The KNUST School of Business (KSB) Career Services Centre, in partnership with Jobberman Ghana, has organised the Work Ready Summit to equip students with practical employability skills and prepare them for the demands of the modern workplace.
Held under the theme, "Preparing for the World of Work: Building Employability, Professional Confidence and Career Resilience," the programme focused on helping students develop the skills, mindset and confidence needed to transition successfully from university into their professional careers.
The summit featured sessions on career confidence, personal branding, CV writing, interview preparation, entrepreneurship and navigating today's job market, with industry experts sharing insights on building successful careers.
Welcoming the Jobberman Ghana delegation, the Dean of the KNUST School of Business, Professor Ahmed Agyapong, expressed appreciation for the partnership, describing it as an important initiative to bridge the gap between academia and industry. He encouraged students to actively participate and take advantage of the career development opportunities the programme offered.
"Our commitment is not only to provide quality education but also to ensure that our students graduate with the skills, confidence and industry exposure needed to excel in today's competitive job market. Partnerships such as this with Jobberman Ghana are essential in preparing our students for successful careers," he said.
Vice-Dean of KSB, Professor (Mrs.) Felicity Asiedu-Appiah said the initiative was introduced in response to feedback from alumni who felt unprepared for the job market despite their academic qualifications.
"We started this programme because our graduates told us they needed more support in writing CVs, preparing for interviews and transitioning into the workplace. We encourage every student to participate fully and make the most of this opportunity," she said.
Career Development Officers at Jobberman Ghana, Vera Sablah and Alfred Quaye, delivered presentations on "Understanding Today's Job Market," "Writing CVs That Get Interviews" and "Winning the Interview." They described an interview as a conversation between an employer and a candidate to determine whether they are a good fit to work together.
Mrs Sablah advised students to understand every detail on their CVs, research prospective employers, study job descriptions, dress professionally and rehearse before interviews.
"AI can help you prepare your CV, but it cannot do the interview for you. You must know what is on your CV because that is what interviewers will question you about," she said.
She also encouraged candidates to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when responding to competency-based interview questions and emphasised that employers consider attitude, character and professionalism alongside academic qualifications.
Mr Quaye highlighted the importance of tailoring CVs to specific job roles, noting that applicants should align their skills, experience and achievements with employers' expectations.
He advised students to incorporate relevant keywords from job descriptions, quantify achievements, maintain consistent formatting and develop CVs capable of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Jobberman Ghana's Jamimah Ashietey and Amanda Ayegbe Elikplim presented on "Building Your Personal Brand Before You Graduate" and "Making Social Media Work for Your Career." Ms Ashietey advised students to focus on their values, behaviour, online presence and professional goals.
She stressed that personal branding goes beyond appearance, noting that consistency and authenticity are key to building a reputation that employers and industry professionals can trust.
"Building your personal brand is not just about how you look. It is about your work ethics, your values, and how you want people to perceive you," she said.
Mr Elikplim urged students to use social media platforms strategically to showcase their skills, experiences and professional interests. He shared how his consistent engagement on LinkedIn had created career opportunities, encouraging students not to underestimate the impact of their digital presence.
"Social media is not just about the platform; it's how you use it. Your digital footprint is your first impression," he said.
Speaking during a session on "Career Confidence and Professional Growth: Beyond Employment," Asiwome Biekro and Richard Murphy Edro emphasised the importance of self-awareness as the foundation of personal and professional growth.
"Self-awareness is simply taking an honest look at yourself, both inwardly and outwardly, without prejudice. When you understand what you know about yourself and what others perceive about you, you become self-aware, and that is the beginning of self-confidence," he said.
Story: Ama Pokuaa Mensah Photos: Isaac Kwaku Duah
