UNSHACKLE EDUCATION, MAKE IT INDUSTRY

Future of HR depends upon the present and the way we would go about shaping the human resource not after we have acquired these in our companies and institutions but while they are on the way of being made into a “resource” from being raw source. It is obvious that this means education and the societal outlook that shapes and streamlines our human resource for use in our industry. Kenya is on a fast clip of five percent plus growth adding millions of jobs.

These are not clerical or basic technical jobs mind your which could be picked up and handled by a mindless bunch of youth trained in a lackluster educational environment that teaches them rudiments of education but keeps them in their pens until they grow up adequately to be let out in the open. These range from high pressure front office to highly sophisticated exchange floor, from plumbing and sewage to highly evolved project management, from cab driver to captains of our fast going airline industry, from street corner grocery store to mega malls …. The byword is sophistication and quality.

It is not just desperate demand for human resource but poor HR supplies that is to blame, which itself is the result of insensitive and fragmented education system lacking leadership desperately for decades. Those who set shop earlier thanks to the largesse of the government and vision of some of its right thinking leaders continued in their glass houses of excellence not wanting to venture out to foster and groom capacities and talent in their sphere. The focused higher educational institutions remains islands of excellence while only the Universities that mass produce talent, by their mandate went ahead expanding capacities by setting up colleges resulting in mindless of mass of degree holders with no hope of landing any job.

Even the regulator (KNEC) exacerbated the situation by grossly misusing its role in permitting capacity without quality and in fits and starts wielding the axe, unfortunately to prune potential high quality schools set up by individuals who chose to rather bend the retrograde rules to expand capacities to make some economic sense to stay in business. Even the leadership among the higher educational institutions represented by a host of chambers and associations remained mute observers for decades by pontificating on things to do without getting down to the brass tacks of actually doing it. American Management Association, Singapore Management Institution are a case in point those that do rather than speak about it. The law of the land also treats education still as a charitable activity which would be fine while the government handles the bulk of the educational expenses leaving the rest to a few enlightened individuals.

So what is to be done? Education should be made an industry with unrestricted entry to corporate and professionals as a not for profit commercial enterprise that could continuously reinvest its resources in expanding capacities and qualities capacities and qualities with the shareholders. Capacity expansion and quality should be left to the market forces to decide which can happen by more vigilant industry watch through its associations and self regulation through independent accreditation programmes. The regulator can play a greater and more proactive role in mentoring the industry and guiding it through rules based on more thorough study of the ground realities through constant research and support rather than dictate terms.

WHAT IF YOU ARE BEING OVERED A CUP OF COFFEE!!!

In an interview, candidates are often offered a cup of coffee. The candidates get confused and become apprehensive whether they should accept the offer or refuse it. The condition even worsens when the coffee is accompanied with cookies. What should a candidate do?
Well the season for interview is on. So much have been said and read about interviews and yet when a fresher appears for an interview he becomes unarmed. All his knowledge and training suddenly becomes insufficient and he has to take his own stance.
A part from the usual problems reported, a student narrated experience of his interview in MNC in Nairobi where he made a complete mess of the offered coffee and job on offer. It happens many times a candidate gets confused when offered a cup of coffee during an interview. The candidate becomes little apprehensive and gets into dilemma whether he should accept the offer or refuse it. This seems to be too simple but may have its various repercussions which need to be analyzed appropriately. It becomes little difficult for an individual to handle the complicated situation as it remains geared up with punch of heavy questions on head. An individual in his own cerebral pop corning starts weighing pros and cons of the situation. Let us analyze.
If interviewer is himself taking coffee as he is tired with long row of candidates waiting outside the interview room or it’s the routine coffee time, a candidate can understand the genuine need of coffee by an interviewer. He should understand that an interviewer is apprehensive in having it alone so is apprehensive in having it alone so is offering you the same. If otherwise the coffee is offered during the interview ideally candidate can politely reply, “Thanks for the offer, I just had it.’ An interviewer may force to accept the same however, care needs to be taken by an interviewee that his sip should not be before the sip taken by an interviewer says Experts, Soft Skill Trainer, INC, Nairobi. The agenda may comprise of noticing how you pick the cup and saucer, are there any shaky hands creating clinking noise. An individual is advised to handle cup carefully without shaky hand. The idea is to check your confidence.
A candidate is advised to deny initially, however could accept when insisted. However could accept when insisted. However, it is not important that he should finish coffee. This can be your strategy to satisfy an interviewer’s urge. Candidate needs to be little careful with the scum that may remain on the top of the slightly cold coffee. He should smartly remove or engulf the scum depending on his willingness taking care that it should not get attached to lips, says Kimani, soft Skill Trainer.
An interviewee is expected to be more confident with smiling face and should not convey any nervousness. He should hold the cup from its holder and not from another side. Saucer should not be picked. An individual can deny biscuits and if offered later can take one.
An interviewer is likely to be interested to know whether the candidate may get well with the operation of the organization. One of the HR , says that employer of different nation may view the offered coffee differently. For instance an American may not mind denial while an Kenyan employer or for that sake an European employer may mind your denial. Having accepted the offer to have a cup of coffee, a candidate should take care that there should not be any distraction in communicating with the interviewer. The culture in the business organization has changed and I do not find any reason that an offered cup of coffee could be viewed otherwise.
Well a cup of coffee may be offered to the candidate to make him more comfortable in the interview room. There are no hidden agenda. However, it is her experience that fresher generally denies even though he is offered twice or thrice. A smart candidate rather will grab the opportunity half way and will take chance of making coffee asking how many sugar cubes for your Sir/Madam?
Conclusion: The situation is surrounded by various factors like position for which an individual has applied, psyche of an interviewer, confidence level of an interviewer, knowledge and preparation of an individual including his attitude.

Do You Know That Preparation is the only key to a successful interview!

Does the idea of going to a job interview make you feel a little queasy? Many people find that it is the hardest part of the hiring process. But it doesn’t have to be. The more you prepare and practice, the more comfortable you will feel. Increase your odds of landing the job you want by brushing up on your interview skills.

Prepare before you go. Find out all you can about the company before you go to the interview. Understand the products that they produce and/or the services that they provide. It’s also good to know who the customers are and who the major competitors are.

Practice makes perfect. It will also make you feel more confident and relaxed. So, practice your answers to common questions. Make a list of questions to ask, too. Almost all interviewers will ask if you have questions. This is a great opportunity for you to show that you have done your homework and have put some thought into your questions.

Make a great impression.The interview is your chance to show that you are the best person for the job. Your application or resume has already exhibited that you are qualified. Now it ’s up to you to show how your skills and experience match this position and this company.

The employer will be looking and listening to determine if you are a good fit. He/she will be looking for a number of different qualities, in addition to the skills that you possess. To make the best impression, dress appropriately; sell your strengths; arrive early, by about 10-15 minutes; be enthusiastic; shake hands firmly; be an active listener; sit up straight and maintain eye contact; ask questions.

Say "thank you".After the interview, follow up with a thank-you note. This is a chance for you to restate your interest and how you can benefit the company. Your best bet is to try to time it so that the note gets there before the hiring decision is made. You should also follow up with a phone call if you don’t hear back from the employer within the specified time.

How to Preparing for a Job Interview

Preparing for a job interview begins with conducting good background research on the company, the position and even the people you will be meeting. Find out how to do this company research and which resources to use.



When preparing for a job interview, many people are unfamiliar with how to start the research process. Which traditional and electronic resources are the best to use?



Go through these basic rules before beginning your research


It is easier to find out information about a publicly held company than privately owned organizations because public companies are legally required to make certain information available.



When researching a subsidiary of a company start with the parent company or holding corporation. You can then drill down into the subsidiary information.


Nationally known companies are easier to research than local firms. Check whether the company is part of a bigger, national organization and start your research there.


Internet information is generally more up to date than print sources (directories). News in journals and newspapers is obviously more current but a company has to have been news-worthy to get into these publications.


Use a variety of sources, when preparing for a job interview, to get the most valid information. Remember to consider the source of the information. A web search will give you data from a variety of sources, it is up to you to recognize reputable and valid information. Information from the company website is usually the most reliable but if you have gone to other sites or sources try and validate the information you get by cross referencing with another source.



What can I do if I cannot find any information on the company on the internet?


Before conducting your interview preparation, make sure you have the full and proper company name. Sometimes a company is commonly referred to by a different name to the registered name. Check whether it is a subsidiary of a larger corporation and if so focus on the parent company.