Articles: Cover Letters.

 

1. How to write a cover letter: Introduction
2. How to write a cover letter: Format and Structure 

Articles: Careers/Job Hunting

 

1. A job versus a career: Why it is important to know the difference.
2. Job Market Preparation Tips just for you. Part 1
3. Job Market Preparation Tips just for you. Part 2
4. How to answer the question of salary expectations in a job interview
5. Ten things you should never do at work
6. Jobs of the future: 14 jobs that will be in demand in 2020 and beyond
7. Ten "success-filled" habits job seekers MUST have for 2020 and beyond
8. Five essential Job Hunting Tips
9. "Will work for free!" Why an internship is a good idea 

"Will work for free!" Why an internship is a good idea.

If you are a recent graduate of high school or a college, or maybe a final year student at university about to graduate and enter the working world, you have one thing in common: your wish to find employment quickly. For many however, there is a hindrance to quickly securing employment as planned, and that is lack of work experience.

We all know the story, the enthusiastic, newly graduated job seeker goes out there to find employment but gets his/her enthusiasm crushed because every where they apply they are told they lack experience.

If you're reading this article and you find yourself in that particular situation, read on, this blog might change your outlook and your life!

So you're looking for work and applying to almost every job advert you see, but it's the same thing "candidate must have 1 to 3 years (or even more years) experience..." What can you do? How can you put the odds in your favor? Become an Intern, volunteer and/or join various clubs and societies and network! Today we'll be focusing on Internships.


Internships

Employers want to see that new graduates have some form of experience and they most certainly accept participation in a well-structured internship as relevant experience for entry level positions. An internship is one way of overcoming the lack of experience dilemma. The benefits include:

• Gaining general work related and discipline specific knowledge
• Developing skills and competencies
• Building your confidence in relation to job performance
• Acquiring a frame of reference for evidence of your abilities
• Increasing the possibility of landing a job.

College students, if your academic programme requires or offers the option of taking an internship for academic credit please make full use of the opportunity! Alternatively, you may choose to take a not for credit internship and even go as far as getting involved with a programme that does not offer a stipend. Remember, the ultimate aim is to gain vital experience that will make you more marketable.
Here are a few strategies you should use to help you land a life-changing internship position:

1. Make a list of the organizations, large and small, at which you would like to intern.

2. Identify the specific knowledge and skills that you have to offer the organizations.

3. Determine the benefits you would like to derive from the internship experience.

4. Do your research. Find out which of these organizations do offer internship programmes. Don’t limit yourself to those companies with existing programmes. If you make a good case, your offer of service or request for accommodation could be considered by even those companies without established internship programmes.

5. Prepare a professionally appealing cover letter and résumé making sure to tailor them to match the needs and culture of each of your target organizations.

6. Begin making plans for your accommodation away from home or your current school location.

7. Engage your networking links to get doors of opportunity opened, your professors, mentors, as well as family and friends are good persons to begin with.

The search for the right internship can be just as tedious as finding an actual job, but don’t give up. You'll reap the rewards later. Use similar strategies as you would for a job search and be sure to begin your search early.

TIP: The best time to seek out an internship is during the summer months.

Happy hunting!

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How to dress to impress for a job interview, even on a tight budget!

Whether you're going to a job interview; offered a summer job or permanent employment, the need to dress for success (professionally) is very important! We understand that many persons reading this statement will say, "yeah I get that, but I'm on a tight budget and don't have the money to invest in a fancy business suit." Well, we hear you, with the economy these days everyone is feeling the pinch, but don't be dismayed we have the solution for you! Continue reading this article to get tips on how you can still dress professionally on a small budget!

Dress for Success on a budget:
i. Select tailored clothing: It is better to invest in a few high-quality outfits that can be interchanged than in numerous extravagant or poor quality pieces.

a. Include in your selection at least one dark-coloured suit.

b. Buy simple well-made shirts or blouses, skirts or pants.

c. Jackets and blazers, whether as suits or separates, are vital and versatile for mixing and matching.

ii. Choose colours, patterns and fabrics wisely.

a. Stick to conservative colours for suits (eg, navy blue, grey, and black).

b. Cheerful colours can be used to accentuate but should not be gaudy.

c. Simple stripes, plaids, and subtle patterns are accepted.

d. For outer garments, avoid fabrics with heavy sheen, or those that are very thin.

iii. Ensure proper fit: Your clothing should not be too loose or too tight.

a. The hem of your trousers should cover your ankle but should not sweep the floor.

b. Skirt length should be such that when you sit too much of your thigh is not revealed.

c. Blouses should not show cleavage. The sleeves should reach the wrist.

iv. Ensure that your clothing is always properly pressed.

a. Avoid the crumpled, disheveled look at all costs

v. Undergarments should be both covered and concealed. Ladies should consider investing in lined skirts rather than having visible panty lines.

vi. Avoid the tattered look: Do not wear clothing that is frayed, tattered or has visible holes.

vii. Males should always wear belts with trousers that have loops. Your belt colour should coordinate with your shoe colour.

viii. Ties are essential items for men. For a fresh look, vary the tie worn with shirts.

ix. Simple conservative hair styles and colours for both men and women are recommended. Your hair should always be well groomed.

x. Wear appropriate shoes

a. Athletic, flat-soled, and open toe shoes, and flip-flops are not appropriate. Choose pumps or stilettos with medium length heels (for women).

b. Shoe colour may coordinate with handbag, but not necessarily so.

c. Men should wear laced-up or slip-on dress shoes.

xi. Limit the number of accessories; for example, no more than one ring on each hand. Tongue and nose piercings are still frowned-on in many organisations, so play it safe and leave them at home. Special note: Also be sure to hide any tattoos!

xii. Ensure that neatness and cleanliness are always reflected in your dressing.

a. Your clothing and deportment will be viewed as a reflection of your attitude to the job, therefore plan to characterise your professional presentation with excellence.

References: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/How-do-I-dress-professionally-on-a-budget-_89186

5 Essential Job Hunting Tips!

Essential Tips for the Job Seeker

1. Spruce up your Resume.

It now okay to use graphics like charts and tables on your resume' to illustrate relevant facts about yourself. You can also build a personal website to act as your resume'. 

2. Do some networking. 

A referral to a new company or position is much more effective than any job search engine. Seek to build relevant contacts at industry events, job fairs and through social media. 

3. Learn how to negotiate for your salary.

If you ask for too much, employers will give you the cold shoulder but if you ask for too little you'll have difficulty earning what you're really worth for years to come. Instead do your research, know what a position is supposed to pay and negotiate accordingly, but don't get ahead of yourself at the bargaining table. Be sure to assess your own talents, qualifications, experiences before you decide on a figure.

4. Research a position

Impress your potential employer by doing a thorough background check on the company and its products. Research the position you're applying for, carefully study the job description. Make sure you can handle the role. Employers don't want to spend too much time training you.

5. Be the Total Package! 

Knowing basic computer skills and having the right attitude is fine. In fact it is expected. Being organized and able to communicate effectively will set you apart. Show off those soft skills.

Thanks so much for reading the articles each week, really appreciate it. Please be sure to look out for the next post. It promises to be interesting! :D

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Job & Career Development Advice

1. Jobs of the Future: 14 jobs that will be in demand in 2020 and beyond.

1. Solar Energy Technician

Like wind energy, solar power will continue to be a major part of humanity's transition toward a clean-energy future. The cost of solar energy keeps dropping year after year, so it's becoming much more affordable for businesses and homeowners. In cities all around the world, solar energy technicians are enjoying stable employment in a growing industry that makes a positive difference. In the U.S., about 30,000 solar technician jobs may become available over the decade from 2016 to 2026. The average yearly pay for this occupation was USD $42,680 in 2018.

2. Wind Energy Technician

With climate change threatening to severely damage the world as we know it, it will become more important to move to clean energy sources. Reducing carbon and methane emissions means transitioning away from fossil fuel sources like oil, coal, and natural gas. That means wind energy will likely be a big part of the future. It's already an industry that's grown a lot. And it will likely grow a lot more, meaning that skilled technicians will be needed to help with the installation, maintenance, and repair of giant wind turbines...

See more...


2. Ten 'success-filled' habits job seekers MUST have in 2019 and beyond.
The reality is that we live in an extremely competitive job market and while we wish there were more jobs, the truth is that employment prospects are few compared to the number of qualified persons hunting for them. So now I'm sure you're asking me...what do you do?...

See more...

How to write a Cover Letter: Format and Structure

A winning cover letter will be what distinguishes you from everyone else looking for employment. Previously, we gave you an introduction to the cover letter, discussing the three crucial paragraphs and the content of each. Today, we'll be focusing on the letter's structure, basically what goes where. We will also provide a link to cover letter samples, just scroll to the bottom (after you finish reading) to see the link. Yes, you're welcome!  The structure explained here is for the printed version of the letter. There is an email version that we will share with you very soon, but before we go further, we wish to explain the formatting style of the cover letter.

Cover letter Formatting

There are three ways to do it:

1. Block style
2. Indented
3. Semi-Block style 

Block style
In the block style all sections are formatted to the left of the page and there are no indented lines at the beginning of the paragraphs. Each paragraph is separated by a single space. It is a very formal style and is widely used for business letters.

Indented
In the indented format space is created between the left margin of the page and the first word of each paragraph. Your contact information, date, closing and signature are all aligned to the centre or right of the page. 

Semi-Block style
The contact information, date, closing and signature are placed from centre to the right of the page, however the paragraphs are aligned to the left.  

Now let's get to the meat of the matter!

How the Cover Letter is Structured

The cover letter consists of 6 sections:

1. Personal Contact information 
2. The Date (the date the letter was written/typed)
3. Employer's Contact Information
4. The Salutation/Greeting
5. The Body of the letter 
6. The Complimentary close 

Personal Contact Information

This section is at the top of the letter and contains relevant contact information which includes your name, address, email info and your phone number. This section is first on the page at the very top and can be formatted to the centre; the right or left of the page. There is a significance to doing all three depending on where you live or based on the cultural expectations of the company you're addressing your letter to, there is a big difference in what is expected! Look for the section near to the end of this article called cultural styles for the explanation. 

The Date 

The date displayed should be when your letter was written or typed. It's usually placed at the top of the page on the left corner, either above your contact details or one line (space) below. It can also be shown on the right below your contacts, additional formatting is involved. See cultural styles for explanation. The company's details would be next.

Employer's Contact Information

The company's contact details are after yours and always to the left of the page. You should write or type the hiring manager's name and the correct address of the company. Companies may have several locations, know which one is relevant to you and address the letter accordingly. Also, while we will agree that some companies aren't always forthcoming with sharing the names of their HR managers, you can take the initiative and search online for the HR department's phone number and ask for this information. If that is not available online, be persistent, ask an employee to share that information with you. You should be doing research on the company anyway!

The Greeting/Salutation

Ideally your greeting should be properly addressed to the person who will be making the difference in your employment status. As I mentioned above, try your hardest to get the HR manager's name so you can address them directly. Not only does it show that you did your research but also you respect their authority, and this denotes your professionalism. I recommend this approach one hundred percent. These salutations are also used:

• Dear Sir or Madam
• Dear Sirs
• To Whom It May Concern

I hasten to warn that some employers may perceive you as being lazy, unprofessional and not the kind of person they wish to work for them if you decide to use these phrases. So ask for the information please, mi a beg yuh!

The Body

Please see the details from the article: How to write a Cover Letter: Introduction

Complimentary Close

Everything has a beginning and an end, and the cover letter is no different.

You may choose to use these phrases:

• "Yours Sincerely" or its variant "Sincerely yours"
• "Yours Faithfully" or "Faithfully yours"
• "Yours Truly"

Do not use "Best Regards" or "Kind Regards" that's informal language for a business letter. Don't do it, memba seh yuh nuh know di person! After the compliment skip four (4) blank spaces and place a short line (unbroken please) for your signature, then type your name. Just below this you would indicate that you have included a copy of your resume. For example:

"Enclosure: resume" 

or

It can also be written like the example below if you wish to indicate the number of items enclosed. 

"Encl. 1"

"Encl. 2"

Cultural styles

The cover letter is influenced by two writing styles: the American English and the British English (not trying to confuse you, trust me) style. The original was the British and the Americans developed their own version of it, as they do with the English Language overall. What's the difference?

1. British version - Aligned right and can also be centred

You may opt to format your contact information close to the page's right margin at the top of the page.  For this style you would not include your name. You would only write your address, email, phone number, etc. Your name would be typed at the bottom of the page after your signature.  In the centred version however, your name is also included as part of your contact information.  A line is also used to separate that section from the rest of the letter, so it becomes a cover letter letterhead.

2. American version - Left side of page

Usually aligned to the left of the page, with contact details written according to the standard (your name, etc).

• Date

British - day/month/year

American - month/day/year

*The cover letter samples are right Here

That's it! That's the printed version of the cover letter!  I hope you have found this information useful! Here's some additional reading:

The Essential Elements of a cover letter:
https://www.thebalance.com/parts-of-a-cover-letter-2060308

Sincerely or Faithfully? How to Write a Cover Letter:
http://www.jobfox.co.uk/cover-letters/sincerely-or-faithfully-uk/

Sender's Address in a Cover Letter: Date in a Cover Letter -
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/cover-letter/layout?date

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How to write a Cover Letter: Introduction

The cover letter (application letter) is a one page document the job seeker uses to introduce himself/herself to the recruiter/employer. The purpose of the cover letter is to convince the reader that you are worth further interaction i.e. an interview. A good cover letter also prepares the reader (recruiter) for the contents of the resume/c.v. Therefore, it must be a short but interesting document. The letter usually consists of three well written paragraphs. Here's the order:  

Introductory paragraph:
The first paragraph is the introduction for the letter. You state the purpose you're writing it in the first place:
i. Introduce yourself;
ii. Mention the job/post you wish to apply for;
iii. State where you first saw the job advertised (if the job was referred to you by a third party, here is where you would mention that detail);
iv. Try to keep the reader engaged by stating why you're interested in working in the job or for the company (this will also show them you did your research on them).


Qualifications, Skills and Competencies
In this paragraph you aim is to wow the recruiter by sharing interesting stories about your skills/qualifications and how you have utilized them in the past or to present date.


i. Create a two (2) to four (4) point list of your skills/competencies you wish to emphasize in this paragraph.  

ii. Show that you are an excellent choice for the job by boldly stating these skills and why they set you apart from other candidates.
iii. Use language that will impress the recruiter and inspire confidence in your abilities.

Your Closing Arguments
This is your final paragraph but not the least important. Reiterate your interest in the company and the job. Thank the reader for their time and prompt them with a call to action by mentioning that you are looking for a response or an interview. Tell them that you will make yourself available for them to make contact with you. Include your phone number in this paragraph, if possible give two numbers. 

Next time we'll get more into the structure of the cover letter. For today we just wanted to focus on the body of the letter and the content that should be included. Thanks so much for reading this article, please share and comment. 

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Ten 'Success-filled' habits Job Seekers MUST have for 2020 and beyond!

by S. Jeffery

Ah! A new year! New beginning! 2020 is here and picking up speed! Time is moving fast friends: many of us made vows to ourselves that this year would a better year for prosperity, and for some of us we hope that our circumstances will change and we'll finally be able to receive the job we've prayed for.
The reality is that we live in an extremely competitive job market and while we wish there were more jobs, the truth is that employment prospects are few compared to the number of qualified persons hunting for them. So now I'm sure you're asking me...what do you do? There must be something that can be done to give you the edge you need to stand out at an interview (or even get an interview in the first place). This blog post will seek to help you chart a more successful course for the new year! So read on...
The job market is highly competitive, which can be quite intimidating for job seekers especially when they didn’t graduate at the top of their class. However, according to former CEO of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Dennis Chung, “the most competent or brightest do not necessarily make the most productive employees”.
In fact, he claims that employers may often prefer someone who has a positive attitude: someone willing to learn, as opposed to someone who is a ‘know it all’.
Believe me, an attitude open to learning new skills and develop abilities will always make job seekers viable in the job market. With that said here are 10 habits job seekers should have to be successful in landing an interview or earn a place in the company of their choice.

Young graduates may think that after finishing university getting a job would be automatic, the sad truth is... it nuh guh suh!

1. Match your qualifications to the job you seek
First of all, you have to recognise that your qualifications must match the job that you are seeking. You may realise that the market requires more than what you have and that you may need to put in additional work to be on par with what the job market demands.

2. Attend workshops

Improving on yourself is a valuable tool. Workshops will broaden your scope and knowledge on a plethora of subjects and employers value having rounded people on their teams.

3. Volunteer/Network

If you are unemployed, the first thing that you want to consider is volunteering. It is the best way to get into the job market. It is also a very good way to meet people so that you can exchange numbers and build relationships. So, whenever you can offer a helping hand, do it, and you might find that another helping hand will be offered to you.

4. Make your resume specific

What you put on your résumé is what actually sells you. Remember, the person interviewing you has never met you before so you have to ensure that you have done a good job at compiling your résumé. Make sure that you are not giving them more than two pages. A resume with more pages often gets overlooked because job seekers include skills that are not relevant to the job they are seeking. Additionally, be clear about the job that you desire. Please don’t say that you wish to be hired into any available position. That shows desperation. Allow the employer to make that decision based on the company’s needs.

5. Don’t change jobs frequently
It doesn’t have to be several years of service but your loyalty to an institution is important. If you seem ‘nomadic’ in your job pattern this can be a turn-off since companies are looking to train and invest in people for the long term.
6. Learn to sell yourself

...Especially when you have not worked anywhere else or you cannot say what you have done at work. Many employees are willing to listen about personal achievements because these could say a lot about your character and potentially the kind of employee that you could be. So, for example, if you play sports and you have been doing well, if you are involved and have been doing well in community work or a club, many employees will be willing to listen and consider you based on how you have presented yourself. Playing team sports suggests that you would have been exposed to working in a team, to respecting those whom you work with, and to conflict resolution, which are all important in business.

7. Don’t think of any job as too low for you
If a job is offered below your pay grade or what you may believe to be menial you may want to consider accepting it. These ‘menial jobs’ could present a gateway to a very big opportunity but employers are keen on testing whom they take onto their teams. Often, employers offer the job and note that there will be a possibility for promotion, so hang on to the opportunity.

8. Do your homework (research the company and their expectations)

It is easy to settle when you are overwhelmed by joblessness, but being happy with your job is very important to the contribution and the value that you add to your workplace. So, it is important to do your research and apply according to your findings. Do a complete a research on the organisation with which you desire to work, as well as who heads it, their values, interests, and whether they have ever commented on what they expect of employees. Knowing these could work in your favour at the interview.
9. Do not focus on academics alone
Employers also search for persons with soft skills. So even before you become job-seekers think about extracurricular activities. Employers find that these employees usually have a wealth of knowledge from their involvement in different groups to share.
10. Keep Up Appearances

Always keep a clean presentable suit, even if it is just one. You also always want to be well groomed.

Hope this was helpful to you guys. Remember to follow this blog for useful career tips like these.

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Finding a job via Social Media: Watch what you post (Introduction)

Social media..social media, developed for the purpose of connecting family, friends and even long lost relatives, has become such an important part of our lives we can't imagine life without it. For those of us in our teens and twenties, we never knew what it was like before it existed, and for those of us in our thirties, forties and older we can't remember what we did that was ever this amusing! Indeed, through social media we have seen the rise and demise of many talented and influential people: celebrities, religious leaders, politicians and even business moguls. 

It can be an unforgiving space...share something and you may get more than you bargained for in the form of not so nice comments. One thing we can't deny though, social media platforms have evolved to be more than just a click, like and comment experience. And...beyond finding and making friends, we can find other just as important things on the internet via social media sites such as Facebook.

As social networks evolved and added more features they have gained more attention from businesses who want to cash in on the ever growing audience they are able to pull in. Almost every aspiring business has a Facebook page, a LinkedIn account and will definitely have an Instagram page. They seek to engage with existing customers and gain new customers, who not only become consumers of their products but fans.

Because it provides convenience in readily reaching an engaged audience (it's a much cheaper marketing tool than traditional media), social media has therefore become an important component in many businesses' recruiting process.

You see, companies have realised that with the increasing popularity of social networks it's much more convenient and cheaper to reach YOU! And in recent years, some businesses have decided to do their recruiting online using these sites as the vehicle to find suitable candidates.

Image is Everything

Depending on who you talk to folks will say social media is harmful for you, or they will say it's just for fun. It's no big deal: you upload your pictures, share videos, memes and chat with family and friends. Most people never take a second thought about what they are sharing, what they comment and how that impacts on others and what impression others may have of them. A recent study done by University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany), indicates that "...exposure to online negativity makes our own thinking negative – reading uncivil comments can immediately increase readers’ own hostile cognitions. Reading other people’s opinions can influence our perceptions, thinking and even behaviors (Social Media Psychology)." This simply means how we view a person or topic may be influenced greatly by the opinion of others. Now, we are not saying that you should not comment on posts via social media, what we are saying is if you wish to impress an employer to hire you, you have to be more careful about how you comment. It is a real possibility that right now someone just out of curiosity after reading what you commented on a post, is scrolling through your Facebook, SnapChat or Instagram profile! An employer wanting to find out more about you will do no less. 

In fact, according to a recent study on recruiting on social media, 94% of the advertising and marketing executives surveyed in the U.S. by The Creative Group, marketing company, revealed that they use social media platforms to recruit and hire new talent (Social Media Coming into it's Own as tool for Recruiting Employees).

Here is what one top level executive had to say: 

“Social media is a necessary component for recruitment today,” said Matt Doyle, director of talent acquisition for North America at Sitel. “We will continue to heavily invest in social media recruitment from both an employment branding perspective and career opportunity perspective.” (Social Media Coming into it's Own as tool for Recruiting Employees)

The researchers at Sterling Talent Solutions, recruiting/background screening company, also found that:

"...it is common for employers to informally review the social accounts of candidates and recommended that those applying for new jobs or gearing up to move into the workforce carefully consider how they are portrayed via social media." (Social Media Coming into it's Own as tool for Recruiting Employees)

So what can you do to ensure that you won't be a casualty of irresponsible social media posting or commenting? Do a social media audit! Here's how....

1. Clean up your friend's list.

We know you love your friends but if they are not able to assist you in finding employment and all the content they tag you in is questionable, it's time to consider unfriending them. Ya'll know that some of the things they post on your timeline ain't good for public consumption anyway. Pictures of people with gun shot wounds, brains blown out, chop up, pictures of people fighting and cursing each other out, no sah, not good. If you are honest with yourself you know that he or she always bring drama, and because of that you hardly ever talk to them anyway. Unfriend them and if they realise, just tell them that you're trying to look about a job and you want to make sure everything on your profile is A-okay.  By the way Facebook doesn't notify your friends you unfriended them. (Facebook Help Center: Unfriending...) You can always send them a request once you find a job and you're comfortable. If dem nuh understand and catch an attitude them luddy. It's about bettering your circumstances. 

ANYBODY THAT'S POSTING NEGATIVE STUFF AND TAGGING YOU IN IT SHOULD BE KEPT AT ARMS LENGTH. CUT BACK YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH THEM.

2. Clean up your timeline: Watch what you post

Facebook

Scroll through your posts for up to two to three months ago and take a detailed look through of your profile and start deleting any posts you're not comfortable with, this includes posts that friends and family have tagged to your timeline and posts you have shared. Remove any questionable pictures you have and replace them with more wholesome pictures of yourself: wearing a nice blouse and skirt/pants for the ladies. Nice shirt and pants (tailored) for the men. If you do have pictures in a pair of jeans make sure it's full length, covering your ankles and your shoes are clean. For both sexes your hair should be properly groomed and you look pleasant, smiling in all your pictures.

Instagram 
Ditto the recommendations from the point above (meaning do the same we recommended for Facebook). Go through any of your photos, your vids and remove anything that makes you a little uncomfortable. 

What about Instagram Stories? This is what the network says about these:

Keep in mind that your story disappears from Feed and your profile after 24 hours unless you add it as a highlight. After that, photos and videos from a person's story will no longer be visible in conversations. Any text that was included with a message will still be visible after the photo or video disappears.*

So what that quote from Instagram is saying: That though your Insta story disappears there will be a trail. Any comment that was made while your story was up will be still be visible on your profile and can be found. Bear in mind also if your profile is public anyone can view what you've posted, anyone. A Jamaican employer once confessed that before they directly ask a candidate for their Instagram or Facebook handle they go fishing with what little they know and see if they can find them. Here's is what Instagram says: 

No, someone cannot see if you have viewed their Instagram profile. ... Simply browsing through won't make you visible to any Instagram User.**

Therefore, an employer can simply go looking for you or use the information you've given them to find you and you wouldn't even know that they were on your page. Here's what you do: Ask for a second and third opinion, ask an older person to take a look at your profile and give advice. Okay, so you're wondering: why an older person? It depends, usually someone over 40 or 50 years old, who is employed or has a business, may have a different cultural perspective about what is acceptable and what is not.  Most of the hiring managers are over forty (40) years old, and may have a different view on what is acceptable culture and professional practice. Think about it. Yes, we know that there are younger HR officers who interview as well as assist the HR Manager in formulating the questions and assessing the candidates, but who ultimately does the hiring? Who ultimately signs off on which candidate gets the job? The HR Manager, most of whom have been in the field for many years and grew up in a different era from you (if you are in your twenties), some things are not funny to them and not cute. 

Think Culture
Jamaican society is for the most part a contradiction of norms and values. Yes, we nah back down from weh we just seh. While the younger generation embraces the Dancehall culture, let us hasten to say not all young people, the older folks for the most part want nothing to do with it and consider it vulgar. Yet, it is considered popular culture because the images from that arena are so pervasive in the society. Also, consider where certain worldviews are concerned, we (Jamaicans) are very conservative. We can think of one lifestyle practice that the majority of Jamaicans are against and how recently, certain images lit up social media, and caused strong reactions from Jamaican people who "bun out dem things dere". Certain things we don't condone and are not willing to endorse, and just the impression or mis-impression of a picture sparked a whole lot of controversy....but we digress. What we're trying to say is one has to be careful of the things we post, and if we are job hunting, we MUST consider the corporate culture and the persons who are at the helm of it. 

In the business world there are certain standards that must be upheld and expectations that must be met...And reputations to be protected. On social media you post a picture, that image is up for all to see: to be liked and scrutinized.  In the job world image is everything, that is why there is a prescribed way of dressing (and speaking), even the recruiting process is conducted according to a particular format. Yuh neva thought about it, don't it? Check this:

• Step 1: Job is advertised by the employer;
• Step 2: If you are qualified you - send a resume' and cover letter;
• Step 3: You do your research and try to cover all your bases; 
• Step 4: You are called to an interview and they ask you a bunch of questions, you may also do tests to determine your competence;
• Step 5: Some interviewers ask for another interview, drug test, etc;
• Step 6: If successful you are offered the job and you start training/working, if not you begin the process all over again.

Some employers require a blood test to find out if you have drugs in your system. Have you seen the article the Gleaner published on Sunday, December 2, 2018? Go read it. Many employers (almost all) are asking for police records now, and quite a few ask job seekers to supply them with their social media account names, both Facebook and Instagram. Many of you reading this know what we're talking about. This is all to protect the company's brand and the reputation it has built over several years. Remember what happened at a certain hotel with the infamous worker? That is an employer's nightmare. Nah seh nuttin more. So again, we implore you to ask a friend, an older, hopefully wiser person to thoroughly go through your accounts to see if there is anything you may have missed in cleaning up your profiles.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. We hope this was insightful. Please start putting into practice the suggestions we have made and come back next week to read the rest of the pointers in fixing your social media profiles to present a clean and suitable image for your prospective employer. Your profile should be an effective marketing tool, we will show you how so stay tuned!



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1. Social Media Psychology -https://socialmediapsychology.eu/2016/10/05/onlineandsocialmediacomments/

2. FierceCEO - https://www.fierceceo.com/growth-innovation/social-media-coming-into-its-own-as-tool-for-recruiting-employees

3. Facebook Help Center: Unfriending or Blocking Someone -https://m.facebook.com/help/1000976436606344?helpref=hc_global_nav

4. *Instagram Help Center - https://help.instagram.com/1660923094227526

5. **Quora.com. Can someone tell if I am viewing their Instagram profile? https://www.quora.com/Can-someone-tell-if-I-am-looking-at-their-Instagram


6. Pictures:

• Employer staring at computer screen with magnifying glass (www.ibtimes.co.uk)
• Social-Media-Job-Search.png
• Inforgraphic - "Where do hiring Managers and Recruiters look." (www.il.evanced.info)
• Employer viewing Job Candidate's Facebook Profile (www.agent-x.com.au)

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