Advice for you, me, and people who are "jobless"

I feel tense and concerned about getting my first job in face of this economy downturn and difficult job market. I applied a few companies but after knowing my bond with Petronas they rejected me. On the other hand, Petronas has not contacted me since my report at KLCC on 13 January 2009 (sigh).

Today I came across this article “Advice for Fresh Graduates during Tough Times” by Ben Stein (he has a degree in Law from Yale, a degree in Economics' from Columbia). I couldn’t help but think that those advices are great though realistically not all of them could be applied in my life.

I will highlight a few of his suggestions here:

1. Learn a genuinely useful skill

He suggested us to learn a genuinely useful skill or what people need nowadays e.g. medical care (nurses), accounting, engineering in defense, and any kind of work connected to the criminal justice system.

I'm in engineering field but not really related to defense! Any idea what are considered as useful skills nowadays?

2. Learn who is hiring

Learn that the main employers are in health care, education in urban and extremely rural schools, and government. Therefore, we should tailor our education and skills to those fields.

My main employers are in oil and gas industry (second are in construction industry)...Anyone please hire me!!!

3. Be the best at what you do

He mentioned that there is always a shortage of top flight people in almost every field. If you are at the top of your class, you will have a vastly greater job chance than people in the middle or at the bottom. So my friend, try to have the best record you can have.

Trying~~~

4. Learn great work skills

There are skills that we must have:

* show up on time

* look neat and well-groomed

* do whatever is asked of you with a willing attitude

* Be up to date on all relevant computer skills

* have a super positive attitude.

* produce some value for the employers

I'm improving my skills so please hire me!!! Huh...what skills am I improving? haha

5. Be thrifty

Spend less than what you earn so you can build up savings.

Yeah I'm TRYING trying Trying so HARD to spend less.

6. Make every good connection you can.

Just admit that good connection could help you in the time of need. A recommendation from a friend (especially in Petronas) is super important. So befriend with the people surrounding you.

For the full article, click here.

My humble opinion, try to think thoroughly of what is important in your life and make a plan to get/ reach it!!!! I'm still thinking hard, haha. Also, it's important to gain some financial knowledge to improve financial status. Let us pray that we can get our first job as soon as possible.