Making Yourself More Relevant To The New Workplace

Being a current job seeker can be quite a challenging prospect as there are many changes in the workplace. Life-long employment is no longer the norm and workers must also learn to adapt with the complementary expertise of foreign talents. We are very much living in a global village.

Here are some tips to stay relevant to the expectations of the workplace:

Interview Phobia

You must view the interview process as a short period of time given to express your strengths and contribution to a future employer. The interviewer is too busy to want to put you on the defensive. He has to get the best candidate for the job within the interview period and may ask difficult questions that may help him reach that goal. The interview process has to be win-win for both parties.

Pre-conceived Idea Of Yourself

If you have just been retrenched or do not have relevant working experience, you should not just pass judgement over your abilities during the interview. You have to be confident and face your current situation objectively. Provide the interviewer with insights about what you intend to do to be a team player in his organization. All your experience can be used as a learning tool - it is your attitude that makes the difference.

Embrace Change

It is difficult to be employed if you have a self-defeating attitude. You should not always bring up about "the good old days". Every generation has its fair share of opportunities and change. It is best to take stock of your current situation and see how you can contribute to the organizational team. You can also upgrade your skills in order to value-add to the expertise of the rest of the team.

Understand The Industry's Direction

The internet is a valuable tool in providing a lot of information through the search engine as the obvious gateway. This is crucial for you as you can do your fair bit of background search about the industry's direction from the comfort of any convenient computer terminal. However, you must conduct a structured online search, as you may be a victim of information overload.

Understand International Macroeconomics

The study of macroeconomics is crucial in getting a global mind-set about your industry's directions. We do not live in a closed economy and our exports are greatly determined by external demand. You may have an expertise that has little room for future expansion and you may be very frustrated by your situation.

Personal Finance

Manage your personal finance well and try to allocate your budget on your dressing. You want to look professional during your interview. You also do not want to be forced to take the first job that comes to your way because of your tight financial situation.

Active Volunteerism

Being a volunteer or mentor is helpful in having different perspectives of your current situation. You do not want to wallow in self-pity about your current job situation. Furthermore, there are many in our community who may not be as fortunate as ourselves and volunteering is a laudable public service.

Generational Gap? - No! Generational Collaboration

If you are a senior citizen looking for a job, it is very backward looking to dwell on the generational gap. You should have the mindset of a generational collaboration in which your experience is crucial in providing new networks overseas (maybe in China, India). It is important to view the organization as a team and you are an equal partner in the formation.

About The Author

Colin Ong TS is the Managing Director of MR=MC Consulting (http://www.mrmc.com.sg)

colin@mrmc.com.sg

CAREER TOPICS

Take This Job and...Re-staff It
Deciding to leave a job isn't easy. In fact, quitting a job requires courage, especially in today's soft economy when the unemployment rate has reached 6.

Reactions to Job Loss; Getting Past the Emotions
Without doubt, job loss through downsizing or redundancy, is a major event for everyone when it happens. Most of us invest so much of ourselves in what we do that job loss can take away our sense of status and belonging, as well as the routine and support that work provides.

Job Interviews: Plan Your Appearance to Make a Great First Impression
Your personal appearance is a critical component of that all-important first impression when you walk into the room for your interview.So plan ahead!Some people don't think about what they're going to wear until the morning of the interview.

Job Interviews: Succeeding With Panel Interviews
These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of three-to-six interviewers.A "team approach" to finding the best candidate can be beneficial for the employer.

Resume Objectives ... The Hidden Pitfalls
Why Use Resume ObjectivesBefore we can discuss the pitfalls you first need to understand the reasons for including your resume objectives and how they relate to your resume and interview selection process.Including an objectives section at the beginning of your resume provides a brief introduction to the purpose of the resume, highlighting your career objectives and the type of job you are seeking.

How to Get the Job You Want in Any Economy... Act Like a Headhunter
Having spent the last few years of my career in the staffing and recruiting industry, I'm asked all the time by friends and relatives if I can help them find a more desirable job. I've helped my fiancé get a job, helped my college buddies get jobs after graduation, and even helped a few high school buddies find jobs having not seen them for years.

Why You Should Never Complain About Former Bosses
You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions left and right.

Surprise! Accounting is the Hot New Major
There was a time when accounting was the boring college major that many people regretted signing up for. A constant barrage of numbers, statistics and spreadsheets was none too interesting.

Get In Career Shape
Research suggests that as many as 8 out of 10 employed adults are in the wrong job or career! They are in poor career-shape or have little or no career-stamina.If you are one of the 8 or your goal is to shape up, it is important to have a good understanding of some basic career management principles for a healthy career workout and to help you make the best decisions about your career on a day-by-day basis.

Getting A Leg Up
Legging Up Your CompetitionLet's face it. When you graduate from college you need an edge over the competition, right? Every year thousands of college students just like you enter the job market looking for the same thing you are, a job / career.

Overwhelmed and Overworked: The Myth of American Productivity
Employment finally seemed back on track during the first few months of 2004. Politicians crowed that "Our tax cuts are working.

Create a Network and Catapult Your Job Search
Networking is still known as a great job-search strategy, yet it eludes some individuals simply because they don't know how to go about it. Individuals also tend to shy away from networking because it's time consuming.

Are Your References Ready?
One of the most common forms of background check performed by companies hiring new employees is the reference check. They typically request that candidates provide them with three names of previous bosses.

17 Surefire Ways to Annoy Potential Employers
Despite the President's encouraging words, the job market is still in sorry shape. There are more job seekers than job openings, so do NOT make things harder on yourself by doing any of the things on this list! Never, ever do these!Apply for jobs you are not qualified for.

Career Strategy When Your Boss is a Bully
Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager who hired me quit.

Using Journal to Support Your Job Search
Are you searching for a job? Here are some tips on how you can use journaling in that pursuit.It is important to know what we are looking for in a position and company.

You Are Not Entitled to a Job!
Résumé TipsSome basics about job hunting..

Prepare for Your Performance Review Before You Start the Job
When you start a new job, you probably realize the first three months are critical to your long-term success. Everybody's eye is on the "newbie" as you learn the ropes.

Who Do I Have To Kill To Get A Job?
I have had more than my amount of trouble in getting a job. I did everything I was supposed to do.

Sample Resume Objectives: Good, But Summaries Are Smokin!
Since college I've been told that a resume ought to have an "objective statement" at the top. Maybe you've been told the same.