Mentor Academy
(NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT MENTOR ACADEMY) CLICK HERE TO FILL THE REGISTRATION FORM (CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN THE ACCELERATE BROCHURE) MY STORY: When I decided I was going to start my TV program, most of the people who knew me at the time said “What?!? You?!? I can’t really blame them though… After all, my friends knew me as this timid shy woman so the thought of me being a TV presenter – of all things – was hard to imagine. They thought I was being foolish, unrealistic, delusional and impractical and one or two of them went ahead to tell me so…(*ouch) It can be painful, knowing that some of the people closest to you don’t believe in you or think you don’t have what it takes. It is also incredibly lonely to be that person dreaming of something or trying to achieve something that people think is “too big for you”. It was not surprising that as I grew into myself and embraced my calling, I grew apart from some of those friends. Luckily there were a few people that surrounded me, supported me, encouraged me and cheered me on… And the rest, as they say, is history. (Season 3 airs very soon.) I am not saying this to brag. I just want to give you a reality check. This is real talk… When you are ready to move to the next level, it won’t be easy. Don’t let anyone deceive you or tell you differently. It is a period where you have to strengthen your foundations as well as stretch and grow. You are going to become better and that means you will seem different – and some people will not be comfortable with that. Many don’t prepare for these changes and so when things get hard or seem uncomfortable, 95% of people give up, go back and settle where they have always been. I don’t want that to be you. If I, Morenike, whole nickname is school was “Timi-dee” (dear Lord, I was so timid)… If I can do what I do today, there is no reason why you cannot also put yourself on track to career excellence and achievement -even if you are stuck in a rut today. The key is to surround yourself with the right people, information and systems. I am happy to say I have created just what you need. It is called The Accelerate Program: A mentoring, mastermind and accountability program. (CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN THE ACCELERATE BROCHURE) I took a group of people through this program in 2017 and the latests graduates were from 2019 and they got amazing results. Accelerate is a combination of coaching, nurturing, mentoring accountability and support where we work together to help you create specific targets and achieve tangible progression. Candidates will work closely with me and a cadre of 15 high level mentors from various industries. To get the best results, we are keeping this group small. We only have spots for 20 people – strictly first come, first served. The programme runs for 3 months and I guarantee you that if you plug in and participate, you will get results. It is time to surround yourself with a team that is committed to your success. These 15 spots are being offered to over 3000 people so if you know this is your time, you must get in touch immediately – don’t delay. Simply FILL THIS FORM to reserve your spot. Need to know more? Click here to download the brochure. This is not for everybody but if you know you need this, do not hesitate. You will not regret making this investment in yourself. I look forward to working with you. Morenike Ajayi
Mentoring: An Elegant Career Growth Strategy – Part 1
“A mentor empowers a person to see a possible future, and believe it can be obtained.” Shawn Hitchcock Many people struggle and stagnate in their career for this one simple reason – lack of mentoring. If you check most top level executives, you will find that at one point or the other they have or had a mentor. So what or rather, who is a mentor? A mentor is someone who has walked the path you are just about to journey down. A mentor will be able to draw on his or her experience of how the goal you have set for yourself can be achieved. A mentor is like a guardian, showing you the way and giving you insider information that will enable you to reach your desired destination. A mentor is usually someone who has actually done that job before and who can give you the mentee inside knowledge on how to progress and prosper on that job. Most organisations, assign a mentor to their new intakes, just to show them the ropes and help them map their route to success. A mentor will guide the mentee to the right direction and will help the mentee develop solutions to issues that may arise at work. Due to the fact that a mentor has been down that road before the mentor has empathy with the mentee and has a better understanding of the kind of issues that may face the mentee Another definition of mentoring which I find very useful is from www.aaps.org/uploadedfiles/content/career_center/…/what_is_mentoring.pdf “Mentoring is a relationship between two individuals based on a mutual desire for development towards career goals and objectives”. The mentoring relationship can be for any length of time. It is mainly dependent on what the parties agree and the goals they set out to achieve. It often develops to focus on particular issues but may expand in scope and lasts for years covering a range of issues. Attend the Meet your Mentor Event: Using my contacts and connections, I have recruited a number of business and career executives who are specialists in their fields and have volunteered their time and resources to mentor you. They will serve as guide, guardian and adviser in your specific fiel of interest and there may also be oportunities for work experience and internships. Get the details and register here:
Employability skills
Employability skills are transferable skills which are needed by an individual to make him/her capable of being employed. Employers often have specific standards against which they measure if an applicant is employable or not. To compete effectively in the job market, you need to have what it takes i.e. knowledge, skill, training, right attitude and assets which a prospective employer would find attractive. Top Employability Skills 1. Effective communication: Communication is a two way thing; it involves both speaking and listening. Employers want to know that you are not just good at written and oral communication but you are also good at listening and understanding information. They want to know that you can express yourself and your opinions fluently. In addition, the ability to listen to others and act upon instructions correctly is an employability skill that is much sought after. 2. Working well under pressure: Employers want their employees to be capable of handling stressful situations that may show up in the workplace. From time to time things do not go according to plan in the work place; being able to handle such situations without breaking down is an admirable skill which employers desire in their employees. An employee, who is able to meet deadlines despite the pressures that might occur at work, is considered an asset. 3. Being a team player: A good employee is able to work confidently with other people on the team irrespective of their backgrounds. Everyone in a team has a different role to play based on their strengths therefore a good team player is vital for the completion of an organisation’s tasks. Having the best interest of your team at heart and working together to achieve it is a great employability skill. 4. Strong personal drive and motivation: The strong desire to succeed and do well at your job is something that employers appreciate in their work force. A good employee does not wait to be told to do things; this employee can use his /her initiative to decide when to take appropriate action. He/She is determined to get things done and to make things happen constantly looking for better ways of doing things in the interest of the organisation. This employee would have no difficulty meeting deadlines and is regarded as an asset by employers. This is a very useful employability skill. 5. Interpersonal skills: An employee who is able to work well with colleagues and who has soft job skills; someone who recognises & respects different perspectives is the kind employers want to have. The employee who has good interpersonal skills is open to ideas and the views of others; He/she is not rude and condescending but is confident in his/her own skin and fits well into the culture of that organisation. 6. Problems solving skills: The ability to get information adequately and use that information to systematically solve problems is another useful skill to have 7. Decision making & Taking initiative: Employers also want their employee to be able to identify opportunities within the work place, provide tangible ideas and solutions that will affect the organisation positively. Nuggets 1. To be regarded as employable, you must be seen as someone who will add value to the organisation. 2. The right knowledge, skill, training, and attitude will make a prospective employer find you employable. For more information on this topic please check out my books: Career Nuggets: Undeniable Secrets for Career Success Career Nuggets: Bitesize Tips for Your Career Progression You can also watch me on Career Nuggets my Flagship Career program on OHTV SKY 199 www.careernuggets.tv https://www.nuggetmarket.com
The Power of Networking on 3 Fingers
Have you ever wondered why some people just get along with everyone? They just seem to know everybody and all the right people while whenever you open up your contact list only the names of some family members and a few close friends pop up. Trust me, I have been there. Realizing how pathetic my situation was, I decided that it was time to do some research on how I could bail myself out of this rut. What I stumbled upon was quite remarkable! Networking is a skill and once mastered it can open up endless possibilities in your personal and professional life. Networking is a powerful skill and if you want to reap benefits, here is what you can do: Talk to everyone. A few things that may hold you back are: what if I don’t like everyone I meet? Or what if I’m shy? Well my simple response to this is it will be worth it. If you decide to ignore that part of your brain that’s screaming “you’re not a people-person” and just go out and talk to people then you would be surprised at how many opportunities can start flowing your way. Whether you are just out of high-school, currently out of a job or anywhere on the ladder of success, know that by establishing a relationship with the right people can give you a boost to that pinnacle you are trying to reach. Once I went to a networking event around 7:30am in the morning (I love to sleep so this was a big sacrifice!) It was for an IT company I was interning. My job was to give out the company business cards but for the majority of the event I found myself talking to a really lovely lady who said she is a project manager and has many temporary projects she needed assisting, so we exchanged email addresses. I sent her a warm email saying ‘it was lovely to meet you’ but I didn’t hear back from her immediately, it took 2 months for her to reply, but her first email was a job offer! The lesson learnt is most people don’t forget a nice smile and a kind gesture. Leaving a lasting impression is vital, sending a follow up message is even more important (I address this a bit further down …) this job led me to work for my local council, and later secure a management job in a top accountancy firm. “But how do I meet the right people?” This is another excellent question you might ask. The answer is in my next point. Attend events. Whether it be a workshop, forum, or just a general professional meetup/gathering, it’s important to know that these events are laced with individuals who could help you; either now or in the long run. What would be better is if you do a little research on events that have something to do with your interests. Invest the time. There are many agencies that host forums, seminars, expos and even create networking opportunities; there are events that will happen wherein thousands of people attend. The concept is this, rather than stay at home complaining about not having a job or various opportunities it is better to throw yourself in the deep-end of networking. There will be people there who may be in the same situation as you who could give a few useful tips and advice. Networking done correctly, can take you from being stuck to where you never thought you would be. Visit these sites to know what events you could attend in a city near you: Eventbrite.com MeetUp.com Type in the search what industry event you are looking for, e.g. Fashion show, Business Networking, Meetups for Tech geeks in London. Create and maintain contacts. Don’t let all that hard work of attending and shaking a million and one hands go to waste. Call, email or text your recently recruited contacts, express pleasure making their acquaintance, but it should not stop there. Later on, follow up. Not pestering them for a job, but simply checking how their work/business is going, recalling one key interest they expressed when you first met ‘Did you watch the Chelsea match yesterday?’, and ‘How is your new project?’ Ask to meet up for coffee or lunch. You could also go as far as offering working for them on a voluntary basis. “Are there any projects you are currently working on and how might I volunteer my services?” questions like these will show an employer a job is worth more than money, and you are genuinely interested in working for that company. Overtime, if you have done a good job you will have built up so much trust and favour that when you make a request of these persons, they will be fifty times more willing to offer you a permanent job. Expand your horizons. Network Network ….and Network! Dorothy – Career Nuggets
Breaking Into The Marketplace: A Guide For Graduate Jobseekers
Congratulations! You have finished your 3-4 years degree course and have become a graduate! Now you are faced with another exciting life venture, finding a job. Brace yourself dear readers, because the reality is that for every 100 resumes you send out, the most replies you will receive are 2 or 3 call backs. But do not worry, here is a guide that will help you get a job quicker than the average and we are confident it is fairly easy to apply. Internships Are A Quick Win Once you finish your course, you will need to gain experience in your related field. You can do this by signing up for internships whether it is paid or ‘free’. Most job sites have Internships listings but for a more focused search visit Internships. If you wish you to volunteer yourself you can refer to Student Job which has internships that provide some expense allowance. The reasons why an internship is advisable is you can get hands on experience, widen your networking and it is possible that the place where you intern will be your future permanent workplace. Search For a Job Using Social Media Do you spend a lot of your time on your mobile phone or other similar gadgets? It is time to put it to good use. Networking plays a very important role if you wish to enter the marketplace. Social media is your best friend, follow the companies you shortlisted or you have heard great reviews on social media. Businesses usually hire marketing managers to update their Twitter, Facebook, Google+. LinkedIn is especially recommended to use to interact with the real decision makers – CEO’s, Directors alike. Use Linkedin and you may be able to cut the ‘admin gateman’ and send your CV directly to the top. Try to complete and add a lot of information on your LinkedIn account. Similarly, many companies use LinkedIn to find employees to join them. In addition to that, you can follow influential people and try to follow their career footsteps. Freelancing Can Gain You Valuable Work Experience This next suggestion is especially for creatives who wish to pursue self-employment. You can sign up for some freelance sites. Upwork is one of the best free freelancing websites because it is a partnership between Odesk and Elance, two of the oldest freelancing websites that have been running quite effectively. There’s a wide variety of things you can do in Upwork. You can ‘bid’ for jobs online if you are good in writing, creating graphics, computer programming, accounting, legal and so on. You should watch some videos to help you out on how to start your work as a full time freelancer or you could do it as a side business as it is also a means of earning money. Attend Career Fairs When there is career fair in your city do your best to attend. That is where you will get the most companies looking to hire under the same roof! A good tip is for you to always be ready. Decide which industry you want to target; you may even go as far as researching which companies will attend and targeting a chosen company. Have your resume and CV written to cater as closely as possible to the company you are targeting. Some related experience which is similar to the company is a bonus, It shows that you are the ‘perfect’ match with that organisation. For example, let’s say Company A is a business that has strong relationship with a non-profit organization and you did volunteer work during your course, it can be included in your CV. Do not put everything in your CV/resume just the main points as it is supposed to be brief and straight to the point. Then Lastly… Nearly all employers will agree it’s important to stand out amongst a sea of CV’s. Be Innovative and creative; think out of the box in your job search and be unique. Bear in mind that when you are in the working field, it is very different from studies. Working requirements are not solely on the job descriptions as stated in the post, it requires dedication, commitment, hard work, sometimes long hours, patience in your current position and monotony. On the other hand, finding the right placement can be life changing and ultimately fulfilling. We hope you have been inspired to break into your desired Career! At Career Nuggets we run a series of programmes and webinars to help take your career aspiration to another level. Sign-up and join the individuals that have taken advantage of our Free CV reviews, Webinars and Mentoring programmes. Follow us: Twitter – Twitter.com/CareerNuggets Facebook – Facebook.com/CareerNuggets Instagram – @CareerNuggets LinkedIn – Morenike Ajayi SaveSave SaveSave
How To Rise Above All Odds
A renowned IT Consultant, Mr. Wale Oyebanjo was the guest speaker last week on career nuggets episode hosted by Morenike Ajayi on OHTV, Sky Channel 199. Mr Oyebanjo who gave several nuggets out on the programme opined that, having a mental attitude is a key critical factor in order to rise above all odds. He added that, from his personal experience, being made redundant is not the end of the world. “When asked how he dealt with the situation when he was made redundant, he said, “I felt dumped, used, and pursued a business that didn’t really take off while I was unemployed for about 20 Months”He advised viewers that, whoever finds himself in such situations should seek support network, maintain right mental attitude, and find a great mentor amongst several nuggets which were offered. ‘No matter what you go through as odds in life, you have the ability to turn things around as setbacks can be turned into great opportunities.”He Concluded that, in life, happiness is designed and not assigned. Career Nuggets is a weekly episode TV Programme anchored by Morenike Ajayi designed to educate and inspire. For Further details, visit https://www.careernuggets.tv I info@careernuggets.co.uk Join us every Tuesday for another new Episode at 7;30pm