Top 5 Interview Tips

1. Know Thy Self. Know your resume inside out. Be able to recall and describe in depth your key accomplishments and key strengths and how they relate to the goals of the company you are interviewing with. Practice, practice, practice. Here's an example: if you had a golf match scheduled and you hadn't played in a couple of years, would you just got out and whack away or would you go to the practice tee/green to get reacquainted with your swing and get more comfortable?

2. Be prepared - know where you are going - exactly where you are going, which building, which floor, etc; who you are going to be meeting and their titles. Be sure to take several copies of your resume with you to the interview. Not everyone will have had an opportunity to review it beforehand (believe it or not).

3. Dress one step above the level you are interviewing for. This is the best you will ever look on the job and you will be making many first impressions on the people who have the power to hire you, so do it right. Remember it is one step above what YOU WOULD NORMALLY WEAR ON THE JOB. Look sharp!

4. Know the 4 stages of the interview:

Stage 1 is your introduction, which includes a cool, crisp handshake with good eye contact. Be pleasant, be yourself - your best self. This is a time to be professional, not to tell jokes.

Stage 2 is when they ask questions - typically it feels like an interrogation, but it really is just them gathering information about you so that they can decide if you are the right fit for the job and the company. Be prepared by knowing what types of questions they might ask and practicing your answers to them.

Stage 3 is your turn to ask questions. Carry a portfolio and have 7-10 questions already written down. When it is time to ask a questions, just open your portfolio and begin asking. This shows your level of preparation. Not only will they see that you prepared questions, but also that you have extra resumes as well.

Stage 4 takes place as you are leaving. You need to 'hook' them. Let them know that you are very interested in the job and that you would like to know how/when you will be contacted regarding the next step. You may offer to call, if appropriate. Remember to look them in the eyes and thank them.

5. Always send a thank you note/letter. I advise using snail mail as opposed to an email. I think it carries more weight. And over the years, this simple gesture has earned my clients second interviews and lots of compliments.

Those are today's top interview tips. There is so much more I could say about interviewing, but I will save that for a later time. If anyone has any particular questions please send them my way. I will do my best to answer them.

source: careertalktoday

How to Plan for the Next 5 Years

• Review your goals every day.

Goal setting is like getting on the scale -- you’ll see greater success if you do it every morning. As entrepreneurs, dreaming big is standard practice. The distinguishing factor between the big dreamers and the big doers is that the doers take action.

Top 10 Employability Skills

1. VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Able to express your ideas clearly and confidently in speech

2. TEAMWORK
Work confidently within a group.

3.NEGOTIATING & PERSUADING
 Able to influence and convince others, to discuss and reach agreement.

4. LEADERSHIP
Able to motivate and direct others

 5. ANALYZING & INVESTIGATING
Gather information systematically to establish facts & principles. Problem solving.

6. SELF MOTIVATION
Identify opportunities & proactive in putting forward ideas & solutions

7. DRIVE
Determination to get things done. Make things happen & constantly looking for better ways of doing things.

8. COMMUNICATION
Able to express yourself both verbally and orally.

9. PLANNING & ORGANIZING
Able to plan activities & carry them through effectively

9. FLEXIBILITY
Adapt successfully to changing situations & environments

10 TIME MANAGEMENT
Manage time effectively, prioritizing tasks and able to work to deadlines.

Guinness Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme 2015

Guinness Nigeria Plc,  member of Diageo Plc the world's leading premium drinks business with an unrivaled collection of beverage alcohol & non-alcohol brands across the Spirits, Wine & Beer categories.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified students who wish to be considered for the: 

Guinness Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme

Programme SummaryThis scholarship supports Guinness Nigeria's commitment to implementing transformative schemes that foster youth development in its communities. The scholarship will provide full tuition for students (from Guinness Nigeria's host communities) who are currently studying in Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics.

Students from the following Communities are therefore encouraged to apply

• Ogba, Ikeja Local Government Area, Lagos State.
• Oregbeni, lkpoba-Okha Local, Government Area, Edo State.
• Egbeluowo, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State
• Odeukwu, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State.

Eligibility

• Applications are only open to students from the above communities.
• Candidates must be first or second year students in Nigerian Universities or Polytechnics.

Selection Criteria

• Candidates may be required to write an aptitude test
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide a letter of introduction from the Chairman of their Community Development Associations.

Application Closing Date
24th September, 2015.

Application Procedure
Candidates who qualify for this scholarship should send the following details below to:info.gn@diageo.com

• Full Name
• Gender
• University/Polytechnic
• Matriculation Number/Year of study
• Home Town/Local Government Area/State of Origin
• Phone Number/e-mail address
• Scanned copy of Student ID card or Admission letter

8 Ways to Boost Your Confidence

1. Take an honest look at yourself.

To grow your confidence, it’s important to do an honest and accurate self-assessment of your abilities. If there are weaknesses in your skill set, make plans for strengthening these skills and find ways to minimize their negative impact. Ignoring your weaknesses or pretending they’re strengths won’t make them go away. Likewise, having a clear understanding of your strengths enables you to shake off some of the more groundless feedback and criticism you can get in a busy, competitive work environment—and that builds confidence.

2. Learn to say no.

Confident people know that saying no is healthy, and they have the self-esteem to make their no clear. When it’s time to say no, confident people avoid phrases such as “I don’t think I can” or “I’m not certain.” They say no with confidence because they know that saying no to a new commitment honors their existing commitments and gives them the opportunity to successfully fulfill them.

3. Get right with your boss.

A troubled relationship with the boss can destroy even the most talented person’s confidence. It’s hard to be confident when your boss is constantly criticizing you or undermining your contributions. Try to identify where the relationship went wrong and decide whether there’s anything you can do to get things back on track. If the relationship is truly unsalvageable, it may be time to move on to something else.

4. Seek out small victories.

Confident people tend to challenge themselves and compete, even when their efforts yield small victories. Small victories build new androgen receptors in the areas of the brain responsible for reward and motivation. This increase in androgen receptors increases the influence of testosterone, which further increases your confidence and your eagerness to tackle future challenges. When you have a series of small victories, the boost in your confidence can last for months.

5. Find a mentor.

A good mentor can act as a mirror, giving you the perspective you need to believe in yourself. Beyond that, a mentor can help educate you on some of the cultural inner workings of your organization. Knowing the unwritten rules of how to get things done in your workplace is a great confidence booster.

6. Schedule exercise.

Rather than the physical changes in their bodies being responsible for the uptick in confidence, it was the immediate, endorphin-fueled positivity from exercise that made all the difference. Schedule your exercise to make certain it happens, and your confidence will stay up.

7. Dress for success.

Like it or not, how we dress has a huge effect on how people see us. Things like the color, cut, and style of the clothes we wear—and even our accessories—communicate loudly. But the way we dress also affects how we see ourselves.

8. Be assertive, not aggressive.

Aggressiveness isn’t confidence; it’s bullying. And when you’re insecure, it’s easy to slip into aggressiveness without intending to. Practice asserting yourself without getting aggressive (and trampling over someone else in the process). You won’t be able to achieve this until you learn how to keep your insecurities at bay, and this will increase your confidence.

source: entrepreneur.com

Chief S.L Edu Research Grants for Nigerians, 2015

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation with support from Chevron Nigeria Limited is offering research grants for Nigerian Citizens. These grants are awarded to undertake research work in fields related to nature conservation and sustainable livelihood. The grant shall be for three years leading to a PhD degree. Candidates will be selected based on (among others) the quality of their research proposal. The deadline for application is 27th November, 2015.

Top 10 Ways to Find Your Career Path

1. See Your Career as a Set of Stepping Stones, Not a Linear Path: Of course, all these plans and ideas are never set in stone. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint and it can turn out to be a very winding road indeed, knitted together from all of your experiences into, hopefully, a career worth having.

9 Success Habits of Wealthy People That Cost Nothing

 1. They meditate.

Meditation, more than anything in my life was the biggest ingredient of whatever success I've had.

25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

1. Do what you enjoy.

What you get out of your business in the form of personal satisfaction, financial gain, stability and enjoyment will be the sum of what you put into your business. So if you don't enjoy what you're doing, in all likelihood it's safe to assume that will be reflected in the success of your business--or subsequent lack of success. In fact, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, chances are you won't succeed.

TRAINING: Value Added Marketing: Advanced Marketing Strategies

Event Description:

At the end of this course, participants will:

• Develop enhanced skills in formulating strategic marketing plans
• Have higher creativity in brand management for profitable customer relationship and market segmentation
• Acquire deep understanding of how best to introduce new products successfully

SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme

Ten scholarships are awarded annually, and these are in partnership with three  internationally recognised universities in the United Kingdom: Imperial College London, University College London and the University of Leeds.

How to Decide on a Career Field

a)    Begin by determining what you like to do. A lot of people look to others to determine their career paths: teachers, parents, neighbors, and peers. Think about people you respect and what they do for work. Take time to map out your wants and to match your skills with skills that are actively sought within certain fields of work. This will involve a fair bit of research work but it is well worth it.

6 Steps That Will Help Your Chances of Starting a Successful Business

1. Define and evaluate your goals.

Once you have that goal, you need to know if your path is the most direct route to achieving what you want.

TOP WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

1. Have a clear vision

Take the time to share your vision, your mission and your goals with your team. Your job as a leader is to provide a clear path that your team can follow. Your team also must understand why the goals you have set are valuable to them. Take the time to explain to them, in detail, why and how your vision will not only improve the business, but how it will benefit them in return. Include your team in your strategic planning sessions, ask for feedback and get them to “buy into” your vision for the future of the company.

11 Steps to Go From Employee to Entrepreneur

1. Determine what you’d like to do.

Some people call this finding your passion, but it’s more than that. Think about your skills, abilities and experience. Consider what you can realistically see yourself doing for hours each day, for weeks and years.

2. Think about what others will pay for.

A viable business is the intersection between what you’d like to do and what others will pay for.

3. Interview ideal customers.

Find a few people that you think would be your ideal clients. Ask them about their biggest needs, fears and aspirations related to the business idea you plan to pursue. Are the benefits of your product or service in line with their real needs? Also, make a note of the words they use, as they’ll eventually help make your marketing more authentic.

4. Design your marketing and business plans.

Marketing involves content creation, social media, email outreach and more. Make sure you know how you’ll approach each of these alternatives to introduce your idea to customers. At the same time, lay out a business plan that details how you intend your business to function. It doesn’t need to be super formal, but it does need to cover your operating structure, product, delivery systems and expansion plans.

5. Set up your business on a small scale.

If you can, test your company idea by launching on a small scale on the side, while still working your day job. This gives you a no-risk opportunity to test your ideas, get your first clients and see if the business will hold up over time before you leave the security of your current position.

6. Assess feedback and adjust.

Running a small-scale operation will help you determine which parts of your idea are great and which ones need adjusting. Take  customer feedback seriously and make any necessary changes before you begin scaling up.

7. Assemble a team.

If your idea seems viable, determine who you’ll want on your business leadership team when you eventually launch full time. Depending on your personal experience, you may need help in areas such as finance, marketing, customer service and production.

8. Set up the structure of your company.

At the same time, you’ll also want to decide what kind of company structure to register. Do you want to incorporate, form an LLC or create a partnership? Get this taken care of legally and carefully define the roles and investment of each of your leadership team members.

9. Leave your job.

When you’re ready, leave your day job. This may feel like an amazing relief after all the work you already put in, but trust me, more work awaits. Although it may be tempting, be sure  as you leave, keep a good relationship with your bosses and colleagues,  you never know when you’ll encounter former bosses and colleagues again, and you may need to work with them in the future.

10. Set up a working budget.

With your full-time schedule now devoted to your business, set up a company budget. This should include payments for marketing expenses, salaries and other important purchases. Just be sure not to waste money on frivolous expenses.        

11. Scale up your business according to your marketing plan.

Finally, all that’s left to do is to work the plans you’ve carefully laid out for yourself. Of course, that plan may change over time as you encounter and overcome obstacles. But, this is it -- you’re a full-fledged entrepreneur. Congratulations!

As you can see, becoming an entrepreneur requires a lot of work before you even consider quitting your day job. However, if you follow each of the steps listed above and your idea still seems viable, you can leave your life as an employee and become an entrepreneur instead.

There are still many challenges you’ll face, but for most entrepreneurs, the benefits of meaningful work and self-direction are much more important.

source: entrepreneurship.com

Importance Of Civic Education

The future of Nigeria  depends on the youths in country. No meaningful development can take place without their active participation. They are the young and endowed with raw energy. They have high hopes, dreams, aspirations and ideas of what their tomorrow would be. They are anxious and dynamic, always bubbling in spirit. Their surplus energy when exploited is useful for the welfare of the country. Proper guidance and direction can bring them in the forefront of peaceful and national development.

7 Skills That Are Hard to Learn But Pay Off

1. Effective  Time management

Effective time management is one of the most highly valued skills by employers.  It’s important to find a system that works for you and stick to it ..