Billy Muriu Kamunge’s Post

Yes, I once imagined myself living large in Ibadan, with a great job (even though there was no concrete offer). But life rarely follows a straight line, does it? Thank you to those who followed along in the last post. And to those just joining in, Welcome aboard! You might want to check my previous post for some context. Now, let’s rewind a bit. Did I mention I had worked for a Digital communication and Brand Consulting firm in Lagos right after leaving my Human Resource job. Yes, I had applied for the position of a development communication intern (zero experience), I went through the interview process and I was offered the job. This in its case was a Hybrid role which means finally, I get to dress up and say ‘I’m going to the office’. Don’t be confused, I had always been a remote worker. So it feels good to finally be able to leave the house and go to work. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. I left the job within 2 months (I will be sharing my experience soon). Let’s come back to me daydreaming about my life in Ibadan when I got another offer as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a prominent company in Lagos. My well thought-out plans were not about to be disposed, but out of curiosity, I decided to accept the interview invite. I sailed through the initial stages and landed a face-to-face session with the CEO I will be working with. I wouldn’t say I had no skills, my previous roles has helped me in building some administrative skills and I had been opportune to manage people and also mastering the art of communication. The result? I got the job!! It was a full-time, on-site position, a whole new adventure. Fast forward almost 2 years into the job, I was moved to the position of the Assistant Head of Customer Relations/Communications Manager of the same company. This unexpected path has been a whirlwind of learning and growth. Stay connected as I continue to share the highs and lows of my professional journey. I would love to hear some of your experience, kindly share them in the comment section. #wednesdaypost #Linkedin #careerdevelopment #growth #professionaljourney

"Hey, folks! Trust you had a great weekend 🙂 If you're looking to kick-start your career, you consider the real estate industry. It's packed with entry-level opportunities that don't require extensive education or specialized skills. Start as a real estate agent, property management assistant officer, or administrative/executive assistant. Many roles only require licensing or certification, easily obtained through short courses. As you grow, you'll enjoy - Flexibility to work independently - Uncapped earning potential through commissions - Opportunities to advance to broker, investor, or developer Also, you'll develop essential skills like: - Communication - Negotiation - Salesmanship - Market trend analysis - Client relationship management If you need guidance on this, reach out to Courage Bara, Helen Cookey-gam, Stanley Uchenna Ezerie, or Michelle Mordi. They're all on Facebook. You can also contact people you know personally who are into Real Estate. Remember, little beginnings can lead to big successes. Don't underestimate the power of gaining work experience and developing skills. Stay driven, stay focused!" - Fred Thompson, Marketing Director, Lagos. ...................................................... ᴴⁱ, ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵃ ᵀᵃˡᵉⁿᵗ ᴰᵉᵛᵉˡᵒᵖᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴹᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵒʳᵍᵃⁿⁱᶻᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ. ᵂᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉʳˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʲᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵉᵏᵉʳˢ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵃᵛⁱᵍᵃᵗᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵉʳ ᵗʳᵃʲᵉᶜᵗᵒʳⁱᵉˢ. ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷ ᵘˢ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵉʳ, ˢᵘᶜᶜᵉᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ʲᵒᵇ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍʳᵒʷ ᵖʳᵒᶠᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ #careerdevelopment #careergrowth #careertips #careerconfidence #careercounseling #careercounselor #careerconsulting #careerconsultant #careeradvice #careersuccess #thoughtleadership #careerinfluencing #workinfluencing #CareerStarters #jobseekers #firsttimeemployees #freshgraduate

When I left university, I told myself that I wouldn’t take a job in a remote area. I didn’t see myself leaving the city and working upcountry. When I saw job adverts for positions in such places, I wouldn’t even waste my time applying. However, with time, I soon realized that as a job seeker, I didn’t have the luxury to be so selective because city jobs were highly competitive. Four years into my career, I accepted a position as a finance manager upcountry in an area over 500 km from Kampala. Those two years upcountry not only shaped my career but also changed how I viewed opportunities. If I hadn’t taken that opportunity, I might not have experienced the career growth I achieved and some of the opportunities I get today are because of that upcountry role. If you are starting out in your career or looking to grow, sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and work in areas or on tasks everyone else is ignoring. It’s not about being there forever, but about gaining valuable experience and making the most of available opportunities. Don’t dismiss a job simply because of its location or because it looks low for you, every role has the potential to offer valuable experience and growth. Consider what skills and experiences you can gain from the position, even if it’s not in your preferred location. Look at the bigger picture and think long-term about how this role can benefit your career trajectory. Sometimes, the most challenging roles offer the greatest rewards. Approach every job with a positive mindset, your attitude can significantly impact your experience and the opportunities that arise from it. That degree or master's shouldn't make you feel like you can't take on certain roles because you are afraid of how people will look at you. You’re better off doing a job that others despise than staying unemployed as long as it is legal, waiting for your dream job that may never come. Like it said, "Don't be ashamed of your work or hustle because nobody will feed you if you go broke" Coach Samuel Ibanda, CPA☑️ #coachsamuelibanda #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #CareerGrowth

Please familiarize yourself with the project details before submitting your application. How to Apply 👇 Submit your CV through LinkedIn Chat, including your WhatsApp number (with a plus sign and country code) for this project. About the Project 👇 We are the 1% Club, located in Australia and founded by global entrepreneurs involved in numerous e-commerce projects. We are currently working on several initiatives that help businesses of all sizes achieve effective distribution.Our partners include companies like Sharp, Kent, Amezcua, Britol, MyHomePlus, Olik, Banago, SMC, FantasTeak, and Prikka, for whom we are managing effective distribution projects.We are in search of a few qualified candidates who can adjust to our work environment for these projects. Interview Process 👇 We will start by educating you about our B2B and B2C processes, as well as the complete distribution strategies and standard operating procedures. Then, we’ll interview you to gauge your comprehension of our project, your willingness to learn, and your decision-making skills across several interviews before deciding on your application. Required Qualifications 👇 👉 Strong English communication skills. 👉 Capability to work remotely with a stable internet connection. 👉 Quick adaptability to different situations. 👉 Innovative thinker. Preferred Qualifications 👇 👉 Teamwork, leadership, and management experience. 👉 Knowledge of e-commerce, advertising, and marketing. 👉 Financial understanding. FAQ 01: What will my duties be in this project? If you are a new graduate willing to learn, you are welcome to apply.There are multiple roles in our project within Marketing, Advertising, Business Analysis, Finance, Talent Acquisition, and HR management. We will identify the most suitable role for you after the interviews and will share more information to help you prepare. If you are eager to learn and adapt, feel free to apply. FAQ 02: What will my salary be? We offer various compensation structures in this project. Your income will be determined based on your profile and the value you bring, ranging from $250 to $15,000 monthly. We will assess where you fit during the interview. FAQ 03: What kind of working environment will I have? 👉 Work from home (remote). 👉 You will travel abroad twice a year for annual conferences in locations such as Malaysia, Turkey, or Dubai. Please apply only if you are a serious candidate. Send your resume/CV via LinkedIn Chat together with your WhatsApp number; interviews will take place on WhatsApp and Zoom.

The Importance of Hiring for Potential: A South African Case Study Does a candidate always need every skill listed on the job description before being hired ? This was a question I wrestled with during an assignment in South Africa. The company I worked for was returning to the "New South Africa" in 1995. I was tasked with building a Supply Chain Customer Service team from the ground up. To expedite the hiring process, I solicited candidates from other departments. One such internal candidate came from the finance team, where her main responsibilities were filing and bookkeeping. After interviewing her, it became clear she lacked the specific customer service skills we needed. However, I was struck by her #passion, eagerness to learn, and desire to grow beyond her current role. Taking a chance, I offered her a position as our first South African Customer Service Representative and Order Entry Clerk. This decision proved to be a resounding success. Every day, she demonstrated a thirst for knowledge. This experience solidified my belief that the right attitude and growth mindset are just as important as specific skill sets, especially when building a new team. Five years later, when my assignment ended, I was thrilled to learn that she had been promoted to Manager and later became a key user for South Africa, training new team members on our work systems. Mama Lucia Mngwandi story exemplifies the power of hiring for potential and nurturing a culture of continuous learning. This experience informs my answer to the initial question: While technical skills are important, a candidate's passion, eagerness to learn, and growth mindset can be equally valuable, particularly when building a team or filling a new role. #passionforwinning #Diversity

Maximising growth in the administrative assistant field involves a combination of skill development, networking, and strategic career planning. Here are some key steps to consider: 1. Set Clear Goals Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. This helps you stay focused and track your progress. 2. Expand Your Skill Set Continuously improve both hard and soft skills. This includes proficiency in office software, communication, time management, and problem-solving. 3. Seek Professional Development Participate in training programs, workshops, and certifications. These opportunities can enhance your knowledge and make you more competitive. 4. Build Professional Relationships Networking is crucial. Connect with colleagues, join professional organisations, like Platinum Assistant Network South Africa and attend industry events to expand your contacts and learn from others. 5. Show Initiative Take on new challenges and responsibilities. Volunteering for projects or suggesting improvements can demonstrate your commitment and capability. 6. Stay Updated Keep abreast of industry trends and best practices. This can help you adapt to changes and stay relevant in your role. 7. Maintain a Positive Attitude A positive attitude can enhance your work environment and make you more approachable and effective in your role. By focusing on these areas, you can effectively maximise your growth and advance your career as an administrative assistant.

shush 🤫... come closer, let me tell you another reason why you might not be getting called for that role you applied for. This should stay between us, okay? Here’s the thing: imagine you’ve been home for years and are applying for jobs. You live on the outskirts of Lagos, far from areas with job opportunities. Yet, you’re putting your full home address, which is practically a three-day journey(just kidding) from the job location, on your applications. Think about that for a moment. Let me emphasize this with an example from my own experience. I once recruited a candidate for a client. She lived in Ikorodu, but the job was in Ikeja. (And remember, there’s Ikorodu, and then there’s *inner* Ikorodu.) Despite the distance, I reached out to her. She mentioned she had someone she could stay with in Ikeja, and that’s what got her through. She got the job, and to this day, her team lead asks me how I found such an extraordinary performer. So, the point is: never put your full address on your CV. This strategy gives you a chance to explain your situation to the recruiter and perhaps arrange to stay with someone closer to the job location. Maybe I should start a class and make this a lesson. Chuckles. ☺️ I wish I had known these tips earlier, but I’ve promised myself to help as many people as I can. ##Empathy over practicality. Have a lovely week ahead..🏃

#SOCIALSATURDAY SPECIAL If you're a potential #employer, please don't skip this #post! Good morning/evening, everyone. I would like to encourage you to check this #candidate's profile on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dy5YpsgW #Languages: #Italian, #English, #French, #Spanish and #German. Main #roles of #interest: #translator, #customerservice #assistant, customer #support specialist, #shopassistant. Main #locations of interest: #France, #Belgium, #Norway, #Denmark, #Luxembourg, #Sweden, #Netherlands, #Ireland and #Spain. As as long as any #training is provided, she's #ready to work as a #handyman assistant, #reception assistant, #fruit picker, #museum assistant and #ecological #operator. For #remote roles based #worldwide, she's #available to start #immediately upon a confirmed #joboffer. For #onsite roles based in #EU countries, she's #willing to #relocate #ASAP upon a confirmed job offer (she's an EU #citizen). Anyone interested in her #skills and #expertise please hit #like or #comment under my #post. Feel free to send me an #InMail message as well, unless we're already connected. (Image by Jason Gillman from Pixabay. I have chosen this picture with the exact #purpose of making you stop #scrolling, as if you're taking a #break). P.S. If I don't #help myself, no one else will ever do it for me. P.P.S. I know it's Thursday, but I can't schedule any posts at the moment. #professionalnetwork #collaboration #cooperation #network #networking #linkedin #linkedinconnections #jobsearch #joboffers #joboffer #jobopportunities #jobseeker #2024