Nigeria's Online Blog

You don't want just a nibble or an interview -- you want an actual job offer! Get your foot in the door and kick it wide open with these expert tips:

1. Be a great match on paper

"Getting the job offer is often a function of the quality of match between you and the job requirements. That's why your résumé needs to have key words and achievements that are relevant to the specific job," says Catherine Jewell, author of "New Résumé New Career: Get the Job You Want with the Skills and Experience You Already Have."

Scrutinize the job ad for tips on what might be most important to the employer. Ditch the generic résumé in favor of a document tailored to the position at hand, and consider cutting out details that don't contribute to your suitability.

2. Keep your references up to speed

Send a quick e-mail alerting references to the position for which you are applying. "Let them know the specific skills sought after for this job and the strengths you are stressing in your own positioning for this opening so they can support you," says Harvey Mackay, author of "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You."

3. Do your homework

Candidates who are unable to hold a basic conversation about the company they would like to join appear unprepared and disinterested.

"Do your research on the employer," stresses Julie Rulis, a senior recruiter for Western Union's talent acquisition team. "This goes beyond just looking at the company's website. Review the company's financial statements. Google the company and look for recent news -- and bring it up during your interview. Use social networking to your advantage. Lots of companies these days have Facebook pages or a following on Twitter."

4. Be consistent in multiple interviews

"A foremost reason why companies conduct multiple interviews is to make sure that candidates present a credible and consistent picture of themselves to various members of the team," Mackay says. While the interviewers' questions may or may not differ greatly, be sure that you are accurate in presenting your history (which should match your résumé) and that you continue to play up your relevant strengths throughout the whole hiring process.

5. Ask positive, intelligent questions in the interview

"Candidates appropriately spend the bulk of their time preparing to answer questions they anticipate being asked," Mackay says. "Always be ready to ask two or three questions yourself that show you have studied the company and that you are thinking about the top-of-mind issues that the company is considering."

6. Translate your past into future success

Show your capabilities. Weave real examples from your past into your interview, and quantify production whenever possible ("Sales went up 10 percent after my team implemented ...").

"We find that those professionals who successfully secure employment fully understand the value of their previous contributions and can communicate this from the employer's perspective. They are also able to anticipate and communicate how their proven history of achievement can positively impact a prospective employer," says Jennifer Dunleavy, president of The Accuro Group, a professional services organization based in Cary, North Carolina.

7. Be specific about the contribution you can make now

You may be dying to know the salary scale or how fast new hires move up. Remember, though, that you need to prove your worth before worrying about these issues. Focus on the position at hand and why you are the candidate best-suited to fill it.

"Companies want a short-term boost from almost everyone they hire. Research and probe in your interview conversations for things the company needs now to ratchet up its performance. Show how you are part of the solution," Mackay says.

8. Be likable

Get the interview off to a good start by being on time. Smile at people you pass. "When it's all said and done, people hire people they like," Jewell says. "Try to relax in the interview and show that you are a likable, fun person. Don't be afraid to laugh."

9. Ask for the job

Leave no doubt in the interviewer's mind about your enthusiasm. Jewell recommends ending the meeting by saying, "I would really like to contribute to this company. I am hoping you select me."

10. Follow up

Finally, don't sit around thinking an employer will call if interested. Keep your name in the forefront by taking a few minutes to convey gratitude for the opportunity and excitement for the company.

"Don't underestimate the power of a thank-you note," Rulis says. "It can really set you apart from the competition."

Nigeria needs to create about 25 million jobs over the next 10 years if it is to offer work to new entrants and cut halve the current unemployment rate in the country, according to a report presented yesterday.

The Next Generation report, which was put together by the British council, said by 2030 Nigeria will be one of the few countries in the world that has young workers in plentiful supply.

The report also said that Nigeria risks a "demographic disaster" if its teeming youth, which will be the country's most valuable resource in the 21st century, not oil, is the economy is not expanded to create jobs for them.

Presenting the key findings and recommendations of the report, Director General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Frank Nweke Jnr, said demographic factors are steadily elevating Nigeria's risk of conflict, adding that if the country fails to respond appropriately over the next 10 years, it could face a demographic disaster.

The report said Nigeria stands ready to collect substantial demographic dividends if it continues with recent positive economic growth and improve health standard.

It said if Nigeria harnesses a growing workforce, the country will be as much three times higher by 2030 and over 30 million people will be lifted out of poverty.

"In the worst case, Nigeria will see growing numbers of restless young people frustrated by lack of opportunity, increased competition for jobs, land, natural resources and political patronage. Cities that are increasingly unable to cope with the pressures placed on them, ethnic and religious conflict and radicalization and political system discredited by its failure to improve lives," the report said.

The report said Nigeria is currently in a poor position to maximize the economic opportunities created by its demographics, adding that shortage of jobs is a serious challenge, with young Nigerians taking many years to become productive contributors to the society.

Andrea Johnson Haynes wants her fellow Memphians to know that living a greener, healthier lifestyle isn’t just about the foods they eat.

Consumers, she said, should put more thought into the products they apply to their skin.

“Starting to go green starts with what you put on your skin. If you know better, you do better, and I want you to be better informed as a consumer,” said the proprietor of The Bubble Bistro, which makes fresh, natural products from scratch using raw ingredients including clays, herbs, fruits, nut butters and sea salts.

“The Earth is made up of everything you need to live comfortably and naturally.”

The Bubble Bistro, whose products are currently available through its website, bubblebistro.com, is scheduled to open its Memphis store in a 1,700 square foot retail space at 425 N. Watkins any day now.

But the business itself isn’t brand-new.

After several years of concocting skincare products as a home hobby, Haynes opened her first store on the island of St. Croix in early 2009.

The Memphis native first moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2007 when her husband, an engineer in the gas and oil industry, accepted a job there.

Haynes also shipped her products to customers around the world through her online store.

But as her business expanded, she decided Memphis, an international shipping hub, would be a preferable home base.

“There are more people in one ZIP code here than there are in all of St. Croix,” said the mother of three, who returned with her family to Memphis late last year. “Logistically for the business, there’s no better place to be. Most of my customers are in the U.S. Basing the business in Memphis saves me time and money on shipping and receiving.”

Haynes said she plans to soon close the original St. Croix store.

“I don’t want to be an absentee owner,” she said.

Adamant about the quality and authenticity of her product ingredients, Haynes buys salts from Europe, the Caribbean and the Dead Sea, mango butter from Brazil and shea butter from Ghana.

“I buy the best quality ingredients in their most natural form, unprocessed and unpasteurized,” she said.

And she’s always on the lookout for quality local ingredients. She previously partnered with a brewery on St. Croix to produce beer bar soaps, and she’s hoping to do the same in Memphis.

“The hops and barley are great for the hair and skin and come out in the end product,” she said.

Haynes said the freshness of her products sets The Bubble Bistro apart from its larger competitors.

“It’s an experience all the way around. These products aren’t made by a robot with a 50-gallon drum. They don’t sit on a shelf for who knows how long. You get to meet the person who makes the stuff. The product doesn’t get any fresher: It just came out right this minute,” she said.

Client Nyteria Parrish said she’s been very pleased with The Bubble Bistro’s products.

“They’re all-natural and don’t contain chemicals. I also love the awesome aromas,” she said, adding that people should pay closer attention to the ingredient labels on their skincare products.

“If we use shampoo made of petrochemicals and other chemical preservatives, we absorb that. If we use natural shampoo made of natural oils and herbs, we absorb those botanical ingredients instead. Which would you rather have in your body?”

The Bubble Bistro’s best-sellers include shampoo bars and a detox body soak.

Haynes also makes mineral-based makeup, as well as full product lines for men, babies and pets – all reasonably priced, she said.

“I’m in charge of the overhead. There’s no need for a body scrub to cost $50. I set out to prove it can be done without all the fluff. It’s about the product.”

Haynes, 30, said her intent was always to start a business.

“I just didn’t know what it would be.”

After graduating from Wooddale High School in 1998, she went on to study business administration and entrepreneurship at LeMoyne-Owen College.

“LeMoyne-Owen has a phenomenal business department. It really doesn’t get the credit it should,” she said.

In addition to a work background in financial advisory, Haynes has taken courses in essential oils, herbology, chemistry and cosmetic science, educating herself on labeling procedures and ingredient safety levels.

“Anyone can learn to make soap in 15 minutes, but if you add too much of an essential oil, you can burn your skin,” she said.

Haynes said it’s a great time to be an entrepreneur in Memphis because “people are really going back to shopping at small businesses.”

She said the Memphis Regional Chamber has played a significant role in introducing her to the local business community.

Kelvin Kolheim, existing business consultant with the chamber, said mom-and-pop businesses such as The Bubble Bistro are the “jewels of our community.”

“We want to see boutique stores thrive just as well as FedEx. We do all we can to help,” he said. “We introduce businesses of all sizes to resources they might not know are available. We point them in the right direction.”

For Haynes, the right direction includes giving back to the community.

The Bubble Bistro recently donated 150 bars of handmade soap to programs that help the homeless – something she plans to do regularly when the Midtown store opens.

“I stand for what my business is. And I’m thankful and grateful there are people who appreciate what I do.”

The Federal Government, weekend, raised alarm over the increasing rate of unemployment in the country which hits a high of about 19.47 per cent.

To this extent, the Government said it would create enabling environment that would create jobs for Nigerians who have been graduating from schools annually.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga in a joint briefing with the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh and Commission for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, in Lagos after a meeting with operators in the capital market and insurance industries on how to restore investors' confidence and move the economy forward said, " Our economy is doing well but we know as a country with great potentials we can still do better. Our target is to have double digit growth rate annually.

We want to assist the real sector to grow the economy by providing cheaper credit to the manufacturing industries. Government is worried over the growing rate of unemployment.

Unemployment is about 19.47 per cent, the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.2 per cent, Oil GDP grew by by 3.2 per cent in first quarter 2010 compared with a contraction of 8.08 per cent in first quarter 2009 and 6.55 per cent in first quarter 2008 respectively.

The non oil sector GDP grew by 8.15 per cent and 7.9 per cent in first quarter of 2009 and 2008 respectively. These figures are from the Federal Bureau of Statistics. By all these measures our economy is doing well. But we know as a country with great potentials we can still do better"

On the state of the financial sector, he said, " Our banks are safe. The CBN has been able to put a lot of measures that would make the banks more credible and accountable.

The 14 banks who are not troubled are doing well while the other nine trouble banks are brazing up. So there is no need to continue to concentrate and talk about the troubled ones as the CBN has taken steps to address their problems."

While explaining the areas that government wants to urgently address he said, " Our target is to have double digit growth and we can achieve it . Our priority for the economic management change are into four broadly areas.

First, we want to address the issue of capital as we need to assist the real sector get capital for investment. We want the manufacturers to have access and cheaper credit to help engender productivity.

We want more job creation to be able to address the unemployment situation. This is very critical and that is why I make it clear to the committee established to look into this issue.

Given the growth of unemployment, it means we have not successfully converted our great advantage as a big nation producing graduate every year."

And the area that help to facilitate real economic growth must be well catered for. This is the challenge I gave the committee.

Continuing, the Minister said , Government will also create enabling environment as all barriers to productivity will be addressed. We would create enabling environment that would attract both local and foreign investors. The creation of infrastructure is another priority of government. Power is the key of them. If you ask any body here what they really need now an sure the person will say power, power , power.

We would remove barriers to attract investors to this area. So we want the private sector to come and partner with the government in the provision of infrastructure. Government cannot do it alone. We know we cannot afford to fund or finance the infrastructure deficit entirely from our budget.

We know we have narrow means and we know that to fill the gap is very important and that is why we call upon the private sector to drive infrastructure development. But Government must create that environment and we are working on that."

Aganga, further said there is need for investors to take advantage of the growing size of the pension funds whichstands at N1.7 trillion.

In his words, " In pension fund we have N1.7 trillion and that is growing monthly between N20 and N30 billion. It is important we make use of this money and put it to work to develop our economy bearing in mind and making sure that we have a right arrangement for managing the risk around it because this money has to be available when they have to be paid off. But this is long term capital that have to be utilized efficiently to help drive and grow our economy."