The transition from just graduating to a professional environment is one of the biggest shifts you'll ever make, it can be demanding. Graduating from the university is an exciting moment. It is the start of a new journey. While it can be exciting, the real world comes with challenges that many graduates are not fully prepared for. The truth is that most of us make mistakes early in our careers. But knowing and avoiding these mistakes can make...
Volunteering isn't just about helping others, it's a powerful way to build skills, networks, and career opportunities. Employers don't just look at your degree, they want to see initiative, leadership, and real-world experience. Volunteering shows all three. Work experience is critical to moving forward in your career. But did you know that you can also gain many valuable job skills through volunteering? Volunteering enables you to learn more...
One week you're posting daily, the next you go silent. Without a content calendar, many businesses fall into this trap and lose audience trust. A content calendar isn't just an organizational tool, it's the backbone of consistent and effective business communication. Nowadays, people are more likely than ever before to find your business through social media channels. So, before seeing your website, they're experiencing your brand on...
Successful career growth requires much more than technical and job-related skills. Mentors can be incredible role models, sharing their stories, skills, and knowledge to help you grow and develop. It is said that experience is the best teacher, but why wait for years to learn, when mentorship lets you borrow wisdom instantly? Mentorship is one of the most effective paths to career growth, and this is true across industries. If you're...
Think of a career switch as changing lanes on the highway. You don't need to go back to the starting point; you just need to repurpose it. A career switch doesn't require starting over. Your experience, network, and adaptable skills can become valuable assets as you move in a new direction. Job seekers often worry about leaving behind their hard-earned experience when switching. However, making a career switch involves using the skills...
No one should feel unsafe or belittled at work. Yet, workplace bullying remains one of the most overlooked challenges employees face. Workplace bullying can seriously affect morale, productivity, and overall performance, both for individual employees and the business at large. Not all bullying is physical, bullying can take many forms and sometimes it's difficult to prove you're being bullied at work. When the bullying has been consistent and...
Talking about money doesn't have to be uncomfortable; salary negotiation is a skill every professional can master. Your skills have value. Negotiating your salary isn't just about getting the most money, it's about ensuring you are valued for what you bring to the table. Negotiating your salary confidently is one of the ways you claim it. Knowing how to negotiate your salary confidently can help you get the pay matching your skills,...
Continuous learning is about acquiring knowledge and skills throughout one's life, even after formal education. It is a crucial factor in career success and professional development. Continuous learning is essential for anyone looking to grow in their career. The rapid pace of technological advancements, changing job requirements, and future work trends may leave you feeling behind your peers, or you may be in a place where training and...
As technology continues to reshape the modern workplace, remote work has become mainstream, offering flexibility and new opportunities for employees and employers. It has evolved from a temporary solution to a long-term strategy. Working from home can be an appealing career move. It eliminates most of the traditional aspects of going to work, like commuting and dressing in business attire, while reducing social interaction and office...
Employees are the backbone of a successful organization. Their commitment and dedication directly influence the performance of the organization. Employees who are passionate about their work and aligned with organizational goals become invaluable assets. This is where employee engagement comes in. For the employee, employee engagement is about truly feeling like a member of the organization. An engaged employee is willing to go that extra...
Just like a traveler needs a map to reach their destination, organizations need a strategic roadmap to achieve their goals. To move forward, sometimes we must take a step back and refresh or relearn the basics of why something is done or is important. A strategic roadmap provides guidance and inspiration by depicting where an organization aims to be in the future. It helps align teams and functions to work towards common strategic objectives...
What impression does your recruitment process leave on candidates, and how does it influence their perception about your organization? As an employer, ensuring that your candidate experience is effective and your overall recruitment process is seamless should be one of your highest priorities. From their very first interaction with you… You want to leave a positive impression if you stand any chance of hiring the best talent. People love to...
Building a personal brand is no longer an option; it is important for anyone looking to stand out in their career. Whether you've recently been impacted by layoffs, are re-entering the workforce after a break, or are looking to make a career change, creating and nurturing your brand can open doors, differentiate you from others, and help you make meaningful connections. A personal brand is who you are, what you stand for, the values you...
After a 45–minute interview, the interviewer smiles and says, 'Do you have any questions for us?' Your mind goes blank. Sound familiar? It's tempting to say 'No, I'm fine' when asked if you have any questions. But that missed chance could cost you an opportunity. At the end of nearly every job interview, you'll likely be asked if you have any questions. At this stage, having a list of questions to ask your interviewer makes you look...
Have you ever been ghosted by an employer after applying for a job? You've polished your CV, cover letters, and sent out your application. Each click of "submit" carries hope, then, silence. Days turn to weeks; inbox is still not buzzing with that long expected email. Falling into what's known as the "application black hole" is a common experience, one that often frustrates even the most optimistic job applicants. Silence from employers can...
You wake up and there's no alarm, no emails to answer, and no place to rush to. At first, it feels like freedom, then the silence gets loud. Periods of unemployment are challenging financially, mentally, and professionally; yet, they can also present an opportunity to reassess, grow, and strategically prepare for what's next. The job search process can be challenging. While you must focus on the job search while you're unemployed, it can also...
We all know that first impressions matter a lot. Your CV is your introduction to potential employers, so it's essential that you get it right. Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a vital tool in your job search process. It serves as your personal marketing document, showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers. A well-crafted CV can greatly increase your chances of being shortlisted, securing an interview and landing your...
Depending on your field, having a portfolio may be critical to showing potential employers your creativity and the thoughts behind your creative work. It helps showcase your approach towards solving a particular problem, and part of the content would also be your designs, depending on the nature of your portfolio. If you are a User Experience Researcher, it is vital that you create a portfolio that showcases the research problem, objectives,...
The phrase “acquire a skill” may seem to have been overly used, and so may the phrase “get a degree”; however, reiterating their importance helps provide more clarity. Looking at various debates on this topic, it may have appeared as though one path should be boycotted due to the overly prominent merits of the other. For many, one of the frontline reasons for getting a degree or acquiring a skill is to get a good paying job. For some,...
Being unemployed can be quite challenging, as often times, our focus is on getting regular credit alerts, especially the ones that come once a month. Why not? We have ourselves and families to take care of, and these things become harder when one's employment status changes from employed to unemployed. While it is important to pick up a new skill, it is important to gain these skills in those areas that interest you, not necessarily because...
A lot of times, it is easy to get swallowed by the quest to get a new job which will guarantee the continuous flow of income. Perhaps, it could also guarantee being in a career you are passionate about; however, while on this search, it is critical to ensure that you do not lose sight of the journey and the process therein. Getting your desired job often has to do with having the skills needed to perform such a job, and because we live in a...
