Most managers in business have read job applications and interviewed hopefuls to find the best hire. The career advice repeated at NHO’s annual conference is clear: Be tidy, honest, purposeful and seize opportunities to get where you want to go. Hotel and tourism entrepreneur Petter Stordalen believes that Norwegians have never had greater opportunities than today, and offers an unconventional piece of advice: – Read newspapers less, think more about where you are and where you want to be in the future, and go in that direction, he says . TOP HEAVY: NHO’s annual conference brings together people who have climbed to the top in politics and business. The day was filled with lectures related to this year’s theme of “unrest”. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB – Don’t be “fluffy” His friend and event founder Jan Fredrik Karlsen advises young people to find their genuine commitment, or their “passion”, as he calls it. He has experienced himself that it takes hard work. – Put in the hours needed to learn the subject, and to understand the subject, he says of his own recipe. – What should one avoid saying at a job interview? – “No, I am very concerned about when I am on holiday. I’m very keen not to work too many hours, and then it has to fit in…” If you start there, then I don’t think the motivation is quite right, says Karlsen. HAVE ONLY READ APPLICATIONS: – It is very funny that you ask, because I have never applied for a job in my entire life, says event founder Jan Fredrik Karlsen to news. Photo: William Jobling / news January is peak season for writing applications for summer jobs. Equinor CEO Anders Opedal advises people to stay away from raw Googling of big words about what you can do. – Don’t get too “fluffy”. We are more looking for what you can really do instead of all these big words you look up on the internet. Be yourself. We are looking for those who are genuinely interested in contributing, he says. – FOLLOW YOUR GUT: Equinor CEO Anders Opedal advises young people to find something they like and can become really good at. He himself is glad he followed his gut feeling when he was young and was torn between becoming a doctor or an engineer. Photo: William Jobling / news – Don’t let it be too long DNB CEO Kjerstin Braathen asks people to include the most important thing in the application, and to write about who you are. – Don’t let it get too long, because then not everything is read. – What does it take to impress you? – It means being engaged all the time, and knowing something about things I know little about. People who are curious about development and have made slightly unconventional choices, she says. BECAME ONE OF NORWAY’S MOST POWERFUL: DNB CEO Kjerstin Braathen would be more relaxed if she were young today. – There are many paths to the goal for most people, she says. Photo: William Jobling / news Warns against resting pillow Karlsen sees that young people have become more concerned with what they can contribute, but also what the workplace can give back. – It’s a very good attitude, but you have to understand that it doesn’t have to be a resting pillow. You have to be involved in order to contribute, he says. The Equinor CEO puts it this way: – I like people who show initiative, that they can tackle things, and don’t just wait for the tasks to land on the desk, Opedal says. Canica owner Stein Erik Hagen believes there is more competition for jobs today than when he was young, and advises people to set a goal and stick to it by being hardworking and serious. He has one piece of advice for young people who are going to choose an education: – Do what you want to do, and what is needed. So that you don’t train for something there is no need for, says Hagen. HONESTY LAST LONGEST: Canica owner Stein Erik Hagen started Rimi in 1977, and has built up a number of companies since then. He does not know what young people should avoid writing in their job application. – But be honest and sincere! Photo: William Jobling / news
ttn-69
You must avoid these mistakes to land your dream job – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
