The New Career Platform provides you with everything you need to know about the job market. All the info is focused on guiding you through your first steps in the job market: from writing your CV, how to prepare for an interview to finding your purpose.
You might not have realized it yet but your job orientation has already started, even without consciously moving towards it. By selecting a field of studies, finding a hobby or a side job – all these elements contribute to the crafting of your career. Your preferences, interest and passion will guide you in crafting a career path which will only fits you. Your experience and skills will support you in finding the job that fits you best. However, finding the right opportunities might not always be easy and requires some courage as well. In order to prepare you for this journey, the NCP curated some of the most inspiring articles in order to guide you in your first steps on the job market.
The New Career Platform and Circumspecte joined forces to launch the interactive Instagram Live (IGLive) series CV Convos. In the CV Convos, career coach and Circumspecte.com founder Jemila Abdulai chats with Ghanaian and African professionals about the highs and lows of shaping careers, as well as the lessons learned along the way.
For the first IGLive segment we talked to Ms. Stefania Manfreda, owner, curator and designer of the brand Lokko House in Accra. She shared so many gems in this CV Convo so get ready to be enlightened by her experiences. As Stefania emphasized throughout the conversation: “Every job will teach you something, no matter what job it is”.
Ever wondered how “successful” professionals got where they are? Curious about what it takes to be an expert in X field? Need tips for fine tuning your CV or getting your foot through the door?
The New Career Platform in collaboration with Circumspecte proudly presents the #CVconversations – an Instagram Live series on navigating careers. Tune in for this IG Live series every Wednesday at 6pm GMT on @Circumspecte_’s page as career coach Jemila Abdulai (@jabdvlai) chats with Ghanaian and African professionals about the highs and lows of shaping careers – and lessons learned on the way.
This article was written by Jemila Abdulai and originally published on Circumspecte.com
So you put in that application and got called up for the next round: the phone or virtual (skype, G+) interview. Go you! It might seem a bit incredulous, but as it turns out, you’re interesting enough after all! That said, you should by no means think your work is done. If anything, it’s just the beginning.
Unlike the in-person interview which – to some degree – allows you the opportunity to gauge some reaction from the interviewer, the phone or virtual interview leaves much to be desired when it comes to determining how you’re faring. Do they like you? Did you answer the questions to their satisfaction? Heck, lousy connection considered, did they even hear you?
You completed the first part of moving on in the hiring process – you caught their interest. Now to the second part – removing all doubt. Here are eight time-proven tips for acing that phone or virtual interview.
On Friday 28 February, the New Career Platform organized another workshop, this time focusing on finding a job in the 21st century. The event was an interactive conversation hosted by Jemila Abdulai (Founder and Creative Director Circumspecte.com) and Minoek Wijs (Recruiter JobnetAfrica). Over 45 determined job seekers gathered in the heart of Accra at the SB Incubator, a place that fosters entrepreneurship amongst the youth and women. The participants were eagerly waiting to get the latest insights on CV writing, online etiquette, networking and a perspective from the employers’ side.
This article was written by Jemila Abdulai and originally published on Circumspecte.com
It’s application season, and more often than not, recruiters require a personal statement or cover letter. Whether it’s for graduate school or for an internship or job (cover letter), one thing remains crucial: making a good first impression. So, how exactly do you put your best foot forward while telling your story, setting yourself apart, AND indicating just how much of a good fit you are? Here are some pointers from my experience with writing and reviewing personal statements and cover letters.
This article was written by Tom-Chris Emewulu and was originally published at Stars From All Nations (SFAN) sfanonline.org
Part of my job at SFAN – the one I enjoy so much – is being a connector: bringing innovators, thinkers, corporate executives, and co-dreamers together to spark off meaningful career or business conversations.
Regardless of the theme, there’s usually that moment when someone talks about his or her struggles with impostor syndrome. There is usually that moment when someone recounts how he or she grappled with the fear of being exposed as a fraud at work.
This article was written by Jemila Abdulai and originally published on Circumspecte.com
Just graduated and about to get into the seemingly arduous task of job searching? Looking to transition into a new industry or role? In my latest vlog (video blog) I share five tips that I used – and continue to use – to craft my career path:
Reverse-engineer your career goals
Many of us use this concept without realising it. It’s basically envisioning where you would like to be in the future by way of career, identifying what you need to get there, and coming up with a strategy to gain the skills and knowledge that will set you on your way. Let’s say you plan to work with civil society across West Africa within the next two years. Your research will likely show that having French language skills is essential for such a career, giving you the opportunity to sign up for French language classes or prioritize opportunities which allow you to learn, develop and hone your basic skills in reading, writing and speaking French. Essentially, reverse-engineering is a powerful tool for planning your career path and being intentional and strategic about which jobs you apply and opt for.
Written by Jemila Abdulai and is originally published on Cicumspecte.com.
Although I got my very first job in 2004 right out of secondary school, I didn’t learn to write a resume until I got to Mount Holyoke College. Since then, I’ve written at least a 100 resumes, and reviewed hundreds others from classmates, friends, family, potential job candidates, clients and even strangers. I’ve thought about writing an article on resumes and CVs a gazillion times, but never actually got around to doing it. Today, however, is a new day, and a good time as any – and you all have Mash to thank for sending me an article request via Twitter (below).
Bon, if you’re in university or job searching, you’re probably all too familiar with the terms “resume” and “curriculum vitae”. If you aren’t, buckle up, you’re about to be. So, the agenda for the first part of this two-part series on writing resumes is simple: we’ll be exploring what a resume and CV are, their purpose, how they differ, and the different types or structures of a resume.