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Terry

September 15, 2021
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12 Qualities Of Superstar Employees

By | HR & Recruitment Advice

It’s every employers dream to hire top performing employees that meet and exceed expectations – the superstars! Even though some employee fall short of expectation, every company has its superstar employees who seem to get more done, get better results and give better services.  

The following qualities are the hallmarks of excellent superstar employees.

Reliable

Superstar employees are dependable. They show up to work on time, produce high quality work, consistently meet deadlines and take initiative when needed.

Innovative

Great employees know that in order to get better results, they have to try new things. They are constantly exploring new approaches and solutions to solve current problems instead of settling for the status quo.

Team-Oriented

Great employees enjoy collaboration and work well with others. They are ready to share their expertise and willing to learn from others. They always strive to treat others with respect, courtesy and consideration

Result-Oriented

Top performers are proactive and focused on getting what needs to get done, done. They always take the necessary steps to achieve set goals and strive to measure result and outcomes in order to boost efficiency

Detail-oriented

Little mistakes can have big consequences. Star employee pay close attention to every minor detail in order catch mistakes on time and deliver high quality work with little to no errors.

Positive

Star employees who bring a positive attitude to work have a positive impact on those around them and improve the energy of the team. They are cheerful, optimistic and polite and always assume the best in others.

Integrity

Employees with high levels of integrity strive to be honest, do the right thing all the time and are accountable for their shortcomings.

Accountable

Accountable employees keep their promises, consider the consequences for their actions, take full responsibility for their actions and make the necessary amends for their mistakes

Independent

Great employees are able to complete tasks individually with little to no supervision. Such employees have a strong focus, possess great time management skills and are able to objectively critique and edit their work.

Active Listener

In order to build strong relationships and process information better, great employees are good listeners. They pay full attention, avoid distractions, never interrupt and listen in order to learn not to respond.

Build and use networks

People can only grow as far as the information and the support around them will allow. A limited education and network will produce limited results. Star employees are able build powerful networks that they can easily leverage to solve problems or create opportunities

Persistence

Star employees continue to get up no matter how many times they’re knocked down.  They have the will power, strength of character and determination to endure and overcome workplace challenges and a strong desire to succeed at all costs.

Do you need to hire superstar employees? Reeds Africa Consult provides affordable recruitment services and high quality candidate screening to ensure you fill your vacancy in no time. Contact Us Today

September 14, 2021
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6 Key Benefits Of Professional Networking

By | Career Advice

“Our paychecks, our moods, the health of our hearts and the size of our bellies – all of these things are determined by who we choose to interact with and how”

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi

Professional networking is often feared and misunderstood. It can be awkward, time-consuming and – if you’re an introvert – incredibly exhausting. When you are already booked and busy with work engagements and family commitments, the last thing you want to do is have awkward contrived conversations with strangers.

However, despite how unpleasant networking is, building and nurturing meaningful relationships is vital to career growth. According to experts, the most connected people are often the most successful. Here are some of the reasons why professional networking is important to your careers success

Raise your profile

People do business with people they know and like. You might be very good at what you do but if nobody knows you, they will not seek out your expertise. Regularly attending professional and social events will help you get noticed and known. If you stay top-of-mind within your networks, you will be the first person they contact if they see or hear an opportunity that matches your expertise.

Get Career Advice & Support

Professional networking will help you rub shoulders with top-notch experienced professionals in your field. Based on their experience, these industry peers can provide valuable advice and guidance to some of the challenges you might be facing. They can also serve as your career mentors or link you to the right opportunities and resources in order to foster your career development.

Build Confidence

Networking pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you gain invaluable communication and social skills which play a key role in boosting your self-confidence. The more you put yourself out there and network, the more confident you’ll become about making new lasting connections.

Gain Fresh Perspectives and Ideas

Ronald Burt once said that “instead of better glasses, your network gives you better eyes.” Your network can be an excellent source of new ideas and fresh perspectives. By talking to other professionals in your field, you can gain new knowledge that could help you make an informed decision, overcome a challenge or take a new direction. Giving useful ideas in return is an excellent way to build your reputation as a creative thinker.

Develop long lasting personal relationships

Networking is not about putting on a fake smile, slapping someone’s back and slipping an unwanted business card into a stranger’s palm. Professional networking involves building mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships that lead to one-on-one meaningful, lasting friendships and partnerships.

Get Access to job opportunities

A single person, even someone you barely know, can change the trajectory of your career or life. You never know who might be hiring for your ideal job, or know someone who is, and the more people you have in your network, the likelier you are to be the first to know when those job opportunities pop up. Keep in mind that at least 70% of jobs are not advertised. Expanding your network can help you gain access to this hidden job market.

They say “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”  Having a professional network of people to help guide, steer, cheer and challenge will give you a headway in your career. So don’t go it alone, have the courage to dress up, show up and make new connections!

September 6, 2021
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5 Job Search Myths Keeping You Unemployed

By | Career Advice, Uncategorized | No Comments

Do you believe there are no jobs in Kenya? Should you know someone or pay a bribe in order to get a job? Do you think no one will hire you if you are unemployed or were once fired?

If you replied with a yes to any of the above, it’s official: you have been misinformed by widespread job search myths that others have perpetuated as truth or ‘expert’ advice.

Sadly, some of these myths are simply bad advice and misconceptions that might hinder you from finding your dream job. So let’s breakdown and bust these myths to ensure your job search continues smoothly.  

Job Search Myth #1: There Are No Jobs In Kenya

39% of Kenyan youths are unemployed, 2.15 million people have given up on the job search and 1.7 million Kenyans lost their jobs after the Covid-19 pandemic.

So do you stand a chance? Yes, you do!

Granted, the job market is tough but there’s a job out there just for you. You may have to apply for a million jobs, attend many unsuccessful job interviews and volunteer a little longer. Whatever you do, don’t stop looking for your dream job, because once you stop looking you won’t find it.

Job Search Myth #2: No one hires the unemployed

Being unemployed does not automatically make you a bad worker. If you’ve been unemployed due to redundancy, lay-offs, or any other reason beyond your control, don’t write yourself off. Recruiters are human beings who know that life happens, so if your reasons are valid, they’ll understand.

However, keep in mind that recruiters are interested in hiring the best candidate. Mention any volunteer work, or any new skill you gained in order to show that you remained productive during your unemployment period.

Job Search Myth #3: Take the first job offer you get

If you’ve been out of a job, you may be tempted to accept the first job offer you get. After all, what if you don’t get another offer? Also, you probably don’t want to go through the tedious process of applying and interviewing for jobs all over again.

However, only accept the first job offer if you are sure it moves your career in the right direction and adds significant value to your CV. To avoid getting stuck in a job you hate, also consider if the company culture, work environment and co-workers are the right fit for you.

Job Search Myth #4: Apply for every job you find

Most job seekers tend to believe that submitting many job applications will increase their chances of getting numerous job offers. As a result, most job seekers tend to make mass applications using the same generic CV.

Unfortunately, this notion is untrue because recruiters like applications that are customized to their company and their specific job opening.  Therefore, it is better to narrow your search in order to spend more time looking for jobs you qualify for, and ensure you tailor your CV/cover letter to suit each job application.

Basically, prioritize quality over quantity.

Job Search Myth #5: Lowering your salary will get you the job

Contrary to popular belief, lowering your expected salary will not make you the most desirable candidate. In fact, it may only make you look desperate and hurt your chances of getting the job.

 If you’re asking for a reasonable salary offer that falls within the acceptable industry standards, don’t settle for less. If your employer is not willing to negotiate or accept you reasonable offer, they might not be the right fit for you.

Looking for a job is already hard enough without the misinformation, outdated advice and false ‘expert’ theories that will leave you feeling hopeless and disheartened. Not every piece of advice you hear or read applies to your job search and career journey so ignore any theories that might be holding you back from landing your dream job.

Happy job hunting!

September 1, 2021
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8 Reasons Why Your CV Gets Rejected

By | Career Advice

Despite your best efforts to write, rewrite and revise your CV, you are only receiving job rejection emails and not a single job interview invitation. It’s frustrating!

Here are 5 possible reasons why your CV could be getting rejected and tips on how you can amend your CV.

Unprofessional social media presence

Recruiters will check your name across all your social media. Ensure you don’t have any bad behavior content and careless comments that will portray you in a negative light. Review your social media pages and remove any controversial conversations, political rants, illegal activities and excessive partying photos.

Silly fonts and crazy color

While it can be tempting to showcase your artistic side using multiple decorative fonts and a combination of rainbow colors, don’t. Your CV should be as easy to read as possible. Use clean, professional fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. Black text on a white background is your safest bet when it comes to colors. Remember to also keep your font size to 12 for your text to be legible.

Inaccurate contact details

You could be the most suitable candidate, but if employers can’t reach you, you’ll miss the chance to impress them. Double check your details to ensure you have not misspelt your email address or placed the wrong phone number digits. Remember to display your name, email address and telephone numbers  in a prominent place – like at the top of your CV.

No Cover Letter

While a CV describes who you are and what you’ve done, a cover letter illustrates how you will help your employer achieve his goals. A good cover letter will leave an employer wanting more and they’ll be eager to grab hold of your CV. You want to ensure your letter commands attention, focusing on your strengths and illustrating how you’re the perfect fit.

Unexplained Unemployment Gaps

Things happen. People lose jobs, others get sick and some even take leave in order to parent. If this is you, do not stretch job dates to cover your unemployment gaps, because recruiters conduct comprehensive background checks. Be truthful but keep in mind that employers are very wary of huge gaps. To address this, list any hobbies, volunteer opportunities and new skills you gained during your unemployment period.

Misleading Information

Everybody says a little lie on their CV?. Right? No, wrong. Getting a little creative in order to present yourself in a positive light is not a bad idea. However, flat out lies and misrepresentations will land you in trouble. Don’t lie about the period you worked somewhere, what your job title and role was, how much you got paid or your achievements. You’re bound to be caught in your lie once your employer conducts a background check.

Ridiculous Email Address

Madambossslayqueen@yahoo.com might be a great email address for your fun, private accounts like Tiktok, but it doesn’t look or sound good to professional recruiters. Don’t let your email address hold you back from getting your dream job. Use your full name if it’s available or something close to it that’s easy to spell and remember.

Late Application

Some recruiters stop looking at jobs after receiving a certain number of applications. In some cases, the position might be filled even before the job application deadline expires. It is therefore very important that you be among the first candidates to send your CV immediately a job is posted to ensure its among the top CVs to be reviewed.

Job rejections are extremely disheartening but don’t give up! Take a step back and identify any CV mistakes that are setting you back. Make the necessary changes and your next application will be much stronger and your chances that much greater

August 30, 2021
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10 Recruitment Strategies To Help You Hire Faster And Better

By | HR & Recruitment Advice

The ability to hire the right candidate with the right skills in the shortest time possible is the hallmark of a successful recruitment process.

Unfortunately, more job postings remain open for longer periods of time because recruiters are not using proper employee recruitment strategies to get their jobs in front of the most suitable candidate.

Placing an ad in the newspaper and waiting for brown envelopes to roll in is no longer time-efficient. On the other hand posting on general job sites isn’t the most effective strategy either because they tend to provide more quantity but less quality hires.

To attract top talent, recruiters need to employ the right set of recruitment methods, system and tools. Here are the top 10 employee recruitment strategies that you can start implementing today to hire better and fast.

Establish A Campus Recruiting Program

College and universities are perfect for finding and hiring young candidates for internship and entry-level positions.

Hiring students straight from campus is one of the best ways of developing new talent who will eventually transition into company managers.

To get started, establish relationships with campus career departments or connect with candidates using university job boards. Get involved by attending career fairs and participating in mentorship programs. You can go a step further and arrange company tours or give students the opportunity to shadow members of your team

Leverage Social Recruiting

Social media is a significant tool to attract talent since a huge number of individuals spend vast amounts of time on these platforms. It’s also personalized and interactive.

You can post free job openings on your Facebook page, Tweet Links to job alerts and use LinkedIn to reach out to passive candidates who aren’t actively looking for a job.

Besides, social media is also great for building thought leadership, sharing stories about your employees and promoting your organizational culture

Attend networking events

Many organizations host job fairs, exhibitions, seminars and conferences that allow people to network, showcase their talent and learn new skills.

Participating in these type of events is an ingenious way to connect with a large pool of potential candidates face-to-face.

Even though some events may not cater specifically to recruitment, they may provide opportunities for you to meet professionals who could fill future positions.

You could also leverage virtual fair and webinars to meet potential candidates online

Set up An Employee Referral Program

According to a LinkedIn Study, employee referrals are a main source of quality hires and tend to provide the highest ROI per hire. The quality of recommended candidates is usually high, since most individuals would not propose someone they considered to be incompetent.

To get started, communicate an open position to current employees and encourage referrals with financial incentives, gift cards or other reward programs.

However, avoid using referrals as the only hiring method, as it can lead to loss of diversity and nepotism in the workplace.

Recruit Internally

Sometimes the person you’re looking for is right in front of you – a current employee.

Recruiting internally is cheaper because you save money on advertisement costs and hire faster because you save time conducting background checks and orientations.

Moreover, hiring from within strengthens employee development, progression and succession planning. This in turn boosts staff morale and motivation.

Host an open house recruiting event

To attract suitable candidates, host an open house recruiting event or walk-in interviews.

The people who choose to attend are most likely to be the ones most interested in your open positions.

Create A Stand-Out Career Page

66% of job seekers visit a company’s career page before applying for a job.

This page can make or break an applicant’s decision to submit an application. Your career page should therefore not only list jobs but also position your company as an employer of choice.

To create an outstanding career page, ensure it’s easy to navigate. Optimize the page by showcasing company awards, diversity statistics, awards and employee testimonials that reflect your organizational values and culture

Start Texting and Chatting

Texts and chats work more effectively than email for some candidates.

In fact, 73% of job seekers listed texting as their preferred method of getting alerts about job opportunities.

Texting can be utilized to set reminders, schedule interviews, send job alerts and deliver timely updates. It should therefore be incorporated in your employee recruitment strategy.

Embrace unconventional out-of-the-box types of job applications

Adopting creative out-of the box job promotion and application strategies could help you hire visionary, innovative employers.

Some innovative job application methods include: voice recorded applications, video applications and mobile-friendly 1 click applications.

You could also leverage social media influencers in your field to advertise your jobs.

Use a recruitment agency

According to the CIPD, 40% of organization’s now use a mix of internal and outsourced recruitment methods.

A seasonal recruiter has vast market knowledge and a large pool of networks that often generate high quality candidates in record time.

Recruiting agencies are also a great way to fill hard-to-fill roles and confidential positions that require discretion. To get the best results, work with a recruiter who has the contacts and expertise in your sector.

Conclusion

Now that you know the top 10 talent recruitment strategies, it’s time to start executing them.

Have you made any changes to your employee recruitment strategies yet?

Which strategies do you intend to employ to hire new employees?

If you need any assistance in planning or executing employee recruitment strategies, please give us a call or email us.

We would love the opportunity to help you create a cohesive strategy and plan so that you can start hiring faster and better