From My Desk

Years ago, following my graduation from the university, and while on a desperate job-hunting spree, I found myself at internet cafes often, conducting internet searches for job vacancies on multiple online ‘jobs search portals’, and submitting job applications. In the process, I submitted literally over a thousand applications online. Consequent to these applications, a couple of text messages and calls came through inviting me for job interviews. In almost all these instances, the calls and text messages came from recruitment agencies, and in 9 out of 10 cases, it was a requirement for applicants to part away with a specified amount of money they characteristically called processing fee. During that period, I secured two low paying jobs but had to tender my resignations shortly thereafter. I got frustrated with my fruitless and yet frequent interface with recruitment agencies, and with the fact that my numerous job applications via online portals did not yield the desired results. I...

Image credit: www.linkedin.com “Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before” - Jacob A. Riis Great accomplishments do not come easy. Greatness is not attained on a silver platter. Beneath that global brand and that remarkable feats are men and women who put their minds to work and put their shoulders to the wheel amidst significant odds. The tenacity of these persons yields these enviable dividends. Your dreams and aspirations are definitely within reach, yet the route towards the same can immobilize the faint-hearted.   You will need to set your gaze in the direction of your goals and put in the much-needed work to ensure they see the light of day. Difficult moments will by all means come and the temptation to quit will be the more alluring in the face of setback...

“The unexamined life is not worth living” -Aristotle             For many of us, the thought of an approaching year brings a surge of hope, positive anticipation, renewed strength, new aspirations and a surge of positive energy. The reality however sets in when in spite of our genuine intentions, big dreams, well-calculated plans, and expended efforts, we experience what may be termed the “good, the bad and the ugly”; a mix-bug of experiences. "The Good... "             For some, 2016 brought with it many fulfilled dreams and aspirations. Some landed their dream jobs while others got promoted on the job. There are still others who made a successful occupational move or diversion. New businesses were established while some existing businesses made substantial gains. Some young ‘love birds’ were joined in holy matrimony this year. Some married couples were blessed with the fruit of the womb this year with lit...

In this technologically advance era, some tasks that were once cumbersome and time consuming can now be done simply by the click of a few buttons. One of the areas where this has proven to be beneficial has been the emergence of employment/job search websites (or portals). The phenomenon of having to move from office to office to tender job applications is fast becoming a thing of the past.  One only has to sit behind a computer with internet access to submit job applications to several companies in a matter of a few hours, if not minutes. I have occasionally submitted over thirty applications at a sitting. This I did through a couple of websites that feature job vacancy listings. The sad reality however is that many job seekers are not exploring this viable option perhaps due in part to the ignorance of some.              Some job search sites offer employer reviews, career and job-search advice, CV writin...