Getting a Good Job with an O’LEVEL CERTIFICATE
Do you doubt whether you will ever get a good job with an O’Level certificate?
Most people don’t think they can get an excellent job with a secondary school leaving certificate, but I am here to guide you through the steps to accomplish your career aspirations.
So, don’t let your certificate hold you back; instead, believe in yourself and keep learning. Plus, follow these steps for guidance.
Evaluate your skill set and identify your strengths:
Take a pen and paper and write down three of your best skills. If you are a hands-on person, you may want to delve into the artisan world, learn a skill, and bring your craft to life.
You may consider careers like plumbing, tailoring, welding, cooking and many more.
If you love talking and associating with people, you can sharpen your selling skills and go into sales and marketing.
If you don’t have a university degree, it is your responsibility to learn in-demand jobs and get certified to work.
The job market is changing, and it’s your responsibility to find out which jobs are in-demand and upskill to qualify for job roles.
The tech industry has opportunities for you in the digital market. You may choose to learn graphic design, photography, web development or social marketing—other crafts like mobile and computer repair are also possibilities to consider.
Continuously master your new skills:
Do not rest on your laurels even as you learn a new skill, master it with continuous training to get accepted for top jobs.
For instance, if you learn to bake a basic cake, further know how to decorate a cake to depict different designs for multiple occasions – a cake for a 5-year-old birthday or a wedding celebration.
Build a portfolio of your new projects if possible
It’s one thing to learn a skill, and it’s another thing to convince an employer or a client that you are the ideal person for the job.
As you learn your new craft, ensure to create works that reference your skill.
For instance, if you’re into graphic design, keep a portfolio of your inspirations created by you: logos, brochures, business cards, etc., to present to win new contracts or jobs.
Improve your Business Writing skills
Whether you’re a university graduate or not, writing is a requirement in the workplace.Â
You might be asked to write a proposal for a baking contract, a budget for an event decoration or even a report of your last project.
If you cannot articulate your thoughts effectively through writing, your customers might not trust your product or service. So, writing a clear and concise document builds trust and secure deals. Assist 2 Hire Learning offers an online training course on Business Writing, so if you are interested, sign up now.
Strengthen your communication skills
Learn to improve your communications skills, both verbal and written to use them to your advantage.
With effective communication, you can persuade, negotiate and ask thoughtful questions using any medium of an interface, whether in person, on the phone or via email.
Take a soft skills course
Soft skills called people skills or emotional intelligence are the skills you need to interact amicably with others. They are personal attributes needed to communicate well with other people and build positive relationships.
These skills are crucial for employers and they seek candidates to fit the company’s culture, perform their jobs well, and cooperate.Â
So, to be successful in the modern-day workplace, candidates need to develop soft skills.
Although academic qualifications can give you an advantage, soft skills will make you employable, productive and help you thrive on the job.
Sign up for our free Soft Skills Course to improve your chances of getting hired.
Revamp your CV
Getting a good job requires a great deal of effort. The first step in the job search is drafting a well-structured CV that showcases your skills, experiences and education.
CV revamp can come in handy if your resume isn’t up to date or not correctly tailored to the role.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an SSCE holder, but you’ll need to know how to perfectly document your skills and experience in your CV to be considered for better opportunities.
For instance, if you have been trying to get a job as a bakery assistant for several months with no positive feedback from HR, there is a chance there is something wrong with your CV. A professional CV writer can review and rewrite your CV detailing your years of experience, qualifications, and achievements to meet the bakery supervisor’s role.
Join LinkedIn and stay active
Your academic qualification shouldn’t deter you from marketing your skills on career platforms to network with professionals.
One of the ways to make your job search more straightforward is to create a LinkedIn profile and sell your skills.
Many recruiters use LinkedIn to research and recruit candidates. LinkedIn, among other things, gives you the ability to showcase your profile, expertise, recommendations and gain exposure to hiring managers and recruiters.
People are getting jobs on LinkedIn so, if you want to learn the secrets of writing a killer LinkedIn profile, we recommend you read this book: How to Write Killer LinkedIn Profile by Brenda Bernstein.
Practice your interview tips
Once you’ve made it through the application process and received an interview invitation, you should prepare to ace the interview.
Practising for an interview will help you feel confident and at ease during your actual interview, and it will ensure that you are ready to answer the interviewer’s questions.
Have an explicit knowledge of the duties required of the role and, if needed, take a practice assessment test before the interview.
Search the company online and note down what they do, their objective and their mission. Expect HR to ask you a few questions on what you know about them.
Prepare your outfit a day to the interview and dress to fit the industry standard of the company. Wear an attire that will boost your confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
Get all documents you need to bring to the discussion, practice your posture, body language, eye contact, and many more.
Lastly, practice your interview questions with a friend or a family member; they will evaluate you and provide feedback for improvement.
Be persistent
Persistence is one of the most admirable qualities of successful people. It’s the ability to achieve anything regardless of any setbacks.
Developing persistence is a master skill for success. If you want to make a difference in your life and achieve success regardless of your academic credentials, you must be persistent in what you do.
You can develop persistence by following the advice provided below:
- Determine your short and long term career goals.
- Outline your plans to execute your goals.
- Maintain a positive mental attitude.
- Stay focused
Recommended training courses to upgrade your skills
Virtual Customer Service Course