JOBS: How Your Texting Can Make You Loose A Job Opportunity

Did you know that the way you text your recruiters can cause you to lose a job opportunity you had hoped for? Texting is one of the least preferred modes of communication, especially when looking for a job in a new company.

Sep 30, 2022 - 03:34 Updated: Sep 30, 2022 - 03:48

JOBS: How Your Texting Can Make You Loose A Job Opportunity

In a WhatsApp chat message that has been seen to go viral, a job seeker was seen asking for a job position from a recruiter. The tone used by the job seeker was not professional and this landed him not secure the job.

The job recruiter further urged the job seeker to learn and work on his texting decency. There are various ways that you need to learn about how to communicate with the company's employers.

Sometimes, WhatsApp messages are regarded to be unofficial so you should stick to using normal text messages or making a call. Unless the recruiter starts a conversation with you on a text message always avoid being the first to text.

Text communication presents unique challenges because the medium requires that one be concise and to the point. Here are some tips to guide you on how to make a professional text.

1. Always ensure that you keep a professional tone

You need to keep a professional tone when you're communicating with a recruiter or any other professional connection. Avoid using casual texts and short forms in your texts. Also in this section, you should avoid using emojis since these are not your friends or family.

Your text message should be as precise and well-written as any business communication with someone you don't know well.

2. Don't be the first one to start the conversation

In general, you should not initiate contact with a job recruiter or potential employer via text message. Send your initial job application and resume via traditional channels, and then follow up via email or phone as needed.

Your follow-up after a job interview should also not be sent via text—not only is this impolite, but it is also illegal. However, if your recruiter reaches you through a text message, be sure to respond to it professionally.

3. Identify the points to include in your message

You should keep your text message as brief as possible, but don't be afraid to include information that will pique the recruiter's interest.
Just as you would in person, express your enthusiasm for the opportunity you're writing about. You can also mention briefly your qualifications or experience that make you a good fit for the job.
Before you hit the send button, double-check that you're sending the correct text to the right person.

4. Keep it short and to the point

You don't have to be verbose in a text-based interview. Being succinct and to the point is, in fact, a very effective way to communicate, particularly via text.

Choose your words carefully. It's even more critical to get to the point quickly during a text-based interview than it is during a phone screen.

Do not rehash what is already on your resume. Instead, spend time explaining why you're interested in the field, what motivates you, and how your previous professional experiences relate to the role you're considering.

Always ensure that you are careful with how you text your recruiters by applying the above strategies. This will earn you more points and you might be lucky to secure the job position that you have applied for.

Here are some job applications that you can apply for.

JOB 1: Product Manager - Embedded Linux at Canonical

JOB 2: Social Protection Advisor at Oxfam

About Oxfam

In Kenya, Oxfam works with others to alleviate poverty and inequality. We work with the most vulnerable communities in the dry and remote northern regions and in the impoverished slums of the capital, Nairobi. In Kenya, the highest poverty levels are in the northern pastoralist districts - in some areas 95% of people fall below the poverty line. Like many developing countries, Kenya is undergoing rapid urbanization. It’s estimated that by 2050 half the Kenyan population will be living in urban areas. This high presents a myriad of challenges. 34% of the 17 million poor Kenyans are urban poor and most of them live in informal urban settlements.

JOB PURPOSE:

Lead, coordinate, and transition social protection interventions in regions and countries and regions into Oxfam in Africa (OiA) programs. Subsequently lead strategic positioning, technical support, and guidance to country offices in areas of social assistance, cash plus initiatives, and contributory social protection interventions. In addition, carry out research, and generate ad disseminate evidence to support social protection programming in the region.

ROLE REPORTS TO: OI Regional Head of Programmes

ROLES REPORTING TO THIS POST: No direct line reports; Functional matrix management of the country

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: Not applicable

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Technical, Leadership, People, and Resource management)

Transition HECA regional and country Social Protection interventions into an Oxfam in Africa (OiA) program of activities in Social Protection.
Lead the strategic positioning, leading on technical support and guidance to country offices in the areas of social assistance, cash plus initiatives, and contributory Social Protection interventions.
Lead the coordination of cash plus conceptualization between Social Protection with WASH and Food security.
Provide technical leadership and management oversight on selected activities.
Lead the strategy, policy, and coordination support, strengthening governments’ Social Protection systems in the region to become more responsive to shocks, and help to reduce hunger.
Lead the design and implementation of multi-country social protection analysis, and other evidence generation initiatives.
Lead the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products and proposals on social protection and CBT for internal or external use.
Coordinate social protection initiatives within the region and identify opportunities for exchange of knowledge and learnings.
Participate in different forums on social protection through direct participation, briefings, information products, and other materials.
Lead and advocate for resource mobilization for Social Protection
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with sector players and country offices to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and innovations to improve social assistance packages, including cash transfer values and delivery modalities (e.g. digital payments) and support advocacy work.
Undertake activities with private sector players on digital targeting.
Lead the engagement with CSOs and AU on Social Protection policy discourse.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

Your political judgment and strategic thinking are excellent,
At least a master's level degree in Social Sciences and related fields
Five years of demonstrated experience in Social Protection programming and implementation.
Proven analytical and conceptual thinking, high-level research, project management knowledge and skills, and experience using participatory tools and methodologies for assessment, program identification, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Proven management experience at a strategic level in a complex, dispersed organization with evidence of leading, facilitating, and integrating Social Protection across a wide network, providing clarity and focus, strategic planning and decision making, and the delivery of agreed results.
Excellent knowledge of African political Social Protection issues.
Politically astute, with high impact influencing and persuasive skills and personal gravitas to gain respect and build and maintain strong, credible relationships, with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to Oxfam on recruitment.oxfam.org to apply.

JOB 3: Programme Director at International Rescue Committee

About International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization.

The Purpose of the Role

The Programme Director (PD) will provide overall leadership of the IRC-led What Works consortium. The PD will be a seasoned manager and leader of complex, multi-country, multi-partner research initiatives. The Programme Director will be responsible for developing and maintaining a high-functioning global research consortium and ensuring that the project is implemented to a high standard, in accordance with FCDO regulations, IRC policies, and international standards of research education. Working in close partnership with the Academic and Policy Director and senior leadership of the consortium organizations, the PD will establish or refine the project’s goals, objectives, and strategy to achieve those objectives; key performance indicators, milestones, budgets, and work plans. The PD will keep the consortium and all staff members moving toward these goals and objectives, identify barriers and enablers of success, and problem-solve with members of the consortium as needed. The Programme Director will be the primary representational link with FCDO staff. In collaboration with the Academic and Policy, they will represent the project to internal and external stakeholders – including other researchers, government officials, donors, media, humanitarian and development agencies, and INGOs, primarily at the international level.

Scope and Authority

Responsibility for Resources:

Responsible for the project budget (amount TBC after FCDO releases the TOR)

Key Working Relationships

Reports to the Chief Scientist
Works in close coordination with the Senior Director of Education and leadership from partner organizations.
Manages the senior leadership team of What Works Global Hub for Education.
Works in close collaboration with the Research Director and provides expert project management for the overall research consortium (3 core partner [MSL1] organizations)
Key external contacts: Academic Partners and other Consortium Partner organizations, FCDO and other donors, humanitarian and development agencies (UN & INGOs), national governments; civil society organizations; media; research community
Key internal contacts: Research & Innovation and Education technical unit staff; International Programme Team; particularly the Program Development team

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expert project leadership

Provide high-level leadership and direction, across the project to guide effective implementation to achieve the desired outcomes
Manage the overall project by establishing, in collaboration with the Academic and Policy Director, a strategy with both operational and research-focused key performance indicators, milestones, timelines, and work plans in adherence with technical quality standards and donor guidelines.
Oversee the development of budgets and spending plans and monitor the financial health of the project.
Oversee and monitor project activities in accordance with the project agreement; Ensure IRC meets FCDO contractual project, legal and financial requirements.

Consortium leadership

Develop and leads a well-functioning and supportive consortium that consistently delivers high-quality research, expert technical expertise to FCDO country offices and programs; and research uptake. As part of this, develop and maintain strong lines of communication and collaboration
Manage excellent cooperation with and between consortium partners; partner organizations and government officials ensuring alignment as well as instituting clear processes and protocols for surfacing any issues or challenges in a timely manner.

Team leadership and supervision

Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, transparency, mutual respect, and recognition and empowers staff to take responsibility, thus enabling an environment for high performance
Establish a regular cadence for team meetings and individual check-ins with direct reports, as well as ensure these management practices cascade throughout the team.
Set clear performance objectives for direct reports and ensure that all managers are similarly establishing clear management expectations for their teams.

Oversight of research and country-level support

Ensure the project adheres to and promotes the best practice of ethical research on education
Work with all key staff to identify technical assistance needs and arrange for the provision of assistance
Work closely with and provides expert management support to the Research Director and the Principal Investigators as they design and plan research activities
Review and contribute to the terms of reference for IRC technical staff, researchers, and consultants, ensuring project objectives and outcomes are met and that project staff performance is evaluated.

Representation: fcdo and external forums

Represent the IRC and the consortium as the primary liaison focal point with FCDO
Ensure timely, accurate, and good-quality reporting to the donor and others
Represent and promote the project in high-level policy and advocacy forums
Manage external relations by representing the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lessons learned
Support development and implementation of research uptake plans
Support the development of messaging and research uptake strategies to disseminate research findings from the wider What Works program

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications:

Master’s level education in related field
Excellent understanding of research design and methodology and of education in conflict and crises settings research and innovation networks
Proven ability to represent an organization at a senior level and to build strong relationships at the local, national and international levels
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Ability to manage a large and varied workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines

Experience:

Experience in managing or leading consortia of complementary and independent organizations across at least 3 countries.
Experience in project management for large, complex (> 20 million GBP) projects
Experience in managing or in a senior role in an FCDO-funded commercial contract
Proven ability to lead diverse staff and cross-organizational teams, manage performance, foster a positive working environment, and manage issues sensitively and diplomatically
Experience in working in a large and complex international organization