Careeristically

Book Review: Collaborating with the enemy by Adam Kahane In Collaborating with the Enemy, Adam Kahane explores how people can work together despite their differences, especially when dealing with difficult problems. One thing that stands out is the idea that we don't always have to agree before we can make progress. There are times we just need to be willing to listen, find common ground, and try a different approach. It's a useful read for anyone who works with people, leads a team, or has to navigate difficult conversations at work. Because working well with people doesn't always mean seeing things the same way. Have you read Collaborating with the Enemy? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Careeristically

Meet Florence Otedola, known to many as DJ Cuppy, daughter of Nigerian business leader Femi Otedola. Florence studied Business Administration and Management at King's College London, before earning a Master's in Music from New York University. She began her career in the music industry, and in 2013 became Director of Red Velvet Music Group, her own company. She later added broadcasting to her work, becoming a radio presenter for Apple in 2020 and for the BBC in 2022. In 2019, she founded the Cuppy Foundation, which her profile says has raised over $17 million to support displaced children in Nigeria. In 2021, she went back to school and earned a Master's in African Studies from the University of Oxford. In 2023, she became the first international ambassador for The King's Trust. In 2024, she opened the United Nations General Assembly. Today, Florence is Founder of the Cuppy Foundation and Director of Red Velvet Music Group. From business and music to media, philanthropy, and a return to school, her career has taken her through several sides of work and impact Careeristically

"Tell me about yourself." This is usually the first question in an interview, and a lot of people get it wrong. They start with where they were born, then go through every job they've had, one by one. Two minutes later, the interviewer is still waiting to hear why they should hire them. Here's a simpler way. Keep it to three parts: 1. What you do now 2. One thing you're proud of 3. Why you want this job For example: "I'm a sales coordinator with four years of experience. Last year I helped my team close 20% more deals by fixing how we followed up with leads. Now I want to move into a account management role, and your company is a great place to do that." You don't need to tell your whole life story. You just need to give them a reason to keep talking to you. Careeristically

Meet Kemi Omotosho, CEO of MultiChoice Group Nigeria. She has over 20 years of experience in media, telecoms and digital business. Her journey: ✔ Started at Airtel Nigeria in 2003, in sales, enterprise accounts and customer service ✔ Joined MultiChoice Nigeria in 2014 ✔ Led customer value work across more than 50 countries in Africa ✔ Ran Southern Africa, a business with over $300 million in yearly revenue ✔ Now leads MultiChoice Nigeria as CEO She has an Executive MBA from Lagos Business School and a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin. She has also studied at Harvard, INSEAD and IESE. She also mentors women in leadership. Lessons from her story: ✔ Never stop learning ✔ Help others rise with you What is one lesson you would share with a young professional? Careeristically

“I am done being disrespected... I quit.” Maybe you're angry. Maybe you've simply had enough. Either way, don't let a bad experience determine how you leave. Your last two weeks may be remembered more than your first two. Here’s how to leave well: 1. Tell your manager first. Not by text, and definitely not through a “good luck without me” cake. Have the conversation properly, then submit your formal resignation. 2. Give the required notice. Check your contract and follow the notice period. 3. Make the handover easy. Document what you're working on, and what still needs attention. 4. Ask for references while you're still there. If someone can speak positively about your work, it's worth asking while your contributions are still fresh in their minds. 5. Say thank you, specifically. If someone taught you something, supported you or gave you an opportunity, tell them. Ready for your next move? Our team can help you find a role that fits. What's the best exit you've ever witnessed? 👇 Careeristically

"My CV isn't landing interviews, and I don't know why." "We're hiring, but we can't find (or keep) the right people." We hear versions of these every week. The people saying them couldn't be more different, but they're stuck in the same place. At Careeristically, we work with both. If you're a professional, we can help with your career direction, your CV, LinkedIn, and your interview prep. If you're running a business, we can help with HR and building a team that actually works. Wherever you're stuck, drop us a message and let's talk. Happy Monday Careeristically

Book Review: The Third Door by Alex Banayan What if the usual path to success isn't the only one? At 18, Alex Banayan set out to learn how the world's most successful people got their start. He had no connections and no plan for getting in the room. Over five years, he chased opportunities, got rejected, and kept finding ways to reach the people he admired. That journey is what makes this book worth reading, and it leads to its central idea: The first door is the main entrance, where most people wait in line. The second door is the VIP entrance, for those with money, fame, or connections. The third door is the one you create yourself, by sneaking in through the side, the back, or the kitchen. The book teaches that careers rarely follow a straight line. Sometimes you have to make your own opening, approach people differently, start before you feel ready, and keep going after hearing "no." The biggest takeaway: the obvious door isn't your only option. If you're building your career and want a book about persistence, networking, and unconventional opportunities, pick this one up Careeristically

Ever tried to fix a problem and made it worse? The story goes that British officials in colonial Delhi once had a cobra problem. There were too many cobras in the city. Their solution was a bounty on every dead snake. There was a reward for anyone who turned in a dead cobra. It worked, until people realised they could earn the reward by breeding cobras. When the government scrapped the scheme, the breeders released their now-worthless snakes, and Delhi ended up with more cobras than before. This is the Cobra Effect: a solution that backfires because of how people respond to it. Workplaces fall into the same trap all the time. Tell recruiters to fill 30 roles this quarter, and they'll prioritise speed. Headcount goes up, but so does turnover. Tell a sales team to close 20 deals a month, and some will push unsuitable products to hit the number. Revenue rises, and so do cancellations and complaints. So before you set a target, look beyond what it will achieve. Ask what behaviour it will create. Careeristically

Just before midnight on September 30, 1960, thousands of Nigerians gathered at the Lagos Race Course, now Tafawa Balewa Square. For decades, the Union Jack had stood there as a symbol of British colonial rule. As the clock moved toward midnight, that flag was lowered. Then, as October 1 began, the green-white-green flag of Nigeria rose. In that moment, a people once governed by Britain became a nation governing itself. Princess Alexandra of Kent represented Queen Elizabeth II at the ceremony. Governor-General Sir James Robertson handed power to the new government, led by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria's first Prime Minister. 66 years later, Nigeria is one of Africa's most influential nations. Nigerians have gone on to shine in literature, music, education, business, and beyond. From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Burna Boy to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, our people continue to make their mark on the world. The journey has had its challenges. Still, Nigerians have stayed strong, hopeful, and resilient. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! 🇳🇬 From all of us at Careeristically.

Recent grads now have higher unemployment than the average worker. That used to be the other way around. The NY Fed found that unemployment for grads aged 22-27 rose from 3.9% to 5.8% in three years. One reason is that AI is absorbing entry-level tasks in marketing, customer service, and data entry. So a degree plus hundreds of applications isn't enough. Employers want proof you can do the work. Almost two-thirds now use skills-based hiring, and 97% say soft skills matter as much as technical ones or more. Build these skills: • Communication and public speaking • Problem-solving • AI and data literacy • Adaptability Start before you graduate: • Internships, even unpaid ones • Real projects and volunteering • Conversations with people a few years ahead of you • An active LinkedIn profile Then apply smarter. Craft your CV for each role, and reach out to people at the company for referrals. The market has changed. Your approach should too. Careeristically supports individuals at every stage of their career journey, while helping businesses solve their recruitment and HR needs.