Career 02 (Apr 10 - Apr 12)

[Cheng]

Thanks Winston! If I need any advice will ask you guys!

[kennynah]

Going to start work either March or April next year. I'll read the whole thread hehe..

MM, wow..that is bad man, those sg engineers have bad attitude.

congratulations !!

just remember who is paying your salary and you will do just fine...

[winston]

Cheng is a good kid and will go far in life. Very good balance of IQ and EQ.

He has not even started working full-time and he has already donated to the forum.

If my own kids grow up to be like Cheng, I would be quite proud of them

[winston]

Don't Look for a Job--Make the Job Come to You

It may be unexpected advice from a job-search coach, but ideally, you should not be looking for a job. Instead, you should be looking for problems to solve and letting the jobs come to you.

Confused?

Here's why you need to get off those job boards and readjust your approach:


1. Looking for a problem to solve is more effective.

Looking for a problem to solve instead of looking for a job requires you to identify skills you plan to use in your next opportunity and outline your accomplishments. If you stop searching for a job and start paying attention to what you have to offer, you'll have more control over your job search.

This proactive approach forces you to network and interact with a variety of people, as well as research problems facing organizations that require your expertise. Identify thought leaders in your field and figure out how to join their conversations. One good way to do this is to read blogs about your industry. Check Alltop.com for a list of industry-specific blogs, or use Google's blog search.

You can do a lot of research via your computer and social networks, but be sure you combine online strategies with in-person networking.


2. The best jobs aren't advertised. Grow your networks so opportunities come to you.

If you manage your career well, enough people will know about you and your skills that you'll never have to look for a job. Instead, jobs will find their way to you. Sound crazy?

The hidden job market, or unadvertised jobs, represents the majority of positions filled. If you use today's social media tools and have the expertise to back it up, it's possible to generate buzz about yourself.

The key to creating a "personal brand" and attracting opportunities is making connections with others in your field. Magnetically drawing jobs to you requires legwork on the front end. That's why it's a good idea to start building buzz around you and what you offer before looking for an opportunity. Still, it's never too late to start.


First steps to successfully using this approach:

-- Create a completely filled-out LinkedIn profile and grow your network there.

[See 6 Ways to Boost Your Job Search on LinkedIn.]

-- Open a professional Twitter account so you can connect with thought leaders in your field and tweet useful information and advice to your colleagues.

-- Author a professional blog to demonstrate your expertise and improve your ranking on Google.

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Dont-L ... 4.html?x=0

[helios]

First steps to successfully using this approach:

-- Create a completely filled-out LinkedIn profile and grow your network there.

[See 6 Ways to Boost Your Job Search on LinkedIn.]

-- Open a professional Twitter account so you can connect with thought leaders in your field and tweet useful information and advice to your colleagues.

-- Author a professional blog to demonstrate your expertise and improve your ranking on Google.

All were done!

But those were not for a Job ...

[kennynah]

so much spam on LinkedIn... i junk all LinkedIn emails...

[winston]

20 avoidable job search mistakes By Rachel Farrell, CareerBuilder.com


Here are 20 dumb job search mistakes that experts say you can avoid with a little thought:


1. Not using a professional e-mail address.

"It is wonderful that you are proud of your heritage and cultural roots. However, please don't use 'juicygapeach' as your e-mail address," Hudnall says. "There are enough free e-mail hosts out there that you can set up a plain first.last account that is professional and non-descript."


2. Jumping into the fire without your fireproof undies.

"[Don't start] your search without a plan or much thought as to where you want to go and how you plan to get there," says Julie Bauke, author of "Stop Peeing On Your Shoes- Avoiding the 7 Mistakes that Screw up your Job Search." Also, make sure you can answer these three key questions: Why are you in the job market? Tell me about yourself. What are you looking to do next?


3. Not checking yourself in the mirror before walking into an interview.

"I once interviewed someone who had a giant piece of lettuce hanging off his mustache," says Mario Schulzke, founder of CareerSparx.com. "I should have said something to him, but it was just too awkward and instead I spent 30 minutes staring at the guy's upper lip."


4. Falling into the 'black hole.'

Many job seekers misunderstand the role of the Internet in their job search, Bauke says. "It is good for research and connections," she says, but "you are not most likely to get a job that way."


5. Being forgetful.

"One mistake that I have seen a number of times over the years is people using a cover letter template and forgetting to change the company and name to who it is addressed," says Paul Peterson, MA, MBA, national talent resource manager, human resources. "Your cover letter should always be customized to the company and position to which you are applying."


6. Going to networking events -- but not really networking.

"Real networking is building mutually beneficial relationships," Bauke says. That can be hard to do in a group setting. "Make sure you are having at least three to five one-on-one meetings per week."


7. Omitting a signature block in your e-mail.

"A signature block is a perfect place to give a brief 20-word teaser and include a link to your online résumé," Hudnall says. For example, "Georgia Environmental Engineer with 7 years experience, seeking job in new locale, click here for full résumé."


8. Casting your net too widely.

"You are not a fit everywhere and you are not good at everything," Bauke reminds. "Your search will be much more effective if you focus on exactly what kind of work you want to do and where you want to do it."


9. Not paying attention.

"Job seekers aren't reading the job description carefully and following the specific directions provided by the employer, recruiter or hiring manager," says Eddy Salomon, founder of Workathomenoscams.com and Workathomecareers.com.

"The job description may state 'please apply by visiting x site. Please do not send a résumé.' But many job seekers are guilty of scanning the information provided and will end up doing the opposite of what has been described and send a résumé. Employers can't help but disqualify these candidates because it shows a lack of attention to detail and the failure to follow directions."


10. Overlooking the interviewing "gimme" questions.

Prepare to answer the basics questions: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Tell me about yourself. Why should we hire you? " You know they are coming. Be prepared!" Bauke says.


11. Not joining your local Chamber of Commerce.

"Every Chamber across the United States has a monthly get together usually called something like 'Business After Hours,' and many even have young professionals associations," Hudnall says. "Not using this an as opportunity to network and meet others in your field is a missed opportunity."


12. Having grammar or spelling errors on your résumé or cover letter.

"No matter how many résumés you send out, each customized to fit one job description, you must review each one closely for grammar and spelling errors," says Rick Saia, CPRW, content writer for Pongo Résumé . "Even the tiniest error will cast a bad impression on the hiring manager, especially if you write 'attentive to detail' as a strength. It's good practice to have a trusted friend or relative read through your documents before you send them."


13. Not being mindful of social media presence.

"Job seekers need to be mindful of social profiles and pictures they may have out on the Web that may be deemed inappropriate. In some cases employers may secretly try to 'friend' you on a given social network so they can have access to your wall and photos," Salomon says. Before applying to any job, one should search for his or her own name to ensure there isn't anything out there that would be deemed inappropriate.


14. Trying to turn an informational interview into a job interview.

"This is probably the worst form of abusing your network contacts. An informational interview is to get information, not an offer," says Ron Katz, author of "Someone's Gonna Get Hired ... It Might As Well Be You!" "When people start peppering the contact to see if there are any openings or jobs available, the person with whom they are meeting feels duped, taken advantage of, and at worst, angry and resentful."


15. Not having a LinkedIn profile.

"Many employers and HR professionals use LinkedIn as their go-to resource for more information about a candidate," Schulzke says. "If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, you are missing out on a critical opportunity to showcase your skills and experience."


16. Failing to research the company.

"At least take some time to review the company's website and use some of that knowledge in your résumé and cover letter," Saia says. "When you get to the interview, you'll need to know much more, especially to show how your skills and experience match up with the demands of the job and how your skills and experience can benefit the company."


17. Not following up after applying for a job.

"Following up is critical to set you apart from other applicants. Job seekers often neglect this key step because, for example, they applied online and don't have a name to follow up with," says Amy Olmscheid, manager of the Career Center at Capella University.

"But if you don't have a name of a person to follow up with, find one. Use the Internet or use your network. Get the name of a contact in human resources or a manager in the department you want to work in and then follow up with a call or e-mail."


18. Neglecting to follow up after an interview.

"Always send a thank you note to the interviewer," Olmscheid says. "Sending your note by e-mail is perfectly acceptable, but a handwritten note is a nice extra touch."


19. Failing to ask questions at the interview.

"Remember that you want to find out about the company and hiring manager as much as you want to tell them about you," Saia says. "By passing on the opportunity to ask questions, you're sending a message that you're not that interested in the job. And employers want candidates who are interested."


20. Relying on a single job-hunt strategy.

"Some job seekers will declare that they are only using online job boards and those individuals may miss excellent opportunities," Olmscheid says. "Job seekers typically identify more jobs and make more connections that can lead to jobs when they use a multi-pronged approach. Amp up your job search with job boards, face-to-face meetings, networking at professional development meetings, phone networking and other search strategies."


http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/01/2 ... index.html

[millionairemind]

Make sure you don't burn your bridges in the companies you have worked before...

Still continue to keep them in contact... especially your former HR manager and boss.. invite them out for lunches once a while..

You never know when a headhunter would want to do a background check on you before you get recommended for a executive level job...

Former HR managers and former bosses are the best references... provided you have done a good job in that company..

[winston]

And try to get a Letter of Reference from your boss before you leave.

I did not get a letter from one of my favourite bosses and he has since passed away.

[millionairemind]

Ex-NUS Graduate – I’m a failed product of our meritocratic educational system”

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/01/ex- ... %E2%80%9D/