Benefits of Life Long Learning

In my previous post , I defined what lifelong learning is and even went further to explore Growth learning and maintenance lifelong learning, You  know, man  is a creature of growth and anyone who has stopped learning have  actually stopped growing. We  live in a knowledge economy where the more you know the better it gets, however, what is more beneficial is not the knowledge acquired as knowledge is only potential power, the utilization of the knowledge is what makes the world we live a better place. Today, I would like to share with you some benefits of lifelong learning, but before that let’s just take a look at another type of lifelong learning .If you are ready, here we go:

• Shock learning

Brian Tracy defines this  type of learning as shock learning ,this is where something happens that contradicts or reverse a piece of knowledge or understanding that you already have, shock learning can be extremely valuable if you act upon it .Unfortunately, most people are creatures of habit. When something happens that is completely unexpected, they choose to ignore it in favour of the old information with which they are more comfortable.

Now a look at some of the benefits of lifelong learning:

• Lifelong learning develops our natural abilities

We are all born with innate abilities; someone may be naturally good at singing, or running a 100 metre race and coming top every time. However, it takes conscious effort and time to develop these natural abilities. A self motivated conscious pursuit of knowledge would unlock certain potentials within us and sharpen the abilities we already have

•  Lifelong learning helps us adapt to the changing society

Society is constantly changing, with the outburst of technology, what you knew some ten years ago would be obsolete. Some years gone past, the most common medium of communication across countries was through the snail mail. Fast forward into the 21^st century, and man has been able to break the communication gap, sitting behind your laptop you are able to communicate with people of varying race. Lifelong learning enables you to adapt yourself to these changes brought by technology.

•  Lifelong learning creates a curious, hungry mind.

There is a big world  out there- new inventions waiting to be discovered, countries yet to  be explored, and books yet to be written. Dedicating yourself to lifelong learning creates within an hungry mind, our drive and desire to learn fuels itself and we keep going, constantly looking for more to feed our hungry minds.

What Next?

Don’t let it stop here, challenge yourself to growth by feeding on new resources each passing day. Be eager for knowledge, and you would realise that; the more you know the better it gets

Why you must always learn

Henry Ford once said “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” I’m sure I am part of the very few who believes that learning still continues when one is out of school. Today, it is uncommon to see people who are out of school reading any relevant material accept for some newspaper article a friend may have recommended or glancing through the pages of a popular magazine they might have picked out on their way from town. To prove my point, when was the last time you read a complete book? I’m not talking about a novel, or a fiction book but a good book that after going through the first few pages you learn something valuable that contributes to your personal and professional development.

In the 21^st century, which is also termed the information or technological age; your success in life is dependent on your ability to expand your mind and strive for continuous education. That is why I recommend lifelong learning; lifelong learning helps you to leapfrog ahead of the competition making you a top notch in your field.

In this post, I intend sharing with you some benefits of lifelong learning; come to think of it how would you benefit from this post if you have no clue of what lifelong learning is?

Before I delve deep into the waters, let’s take few minutes to understand what lifelong learning is and even go further to investigate the different types of education you can have whether deliberately or in random haphazard fashion.

What is lifelong learning (LLL)?

Wikipedia defines lifelong learning as the lifelong, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. As such, it not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development but also competitiveness and employability.

From the above definition, I believe the starting point  for lifelong learning is the desire to learn and acquire knowledge from every angle, a person dedicated to lifelong learning  has the drive to not only go seek for knowledge but to do something with the knowledge acquired. Lifelong learning is not only confined to the classroom, but takes place throughout life and in a range of situations.

Having talked about lifelong learning taking place throughout all phases of life and in a range of situations; let’s take a brief look at some of the different types of lifelong learning.

• Maintenance Learning

Maintenance learning can be likened to going to the gym and doing a light physical exercise to keep you at a particular level of fitness; it does not necessarily increase your fitness level or improve your condition in any way. Maintenance learning would therefore be defined as a way of keeping current with your field by reading an occasional book and subscribing to current magazines and newsletters in your field.

• Growth Learning

You can also consider another type of learning that is geared towards adding knowledge and skills to your repertoire that you did not have before. For instance, if you decide to learn some basic computing skills to help expand your business relation with your prospective customers or decide to learn another language to help you communicate with foreign clients who do not speak English or any native language that form of learning is growth learning One good thing about growth learning is that it helps you expand your mind and you acquire information that you did not have before to enable you to do things that you could not do before. I have been a major beneficiary of growth learning; I always go the extra mile to empty my pocket just to fill my head with new knowledge geared towards my career enhancement

What Next?

Which of the learning processes do you involve yourself in? Please drop me your comment. In my next post we take a closer look at the benefits of Lifelong learning

Getting Your Dream Job through Networking

Following the rise in high level of unemployment in Ghana and other developing countries, it has become necessary for job seekers to apply all the tools available at their disposal to land their dream job. But how do you do that? One of the best ways to get your dream job is to master the power of networking. It is believed that about 80% of all job openings are filled as a direct result of networking. So, how do you take advantage of networking to land your dream job?

In this post, I intend sharing with you proven steps you can take to get your dream job through networking. So here we go:

• Talk to your friends and family members. 

One of the best ways to get a job is to talk with your immediate circle of friends and family members. This is very useful if your close friends and family members are working in the desired field. Most companies advertise job openings internally before going external. Your friends and family can quickly inform you if such openings are available, and can advocate you as a reference.

  

• Participate in Professional Blog commenting.

Many companies and professionals maintain active blogs. Find professionals who post contents regularly and comment positively on their post. Experts always love involved people and if you become an active member of their blog, they would naturally want to know more about you especially if you have something good to offer them or their company.

• Volunteer your time to Community work

Use your time and experience to volunteer for nonprofit organizations. You will have the chance to meet new people who are looking for someone just like you. It is also an opportunity to sell your skills and abilities to potential employers aside helping others.

Lastly, join social networking platforms like facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. By joining groups and participating in group discussions of these social networks, you show your creativity and enthusiasm in your field. When a potential employer Google’s you (and they will), they will find these interactions and you will gain credibility and an edge over others who haven’t taken the extra step to get involved and engaged. 

Read more of my articles at How to plaza Thanks

20 MOST COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES

How do you prepare for an interview? Most young graduates do not have a clue on how or what to do during or before an interview.Well, if you do not know what an interview is; it is just a face to face interaction with a potential employer or client.

A job interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their company, organization, or firm.

It is the opportunity to sell yourself and tell the employer or client what you can do to help his company grow.Unfortunately, many young graduates in Ghana,blow off this chance because the educational system do not provide them with the skills to succeed in the competitive job environment or they are too busy chasing after high grades and chewing lecture notes. What a Pity!
Having survive a couple of job interviews and networking, i would love to share with you 20 most common interviewing mistake,be it for a job or for networking purpose. I would just list those mistakes without elaboration. Please drop me  your comment if you want me to go a bit further on a point. I would gladly do so.

 The Most Common Interview Mistakes

• Poor appearance: Not knowing the appropriate attire for the occasion.

• No eye contact: looking upwards or downwards without looking eye ball to eye ball with the interviewer
• Lack of courtesy: Using rude or impolite language.

• Lack of career plan: Having  no idea of  of what career he or she desires or where that  chosen career would lead him or her to.
• Slang language - not speaking in complete sentences. (eg. We gonna be de best)
• Short-term employment: Just want to work for a year and later move on to get a better job.
• Being overbearing
• Late: Arriving 30 minutes after schedule
• Sloppy Cover letter and CV: Nothing convincing about the application letter,just a template full of Grammar
• Lack of enthusiasm: No zeal for the job, just needs a job to keep up with the pressures of life.
• Lack of confidence: Scratching the hair whilst answering questions
  
• Showing nervous habits
• Over emphasis on money:How much are you going to pay me?
• Poor scholastic record: Poor grades at both tertiary and high school levels
• Lack of maturity
• Lack of knowledge of field of specialization: find out more about the job and what skills  are required to stand tall in the field.
• Unwilling to relocate: Just want to be where mommy is
• Intolerant prejudice
• Never heard of the company: Oh! A friend gave me your address and says i should apply
• Wanting too much too soon: Would you give me a car and a clothing allowance?

Thanks for reading.Let me know what you have learnt drop me your comment.

Personal Branding tips for Graduates

Hi, i stumbled upon a great blog post from personalbrandingblog.com  which i believe would be  great for any young graduates searching for a job in Ghana.Please take some few minutes to read this post and drop me your comments.

Now the Content

I know a lot of graduates who are very concerned with their chances as nabbing a job when they graduate. I decided to write a post to help guide you to the promise land, give you a load of confidence and hope, as well as point you in the right direction. Getting a job after college can be a terrible and annoying process, but I’ve been there, so I know how it feels and I want to help you. This post is for you college students!
This post also appears as a guest post on Gradspot.com.
1. Go through your Network Strength Pyramid
Networking is paramount for getting in-demand and desirable jobs throughout your career. It will also save you from months of labor intensive work submitting your resume to job boards and corporate websites. I developed the “Network Strength Pyramid” to show people that they need to start thinking of everyone they meet as a possible connection to a new opportunity.
Your family is your strongest connection, followed by friends and then acquaintances sit at the bottom.
When you have built rapport and a relationship, the chances someone would drop what they are doing to help you increases significantly. Most people won’t be compelled to go out of their way for you when you meet them for the first time.

Make your life one big networking event!

2. Change your mindset
Recent grads must understand that working conditions are rough right now. There have been 1.9 million layoffs since January and the job growth rate for entry-level graduating seniors is only at 1.3%. This means you need to do things differently. If you follow the same advice you’ve ever gotten in the past, then you will only have results equal to that, and in this economy, that means failure.
You need a “brand you” mindset to succeed, not just in acquiring a job, but keeping it and progressing in it. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own brand, much like Coca Cola and Nike. You get to name your colors, logo, and overall experience. How would you describe “brand you” to others?

Forget about getting a job title; make your own job title.

In a world where things are constantly changing, you need to be the commander of career, which means that at the end of the day, success lies in your hands!
3. Collect everything you’ve already done and put it to work
One of the sad parts of life is that people are obsessed with what you’ve done in the past. When I wanted to get a job, I leveraged every single project I did in the past as case studies for the future. For instance, I led a team to establish a business plan in college, created websites for companies and did cool projects in my internships at LoJack and Reebok. I was then able to use the results of the projects in a marketing pitch to get a job when I graduated.
I know you might want to forget about the past, but trust me, it’s worthwhile to catalog everything you do, just in case something you’ve done applies to a future job.
4. Are you an entrepreneur or a corporate employee?
This is a very important question to ask yourself because it depicts what you’ll be doing upon graduation. If you’re an entrepreneur, you may be looking to start a business immediately, continue a business you started in college or work for a company, until what you’re doing outside of work takes off. If you want to be a corporate employee, then you will want to get a job when you graduate, and possibly go to graduate school, so you can move up into management as soon as possible.
5. Use social media to build personal equity

Having trouble networking, getting your ideas out there and claiming a piece of the digital world? Look no further than social media to provide a channel by which you can accomplish all three. I would recommend starting a blog that relates to both your passion and expertise.
Next, I would ensure that you register your name on the top social networks and link from one to the next. Links build equity in your sites, leaving your sites ranking higher in Google, so people can find you. The reach of the internet using these tools is extraordinary and can help you connect with the right people at the right time.

Credit: Dan Schwabel 

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT JOB

Do you still need a job? Just to remind you, the word JOB is an acronym of Just over Broke. Meaning anyone with a job in Ghana or any other country is just a line above broke. When your  Boss issues out these words “YOU ARE FIRED!” the world would collapse on you with a blink of an eye.

So do I need a job myself? Of course I do. Today if you desperately need a job in Ghana, you are at the right place; I would show you how to find the right job.

The kind of job you are into would determine the satisfaction you get in life. Every working person spends at least 40 hours at work, and if you don’t find the right job; it definitely means you would spend 40 unproductive hours at work. I don’t think that is reasonable.

Many people are working at jobs that they are not suited for or are not suitable for them. They would rather be doing something else, somewhere else, using different skills and abilities. The majority of working people, by their own admission, do not feel fully challenged by their current jobs. Getting into or staying at a job for which you are not ideally suited is one of the greatest wastes of time in life. It can rob you of some of your most productive years.

Here is a question for you: If you receive $1 million in cash, tax free, would you continue to work at your current job?

How then do you find the Right Job?

Do the Work you Love

Here is another question: Do you currently love what you do? Only a small percentage of people love what they do, and these people are always the happiest, the most satisfied, and usually, the highest paid in every field.

You can tell if you are spending your time and your life at the right job by examining your attitude toward your job and your future. Do you like what you are doing enough to want to be the very best at it? If the job is right for you, not only do you want to get better and better at that job, but you very much admire those people who are at the top of your field. If you find that you have no desire to excel in your field, this is a good sign that it’s probably not the right job for you.

Would you like to continue doing your job for the next twenty years? Do you find your job challenging and fulfilling? Can you hardly wait to get to work on Monday morning, and do you hate to leave on Friday evening? All successful people can answer “yes” to these questions. Unsuccessful people invariably answer “no”.

What if you are ready in a job?

Then I suggest you love what you do.Commit yourself in learning all that you can about the job and develop a strong affection for it.As you  continue to explore new areas in your current job, you find out that your strength  or abilities lies in a particular area .The desire to find out what your strength is would generate a big love for the job which otherwise did not give you enough satisfaction.You can love your job, love takes time to evolve.So take your time unlock your creativity and in a matter of time you would become the best in your field.

What Next?

If you anxiously wait for the week to end to get out of the office,then you are definitely in the wrong job.

Credit:Brian Tracy

Getting the Career you always dream of

Do you dream of getting the job the best suite your skills? Well , you are not alone, everybody enjoys doing what he is passionate about, artist love to work with paints, writers like to write, a craftsman love to work with his hands.Whether your dream is to become an entrepreneur, a pharmacist or a minister of the gospel, relax you are not alone.Over the years, so many people have taught about what they love to do and are rich just by thinking of their dream,people of noble birth have risen to position of influence just by still thinking to grow rich.There is no need reinventing the wheel.
Today, I would love to help you ,get the right career and dream job,someone once said “Do what you love and you would never work a day in your life.” If you want to do what you love,what you are passionate about, then stay with me as we explore the 5 steps in GETTING THE CAREER YOU ALWAYS DREAM OF

1. Decide exactly what kind of career you want: What do you love to do, what is your dream job? Do not just go in for any job because you are getting frustrated, or because of the high level of unemployment in the country. If you love to paint you should be an artist, if yours is to set up businesses may be you should consider being an Entrepreneur. Doing what you love gives you the chance to be the best , since the skills would come naturally and you would feel motivated to do more.It may be that , the career you want is not readily available, create one for yourself! Remember the world we live in never existed, it was created by God’s word.Create the future you want now.

2. Choose the company or individual for whom you wish the work for: Now that you know what your dream is , you would be left with the power of choice,choosing the company or individual you would want to work with sends a signal to that individual you are focused ,you know what want and this means you would definitely put in your maximum best when you come to work.When you decide to work for a particular company or individual it means you appreciate the work they are doing and would like to contribute to their success based on your dream or what you love to do.Let me ask you ,If I was suppose to give you a job,which company or individual would like to work with and why? Drop me a comment and let’s get talking

3. Study your prospective Employer: In building your dream job, you need to know the policies and accomplishment of your prospective employer.Ask your self some simple questions “is there room for advancement in this company, how well should I work to get a raise in salary,what does my boss requires of an employee? Such questions would reduce all your fears and anxiety and would enable you to be better informed to contribute to the success of the company.

4. Do a self analysis: By self analysis, I mean knowing your talents,and your capabilities, figure out what you can offer,and plan ways and means of giving better suggestions ,ideas and services you believe you can successful deliver.This would endear you the heart of the Employer and would know the value you would be adding to the company.If you can type faster, let them know and make sure you willing type all the companies reports and brochures, when it is time for promotion,you would be top on the list.

5. Concentrate on what you can give: Yes ,forget about the job, for get about the salary for a while and concentrate on what you can give, you dream is to be an asset in your career and not a liability
Do you have something of value you can add to the company? Your reason for doing that is because there can be a dismissal of employees for non performance and because you contribute to the success of the company you would be spared.

One last thing I would love to talk about in getting your dream career is to present your CV to the proper person in authority, address it to the right person who is suppose to receive the CV and not to any tittle manager and make consistent follow up on it. Every company is looking for men who can give something of value, whether ideas or services,every company has room for the man who has a definite plan of action which is to the advantage of the company.

Remember, getting your dream job may take a few days or weeks of extra time,but the difference in income,advancement and in gaining recognition will save years of hard work at small pay,and would save you one to five years of time reaching a chosen goal.
Note that every person who starts or get in halfway of the ladder does so by deliberate and careful planning.

What Next?
Was it beneficial taking time to go through this article, drop me a comment and feel free to ask me any question i would gladly respond,You can share this article on facebook and other social network.Remember, when you dream ,DREAM BIG.