Packaging is Paramount

In my last post, I was talking about the value-add of me when conducting business with the Caucasians and the Chinese. Since the product is from China, and the user is from US, why is there a need for me to be there? I possess the know-how of the system and understand the requirements of the customer. Although the Chinese can manufacture the thing we want, they lack the ability to provide the final touches. But I am able to deliver the product desirable to the customer. It is neither magic nor uphill tasks that I have to take. It is the simple knowledge and experience that I have gained from my work in Singapore. Packaging is so important in this modern world. You can make a very good product, but without a proper packaging, it loses its shine. I liken my service in this case as being a gift wrapper, giving the gift the final touch so appealing to the recipient. Of course the Chinese are smart and will learn the ropes very soon. So what do I do? It is the continuation of our innovation and improvement of services to the customer that keep us ahead of our suppliers or competitors.

Korean car manufacturer, Hyundai, can't make engines as good as the Japanese, but are able to keep their car sales on par with Japanese because they can continue to keep their car outlook so appealing that give their Japanese competitors a run for their money. HTC phone is considered a late comer in mobile phone market but it is making a big impact because its appealing look and feel, nevermind if it is really as good as the iPhone. The essence in making a product is not about making it so perfect. It is about making it desirable to the user. When profits start rolling in, it is when you take this money to invest in further development for the version 2, 3 onwards.

Coming back on the point about my experience and know-how that put me on the edge. As Singaporeans, we are considered the most westernized Asia. The cosmopolitan environment of Singapore gives us the exposure to the world. Also, as a first world country, our level of expertise is on par with the western world. It is not that we have to idolize the Americans or Europeans or try to be like them. As a small country like ours, we have to keep ourselves abreast with things. The only resource we have is our brains. We do not have deep oil wells like the Arabs have that can last them another 150 years. We have to capitalize on our strengths and continue to provide the services the world needs. The last thing we want to be, is to be complacent about ourselves.

MM Lee once said something which has set in my mind deeply. He said the world will continue to exist and operate even without the existence of Singapore. But the world will change if America or China ceases to exist. I would liken Singapore as a small puddle of water alongside a wide flowing river. If we do not do anything to this puddle of water, it will be stagnated and eventually be dried up by the sun. We have to deliberately create an inlet and outlet to divert some water in and flow out. Then the puddle water will not dry up and will always be kept alive by the flowing river.

What I Look for in a Job Applicant

I have run my company for 8 years now and have seen it grow from a 3-person company to a 25-person company today. Over the years, I have screened through thousands of CVs and have employed different types of people, both inexperienced and experienced. So what do I look out for in an application and a candidate?

Just imagine, each time we post for a position in the job portal or papers, we get tons and tons of email applications. I would classify these applicants into 3 broad categories: The Just-try-their-market-value-only, the Sincere ones and the quite Hard-up ones.

The Just-try-their-market-value-only applicant

These category of applicants are the most insincere ones who just want to see if there is any opportunity to change from their current jobs. They can be spotted by submitting their CVs which may not be relevant to the position advertised. Their CVs are always all ready to be sent out. Sometimes, their cover letter may even spot their intention with the wrong position in the title. It simply shows they have been conveniently submitting CVs to many companies. This category of applicants appear mostly in good times, when everyone is looking for career advancement.

The Sincere applicant

This category is of course the ones that employers seek. It is not easy to pick such CVs out. But putting effort in writing a good cover letter and concise CVs do help to play a part in catching the employer's attention.

Usually fresh graduates fall into this category as they have no working experience and are genuinely looking to start their career.

The Hard-up one

This category comprises those who are out of job or whose current job is in jeopardy. They are usually in the mid-career age and are married with children. Foreigners with work permit passes easily fall into this category because their permit expires within one month upon quitting their current job. These applicants come in hordes during bad times.

Tips to Landing an Interview:

1. Include your photo. Many people neglect this. Your photo is the first impression that the employer will get. A picture paints a thousand words.

2. Write a good and sincere cover letter. Write briefly about yourself and how you may be sutiable for the position.

3. Organise your CV layout well. Lay out your work experience in point form for easier reading. For each company you have worked for, you may want to classify the different projects that you have involved. Do not be too wordy because the employer has many other CVs to read.

4. To show your sincerity, you may want to be kaisu. Besides sending your application online, you may like to send a physical copy via snail mail. Remember, you are competing with hundreds of applicants out there. By sending another hard copy may give yourself more chance. It leaves greater impression of you if the employer has seen your email application and also received hard copy later. It also helps to create the impression of sincerity of the applicant.

5. Make a phone call to the company if you do not hear from them about 1 week after the closing date. Although it may sound bashful, it creates an impression to the employer. He may try recalling your application if you make the call. But don't overdo it. You may sound more like desperate than sincere.

For Those Fresh Graduates Looking for Jobs (2)

I graduated from UK with an Electronic Engineering Honours degree. It was in 1998; in the midst of the Asian Financial Crisis. The economy was in the doldrums. There were retrenchments everywhere. The Recruit section in the papers got thinner by the day. I took it easy for the first 2 months after I came back to adjust myself back to the climate and lifestlye. When I got serious in hunting for a job, I began to realize the dire state of the economy. I went to job agencies, cutting out recruitment ads and sending countless CVs, and even perfecting my resumes. My pride of being a new university graduate faded by the day when no employer seemed to be interested in me. Either there were long queues at walk-in interviews or my sent-in CVs never seemed to bring any response. I started to adopt a new strategy after much thought. The mainstream job-seekers would go for the Recruit section in the Straits Times. Instead of following the crowds who aim to join MNCs and government agencies, I decided to look into the Classified section instead. I started to look for the smallest possible ad that I think hardly anyone noticed. True enough, after sending my CV to 2 companies, I was called for interviews. I was estatic. Both were local SME companies. One was in the M&E industry for a site Electrical Engineer and the other was for a System Development Engineer. After both interviews, thanks to my good presentations, I was called up again for 2nd interview by both companies. Eventually, I was offered a job by each company. I suddenly felt spoilt for choice. Nonetheless, after much consideration, I took up the 2nd offer. It was a humble setup with about 30 staff. From there on, I never looked back and started my career there. Although I didn't stay for long in the company, it was a great springboard in my career and I joined a big MNC after gaining some working experience.

Growing up from bad times have trained me not to take things for granted. It is always good to start from ground zero so that your fundamentals are well founded. When the times turn for the better, you will be the first to benefit. To the fresh graduates who are seeking jobs today; don't be discouraged. When there's a will, there's a way. Be humble and work your way hard to land a job. It's not a time to be fussy anymore.