By Sharifatu Ja’afaru & Chinyelu Nwankwo
Students have been advised to brace up for the challenges in the employment market by equipping themselves with necessary skills.
The advice was given by an official of Trusco Resources Limited, Engr. Daniel Ogbeifun at a seminar organized in collaboration with the Students’s Union Government (SUG) of the University of Jos.
“Firms are no longer interested in paper qualifications alone but the amount of information one has which can help move any organization one finds himself in, forward”, he said.
He therefore advised job seekers at any level which could be for industrial attachment or for employment after graduation, to learn tips that can help them meet the job requirements for any organization.
The seminar titled “Mother of All Wealth Seminars” focussed on three core areas – ‘Tactical Steps to Gain Employment in the 21st Century’, ‘Making Money Legitimately from the Internet’ and ‘Studying on Scholarship Abroad” was attended by students from all the faculties in the university.
Ogbeifun who facilitated the seminar emphasized the importance of getting the right information, packaging and resourcefulness as what graduates and graduates to be need to fit into the corporate market.
According to him, luck do not work in the 21st century but individuals create luck for themselves as firms now look beyond paper qualification for initiative and resourcefulness, highlighting three stages of test in a job interview which are physical, psychological and emotional tests.
Discussions on the topic ”Tactical Steps to Gain Employment in the 21st century” exposed students at the seminar on the right things to do during job interviews.
These include, keeping to time, mode of dressing and how to prepare fully for the interview for excellent performance.
According to Ogbeifun, “the only dress acceptable for an interview is suit” highlighting other professional colours acceptable for any job interview to include black, ash, dark brown and navy blue.
On whether ladies should appear in trousers or suits during interviews, he advised applicants to go to the firm’s website the organization’s office and ask about their dressing pattern.
“Avoid fixing eye lashes, nails and crazy make ups when going for interviews. If you must wear make-ups, it should be mild and dress on hills with two professional colours of either brown or black. This will give you a better physical packaging for the interview”, he said.
Speaking at the seminar, SUG President, Magaji Ajik Izang allayed the fears of students on further increment in the university’s charges, adding that where current efforts to get them reduced fails, the current charges would be maintained.
He used the occasion to inform the students of the Students’ Union Week scheduled to hold from July 21 and enjoined students to avail themselves the opportunities to participate in the activities ranging from Cultural Day, Social Day, Talent Hunt shows, etc which he said would be full of fun.
Participants were presented certificates at the end of the seminar.
