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As graduates, especially fresh graduate, you may easily feel disqualified when you see a job posting reading “3 years of experience required”, but that is a wrong feeling to going about securing an employment.

Rather, sharpen your skills and present yourself in a way that will give the employers an impression that you are the best candidate for the job.

Don’t let the ‘job experience’ line on job postings intimidate or limit you, inasmuch as you are sure of your capability in respect the job in question.

So, if you have your eyes on a job and you don’t have much work experience to back up your eligibility, try the following tips;

1. Submit your portfolio with your application

Most of the time, your experience isn’t all that matters. The hiring manager would like to know your skills and how much you’re interested in the position. So, when you are submitting your application, you can include a well presented portfolio that highlights your passion and enthusiasm for the company and the career field.

Even if your CV is slim and doesn’t cover much work experience, the hiring manager may be intrigued by your creativity, skill and interest that you package in the portfolio.

For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level job in journalism, you can include the link to a feature article you’ve written or a video that showcases your creativity and efforts. Doing this might take the focus away from your lack of professional experience and get you endeared to the hiring manager.

2. Align the keywords in your CV with the job descriptions

Another good practice is to make sure the keywords in your CV and cover letter match with the ones in the company’s job descriptions. Don’t submit your CV or cover letter without putting these together. For example, if the job listing says they’re looking for someone who can use analytics and pay “attention to detail”, it’s important for you to include that quality in your credentials. However, if you don’t know how to use analytics, don’t lie in your CV. It’s very unprofessional.

3. Use your networking contacts

The importance of networking for professionals cannot be over-emphasized. Get in touch with your friends, lecturers and acquaintances who can help you connect with opportunities at specific companies.

For example, if you’re a fresh graduates and you have close relationship with some of your lecturers, and the entry-level job you’re applying to happens to be at company they have contacts at, you can ask them for a quick email recommendation. If you have a good relationship with your lecturers.

Job interview questions can be quite jarring, make so many thoughts to cross your mind at once. One of such question is the classic “where do you see yourself in 5 years?’

Now you wouldn’t want to say something that will sound like you have come to displace the executives, or later abandon the job and start up your company or give an impression of being cocky.

So how do you answer this question? well, career expert Lily Zhang tells us how to answer the ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ question;

So, how do you answer, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

This can feel like a bit of a trick question, because sometimes the answer is, “not in this job,” or, “in your job,” or something like, “at a bigger better opportunity elsewhere.” But none of those are things you actually want to say to a hiring manager.

The good news is you can be honest while still telling them what they really want to know. Do you have realistic expectations for your career? Are you ambitious? And does this particular position align with your growth and goals overall?

For example, one way I like to think about it is: Think about where this position could realistically take you, and think about how that aligns with some of your broader professional goals.

So, for example, you might say, “Well I’m really excited by this position at Midnight Consulting because in five years, I’d like to be seen as someone with deep expertise in the energy sector, and I know that’s something that I’ll have an opportunity to do here. I’m also really excited to take on more managerial responsibilities in the next few years and potentially even take the lead on some projects. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing managers, and so developing into a great manager myself is something I’m really excited about.”

So, what if this position is not a one-way ticket to your professional aspirations? It’s okay to say you don’t really know what the future holds, but you see how this experience could really help in making that decision.

So you can deduce from Zhang’s words that you should be honest about your ambitions in a rather tactful way.

By Williams Anuku Abuja

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige on Monday held some consultative meetings with stakeholders in the labour sector, all in a bid to avert the nationwide strike proposed by the organised Labour.

Although, an enlarged meeting has been scheduled for  Tuesday at the federal ministry of labour, Ngige was believed to have convened Monday’s meeting to harmonise government’s position on the consequential adjustments.

Labour, under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have since been mobilising their members for a national strike, slated for Wednesday Oct 16th, to compel government across board to implement the N30,000 minimum wage it recently signed into law.

While the government has started implementation for workers on grade levels 1 step 1, labour activists are insisting the increase be implemented across board.

Ngige was recently quoted to have said government would require a whopping N580billion to fully implement it but was at a loss where to source the balance from.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Ngige met with the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSC) and the Government side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council separately.

While the meeting with the Labour team of the JNPSC started by 12noon and ended 2.45pm, the Hon. Minister sat in conciliation with the Government side of the Council between 3pm to 6pm.

The meetings were Collective Bargaining negotiations, affording both parties the opportunity to share vital information, especially critical statistics to allay the fears as well as undo all encumbrances constraining the attainment of a common position.

Deliberations were intended to smoothen the rough edges in preparation for a fruitful high level conclusive meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, 15th October , 2019.

Representing the Organised Labour were the Deputy Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emma Ugboaja, Musa Lawal Ozigi of the TUC, Nuhu Toro (TUC) Lawal Alade Bashir as well as Comrade Musa Abbas.

Others in attendance at the meeting with the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council were the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, Permanent Secreatry Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo, Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, Acting Chairman of the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, a Director from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Garba Mamman, Olufehinti O.J from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, B.O.C Omogo of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and Bar. Akpan, Director of Trade Union Services in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Also in attendance was the Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Clem Agba

Williams Anuku Abuja

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olabode George has alleged that Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo masterminded his unlawful incarceration in prison as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over allegations bothering on contract splitting.

George who was once Deputy National President of the PDP, however said he has since forgiven the number two citizen, noting that inspite of his current travails in the presidency, he would not join forces against him.

Recall that Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole, on October 26, 2009, sentenced Bode George, Chairman and five other former board members of NPA namely, the Managing Director, Architect Aminu Dabo, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Alhaji Abdullahi Aminu Tafida, Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Engineer Sule Aliyu to two years each on a seven-count charge.

However, reprieve came the way of George in 2013 as the Supreme Court, voided the two years jail term, saying he was tried under a law that did not exist at the time he served as board member.

George said Osinbajo who was the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice during Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos state connived with Tinubu to draft the unknown law that was used against him.

He added that when he met Osinbajo and confronted him over the issue, he couldn’t utter any word.

“ No matter how bad a child is, we cannot throw it at the leopard to consume. On that note, we have to be careful in throwing him at the lion’s den. He couldn’t have been working all by himself. He himself has now learnt a lesson of life.

“My path and Osinbajo’s path has never crossed except one day we sat together in the aircraft before he became Vice- President and I told him my mind concerning what he did to me. I told him he needs to go for restitution, go before the altar and asked for forgiveness. He couldn’t utter a word. No comment”.

“But I will not say because of that now I must join those who are trying to bring him down. Life is full of imponderables and life is a war but if you believe in God, you will remain sold like gold,”he said.

Did you know that banana peels can be used to get rid of stains on the teeth? Well, banana peels are rich in magnesium and potassium and they effectively whiten the teeth.

Here are ways on how to use banana peels to whiten the teeth:

1. Peel the banana

Choose a banana with no spot. you want it to be ripe (as this is when it contains the most minerals) but not black.

2. Rub the inside of the peel against your teeth

For close to ten minutes rub the inside of the banana peel against your top and bottom teeth, until they are completely coated in a layer of banana paste.

3. Brush your teeth

Once the ten minutes are up, take a dry toothbrush and use it to brush the banana paste into your teeth.

4. Follow same procedure daily

It’s unlikely that you’ll see any results after just one treatment, so continue rubbing your teeth with banana peel for up to two weeks.

Here are the health benefits of lemon water:

1. Relieves Sore Throat

Drinking warm lemon water may provide relief from a sore throat or pharyngitis.

2. Helps to Prevent Kidney Stones

One of the major health benefits of lemon water includes its ability to treat and prevent kidney stones. Normally, kidney stones pass out of the body without much discomfort, but sometimes they can block the urine flow and cause intense pain. Drinking lemon water helps in rehydrating the body and keeping the urine diluted. This, in turn, reduces any risk of kidney stone formation. However, in case of severe pain and discomfort from a possible kidney stone, you should speak with a doctor or your medical professional.

3. Reduces Calorie Intake

Lemon water is a good substitute for juices or drinks that may be high in sugar. Those who try to control their diabetes or who intend to lose weight, lemon water helps to rehydrate and energize the body without adding excessive amounts of sugar.

4. Improves Liver Health

Drinking lemon water may help in activating digestive enzymes present in the liver. It is recommended that you drink lemon water in the morning by itself without consuming food or other drinks. Wait 30 minutes before consuming your first meal or taking any additional supplements.

5. Improves Digestion

The lemon juice present in lemon water promotes the production of hydrochloric acid and bile secretion, which is required for digestion. It also reduces the risk of acidity and gout. People who commonly suffer from digestive issues like abdominal cramps, bloating, burning sensations, and excessive gas should drink it regularly. Lemon water is useful for curing constipation, so drink it warm every morning and get relief from constipation for the rest of the day.

6. Boosts Immune System

Lemon water is a good source of citrus bioflavonoid, vitamin C, and phytonutrients, which help improve the strength of the immune system. It also helps increase energy levels in the body due to the presence of essential vitamins and minerals. In research studies published in the American Scientific Research Journal, citrus peel oils showed strong antimicrobial activity.

7. Relieves Rheumatism

Drinking lemon water before meals and at bedtime may also provide relief from rheumatism.

8. Treats Scurvy

Consumption of lemon water helps in treating scurvy or a general deficiency of vitamin C. Signs of scurvy include bleeding gums, tooth loss, small red spots or rashes, bruising, fatigue, and more.

9. Relieves Swollen Gum Pain

Drinking lemon water may also relieve the pain associated with swollen gums. Add a pinch of salt to it for best results and make sure the lemon juice is well-diluted in water.

10. Cancer-Fighting Potential

Drinking lemon water may also be beneficial in preventing cancer. A research study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests that lemon extract, with its antitumor properties, may help in reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Another study shows that a combination of garlic and lemon aqueous extract makes for an anticancer food. However, no thorough research is conducted to verify the anticancer potential of lemon water yet.

11. Lowers Stress & Blood Pressure

Another great benefit of lemon water is its ability to lower blood pressure while providing relief from stress and anxiety. Drinking it will also convey a sense of relaxation.

12. Balances pH

By drinking one glass of lemon water, you will help alkalize the whole body and balance the pH level of the body. There are many diseases and conditions linked to the acidic body state. For optimal health, it is very important for the body to maintain the alkaline state that is achieved by eating alkaline foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Lemon juice in its natural state is very acidic but once consumed and fully digested, it has been shown to have alkalizing benefits.

13. Detoxifies the Body

Lemon water helps in cleansing your entire body by reducing the toxins in the blood. Nutrients in lemons promote the removal of waste materials as well as toxins since it acts as a natural diuretic, which stimulates an increase in urination.

14. Skin Care

Intake of lemon water on a daily basis can help rejuvenate the skin. Lemons are loaded with antioxidants and the well-known anti-aging properties of lemons and other antioxidant-rich foods have become increasingly popular in recent years.