How Hobbies Can Help You Connect With Employers
Sometimes a hobby is more than a hobby Do you like long walks on the beach and kittens? Yes, of course, you do. But what does that have to do with getting a job? Sharing your interests on a resume is a way to build a connection and show off your personality. The tricky part is knowing what hobbies to put on your resume to give off a good impression and let the hiring manager know that you will be a good fit for their company. When to list hobbies on your resume? Listing hobbies on your resume is a much-contested matter. To some, a Hobbies and Interests section is a relic of the nineties — something generation X started doing to prove they aren’t just corporate drones, but actual people. Nowadays, many hiring managers hate it when employees waste valuable space on their resumes to talk about their love of books and socializing. But work culture is increasingly changing. Many companies are refocusing on personality-based hiring and finding employees that would be a good fit for their work culture. Adding a hobbies section might just do the trick! [bctt tweet=”Work culture is changing. Many companies are refocusing on personality-based hiring ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How to match the company’s work culture? Trying to figure out whether you should put a Hobbies and Interests section on your resume? First off, you need to understand the company’s work culture: Go to their website and have a look around. Read up on the company values and what perks they provide their employees with. What events they organize. Then, have a look at employee profiles to see if they mention hobbies. Next, check employee profiles on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook. Employees are more likely to put some hobbies on a LinkedIn profile than elsewhere. Finish up with any general press to get a feel for how others perceive the company’s work culture. If you know who is responsible for hiring new talent, look them up, too. Interests are great way to break the ice and create rapport with the interviewer. What hobbies should you put on your resume? Let’s say you want to work for a professional wedding planner. You did your online research. You checked out the company site and browsed employee LinkedIn profiles. Perhaps you found out the company is looking for outgoing, playful, yet business-savvy employees with a basic understanding of social media. You noticed the recruitment page even points to some specific hobbies that their employees engage in, such as, say, dance, cooking, and mixology (all these evidence from their Instagram profiles!) How are you going to show those dream wedding planners that you’re playful yet business-savvy? That’s right. You add your hobbies that mirror the general vibe you’re getting from that company. Pro Tip: Don’t lie about your hobbies and interests. Assuming that adding them does the trick and you get a face-to-face with the recruiter, you’ll want to be able to leverage your hobbies and not stutter and stammer once you get asked about them. [bctt tweet=”Don’t lie about your hobbies and interests” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How to fit in hobbies on your Resume Once you’ve pinpointed a company’s work culture, there are a couple of ways you can flesh out your hobbies section. Leverage your hobbies to signal cultural fit: According to research on what employers look for on a resume, cultural fit comes in a close second right after work experience. And that makes perfect sense. According to this comprehensive study, good cultural fit makes for happier, more motivated employees who stay longer on the team. If you think using hobbies as evidence of your value as an employee this is what you should do: Choose a hobby that requires you to use a skill set that would compliment the skills you need for the position you are seeking. For example, if you’re applying for a creative job, go for a couple of creative hobbies. Want to become a journalist? Photography might come in handy. Another approach is to add hobbies that require the use of a skill set that the hiring manager may have a hard time finding in other candidates because of a skill gap in the market. Want to work for a travel agency and you happen to run a travel blog? Mention this hobby as proof of your interest as well as niche grasp of skills such as wordpress and basic HTML. Pro Tip: The hobbies section might be better for recent graduates rather than professionals with years of experience. Now, coming back to signaling cultural fit. Say you want to work for a travel agent specializing in crazy adventure vacations. Your love of whitewater rafting might just come in handy! Want to be a server at a restaurant and you have a knack for cooking? Go ahead and list that on your resume. It’s relevant, plus, who knows, the employer might need a competent backup for the kitchen, too! What hobbies should you avoid on your resume? Are there any hobbies you should not mention on your resume? Those include any hobbies that are of a religious, political, or sexual persuasion. You also might want to avoid hobbies that others might consider strange or awkward (taxidermy anyone?) Or, if they are too general to make sense — like reading books and watching movies. C’mon, it’s like saying you are special because you breathe air! Remember that the whole point of sharing your interests is a way for a hiring manager to get a fuller image of you, to connect with you. And, perhaps, to see what skill sets you have apart from those you developed in a work environment. Sometimes a Hobby Is
A critical step to beating procrastination and strengthening your focus
I’ve never met anyone who wants some motivational hype on how to watch TV, how to procrastinate, or how to eat something they love. Most people want real strategies to help them succeed with goals linked to health, wealth, work-life balance, career success, business visibility, confidence and public speaking, or finding joy. [bctt tweet=”If you could change one thing to maximize your time and optimize your life, what would it be?” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is procrastination and why is it crucial to discuss it? Procrastination is the act of putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time. Have you ever found yourself so close to achieving a goal, only to throw it all away at the last moment? Sometimes we have very good excuses for postponing actions. It could be looking for the perfect moment, the right timing, the exact atmosphere etc. Let’s face it, this perfect moment may never come and before you know it, time is gone. [bctt tweet=”Procrastination is the mother of stagnation and it can lead to a life of frustration” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We all procrastinate, and we’re all capable of procrastinating. You know that feeling when you wake up feeling super energized and ready to finish that project but barely one hour later you decide you’re going to do it tomorrow. Then, the cycle repeats itself till life events take over and the dream gets swept under the carpet. Yet, we all are capable to beat procrastination. Procrastination is the mother of stagnation and not mastering it can lead to a life of frustration and insignificance. What makes you procrastinate when instead of getting the right things done at the right time could make you happy and multiply the time you have? Is it a matter of habitual laziness? Is it that you don’t realize what’s really at stake? Could it be that you give yourself the permission to carry things over or let others decide for you? Understanding the root cause of your behavior is the first step to finding the solution. To make the shift from procrastinating to taking action, you must raise your self-awareness about whats going on around you, then be honest about what is really working for you and what is not working for you. You make commitments every day and these commitments either inspire or expire you. Watching TV instead of studying is a commitment. Sleeping instead of working on your business plan is a commitment. Every action you have committed has consequences, whether good or bad. Commitment —————> Action —————> Results When bad things happen to you, blaming others for every is a choice you have chosen to manifest. The same way, if you decide right now to begin to make small changes to turn your life around in the direction you really desire, that’s a commitment I encourage. The more risk-averse and fearful you are, the more likely you are to procrastinate and delay the happiness you could enjoy in your life. If you could change one thing, today, to maximize your time and optimize your life, what would it be? For a simple 5-step guide, download my free Ebook – Stop Wishing, Start Doing. Do you have any productivity tips that have worked for you? Let us know more about you and your story here.
Joy Kendi: Your 20’s are not for chilling. Work hard now, so you can relax later
Joy Kendi is a lifestyle blogger, vlogger and content creator who covers everything from fashion, beauty, and travel. She has built her creative career from the ground up, constantly teaching herself along the way to allow for continuous growth in her profession. Joy is a SLAYboss and runs things on her own terms earning her global recognition and her story below tells us that this journey is only the beginning of far greater things to come. When did you first get into blogging? I’ve always been interested in fashion, ever since I was a young girl. I wanted to get into design after high school but most of the schools I applied to didn’t offer scholarships and I don’t come from a wealthy family so I had to scrap that idea. I took up styling right after college for about six months and I hated it. So I quit that and the blogging bug hit me. Back then, when blogging was still quite relevant and at the time it was just a hobby, I had been following a few blogs. Never thought I could make money off of it, until about a year later when Nancie Mwai (popular blogger in Kenya) got the opportunity to go to Germany because of her blog and my entire mindset on it changed. Then I decided to focus on it more and figure out how to make it more of a business. I knew nothing at the time but I just hit the ground running, going to different offices, telling them about me and what I can offer them. That’s really how I learned most of the stuff I know now, through trying and getting rejected. Weirdly enough, everything didn’t change until I shaved my head and I’m not sure why but going bald was the first step in getting people to see me as a different person and not just a regular blogger. [bctt tweet=”Your 20s are not for chilling, work yourself to the core now – @justjoykendi” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I realized that fashion is very limiting, especially in Kenya, so I started to expand more into beauty. Then tried travel and food and all that turned into a lifestyle direction for me. Less than two years ago, lifestyle blogging opened a lot of doors for me because it meant I could do anything – be it advertising phones, makeup, hotels, restaurants, airlines, even countries! What three things do you consider while creating content and/or partnering up with a brand? My biggest thing to consider when I’m partnering up with a brand is to answer the question – do I or will I actually use the said product? If I do use it, does it go with my brand? And third, will this propel me in a positive or a negative direction? When it comes to content creation, I think about: 1. How much work is it and how much time will it take on my end because that’s how I figure out my rate. 2. What have other content creators within the continent done in regards to the product that I need to create content for? 3. Is there a possibility of collaboration with others? If I know a friend or fellow blogger who can do it too, I will always try to bring them in and we both benefit from the job. Was this your career of choice? What would you be if you hadn’t gone the blogging route? If I wasn’t doing this I’d probably still be working in TV/film production. When I was still in school, I was interning at a local TV network, KTN and I was also working in a production company, behind the scenes doing things like writing scripts. I got burnt out for a while though, which is why I eventually quit at the beginning of this year and solely focused on content creation. [bctt tweet=”I went to the University of YouTube and watched how other people do photoshoots and edits” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You take 90% of your images, manages your blog and brand on your own. Is there a particular reason why you chose to be a one-woman team? Well when I first started out, my boyfriend would take my pictures. Due to our different schedules though, I realized I needed to learn how to do this on my own. When starting out you don’t usually have a flowing income to be able to pay photographers so they would usually do it as a favor to build their portfolio as you build yours. If they get a paying gig, they will pick that over you thus leaving you stranded once again, so getting a photographer wasn’t an option for me. I went to the University of YouTube and watched how other people would do things like editing, photo shoots, what cameras to use, what kind of specs to look for and with that information, I slowly started to invest in myself. [bctt tweet=”I write all my proposals, attend meetings, create content, and do my own accounts” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I saved any money I got to buy my own equipment i.e. camera and lighting equipment, a laptop, computer programmes etc. It is important that I have a say in what I do, and have control over what goes on with my work such as the editing process. Before now, I used to have a manager who was actually very nice but sometimes we’d bump heads over things like working with certain companies so these among other reasons is why I decided it’s better to learn and do everything myself. It’s a very stressful job I can’t lie – I write all my own proposals, attend all the meetings, create the content, send to the client, wait for approval, do my own accounts… It’s so much work but it’s how I prefer to work and also means I don’t have to pay anyone else. What challenges have you faced as a blogger so far? Getting
Read this when you are ready to master adulting
As members of the SLA community, we normally feel like we have so much to do but so little time. From juggling days and side hustles to attending networking events to building our online presence, traveling the world… we want to SLA-Y. Phew! It can be daunting since we can not afford to drop the ball in our private everyday life which is supposed to bolster our public presence. Part of owning your life is adulting. Simply put, adulting is taking up responsibilities so that you can free your time and money to succeed in all facets of life. Here are some of the basic things that every SLA sister should master in order to get her private act together: Managing your money Right off the bat, we have to address this issue because it is the root of everyone’s sanity. You may have heard that having a budget is the most important thing that you can do ad nauseam but it seriously is. A budget can be as simple as tracking your incomes and expenses on a specific notebook or an Excel for the math gurus. If you are into apps, you browse app stores and downloads like Mint. The most important thing is that you can regularly review where your money is going and where you are investing. How to feed yourself Regardless of your gender, cooking is that skill that you should have in your back pocket. Yes, delivery services are popping up, left, right and center but there is a sense of fulfillment that comes with making something from scratch. It saves you money and you can trust the food that you make at home more than someone else’s kitchen. It does not have to be rocket science since you can take time during your free time to do even the most basic-est of meal preps like boiling legumes and meats (for non-veggies) and then stew or sautee them during the week. Then have lunch or dinner ready in under 15 minutes during the week Launder your clothes This is one of my least favorite chores but it must be done. Decluttering does go a long way in reducing the amount of dirty laundry because you have fewer things to wash. Truth be told, you will prioritize the items that you REALLY need to wear to shine at that important presentation. 2017 was the year that I rediscovered the magic of reading care labels, especially when buying secondhand clothes. Try to avoid ‘dry clean only’ items like the plague to reduce your laundry bills. Plus you will be doing the environment a favor. DIY and embrace minimal living If there is ever a time to be more environmentally conscious, it is now. You can play your part by re-using things around your home. Simple ways that you can try out is like reusing glass jars in your kitchen to store your spices or cotton balls, which makes you look more organized without even trying. Those old towels and t-shirts can be great rags around the home. I have to mention that cleaning magic does happen when you use equal amounts of water and white vinegar. Scheduling your cleaning If you spend hours in traffic jam daily, you are probably thinking how is this even possible? I was like that too till I discovered how much you can achieve in between TV commercials or when you distract yourself with your favorite jams. By breaking down, that long list of chores into chunks in the week, you can make deep cleaning less daunting. Hopefully, by tackling the above basics you will be able to reclaim your time and peace of mind so that you can other things outside your home. Do you have a story to share with us? Share your story here.
Six Soft Skills to Help You Ace Your Next Interview
Imagine two people being interviewed for the position of customer support team manager. Both candidates have what it takes to deliver on a professional level, however one is more apt in relating with people based on his past behavior and the assessment of the interviewer. That is to say, he possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Who do you think will get the job? [bctt tweet=”Assess your ability and prepare ahead before going for the interview” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] A LinkedIn survey revealed that hiring managers look for candidates who in addition to skills and experience have the potential in performing the role. By potential, they mean the candidate’s own perspective and soft skill set that enables him to do the job effectively. They ranked the following six soft skills in order of their importance. Adaptability In today’s world, the business environment is continuously changing and so are highly effective organizations because any organization who does not or cannot adapt to the constant changes in the environment will either be left behind or fizzle out. As such, effective organizations seek candidates who can easily adapt to changes so they can remain competitive. According to the survey report, the most popular question hiring managers ask in this regard is: ‘Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something you had never done before. How did you react? What did you learn?’ Culture Add Hiring managers have been advised to seek candidates who are not only like them (culture fit) but also bring a different perspective to the table. Collaboration Candidates who can work well with and in teams are what hiring managers are looking for according to the survey. No one can achieve much working alone. Do you get along well with others?The survey says one question to expect from this area is: ’Tell me about a time when you were communicating with someone and they did not understand you. What did you do?’ Leadership Not only are leaders born, leaders can be made. Hone your ability to inspire, motivate and unleash the potential in others. One popular question according to the survey report hiring managers ask pertaining to leadership is: ‘Tell me about the last time something significant didn’t go according to plan at work. What was your role? What was the outcome?’ Growth Potential It is the ability of a candidate not only to perform on the current job but also in future and more prominent roles within the organization. Hiring managers have been told to look out for candidates who are goal oriented and self-motivated. Such candidates are said to have the ability for growth potential. Prioritization Candidates who can demonstrate that they know what task comes first and what task should be put to a later date have gotten their prioritization and time management skills right. This will help you meet deadlines and also increase your productivity. Besides the aforementioned soft skills, some hiring managers clearly spell out the soft skills they expect candidates to have for the role they are applying for. Assess your ability in terms of those skills and prepare ahead before going for the interview. Do you have some special skills you use for your business and career? Share it with us here.
Emma Mogaka: We need to allow girls to be children first before they become wives
Emma Mogaka is the Executive Director of a grassroots organization called Rural Women Peace Link. She is also an all-around superwoman fighting for local women from various counties in Kenya to have an equal opportunity to participate in governance and development. The organization, run by an all-women team, mobilizes the participation of local women in peacebuilding, governance, and development. Their main focus is women from the rural area because these are the women who are marginalized the most. Tell us about Rural Women Peace Link. How did it come about? Rural Women Peace Link (RWPL) was founded in the early 1990’s by a group of women peace builders. The significance of its name was to capture the critical issues the Community Based Organization (CBO) was addressing, namely rural women who had a passion to promote peace. Their vision then was to help rural women to network, gain self-esteem, be empowered and promote and maintain peace in their respective areas of origin. Our main thematic areas are: Women’s human rights pillar: This pillar seeks to advance recognition and appreciation of women’s human rights in their communities against socio-cultural restrictions and negative perceptions. RWPL achieves this through training rural based women and girls on their rights through community education on legal education, human rights reproductive health and issues of bodily integrity and increasing access to justice. Peace building and conflict mitigation pillar: We strengthen the role of rural women and youth groups in mitigating violence in the community, monitoring conflict through early warning indicators and mediating conflicts. Women’s economic empowerment pillar: the focus is on grassroots women and women survivors of conflict and gender-based violence to promote sustainable livelihood management through offering life skills and entrepreneurship trainings. We also provide seed grant to facilitate start-up activities as well as linkages to financial institutions, partners and donors. Education support and mentorship pillar: RWPL supports and encourages beneficiaries, mostly bright promising girls from vulnerable backgrounds, to take up opportunities offered through formal education in schools and colleges. Leadership and governance pillar: RWPL mentors women leaders through capacity building training and exposure enabling them to participate in leadership effectively in different areas and also to vie for electable positions. What led you to join this organization? RWPL resonates with my passion for women and girls. I joined RWPL in January 2015 as a program coordinator for the leadership and governance program and became the executive director in January 2016. RWPL provides a platform for me to reach women and girls at the grassroots level. I have had an opportunity to meet amazing women doing remarkable things in their communities. RWPL works with 11 women network leaders whose stories shook me to the core. They have grown from ordinary rural women to women leaders. One of the women was nominated to the County Assembly of West Pokot after the just concluded 2017 elections. Through teamwork, I have seen RWPL staff grow and together we are actualizing the vision of the organization through the support of our board members and technical advisor. [bctt tweet=”We need to allow girls to be children first before they become wives or parents.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Why is empowering women important to you? Empowering women and girls is important to me because it enables them to become aware of who they are and what makes them authentic. They become aware of their capabilities, their likes and dislikes, their boundaries, their options and opportunities and all these enable them to develop into authentic human beings. It is important that the girls and women I empower live a healthy life. We need to allow girls to be children first before they become wives or parents. I empower girls so as to give them the opportunity to get an education and pursue their dreams. This way, they too get to help in breaking the cycle of poverty and strengthening our economy. I am a mentor first and foremost because my experiences and knowledge positively influence the development of women and girls in their limiting environment. They do not always have to learn from mistakes because they get guidance. Do you feel like this revolutionary work you’re doing for women is your life’s purpose? Yes! In 2012 I attended a leadership training and I remember doing the passion test. We were required to complete this statement: When I am living my ideal life, I am… We had to write 10 things we would be doing if we were living our ideal lives, then prioritize them. Mentorship was number 1 on my list. Then it hit me that I actually talked to women and girls every chance I got. Totally unstructured mentorship! [bctt tweet=” I cannot support another woman if I’m drained and empty – Emma Mogaka” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Who are your top three women role models and why? My mum is my most real role model! She perfectly demonstrates work-life balance – she worked full time and raised five children. Her passion for women inspired me and I have watched her support women and encourage them wherever she is and whenever she has an opportunity. Selline Korir. Founder of RWPL, Selline has worked in several international organizations where she has touched the lives of women and youth. I met her in 2014 when I was looking for Women Human Rights Defenders to profile. As I was interviewing her I knew this is one woman I would love to learn and develop under. I approached her for mentorship and I have been growing under her wing since then. She gives selflessly to causes she believes in. Leymah Gbowee – The first time I watched ‘Pray The Devil Back To Hell’ I was amazed, impressed and awakened. Leymah demonstrated movement building in Liberia. She, together with other Liberian women, mobilized women for a cause (Peace) – religion and social standing notwithstanding. The results speak for themselves.
Doreen Nyamaka: The Wedding Planner in Tanzania
Doreen Nyamaka has always had a passion for wedding dresses, decor, and planning, since her childhood. But she finally stepped into the business of wedding planning in 2015 when she was getting married and her husband had insisted they plan the wedding themselves without asking for contributions or help from family and friends. Doreen could not get a professional wedding planner to handle her wedding preparations, that was when she noticed there was a gap in the wedding industry. From there, Doreen quit her job, went to a wedding planning and management school and got a certificate in wedding planning in 2016. How did you get into wedding planning in Tanzania? Wedding planning is actually a new thing in Tanzania. Normally weddings are paid for by family and friends who help the couple with contributions and the whole planning process which is never professionally. As you’d expect, this leaves the couple super stressed and with no authority over their own wedding. I am determined to introduce it and make people save themselves the stress of planning a wedding, and reducing boring and repetitive weddings which do not represent their vision. How do you differentiate yourself from competitors? First, I take my job very seriously and treat every wedding as my own. I want to make it right for the things I could not do at my wedding. This is my passion, so I give it my all when I get a client. Apart from that, I am a professional, with an MBA and wedding planning, flowers and decor certificate. Most of my competitors go with passion and intention to make money. I have the passion, skills, and commitment to turn my client’s dreams into reality. What has been your challenges in this business so far? My biggest challenge so far is awareness. People do not know what wedding planning is, and how it can save them stress, time and money. It has been difficult to introduce the new culture and win clients over. Are there peculiarities to doing business in Tanzania compared to other countries? I guess so. In most countries, couples do not ask for contributions, the couple fund their own wedding with maybe a little help with close family members. I doubt that people go all the way to do a fundraising just to get money for their wedding. I think this only happens in Tanzania. What do you wish you knew before you started the wedding planning business? I wish I knew that this new culture of wedding planning will take a while to be acceptable and that the old culture of planning a wedding is deeply rooted and will take time to be uprooted. What is your best memory on the job? The last wedding I planned and coordinated in 2016. The father and daughter danced to Luther Vandross’s song “Dance with my father again”. That moment was so epic and emotional, I can still feel the goosebumps. Final words to other entrepreneurs… Before you jump into a business, make sure it connects to your core. Don’t go into it because of the money only, but because you love what you are doing from your heart. That way even if you face challenges and you can’t find a way, you’ll still hang in there, and step forward. Do you have a business idea that isn’t popular in your country? Let us know here.
Facebook Live with Hanna Ali: How to stay relevant as a creative writer (Dec 6)
[bctt tweet=”Writing was always an outlet for me to deal with the things I had experienced – @HannaAli ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Starting a career as a writer is one thing, but as a smart Motherland Mogul, the most important thing to consider is how to stay relevant in the game through the art of your storytelling. Join us on Wednesday, 6th December, as we host a Facebook Live Chat with Hanna Ali, who will be sharing her advice on how you can stay relevant as a creative writer. Hanna Ali is the first contemporary writer to publish their debut in Somali, both as audio and e-book. She considers herself a typical Somali artist since her poetic prose closely connects her to her homeland, Somalia. [bctt tweet=”Learn the hacks of staying relevant as a creative writer (watch video) ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Some of the topics we’ll cover 5 top tips you need to stay relevant as a creative writer The process of getting your book published How Hanna carved her niche by publishing in Somali instead of an European language How to get yourself noticed online Facebook Live Details: Date: Wednesday, December 6th, 2017 Time: London 11am // Lagos 12pm // Johannesburg 1pm Where: facebook.com/sheleadsafrica/ Watch video: https://www.facebook.com/sheleadsafrica/videos/1969703569919620/ About Hannah Hanna Ali is a brilliant Somali – British writer who has been published on multiple platforms. She was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and spent the first four years of her life there. Hannah started writing poetry when she was ten – first with song lyrics before she delved into writing short stories. At the age of five, during the civil war, Hannah left Somalia for Sweden but moved to the United Kingdom ten years later. Hannah obtained her BA in English and American Literature and completed her master’s degree at the University of Kent. During her time at the university, she took a gap year and lived in Egypt and Italy. She was shortlisted for the HISSAC Short Story prize 2017 and the London Short Story prize 2016. Hanna is a member of the exiled writers, and her work has been published in numerous publications including Scarf Magazine, Brittle paper, and Cecile’s writer’s magazine.
Jobs – Marketing Associate
She Leads Africa believes in the power of young African women to build amazing careers and businesses, serve as community leaders and influencers, and eventually take over the world. Our #MotherlandMoguls, as we affectionately call them, are the reason we exist and expanding – to provide them with more inspiring and educational content to help them live their best lives. We’re looking for a marketing guru who’d like to join us in building She Leads Africa into the number one destination for smart and ambitious African women. This role is only open in Lagos, Nigeria and Cape Town, South Africa only. Role Description: The Marketing Associate (Events) will manage the marketing functions for She Leads Africa events and training programs. Reporting Structure: The Marketing Associate (Events) will report to the Head of Marketing. They will also be responsible for managing a team of 2-3 fellows and additional staff related to large events or campaigns. Responsibilities: Serve as the lead content creator for promotion and publicity of events and training programs Establish and deliver leads and sales goals on a weekly and monthly basis Manage marketing and public relations strategies including media partnerships, influencers, and advertising for events Maintain a marketing calendar with a structured plan of marketing campaigns for each quarter Create “always on” campaigns to consistently market and build the SLA brand in target cities in advance of upcoming events Liaise with the content team to schedule marketing content Utilize data and analytics to drive decision making and advise content decisions Develop a deep understanding of our audience and how best to communicate with them Requirements: The ideal candidates will have an interest in building, growing and scaling communities. You don’t have to have official work experience doing this kind of work but we want someone who is passionate about digital content and can learn quickly. If this role is for you, you’ll be excited to work in a fast paced environment and committed to working until the job is done. Specific requirements include: Intellectual curiosity and an interest in learning new skills Excellent English writing skills and the ability to adopt and change your style of writing Experience in building and growing communities across markets using a variety of content, marketing and partnership strategies Knowledge of digital marketing strategies Social media savvy and being up to date on current trends Able to deliver on metrics-driven results and an understanding of analytics Graphic design and video editing skills are a major plus Benefits: Entry level salary with bonus Opportunity to travel across Africa and interact with Africa’s leading voices and entrepreneurs Flexible work arrangements Work with a moderately fun team who prefer sweatpants over stilettos Submit your application here: [typeform_embed type=”embed” url=”https://sheleadsafrica.typeform.com/to/eoteH5″] You can also click this link to go to the direct application page. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, we will not be able to contact everyone who applies. We will not be able to answer additional questions via email.
Facebook Live with Sneha Shah: How to do business in Africa without fearing the risks.(Oct 13)
Want to do business in Africa successfully? Learn how to break down barriers and prove your worth. On Friday, October 13th, Sneha Shah – Managing Director of Africa for Thomson Reuters shared with us how the African business landscape is currently positioned for female entrepreneurs, and how you can take advantage of it. Sneha has initiated partnerships with leading international market development, and works in close collaboration with public and private sector organizations in each country, to tackle the opportunities and challenges around financial and capital markets development. [bctt tweet=”Learn from @snehasshah how to do business in Africa without fearing risks” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Register below to get a FREE downloadable guide with Sneha’s top 10 tips on how to do business in Africa without fearing the risks. Some of the topics we’ll cover Are there businesses that are easier to establish in Africa than others? Find out. How young start-ups in Africa are changing the game. Challenges and opportunities business owners should expect when operating in Africa. How the African business landscape is currently positioned for female entrepreneurs. Leveraging millennials for African growth. What Africa can learn from other emerging economies. Innovate or disrupt – how to prepare your company for the future. Watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/sheleadsafrica/videos/1949040855319225/ Sign up for the e-book here: [ninja_forms id=156] About Sneha Sneha Shah joined Thomson Reuters in 2001 in New York and has held several global leadership roles across the financial and media business units in operations, product development, and technology. She was appointed Managing Director of Africa for Thomson Reuters in April 2015, and leads all of the financial, risk, tax and legal businesses across the region, providing data, automation and digitization solutions to financial institutions, governments, and corporates. She is responsible for driving the profitable and sustainable growth for Thomson Reuters in Africa in a manner that contributes positively to the region’s economic development. Born in Kenya and having worked in many African countries, Sneha is particularly passionate about initiatives that help empower Africa’s success. Sneha is a member of the Board of the US Chamber of Commerce, US-Africa Business Center. She is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the African Leadership Network (ALN) and has been actively involved in several initiatives of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, including the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) (current), and the Global Agenda Council on Governance (2014 to 2016). Prior to joining Thomson Reuters, Sneha was a commodities trader for Cargill in South Africa and traded money markets and foreign exchange at CFC Bank in Kenya. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in Politics with International Studies from the University of Warwick in the UK.