Finding a good job in a bad economy
I came across this valuable article about “Finding a Good Job in a Bad Economy” which I feel will be helpful to a lot of people out there. And I strongly believe in the points stated in that article.
From what I can see, networking and preparing yourselves (in terms of skills and mindset) are 2 very important things before you look for a job. Because if you’re without the proper skills, you will not be attractive in the eyes of the interviewer and might just become one of the hundreds of average job applicants. On the other hand, if you have a negative mindset and do not even believe in yourselves, your low confidence will be very obvious during the interviews. An employer does not want to hire someone who does not even believe in himself. Thus, it’s very important to be optimistic and remain positive….even if you’re suffering from a pay cut or a retrenchment.
Anyway, do have a look at the article and hopefully it can provide some insights in your job hunting.
Good luck and hope it helps.
“An employer does not want to hire someone who does not even believe in himself.”
As a business owner I can vouch for this although I would probably adjust that expectation a bit during crisis times.
When someone applies for a job during these times, unless he’s suicidal, its almost certain that he has either lost his job or is about to lose his job. Lets take the case of a talented person who was retrenched. Not his fault. He sends CVs everywhere and is going for interview after interview. He’s backed up 3 months on his rent, has a wife and kid to feed, has banks chasing after him and is down to his last $100. He’s someone like Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Despite what authors tell you, it can be very hard for anyone to strut around with supreme confidence under such circumstances. In fact to be honest, I don’t know of any business owner out there who didn’t have his self-confidence shaken by this recession. So if I see a jobless person walking around very cocksure of himself, I may be inclined to be more cautious of him than not.
So even optimism has to be contextual to make sense. What’s more important IMHO is the ability of the candidate to give me solutions. Ask the right questions and even bad times cannot mask a person’s experience and true potential.
As far as self confidence goes, it can be rebuilt once a talented person down on luck is given a chance to get back on his feet.
Damien Tan
18 Mar 09 at 12:25 am
@ Damien
Of course not supreme confidence. It’s very hard to do so unless the person does not want the job at all (just going to the interview for fun). And what you said is true, most people who are looking for jobs are either desperate for a change, or are insane, or are very confident about themselves.
People who are looking for better opportunities, will not be on the job market at this time.
I think in the end, what matters most is the attitude and the experiences of the candidate. If you’re a bit nervous, it shows that you are serious about the job
And if you’re really VERY VERY CALM, then maybe you don’t care what I’m talking at all.
Ah well, let’s just see how things go from my end.
Alvin Lim
18 Mar 09 at 10:09 am
Yes, agreed. If I had to score interview candidates these days, it will be
1. Track record, 50%
2. Indication of sincerity and integrity, 30%
3. Presentation (work attitude etc. including self-confidence), 20%
So even if a candidate looks depressed or even desperate because he’s going through a crisis-related disaster, I might still hire him on the basis of a strong 1 & 2, knowing that 3 can be affected by factors outside his control.
Btw I hope you are making some headway in finding alternatives.
Damien Tan
18 Mar 09 at 5:21 pm
@ Damien
Experience is very important, so is attitude. Attitude, to me, means everything. If you are lazy or have a bad attitude, who cares if you are the top graduate in the world? Whatever I tell you to do, you might not do it in the end due to the attitude.
Yeap. Things seem to be progressing well from my end.
Yet to to do the thing that you’ve suggested though. Need to spend time to prepare myself.
Alvin Lim
19 Mar 09 at 8:19 am