JOBS: What to Avoid When Appearing For An Interview
You frequently experience anxiety as a job seeker before attending an interview at a new institution or business. Everyone experiences this, but you shouldn't let your anxiety get the better of you and prevent you from acting appropriately during the interview.
Leah Mukangai 
Some interviews might be challenging and others might go well for you. The success of any interview lies in how prepared you are for it. Employees also find ways to get to know you and approve that you are the most suitable for the job position they want.
First, when going for a job interview, you should ensure that you get to prepare well for it. Ensure that you carry the right documents to the place and also carry yourself in an organized manner. You can read more on https://www.brightkenyanews.com/backup2/jobs-how-to-prepare-well-for-an-interview
In this article, you will get to know what to do when you enter an organization where you are going for an interview.
You should know that an interview starts the moment you step into the organization's premises. This includes everyone around the area, including the guards at the gate.
Here are some tips that you should adhere to when on the organization's premises, just before you walk into the office for the interview.
1. Politely greet everyone.
Greeting everyone includes interacting with the workers around. Some employees might go ahead and ask about how you conducted yourself as you entered the organization. Some might also pretend to be other people in the company so as to get to know how you carry yourself when going for the interview.
You can also be courteous with the words that you use. Learn to say 'Please', 'Thank you' or 'Pardon' among other kind words. You can also ask for directions from the people around you so that they can guide you to the right place for the interview.
2. Avoid using your phone too much.
In most organizations, you will find out that they have installed CCTV cameras at various places. Sometimes employees use the cameras to monitor how you use your phone or any gadget in the area. In such an era, you'll find that most people want to capture to reveal to their social media friends where they are and what activity they are doing.
Avoid sharing your interview activities on social media. This could make you lose your chances of getting an interview at the organization. company. Also, don't go ahead asking for places you can charge your phone and also make unnecessary calls.
3. Avoid talking too much.
Talking too much might land you into trouble. Avoid talking too much with your fellow interviewees. Don't even get into arguments with your fellow interviewees. You can also avoid starting conversations that might cause discomfort to the people around you.
You should also avoid creating impressions about the people you know. In a case where you know a person in the organization, always remain professional to avoid passing the wrong message.
4. Avoid eating or chewing before going for the interview.
Some employees might tempt you and offer you some food or a drink. No matter how bad you might be, avoid accepting their offers. You can take it after the interview or you can simply reject it and thank them for the offer.
Avoid chewing gum during the interview. It causes distraction and your mind might be diverted to it.
5. Never criticize your previous employer.
This might be a trap for you. No matter how bad your employer treated you, never talk ill about him/her. Talking ill about your previous workstation might cause a bad impression on your employer-to-be.
6. Do not appear desperate
Never appear desperate, poor, or inferior when going for an interview. Always thrive to be your best when interacting with your employees. Your main focus should be getting the job.
After getting done with the interview, no matter how bad it went, always put on a smiling face, thank the interviewing panel and leave the office. In most cases, employers will assess how you have conducted yourself and not what is in the documents that you have carried. Always remember these tips when going for any interview.
Here are some job samples that you can apply for.
JOB 1: Account Manager - Business Imaging at Epson Europe
As an Account Manager in the Business Sales division of Epson, you will develop and implement the business sales plan for designated customers/partners to generate business growth and maximize sales of Epson products.
Key Responsibilities
Sales:
- Promote the complete Epson range to increase Epson sales growth into specific reseller and end-user markets.
- Set and achieve quarterly targets for aligned accounts and defined product range.
- Develop and execute a sales plan for optimal customer portfolio management.
- Account planning with aligned channel partners in order to identify and qualify new opportunities for growth.
- Collect sales out data from channel partners in order to identify key target end users for Epson sales activity.
- Maintain an opportunity pipeline for the key end-user businesses. Pass opportunities in defined verticals to vertical/product specialists and pass other opportunities to account managers.
- Maximize opportunities from corporate account managers and specialist vertical account managers.
Channel Marketing:
- Agree and review quarterly business/marketing plans while identifying new marketing opportunities.
- To identify, manage and execute promotional campaigns within specified accounts appropriate to customer and Epson business needs.
- To track the ROI of promotional campaigns run in conjunction with partners.
- Ensure optimal implementation of generic Epson marketing campaigns within aligned accounts.
Communication and Reporting:
- Follow and monitor the forecasting process for the assigned market and provide the utmost accuracy by supporting EEB/EMD with the relevant information and "enrichment".
- Collate competitive marketplace information. Provide structured feedback and input to promotional activities with this knowledge.
- Manage the development and implementation of the CRM initiative, as required.
- Maintenance of Epson Partner Programme. Review qualification criteria with partners and ensure criteria are met. Meet targets on a number of signed partners.
- Present regular reports as detailed in KPIs. Reports will include but not be limited to portfolio reports, opportunity reports, and Sales MDF ROI reports.
- Identification of relevant customer case studies for onward use internally within Epson and/or external use.
- Coordinate assistance from other support departments to provide resources, as required for the specified accounts.
- Work effectively with end-user vertical/specialist sales managers to optimize Epson’s sales.
- Liaise with the European team on the management of any pan EMEAR opportunities or target accounts.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Sales experience within the business print industry preferred
- Direct account management background is preferable.
- Record of success in large accounts.
- Innovative approach.
- Evidence of academic achievement.
Method of Application
JOB 2: Senior Investment Associate, East Africa at Acumen
About Acumen
About East Africa
Acumen’s commitment to East Africa began in 2004. Core to our success is the ability to identify, resource, and build a world-class portfolio of investments that demonstrates the power of patient capital to solve the problems of poverty in East Africa and the world more broadly. Equally important is to leverage our experience into insights that compel this ecosystem of funders, operators, and policymakers to catalyze a broader paradigm shift in the battle against poverty. Over the years, Acumen East Africa has made investments across several sectors: healthcare, energy, water & sanitation, agriculture, and education. Our key focus now is Agriculture, Education, and Renewable Energy. Acumen constantly evaluates the potential to expand into other sectors. We support entrepreneurs and businesses which are revolutionizing their sectors and pioneering new development paradigms that deliver impact to the power on a sustainable basis. The office is staffed with a full-time team of professionals from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to its local focus on investing, Acumen East Africa serves as a hub of global Acumen activity, a location where we often bring together partners, investees, team members, and Fellows for a variety of events.
About The Role
As an East Africa Senior Investment Associate, you will play a key role in sourcing investments and enabling the companies to make a discernable impact on the poor on a sustainable basis. As part of your core function, you will enhance and grow our portfolio by identifying quality investment opportunities from the large pipeline of companies seeking capital in Sub-Saharan Africa.
You would assist the Associate Director for Investment and East Africa Director to formulate an overall portfolio construction strategy including an analysis of key industries to focus on with a detailed analysis of the players in the entire vertical. You would work with appropriate Acumen professionals to develop fundraising presentations and meet with potential and existing funding sources. The East Africa Senior Investment Associate reports to the Associate Director for Investment/Investment Manager.
More Specifically, You Will
Source and identify exceptional investment opportunities providing critical services to the poor
- Evaluate and identify quality investment opportunities from a large deal pipeline utilizing your analytical and critical thinking skills to find unique business models. Articulate your understanding of the value proposition, risks, competition, industry, and impact to your peers in a collaborative investment evaluating culture.
- Prepare and present compelling investment memos for Acumen’s Investment Committee.
- Perform thorough due diligence and structure transactions reflecting appropriate risk/return factors. Work closely with legal counsel to document and close investments.
- Deliver operational insight to the entrepreneurs and leadership team post-investment to enable the companies to achieve economic sustainability. Support the development and evaluate key metrics to measure the social and financial returns on investments.
- Periodically update the Investment Committee (and sometimes Acumen funders) with portfolio presentations demonstrating the successful performance delivery of impact to the poor.
- Build and enhance your existing network with external stakeholders including funders, advisors, thought leaders, and sector and functional experts to enhance the investment opportunities pipeline for evaluation by attending industry conferences, events, and one-on-one meetings.
- Develop, teach, and mentor Investment Associates working on investments you source and lead. Assist the Investment Associates to grow their abilities to identify business model attributes to migrate to Senior Investment Associates.
Qualifications & Characteristics
- Bachelor's degree; in finance, business, or related field preferred
- 5-8 years of principal investing experience, including financial and operational due diligence of private companies. Understanding early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs is a plus
- Strong understanding of financial statements and an ability to analyze historical results and model future periods including running sensitivities of key input assumptions
- Ability to present your investment track record of both good and bad historical investments
- Curious – always questioning, always probing, and never blindly accepting
- Solid professional skills including the ability to work and deliver projects independently, proactively, and under pressure
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to present arguments and analysis to Acumen management, partners, and investees.
- Effectively collaborate with and across teams, seeks and provide constructive feedback
- Ideally be familiar with the social enterprise sector with a significant commitment, desire, or experience serving the poor
- Ability to thrive when there is ambiguity, remain cool-headed when there are curve balls, and withstand the tests of a rapidly changing environment with resilience and resolve
- Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
- Must have the authorization to work in Kenya on a permanent basis
Method of Application
About Burn Manufacturers
BURN is an eclectic group of designers, builders, and visionaries who are committed to making stoves that can transform lives and save forests. Our goal is not just to provide clean burning wood and charcoal stoves but to provide a range of super fuel-efficient stoves for the 2 billion people who will inhabit sub-Saharan Africa by 2050.
About The Role
BURN is seeking an experienced and analytical Carbon Finance Manager who reports to our Carbon Finance Director with strong numerical skills to drive our carbon financial operations and improve financial performance.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Do and oversee day-to-day bookkeeping and finance functions for the carbon entities within the BURN group, both domestic and abroad, and ensure that the books are up to date and correct.
- Lead the carbon finance team and ensure that all work is being completed promptly.
- Manage the month, quarter, and year-end processes and ensure all tasks, including consolidations, are carried out and reports are ready by agreed timelines.
- Responsible for financial reporting for the carbon entities internally and externally.
- Monitoring cash flows.
- Develops financial forecasts and monitors financial health, monitoring guardrails around financial commitments.
- Audit preparations for all carbon entities and liaise with the auditors and the BURN group finance team.
- Delivers presentations to executive and senior management teams about financial planning and analysis.
- Lead the preparation of annual budgets and periodic rolling forecasts.
- Responsible for the monthly financial package to management, including commenting on variances to plan, forecast, and prior years.
- Provide high-level performance “dashboard” reports to senior management or executive team.
- Liaising with business stakeholders across all levels to achieve transactional goals.
- Perform any other finance-related task requested by management.
Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor/Master’s degree in finance/BA.
- Minimum 5 years of Finance and Accounting experience whereby a minimum of 2 years leading teams.
- Experience in carbon is preferable.
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS).
- Strong skills in financial reporting.
- Experience with ERP, preferably Microsoft NAV/Business Central.
- Excellent skills in Excel.
- Practical experience in international multi-entity consolidation.
- Ability to be exceptionally organized and proficient at multi-tasking.
- Excellent problem-finding and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
- Excellent leadership skills.
Qualified Female Candidates encouraged to Apply
BURN does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
