Christiana Alao’s Post

First Day on the Job: New Beginnings, Lessons, and Reflections The month kicked off with an exciting milestone;my first day at work! Commuting from Lagos Mainland to Lagos Island initially felt daunting, but the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) was a game changer. My maiden train ride was smooth and efficient, and in just 30 minutes, I arrived at work feeling optimistic. As a graduate intern, the day began with introductions and orientation led by the Human Resource Manager. Exploring various departments, I found myself reflecting deeply: Which of these departments will allow me to truly maximize my potential and align with my passion? During our onboarding session with the CEO #Ugodre Obi-Chukwu we were asked thought-provoking questions. When it was my turn, I eagerly shared my love for writing. Then came a crucial follow-up question: “What’s your social media presence like?” This was a lightbulb moment; a reminder to take personal branding seriously in today’s digital age. The reality of the 8-to-4 life hit as I tried to adjust to sitting for extended periods. To my fellow professionals who make it look easy, kudos to you! Sitting might just qualify as a skill. 😅 All in all, the day was a blend of excitement, learning, and a peek into the corporate world. It reminded me of #PastorOkonkwo’s wise words: “Don’t ever settle for a basic job. Your life is a gift; use it to give back to the community.” Here’s to embracing challenges, building connections, and leaving a meaningful impact! What was your first day at work like? Any tips for navigating the corporate world? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments! #NewJob #FirstDay #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalJourneymaiden #NairametricsTAP

Early Insights from My First Five Months as a Personal Assistant Having spent the past five months working as a Personal Assistant to a director during my NYSC program in Lagos, I’ve already learnt a lot. Here are a few tips based on my early experiences 1. Stay Organized: Managing schedules and tasks can be overwhelming, but digital tools like calendars, Microsoft To Do and other task management apps have been lifesavers for me. 2. Communicate Clearly: Good communication is crucial. Whether it’s writing emails or having face-to-face conversations, being clear and concise helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps everything on track. 3. Be Proactive: I've learned the importance of anticipating needs and taking initiative. It shows that you’re reliable and can handle more responsibilities, which is always appreciated. 4. Adapt Quickly: Things can change rapidly in this role. Being flexible and ready to adjust to new tasks or priorities has been essential for staying on top of everything. 5. Network and Build Relationships: Even in a short time, building strong professional relationships within the organization has opened up new opportunities and provided valuable support. These insights have been invaluable to me in my first few months. What early career tips do you have from your experiences? #CareerAdvice #PersonalAssistant #NYSC #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerTips

Environmental Studies to Virtual Assistant? How? Well, here is how. 🌟 From Environmental Studies to Admin Support: My Journey of Growth and Passion 🌟 When I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies, I was eager to understand how our environment shapes our lives. 🌍 My academic journey taught me the importance of attention to detail, research, and understanding complex systems—skills that I soon realized could apply to a wide range of careers. After stepping into the world of sales and customer relations as a Sales Representative, I quickly learned the power of connecting with people and building relationships. It was a rewarding challenge, one that strengthened my communication and negotiation skills. This role made me appreciate the value of listening to clients' needs and finding solutions that make a difference. 🤝From there, I transitioned to Data Collection and Reporting, where I developed a keen eye for detail and accuracy, ensuring data was gathered and presented effectively to drive informed decisions. Currently, I’m serving as a Refunds Audit Intern at the Kenya Revenue Authority, diving deep into the world of data, compliance, and financial analysis. Each day, I strive to make processes more efficient, streamline workflows, and ensure transparency. This experience has fueled my passion for administrative support, where I can leverage my skills to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. 🌱 Why this path? I believe that every role—whether it’s managing schedules, supporting a team, or ensuring accuracy in reports—can make a big difference in achieving an organization's goals. The satisfaction of bringing order to complex processes and contributing to a positive work environment drives me every day. As I embark on my journey as a Virtual Assistant, I’m excited to apply my diverse skills in organization, communication, and problem-solving to support high-performing teams and clients. I love being the go-to person who ensures that things run smoothly so others can focus on what they do best! 🚀 Here’s to learning, growing, and making a difference—one step at a time! 🙌 What is your journey? How did you find your path and what fuels you? I will be happy to read. #VirtualAssistant #AdministrativeSupport #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #AdministrativeAssistant #GeographyGrad #Alxafrica #AlxVA #EnvironmentalStudies #NewBeginnings #OrganizationalSkills #TeamPlayer

When I was about to relocate to Lagos, I sent my CV to two of my sisters who base here informing them of my plan and that I would appreciate it if they could assist me with job opportunities anytime they come across any. Of course they promised to assist me. However, when I moved over, I did not just relax saying that I have people who will contact me if they have a job for me. I went deep into job hunting and within a very short timeframe, I got a job. Right now, I am on my second job in Lagos. My first job, I did one year and I'm just a few months old in my second job here in Lagos. These two jobs, I got them without anybody's assistance. I saw the job openings, I applied for them, I went for the interviews, I passed them and I got the jobs without any form of connection. As much as you can ask people to assist you if they have job opportunities, you do not have to wait for anybody before you get a job. If you think that without connection you can't get a job then you have a self-confidence challenge. To deal with it ASAP and land your dream job without any form of connection, 📌Come clear with the kind of jobs you can do based on your training, skills and experience. 📌 Improve yourself. If you don't have a job at the moment one of the best things to do is to take to learning. There are free learning resources online. Take advantage of the ones that fit your learning needs. Learning birth knowledge and knowledge breeds confidence. 📌Join job groups. You'll get notifications on job opportunities that you can apply for. I got my two jobs from a job group I belong to. You too can. If you need the link to join this job group, let me know below. 📌Come for a dialogue. Let me engage you so that we can unravel what your exact challenges are and proffer bespoke solutions for you. Interested in this? Use the bitly link in my profile to book a free session, ask for the link in the comment section or in my DM. Note: Your thought pattern shapes your reality. Mind what you process up there and how you do it. If you forget everything I said in this post, don't forget I said you can get a job without anyone's connection. You can!!! #phenomenalwoman

🌟 My Unexpected Career Journey 🌟 - Part One For over three years, I worked as a Personal Assistant in Port Harcourt, excelling at my role. However, life took a turn when I decided to move to Lagos in January 2024, seeking better opportunities. With the support of my sister, I settled in quickly and began applying for PA roles. Soon, I landed a 3-month contract, but I quickly realized something was off. The job lacked fulfillment, and within a month, I had to leave to protect my mental health. It was disheartening. I thought this was my path. Determined to find my next role, I sent out dozens of CVs. But I faced rejection after rejection. Then, one recruiter (God will bless you sweetly🥰 ) gave me valuable feedback: "You have great soft skills, but you're missing the technical expertise." She explained how my abilities in customer service, project coordination, email management, research and other admin support services could be amplified with productivity tools, CRMs, cloud storage services, AI tools, and more. It was a revelation—there were tools out there that could make my work not just easier, but better? I asked.. This eye-opener has pushed me to dive into learning the tools that will elevate my skills and allow me to thrive in this ever-evolving career. To be continued... PS: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from career rejections or setbacks? Secondly, what’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who feels stuck in their career? Lastly: what’s the best feedback you've ever received that helped shape your career? #CareerJourney #VirtualAssistant #PersonalDevelopment #AdminSupport #ContinuousLearning #TechSavvy #Upskilling #DigitalSkills #ProductivityTools #CRMTools #CareerGrowth #SelfImprovement #LearningAndGrowing

Here's a possible introduction for your LinkedIn post: "Exciting job opportunities in Nigeria! Are you a professional looking for new challenges or a fresh graduate seeking to kickstart your career? Look no further! I'm excited to share with you 70 latest job vacancies in Nigeria, across various industries and fields. From entry-level to senior roles, there's something for everyone. Check out the list and apply for your dream job today! https://lnkd.in/ejJMSm_Y #JobVacancies #Nigeria #CareerOpportunities #JobSearch #Employment #JobOpening #JobListing"

Once upon a time in the vibrant land of Kenya, there was a determined job seeker named Muriu. Muriu, armed with a resume more polished than a freshly minted coin, was on a quest to find the perfect job. But despite Muriu's’s qualifications and enthusiasm, it seemed that finding the right fit was becoming a bit of an epic comedy. Muriu started with the well-known job site, "brighteveryday.com" There, Sam’s application for a Sales Executive position was met with an auto-response that read, “Thank you for your application. We are currently on vacation in Bali. We will get back to you when we return, which might be never.” Muriu was perplexed but decided to forge ahead. Next stop: "fuzuleo.com" a suitable site, he thought. Muriu applied for a few different roles that he knew he'd perform exemplarily: Customer Service roles, Technical Support Specialist roles, only to receive a response saying, “We appreciate your application, but you need to be a wizard to work with us. Our current team is full of actual wizards.” Muriu took this as a quirky challenge but moved on undeterred and tried "CustomerCareCraze.co.ke," a site that boasted the best customer service jobs. After submitting an application for a Customer Service Representative position, Muriu received a reply saying, “Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, our office cat has taken a liking to your resume and we’re currently negotiating its return.” The mystery of the feline’s affection aside, Muriu decided it was time to broaden horizons. Muriu's journey then led to "linkedin.com," a job site with a focus on opportunities and professional networking worldwide. Here, Muriu applied for Sales and Technical Support roles, Customer Care and Support, Graphics Designer roles, IT Solution Design and Implementation roles. This time, the response was more hopeful, though not without its own quirks. “We’ve received your application and are currently deciding between a ‘Sales Superstar’, 'Creative Magician' and a ‘Technical Guru’ for the position. You seem to be a bit of what we are looking for, which might mean you’re perfect for the job!” It was a glimmer of hope but still required patience. Finally, Muriu, never one to shy away from a challenge, took to updating the resume to reflect versatility and a can-do attitude. The revised resume was a masterpiece of creativity, highlighting not only a stellar abiliy in Sales and Technical Support but also an uncanny ability to turn customer complaints into compliments, all while managing to fix a printer and brew a perfect cup of coffee simultaneously. So, dear potential employers, I’m Muriu, and I am actively seeking a Graphics Design, Sales, Technical, or Customer Service position. With my skills and experience, I’m confident I can bring value to your team. Think of me as a superhero in disguise—minus the cape, but with all the dedication and enthusiasm you could wish for. Let’s make the workplace not just productive, but also a little more fun!

A Career-Defining Moment: Finding My Path as a Virtual Assistant Sometimes, the most challenging moments in life lead us to unexpected opportunities. For me, that moment came when I moved from Lagos to Kano with my six-month-old daughter. As a new mother, the thought of taking up a job in microbiology—or any other field—meant leaving her at a crèche in a place where I knew no one, didn’t speak the language, and was unfamiliar with my surroundings. The idea made me uneasy, even sick at heart. I knew I couldn’t take that step just yet. While waiting for clarity, I started exploring ways to stay productive. Initially, it was about passing the time, but then I stumbled upon an opportunity to work as a Virtual Assistant. Little did I know this seemingly small decision would shape the trajectory of my career. Becoming a VA allowed me to work remotely, spend time with my daughter, and rediscover my potential in a way that aligned with my priorities. It opened doors to skills I didn’t know I had, exposed me to amazing opportunities, and ultimately helped me find a career path that I am deeply passionate about. Looking back, I am so grateful I didn’t ignore that opportunity. It reminds me that sometimes, in moments of uncertainty, the right path finds you—if only you’re open to it. To anyone feeling stuck or unsure, remember that your next career move doesn’t have to follow a conventional path. Trust the process and keep exploring. You just might stumble upon something life-changing! What and how did you choose this career path you are? Let's share our stories and learn from one another Day 3 #20DayLinkedInShowUpChallengeWithNwanyieze #CareerJourney #CareerGrowth #FindingMyPath #LifeChangingMoments #CareerDefiningMoments