Author name: FirstWeb

Who Is Cynthia B. Okonkwo? I am a wife and a mom who is a people person by heart. I live in metro-Atlanta and work as a Human Resources professional and have over twenty-four years experience in the field. My experience includes Compensation, Training, Recruiting, Employee Relations, Benefits, and Selection Procedure Development; however, Employee Relations is my passion because I enjoy interacting with others and helping them to solve problems. I became interested in Human Resources while on a work-study assignment during my sophomore year in undergraduate school. I chose management as my major because I was not quite certain what I wanted to do after college and I knew that an off-shoot of Business Administration was a safe, general choice that could help me get into a number of career fields. My work-study assignment was as an assistant to the campus Director of Career Services. There, I learned to make cold calls to area businesses to seek out employment opportunities for students and alumni. I also learned how to format vacancy announcements and resumes. Since writing had always been one of my strengths, I enjoyed my assignment so much that I requested to be reassigned to that department for most of the remainder of my undergraduate career. My Director also provided resources on job interview preparation and she allowed me to type resumes for students who did not have one and charge $1 per page to make a few extra bucks. I got a full-time job immediately after graduation, but it wasn’t in Human Resources; however, I had a Vice President who took me under his wings and allowed me to review employment applications for job openings at the Distribution Center where I worked, so this helped to strengthen my resume. It took me about two and a half years to secure my first full-time job in the field of human resources where I became a trained test developer for the State’s Government Merit System. From there my career has continued to grow. My blog was born out of my desire to write a book that provides practical job search tips and advice, from a spiritual, holistic perspective. After having drafted about three chapters, I got busy with grad school and obtained my MBA; got married and started a family. In 2013, I became SPHR (Sr. Professional in Human Resources) certified. I started seeing other people’s blogs, became interested and thought that blogging might be a great alternative, or spring board to completing my book, so here we are today. My sincere hope is that what I write will help someone. Enjoy!

No Elevator to Success

There’s No Elevator to Success. You Have to Take the Stairs

1 Comment / Motivation / By

INTRODUCTION: Welcome to my motivational moment entitled, “There Is No Elevator to Success. You Have to Take the Stairs.” I’m Cynthia O. MOTIVATION: I’m often amazed by how quickly we grown impatient when pursuing our goals. God piques our interest by dropping a nugget of inspiration into our spirit about what we can accomplish if …

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Take A Deep Breath

Take a Deep Breath

Motivation, Nnamtique / By

Welcome to this motivational moment entitled, “Take a Deep Breath.” I’m Cynthia O. I ran into a co-worker in the breakroom earlier this week. During our conversation, she shared with me that she often sighs, and it drives her husband crazy. I shared that my husband often sighs and it drives me crazy, too. She …

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Expired

5 Ways College Degrees/Certificates Can “Expire”

Job Search Tips, Nnamtique / By

INTRODUCTION: A job seeker asked, “Can a college graduate certificate/credentials expire?” RESPONSE: Once you earn your college degree, it will not technically expire. There are ways; however, regardless of your field of expertise, that your education can be rendered useless. Those ways are: 1) Owing your school money; 2) Not paying student loans; 3) Waiting …

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