30Oct

Recruitment: Soft skills in Africa

It is undenial now. It goes without saying that what is commonly known as soft skills are getting recruiters very excited. Soft skills refers to the attitude of the candidate as opposed to hard skills which are about technical skills.

Recruiters have given so much importance to this type of skill in comparison to technical skills and degrees that it is on its way to break down all the traditional perception of recruitment. Right now, recruiters are more and more relying on soft skills to do their hiring. However it would be over exaggeratd to solely depend on this trend because technical skills are still the basis of recruitment. It would be difficult to see someone get hired based only on his attitude with no consideration given to his technical skills.

Either way, soft skills have became a determining criteria in the hiring process for some years now. Thus, a survey showed that 62% of recruiters could hire a candidate based mostly on his soft skills.

This reality is even more true in digital marketing. In that field , 72% of recruiters emphasize on soft skills when hiring a candidate. But what about the ways recruiters could spot the soft skills of the candidate?

Soft skills are, actually,noticeable in the CV of the candidates but recruiters can only find out about them during an interview. For that reason, interviews whether they are done in person or via video constitute a good way for recruiters to have a clear idea about the psychological skills of the candidate and therefore find the best ones. Thus, the goal of an interview is to find out about the attributes the worker possesses that would make him be a co-worker capable of progressing in the work environment of the company.

This last few years, soft skills have been so popular among recruiters that some human ressources professionals got to the points of saying that they have caught up with hard skills.

Nowadays, the quality recruiters are the most looking for are listening skills (62% of surveyed people), independence (58%) and teamwork (58%). Managers also expect a certain reliability in addition to the 3 previous ones.

It is thus crucial for job seekers to not only rely on their technical skills. Quite to the contrary they should fully develop their soft skills.

29Oct

Entrepreneurship: the secrets to success

Entrepreneurship is rightfully seen as the only way, really, to overcome the alarming issue of unemployment especially now with lots of young people and African people in particular who are constantly worried about losing their jobs. This situation is no longer a theory but a reality without a doubt. The majority of the African countries are in fact viewing entrepreneurship as the key to economic growth. It is still generating high returns for business owners. In addition to that, experts believe that it actually possess great undeveloped potential that could lead the continent to its next stage of development. However, are we all made for entrepreneurship or what at least are the qualities that we need to become a great businessman? We will try to answer that question.

Determination…

Managing its own business requires real efforts and real sacrifices. That is the reason why, one of the essential secrets to a successful entrepreneurship is determination. It is vital in the sense that many obstacles that the entrepreneurs will have to overcome represent on their own a reason for them to give up or get discouraged. Therefore the entrepreneur must show determination in all his projects. Once he made the decision to create his own company he must have a clear idea of his goals and how he will achieve them. He must be able to turn an obstacle into an opportunity because someone who is determined will never find a reason not to move forward.

Accepting the fact that you won’t get profit at first…

If some very recent businesses call it a quite most of the time,it’s due to the fact it is not that easy in the beginnings. The clients will not be lining up right away and you could have some loans to pay back. The main word to go through that situation would be patience. Therefore the entrepreneur should not put his focus on profits at the beginning. He must rely on some savings because he will not necessarily make money at first. He must have in mind that even if the beginnings are never easy, at some point the money will follow if he is determined and managed to have enough clients for his business.

Having a creative mind…

Being original by avoiding to get stuck in the never ending repetitions of what everybody else is doing is an essential secret for a business owner who wants to last. It is what Maurice Zeldman says here “ the business that will survive tomorrow is the one that promote creativity today”. Because of that, the entrepreneur must have a bit of creativity so he can find some new ideas that would help uplift the business. It will help him get ahead of the competition, find unexploited markets or attract new clientele.

28Oct

Job interview: how to answer tricky questions?

It is common for recruiters to ask unusual questions to the candidates as a way to tickle their brains or just have an idea of just how quick-witted they are. Those wierd questions that some employers love asking can sometimes unsettle some candidates who did not see them coming. Unfortunately in this game nothing is off limits when it comes to using the good techniques that could help find the best profiles for the job. As a candidate you must be prepared for the unusual questions. Let’s review the most frequently asked ones.

Tell me about yourself…

This vague question is a classic during a job interview. It seems easy but it is unsettling at the same time because of how nosy it actually is. The goal is not to only find out about the real person who is behind the candidate but also test your rebound abilities.

It is clearly impossible to give a good answer. However, the candidate should avoid giving long answers. Thus, after introducing yourself, don’t be afraid to ask the person yo are speaking to, if he wants you to elaborate on a certain detail. The rest of your speech will depend on the answer you will get from them. It will allow you to be more on point.

Tell us about your strength and weakness…

People who have been at job interviews can’t deny having once been asked that question that is another classic, frequently asked questions. A lot of candidates actually get prepared in advance for that one by listing their strengths and weaknesses. The answers,lots of candidates usually give, are not very convincing or worse demonstrate a lack of humility.

The default answer used by many candidates is “ I am too much of a perfectionist”, clearly it is a sad way of turning a strength into a weakness. But really, is it necessary to lie especially when they don’t believe you?

If really you are, let’s say, not really organized, there is nothing wrong with mentioning it, as long as you are showing that you want to work on that. The only mistake you should avoid at any coast would be to talk about a weakness that has a direct impact on your work. It is actually common sense.

22Oct

Recruiters in Africa did you know that a disappointed candidate is a lost client

It is a clear fact now that there is a thin line between professional life and personal life. Needless to say that, setting apart work relationships and private matter is, in deed, a hard task to handle even though we wish it wasn’t. The type of relationship we have developed with the company we are working in can shape our perception of the company itself.

The fact that, for example, a job seeker would see his job application rejected or not taken seriously could result in him feeling frustrated and to the company losing a potential client or consumer. Either companies don’t realise what they are doing or they just don’t take it into consideration. It is however something that shouldn’t be neglected.

Some serious studies showed just how big the issue really is. It led to the surprising conclusion that a dissappointed candidate is potentially a lost client. In fact, most of the surveyed candidates admit that their experience as candidates had an impact on them as consumers. The candidate experience during a potential recruitment can have some real consequences on the overall image of the company. A job application that has not been handle accordingly could change the way the candidate sees the company as a consumer and that wouldn’t be good for the business.

Specialists that gave some thoughts to the question came to the conclusion that HR and marketing became a one thing that cannot be separated. As a result, the company is obligated to take into consideration the candidate experience or else it will tarnish its reputation or even have clients turning their backs on them.

Today, a lot of companies send automatic responses to their different candidates. It is certainly a move to the right direction however it is still not enough because this impersonal format gives to the candidate the impression that he didn’t really get a feedback. Some specialists suggest more personalized systematic emails that would be able to explain to the candidate why he was not a good fit for the job. There are many ways to explain why an application has been rejected. It could be because of a lack of experience, a position that is already filled etc.

Either way, an application with no response can have a negative impact on the way the candidates see the company. Try your best to handle the situation the best way possible.

You can also read Fitting into a new company: essential tips

15Oct

L’Afrique, nouveau terrain de jeu des géants de la tech

Fitting into a new company: essential tips

You finally got your dream job after many interviews. You have signed your contract with a lot of enthusiasm. However it is not a done deal just yet. You still have one step to go through that is as important as the one before, which is fitting in the new company.

This step might seem easy but it is not because obviously adjusting to an unknown world is not a peace of cake especially for those who are just entering into the work world. This is why it is not a waste of time to look into the necessary tips to successfully fit in a new work environment.

First, one of the most important things for the new hire to do is to be aware of the challenges this represent. If not it will be difficult to properly adjust. That way, according to Catherine Berliet, coach and co-author of Manger au quotidien, three steps are vital to successfully fit it a new company.

The first one being, according to her, well prepared for the new job by carefully reading the job description in order to know precisely where you will take actions.

The second one consists of a SWOT which stands for Stenght,Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. The goal is to put in writing the necessary elements that would allow you to quickly be efficient in your new job.

Finally, the third step according to Catherine Berliner still, consists of putting interest in the Dow and the don’ts. Which means all the aspects in terms of culture, its values and its creation etc. Basically, it means for the new hire to spot the appropriate dress-code that is put in place, the way people are talking and the way they are operating internally.

In this adjustment phase, it is essential to open up to new people, to go to people to make it easier to communicate and develop contacts. It is even more important knowing that on the first days, your new colleagues will judge you. Be nice and honest without putting yourself in the spotlight and risking to sound arrogant.

You can also read Africa: when artificial intelligence gets the business world excited

11Oct

Africa: when artificial intelligence gets the business world excited

Artififial intelligente has found the way to our everyday life and got quite comfortable in doing so. It’s an amazing reality. The future of the planet revolves around artificial intelligence. “Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.”,said Vladimir Putine the President of Russia.

In the working world, some are a bit scared of it, while others, in the other hand, do see some potential in it. Artificial intelligence has changed all the habits in Africa. In that side of the world, more and more young people have taken upon themselves to take advantage of everything that artificial intelligence has to offer. For that reason, some kind of excitement happened in the “Black” continent over the rise of artificial intelligence especially in the entrepreneur field.

Artificial intelligence is made of a set of functions that the computer can execute better than the actual human brain or the human intelligence. The same is true for the analysis of massive amounts of data for example to proceed risk assessment. AI makes the machine learn about those mass data on its own and self improve.

With the huge potential that AI offers, Africa surely plans on relying on it to be on the same level as the rest of the world, because there are more and more investments made in that sector. From the health field, the education field to the environment field, mainstream AI based apps are very popular considering the fact that the smartphone business is booming in Africa.

In fact, according to Koundi a Deloitte Africa associate, the number of machines which are by the way around 350 millions, should double by year 2020 in Africa. Prices dropped from 80 dollars to 30 in less than two years, thanks to the launch of machines specifically made for Africa.

With this in mind, Betelhem Dessie was able to mention that AI could be the lever that allow the African continent to rise to the top next to the Northern countries. It would be, in other words, some kind of fast track to development that will make people forget that Africa has missed out on the first two revolutions, the industrial one and the post-industrial one.

Africa has considerably felt the impact of AI in the job market just like any other region in the planet. Today, despite the numerous advantages AI has to offer, there is a risk that a lot of jobs will disappear in Africa. This is, in fact, one of the main concerns that critics have toward this revolutionary trend. Despite the fear it might have brought, AI has been well received in the “black” continent.

It is safe to admit that the way young African entrepreneur have been getting excited over it goes to show that Africa does plan on relying on AI to secure an economic take-off.

You can also read Professional relationships: how to handle a difficult colleague?

09Oct

Professional relationships: how to handle a difficult colleague?

Les relations professionnelles ne sont pas toujours cordiales, comme toute autre relation. La plupart du temps, la vie au travail nous obligera à travailler avec des collègues difficiles à gérer. Qu’ils soient collègues ou employeurs, les personnes difficiles dans une entreprise peuvent avoir un impact négatif sur votre humeur. Si vous contrôlez la bonne attitude à adopter, ils peuvent faire de votre vie un enfer. Il est épuisant de les traiter émotionnellement, mentalement et physiquement à moins de connaître le jeu auquel ils jouent. Malheureusement, vous trouvez ces types de personnes dans toutes les catégories de travail, des petites entreprises aux PME en passant par les grandes entreprises. Mais comment traitons-nous avec eux? Découvrons-le!

Préparez votre retour

Un collègue difficile trouvera du plaisir à provoquer chez vous une attitude défensive, fâchée, effrayée ou même triste. Son but ultime est de vous briser afin de contrôler vos émotions. Ne lui donnez pas ce pouvoir parce que c’est à vous de le laisser gagner ou de l’arrêter tout de suite. Même la plus petite expression sur une émotion le laissera penser qu’il a le contrôle sur vous. Pour éviter que vous deviez préparer votre retour et surveiller vos arrières. Ayez 2 ou 3 phrases en tête que vous pourriez utiliser lorsque vous sentez que des attaques malveillantes vous arrivent. Vous allez le mettre en échec.

Choisissez de rester calme au lieu de vous mettre en colère

La plupart des personnes difficiles se nourrissent des explosions de colère de leurs victimes. Ils auront le sentiment d’avoir gagné à la minute qui leur est réservée quelque chose qui montre l’état émotionnel de la victime. C’est la raison pour laquelle vous ne devriez jamais casser sous la pression, peu importe ce qui se passe. Lorsque vous êtes avec lui, soyez sur lui. Pour ce faire, vous devez être capable de gérer votre propre colère avant de lui parler. Dans tous les cas, ne vous inquiétez pas et répondez calmement. Il va se perdre …

Ne vous sentez jamais coupable d’une personne difficile

Certaines personnes difficiles à manipuler sont si douées pour vous faire sentir coupable de quelque chose qu’elles ont fait. Ne tombez jamais dans ce piège parce que vous n’êtes pas le problème. Vous êtes la victime en fait. Malheureusement, si vous ne l’obtenez pas, vous pourriez parfois vous sentir coupable. Il est également important que vous vous souveniez que vous êtes manipulé pour vous faire du tort sur vous-même.

Vous pouvez également lire Culture d’entreprise: un défi majeur dans le processus de recrutement

07Oct

Corporate culture in Africa: A major challenge in the recruitment process

All companies no matter how they are demand for their partners concerned to agree on a minimum set of rules and values. The same applies for the professional relationships. It is actually taken very seriously in that department. This reality makes the recruiter takes into consideration the corporate culture of his company when he is doing his hiring. In other words, in the process of hiring qualified people, he will have to make sure that those people will be able to adjust to the values of the company. What it means is that the corporate culture is now a legitimate part of the hiring process.

It could be difficult to give a simple definition of corporate culture because the term is very large. We can however say that it is linked to all aspects of the company, whether in a formal or non formal way, to its traditions as well as its inside dynamic that has been implemented throughout the years.

Corporate culture is not limited to a simple theorical concept with no real impact on the company’s functioning and organization. The least we can say is that it plays a central part in the recruiting process, both for the company and the candidate.

Some studies were able to show that hiring candidates in line with the corporate culture reduced turnover by 30%. It naturally implies that hiring candidates that don’t share the same values as the company could have a negative impact on its productivity.

In a more general way, corporate culture is a mix of different elements. The more noticeable ones being the dress code and the interpersonal relationship between co-workers. The work environment also represents a major part of the corporate culture depending on whether the employees are working in an open space or in enclosed offices.

Other elements are less noticeable like the work atmosphere, the managing style, or the interpersonal relationship in the company. The corporate culture is not the same if employees say hi by giving each other hand shakes or kisses.

What ever the case is, it is obvious that an employee who is in a culture that fits him feels more comfortable and has a better chance of having a long lasting collaboration with his employer.

In the other hand, a candidate coming in a company he doesn’t share the same values with will have a hard time feeling happy and adjusting. He will not have the type of behavior he is expected to have. Therefore, it would be difficult for that person to feel like he belongs. In short, there is a good chance that he will go somewhere else.

You can also read Companies, train your employees for the jobs of the future

03Oct

Companies, train your employees for the jobs of the future

Technology innovations have yet to turn the professional world upside down. The changes that they are bringing are forcing workers to get out of their comfort zone and throw themselves in the fast growing job market of the future. It is even more true knowing that a study made by World Economic Forum revealed that 65% of the children who have started elementary school this last years will do jobs that don’t exist yet. Therefore technology innovations will result in the creation of new jobs. One should be prepared to not miss the progress of the world. It is essential for companies to get their employees ready for tomorrow’s jobs. For that to happen,one has to think about a new way of training.

Train your employees to become thristy for knowledge and go-getters

Training your employees to jobs that don’t exist just yet is a hard task to handle. It is necessary to have them ready to open up to new skills. The main goal of the employer will be to boost the curiosity of its employees by training them into people who are thirsty for knowledge and go-getters. Naturally,this new approach is totally different from the classic training concept based on the short term, for the simple fact that the speed evolution of jobs in the companies makes it impossible not to have planned trainings in the future. You must make your employees want to acquire some knowledge.

Prepare your employees to consider a career change in a peaceful manner

It is a knowed factor that technology innovations will result in creating new jobs, however on the downside some professions will also have to disappear because of the digital era. The employees will have to get use to that new reality and acquire new techniques that will allow them to quickly retrain in new jobs. A worker will now be able to go from one profession to the other all through his professional life and acquire new skills. It is in the companies’ best interest to keep the employability of their employees in the years to come in order to set themselves aside eom the bunch.

Make it easier for employees to have access to training

Training employees have always been something necessary for companies to do but sometimes it tend to be underestimated or ignored by employees who are more interested in making profits. Today, the way things are going, getting training for the jobs of the future is becoming a viability for the company. It is necessary to look training differently and make it more accessible. The companies will have to handle the school education now. Training should not be viewed as an obstacle. It is something that has to be the company’s own decision to prepare the employees.

You can also read How to become a successful negociater as a salesman ?

25Sep

How to become a successful negociater as a salesman ?

Having salesmen with great negociation skills is a recipe for success for a company. The art of negociaion is not limited to the world of sales only actually. It touches all parts of life, from the life of a couple, a life of politics, to a life in business or even a family life. Nowadays, the fact that they are plenty of training courses aiming at maximizing the chances of being a good negotiator in terms of business, is proof of how important it is especially for a salesman for who it represents a good deal. For salesmen in deed, having a successful negociation means managing to establish a long lasting relationship with the clients and the partners. It is therefore crucial for the salesman to be on top of the game when it comes to negociation so he can fully understand it and find ways to improve the skills in that department.

Good negociation comes with good preparation

The first thing you need to know is that as a salesman, it is essential to be rightfully prepared before you start a process of negociation. To do so you will need specific coaching and management from salesmen managers. This would mean for a salesman who cares about being the best at négociations, to be fully prepared and know the product perfectly, the market and the needs of potential clients. The preparation requires a certain analytical mind, an intellectual curiosity, reasoning skills especially when the negotiations are about a specific subject.

Knowing how to improve and develop your emotional intelligence

As a part of the soft skills intelligence, emotional intelligence is something very important especially in negotiation. Emotional intelligence comes with control of yourself and your emotions in order to handle negotiations in the best conditions. This quality comes handy in situations where you find it hard to close a deal with a client. Self-confidence and empathy are more than needed in that type of situation. The best negotiators are the ones with the best emotional intelligence. It can be improved by getting coaches that will give you training and specific advices. Also, determination and a strong will to persuade are very important qualities that facilitators look for.It does not mean that salesman who don’t have those qualities are not good negociators. It is never too late to overcome our own weakness by planing specific tactics to do so.

You can also read Ways to successfully and truthfully explain gaps in your CV during an interview ?

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