Tag Archives: Tips

5 things to do while stuck in traffic!

No matter which direction you are driving to in Trinidad, you will encounter traffic. Traffic has come apart of T&T’s culture as the highways and main roads remain flooded with bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak morning and evening hours. Sometimes you are trapped in your car for over two hours! To help you get through this lump, we have some activities for you to try!

Meditate

Meditation is all about your focus and breathing. Find something to focus on – it can be your breathing, the car’s silence or the vehicle lights in front of you. If at a standstill, you can close your eyes. If not, breathe and clear your mind. Prepare yourself for the day instead of becoming infuriated by the traffic in front of you.

Listen to an Audiobook

Plug in your phone to your car’s speakers to listen to an audiobook. It keeps your mind off your situation and helps with passing the time.

Sing along to your favorite album

Classic albums from artists like Adele, Sam Smith or Alicia Keys include ballads that let you sing your heart out! Whatever the genre, make sure you can groove to the music!

Call that person you meant to call (but forgot to call)

In other words, call a parent. Or call a relative/friend that lives in another country. Just make sure that it is hands-free since you will be behind the wheel.

Plan your project/vacation

If you have upcoming projects that have been stressing you out, why not sort through it. You can record your thoughts using your smartphone or even write it down on a notepad. This way is better than procrastinating until the last minute.

15 Steps to Prepare for a Job Interview

So you’ve made it to the interviewing stage and you’re wondering What to do now? The answer is simple: Prepare. This is your time to market yourself and campaign for the job position. Your resume did the ground work, now it’s time to solidify the outcome.

Business Insider’s Director of talent, Stephanie Fogle, come up with the ultimate interview guide, from start to finish.

Here is what you MUST do to be ready for the big day:

5 Skills You Can Learn To Boost Your CV

Apart from popular belief, skills aren’t as hard to acquire once you put in the appropriate time and effort. Additionally, there is an upsurge of apps and websites that cater to making learning easier, so it’s almost impossible not to have at least one skill that can help your resume stand out.

Here are five skills you can learn to boost your worth as a job-seeker:

Languages

You can learn more than six languages using the Duolingo app. It takes minutes to download and seconds to set up. All you need to do is practice when you have some downtime. Just think in three months you can be fluent in another language!

Creativity

Do you like to write stories, take photos or paint portraits? Create an online portfolio on websites such as wix.com that have templates just to showcase your talent. This way you can highlight your dedication to your craft and confidence in your skill.

Sports

Take your interest in a sport or exercise activity to another level. For example, if you love yoga so much, why not get a certificate in it? Or become an instructor? Though it may not be a career path, it would be a great accomplishment and skill to have in your back pocket!

Charity

Voluntary positions are not a priority for a job-seeker, but it can lead to a career. Volunteering in a charity or non-profit organization can solidify your interest into a particular career field. Volunteering is also a great networking opportunity!

Skillshare

Visit skillshare.com to learn a new skill each day! This website encourages you to learn creative skills in just 15 minutes a day with bite-sized lessons you can fit in anywhere. You can join a class, watch short lessons or learn by doing. Find a skill you never knew you had!

5 Websites to help Market Yourself

One of the hardest things about job searching is marketing yourself to prospective employers and network connections. Yes, you have your detailed resume but how do you sell what you do in five minutes or less? Here are some websites to aid in your marketing scheme.

Google.com

Not many people know this, but Google actually can help you build a resume. Once you have a Gmail account, Google can pull your information to easier build your CV. Follow this link https://resumebuilder.withgoogle.com/ to try it out.

But if you want to start from scratch, head over to Kickresume to find unique templates!

Moo.com

Thinking about getting business cards? Moo.com is devoted to helping you choose and print your perfect card. They’re loads of templates to choose from at a decent price. Let your business card express your personality in print!

Jimpix.com

Jimpix helps you navigate the world of usernames. In this digital age, your username becomes your identity on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. What’s cool about Jimpix.com is that the site has an option to generate a username with a word a selected word. So you can type in your name or nickname, and it gives you many options. Remember to pick a username that will good on your business card!

Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter

These social media platforms put you closer to your professional crush more than you think! Build you own profile by following or connecting with Influencers in your field. These can range from top CEOs to General Managers. Study their profiles and comment on their blog posts or status updates. BE friendly NOT creepy in your approach to inadvertently learn from them.

Wix.com

Why not own a website? Having an online resume is becoming more popular. Upload your resume, pictures and showcase your passion in your personal digital space. Think of it as a hub that just in one click a prospective employer/client can get a sense of who you are. Wix.com provides templates for online CVs that you can view and build for free!

What’s Your Ideal Career?

Wondering which career is right for you?

We spend most of our lives making decisions on finding a job that will both make us happy and be financially stable. It also comes down to our personalities and whether we CAN do what we THINK we can do.

It’s time to listen to your instincts and be honest about which career will truly fit into your life. Just like Jobstt, the below flow chart will help guide you to that next step. The best part? There are specific job suggestions if you’re still unsure of what you should do. Have a look!

New Feature: Re-Submit Your Application

We’ve all been there. Sometimes we double and triple check our application before we hit the ‘Send’ button, only to notice a spelling mistake a minute after. Usually on other online job websites, once an application is submitted, it’s difficult to re-apply to the same job position since the system has already marked your application as previously successful.

JobsTT sought to rectify this issue by allowing our job seekers to delete their applications on BOTH ends. Our website is now updated to withdraw your application from the employer’s Jobstt’s inbox, once removed from the job seekeer’s account.

So rest assured that now you can delete and re-submit your application without a hassle using Jobstt.com!

See here for a tutorial on how to apply via JobsTT!

How to Write a Great Cover Letter

Though some applications do not ask for a cover letter at times, the candidate on the job hunt should always have a cover letter template to refer to in case an application calls for it.

There are some misconceptions as to how a cover letter should look. Many candidates repeat the information on their resume – which is totally wrong.

Here are some tips on how to write a great cover letter:

DO NOT repeat your resume

A cover letter is a safe space for you to single out projects or accomplishments at a job position you mentioned in your resume. You can highlight your leadership, communicative and project management skills depending on the position you are applying for.

DO include:

Who you are
Your contact information
What position you are applying for
How you learned about the job

Keep it SHORT

Be assertive and to the point. The recruiter does not need to know your life story, only the ones that matter to the job in question. Three paragraphs should be enough!

STAY AWAY from generic phrases like:

“I’m everything that you’re looking for… and more!”
“Thank you for taking the time to read my resume.”
“My skills and experience are an excellent fit for this position.”
“I am an experienced, goal-oriented team player.”

Making general statements does not give the employer a sense of who you are. Instead, explain why you are a great fit by giving examples.

CHECK spelling and grammar

Your cover letter is your introduction to your possible employer, so please make sure and double check your spelling and grammar before hitting send. Loads of online grammar websites can help you check your document.

For more detailed guidelines, click here!

How to Increase Your Qualifications

If you have been on the job hunt for a while, you will notice that having three (3) CXC/CSEC passes is no longer sufficient to land an entry level job in Trinidad and Tobago. Most employers are seeking five (5) or more passes for their entry level positions.

Since this is the case, job seekers have to consider entering back into school to earn and increase their qualifications. It’s not always easy between work and home life, but if you can create the time and supply the effort, having just two (2) more passes can increase the likelihood of landing the ob position of your dreams – not to mention upgrading you into a better salary bracket!

Where to start?

Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA)

Here is where you begin if you need help reading and writing. The Adult Literacy Tutors Association, a non-profit organization in existence since 1992, provides the only comprehensive, structured, adult literacy programme in Trinidad and Tobago. ALTA does not necessarily provide CXC/CSEC classes, but aids in literacy to eventually write those exams. There are three (3) locations in P.O.S., Arima, and San Fernando.

Tel: 624-2582
Email: altapos@alta-tt.org

Below are four (4) schools that provide CXC/CSEC classes for returning students, no matter what age!

Upper Level Educational Institute Ltd

ULEI is one of the leading private secondary schools in Trinidad. Its distinguished reputation and outstanding achievements have contributed to its growth and development over the years. Located in Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: 672-8797
Email: admin@uleitt.com

CTS College of Business and Computer Science Ltd

Over the years, thousands of students have graduated from CTS’ CXC/CSEC and GCE O’ level programmes, and some have progressed on to one of our degree programmes in Business or Information Technology, some of them have also gone on to completing their MBA. Located in Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: 671-2551/2872
Email: Study@CTScollege.com

Elders’ Classes

Elders’ classes provide a range of classes, including courses in CXC/CSEC after school and work flexibility. Located in P.O.S., Trinidad.

Tel: 627-8632 / 623-0935
Email: n/a

BetterGradesFast.com

BetterGradesFast.com provides the option for online video classes so that you don’t even have to leave your home. Their physical location is in Arima, Trinidad.

Tel: 308-4028
Email: n/a

Don’t wait until you are too busy or cannot afford to improve your qualifications. Remember this investment today will provide a better tomorrow for you and your family! So take the leap now!

Brand Yourself Using Social Media

In the digital age, a person’s character and skills are quickly judged by their online presence before a real meeting. Turns out, about 92% of companies use social media for hiring – excluding LinkedIn. Your social media persona can help get the job (i.e. show creativity) or it can hamper your chances (i.e. show incompetence).

Here’s some Dos and Don’ts on how to use Social Media to your advantage!

Facebook/Twitter

Do choose a profile picture that is not scandalous and/or offensive.
Do create a user name that is close to your real name. Corrects spelling helps!
Don’t post everything you may find funny and/or go on a rant.
Don’t use offensive, racial and/or obscene language in most of your posts.

LinkedIn

Do choose an appropriate profile picture with a clear view of your face.
Do make sure you spell check your profile.
Don’t lie on your profile.

Personal Blog/ Instagram/ Youtube/ Tumblr/Pinterest

Do show your creativity, worth ethic and interests!
Don’t leave your profile “public” if what you post may discredit you.

Remember, every comment you make can trace back to your profile, so make sure your digital presence can impress and captivate the employer. Let them start chasing you for once!

Check out JobsTT on LinkedIn here!

When to Seek Feedback from an Employer

One of the many frustrations of job hunting is receiving little to no feedback on submitted applications from potential employers.

poll

According to a poll done by Simply Hired last week on Twitter, recruiters say a candidate should wait up to 5 – 7 days before following up on a job interview.

Following up with an employer after an application submission or interview can help you fine-tune your cover letter and CV for the next job opportunity coming your way. So to determine the right time to seek feedback, you should consider the following questions:

Have you successfully applied/interviewed for the job position?

Make sure that your application is successfully sent and delivered. If it’s an interview, note the date of the interview.

Has it been more than a week since you applied/interviewed?

From the date of your application/interview, count to see if seven (7) or more days have passed.

Is it pass the deadline date/feedback date for the job post?

Note if the application deadline or the feedback date given by the interviewer has passed.

If you have answered Yes to ALL of the above questions, then go ahead and contact the employer. The HR department should be willing to give feedback on your application/interview.

If you answered No on any of the above questions, you should consider giving the employer a few more days before seeking feedback.

Remember, whether if your feedback is positive or not, always ask how you can improve your resume or interviewing skills for future reference!

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