The Focus of This Lesson Is Job Interviews: More on Conjunctions

Nilisomea uhandisi kompyuta pamoja na biashara.
"I studied computer engineering and business."

In this lesson, we will learn:

1. More about conjunctions

Besides connecting words and sentences, conjunctions can also connect phrases, thoughts, join lists and ideas.

Usually, they don't change.

• Pamoja na ("together with") and pamoja na hayo ("moreover"):

The conjunction pamoja na ("together with") and pamoja na hayo ("moreover") are both used to indicate addition from what was previously done and was present. Pamoja na is commonly used for two or more things that are actively involved, while pamoja na hayo implies in addition to what was previously mentioned.  Usually, it should be placed after the first clause in the sentence.

Examples:

1. Mama alienda harusini pamoja na dadangu.
   "Mom went to the wedding together with my sister."
2. Anawatoto wakumi, pamoja na hayo anafuga mbwa, paka na nguruwe.
   "He has ten kids; moreover, he is taming a cat, a dog, and a pig."

• Laiti "if only," ijapokuwa "even though," and ilhali "whereas":

Laiti expresses a kind of regret after something has happened. Ilhali can be used to disapprove an event that occurred earlier. Ijapokuwa can be used in the same way as in English. It can be place at the beginning of a sentence or before the second clause.

Laiti often comes at the beginning of a sentence, whereas ilhali comes after the first clause in a sentence.

Examples:

1. Laiti ningejua sitamuona tena, ningemwongelesha kila siku.
   "If only I'd known I wouldn't see him again, I'd talk to him every day."
2. Laiti ningejua yeye ni adui, singemwambia siri zangu.
   "If only I'd known he was an enemy, I'd not tell him my secrets."
3. Ijapokuwa yeye ni mgonjwa sana, alihudhuria mazishi.
    "Although she is very sick, she attended the funeral."
4. Anapenda kujisifu, ilhali hana wema wowote.
   "He likes boasting, yet does no good."
5. Anadai anapenda kupeana, ilhali jirani yake analala njaa..
   "He boasts that he is a giver, yet his neighbor sleeps hungry."

• Mradi "provided that" and isipokuwa "except":

Mradi expresses a condition that has to completed before one realizes a result. Isipokuwa is used to indicate that there are favourable conditions, except one.

They are commonly put at the center of a sentence.

Examples:

1. Atapata kazi nzuri mradi asome kwa bidii.
   "He will get a job, provided he studies hard."
2. Ataoa mradi atafute mke.
   "He will marry, provided he looks for a woman."
3. Ningezuru Amerika isipokuwa sina hela.
   "I would have toured America, except that I don't have money."
4. Ningemsaidia isipokuwa hakuuliza msaada.
   "I would have helped her, except that she did not ask."

Examples from the Dialogue

1. Jitihada na adabu iliniwezesha kutengeneza tovuti tano za kampuni tofauti.
   "Hard work and discipline made me create five websites for different companies."

Sample Sentences

1. Jomo pamoja na dadake wanaujuzi katika biashara na kompyuta.
   "Jomo has skills in business and computing."
2. Laiti ningejua yeye ni mfitini, singemwambia siri zangu.
   "If only I had known that he gossips, I wouldn't have told him my secrets."
3. Azae watoto wengi mradi awalee vizuri.
   "She can give birth to many children, provided she takes care of them."

kukuhusu
"about yourself"

This word can be broken down into two parts: ku and kuhusu. Ku is the pronoun for "you," and kuhusu means "about." The -husu is a root verb from which other expressions can be derived.

Kuhusu can be used as an adverb or preposition to mean "about." For instance, kukuhusu means "about you." If it was about someone else, we would use m instead of ku. For example, kumhusu for "about him or her." This would change to kuwahusu for "about them" in plural. Usually, kuhusu is used as an introduction to a topic or an event; thus, the word is hardy in both formal and informal situations.

For example:

1. Laiti ningelijua yeye ni mfitini, singemweleza kukuhusu.
   "If only I had known that she gossips, I wouldn't have told her about you."

unaujuzi
"you are experienced"

Unaujuzi can be broken into three parts: u is the pronoun for "you," na is the verb marker, and ujuzi stands for "experience." Together, unaujuzi literally means "you have experience." This would slightly change to "are you experienced?" if it was a question.

It is a common phrase used when talking about work experiences, either in an interview or in a normal conversation.

For example:

1. Unaujuzi wa hali ya juu katika udaktari.
   "You are highly skilled as a doctor."

adabu na jitihadi
"discipline and hard work"

Adabu means "discipline," and na is a conjunction "and." Jitihadi means "hard work." Adabu na jitihadi would, therefore, mean "discipline and hard work."

This phrase is important when proving that you can work with or without supervision, individually or in a group. These words can be used independently in any form of setting as they have different meanings.

For example:

1. Watoto wake wote, isipokuwa yule mdogo, wana adabu na jitihada.
   "All her children, except for the little one, are disciplined and hardworking."

Job interview in Kenya

The job search in Kenya is very competitive because of the high rate of unemployment. When searching for a job, polish your CV and list experiences that could be relevant to the job. Know the details on your CV thoroughly in order to avoid gazing at it during the interview. Be conversant with what the company does and be confident in your answers. Try and know your weaknesses in advance. If asked, use one that would be an advantage to the company instead or state how you will improve. To be on the safer side, wear a suit when invited for an interview.

Useful expression:

1. wasifu
   "resume"