by Kelvin Bob-Manuel

 

Whenever I hear someone advising people to dream big  (especially when it comes to applying for a job) I get weary. Don’t get me wrong; I believe that everyone should have high expectations for their lives. But “Dream Big” is an incomplete phrase. I would say “Dream big, and prepare.”

What do I mean by that? Well let me tell you about my experiences.

Often times people will come to me asking me to get them a job making so and so amount or doing so and so job or being in charge of so many people, but they don’t have the experience to back it up. When I ask them questions about their goals they talk about they plan to be at the top of the company within one year, but they haven’t even managed anyone yet.

So why do I say all this?

Because it is good to have dreams to be a leader, but it is better to prepare to be a leader. If you want to become the head of any organization, there’s nothing wrong with that, but prepare, prepare, prepare, and there will be so many opportunities that arise for you that won’t arise for those who are at home just “dreaming big.”

Here are some of tips for preparing for success

1. Dream big
2. Look for people who have done it before and see if you can intern with them
3. Attend training programmes that will give you the skills you need for those positions
4. And no matter what, stay positive – hang around positive people, think about positive things.

What are some of your suggestions for others who are looking for jobs?

Could your mouth odor be keeping you from the job of your dreams? Have you tried to listen to someone who had mouth odor? You try your best to listen because you don’t want to be rude, but you feel yourself withdrawing and your face starts frowning uncontrollably.

Now imagine you have 200 people apply for one position and you’re interviewing 50 of them and one of them comes in with the funkiest of mouth odors. How easy do you think it would be to pick them – even if they have all the needed qualifications?

I have had so many experiences of people looking for jobs but their breath was so bad, and I wasn’t sure how to explain it to them without them getting offended and feeling like I was being disrespectful to them. But can you imagine all the lost opportunities that people could be missing out on, just because of this thing. Something as small as just your mouth odor could really be affecting you and preventing you from getting the position that you deserve.

So here are some tips when interviewing

1. Of course you know to brush your teeth
2. Look in the mirror to make sure there’s nothing stuck in your teeth
3. Pop some mints or a minty gum into your mouth before the interview
4. But make sure you throw away the gum and mint before the interview begins (there shouldn’t be anything in your mouth)

What are some ways that you address bad breath?

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Kelvin has a passion for radio broadcasting and the use of social media. He coordinates outreach activities which comprises working with religious institutions, military quarters (barracks),speaking to youth and everything social media in creating awareness about WAVE Academy. www.waveacademies.org