Making The Best Of Job Interviews

Making The Best Of Job Interviews

BY BAYO OGUNMUPE

IN the aftermath of the 2008 world economic recession, people have lost their jobs and many more are looking for jobs due to our import oriented society. Which is why the publication of You’re Hired, making the best of Job Interviews; Author House, Bloomington, USA, 2013, by Harry Nnoli is very timely. Indeed, in the future, it will be all the more imperative that there will be more qualified graduates than jobs in our import dependent country.

  Unemployment will persist in Nigeria for decades because employers are not interested in job seekers, rather entrepreneurs are looking to engage problem solvers and solution providers. Thus, job seekers will continue to suffer despite having necessary skills. Unless job seekers embrace self employment, import substitution small and medium enterprises, they will continue to wallow in poverty. Which is why a new orientation to employment is necessary.

  For a job seeker to gain a job successfully, he must show that he is the right person the employer needs. This book is a guide to professional in making the best of job interviews. This book shows that a candidate’s qualifications might get him an interview, but securing the job requires much more than gaining the employer’s boardroom. You are Hired provides the three strategies for getting hired. It shows how to identify the right qualities required for any job interview. It identifies the most appropriate responses to interview questions. The book exhibits materials such as practice worksheets to help the job seeker or reader land a job.

  You’re Hired has four parts, eight chapters, an introduction and a conclusion; eight appendices and a total of 150 pages. The book has been segmented in four parts, each of which you need for success at the next interview. The first part establishes the fundamentals for securing your dream job. These include defining your value proposition, writing a winning resume and harnessing the power of your imagination.

  The second segment prepares you to take on any job interview. It helps you to organize yourself, detailing three key strategies for getting hired. The third part of the book focuses on the best answers to typical interview questions. The final part of the book concentrates on making the right choices after securing the job. The appendices afford you the opportunity to practice specifically for interview with the worksheets provided alongside other relevant details which are very useful.

  A particularly interesting section is the concluding chapter of the book. There, the author, Harry Nnoli, quotes an aphorism by Henry Ford, the American car magnate of the 19^th century. He said, ‘‘If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability.”

  Therefore, the only way to secure a job is first you become a person who can add value to the organization. Until you can demonstrate to your prospective employer that you are the solution he needs, you are not ever likely to become an employee. Consider the story of Edwin Barnes whose desire to work for Thomas Edison was definite. He didn’t know Edison personally or have enough money to pay his railway fare to Orange, New Jersey, where Edison’s company was situated.

  When he finally got to Orange Barnes did not say, ‘‘I will try to induce Edison to give me a job.” He said, ‘‘I will see Edison and put him on notice that I have come to go into business with him.” A few years after he started work as a floor cleaner with Edison, his break came and he became a millionaire salesman who helped many people benefit from Edison’s dictation machines. He was so good at selling the machines that it led to the nationwide slogan, Made by Edison, sold by Barnes.”

  There are seven elements of success. They were responsible for transforming Barnes from a poor floor cleaner to becoming the most capable salesman Edison ever knew. His success is attributable to traits that propel people in life. These traits made Edwin Barnes see the potential of Edison’s machines when others doubted their profitability. They are one, Barnes knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish. Two, he was willing to start at the bottom in order to gain expertise and exposure.

  Three, he had dogged determination to bring his goals to reality. Four, he created and seized opportunities. Five, in alignment with his goals, he found a way to help other people become more successful. Six, he made himself invaluable at his work. Seven, he was committed to providing customers with excellent service. The author, Harry Nnoli is a management consultant and motivational speaker. He has many years of experience in sales and marketing. He retired as a chief executive of a multinational corporation. He founded Smiles Training and Consulting Company and hosts Positive Difference, a motivational programme on radio. He brings a balanced perspective to personal and professional social development in Nigeria.