Ultimate Career

Have you just graduated?

If so, you may have firsthand experience of what the job market is
like currently.

Since October last year, we have been hearing in the news about
where the world economy is heading. We continue to hear of company
bankruptcies, budget cuts, headcount freezes, massive layoffs,
social unrests, declining economic growth, reduced consumer
spending and rising unemployment.

In May this year, it seemed like there was a glimpse of
stabilization and that triggered a fair amount of activities in the
stock markets and real estate markets. But that looked
unsustainable right now and the fundamentals have not changed even
though there was much euphoria. It sure looks like things will get
worst before it gets any better.

What is very real, however, to many of you at this moment is that
you have graduated from being students to being unemployed. Some of
you may even be starting this next stage of life with a whole load
of debt.

Many students I meet are actually considering going straight back
to studying. Yup, get another degree, spend more money (or take on
more debt), get shelter from the crisis for one more year, and,
hopefully,emerge next June with a Master’s degree.

Indeed, going back to school will allow you to be sheltered from
unemployment and be “upgraded” at the same time. However, if you
think that prospects will be better with a Master’s degree, let me
help you with an answer from employers:

If you do not have professional experience, you will still be
regarded as a fresh graduate even if you’ve got a Master’s degree.

At the end of the day, employers do not hire degrees. They hire the
ability to solve problems. They are paying a monthly sum in
exchange for value. A degree says that you can do the academic work
(usually given by professors who do not have real-world
experience). But mark this: Work experience is the only solid proof
of your capabilities.

OK, the bottom-line is that you want to land a job (at least start
gaining some real-world experience). And very soon. Here are some
tips to up your chances:

1. Draw up an employment strategy plan and set up goals to help
youself track progress.

2. Brush up your job-hunting skills. At least ensure that your
resume and job application (i.e. cover-letter)is in tip-top
condition. You are only doing yourself a BIG disfavour by sending
out mediocre resumes during such a time as this.

3. Adapt a flexible approach. Other than targeting the
industry/company/work that you would usually target, look also at
their vertical as well as horizontal market.

For example, to look at the vertical market, if you have always
wanted to work in a commercial bank, look also at which other
industries the bank serves and which other industries serve the
bank. The commercial bank may serve the real estate developers in a
huge way and be served by IT firms which provide their computing
systems.

Horizontally, other than look at being an analyst in the bank,
consider HR, marketing, business development, accounting, project
management, front office, back office, etc.

4. Many companies have implemented hiring-freezes as well as
pay-freezes. Taking on another full-time staff can be an added
burden especially for an SME. But as long as they still exist,
there’s work to be done. So, consider freelance, internships and
part-time employment. Do well in these and you will get a much
better chance of being converted to full-time later.

5. Job-hunting means you should get out there to do the hunting. If
you are hunting for pigs, you’ve got to go where the pigs are. So,
start finding out where you can meet people from the industry of
your choice, get out there and start networking!

6. Consider starting your own business or offering professional
services.  This will stir up your creativity, give you priceless
experiences and mark you as an entrepreneur which will provide you
with a huge stepping stone into the corporate career. Starting your
own business need not be a costly affair. Take a look at
www.elance.com and www.guru.com and you’ll know what I mean.