BLOGGER FOR FASHION INTERNSHIP NEEDED!!!

Interested in interning at the #1 woman’s cosmetics stores in Lagos? Here’s how to apply for a fun, fearless, internship opportunity.
IyaOloja.com is looking for an enthusiastic undergrad with a big passion for fashion to work with our super fashion crew. Our ideal candidate is motivated, creative, multitasking with great computer and verbal communication skills. Sound like you? You can apply by mailing your curriculum vitae and cover letter to zfashola@hotmail.com.

NB: Prospective Intern should reside in Ajah/VGC/Lekki, Lagos.

7 Words That Immediately Make You a Stand-out Intern

So, you just started your internship. You’re confident and professional… but you still feel like the office kindergartener!

You have the least knowledge and experience of anyone in the office. You wonder how you’ll ever possibly make a positive impression.

No matter how little experience you have, you can make yourself memorable, and helpful as an intern.

And here’s one way you can do that. Put these 7 words in your internship vocabulary, and see the impact you can make.

And those 7 words are (drum roll please) …

Yep, that’s it. Not rocket science, is it? Let’s break down why this is such a potent inquiry:

Specificity

If you ask a vague question, you will get a vague answer. This question invites the respondent to make a specific request you can fulfill.

Sincerity

It’s a question that says you are genuinely willing to help, exactly because it isn’t vague. You are also asking what you can do to help someone, now. Immediacy is implied.

Initiative

It demonstrates your ability to proactively make an offer to help where you saw an opportunity to do so. The question also positions you as a team player, invested in the success of others.

Humility

This offer says you are willing to help in whatever manner is needed, even if it means taking on a task you wouldn’t normally do. Humility, by the way, is a highly underrated workplace attribute.

Self-Leadership

It shows capability to look outside your scope, and intervene if you see an opportunity to help. You made a call based on the situation around you and the mission at hand. This is what leaders do.

Goodwill

Trying to figure out how to work better with a difficult personality in the office? This question extends a metaphorical olive branch.

Here’s the best part…

Picture a frantic situation: there’s a deadline, an angry client, a project that’s due, a last minute fire drill, an emergency of some kind. High stress. You use these 7 words in an authentic offer to help someone who appears besieged.

You are amazingly empowered by making the offer. You gain confidence in yourself, simply by asking the question. Imagine what will happen when you follow through!

You’ll find many ways in life to genuinely offer your support with these 7 words. (By the way, they work in your business life, AND in your personal life.)

Say them out loud. Practice giving your voice to them and making the sincere offer. Challenge yourself to find as many situations in all aspects of your life. See what happens!

12 Absurd Kanye West Quotes to Apply to Your Career

“I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period.” – Kanye West in an interview with The New York Times

No doubt about it. Kanye West has become the greatest, most influential American icon of our time. So, how do we know?

Because he just said so. Obviously.

As Kanye’s recent album, Yeezus, invades our eardrums, it’s a good time to reflect on his many, MANY head-scratching quotes. Buried in the rapper’s bravado and considerable megalomania are genuine bits of career wisdom.

We sifted through the swagger to bring you these 12 absurd Kanye West quotes to apply to your career:

1. ”When I think of competition it’s like I try to create against the past. I think about Michelangelo and Picasso, you know, the pyramids.”

Follow me here, but Kanye is right. In our case, though, it’s much smarter to compete against ourselves. Can you top the work you’ve already done? That’s the mark of a person hungry for success and determined to improve every day.

2. “My greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.”

Pretentious? You bet. But view this quote another way. Have you ever listened to your voice on a recording or watched yourself speak on video? Spend a few minutes doing both. You’ll understand how you look and sound to others and make improvements you would have never noticed otherwise.

3. “I will be the leader of a company that ends up being worth billions of dollars, because I got the answers. I understand culture. I am the nucleus.”

Want to be the ‘nucleus’ in your own office? Make firm decisions and deliver on what you promise. You know, be someone others can trust.

4. “Before, when I wanted to rap, my raps sounded like a bit like Cam’ron; they sounded a bit like Mase; they sounded a bit like Jay-Z or whoever. And it wasn’t until I hung out with Dead Prez and understood how to make, you know, raps with a message sound cool that I was able to just write ‘All Falls Down’ in 15 minutes.”

If you’re willing to admit you have a lot to learn — and then seek out people to teach you — that’s when the growth truly happens.

5.”I think that’s a responsibility that I have, to push possibilities, to show people: ‘This is the level that things could be at.’”

A leader sets the tone. That means operate at a high level at all times. No slip-ups, no faltering. The same quality product again and again.

6. “I hate when I’m on a flight and I wake up with a water bottle next to me like oh great now I gotta be responsible for this water bottle.”

Umm, not sure what to make of this one. Don’t sleep on planes?

7. ”If you don’t make Christmas presents, meaning making something that’s so emotionally connected to people, don’t talk to me.”

What’s memorable today — and especially on the Web? Creative ideas, compelling stories and vivid detail. Everything else is DOA.

8. “Nothing in life is promised except death. Know your worth!”

Ultimately, the only person who is going to fight for you…is you. Gotta look out for #1.

9. “If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell them. People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.”

We’re all out here hustling and chasing dreams. If you toss a compliment to a friend or professional contact — and expect nothing in return — you will brighten that person’s day, deepen your relationship and make yourself feel pretty damn good too.

10. “Someone will always be prettier. Someone will always be smarter. Someone will always be younger. But they will never be you.”

What makes you special, different and valuable? Focus all attention on that answer, and you won’t have time to notice everyone else.

11. “I’m so gifted at findin’ what I don’t like the most.”

Our twenties are the perfect time to figure out the career path we shouldn’t take. The more we experiment and cross things off the list, the sooner we arrive at our true passion.

12. “I knew when I wrote the line ‘light-skinned friend look like Michael Jackson’ [from the song 'Slow Jamz'] I was going to be a big star. At the time, they used to have the Virgin music [stores], and I would go there and just go up the escalator and say to myself, ‘I’m soaking in these last moments of anonymity.’ I knew I was going to make it this far; I knew that this was going to happen.”

You gotta give Kanye this much: the guy had a dream, saw the promised land and buckled down to make it happen. He’s arrogant, sure, but always strives to give the world his best stuff.

Raw talent + endless ambition = anything is possible.

3 Steps to a Customized Cover Letter a Recruiter Will Read

Each job or internship you apply for is different from the last… different job, unique requirements, another company. So, it remains very important to customize every cover letter as you apply!

The hiring manager wants to know you’re not just sending out a generic letter to all employers; in fact, if they sense a “form letter” hiring managers will often immediately delete the application. And your customized cover letter demonstrates that you genuinely care and are interested in the position… not just any position.

Here are three steps to customize your cover letter as you apply:

A “What’s in It for Me” Introduction

The best cover letters start with benefit-laden sentences, including the position you’re seeking, that clearly tells the recruiter what is in it for them – why they should keep reading. This tells the employer which position you’re interested in and why you’re the best fit for the opening. It also entices them to read your resume so they can find out more about just how great you really are.

Starting with benefit-laden sentences is also so much more captivating than starting with the standard please accept my resume in response to X position advertised in XYZ.com.

Marketing in the Middle

The middle of your cover letter is your time to shine. Market your talents, successes, and achievements in brief statements or bullets, and make sure you choose statements that demonstrate how you would be a valuable asset to their organization.

This is the place to demonstrate FIT. Be relevant! Focus on your experience, education, and achievements as they relate to the position you’re applying to. Employers want to see the connection between your experience and their needs. This is the best place to substantiate your credentials and fit for the position.

Close With a Call to Action

Always close your cover letter with a call to action; do not just end it by saying thanks for your time!

The best cover letters don’t just thank the reader for his or her time; they also state how you will follow up with them about the opportunity or how they can best reach you—or both! I’ve read cover letters that end with something to this effect: Thank you for your time and interest. I will follow up with you in one week via telephone to confirm receipt of my resume and cover letter and to discuss further how my prior success at XYZ can be a valuable asset to ABC Company.

Creating a customized cover letter doesn’t have to be a daunting task; just focus on the three steps above… and show a little personality!

Here’s 5 Reasons Your Boss Dislikes You (For Now)

If you have a gnawing gut feeling that your boss doesn’t like you, which happens to everyone at some point in their career, it would be good to listen to it!

Take a minute to think about your behavior, performance and day-to-day habits. And pay attention to what makes your boss tick… their pet peeves. Yes, this can much easier said than done.

So… learn from other folks who have been through a similar scenario.

1. You Act like a Lawyer

Don't be the the guy who’s always referring back to his contract, compensation and rules. The kind that won’t lift a finger if he “wasn’t hired for that.”

In other words: he’s the polar opposite of a team player. Don't question orders, it is a no, no.

2. You Have a ‘CAN’T-Do’ Attitude

Your attitude is a reflection of how you will be perceived. A negative attitude is a sure-fire way for your boss to perceive you in a negative light.

If you have to say something negative, follow it up with something positive or solution-oriented. And remember to smile!

3. You Tell Inappropriate Jokes

This is a fair point. You might be hilarious, but are you offending anyone in the room? Your boss might be uncomfortable with your humor, and it’s a hard thing to address.

You lack the social sensitivity to realize that work humor and socializing is a lot different than what you can do outside of work.

4. You Expect Too Much Hand-Holding

All bosses love a self-starter. The last thing she needs is to come up with step-by-step instructions on how to get something done. It’s understandable, too much hand-holding ends up being more work for her than necessary on top of her own load.

Your job is to make your boss’ job easier.

You’re the extra weight in the trunk that works against forward motion.

5. You Only Work Just Enough to Keep Your Job

“Those who obviously only want to put in just enough to keep their jobs,” is another type of employee.

Your boss can probably see your potential more obviously than you realize. If she sees you putting in just enough not to rock the boat, she’ll grow to resent your lack of enthusiasm for your job when you can do better.

Instead, bosses love folks who’ll take charge and steer the boat once in a while. Again, self-starting is key.

So… what can you do? How can you get your boss to like and respect you again?

Show respect, be positive and go above and beyond your call of duty to make sure you aren’t giving your boss a reason to dislike you, or at least your work habits.

In the off chance your gut is wrong, consider paying attention to her behavior with your colleagues. Could it be that her cold vibe is part of her personality? Or are you making an assumption? Ultimately, if you have a bad boss who can’t be pleased, it may be time to look for another job!

In 7 Steps: Network Your Way to a New Job [Infographic]

The votes are in, the judges have spoken and the contest is over. For finding a new job, or your first job, networking is the undisputed winner.

And yet few of us are networking experts, or even know how to get started.

Check out this classic infographic from Govloop and Heather Krasna that, in 7 steps, how to use relationships and referrals to get a job… from identifying who to network with, to the post-meeting thank you.

Hustle: The Forgotten Soft Skill (And the Key to Career Success)

Looking to take your career to a new level? Thinking about heading back to school? Starting your first job hunt? Whatever project you’re working on, learning this one thing will help you succeed more than about everything else:

How to hustle.

What the Heck is Hustle?

I don’t mean hustle in an Urban Dictionary kind of way (i.e. “make money doing something slightly shady”). And I’m not suggesting we should revive that amazing 1970 dance move (but that would be awesome).

When I say hustle, I’m talking about the forgotten soft skill: hard, tough work where you’re pushing yourself to your limits.

Three Keys to Turning Hustle into Success

As entrepreneur Joe Kraus says, “persistence is the number one reason for our success.” That’s because it’s not about taking the easy road—it’s about continuing to move forward even, as the cliché goes, when the going gets tough.

Hustlers also share three important attributes:

• They are savvy enough to tell the difference between a temporary barrier and an immovable wall. Reaching for absolutely impossible goals—the ones that no amount of hard work can achieve—will guarantee failure

• They have a goal that truly motivates them. You’re not going to hustle if you don’t believe in your end result; you are the only person who decides how hard you work, so choose something you really want to fight for

• They know putting out positive energy attracts people who will help them reach their goals. When others see you actively working to achieve your aims, they will be much more likely to lend a hand, tackle a problem, or point you toward a new ally. In this way, hustling helps you to build the network you need to succeed

Hustle Trumps Talent?

In the middle of writing this piece, a friend sent me a link to blogger Brett McKay’s post on the power of persistence. He had a great personal story about playing football in high school that’s worth sharing. By volunteering for extra practices, staying late, eating a strict diet, and busting his butt in the weight room, he finally got to a start a game in his junior year. He remembers the pay-off:

After the season was over, one of the coaches … put his hands on my shoulders and said, ‘McKay, there are plenty of other guys on the team that have way more natural athletic ability than you. You’re not a naturally athletic guy, but what you lacked in talent, you made up for with hustle and heart. You earned your success.’

Now hustle can’t turn you into Michael Jordan if you just don’t have the natural talent. But it will take you farther than you and those around you thought was possible.

Makes you want to get up and go, doesn’t it? (Queue “Rocky” music, here).

The Challenge?

Don’t be lured into thinking success should happen overnight.

In the age of viral videos and Mark Zuckerberg, it’s easy to see “instant” success stories and overlook all the years of sweat behind them. Working your butt off is still the best way to make change happen – and make a difference. Remember the saying, “the race goes not only to the swift, but to those who keep running.”

Let’s hustle more… because hustling makes us awesome.