Author

Sanjo

WHAT IS JOB-HOPPING AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT YOUR CAREER SUCCESS

by Sanjo October 28, 2024

Job-hopping refers to moving from one job to another frequently, or “jumping” from one offer to the next. While it may seem reasonable at first glance, consider how it would look if someone changed universities or courses every year before graduating. This lack of stability can negatively affect success, especially for professionals in the early stages of their careers.

THE IMPACT OF JOB-HOPPING ON YOUR CAREER

How does job-hopping affect your career, and how long should you stay with a company? Based on my experience reviewing resumés, job-hopping is incredibly common among early-career professionals. People change jobs for various reasons—better offers, conflicts, or simply the unknown. However, many times, they aren’t fully aware of the long-term consequences.

Often, job-hopping happens because people don’t have a clear sense of what they want or aren’t ready to tackle the challenges ahead. This can be especially harmful early in a career when you’re still building your track record. What message are you sending to potential employers if you job-hop too frequently?

THE TWO-YEAR RULE

I advise my staff and prospective employees to follow what I call the “Two-Year Rule.” This means committing mentally to staying at a company for at least two years before considering a move. Why? Because it takes time to truly learn the ropes. In the first year, you are still figuring out the company’s processes, and only in the second year do you begin to contribute meaningfully. Without this commitment, you don’t gain enough experience to truly grow or add value to the company.

If you’re someone who tends to job-hop but is also focused on career success, it’s time to reconsider your approach.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Established companies often offer training programs, especially for fresh graduates and entry-level employees. But before they invest in your development, they want to see your track record. Ask yourself: If you were a manager, would you invest time and money into training someone who tends to leave jobs frequently? Or would you prefer to invest in someone who demonstrates stability and a long-term commitment?

Companies prefer to invest in employees whose personal career goals align with the organization’s long-term vision. Job-hoppers typically can’t see beyond the next offer, and that limits their growth potential within the company.

HOW TO AVOID JOB-HOPPING

The best way to reduce job-hopping is to gain clarity about what you truly want. Once you know that, you’ll be more focused on achieving your career goals. Of course, it can be difficult, especially as a fresh graduate or new worker, to have everything figured out. You might still be exploring different industries or roles.

If you are interested in other fields, take time to research them. Use the internet, network with friends, or speak to people in those industries to better understand their expectations and the roles you’re curious about. You won’t have all the answers right away, but this process will help reduce the likelihood of job-hopping by helping you find a role that aligns with your interests.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Getting a job can be tough, and once you’re hired, it might be tempting to chase other offers or switch roles frequently. But remember, your career is a long-term journey. How you handle your early opportunities shapes how others will view your professional reputation in the future. Many of those seemingly greener pastures may not be as promising as they seem.

October 28, 2024 0 comment

How to Secure an Internship Placement

by Sanjo October 21, 2024

As a new week begins, I feel compelled to share some advice, especially after receiving numerous requests from students and recent graduates hoping to intern with us at Sycamore. While we’re eager to help, our capacity is limited. The common advice of offering to work for free is still relevant, but it’s no longer enough on its own.

If you’re searching for an internship, either for yourself or someone else, I highly recommend the following strategies:

1. Focus on Smaller Businesses

When I say “small businesses,” I don’t mean a lean startup with five employees that has just raised $10 million. Those companies often attract a lot of attention, making competition fierce. Instead, aim for companies with around 10 employees and credible ownership. Many such businesses exist, and offering to work for free there is more likely to be successful.

2. Target Department Heads or Gatekeepers

If you’re set on interning at a big or well-known company, skip the CEOs, founders, or influential employees—they receive countless requests daily. Instead, focus on team leads, department heads, or executive assistants. You’d be surprised by how much influence these individuals have over hiring decisions.

3. Consider Unpopular or Challenging Departments

This point is often overlooked but can be very effective. Some departments are tough but highly competitive, like tech, product, and marketing. Many people seek internships in these areas, so competition is fierce. From every 10 internship requests I receive, 9 are for roles in tech, product, or marketing. While these departments seek senior talent, entry-level positions are less in demand. On the other hand, if you’re willing to work in sales—especially in growing companies or for emerging products—your chances improve significantly.

4. Treat Your Internship Search Like a Sales Process

Approach your search with the same mindset you’d use in sales: start with a good product (you), identify your target audience, create a list of warm and cold leads, reach out to them, understand their needs, offer your solution, handle objections, follow up, and close the deal. It’s practically a full-time job. If you simply hand your CV to a well-connected relative at Nigerian Breweries and then spend the week watching Netflix, I wish you the best of luck.

Happy internship hunting!

Wishing you a productive week ahead.

October 21, 2024 0 comment

NYSC

Collection of NYSC Exemption Certificate Process

by Sanjo August 10, 2023

For Graduates Trained in Home Institutions:

The process initiates at the Corps Producing Institution where the graduate studied. The institution submits a comprehensive list of their graduates, along with Senate-approved results, to NYSC.
NYSC processes a print-out which categorizes individuals either to be called up for service or exempted. This print-out is shared with the institutions for verification and correction. Once verified, the corrected document is returned to NYSC.
Utilizing the verified print-out, NYSC generates Certificates of Exemption. These certificates are documented and sent back to the respective institutions for distribution to eligible recipients.
It’s important to note that home trained graduates collect their Certificate of Exemption solely from their graduation institution, not from the NYSC office.

For Graduates Trained Abroad:

The process commences with an evaluation of credentials, including the international passport, and other pertinent documents.
Following credential evaluation, foreign trained graduates are registered in person at the NYSC directorate headquarters in Abuja. This registration determines whether an individual is exempted or required to participate in the service.
Certificates of Exemption are created for those who are exempted from service. These certificates are to be collected at the NYSC directorate headquarters during the communicated timeframe.
Notably, the Collection of Certificate of Exemption is organized into three batches corresponding to the service year, based on registration date. This information is communicated to exempted graduates during registration.
Collection of the Certificate of Exemption requires presentation of proper identification, such as an international passport, and the recipient must be physically present.

August 10, 2023 0 comment

Career Information

ACING YOUR JOB SEARCH: THE INFORMATION ADVANTAGE

by Sanjo July 1, 2023

3 mins read

Yet another week that we are able to do this, read to the end, and share with someone.

In the pursuit of success and opportunities, acquiring relevant information becomes a vital aspect of gaining a competitive edge. This holds true not only in the realm of job hunting but in every facet of life. The right information at a good time can serve as your competitive advantage, providing insights and opportunities that others may not be aware of. Today as part of the career thread that is what we will be exploring, the power of information, the importance of being proactive, and how to effectively navigate the process of securing opportunities. Let’s dive in!

Part 1: Accessing and Identifying Information for Success

a. The Competitive Advantage: Information is your key to unlocking competitive advantage. Whether you’re a first-class student, adding a second degree, or well-connected, the knowledge you possess sets you apart. Employers value individuals who can quickly grasp concepts and possess relevant expertise, you see why they sometimes go for them, but even if you don’t have those the essential thing is to continuously expand your knowledge base.

b. Human Connections: Building and nurturing relationships is another valuable source of information. Your network can provide insights, opportunities, and referrals that may not be accessible through traditional channels. Cultivating genuine connections and engaging with others can lead to serendipitous encounters and open doors to new possibilities, that is why it matters who you follow on Twitter especially if you are positioning yourself to see opportunities

Part 2: What to do with opportunities/the application process

It is one thing to identify it and another thing to close the opportunity, as you know there are several job advertisements in Nigeria going out every day. So how you should go about this is;

a. Applying Strategically: Treat your job search as a focused endeavor. Instead of applying indiscriminately, take the time to align your goals and skills with the specific job requirements. Study job descriptions carefully, only apply to positions where you can make a meaningful impact.

b. Goal-Oriented Applications: Define your goals before applying. Be clear about the minimum salary you are willing to accept, taking into account the changing economic landscape (fuel is high oo, and inflation is not slowing down as well). Avoid wasting time on opportunities that don’t align with your aspirations or financial needs. Time is the number 1 enemy if you want to own a school, being a teacher is not a bad journey, but when you know that is not your goal. Focus on what your goal is and what you can do to upskill/be better qualified for it.

c. Emotional Detachment: While applying, maintain emotional detachment until you progress to the next phase of the process. This mindset shields you from disappointment and allows you to approach each opportunity with clarity and objectivity. Don’t see a job that has even closed and you submit your email after all and all daydreaming you’ve gotten it. Apply as much as possible and approach it as a funnel you do your research and apply to the right place which has not been emotion with any at least until the next stage. This strategy also helps in negotiation which is what we will discuss next time.

READ: MALE SUPERIORITY ON THE FLIP (HOW TO BE BETTER POSITION AS FEMALE IN TODAY’S CAREER WORLD)

d. Vetting Job Applications Opportunities research starts from the point of the source of opportunity, you should not be getting opportunities or taking seriously every opportunity. You must have heard phase like this “Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.” Do likewise shortlist where you are fit for and apply, that we said it is a funnel doesn’t mean 50 stones can through it, as it will not produce any result

e. Opportunity management:

Actively manage your application process by promptly checking your email and responding to any requests or inquiries. Your email should be neat and notification on, get the No’s and move on if they provide feedback look at patterns if there are any if none they are mostly lies. Unsubscribe from unnecessary things in your mail

Part 3. Conclusion

a. Market Awareness: Treat job hunting as a job itself, staying informed about market trends, industry developments, what is in demand, and emerging opportunities. Continuously enhance your skills and seek out lesser-known information that can give you an advantage.

b. The hack

This is why I said read to the end, and I wish many don’t read this part because when a hack is popular it becomes less effective.

Utilizing informal channels: In the dynamic landscape of young or developing companies, many opportunities are informally presented. Remember we said information can be a competitive edge. Therefore by proactively engaging with job advert posters or on open platforms reach out to the poster of the job advert, and remember like any hack you need to be careful. Some posters of jobs on this open platform like that are the employers and hence you may gain early access than going through the broad way. BUT Note do your research before you do that and only be looking to talk to someone on opportunities that you are fit for.

Don’t forget our chorus in this thread to keep developing yourself, have a proactive mindset, nurture relationships, and that you need to be prepared for opportunity.

I hope this help a bit.

If it does don’t forget to share with others it might help as well

Cheers and see you at the top

July 1, 2023 0 comment

Education Information

MALE SUPERIORITY ON THE FLIP (HOW TO BE BETTER POSITION AS FEMALE IN TODAY’S CAREER WORLD)

by Sanjo April 14, 2023

Let us get back on our seldom thread, a time you think about your career path, strategy and moves.

Today is going to be a bit of a hard pill, but just the trust I have been observing. Know that I might be wrong in my view and like to hear what you think.

Gone are the days where being male gives you all the advantages in career entrance world, in fact in our world today though it gender is getting fluid like never before (though I don’t see many Africans buying the fluidity yet). Being female is better. And I wish I can just end it there to avoid this sensitive topic, but NO that is too shallow.

Many big organisations of today are looking to get press, conform to standard and defy normal by looking for female all level. You know in life you have to compete with a lot of people knowingly or unknowingly, just think of how many applied in Jamb to your University and didn’t get in. So also the competition is for a male dominated world. But this is changing.

Just imagine that humanoid AI can now apply to many jobs with man, that is less market for man, I am not even talking about intelligence now but just that the is another category of competition(you will see the connection soon).

There will then be a percentage quota for man and machine. I used this example purposely to drive home an overall point of human being in general is facing newer competition. But first to our context so also is female now have to compete for more roles in this world. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to be gender biased and why I even mentioned a general humanity competition.

The point simply is that as a male you need to be 10x better because companies now have D&I (Diversity and Inclusion) policy, and even as a founder of a company I want to sell investors with a narrative of support to the extreme by if possible just hiring females for all roles.

This is so in many career opportunities now. So as a male like we used to say on this thread that “nothing beats competence”, you need to get better. People might not be taking a lot of chances on you earlier like the pass especially if you don’t have background advantage or uniqueness. But overall we all need someone that can exceptionally deliver.

This post is not a message for the male alone, for the female no better time to start looking at industry that you will be more appreciated, not hairdressing, or make-up, I have nothing against those lines of career, but it has definitely historically been female dominated. No better time to think about your career, and take up this opportunity.

You can be more asset to a team now because of been female, but don’t let it be that alone, what is the point of being on a team because of being female when you know you are been used to sell a narrative but when the real brain work needs to be done others will you be among those to do it. Nobody should like that, right? So max up knowledge, and get competent as well, while position in the right industry.

Overall for everyone here being black/African has already given you a con and in fact a pro in life, some teams right now need a black person to balance up their D&I goals, remember what I said about competence, just where we all need to work on now, and be positioned in the right place.

In conclusion, even in Africa you have access to more support and funding as a female now, as there are investors that fund only female led teams. So male it is time we double up or like we said earlier 10x so you can still be relevant. I am sure you are already seeing the application saying “females are needed”. So if you have a female significant partner/friend as well no better time to invest in her, remember we rise by lifting others.

Female’s no better time to be taking advantage of this, it only looks lucrative now because a lot are not taking advantage of it yet, improving oneself is just the center of our discussion because that is what matters. GROWTH, at the end I wish you all the best with your moves, even as you become the master of craft and take advantage of every opportunity to be world class

YES see you on top.

Cheers.

April 14, 2023 2 comments

Information NYSC

How To Make Best Use Of Your NYSC Service Year

by Sanjo December 18, 2022

Every year, some of Nigeria’s brightest young people enter into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. This compulsory programme runs for one year, starting with an orientation programme which runs for three weeks. Maximising your service year could help your job worth and enhance your competitiveness. So how do you make the most of your service year?

MAKE AN IMPACT

You will spend 12 months in a state you probably have never been to. Most likely, you will teach primary or secondary school students. Some of you will live in states with worse HDI metrics than Chad and Afghanistan. It is convenient to complain and find faults in your host communities. Most people will do.

You can be different. You should try to be different. We implore you to change something in your Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) and/or the host community. Will you organize extracurricular activities, set up reading clubs, teach the local women about microfinance, help advance the SDGs? Or will you empower women, youth, or children with the skills you have learned? What will you do to uplift Gombe, Cross River, or Ekiti?

LEARN A SKILL

You will have loads of time on your hands. Data service might not be as good as you’d like. But you can rely on those PDFs documents/videos on your PC. Learn a skill: data analytics, digital marketing, problem-solving, financial modeling, business strategy, etc

READ OR STAY RELEVANT

There is so much to learn, yes even after your degree. Maybe this service year is your opportunity to finally get to read up on some of the concepts you have always craved. Nothing builds your conceptual ability, vocabulary, and worldview as reading. Have you always struggled with reading? Fix it during your service year. Read a novel, someone’s autobiography, or a seminal book. Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom, George Orwell’s 1984, Jeffrey Sachs’ The End of Poverty or Late Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (and other books in the African Writers Series).

Or new trends changing the world we live in. Blockchain technology, virtual and augmented reality, machine learning, the rise of anti-globalization, etc. You have time now.

WRITE A PROFESSIONAL EXAM

Everyone has told you to start a professional examination. You might want to listen. Start preparing for your financial future. There is no better time to start preparing for the world if not during your service year, this is the best time to learn how to create a budget and adhere strictly to it. Your service year is the best time to highlight your Life Goals and start saving towards them, learn to set aside at least 10 percent of your monthly income in savings. Take time out to learn how to invest and when to invest. There is no better time to kick-start your financial journey if not now!

Read more on My experience Serving at Age 54

REFLECT

Think about it, this might be the first time you will get the opportunity to think about your life…yourself. Your parents probably chose what primary and secondary schools you attended and had a say in the course you studied in university. Also, you have always been studying, so you have been too busy to reflect. This might be the first time you are having a say in what you do next. Or even how you want to live your life? Use this opportunity, reflect! Work will dominate the next phase of your life, so start thinking about it if you are not already. What are your strengths? Where do you have the best ideas and biggest incentive to work? What career fascinates you? Which professionals are your role models and why do you like that work? What would you be remembered for? What impact do you want to have? Having answers to these questions can help you get a lot more from life.

COMPLETE ALL VACCINATIONS

Get all the vaccinations you need and those that you might not need. Be fortified! One year looks long, especially if you have to spend it in Nassarawa, Ebonyi, or Kwara. But it could be an impactful one. Maybe if you looked at it as an opportunity to develop yourself, spending one year outside of your comfort zone will not look as scary.

We look forward to the next year with hope. You should too!

December 18, 2022 0 comment

Uncategorized

Process of Collection of NYSC Exemption Certificate

by Sanjo September 17, 2022

Home Trained Graduates

The process begins from the Corps Producing Institutions.
The tertiary institutions attended. The School submits the master list of their graduates alongside with the Senate approved result to NYSC.

A print-out is processed by NYSC classifying those to be called up for service and those to be exempted. This print-out is sent back to the Institutions for verifications and corrections after which they are returned to NYSC as an agreed/corrected document.

With the print-out, the Certificates of Exemption are produced, documented and sent back to the Institutions for issuance to the appropriate persons.

Please note: Collection of Certificate of Exemption for home trained graduates is only done in the Institution of graduation and not in NYSC office.

Foreign Trained Graduates

The process begins with the evaluation of credentials and other related documents i.e. International passport.

After the evaluation of credentials the foreign trained graduate is then registered and this is physically done at the NYSC directorate headquarters, Abuja. It is at the point of registration that the classification of who to be called-up or who to be exempted; is determined.

Certificates of Exemption are therefore produced for those exempted from service. Such Certificates of Exemption for foreign graduates are to be collected at the NYSC directorate headquarters at the stipulated time communicated.

Please note:
Collection of Certificate of Exemption is grouped under the three batches of the service year, depending on the date of registration. This equally would be communicated to exempted graduates at the point of registration.

Collection of Certificate of Exemption is strictly with identification such as International passport and the bearer MUST BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT.

Source: NYSC doc

September 17, 2022 0 comment

NYSC Experience

Advantages of Arriving Early at NYSC Orientation Camp

by Sanjo March 18, 2022

Arriving early would allow you to meet a large number of other Corps members who are also on their way to the same state of deployment. Their company can alleviate the burden of navigating this unfamiliar environment on your own
Next, arriving early will allow you to simply follow up with the steps required in completing your registrations, filling out documents, finding a suitable room, and settling in without much stress.
You also have the option of choosing a nice NYSC Khaki for yourself. If you come late to camp, you are more likely to be given oversize or extra-large NYSC kits that do not fit you.
Settling in early would allow you to accept your new surroundings and reduce some of the rookie looks on your face.
Arriving early will also allow you to easily join several important groups in the camp before it closes. These organizations include the Red Cross, the SDGs, OBS, and others.
How To Maximize Your Time At NYSC CAMP

You get the opportunity to meet certain NYSC camp authorities who can assist you be posted to the desired site of primary assignment while you are joining some essential groups in the camp. These are only possible if you arrive at camp early.
Travel to the state you were posted to as soon as possible to make your stay at NYSC orientation camp more pleasant. This is especially important for those who were deployed to a remote location. It is ideal if you arrive the day before the camps open, as arriving late would make things difficult for you.

March 18, 2022 1 comment

News NYSC

NYSC Documentation Explained

by Sanjo March 18, 2022

I decided to share this because I noticed that a lot of serving corps members and PCM’s are confused about the term “Nysc documentation”. Documentation is an act, meant only for relocated Corps Members in their new states, so as to update their details with Nysc.
This documentation is divided into two – the State Secretariat and Local Government documentation. State Secretariat documentation is done after a Corps Member has been relocated to a particular state. After documentation, his or her state code will change and be assigned to a particular local govt and PPA.
Read More: Getting a Good PPA After The Orientation Camp
I should add this, if you have a PPA in mind, before going for your state documentation, visit your PPA then tell them to give you a request letter containing your name and callup number, please don’t use your state code and most importantly must be on the PPA letterhead paper Then corps member will proceed to his or her local government for local government documentation.
All Corps Members will pass through the state documentation process in camp but if you apply for relocation, you will need to do fresh documentation at your new state Nysc Secretariat. For those who didn’t apply for Relocation, you don’t need the state Secretariat. What you need is to visit your Nysc local government inspector office for the local government documentation.

March 18, 2022 0 comment

NYSC

How To Maximize Your Time At NYSC Camp

by Sanjo March 1, 2022

This essay will discuss the finest groups to join at NYSC camp. Some of the members of this group at the NYSC Orientation Camp can link you with resources for relocation, money, postings, and, most importantly, time away from the sunny parade field.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), an organization established by the Nigerian government in 1973 to ensure that all Nigerian students perform one year of mandatory service following graduation, recently issued call-up letters to specific individuals who qualified to join the year’s final batch. While these people are delighted to have the chance, since finishing the service year allows them to work, a lot of them are concerned about how they will manage with the three weeks of “orientation” spent away from family and friends in a military-controlled boot “camp.”
Join influential organizations
It is one thing to be a camper; it is quite another to be a part of the camp’s significant activities.
a. Become a member of OBS
The Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) is an excellent opportunity for campers to serve. A vital element of the camp, it will provide you with the opportunity to improve your editing and media talents and meet the camp’s prominent officials. Additionally, it provides you with a degree of power and enables you to get an exemption from some camp activities that you may be opposed to.
b. Become a member of Man o’ war
The man o war is the special squad that greets dignitaries upon arrival at the camp after the quarter guards salute them. They are also compensated for this service and may keep you out of the sun on the parade field.
They are similarly educated to lead their unit mates in man o war activities; this is not a serious job; you will have a good time singing, dancing, and leaping.
c. Parade marshal and quarter guard
This is not always enjoyable, but you will find it simple if you have prior expertise with matching. You may connect if you succeed at this skill as well. NCCF/Muslim Corpers Exco The total essence of all this group has been active, and there is no other location you have been active may get awarded than likewise in your religious environment