JOBS: How Does Work Experience Affect Job Applications?
When looking for a job to apply for, it is best to be keen to look for the job experience period required. Sometimes, employers use this to filter out the large numbers of people applying for the various job positions.
Leah Mukangai 
When applying for jobs, show potential employers your previous work experience on your resume. It is critical to outline and reevaluate your experience so that it may appeal to these employers and increase your chances of being called in for an interview.
Using the right language to describe your most relevant work experience can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. The way you present your experience on your resume can immediately place you on the shortlist of desired candidates.
Employers also want to see that you can articulate your work history, explain why it qualifies you for the job, and demonstrate how you will meet their expectations if they hire you.
Job experience can help you to gain skills and decide what to do if you are:
- out of work
- changing career
- looking for your first job
- returning to work after a break
What is job experience?
Also referred to as work experience.
Job experience is the knowledge gained by an employee while working in a specific job, field, or profession.
Your resume's work experience section can make or break your chances of landing your dream job.
Employee experience is all-encompassing and includes everything an employee thinks, feels, and sees.
What is the importance of job experience?
- To get an understanding of the workplace and what employers expect of their employees.
- It gives an individual an opportunity to explore potential career paths.
increases self-awareness, maturity, independence, and self-confidence. - It increases motivation to continue studying and/or pursuing additional training.
- It gives a better understanding of how the school curriculum can help prepare young people for work.
- It enables you to be knowledgeable in the introduction to workplace recruitment practices.
It enhanced opportunities for part-time and casual employment.
Work experience can help you in the following:
- To discover more about yourself.
- To discover what inspires you
- To develop and test career ideas
- To discover your strengths, values, motivations, and interests
- To meet new people and expand your contact network
- To determine any reasonable adjustments you may require as a result of a disability or long-term health condition.
- It can also help you rule out options, which can help you narrow down your career options.
Every aspect of a company's processes will be influenced by employee perceptions and experiences. Employees who are satisfied with their experience are more engaged and complete tasks more effectively and efficiently.
Employee experience has a direct impact on other aspects of the workplace. Employees who have positive experiences, for example, are more likely to commit to and stay with a company than employees who have negative experiences.
Because most job seekers are easily swayed by employee perceptions of the work experience and company culture, they are also more likely to promote the company as a great place to work, resulting in more referrals for open positions and higher fill rates.
What to consider when including your work experience in your resume
Showcasing your work experience and education positions enables you to be hired or advanced to the next round of the interview process.
The following need to be considered:
1. Understanding the job description
The job description is a more useful resource for tailoring your experience to this question. You want to address directly that you can perform the responsibilities listed in the job description as well as ancillary tasks as needed.
Companies may also include a disclaimer that the description is not a complete overview of the position, so be proactive in listing your experience that highlights the results you achieved for previous employers.
2. Connect your experiences to the company you're applying to the job
Make connections about how your previous experiences and knowledge can assist you in completing tasks requested by your prospective employer.
List your knowledge of processes performed at each position, as well as the skills you developed as a result of completing those processes.
3. Research the company you are applying for
Researching the company gives you more information to effectively communicate your experience. The information on the company's website can tell you a lot about the organization's core values.
Core values can assist you in shaping personal and professional goals that are aligned with the career path you wish to pursue. As a result, before you proceed to the interview with the employer, you must list your experiences based on the position you want to work in, in order to draw attention to your core values.
In practicing these, you'll be able to improve your chances of being hired to your next job or advancing your current job to the next level.
Here are job samples in Kenya that you can apply for:
JOB 1: Intellectual Property Officer at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI
About Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify technology with commercial applications and recommend whether intellectual property protection should be sought;
- Implementing inter-institutional agreements;
- Monitor material transfer and confidentiality agreements to ensure compliance with statutory intellectual property reporting regulations;
- Providing information to KEMRI and external attorneys to assist in determining intellectual property patentability and to oversee adherence to application timelines;
- Evaluate software and copyright disclosures, identify and review existing and new contracts and file appropriate copyright registration;
- Preparing non-confidential disclosures and descriptions of intellectual property and related information for potential licensees;
- Supporting development, disclosure, protection, and exploitation of KEMRI intellectual property
Vacancy Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in any science field and/or any other relevant Social Science qualification from a recognized institution;
- Proficiency in computer applications;
- Planning and Organizational Skills
- Communication Skills
- Ardent reader
- Networking and Interpersonal skills
- Team player
Method of Application
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Will work closely with the Internal Auditor to ensure implementation of the recommendation of the consultant, external auditor, and those of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee;
- Develop and implement a risk management framework for the KCIC group to ensure all aspects of the Group’s operations are in line with relevant regulations;
- In liaison with the management team, facilitate the embedding of the risk assessment in planning and decision making through developing and monitoring key risk appetite metrics and risk indicators;
- Ensuring that there is regular updating of the risk register for the KCIC group, including progress towards implementing the risk mitigation actions;
- Provide support to managers in analyzing and strengthening existing processes on risk & compliance issues and in maintaining an effective internal control environment to support operational efficiency;
- Work with the staff to ensure that the use of all KCIC group resources is in conformity with strategic plans/project plans, current policies and procedures, and donor funding agreements and requirements;
- Ensure that there are adequate internal control systems with clear accountabilities, including performance and risk management systems, monitoring and oversight processes and techniques, tools, and processes to support their implementation;
- Conduct regular and ad hoc risk assessments within the KCIC group to identify and evaluate risks, assess the effectiveness of the internal controls, and assess the potential for fraud and corruption in operational activities as well as compliance of the organization on statutory and regulatory requirements;
- Continuously assess and evaluate risks and identify mitigation mechanisms;
- Conduct and document compliance risk assessments for each function within the KCIC group to ascertain compliance with risk management policy, standard operating procedures, and set guidelines;
- Develop and prepare a comprehensive risk information packs to share with external stakeholders such as the board, donors, and partners;
- Coordinate and provide training programs related to specific risk management areas within the KCIC group for its staff as well as KCIC clients;
- Keep abreast of local and global best practices with respect to compliance and risk management for the Group’s operations and make recommendations;
- Responsible for regulatory compliance management including monitoring and reporting on changes to applicable statutes and regulations.
Candidate Profile
The job holder should possess the following minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Business Administration, Risk Management, Finance or any other related field from a recognized University;
- A Master’s Degree in a related field will be an added advantage;
- Relevant Professional qualification, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Finalist or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), (CISA) or Risk Management;
- Seven (7) years experience in Risk Management and Compliance with knowledge of current best practices and trends;
- At least three (3) years experience with donor-funded organization;
In addition, candidates should demonstrate the following personal traits and competencies:
- Ability to be forward-thinking and use technology and other modern tools to support decision-making and implementation;
- Creativity and innovation skills;
- Strong Analytical and Organizational Skills
- Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Report Writing Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- High Level of Integrity
- Critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills;
- Quality focus and attention to detail;
- Personal motivation and drive exhibited through commitment
Method of Application
Interested candidates are invited to send their up-to-date CV with their contact details, copies of academic and professional certificates, details of current and expected remuneration, the names of three professional referees, and a cover letter demonstrating how you meet our requirements to hr@kenyacic.org. The subject of the email should be the position being applied for.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 8th July 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
JOB 3: Accountant at Future Kenya Ltd
About Future Kenya Ltd
Future Kenya is an Information Technology Solutions Company poised to provide its clients with a comprehensive business solution to run their business successfully, at the lowest total cost of ownership. This is achieved through mutually beneficial cooperation and affiliation with the client. Our advantage is that of knowledge sharing and experience in vertical and business applications, so as to automate and integrate a client’s enterprise.
Responsibilities:
- Accounting and Data Entry (All areas)
- Billing and Recurring Billing
- Client Care and Account Management
- Financial Reporting and Audits
- Operational Reporting and Incidents Management.
- Collections & Payables
- Tax Reporting and Compliance
- Administration and Banking
- Legal and Licensing
- Emailing and Communication
Qualifications:
- Your career is inclined to becoming a Software-Based Senior Accountant, Finance Manager.
- Well organized in planning and execution.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance /Accounting Option
- CPA (K) or at least in CPA part 3 ( section 5 or 6) Fresh graduates who have finished their internship to be considered.
- Served in a similar for at least 2 years.
- Has relevant computer and/or accounting package training.
- Resourcefulness and problem-solving aptitude
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience in on-the-job Accounting Software Implementations and Training will be of added advantage.
- You are an Accounting graduate and understand all aspects of manual and automated book-keeping, tax reporting, and financial reporting
- You should be between 22-28 years old.
- Willing to accept an amicable salary during the accreditation and job qualification period (3-6 months), scaled on performance and compliance to the job description, and display ownership
- plus awareness of the job description.
- Communicate generic monthly performance review reports.
- NOT studying or intending to study further
- Only those who are within Nairobi should apply
Method of Application
Kindly send your CV and cover letter stating the position as the subject, daytime telephone contacts to hr@futurekenya.com
