Although the term “work” is relative and stress is responsive to this, we can talk about that later.
Oxford Advance Learner Dictionary refers to stress as pressure; condition causing hardship, disquiet, e.t.c. while it also says work is –use of bodily or mentally powers with the purpose of doing or making something (especially contrasted with play or recreation) or what a person does for a living; employment-.
The condition under which we work and our disposition to that work really matter. These are some of the factors that determine how healthy we would be after work or at our old age. The daily activities and routine of our work has a way of telling on us both physically and psychologically, and all these result into what we call “stress at work”.
Let us consider some of these factors about stress and the possible solutions.
Exposure to extreme weather:
Nobody feels comfortable when exposed to extreme cold or heat and this can cause stress, so make sure there is adequate ventilation and efficient cooling and heating system installed in your work place.
Pressure at work:
Avoid compounding work to be done. Do not postpone till tomorrow what can be done today, because the pressure will be much when you will have to finish the work to meet deadlines. Try to delegate duties, this helps reduce pressure. Also, try to be in right standing with your boss and co-workers, so they can help you out when you need them to do that.
Long Hours at work:
Working for too long at a time constitutes stress, try to take little breaks at intervals within works, this help you relax and re-concentrate. Create time for vacation and rest. Your body is not a machine and so should rest.
Dissatisfaction with one’s job:
Someone who is not pleased with his/her job will easily get stressed under a light pressure. Make sure your job is that one that gives you joy and satisfaction, if not, plan to leave the job and find the one that your natural talents and skills are what is required to perform the job. The one you have interest and passion for. Your interest and passion for the work alone will keep you going in the face of trouble and pressure and never stressed, you’ll just be having fun.
Xtrapoint Computer Company has always been in the vantage of educating the NYSC members in its region on some salient issues about their careers, this time as always, a seminar on “writing a winning C.V.” was staged with dozens of corps members in attendance. Tomide Fabunmi (Director of Xtrapoint) was scheduled to take the 2 hours seminar. His paper reads.
WRITING A WINNING CV
A SEMINAR HELD AT XTRAPOINT COMPUTER COMPANY ON FRIDAY 23RD OF APRIL, 2010
Writing a Curriculum Vitae/Resume is the first step in finding a job. A resume is a brief summary of your work experience and achievements, educational background, and personal activities. Your resume is your introduction to a potential employer. If your resume makes a good impression, you are most likely to be invited for an interview.
1.There are many different formats you can use for a resume. Develop a format you are comfortable with and that best shows your background and experience. Good and appropriate CV layout is critical to show effectively how your skills match the requirement for a particular post. In the first instance, the employer is looking at your ingenuity in addressing the challenge of making the connection between yourself and their job.
2.Keep your resume as short as possible. A one-page resume is ideal for most job applicants. A person with a great deal of relevant experience may require a two-page resume. If you use two pages, include a heading on the second page giving your name and the page number.
3.Your CV layout itself demonstrates motivation and respect for the employer. If your layout is focused on the information they provided, they will be more likely to shortlist you. The care you take to target, interpret and prioritize your experiences also demonstrates effective written communication skills.
4.Resumes should be typed perfectly using a readable typeface like arial, Calibrie.t.c. Ideally the font size of regular text should be 11 or 12. Don’t be tempted to cram in more text in a smaller font. You should be able to hold your CV at arm’s length and still read it comfortably. This is easier to achieve if you have a computer with a spelling checker. However, perfection is not guaranteed even then.If you cannot type, or if you cannot type a perfect resume, hire someone to type it for you.
5.The employer will probably scan rather than read the CV, so it’s essential that the layout makes it easy to navigate. This means a strong internal logic with headings and consistent use of effects. Make sure you’re giving the reader strong visual signals about how the CV should be read.
6.Always check spelling and grammar. Ask a careers adviser or third party to read through the final version. In the main, graphics and gimmicks are to be avoided.
7.Using tables and charts can make a CV look cluttered and detract from the information given.
8.Overall, try to use a consistent style and format and don’t overdo underlining and capitals.
9.Try a different or larger font for headings and use bold for emphasis. For some creative roles, an alternative approach may be appreciated but keep it original and professional.
11.Depending on the situation, you may also include other information such as fluency in foreign languages and outside activities but only if they are applicable to the position you are seeking.
12.Do not date a resume, but be sure your work experience and educational data are up-to-date and your address and telephone number are current
13.Do not give your age, your marital status, or state that you have children. You may mention your family during the interview, if appropriate.
14.Do not list physical handicaps if you honestly think you can do the job you are applying for. Once you at the interview, you can show a potential employer how you perform.
15.There is no need to list references. A potential employer will assume that you have references.
NOTE:Although you need not list them on your resume, do prepare a list of references. Include the names, titles, work addresses and business phone numbers of people, such as supervisors or instructors, who can describe you as an employee or student. If you have not worked before, list people who can vouch for your intelligence and good character, such as members of the clergy or scout leaders. Always ask your references if you may list them as references. Have copies of your reference list available at job interviews.
16.Do not include salary requirements on a resume. You might list a salary either too high or too low and thus be eliminated from further consideration. Plan to discuss salary requirements and other benefits at the interview.
RESUME CONTENT
A resume always includes the following information: your name, address, and telephone number; the position or type of position in which you are interested; your work experience; and your educational back ground.
THE HEADING
1.The heading includes your full name, your street address, your city, state, email address, and both your work and home telephone numbers with an area code.
2.Position the heading at the top of the first page, either centered or at the left-hand margin.
1.After the heading list your objective or the type of position you are seeking.
2.The objective can be specific or general, depending on your experience and training.
Objective:Secondary teaching position in Social Studies
Objective:Senior production manager for major publisher
EXPERIENCE:
1.Include a summary of your work experience. List your most recent job first.
2.Include the dates of employment, the name and address of your employer, your job title, and a job description. If you are currently employed, use PRESENT for the end date of your first entry.
3.State your major responsibilities and accomplishments in the position—such as projects completed, production records broken, increased earnings for the company, number of persons supervised.
NOTE;Be sure to describe your achievements, not those of your company.
4.Full sentences are not necessary. Cut the subject of the sentence and begin with the verb:
History teacher, 9th and 12th grades
Received state award for excellence in teaching, 1989; presented program "Using Literature to Enhance the Teaching of Social History" at the national conference of the National Council of the Social Studies, 1988; Voted "Teacher of the Year" by faculty and students, 1987.
EDUCATION
If you are currently employed, a brief summary of your education may follow the section headed Experience. If you have just graduated and have no work experience, the education section may follow your objective.
1.List in reverse chronological order the schools you have attended. (List first the school you attended most recently.) If you have attended University, do not list your high school.
2.Include the name of the school and the years you attended. State the year you graduated, the degree you received, and your major and minor fields. If you have no work experience, you may give your grade point average.
3.List any additional courses and training programs you may have completed that are relevant for the job you are seeking.
Related activities include school, civic, and personal activities that may interest an employer because they demonstrate leadership, civic or fiscal responsibility, or other desirable experiences.
4.Include memberships in academic, professional, or business organizations if they relate to the job you are seeking. Do not mention membership in purely social clubs or organizations unless you have held office or served on an active committee. List involvement in student government or civic affairs if it shows qualities or experience related to the job you are seeking. For example, if you are seeking a job as a realtor, listing membership in several community or church organizations shows that you know your community well, that you have many contacts, and that you like to be with people. All of these are important qualities for someone selling real estate.
POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY, ACHIEVEMENTS, INTERESTS E.T.C.
These are all relevant sections to include and can be used to demonstrate that you’re motivated to pursue other activities, have an interest in a relevant career, and take the initiative to develop your involvements and skills. Again, try to focus on recent achievement and what your contributions were, what skill you developed and what the outcomes were. Employers will not necessarily spend time trying to trying to make sense out of your experience.
REFEREES
Two referees are the norm one academic and one work related or a character referee if necessary. Give their phone number and email along with their title and address. Always ask for their permission first and remember to keep them informed of your career aspiration and achievement to date.
If you are running out of space and referees’ details are not explicitly requested, it is acceptable to state “References available on request”.
With this knowledge you are armed with, I am sure you will produce a winning CV which will at least not disqualify you at the first stage of your job seeking but get you to the interview stage. We shall subsequently discuss “Successful Job interview” thanks for your time and God bless.
This piece should have come up over a year ago, but not until I visited the New National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Abia state to request that some Corps Members be Posted to our company, that the NYSC memory came back to me. September 5, 2006 precisely, I'd embark on a journey to God's own state (Abia) it was my second time of crossing the popular River Niger after a Junior Chamber International (JCI) Collegiate Members Training Retreat Held at the prestigious Nnamdi Azikwe University in Awka (the Capital City of Anambra State) sometimes in 2004.
Prior to my leaving the ever bubbling Lagos State. I'd arrange to leave with a good friend of mine (Bode Bolade) who fortunately was posted to Abia State too. We were ready to explore and determined to make something good out of Abia.
The long journey on board Ekene Dili Chukwu Transport was kind of interesting as we could see that truly, Nigeria is big.
Life on Camp was not a funny one at all, as by then I was left with 500 naira to survive 21 days while it continued to rain day after day. I could not enjoy most of the things my mates enjoyed as I don't have the money required, therefore I retired to making do with everything and just anything I was given by NYSC just the way they are.
According to my prior decision, I was very active on camp, as I joined several groups where I know I could do well like the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) where I met some good friends till date like Samson Omale, Olumide Fayemi, Emma and a host of others, Dance and Drama group of Platoon 7, as that was my Platoon having the registration no AB/06B/1067, where I met other nice people like Victoria Awe, Femi Jacobs, Seun, the list is endless.
We started making new friends, the good news was that everybody was ready to make friend. I interacted with people from different background, culture, belief, school, tribe, e.t.c. The Man ‘0’ War Drill was another event worth mentioning, it test a lot of our skills most especially our mindsets, team playing ability and our concentration ability. Thanks to those guys, they imbibed us with some traits that lived with us throughout the one year, even beyond.
In short, the whole NYSC experience was worth it, it was able to integrate us together, changed some of my orientation and open my eyes to some opportunities that abound in foreign land. After the 3 weeks, we hardly wanted to leave the camp because we have so much learnt to leave together and see ourselves as one, now was the time to scatter us again.
I was then posted to Umuahia South Local Government Council as my primary place of assignment. By 14th of August, 2007, I was through with the whole thing. Thanks to NYSC, it in part, made me.
Tomide Fabunmi, being the Director of xtrapoint computer company, a core information technology firm based in Abia and Lagos State, Nigeria. Has requested that he will only continue to post personal activities and events to this blog. To read about his official activities in moving xpcc forward, visit http://www.xtrapointcc.blogspot.com the blog is updated by staff of the company most especially the system engineer (Victor Nwoji) and the admin head (Ogbuaku Kelechi). They report from their views and perspectives of the trend of events in xpcc. Thanks.
Tomide Fabunmi is currently taking a class of the staff of Global Webs Technologies (a top I.T based Company in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State, on coporate and computer related issues. the said lecture series started in the first week of April and is to last till the last week of June, 2008. Let's see some of his lecture materials.
REPITITIVE STRESS INJURY (RSIs) INTRODUCTION There are a lot Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) resulting from the use of PCs. This can broadly be categories into upper limb and postural disorder. The first appearance was noticed in data entry clerks and journalist. The computing profession, just like any other profession. Each peripheral device (keyboard, monitor, mouse, printer e.t.c.) of a computer system has associated injuries. The monitor emits radiations that are injurious to the body, the arrangement of the keyboard keys constitute a health hazards, the mouse is no excerption and of course the laser printer. It will be incomplete to consider only the safety of the body without considering the computer system itself. Thus, protections against surge, lightning and thunder as well as static electricity are necessary for a safe working environment. The computer ergonomics is another issue uppermost in the profession. Beside the fact that it opens another avenue for redesigning the set of furniture, it is anticipated to reduce drastically the RSIs. REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES (RSIs) What is RSI? Repetitive Stress Injury is a health problem that is responsible for illnesses among workers. The repetitive movements required in many work assignments cause it. In short RSIs refers to a group of illness that affects muscles, joints and ligaments especially in the upper limbs.
Factors that contributes to RSI These factors include a. wrong posture b. long period of work c. stress at work d. dissatisfaction with ones job e. expossure to cold
PREVENTION OF RSIs Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) can be prevented by observing the following rules. a. avoid holding a heavy object for a long period of time b. avoid putting to much load on the joint c. avoid using the arms above the heart level for a prolonged period d. avoid taking an uncomfortable posture at work e. always alternate your posture at work f. develop an ergonomically balanced environment g. always imitate your pets in the morning by stretching your muscles Ergonomic Issues What is ergonomics? Ergonomics is the science of designing equipments for comfortable, safe and healthy working environment where the body takes a neutral posture. The design of workstation should be such that people are maintaining neutral posture. Each individual needs to be able to adjust the workstation so that the back is neutral; the shoulders are down, the wrist straight, and the elbows resting on padded surface. General ergonomics guidelines for safe computing 1. place your body in a neutral posture (make your body joints as close to angle 90 as possible 2. Stay at an arms length away from your monitor to reduce EMFs radiation and high strain. 3. Locate the monitor so that the top of the screen is even with your forehead to check neck strain. 4. Take frequent breaks at least 10 minutes every three hours. This will reduce stress. 5. Use adjustable furniture, adjust it to suit you and vary your posture often. 6. Arrange your office to your taste; make sure you are comfortable with the look, smell, temperature, e.t.c. 7. Make sure your system is fast enough, so that waiting time does not contribute to the stress level. 8. Use indirect lightning to avoid glare on the screen if possible.
few easily make it, some hardly make it, many never made it. certain things are responsible for these, consider yourself lucky to be here, let's review some issues of life.
Tomide Fabunmi is a self-motivated, energetic young man, who hardly believes in impossibilities. He is strictly result oriented and have no appetite for excuses. Passionately involved in information & communication technology.
He is also a motivational speaker and has been guest or presenter on several radio and TV stations trying to re-configure people's mindset to live-up to challenges.
He is currently the Managing Director of xtrapoint computer company & says he hasn't done anything yet.
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