Job in the Government, anyone?

I chatted with a Chinese senior government servant and found out that the number of application from the Chinese community has been almost zero all these years.

I asked how true is that? I was informed by another civil servant that whenever they receive application from Chinese, they throw it straight into the rubbish bin. I tend to support this theory because I also applied to a post in Open University and I don't even get an acknowledgement! So, it must have been deleted or they will give the excuse that it was never received. Whatever... never mind.

Just to give an idea, I was told that in some of the government offices, the employees are 100% bumiputra, ie, Malay or native. This gave the government a lot of headache because there will be no one working during certain festive season.

Ok, that is beside the point in this entry. In fact, I encourage all Chinese/Indian readers or if you have Chinese/Indian friends, do encourage them to apply because civil servants do get good incentives and pay. However, for your application now, make a copy to SUPP or MCA.  I was also told that there are positions reserved for non Bumi.

Further reading: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/8/18/nation/11881712&sec=nation

I foresee only one issue when a non bumi entered the civil service... how long can they survive the current culture? I was told that one resigned after 6 months.

A CAREER IN LOGISTICS

Date: 09-June-2012

Looking for dynamic individual to fill the following position:-

1. Accounting Executive - To handle full set accounts and label to working independently.

2. IT/Programming Executive - To handle in house IT Department. 

3. Installation Technician - To handle basic installation and wiring for vehicles. 

Interested please email brucechai@atdunia.com. 

What Your Interviewer Is Secretly Thinking about Your Appearance

By Farhan Shah

First impressions are incredibly important, more so in job interviews. As you walk into the room, your interviewer (orinterviewers) is already forming pre-conceived notions about you based on your appearance, even before the obligatory handshake.

According to a study done by Princeton psychologists, people form first impressions about you almost immediately in the blink of an eye, about a tenth of a second to be exact, and longer exposures do not necessarily equate to a different or better impression.

Before your mouth has opened, your interviewer has already sized you up, so make sure your interviewer has not mentally removed you from the shortlist even before you present your case.

According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 73% of employers would not hire slovenly, smelly or dirty employees so if you come in to the office smelling and looking like something the cat brought it, you can forget about a job offer.

There are 3 parts to your appearance.

• Clothes

• Grooming

• Smell

Clothes

According to international business dress expert Barbara Pachter in the book “Job Interview for Dummies”, you have to “send a message through your clothing and be aware of the details.”

This means that the clothes you wear send a signal, and subsequently a message, to your interviewer. An outfit that is one size too big looks unprofessional and tells your interviewer that you cannot be bothered to put in effort in the way you look, which might also translate to your future job performance.

Shoes are also an important part of your outfit. A well-put-together outfit can go to waste if your shoes are grubby or dirty. Your interviewer will notice your shoes, so make sure the pair that you have on are clean, polished, and in good condition.

For men, another clothing faux pas you can commit are ankle socks. Although these are highly fashionable, they do not belong in the interview room. Nothing turns off an interviewer more than seeing hairy, exposed flesh when you sit down and expose your ankles. It tells the interviewer that you cannot differentiate between the boardroom and the beach.

For women, gratuitous shows of flesh should be avoided like the plague. “Sexy isn’t a corporate look. Low-cut tops that expose cleavage draw attention to this body part and are not appropriate in the office,” Joyce Kennedy writes in Job Interview for Dummies.

Grooming

After your clothes are taken care of, it is time to groom yourself. Focus on the parts that will be visible to the interviewer, which includes your facial hair and nails.

No interviewer likes to see visible nose hair protruding out of your nostrils. It becomes an unpleasant distraction and will result in your interviewer thinking about how best to trim your hair instead of listening to you expound your career achievements.

As for your nails, make sure digits are trimmed and buffed. Unsightly talons indicate to your interviewers that you are oblivious to details and might be prone to careless mistakes in your work. For the ladies who put on nail polish, ensure that your nail polish is not chipped because it sends the same signals, that of not noticing details, to your interviewers.

In the case of stubble, it is largely dependent on the position that you are applying for. If you are applying for a creative position, the interviewer might not pay any heed to your 5 o’clock shadow. However, if you are attempting to score a corporate job, it’s best to be clean-shaven.

Smell

Now that you have picked out the perfect outfit and made sure your hair and nails are in tip-top condition, don’t forget the olfactory factor. It’s not just about what the interviewer sees but what the interviewer smells as well. Unfortunately, in sunny Singapore, being located so close to the equator results in excessive sweating for some, and with it a malodorous side-effect.

If taking an air-conditioned taxi is not an option for you, accommodate some time (about 10 – 15 minutes) in your schedule to clean up in the washroom before you enter the interview room. Stow deodorant and cologne in your bag as well so that any unsavoury smells are taken care of.

Ensure that your mouth is not reminiscent of dead fish. Gargle mouthwash and drink lots of plain water before you head out. That will take care of any last vestiges of halitosis. Nothing turns off an interviewer more than being assaulted in the nostrils by any unpleasant odour. They will start to think about how they will have to work in close proximity with you every day, for as long as you stay with the company, which might not be very appealing.

The JobsCentral Group, a CareerBuilder company, is the owner of JobsCentral.com.sg, one of Singapore's largest job and learning portals. Get a free career personality test and more career- and education-related articles at JobsCentral and JobsCentral Community. Alternatively, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for more career-centric content!

7 Things That Turn Off Employers During an Interview

1. Trashing your former company
2. Demonstrating a lack of direction
3. Being too desperate
4. Arriving too early.
5. Having the money talk.
6. Anxious behavior
7. Dwelling on accomplishments and successes

Read the full article here.

Top ten Buzzwords to avoid in your CV

The following is from LinkedIn:

Competition for opportunities can be fierce, so craft your LinkedIn profile to stand out from the professional pack. Some objectives you should keep in mind are: Banish buzzwords from your profile. Use language that illustrates your unique professional accomplishments and experiences. Give concrete examples of results you’ve achieved whenever possible and reference attributes that are specific to you.
Singapore’s top ten trotted-out buzzwords are:

1. Track record
2. Motivated
3. Effective
4. Creative
5. Dynamic
6. Innovative
7. Problem solving
8. Communication skills
9. Extensive experience
10. Interpersonal skills

So those of you trying to apply for work, please remember to avoid the words above!

How to Stand Out at Your New Job

We always talk about "first impression". I can always remember the first time I was committee member of a "Malaysian Senior Staff Council". The first impression of the newly elected chairman, Mr Lim, impressed me a great deal. In my mind, I told myself "This council is going to make a difference. The chairman knows what he wanted to do". The differences between "a high performer" and an "ordinary" staff are miles apart and you can see it during the first meeting!

However, in my opinion, the greatest failure of a "high performer" after he/she has reached the top is to be proud, arrogant and disrespect.

Whatever, read this article. I know that many won't be "high achiever" overnight but it helps.

Scholarships for SPM/STPM Leavers

Note: The Star scholarship fund closing date is 6 April 2011!


List of Scholarships for SPM/STPM Leavers:-
1. Taylor's World Class Scholarship
2. Taiwan Scholarship
3. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Scholarship
4. IJM Scholarship
5. British Council IELTS Scholarship
6. Petronas Education Sponsorship Programme
7. Khazanah Scholarships
8. Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship
9. Securities Commission Scholarship
10. Honda Dreams Fund
11. Bank Negara Scholarship
12. American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Scholarship-AMCHAM
13. ASEAN Scholarships
14. UEM Scholarships
15. KPLSPM - Program Penghantaran Pelajar Cemerlang Ke Universiti Terkemuka Luar Negara (Closed)
16. Management Development Institute Of Singapore Scholarship
17. UTM Endowment Scholarship
18. Hong Kong Polytechnic University Scholarship
19. Singapore Scholarship
20. Politecnico di Torino Scholarship (Computer Engineering)
21. Romania Scholarship
22. Astro Scholarship
23. Kuok Foundation Undergraduate Awards
24. Sinchew, theStar, theSun-MAPCU Scholarship Fund
25. ACCA Scholarship
26. Hong Leong Foundation Scholarship Programme
27. Malaysia Airports Education Sponsorship Program
28. Gamuda Scholarship Award
29. Malaysian Society for Complementary Medicine Scholarship
30. Shell Scholarship
31. Maxis Scholarship
32. Felda Global Group Scholarship Award
33. MNRB Scholarship
34. The One-World-Scholarship
35. 40 Chancellor's International Scholarships at University of Sussex (Closed)
36. 50 Undergraduate Scholarships at University of Glasgow (Closed)
37. Tsukuba Scholarship (Closed)
38. Yayasan TM
39. Maybank Scholarship (Closed)
40. Opportunity Fund Award
41. University of Canterbury Malaysian Alumni Scholarship (Closed)
42. University Honors Scholars Program at East Tennessee State U (Closed)
43. Scholarships for Traditional Medicine Studies in India (Closed)
44. Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship (Closed)
45. The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus Psychology High Achievers Scholarship
46. Manulife Scholarship Awards
47. Axiata Young Talent Programme
48. Limkokwing Scholarship Award
49. UTAR Scholarships for Top Achievers (MBBS Programme)
50. ECM Libra Foundation Financial Assistance Programme
51. Yayasan Sime Darby Scholarship Programmes
52. Genting Malaysia Scholarship
53. Tsinghua University Scholarship
54. Fairview IB Diploma Scholarship (Closed)
55. Tuart College, Perth Scholarship (Closed)
56. Sunrise Education Foundation Tertiary Scholarship
57. Kingston University Undergraduate scholarships
58. National Science Scholarship (BS)
59. Samling Scholarship and Bursary Programme
60. Ng Bee Chai Foundation Scholarship
61. Tun Suffian Foundation Scholarship (Law)
62. Tun Dr. Mahathir UPM-ELS Scholarship
63. The Prysmian ASEAN Scholarship (E&E Engineering)
64. Selangor State Government Education Loan
65. Prince of Wales Island International School Scholarship
66. Shell-Curtin Scholarship(For Degree Student Only)
67. Nursing scholarship
68. Yayasan Tenaga Nasional Scholarship
69. Akademi Laut Malaysia Cadet Sponsorship Programme
70. IMU Scholarships
71. Higher Opportunities for Private Education (HOPE)
72. BN YES Scholarship
73. Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan
74. EPF Scholarship Programme
75. Malaysia Smelting Corporation Berhad (MSCB) Group Scholarship
76. Malta Arts Scholarships
77. University of East Anglia International Student Scholarships

For Undergrads :-
1. One Semester Exchange Student Scholarship (Communication Management)
2. KODAK Scholarship Award
3. Midway Honors Scholars Program at East Tennessee State U
4. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
5. X-FAB "Journey to Semiconductor" Scholarship Program

For Post-Grads :-
1. Iskandar Foundation
2. UC Berkeley Extension IDP Scholarships
3. Fulbright Malaysian Award
4. Panasonic Scholarship
5. Erasmus Mundus

Thanks to Mr. Kho Yok Chong for forwarding the list to me.