Dear Career Sensei

Dear Career Sensei,

A friend sent me your post on switching careers and while I found it insightful, I think that it is not practical in my case.

You see, I am 38yrs old with over 10 years experience as a bank teller. I feel very unfulfilled at my job as it is too monotonous and there aren't many growth prospects (have you ever heard of a Chief Teller Officer?). I would really love a career in Public Relations because I always had a flair for public speaking, writing and I really enjoy engaging people in deep, meaningful conversations but I feel that my first degree in Computer Science and post-graduate diploma are unrelated to my dream career.

Even if I take your advice of educating myself by taking PR courses and certifications, by the time I'm done I would be at least 40. Would any firm hire a 40yr old greenhorn?

Yours truly,

Sick and Tired Bank Teller




Dear Sick and Tired,

I'll just start by saying it's never too late to start over. There are many cases of pensioners ventured and succeeded in new and different fields after retiring from their first careers. 

The good news for you is that a career in PR isn't hinged on degrees but on the possession of some  fundamental skills which include communication, writing, research, and creativity which you already possess. To gain insight as to what PR practice entails, you can take some online courses as well as apply to join a reputable professional PR body such The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

Finally, you do not need to go outside your current employment to get a job in PR as every organization more or less practices some form of PR, you can start by applying to work within the PR department of your bank. That way your 10yrs banking experience interacting with customers will come in handy, as you have first-hand skills in dealing with your company's publics. 

Good luck!

Please send your questions for publication to dearcareersensei@gmail.com

Why You need an All-Star LinkedIn Profile

There are 350,000,000 professionals on LinkedIn which makes it the leading way in which professionals connect and network with one another. It is  also the number one tool recruiters use in hiring candidates and has become such an integral part of the career eco-system that there are now career LinkedIn profile writers, professionals who for a fee will write and optimize your LinkedIn profile to ensure that it comes up in targeted search results.

Users with complete  profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn than users with incomplete profiles and it is not just enough to have a complete profile as LinkedIn profiles are ranked by their strength which ranges from beginner to intermediate,  then advanced, expert and all-star.  

To get your profile to all-star status you need to do the following-

- Select your industry and current location

- State your current position with a description of your current function

- List at least 2 past positions

- List at least 3 of your skills

- Put up a profile photo

- Have at least 50 connections in your network

Getting an all-star profile will put you amongst the 51% of LinkedIn users who have complete profiles. That means you will be 1 of the 178,500,000 LinkedIn users with complete profiles. Not bad but if you need to stand out from the crowd you would need more than a basic all-star profile.

I would be sharing with you in an upcoming series, ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile for maximum result. Keep in touch.

Connect with me via email dearcareersensei@gmail.com,  Twitter @Career_Sensei and FaceBook @thecareersensei for more career insights.

Should you be Friends with Your Boss?

Going for after work cocktails with the boss #funtimes

Boss - employee friendships can be complicated because of the power imbalance that comes with having one person supervise the other, but like every relationship, there will be good and not so good moments.

For you the subordinate, the perks of such friendship can be enormous as your boss may trust you with information that you would normally not be privy to, can pick you for high priority projects and assignments and may even speak in your favour to the people that matter in making or breaking your career within the company.  But it also has its downside which can include resentment from your co-workers, accusations of favoritism when you get rewarded with raises or promotions and having to constantly prove that your successes well deserved and earned as a result of your hard work and dedication.

Is developing a friendship with your boss a good idea? That depends on a number of factors such as;

Were you friends before you became the subordinate? It wouldn't make any sense to cut off a friendship that was already established just because your professional positions have changed. However, you have to make a conscious effort to maintain a professional candour whenever you are on the job by giving your boss the respect he deserves.

Are your intentions for entering the friendship genuine ? Be honest, are you entering the relationship because of what you think you stand to gain on the job or are you entering it because  you and your boss have the same common interests and have a natural affinity to share a social bond? Most relationships entered into for the sole purpose of gaining power run a risk of ending badly, it would even be worse for you if your boss finds out that you are only in it to gain favours.

Can you set and maintain boundaries? You would need to have a direct conversation with your friend/boss on how to keep things professional when you are within the workspace. You would also need to work on keeping your conversations both within and outside the job as uncomplicated as possible by always remembering that she is both your friend and your boss.

Would your peers be okay with it? No matter how genuine your intentions of starting a friendship with the boss are, your co-workers are going to think otherwise and you may become the subject of many water cooler conversations. You may lose your position as an insider as they will no longer trust you with certain information for fear that you would take it back to the boss plus your achievements would always raise questions as to whether you are truly deserving of them or they were bestowed upon you as a result of being the 'teachers pet'.

With the right attitude and professional candour, a friendship with the boss can thrive and should even be encouraged but if you don't trust yourself to keep things uncomplicated then its best you keep your work and friendships separate.

How to Ask your Boss for a Pay Raise

See all of that? That was all me

You have paid your dues, you've have put in the hours, you have crunched the numbers and you've made your company richer so its only natural that you are rewarded for your hard work by getting a raise. If only it were that simple! Asking for a raise like negotiating a salary can be tricky as people are generally uncomfortable with talking about money.

If you think you deserve a raise and want to take it up with your boss, here's what you need to do to get the best outcome.

Be prepared. Before asking for a raise be sure that you are indeed due for a raise and your company is financially capable of giving you the said raise. Some factors to look out for to that determine your suitability for a salary increase include, if there has been growth within your division, if your colleagues you are getting raises, if you have specialized skills for specialized problems within the organization and if you have been getting more lucrative offers from competing firms. You also want to make sure that your company flourishing financially and the industry it operates within is thriving.

Know your value. Find out what people with your level of experience in the same industry with the same work scope as you currently earn. Since people are not very honest about their salaries, you can get fare idea by going here and here. It is also advisable for you to have a specific range you will be presenting to your boss. Instead of saying something vague like "I want a 30% increase in salary", say "I would like my salary increased from 30k to 45k".

Schedule a meeting. Once you've gathered all your facts, schedule a meeting with your boss. Try to fix the meeting at a time when she's in a relaxed mood (usually towards the end of the work day) and be sure to let her know the purpose of the meeting.

Be positive. Go into the meeting with a positive attitude. Instead of anticipating the worst, go in expecting the best possible outcome.  Do whatever it takes to get you in your happy place before entering the meeting, for some people its the thoughts of their baby while for others it is looking up random pictures of kittens on the internet.

Show Results. Present a list of successful projects you have worked on, recommendations you have gotten from customers (internal and external) and instances where you helped  the company save money or prevent loses. Present your case in a clear and concise manner, let your boss see the value you bring to the job daily while reinforcing how much more you have to give the team and how much you want to grow within the company. Make her see that you are in it for the long haul.

Do not resort to threats. Whatever you do, or whatever turn the meeting takes, do not resort to threats. Do not tell your boss that you would leave if your demands are not met or let her in on the offers have gotten from other company's. As tempting as it may be to show your boss that another employer places more value on you, it shows her that you have been attending interviews while on the job and even if she caves in with a counteroffer, she would have lost  her trust in you and may have giving in only to buy time while she starts looking for your replacement.

Listen attentively. Be sure to listen attentively to what your boss has got to say. Try not to raise your voice or talk over her even if you do not like the direction the conversation is taking. By listening attentively to her, you are showing her that you value her feedback and that you genuinely want to understand her position on the matter. It also helps you both to stay focused on the issue at hand and in the process you will get an insight into the mind of the company regarding your career with them.

Be patient. If your boss does not immediately commit to giving you the raise, ask her when you can expect to revisit the discussion. Suggest a time frame which can be anywhere from 3-6 months and ask her what you need to do within that time to earn the raise so that you can start putting in the work. If she fails to give you the raise after the review time elapses and you have met all the conditions specified, its time to move on.

Got a question for The Career Sensei? Send an email to dearcareersensei@gmail.com

Dear Career Sensei

You may wear Prada but does HR know what you did last summer?

Dear Career Sensei,

I was recently passed over for a promotion that my supervisor and I were so sure that I would get. My supervisor recommended me for the promotion but informed me that our director chopped my name off the list because she felt I wasn’t qualified just yet. It really frustrates me that the said director gets to make such important decisions on my growth within the company when she doesn’t work directly with me and is not privy to how committed I am to the job.

I am gutted because I’ve given my all to this job and even turned down another offer 3 months earlier because I was certain I was going to get this promotion.

I’ve been nursing strong hateful feelings towards our director, so much that I’ve been strategizing on ways to ensure that she gets sacked. I have evidence of her flouting one of the company’s policies; an offence punishable by sacking and want to send it to HR via our anonymous whistleblowing portal.

Should I go ahead and report her? I plan on leaving anyway and have a few interviews lined up already.

Angry and vengeful Career girl


Hello Angry and Vengeful Career Girl

You must be good at what you hence the recruiters lined up to snatch you up from your current job but judging by your reaction to being passed on for a promotion, you still have a lot to learn about Emotional Intelligence (EQ), a very vital skill you would need to excel not only at work but in your general day-to-day encounters.

Instead of plotting on getting revenge on your director, why don't you request to have a one-on-one chat with her to find out directly from her why she feels you aren't qualified? By having her explain what she thinks your shortcomings are you would be able to gain insights on what you need to do to excel on the job while demonstrating to her that you are willing to learn and improve. And even if you decide to take up another appointment you would be better off  at the new position knowing that you left on good terms.

All the best!

The Career Sensei

Please send your questions for publication to dearcareersensei@gmail.com

It's not too Late to Switch Careers

My new career would make me as bright and free like these balloons

One of the biggest complaints I get from disgruntled employees is how much they are unsatisfied or hate their current jobs and how they would be happier and more productive in a different career. When I ask them why they haven't made the switch, I'm met with several excuses the most common excuse being how difficult it would be to switch careers at their level as the years of experience they have gained in their current field limits them from being hired  because they lack the necessary skills to function in the career of their dreams and they are too experienced to be new hires. While this is indeed a genuine concern, it should not prevent you from making a change.

Before you start making plans to switch careers you must first ask yourself what it is that is driving you in this direction. Many times the problem lies with your current job and not your career as a whole. Maybe you and your boss do not get along or maybe your company doesn't have a clear and defined career path or it could just be that the reward system is not fair and transparent. If your grouse is with your boss or colleagues, you may just need to switch teams, if it is with the company then a job switch is necessary but if you are adamant about doing a 360 and switching careers, then use this 5 step plan:

1. Research - Make a list of the industries you would like to switch to. Narrow your list down to those that best match your current skills and experience level. Find out what other vital skills and experience that are vital to the new career and draw up a plan with specific timelines on how you would achieve them.

2. Develop yourself accordingly - It is necessary for you to update your skills and broaden your knowledge. You can achieve this by taking courses or certifications or even getting another degree if this is a requirement to function in your new career. You should also find someone to mentor you in your chosen field, your mentor would provide you with industry knowledge, tips and hacks that you may not otherwise get through formal learning and you can also leverage on your mentor's network when you need to get a foot into your new career.

3. Gain experience - You can do this by working part-time, interning/temping or volunteering in your new career field. This would give you the much need first-hand experience and also help you develop relationships that would be beneficial to your network in your chosen field. This type of first-hand experience would help you decide if indeed this career is what you really want and if you can grow in it.

4. Network- A key to success in any career is your networking ability and you would need it more than ever in your quest to change careers. You can start by joining professional body's and LinkedIn Groups that are relevant to your new career, the people in your network would be instrumental in introducing you to others and providing useful insights and job opportunities that would be helpful to your move.

5. Job Hunt - Now that you've done the groundwork, gained the required skills, earned some experience and developed a strong network, it's time to delve into the job market. Make sure you are doing your job search the right way if you want to get shortlisted.

Now you have all the information needed to switch, what are you waiting for?

It's Okay to Call in Sick

Working while sick

I'm sure by now you have all seen the video clip of US Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton being assisted by secret service agents into her campaign vehicle after a fainting spell brought on by overheating. And even though she emerged a few hours later having rested and looking much better, her doctor had to release a statement that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia a few days earlier and that she would be taking a few days off the campaign trail to heal.

In an ideal situation you should call in sick whenever you do not feel well enough to function optimally at work, yet many people would rather come in to work for fear that their job security may be undermined by missing work days due to ill health.

As much as we want to be healthy all the time, the human body was designed to break down when it comes in contact with foreign bodies (germs, bacteria, viruses etc) yet 60% of workers still show up to work when they have the flu. Many of them show up not because they are overly committed to the job but because their bosses or workplaces discourages them from taking sick time.

Even though the typical employer frowns at absenteeism, it has been proven that coming to work sick is worse for productivity. So showing up to work just to count as present is more harmful to the company's output than if you had taken the day off.  Hillary Clinton's recent gawfaw is an example of why its better to stay at home when sick than show up. After a very public coughing spell at an earlier campaign stop and subsequent diagnoses, she should have taken a few days off the trail but instead continued on the gruelling campaign trail and olny had to stop after she was caught on videoe struggling to stand on her feet after an event to mark the 15yr memorial of the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Despite the fact that her campaign was forced to release her pneumonia diagnoses and placed her on rest, a recent poll of registered voters shows a lack of trust in the presidential candidate, as they do not believe in her explanation for fainting assuming there is more to it than meets the eye.

 Besides you don't want to be in confined spaces with other people if you are dealing with a contagious infection like the common cold as you can end up infecting your entire office.

Be straightfoward with your boss. Let her know what it is that is keeping you away from work and how many days you plan to be out by. This would help her make arangements for your tasks to be covered while you are away. However, if you feel that you are able to work from home be sure to suggest this but note that you shouldn't offer to work from home when you should be taking a sick day off and not working at all.

Depending on your company's policy, you might be required to bring a sick note from a certified medical practitioner to work upon your resumption. Be sure to provide one if it is required even if you aren't expressly asked for one by your boss.

Love in the Workplace

What report? It can wait a few minutes

Full disclosure, I met my husband on the job. We started out as friends then progressed into a romantic relationship and today as they say the rest is history.

According to this Careerbuilder.com survey, 4 out of 10 employees have dated someone at work and 3 in 10 workers who had office romance married their co-worker. Let's face it, it would be weird if people didn't date each other in the work place. We spend more of our waking hours in close proximity with our colleagues and since we work together, we  most likely share common interests and goals plus the office is a much more conducive environment for people to get to know each other on an intimate level unlike say a bar or at a party.

Most organizations have been known to discourage office romance and some have out-rightly placed a ban on it. This is usually to guard against conflict of interest and to promote fairness among employees. Some firms frown at it because of the issue of confidentiality and have argued that office romance disrupts work and encroaches on company time.

But is office romance bad for work? Should it be encouraged? Is it for you? Before you start flirting with that handsome guy in accounts, here are a few things to consider:

Be aware of your company's policy, although there are no specific company laws that forbid office romance, some organizations have their own policies in place that inhibit it. You want to be sure you are not on the wrong side of your company's books before going into a relationship with your co-worker.

Be discreet about it, yes we get it, you are in love and want to shout it from the rooftops, but you have to consider your colleagues, some people are skeeved out by public displays of affection and may find your constant flirtation with you SO disruptive. Decide if you want to confide in a few colleagues as this will make people lose interest in your relationship thus keeping it out of office gossip. But you should also note that telling people may also incite jealousy and may make some of your co-workers to start treating you differently.

Be prepared for the worst and plan accordingly even though the odds are pretty neat about office romances ending in successful marriages, you should consider the impact if the relationship goes south. Are there clients or projects you both work for? Would you be able to put your differences aside and work effectively? What about your colleagues, would they have to choose sides in the event of a breakup?

Try to avoid supervisor/subordinate relationships, avoid dating someone who reports to you as there are so many pitfalls with these  kinds of office relationship dynamics, issues like favoritism, sexual harassment or even discrimination claims can spring up.

So do you still want to go ahead with flirting with the handsome guy in accounts? Click here to read some experiences and opinions.

Dear Career Sensei

It's not harassment if I'm just looking 

A male colleague has been making unwarranted sexual advances towards me and it has started to cause me discomfort and affect my performance negatively.

He hasn’t come outright to say anything to me or even lay a finger on me but he’s fond of throwing sexual innuendos my way under the guise of paying me compliments or cracking vulgar ‘jokes’ whenever we are the only ones in the cubicle.

I want to report him to HR but I don’t have any concrete evidence as it is very subtle and he only does it whenever we are alone so its hard to make a case.

Your wise counsel would be very much appreciated.

Sad Lass

Hello Sad Lass,

What your colleague is doing is sexual harrassment a very grave offence and it is your employers duty to protect you from it.

He doesn't have to be obvious or make these advances towards you in the presence of others in order for you to make a case against him as long as you are uncomfortable and his conduct unreasonably affects your performance you should report him to HR.

Your employer has the mandate to ensure that you work within a safe environment and would be held liable and may face court ordered penalties if you decide to take it up and they are found guilty of neglecting to stop or prevent it.

Don't wait another minute or endure his harrassment for even an extra second, go straight to Human Resources and if HR fails to call him to order or put a stop to it, get a lawyer.

All the best,

The Career Sensei

Please send your questions for publication to dearcareersensei@gmail.com

5 Reasons You Weren't Shortlisted for that Interview

Tell me again, why you think I should hire you?

As a career coach, I constantly come across unemployed and underemployed individuals who feel shortchanged by a rigged recruitment process that prevents them from landing their dream jobs.

While it might be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason you are not getting shortlisted for job interviews, here are five common reasons that may be preventing you from getting a callback:

1. You are still filling online job application forms
If you are still applying for jobs via this medium and expecting a callback, you are wasting your time. Stop it, it was designed to make you and a thousand other job seekers vying for the same position fail. I have never met anyone that got a job via filling an online job application but have met many who haven't.

2. Your Resume/CV doesn't showcase your value to the company
Stop applying for job positions using the same generic resume. Each position is different and dynamic, why would you send the same resume for multiple positions?  An average job opening attracts 250 applications, make your resume stand out by showcasing your unique talents and how they would add value to the company.

3. You are either overqualified or underqualified for the position
There's a reason why a hiring manager would take the pain to write a detailed job description, it is to limit the number of unqualified candidates from applying. Yet you knowing throw in your application anyway to see 'if something comes up'. Even if by a miracle your application gets picked and you are invited for the interview, if you are not the right fit for the position, you would not get hired. So why would you want to waste your time and resources attending an interview that you know you would not be successful in?

4. You are not being proactive
Are you still looking for job openings via online job boards or worse still, the careers section of a company's website? Your chances of getting a job via these means are next to nothing. Instead of waiting for your dream job to be listed on the job boards you frequently visit, develop yourself and acquiring the necessary skills needed to thrive in said career and using your network to find gain insights into the hidden job market.

5. It's not you, it's them
Maybe you did everything right as highlighted in steps 1 to 4 and still did not get shortlisted, sometimes a company will opt not to fill the open position or may decide to hire an internal candidate for the position, in such instances, there was really nothing you could have done differently.

You can increase your chances of being shortlisted by following these tips or  changing your job application strategy email me for insights on getting the best out of your career.