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 Change Is Not For Wimps! 3 Powerful Steps to Do Work You Love

Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More

Switching Careers - 7 Key Steps

Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More

Tips on Finding Employment as a Corporate Flight Attendant

I will not pretend that this is the easiest topic... Read More

3 Reasons To Hire From Outside Your Industry

While at times it may prove comfortable and convenient to... Read More

Interview Questions: How To Stump The Interviewer

In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More

Ten Great Careers For Single Parents

The challenges of raising a child by yourself, whether you're... Read More

Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs

What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists... Read More

Cover Letters

Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to... Read More

Find Passion for Your Work

Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More

Building Your Army of Supporters: How to Build Strategic Relationships in the Work Place!

Once you have accomplished your task of getting in the... Read More

Six of the Best for a Winning Resume

1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More

Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)

Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds. Green trees. Colorful flowers. It's springtime!... Read More

The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development

Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More

Job Search: Age-Proofing Your Resume

Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be... Read More

Make a Good Living Doing What You Love

Don't let anyone talk you into going to college when... Read More

Take Charge of Your Job Search: 12 Steps to Success

Despite what many people may say, a job search does... Read More

How To Win the Job-Hunting Game

When I got over the initial shock of being urged... Read More

When All Is Not Well With Work

When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More

How to Reach Outside Yourself to Advance Your Career

When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound... Read More

Start Working Before You Get Hired

What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More

Career Change: From Suits & Sales to Boots & Rails

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

Fascinating Ways to Make a Living Doing What You Love May Be Closer Than You Think...

You don't have to look very far to find fascinating... Read More

Planning Your Successful Career: 15 Ideas

"Doing a good job is one of the most important... Read More

Successful Job Search: 10 Steps To Quickly Acquire Your Dream Job And Put More Money In Your Pocket

Do you want to continue your costly, time-consuming and exhausting... Read More

Expose Lies on Resumes

Purpose: Learn about the new Polygraph for management hiresHis heart... Read More

How Hedgehogs Hire

In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More

Workplace 911

I've watched a few episodes of Nanny 911 and with... Read More

One Step at a Time in the Job Search

What is the first step to take in a job... Read More

Searching for an IT Job

Looking for an IT job is one of the easiest... Read More

Job Interviews: Plan Your Appearance to Make a Great First Impression

Your personal appearance is a critical component of that all-important... Read More

Those Little Things

Moving to another state meant finding a new dentist. I... Read More

Seven Tips to a Job-Winning Interview

These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More

How to Conquer Job Hunting Apathy

Jack, downsized from his last job, was frozen in a... Read More