The Gallivantings of Daniel Franklin Gomez

Malaysians, Are You Sabotaging Your Job Search?

Share

Posted on 16. Jul, 2008 by Gallivanter in Career

You may be, and you may not be aware of it. I’m keeping this as simple as possible.

1. Keep track of your accomplishments. Don’t take it for granted.

2. Don’t leave your previous job on a bad note. Karma’s a bitch.

3. Network yourself. Tell everyone you know that you’re on the lookout for a job.

4. Don’t just stick to internet search. Newspaper (especially Saturdays) helps bigtime!

5. Don’t search for the perfect job. You’ll forever be jobless. Lower your expectations. Give and take.

6. Boring cover letter. Edit it EVERYTIME you apply for a new job. Match your words with the job roles.

7. Typos – again, taken for granted. Use spell-checker, or grammar-checks. Get someone to proof-read it.

8. Don’t give your current work contact as the best place to reach you. It’ll backfire.

9. Focus the cover letter on the new company, not on yourself.

10. Adapt your resume for specific positions. Word it each time to veer towards the job requirements.

11. NEVER EVER show up late.

12. Don’t dress like a clown. I interviewed a dope once. He wore torn jeans. I sent him home.

13. Ask questions – good ones. Not, “Can I got back home sharp everyday?”.

14. Bitching about a former boss or company. BIG mistake.

15. PAY attention. Switch off your mobile phone.

16. Read about the job position and company. Learn and understand, not memorize.

17. Forgetting etiquette. Don’t cross your arms, or put it on your head and lean back. Don’t be a jerkoff.

18. NEVER ask for salary during the first interview. Let the interviewer bring it up, if not bring it up at the end of the interview, one of your last questions.

19. Don’t follow up aggressively. I interviewed this dude last week and he’s been calling me ever since.

20. Keep track of your job applications. Don’t forget what you applied for.

21. Even after a few interviews, don’t stop your job hunt. Keep it going, another opportunity might knock.

Tags: accomplishments, attention, bitching, clown, cover letter, etiquette, expectations, follow up, internet search, job search, jobsdb, jobstreet, klang valley interviews, lateness, malaysia career, malaysia job, networking, perfect, questions, resume writing, salary, scope, the star jobs online, typos