Attending A Job Interview - Dont Put Yourself in A Box

When attending a job interview, most people always think of what to say to blow the interviewer away, just so we get the job. In your mind, you become a high flyer when it's time to sell yourself to the panel of the HR specialist and Top Management Team conducting the interview, you start reeling out your best rehearsed achievements in your field of specialization.

When attending an interview, apart from researching about the company, you also need to research on the internal structure and staff welfare package of the company. These, will guide you better if asked the almighty question about salary expectation. Because this question could either make you settle for less or make you scream Hallelujah!

In most cases, while Mr. B's answer seems very apt, in reality it is not any better from Mr. A's response. You want to know why? I will tell you why from my own personal experiences over the years.

So you nailed the interview and you also got them to pay you within the salary range you requested for, let's say maybe N1M (One Milion Nigerian Naira) Per Annum. You dress nicely to pick up your employment letter, which states all the additional benefits, like housing, utility, entertainment, transportation, bonus etc., and then your heart is beating so fast with joy and you can't wait for the resumption day to come, so that you can prove to your employer they made the right choice. Fast forward to one month after the job, and you get that first credit alert you have been waiting for, then the true reality sets in. Pension deducted 8% that is employee, tax deducted between 10%-20% of monthly gross (you are on your own is the company is tax compliant), Bonus of 3% to be paid at the end of the financial year. Congrats Mr. B, your take home has now become your nightmare because you negotiated your Annual Gross Income only.

The scenario above has happened to practically everyone I know living in Nigeria, especially within the Lagos Metropolis. I know you are nodding your head now in agreement to this scenario. So what is the solution and way out of this reoccurring event that has played out in most of our lives?

You are welcome to the new Nigeria, where you have to always dot your i's and cross your t's at every given opportunity. When next you are asked that very important life defining question at an interview, all you need to do is to be very specific and in clear terms negotiate your take home, that is your Net after all deductions. The Gross they arrive at, is the company's cup of tea and not yours. Whatever deductions on taxes pension or just name it is their cross, as long as they are able to pay for what you have requested for on a monthly basis, and then both parties are fine. In most cases we like the sound of the Gross pay, because it's round and bogus and sounds pleasing to the heart and soul, but in reality, the shock that comes with it, will leave you speechless for the next couple of months, and instead of you to settle into your new job, employees begin to plan the next move.

Don't get caught up in those fancy packages, they are mostly deducted from your Gross pay, the next time you are asked the salary expectation question, remember to talk about your take home(Net earnings) in clear terms.

Article by Abi of thebrandroombyabi https://thebrandroombyabi.blogspot.com.ng

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Travel Preparations and Security Considerations for an Interview

The importance of making appropriate travel arrangements to get to your interview may seem obvious. However, this is frequently a problem for candidates. Being late for an interview - even by only a few minutes - is a very common mistake but it will immediately count against you.

Where?

Where is the employer based? If the employer occupies a number of rooms in separate buildings, it is easy to end up in the wrong place.

You need to plan your route in advance. It may seem obvious but, if you need to get the train, where is the nearest railway station?

Sketch yourself a little map or, even better, print one from the Internet. This is an excellent resource: maps.Google.co.UK.

You need to check precisely where it is that you are expected to go and then make doubly sure that you know exactly how to get there.

When?

It is obviously vital for you to find out when the interview is to be held - calculate how long it will take you to get there and make sure that you leave in plenty of time (particularly if you are relying on public transport). You should be aiming to arrive at least ten minutes before the start of your interview - not ten minutes after!

Make sure that you're on time and you'll have an immediate advantage over those who turn up late. It's simple but it's true. Arriving late is consistently cited in surveys as one of the very top reasons that recruiters reject candidates at the interview stage.

STATISTIC

Nearly half of recruiters won't give a candidate a job if they are more than ten minutes late for an interview -regardless of how well they perform.

It's also important to arrive early in terms of allowing yourself time to relax and compose yourself.

Who?

You need the answers to the following three questions:

• What is the name of your primary contact?

• Who exactly will be interviewing you?

• What are their respective job titles?

If the organisation (or your recruitment agency) hasn't provided you with this information then it's imperative to find it out.

Personal safety

Your personal safety might not even cross your mind when you receive an invitation for an interview. You're probably far more focused on the opportunity the interview presents.

Whilst it is true that the vast majority of job interviews are straightforward in terms of personal safety, it doesn't take a great

effort to adhere to a few simple rules:

• First and foremost, always tell a friend, relative or trusted colleague precisely where you are going and what time you are expecting to be back.

• Never agree to be interviewed anywhere other than the organisation's premises or in some other public or official place.

• Try to arrange to have someone collect you if the interview is taking place outside normal office hours, especially if it's after dark. Never let the interviewer drive you home.

Uninvited guests

Whilst it's fine for someone to collect you after an interview, never take anyone with you to an interview. You should always attend an interview alone. The interviewer is not expecting you to arrive with a guest and won't be pleased if you do, even if you do think they can just wait for you in reception.

Confidence

Confident people inspire confidence in others; it's almost contagious. If you appear confident that you are able to do the job, the employer is likely to be more inclined to believe that you can.

Confidence is critical to a successful interview. Naturally it is important not to go to the other extreme and appear overconfident or arrogant - which is a surprisingly common mistake. You simply need to appreciate what your strengths are and to value yourself accordingly.

If a prospective employer has invited you for an interview then you obviously have something that appeals to them. Interviews are an expensive and time-consuming process and they wouldn't be making the effort unless they felt you had significant potential.

Enthusiasm

Whilst there's obviously a fine balance here, enthusiasm in an interview is essential - just don't overdo it! Recruiters often find that the person they are interviewing lacks enthusiasm - and this will naturally count against you. Sometimes it might just be due to nerves and shyness - but don't let this happen to you. Be enthusiastic - and show it. If you're not enthusiastic about the role - and about the organisation - then you won't do yourself justice. This is one of the easiest things to get right. Alongside confidence, enthusiasm is a trait that is guaranteed to impress an interviewer.

Show you are motivated. Talk about your work with enthusiasm. Demonstrate that you are keen to do your best.

Tone of voice

Nerves, confidence and enthusiasm will all be reflected in the way you speak. Nerves, stress and pressure will have a negative

impact, whilst confidence, enthusiasm and energy will come across positively.

Take some time prior to your interview to work on your tone of voice. You might feel a little mad talking out loud to the mirror but it's an exercise that's well worth trying!

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The Do's And Don'ts Of A Wine Job Interview

The wine industry is quite lucrative and if you are passionate about the area you definitely will be looking forward to land a good job in your area of interest. But one fact about wine jobs is that it can be very difficult to land a top job, especially without relevant experience 

even though you may have the papers. Those in business love hiring candidates who are familiar with the field and it would therefore be a very good idea to be willing to start small and even take an internship so you have the chance to gain some experience then start making your way to the top.

It is however still very possible for you to find wine jobs and land a good one. When you apply for a position and you are lucky enough to be called in for an interview, you should strive to be your best so you can increase your chances of being hired. Here are some of the do's and don'ts that can help you get good results in a wine job interview.

The don'ts

Do not show up late. This is bad for any interview and it can rob you a good chance of standing out from the rest. It is best to make sure that you get there early enough in that you even have time to get composed and ready to give an impressive interview.

Do not wear perfume. This also goes for any other scented product you may think of using on the morning of the interview. Remember that wine has a lot to do with taste and smell and when you wear perfume, it will be interpreted to mean that you are not really a wine-savvy person. Keep it neutral.

Don't badmouth other wineries. Just because you worked at a bad winery does not give you the right to bad mouth, it even if the people eccentric you feel the people there were or are. Badmouthing another winery only gives the interviewer the feeling that you will be doing the same for their business and it can't be good.

Do not talk about the high end market. Just because a winery is high end does not necessarily mean that it only targets high end clientele. Doing so only makes you look elitist and it will not do you any favors getting the job.

The do's

Research the winery. The more you know the winery the better you are in preparing for the interview and answering the questions or engaging the panel. Use social media pages and website to get as much basic information as you possibly can.

Dress appropriately. It can determine how seriously you are taken and it should be guided by the brand you are interviewing for. For instance, if you are going for an interviews in a family owned winery that is small or medium sized and they all wear jeans, choose a good shirt and jeans because a three piece suit would be an overkill. For ultra-premium winery, then a suit should be perfect.

Wine jobs are quite interesting and when you know your area of interest, it is easy to find a good one. You can easily find and apply for wine jobs using online platforms.

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