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

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


A Concept That Could Double Youre Income in Mystery Shopping

Do you want to double, or increase significantly you're income... Read More

Seven Ways to Stand Out in a Sea of Applicants

Is your résumé getting lost in a flood of résumés?... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About How to Overcome Boredom

Do you find yourself easily becoming bored or tired at... Read More

Salary Negotiation: How To Earn More Money and Respect From Your Employer

Despite how important fair pay is to most of us,... Read More

Interview Tips - Ten Top Dos & Donts for Winning Interviews

In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More

Finally Revealed: The Top 7 Resume Killers?

During my job search I read dozens of books and... Read More

Work Is A Four-Letter Word

I can hear the jokes already and most of them... Read More

Career Change: From Suits & Sales to Boots & Rails

Peter Humleker had it made. As the general manager of... Read More

A Look At Some Out of the Ordinary Jobs

What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More

Youre Fired Isnt The Finale

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, March 2004 had... Read More

Find Free Resumes Online

Have you been spending money on countless job boards, only... Read More

Overcome Interview Nerves: Be Better Prepared than Your Interviewer

Although interview preparation is everything it's sad to say that... Read More

Can You Tell Me Something About Yourself!

Interview Question, "Tell Me Something About Yourself?""Tell me about yourself"... Read More

Offer Letter Limbo

Recently we concluded the placement of a Senior Sales Representative... Read More

Doing What You Love

What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More

Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World

1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:Like it or not,... Read More

Pre-Interview Web Research

You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared... Read More

Seven Deadly Types of Job Recruiters

Collect them all!Over the course of six months in my... Read More

Make a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Business Dress for Women: Making Impact

Buying a suit can be an important investment when you... Read More

Telecommuting Resumes

Your resume needs to outline your skills and experience, as... Read More

Have You Been Fired? Laid Off? No? You Will Be!

It's true. Things have changed. You need to know the... Read More

Surviving The Technical Interview

Ah, the technical interview. Nothing like it. Not only does... Read More

10 Major Signs of Job Dissatisfaction

The New Year is a great time to analyze your... Read More

Five Mistakes That Can Derail Your Job Search

No matter how much time and energy you invest in... Read More

Tackling Your Unemployment Creatively

Are you unemployed or been laid off? You are not... Read More

Searching for Jobs Online

Searching for jobs online is easier than ever, but also... Read More

Fantastic Job Fair Follow-up

Set the stage for fantastic job fair follow-up while you... Read More

Background Checks: How They Can Determine Whether You Get Hired or Not!

Background checks are utilized by companies today to decide whether... Read More

How to Close Your Interview and Leave a Lasting Positive Impression

Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More

Feng Shui Your Desk for Career Success

Have you used feng shui around your desk? It's a... Read More

The Perils Of Employment: Are You About To Be Let Go?

From the moment you are born and you take your... Read More

When and How to Say I Just Cant Do It!

We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't... Read More