Your career is your life, choose wisely! The harsh reality for many professionals in Kenya is that they find themselves trapped in an emotionally draining and unsatisfying job. These are people who just get into the job market without any particular plan of the career path they would like to follow. To be sure of the right path to follow in your career you got to “play to your strength, set your passion free and find the right people to work with.”
In a Career seminar organized by Corporate Staffing Services Limited on Saturday 4th may 2013, Dr. Chris Hart addressed the participants on moving ahead in career.
“What makes determines if a soldier will become a general?” Chris poses this question us. Almost everyone gives it a try, “volunteering, experience, hard work, determination, influence e.t.c
were among some of the answers given but all were wrong. He then gives the correct answer as’ height’ and this leaves us all amazed as that guess was far too long.
You got to think tall to make an impact in your career. Stand tall by appearing tall, for instance choose shoes or hair cut that make s you tall. No politician walks slouching, instead they stand tall in the manner they walk, dress, and confidence. We burst into laughter as Chris demonstrates how the former US president, George Bush stand tall despite his short height. “Goerge Bush walks upright with his head raised, shoulders stiff and arms spread” to look big and confident.
The same case apples to us in our careers. You must look tall; confident in your job search, interview, or in your workplace for you to be memorable and impress others. Clothes have a magic trick. Buy clothes that make you look tall. Women can wear heals and take advantage of playing with colours which is to the disadvantage of men to look tall. Men can also buy clothes that make them look tall.
Chris then quickly gives us an experience of his second interview. “My second interview had very tricky questions which I all answered but the interviewers were only interested in testing my preparedness for the interview questions and my confidence in answering them. Some were not related to the interview.”
Standing out from other candidates in an interview session takes careful planning. Your personality doesn't matter so much: whether you are shy, reserved, scared, nervous, confident, or outgoing. There is an art to making an impression during any face to face interaction that will create a lasting impact.
Remember, first impressions are formed when the interviewer first sees and greets you. If you look well put together, you give the impression that you take yourself seriously - not in a negative way, but in an I-can-be-relied-upon way.
Dressing has a magic trick on the people you meet and/or interact with. For job interviews always look you best as the dress code gives 10% of the interviews. Depending on the nature/ type of interview, dress one step above the dress required for the job. Chris asserts that dressing in the corporate colour of the company which is interviewing you helps you stand out which is an advantage over other candidates. “If you have an interview with IBM, then turn up in their dress code; dark blue suits, a white shirt and maroon tie, your chance of getting hired increases compared to a candidate dressed differently.”
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” This is very true in your career. Chris explains that to move ahead in your career, you require these 4P’s: Passion, Practice, Planning and Preparation
Always prepare a 10 sec elevator presentation for every important person you meet in your day to day life. For instance, Chris says that, “If you want to be remembered by your boss; have something that will be helpful to the company or him/her ready on a daily basis. Prepare a 10sec presentation, practice it as you walk to work, and use it when you meet your boss.”
You must prove yourself, for you to get ahead in your career. Chris adds that, “in many organisations, as you climb up the corporate ladder, the number of women reduces significantly compared to that of men.” He explains women need to prove themselves in the male dominated place since men would choose women if they turned up for the positions.
Chris the compare these two scenarios; where a junior manager boss wants something done by Friday, 10th May. A male boss will say, “ I need this report by Friday morning,” while a female boss will probably talk about children or work then say, “Mmmhh! Sorry to bother you but I need this report by Friday.” The female speech is polite while the male speech is in control.
Additionally, Chris emphasizes on the importance of acquiring ‘business speak’ in moving ahead. People must learn the different language to speak to senior managers, managers, junior staff and subordinate staff. Learn to communicate to people at different levels. The higher you climb up the corporate ladder, the more complex the ‘business speak’ language becomes.
Njoki
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