The Human Resource Manager,
GHF Company,
Box 38562– 00100,
Ethiopia.
Dear Mr Maina,
RE: APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE TRAINEE FINANCE POSITION
I hereby submit my application for the finance graduate trainee position at your organisation as advertised on JobWeb Ethiopia. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce – Finance from Addis Ababa University in April last year.
I am confident that your organisation’s graduate trainee programme will enable me to gain valuable experience in the industry.
I have worked as an intern at KLM Company where I had the chance to work as part of a team in order to meet deadlines. This opportunity gave me the chance to gain excellent numerical & analytical skills that are required to work in this industry.
I was also able to sharpen my communication skills which are important when building professional networks both with colleagues and clients. I therefore, welcome the opportunity to work with you in order to build my skills as well as to ensure continuity of your exceptional service to your clients.
I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this opportunity further with you. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Doreen Okoth
Your graduate trainee cover letter is the most important part of your application and as such it should be written with great care and consideration to what the organisation is looking for in a candidate. This is the only way you will be able to show that you are uniquely qualified for the position.
Understanding The Hidden Job Market
We’ve all heard the story that says, 70% of all vacancies are never advertised.
Spending all your time on job portals alone means that you are missing out on the other share of the cake. It is advised that you spare some time to check up on unadvertised vacancies as you may stumble on something more.
According to Ms. Muthoni Ndegwa, Ethiopian job market is not different because not every company has the resources to put advertisements in the dailies.
SME’s have by far the majority of these hidden opportunities. They do not have the financial muscle nor the infrastructure to compete with the heavyweights such as the likes of Save the Children NGO and the Deloitte of today.
We all know of a friend or family member who works for an SME that you have never heard of and you can’t get your head around how they got around to hear about the vacancy.
The question remains, why don’t employers advertise any of their vacancies? You ask?.
Reasons Employers Don’t Advertise Their Vacancies
1.They don’t need to
SMEs are known to have so many people interested in their positions than the vacancies available. Such organizations rely on what they already have. Say that they happen to have an intern who is doing an impeccable job.
Why would they spend all that money advertising for a position when they already have someone who can comfortably fill the position.
This goes without saying, why internships are very important.
2. Other limiting factors
Most of these SMEs, don’t have the finances or human resources to process the high volumes of applications that come into their databases as a result of job advertisements.
This is why they don’t feel the need to bring in an additional hand owing to the cost of recruitment and job adverts.
How Do You Find These Hidden Opportunities?
The job search process can a toll on you. It becomes hard when employers don’t advertise their vacancies. How then do you find these opportunities in order to secure that job?
1.Do your research
“Any employer is likely to take you seriously if you understand their company.” Says Ms. Ndegwa.
As a job seeker, you know the kind of job you are looking for. Research on companies where you are likely to get these jobs.
For instance, if you are looking for a customer service job, you need to research companies like Safaricom or Start Times that are always hiring customer service agents. Get to understand what they do and what working as a customer service agent will entail.
2. Inform people that you are looking
This is called networking. Think about it, if people don’t know that you are looking for a job, how will they recommend you to potential employers?
You need to get off that sofa and get over feeling sorry for yourself for not being able to land a job, a year after graduation and start doing some serious networking.
Look for key players in your industry or friends or family who are already in the job market. They are your best chance at landing a job.
3. Work out a strategy
As Ms. Ndegwa advises, you need to work out a job search strategy that will work for you.
You are not doing yourself any favors by sending in so many generic CVs to different employers and keeping your fingers crossed that one of them night bear fruits.
Instead, identify different organizations and draw up a list of the best people to contact in this organization.
So many people think that HR is always the best person to contact in any organization but this is far from the truth.
Go to LinkedIn, create a professional profile for yourself and start contacting people in different organizations. Email them your CV, just to let them know that you are looking.
However be extra careful about this. Just network. Don’t become a LinkedIn stalker.
4. Get your CV in order
Before you send out any CV, ask yourself why would a recruiter spend, two-three minutes looking at my CV?
In order to have a shot at the dream job, you need to revamp your CV. Tailor your CV to fit the job you are applying for.
Most job seekers make the mistake of sending in generic CVs to every employer hoping to impress the hiring manager. This doesn’t happen.
If it you are having trouble compiling a CV that is likely to get shortlisted, you have the option of having your CV professionally written. Just go here for CV Writing Services.
The three Ps of Job Search
1.Be Persuasive
If you don’t market yourself well, no employer will take you seriously. Think of your CV and cover letter as your sales pitch. Make it hard for the hiring manager to resist meeting you for an interview.
2. Be Persistent
If you are applying for jobs at a certain company and not getting any responses, it may be a sign that you need to move on. However, you can still put an effort and turn that No into a Yes through your persistent.
Follow up on jobs you have applied through a phone call or an email. You can even go a step further and visit the offices. This will show that you are every interested in the job as well as the company.
3. Be philosophical
It’s never a guarantee that you will get a response with every job you apply for. However, the mere fact that you applied is worth so much more than just hiding behind the fact that you can apply for jobs because you won’t get any.
In conclusion, when it comes to job search, things will most of the time not go according to our plan. Most of the time you will get a No when you were expecting a Yes. The most important thing is to understand where opportunities lie and how you can find them and land yourself that dream job.