Dear Job Seekers, when a recruiter asks you what you're upto, don't give an hint that you're idle. Even if you're unemployed, talk of a passion project or a course you're pursuing. They'll take advantage of your desperation! #fromexperience#Careers#IkoKazi#JobSeekers
Refrain from giving details of your background and family. You'll be surprised they don't care if you're a first generation or an orphan. They'll use that information in the offer letter quotation. Talk about your work instead!
Always remember that they're paying for your value and not the fact that you're a parent to 3 children and have dependants. Hide all the job desperation you might have!
Recruiters have KPIs that include cost-cutting so they'll give you the lowest offer once they realize you're desperate.
Don't give them that chance. Maintain your bargaining power.
I think it's an African issue where we like "humbling" ourselves and talking about our struggles to gain empathy. Imagine nobody cares 😑even an NGO. You're not looking for a scholarship for God's sake!
Capitalism does not care. They'll use your 'poverty' to their advantage.
I could go on and on about how the same recruiters will constantly undermine you in the workplace because they know your desperation level. They're the same people who will force you to "be grateful" to them because they "favoured" you.
The self-pity cycle continues.
You're stuck in a workplace you don't like, getting paid peanuts 'coz you don't believe you qualified for that job.
You don't realize you're being used.
You shy away from opportunities coz you don't even believe you could get a better offer elsewhere.The comfort you're feeling is a combination of self-doubt, familiarity, and false hope that your boss will see how burnt out you are so they'll offer you a promotion.
Last month, I've had a chance to interview people for jobs.
These are the things I've taken note of as an interviewer/hiring manager >>>
One thing I have learned when seeking opportunities or help, is to constantly remind myself that I'm not seeking pity, so I communicate my value instead.
There's alot of that nowadays!
What's your experience?
What we don't realize sometimes is ~ communicating self-pity when seeking help puts you at a disadvantage. The other party will see you as a burden because your value isn't clear.
They'll end up giving you the job ~ as a form of helping you~ with the bare minimum and you lose your bargaining power.