Tag Archive for: careeradvice

How I Doubled My Income From My 9–5 Job Within 18 Months

/in , /by

1 — It starts with a desire

Decide you want it and change your mindset

Napoleon Hill was right.

Every goal starts with a decision and a genuine desire to make it happen. You must decide you want it.

When there is no desire, there is no passion, no willpower to make it happen. If you cannot change your mindset, don’t read on, you will not follow through.

Once I decided I wanted to make it happen, it was easy to follow through with the rest of the plan.

2 — Identify your strengths

Competence is key.

Employers exchange money for your services. The greater the services you provide, the better your value.

First, you have to get really good in your field to get more money. You need to be better than average.

As a data scientist, I wanted to be top in my field to get the opportunities I desired. I knew I needed to be really good at programming, Statistics and other areas. I studied a lot.

The secret is that you need to be really good at something that you are naturally good at.

Once you identify your key strengths, you have to get better daily and be at the top in your field.

3 — Temptations will knock on your door — don’t be distracted

Don’t accept an offer with small raises prematurely during your planning and learning phase.

It’s easy to get distracted while slowly working your way up to upgrade your skills to earn more income. These days, you don’t have to look for distractions; they can come to you. Distractions are everywhere.

I remember getting contacted via LinkedIn by a recruiter wanting me to take up a job that would pay me 5–10% of my current pay. I declined. I knew I was not ready. I did not want to be distracted. I had a goal and was committed to working towards the plan to get what I really wanted.

4 — Recognise opportunities to grow

Your ability to continue to grow is critical to achieving the success you want. Your goal is to keep growing daily.

Recognise opportunities in your everyday life. Recognise opportunities when you meet a new network. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to grow and learn something new.

5 — Find the jobs and companies that pay what you want

You want a role that comes with a pay level. One of the most important things is to find the companies that pay what you want for these roles. You need to understand that not all companies will pay what you want depending on the sector and location.

I enjoyed this part because I love to research.

Once you have highlighted the companies that pay what you want for the role. You still need another compass. Can you guess what it is?

Job descriptions.

I recommend you read through the job description posted online by these companies at least once a week and save them in a designated folder.

Doing this will instil some of the requirements in your subconscious mind and always help you remember the key ingredients you need to advance your career.

The more compass you have, the better.

6— Surround yourself with people earning the income you want

It’s also a good idea to surround yourself with professionals already earning what you are planning to earn.

The idea is that you want to keep them around and observe some of their skills.

Soft and hard skills are crucial in the workplace, and while you can learn hard skills on your own, you can easily upgrade your soft skills by observing others.

Keeping those above you around you will help you learn the skills you need to become a better version of yourself. I started by observing my manager and the person one step above him.

Work towards being at your mentor’s skill level, and you will find yourself getting better not just with hard skills but with soft skills as well.

7— Create a plan, focus and follow-through

It’s easy to plan and imagine these beautiful things and plans you want to achieve. However, if there is no plan of action, nothing happens.

You need a plan to help you focus once you have decided to upgrade your pay. Start by breaking down what you need to do into several tasks. Then;

  • Create an action list.
  • Decide on the one most important item.
  • Start with this item.
  • Seat a deadline
  • Finish off
  • Rinse and repeat

I also encourage you to get a mentor in your field who know more than you do. This person will know what you need to get ahead and might point you to the right resources you need.

I was pretty lucky I had a great manager who always shared valuable resources with me, and it did help in my learning and development.

8— Evaluate yourself and ask for feedback

Check-in with yourself from time to time

Okay. You have spent the last couple of weeks following through on your plans. It’s also important to re-assess your skill every couple of months to evaluate your progress.

I often conduct this assessment by myself; however, you are welcome to chat with a mentor who is aware of your goals. Another way to get a sense of how you are doing is through your performance review at your job.

You can always adopt some of the feedback you receive at your job to improve yourself. If you are progressing with your learning goals and upgrading your skills, I guarantee that you will be doing equally well at work

Seeking feedback and learning areas you need to grow is critical for achieving your career goals. You do not want to spend months following the wrong path, only to realise when it might be too late.

9— Apply for the jobs and ace the interview

Don’t forget to sharpen your interviewing skills

Now that you have done all the work, it’s good to start applying to the jobs that pay what you want.

At this point, you already know the companies that pay what you want and the specific roles of interest.

You should have levelled up your hard and soft skills and have developed your skills. At this stage, your applications would be targeted since you know what you want.

You also want to sharpen your interviewing skills by practising and reading lots of interview resources. How well you do an interview depends on how well you can sell yourself. The interviews will soon come knocking. Always be prepared by practising.

10 — Stay motivated

Planning and applying to a job that pays what you want requires time and effort.

There is no guarantee that you will hear back from every job application you send, but the good news is that you have done an excellent job preparing yourself for these new opportunities.

Therefore, I encourage you to stay motivated no matter what. Keep moving and you will eventually get what you want.

How to stay motivated and keep going during a job hunt

I recently read the story of a young professional (let’s call him John) who had just completed his degree from a top…

banjialo.medium.com

Final Summary

Getting the job with the desired pay is what everyone desires, but as you can probably see, it requires a lot of planning, self-development, and research.

The good news is that you can get better at your craft by being strategic. You might not see the immediate rewards after a day or week, but you would be amazed at how you have improved after about a year.

I doubled my income in my day job within 18 months by using the techniques I have shared with you. They work like magic.

The best part is that most of these strategies are simple and easy to implement, so there’s no reason not to get started if it is crucial for you.

Don’t listen to naysayers. Don’t get distracted, don’t be demotivated. Focus on yourself, look ahead, and map a plan to your destination.

It is possible.

Do it.

3 Mistakes Candidates Make To Ruin Their Next Job Interview

/in , , , /by

Job Interviews are a serious affair.

A moment that can define your future career and life.

Yet, some candidates take it for granted.

They leave their next job opportunity to chance.

There are many reasons why candidates get rejected, but there are the common ones I have witnessed firsthand.

You must avoid these events like a disease if invited for an interview.

1 – Turning Up Late

The panel may not forget if you attend a job interview late.

First impressions, they say, last longer.

You would need to be exceptional to overturn the initial disappointments.

I once sat on an interview panel for a top analyst role.

We had this candidate lined up for this interview. It was an online interview. At the start of the interview, we didn’t see this candidate join.

Two minutes passed, 10 minutes passed, and still nothing.

We rang the candidate to find out what was going on. The candidate apologised that they would join shortly and joined five minutes later.

There was no prior communication about the coming later. Nothing. The candidate just turned up with a smile like Santa bearing gifts on Christmas day.

I was surprised.

Of course, that first impression ruined the entire experience. It would take a miracle for the candidate to land the role. As expected, they didn’t get the job because the interview was below par.

If you are ever going to interview, you must prepare to come in early. Yes, life happens, but that’s why you have your mobile phone and should communicate.

  • Try not to run late for an interview. You can do a practice run to the interview venue a day before or so to familiarise yourself with the route.
  • Check your tech if attending online.
  • Set multiple reminders or alarms or inform a friend or family member so they can remind you if possible.
  • Sometimes, life happens. Always communicate if you are running late for an interview.
  • Communicating shows you respect the panel as you would yourself. 

     

2 – When It’s obvious to the panel you didn’t prepare

Not preparing for an interview might ruin your chances of landing the role.

I recently sat with a panel chair interviewing for a senior role.

They had to interview two to 3 potential candidates for the role.

The interview went well on average; however, there was just one thing that disgusted the panel chair – the lack of preparation of one of the candidates.

The hiring manager said it was so clear from the first question that the candidate did not prepare.

Their responses lacked direction and depth and could not explain why a candidate would show up for an interview without preparation,

The candidate did not get the job, and they would probably not land any other roles within the same team soon.

Always prepare for your interview.

Why?

  • It shows you are genuinely interested in the role.
  • It shows you are ready to move to the next level.
  • It shows you respect the panel’s time. 

3 – Fail to attempt an interview task

I once sat in a panel where candidates were required to complete an assessment task before the interview.

The candidates were meant to present and speak about their analysis during the interview.

They were not required to submit it prior.

This candidate joined the interview, and the panel asked to show the presentation, but they hadn’t completed it.

It was strange to the panel chair.

The interview barely lasted half an hour because the candidate did not complete their task.

Remember:

  • Always complete your assessment task before the interview
  • You can ask for an extension if you need more time.
  • Not completing a task shows you aren’t interested in the role and may not get hired.

Closing Thoughts

Interviews can be an excellent experience if you are prepared for them.

Don’t get automatically disqualified because you showed up late without notice, did not prepare for an interview or did not complete an assessment task.

Put in your best in your next job interview.

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

PS – My data resume and cover letter guides are now available for pre-order at a discounted price.

This price is only available to my loyal readers like yourself.

Prices will go up after the launch.

Get in early and guarantee your next job interview with these ultimate guides.

Secure My Spot

Whenever you are ready, here are three ways I can help you advance your career:

  • Book me for a 45-mins one-on-one chat to discuss your career. Talk to me directly and have your questions answered.
  • Explore my career services in data analytics. Resume Upgrade, Cover Letter Review, Personal Branding and LinkedIn Profile Optimisation, Interviewing Hacks and Job Search Strategy.
  • Shop my career development and data analytics products.

7 Career Lessons For Job Seekers After Hiring An Editor For My Second Book

/in , /by

Writing books teaches you career and life lessons.

A while ago, I decided to write my second book, The Migrants Career Guide.

As a writer, I could not help but source for an editor.

I didn’t want to add the editing process to my busy schedule. It’s also too hard to see my mistakes, so hiring an editor was probably best for me.

When I wrote my first book, “Before Graduation Day”, I hired an editor on Upwork. It was one of the best decisions I made. The editor helped me refine my book and made it better. So, this time, I thought I would do likewise.

Hiring an editor can significantly improve your writing

I decided to go to Upwork to recruit again instead of using the same editor I used for my first book before graduation day.

I did this because I thought the target audience was slightly different, and I wanted someone with more experience in that field. I also thought getting a new perspective from another editor would be great.

Here are some career takeaways for job seekers I learnt while working with my new editor.

#1. Following Instructions Is Key

In my experience, following application instructions is key.

I have been burned by not following application instructions, so these days, I want to ensure I read the first instructions before taking action.

In my ad, I asked applicants to include the word “I love editing” in their application response. I added this measure to filter out applicants who didn’t read the job description.

Sadly, about 40% did not do that, and I did not progress these submissions.

Taking action is key, but only after you understand what you need to do and what is required.

By following application instructions, employers will know that:

  • You read the job ad
  • You know what they want
  • You are genuinely interested in the job
  • You can be trusted to pay attention to details 

#2. Think Ahead Of The Hiring Manager

Two candidates went ahead of me and submitted work samples before I asked them.

This process made it easy for me to quickly review their work and see if they would be a great fit.

In the end, I hired one of these two candidates.

Hiring managers often have to review your resume or work samples before determining whether they will move you on to the next steps.

Thinking ahead of the hiring manager shows:

  • You are proactive
  • You know what they want
  • You know what they are looking for

So next time, if applying for a role, stop and ask yourself what the next step in the process might be and try to supply anything ahead of time to get ahead of your competition.

 

#3. Make Your Credentials Visible

In this new world of work, seeing is believing.

Employers no longer buy hope. They want to see the real deal.

In my ad on Upwork, even though I haven’t specifically asked for a work portfolio, some sellers already went ahead of me by visiting my newsletter, picking one piece of content that resonated with them, and editing it to show what they could do.

Here are some benefits of adding a portfolio to your work:

  • You automatically reduce your perceived risk because employers can easily see you can do the job.
  • You talk less because you have showcased evidence of your skills
  • Improve your skills 

#4. Reach Out To Get Ahead And Boost Your Submission

In my job post on Upwork, some sellers contacted me privately to ask further questions.

These questions ranged from how soon I would like to finish the process to some related questions I was happy to answer.

When you reach out to a hiring manager this way, you immediately:

  • Put a spotlight on your application
  • Put yourself in the mind of the hiring manager
  • Skip the application queue — depending on the quality of your application

So, before you apply for any role, it might be worth contacting hiring managers to ask some good questions about the process. The benefits are numerous.

#5. Get In Early

In my ad, I started looking at the applicants to see who I would like to shortlist. I also started short-listing early in my subconscious mind.

When you have a job application, you want to apply early. Although applying early doesn’t mean you will get the job, but it has some benefits:

  • Put your front door early
  • You will make the cut if employers decide to close the application early
  • It helps you become more productive in your job search 

#6. Help Them Save Time

Like me, employers want to save time, and they like to keep it at all costs. And that may include finding processes to discard unwanted applications.

Sadly, this is how the world of work works.

Most hiring managers’ job is not to hire people.

The hiring process is just on the side, while the core job responsibilities are on the other side. Knowing this, you need to make their job easy by thinking like them, knowing how they feel, and making the process as simple for them as possible.

#7. Employers Are Looking For Like-For-Like

In my post, I was looking for editors who have edited non-fiction books.

I didn’t intend to hire a first-timer, nor did I plan to hire someone who hadn’t edited a book before.

Writing a book is a lot of work, so I needed to ensure I got the editing component right. I was no longer hoping. I wanted experience and expertise. I wanted an editor who knew what they needed to do and could get the ground running as soon as possible with minimal friction.

Hiring managers think like this as well.

  • They don’t want hopes — they want someone they can get the ground running ASAP.
  • Hiring costs time and money, so they try to get the perfect candidates who are fit for the role.
  • They don’t want disappointment or poor performance.

Thus, you should only apply to roles where you stand a chance of being shortlisted.

That is a role where you have relatable previous work experience or projects.

Don’t apply to roles because the job title fancies you and sells hopes to employers. You will most likely not make the shortlist.

Employers will make sure they hire the right person. They are putting money on the table and want to make sure they get quality services in return.

Closing Thoughts

Make it super easy for them to select you.

Applications are competitive, and employers only care about those who will be shortlisted for the next steps.

I know it’s unfair, but not everyone will make a final shortlist.

If you want to get on the shortlists, you have to make it easy for them to select you.

This starts with reading the instructions, applying early and thinking right ahead of the hiring manager.

Thank you for reading Career Digest from Banji Alo. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Interested in becoming a lifelong writer?

Steal the writing framework that helped me become a consistent writer and easily publish two books in 10 months.

Three Ways I Can Help You Advance Your Career

Whenever you are ready, here’s how I can help you advance your career goals.

Give The Hiring Manager A Call

/in , /by

Early this week, I chatted with a young professional who was job hunting. He told me he had applied for some roles that suited him and was awaiting a response.

He looked excited and expectant. I was happy for him and hoped he would get his desired results.

When the conversation was about to end, I asked whether he had given any of the hiring managers a call. I realised he hadn’t given any hiring managers a call before or after applying for the roles.

I wish he did.

A call to a recruiter has many hidden benefits.

Unlock Information

Photo by Pew Nguyen:

 

A call can help you get more information.

I have come across position descriptions that were not very clearly defined. In this case, a 10–20-minute telephone call to the hiring manager can give you an insider’s perspective about what they need for the role.

Such calls can also help you understand whether you are a true fit for the role.

Become Familiar With The Hiring Manager

Hiring managers shortlist and employ those they know.

A great way to kick off your job search journey is to call the hiring manager to quickly chat with them to familiarise yourself and speak with them directly.

This act not only helps you absorb information but will also help you familiarise yourself with the hiring manager and possibly the team.

Remember, hiring managers hire who they know. Therefore, I encourage you to use the contact details in the position description to your advantage.

Prepare For The Interview

Photo by Craig Adderley:

 

Hiring managers will reveal their priorities to you when you get on a call with them. They will let you know why they are hiring for that role and the immediate responsibilities.

Once you have received the information, the next thing you want is to use this information to kickstart your preparation for the interview.

Final Summary

Giving a hiring manager a call can go a long way in understanding the organisation’s needs, establishing relationships, and preparing for the interview for your next role.

Do not see a contact number as mere digits. Use it to your advantage by ringing the hiring manager to advance your job search journey. This action will help them remember you during the shortlisting process and hopefully hit the interview list.

I wish you the best.

Video Of The Week

Here is the video I uploaded on YouTube this week.

Please watch, like, subscribe and share. It will help other professionals like you find it.

The More, The Merrier

/in , /by

Charles has just decided to go back into the market for another role.

He had been on a temporary contract across multiple employers in the last couple of years. He wanted something more stable, so he had to start looking into the market again.

The good news is that Charles is highly skilled and does not foresee any challenges with his job search. He knew he would be able to get an offer with ease.

Charles wasn’t wrong after all. After weeks of applications and interviews, he was swimming in job offers.

Having too many offers is not a problem

three women sitting at the table
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

I love Charles’ problem. Having multiple job offers is a good problem to have.

Imagine the reverse was the case, and Charles had to run out of contract before finding a role. Or he only had one offer to choose from.

Contrary to your opinion, it’s a good problem when you have more than an offer. I understand that you might have trouble deciding which is the best for you, which might cause you a little bit of anxiety.

In the end, all you really must do is:

Decide what’s right for you

two women sitting on leather chairs in front of table
Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

Ultimately you will have to decide which one is right for you. This might mean the one that offers more flexibility or the one with more benefits. You’ve got to decide.

It was an easy decision when I was confronted with multiple offers a few years ago.

What did I do?

  • I made a list of things that were important to me.
  • I decided early.

Deciding early before getting confused when the offers come knocking is particularly helpful.

 

Always put yourself first

woman in black long sleeve shirt using macbook
Photo by Magnet.me on Unsplash

 

Whatever you do, you must put yourself first.

After all, if you don’t, who will? Certainly not the employers. Employers look after themselves by ensuring they hire the right person, so why not look after yourself by making sure you have made the right career decision?

Remember, it’s your responsibility to look after yourself and put yourself first.

Closing thoughts

Getting faced with multiple job offers can be confronting. However, this can be an opportunity to decide what’s right for you. It’s your job to look after yourself. If you don’t, no one will.

Thank you for reading Career Digest from Banji Alo. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Need Career Advice?

Whenever you are ready, here’s how I can help you advance your career:

  • Book me for a 45-mins one-on-one chat to discuss your career in data analytics. Talk to me directly and have your questions answered.
  • Career Services for Data Analytics: Resume Upgrade, Cover Letter Review, Personal Branding and LinkedIn Profile Optimisation, Interviewing Hacks and Job Search Strategy.
  • Get a copy of my new book “Before Graduation Day” It’s the best career guide for students. Get a copy for yourself or someone you care about.

Subscribe To My YouTube Channel

I developed this video using Videoscribe.

Please watch, like, subscribe and share.

It will help other professionals like you find it.

The Tools I Use:

Please note that these are affiliate links, and I will get a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you.

Before You Jump Ship

/in , /by

After I completed my postgraduate degree, I landed a role that I loved in data analytics. Everything was going well, and I had a great manager that was super helpful. It felt like a wonderland. I got the opportunity to work on exciting projects too!

What more could I ask for?

Anyway, after 4-5 months on the job, I got approached with an offer. It had a nice job title, and I Imagine it would pay much more than I was earning at my current job.

Oh Wow! Was my initial reaction? So, what’s next? Inform my boss I was leaving and jump ship immediately? While it sounded good, something in me felt like I wasn’t ready. I felt inadequate and unsettled.

I decided not to accept the offer and instead chose to focus on my current job

It was probably one of the best decisions of my career.

Here’s why.

Don’t Move Prematurely

man holding book on road during daytime
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

We are in a time where things move very fast at the speed of light. It happens with careers too. We want to become the CEO of a new company in the first year of our career. We want to be the best we can be and be at the top of our careers.

It’s actually not a terrible idea.

While this sounds good and what we should all want, in most cases, you can’t become the CEO overnight. It requires time, commitment, hard work and, most importantly, career capital.

Build Enough Capital

low-angle photography of man in the middle of buidligns
Photo by Razvan Chisu on Unsplash

Jumping from job to job without building career capital can hurt your career progress.

You might find yourself landing a new role and struggling a lot. This is mostly because you didn’t build enough skills, knowledge, confidence and motivation to help and prepare you for the task ahead. You didn’t build enough capital.

Yes, you can learn on the job, but not when you have to learn everything afresh. It’s a backwards step that might lead to frustration and exhaustion.

Successful professionals moving from one job to another have solid career capital. They know the rules of the game. They probably know 50-60% of the tasks involved in the new role.

They know what they need to focus on to keep growing. They plan their career and their learning and development plans such that they can settle into jobs without issues

Not building enough career capital can have its impacts too:

  • It might affect your career growth.
  • It can affect how much you can earn
  • It can affect your skills
  • It can affect your relationships with teammates and managers.
  • It can affect your self-confidence

Wrapping Up

woman sitting around table holding tablet
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

You want to be the CEO within the first 12 months at your first-ever job. Or perhaps you want to land three promotions in six months, whether in the same company or by moving to a new role.

These are nice, but sometimes quick moves aren’t the ones for you and your career. You want to ensure you build enough capital and confidence before moving.

Think critically about any new opportunity to see if it’s the right step.

Don’t jump too soon.

Thank you for reading Career Digest from Banji Alo. This post is public so feel free to share it with someone you care about.

Subscribe To My YouTube Channel

I developed this video using Videoscribe.

Please watch, like, subscribe and share.

It will help other professionals like you find it.

 

The Tools I Use (Highly Recommended)

Please note that these are affiliate links, and I will get a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you.