Preparing to enter the job market - Part 2

Once your marketing plans are ready, you would need to prepare yourself to apply for jobs. There are many avenues available in your quest for job vacancies.

First is your source of networking, because you may find that recommendations by word of mouth carry weight. Research has indicated that generally Employers prefer to take on referral cases.

Second, look at all the available local and international recruitment agencies in the website. They would be your next inroads leading to job vacancies. Get into as many job sites as possible including those by reputable headhunters.

Third is the available websites of Job Providers. Look under job vacancies or careers. Potential employers may come form the private or public sectors. Chances are you may find the job you would want, here.

Fourth, you may want to register with the Department of Manpower (Jabatan Tenaga Rakyat) Ministry of Human Resource. You can do that either by personally going there or surf their website. The Ministry has programs like matching jobs with people online. They are aggressively into it.

Fifth is that you must make it a point to attend all Career Fairs / Exhibitions within your locality or otherwise. Basically, here is where you would be able to meet up, almost all the possible sources of vacancies in the employment market. Do not let this opportunity pass you by

Sixth, use the various mass media platforms available. The most frequently sought after are the local newspapers, the easiest way of finding out the demands in the employment market. Not only that, there may be relevant articles and news write-ups that may give you some insight on the current employment market scenario. This information is invaluable to you, for it would assist you to focus on the types of industry you would want to start you career with.

Last but not least, as young university graduates, you might want to be real close to the Department of Career Affairs & Alumni of your various universities. Remember, it is their role to serve, advise and build careers for you through their contacts and liaison with the various job providers in the market. Keep in touch with them. For all you know, they may be able to secure you, just the job you are looking for.

Once you have identified the job positions you would want to apply, look at how the process works as outlined in the steps below:

• Step 1: Use Evidences from Marketing Plan (Refer to Part 1)
  From all your source of documentary evidence in support of marketing yourself, draw up your:
  • I. Knowledge, skills and behavioral attributes as your inventory of strengths and weaknesses (how you envisage resolving this).
  • II. Accomplishments and shortfalls (that you could have overcome, but how?).
  • III.You should list all that you are lacking in, as inadequacies. Pose yourself with questions around them. Get the right convincing answers that you would need to use during interviews.
• Step 2: References
  List at least three referees, people who know you well enough, kept abreast of your career development and willing to attest to your positive abilities and that you would be an asset to any organization that takes you on board.
• Step 3: Position & Organization Description
  Usually all job advertisements carry with them the summary of job description, man specification to fill in the vacant position and may include a description of the organization. It is now up to you to match every aspect of the job requirements, with your experience, qualifications or accomplishments.
  
  Find out more about the organization through their website from the Internet or an appointment with the relevant department in charge, perhaps the Corporate Affairs. This information gathering exercise is going to go a long mile after this. You will be able to find out more about the company's organizational behavior, its culture – beliefs, values and norms. That can be your trump card to be used during interviews.
• Step 4: Preparing Your Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  Generally there are about eight steps in Resume/CV writing. It begins with the header and identification, career objective, experience, qualifications or accomplishments, work history, education, professional experience, references and may end with the types of resume format. However, there are no fast or hard rules about it – because it is about your creativity. It is about the best and most appropriate way you are comfortable with, in presenting and marketing yourself. Remember, this is your marketing tool that promotes YOU as its only product. It must be able to be convincing enough to buy people in!
• Step 5: Preparing Your Cover Letter
  There are basically five key elements in writing dynamic cover letters. It would encompass the position you are applying for, your interest in the job, your suitability for the job, your availability for interview and any other requirements. Do not repeat facts that has been incorporated into your Resume/CV in the cover letter. It is your first point of contact and it must reveal your good first impression.