THE NATION MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015
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JOBS
Brighter future for the physically challenged •Continued from page 35
sation gave N750,000 each to 20 youths trained under the Shell LiveWire programme last year. Youth Development Adviser, Shell Monica Umah said the beneficiaries were picked across board, adding that those trained were 10 with visual impairment, 10 deafs and dumb, and 10 that are physically challenged. She said six consultants were hired to handle the training. Umah said: “We had a-27-day programme where people were put in a class, trained on how to repair shoes, phones, make beads, keep poultry among others. During the training, we made people to understand that they would get a shop, buy materials with which they would render services to their customers, expand their businesses to create more jobs and grow the economy. At the end of the programme, beneficiaries were given start-up funds of N300,000 to enable them commence operations.” She said Shell signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in the six states to enable it achieve its goals. On the method of recruitment, she said people applied, were shortlisted, interviewed and selected for the training, stressing that each of the states was represented in the programme. Umah said the training is on-going because Shell is committed to the society’s growth. According to her, Shell wants to see that more people are empowered in order to help drive socioeconomic activities in its countries of operation. She said every aspect of the social empowerment programmes organised by Shell, comes with something unique and attractive. Umah said the physically challenged have been exhibiting their
• Sunmonu
skills in sports and other aspects of human endeavours. She said members of the Nigerian contingent to Paralympic Olympics in London in 2012 won 13 medals, including six gold, five silver and two bronze. Many who are physically challenged can make success
• Attah
of their entrepreneurial skills, if giving the opportunity to do so. “Shell is creating opportunities for the physically challenged to develop their skills, create jobs and help grow the economy. Shell Live Wire programme has succeeded in developing skills, hith-
erto inactive in the country,” she added. A beneficiary,Mbuotidem Okorie, said the training has not only exposed him to business ideas and ways of actualising his dream of becoming rich. He said he would be repairing phones and
‘We had a 27-day programme where people were put in a class, trained on how to repair shoes, phones, make beads, keep poultry among others. During the training, we make people to understand that they would get a shop, buy materials with which they would render services to their customers, expand their businesses to create more jobs and grow the economy’
render ancillary services, noting that the growth in Information Communication Technology (ICT) has provided a vista of opportunities for people. Another beneficiary, Agnes Udo, said she benefited from the training, adding that her childhood dreams of becoming an employer has come true. The Chief Executive Officer, First Books Limited, Dr Emmanuel Obidiegwu, said every human being is blessed with one talent or the other, arguing that anybody that fails to discover and use his talent would not grow. He urged the physically challenged not to lose hope. He said Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), arguing that the physically challenged would occupy vantage positions soon. “The disabled should see hope, instead of hopelessness; success instead of failure, and goodness and not sorrow. They should sit down, discover their talents or skills, put them into practise and forge ahead. By doing these, they would succeed in their chosen endeavours and make impact on the economy the same way people who are not impaired in any form are doing,” Obidiegwu advised. Joblessness, UNO said, is a scourge that must be fought to enable the physically challenged realise their potentials and feel a sense of belonging in the society. It said through this, the physically challengedwould be able to live a normal life. The global body said the physically challenged, like other human beings, are unique and should be assisted emotionally, mentally and physically. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities marked across the world in December 3 last year underscored this assertion. It had the theme: “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology.”
CAREER MANAGEMENT
Putting more energy behind your job hunting “M Y job hunt is stuck in the mud. I know I need to fix it, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and I’ve got no energy left. I’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work.” Does this sound like you or what you feel now?
The simple truth is: Hunting for a job can be tiring, demoralising, and frustrating for people who have internalised their inability to find work as a sign of personal failure. Confidence and self-image suffer. Not to mention the economic embarrassment. As that happens, it becomes increasingly difficult to present the optimistic, energetic “can do” persona that employers seek. We all hear the longer you are out of work, the harder it is to get work. One of the reasons for this is that employers are looking for you, Mr/Ms. Jobhunter not to be jaded, tired, and “down.” And, they fear that the longer you are out of work, the more likely it is you won’t have the vim and vigour they seek. How can you put more energy to your flagging job hunting campaign? There are things you can do to
By Olu Oyeniran
energise your job hunt. Below are my suggestions. This list is hardly exhaustive, but it’s a good start:
Remember getting a job is a job Treat it with the same sense of professionalism that you would bring to any employment. Show up on time every day. And, at the end of the day, don’t feel guilty about packing the work up, and transitioning to “personal” or “family” mode. As with any job, it’s important to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
Confront your self-imposed roadblocks Are you frozen in place by fear of possible future failure? Many people have experienced so much rejection that they are afraid to have any more piled on. Such feelings are real, and they need to be acknowledged. Sometimes inaction can be psychological defence mechanism. It’s important, however, to understand that inaction is a certain road to the status quo.
Try to move forward every day – even if you only do one or two small “baby step” things that can help to build up your self-confidence.
Break out of your isolation Figure out who are the members of your support system – your family, friends, other job hunters you meet at networking groups, members of your church or synagogue and so on. Talk to them regularly. Tell them what you’ve been up to, what seems to be working, and what seems to be frustrating you. Make them part of your team. Ask for their feedback and advice. Help them to help you by creating a context of “us” instead of “me.” And of course: seek a good job hunting coach who can understand and relate to you, and provide both guidance and the occasional “kick in the pants” when it’s called for.
Balance your job hunting activities You can’t be everywhere, all
the time. Strive to create a balance over the course of a week or two in a cycle. If you think of your search for work as a job hunt, then imagine each tool or tactic as one arrow in your quiver. You need a variety of arrows including: informational interviewing; attending professional meetings and seminars; social networking utilising LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter; writing your blog, and so on. However, important online activity has become, remember that social networks are but the means to the end of building personal relationships. Nurture your relationships both in the real and virtual worlds.
Stay focused and use your time wisely People who work out of their homes often say that one of the biggest challenges they face is managing their time. It’s easy to be distracted by kids, pets, housework, TV, internet, computer games, and so much else! Organise your day and week in advance. Create an hourly schedule and stick to it by setting alarms on your computer calendar or wherever they will
best be seen and heard.
Practise, practise, and practise some more Rehearse your elevator speech out loud and prepare answers to interview questions that you can anticipate. For example, don’t allow yourself to be flummoxed by opening queries like, ”Tell me about yourself.” Did you know Larry Bird, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, shot 1,000 baskets every day! He was great because he understood the need for constant repetition and skill building.
Maintain your mental and physical health Eat healthy. Exercise at least three times each week. If it’s been a while since you exercised with any regularity, start slow and gradually build yourself back up. Get those endorphins flowing and you will look better, have more energy, and feel better about yourself. •Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).