Easy Money, Hard Money

"I want a job that is easy and can get as much money as possible. Tell me how to get that kind of job."

It's not irrational to think of money. After all, we do work for the money.

But it's irrational to think that money can come easily without you sweating for it. So, my answer to the above question is, "Be a gambler." It's easy and you do get a lot of money. But it's a high risk affair. High risks, high returns. Everyone knows it. Easy money, high uncertainty.

People like some amount of certainty (even though nothing is really certain but we like to think we are in control)

And that makes up more than half of world's population. These people study and they work hard and sweat to earn a living. "I trade in these skills and number of hours in return for this number of cash." Agreed. Signed. Certainty. Low risks, low returns.

Easy money with certainty? Fat chance.

What Is The Generation You Are Part Of Really...Take This Test

This is extracted from Penelopetrunk.com. Though it's an old article, I find it really interesting to use digital media engagement to assess which generation we are truly from. She interviewed Margaret Weigel, who has worked at Harvard and MIT doing research on digital media engagement. Weigel thinks that we should not judge people rigidly by the years they were born. She says, "If we want to define people by categories, it should be by behaviors because this is something each of us chooses."

So here is a test. Add up your points and find out what generation you're really a part of:

Do you have your own web page? (1 point)

Have you made a web page for someone else? (2 points)

Do you IM your friends? (1 point)

Do you text your friends? (2 points)

Do you watch videos on YouTube? (1 point)

Do you remix video files from the Internet? (2 points)

Have you paid for and downloaded music from the Internet? (1 point)

Do you know where to download free (illegal) music from the Internet? (2 points)

Do you blog for professional reasons? (1 point)

Do you blog as a way to keep an online diary? (2 points)

Have you visited MySpace at least five times? (1 point)

Do you communicate with friends on Facebook? (2 points)

Do you use email to communicate with your parents? (1 point)

Did you text to communicate with your parents? (2 points)

Do you take photos with your phone? (1 point)

Do you share your photos from your phone with your friends? (2 points)

0-1 point – Baby Boomer

2-6 points – Generation Jones

6- 12 points – Generation X

12 or over – Generation Y

Whoa lah...my score: 14. I might have scored more if I shared the same written language with my parents. My parents primary language is Chinese but mine is English. We simply don't write to each other. It's weird, I know..:P

So, what's your score? Do you think this is a good indicator?

Job Hunting Ethics: Candidate No Show

Candidate: Hey, thanks so much for helping me to get an interview. I know you've done a lot to help me...

2 days later - On the day of interview...

My client: What happened to your candidate? She did not turn up!

I called. I smsed. I emailed - and this is what I wrote...

Dear xxxx,

Trying to contact you via your hand phone but no reply yet. XXXXX notified me that you did not turn up for interview today. Would really like to know the reason. I trust you have a good reason because you seems to be interested in the post based on our past conversations. So, I find it strange that you did not turn up.

Kindly call me when you read this mail.

I would really appreciate it.

Thank you…:)

No reply whatsoever. I gave her another day. Usually in such cases, there are two possibilities. The first one is the candidate has a change of mind, something like a bride having cold feet last minute and decided to ditch the whole thing. Or it could be a genuine situation in which the candidate had an accident and was lying unconscious somewhere and thus, unable to make contact (In my entire recruiting career, only one case fell in the latter).

And it's rather easy to verify whether it's the first possibility or not. Use a different mobile phone to make the call.

In this case, I was rather disappointed that the call was answered and more disappointed when the line went dead upon hearing my voice.

Have some guts, girl! Say it and own it!

Why was it so difficult for the candidate to make a call and say she is no more interested?

This is not just a case of poor job hunting ethics, it's simply rude - lack of basic courtesy. Period.

If you can't keep an appointment with a friend, is it normal to get into a disappearing act?

No, you don't.

But I guess it is no big deal if it's an acquaintance. And of course, one incident like this won't hurt your career so much, would it?

Perfect Job?

I will be happy if I can just get my perfect job..

I will be happy if I can just find my perfect man..

We desire perfection. The day must go by as I had planned and when it did, oh...it's a perfect day! If it does not, it is simply a lousy day! So, what we are saying is this - "perfect" is when the result falls within our expectations. Anything less is imperfect!

But what if our expectations are flawed? That we do not have all the clues to know what is perfect for us.

A simple example is getting a perfect man. Most of us set out in life to look for the perfect man. When do we know whether the man is the "perfect man" for us or not? Is the measurement based on the fact a couple's ability to stay together till death do them apart? Is that it? Or do we really know for sure? Come to think of it, there's a lot of risks involved. At the point of decision, we simply weigh what's at stake and take a calculated risk or in most cases, simply based on a gut feeling. Do we know for sure? I guess not.

So, do we know what's the perfect job for us? We probably use the same approach.

Yes, we take our chances. All the time.

BN Youth Job Fair 2011

BN Youth wants to make a difference this year. To ensure the young generation is provided with enough job opportunities, the idea of organizing the largest career fair event ever came up. This job fair is going to take place from March 25th to 27th 2011. They are expecting 500,000 job seekers to flock to Putra World Trade Centre on these three dates and hope to break the Guinness World Record - an ambitious feat but not possible.

The companies participating in the fair are from various industries ranging from manufacturing, agriculture, services, hospitality, banking, engineering, IT, medical to civil service.

So to all the unemployed and job seekers that are looking for better opportunities, besides applying jobs via online, print media or through referrals, a good avenue is through career fairs such as this. Yes, if I were you, I’ll make sure I’ve a date with BN Youth Job Fair 2011 on these dates.

Besides meeting with prospective employers, there are other attractions that include on-the-spot creation of video resumes, resume clinics, internship opportunities, career talks and a 'skill enhancement corner'.

As always, admission to the event is free.

Good luck, job seekers!!

A Little Bit Of Love Doesn't Hurt

Today is Valentine’s Day! How the celebration was originated, no one really have all the facts but it’s now deem as a special day for lovers to show their affection and to express love to the special someone.

And some expanded the meaning of this day to include expressing appreciation and gratitude between good friends, bosses and colleagues and even between companies and their customers.

And why not?

Any gesture of kindness – whether a word of appreciation, a card, gifts and etc are welcomed by anyone. No one would resist more love. In any case, it’s the lack of it that we should be worried about.

A little bit of love doesn't hurt.

So, if you want to do something special for your colleague or bosses, go do it. The act might be as simple as saying a word of encouragement but it might just do its magic of brightening up someone’s day!

So, happy valentine’s day, readers! And thank you for stopping by….:)

Being An Expert Takes More Than Talent

How many of us can boldly claim we are experts in our fields? According to my Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary, expert means, “person with special knowledge, skill or training in a particular field”. By looking at its meaning, we can assume an expert does not just appear from the womb. Rather, the knowledge and skills are obtained over time.

I happened to work closely (on voluntary basis) with a Christian scholar, Dr Ron Choong whom everyone that met him will marveled at - for the amount of knowledge and intellect he possessed especially in the field of theology and science will blow your mind away. “Is he always that gifted (talented)?” some had enquired before. We marveled at his amazing memory – the ability to remember dates, events and difficult jargons. Well, having the opportunity to know him personally, he will modestly tell you there’s no secret at all. It’s not because he possessed this super duper brain that can store more megabytes than normal people. Rather, he will tell you it involves lots of sweat and hours of toiling. It’s about being disciplined with your mind and your time!

And it’s not purely hard work alone. For hard work doesn’t lasts if one does not has an interest or passion in the subject. And it does not stop there. What if there are obstacles along the way? Do you hang on there or quit the minute you smell trouble? Your decision depends on the amount of motivation and passion you had developed for the subject.

Conclusion: it’s a combination of talent, time, hard work, passion and resolve to become an expert in your field!

It’s no joke to be an expert after all.

Useful readings:-

Unlocking Your Potential

How To Make Yourself More Marketable