Job Search Can be Difficult

Job search is never an easy task and I have encountered it personally. There are many factors how you want your next role to be and what you are looking for. It can be difficult if the market is facing recession. You will see lesser job opportunities and yet somehow or the other, the number of applicant vying for the same role seems to increase.

One of the challenges that you might have to go through is that especially if you are moving up the corporate ladder or even changing different industries. You will lose out to the industry experts and this is not all. Being turned up during interviews can be disappointing, but always stay positive. There are factors to why – losing out to candidate who has more relevant experiences could be one of them.

In Singapore, more fresh graduates are facing the difficulties, but keep your expectations in check. Find out the reasons why you are not shortlisted. Financial crisis and economy downfall are just part of the market movements, but what is more important is how we react to the situations and face it. Never demand for what you think you deserve but what you want to pick up and learn from the companies and industries. You might even bloom and fly higher when the economy picks up.

Job requirement varies

It might be a hassle changing industries during your career switch but if you are all for it, press on! It might not seem easy but there will sure be companies who are out there looking for incumbents from different industries, so as to inject different mindsets for the growth of the processes and operations.

Different industries and cultures can be really different but if the companies are interested to bring you on board, that is because they’d want to ‘think out of the box’ in terms of processes. For instance, one in a manufacturing could be working on work processes and chasing numbers to support operational requirements, but one in the advertising industry will have to deliver creatives and introduce fun.

Don’t get upset by the process

It’s always the case that you have submitted your resume and all necessary details, yet companies still require you to go through the process to fill in the application form. I have seen one which is nearly 10-page long. It took me more than 30 minutes to fill them up.

There are also times when you don’t get feedback after the interviews. I think it is basic courtesy and respect for the applicants. Recruiters should inform the applicants so that you do not keep them waiting.

In any case, part of the time you will have to manage your expectations to accept such silence and search process. You can always follow-up with the respective recruiters. Stay positive – you never know if these interview processes will help you in future.

How to handle workplace Gossips

If there is one thing it is unavoidable in the workplace – it is gossips. You could either be the subject of the gossips, or you could be the one instigating the gossip.

However, let’s not forget the person subject to gossip has negative consequences – whether is it affecting their own career and reputations, or being emotionally affected by it. Worse, the person subject to being gossip could be ostracized at work.

If you are verbally harassed, these strategies could help.

Address it, tactfully

Instead of the usual practice of avoidance, addressing the person who instigated the gossip could work. However, the approach should not be done in a confrontational nor aggressive way. Being confrontational would only lead to fuel more gossips among your colleagues.

This is the right way to address gossips, especially if it is due to untrue speculations. The instigator should be able to understand that you would want to clarify the speculations. You could also self-reflect on yourself upon hearing the gossips. If you feel there is some truth in the gossips, or how most of the people perceive you to be – you could use it as a self-reflection as how others perceive you affects their motivation to collaborate and work with you.

If you are the one who are instigating the gossip, you should always remind yourself that if you are not able to bring yourself to say things in the person’s presence, then you should avoid that as a topic to others.

Don’t be one of them

If you are one of those who have been gossiping at the work place, you have lost the right to ask others to stop gossiping about you, or making you the subject of the gossip. One should never solve the problem of being the subject of gossip by gossiping about others.

This will only lead to negative repercussions, as you will likely lead to confusing signal to your colleagues and friends around you.

Report It

If the gossips have become too unhealthy, and you feel you are not able to manage it on your own, you can talk to the Human Resource department – especially if you feel if it is harassment.

Companies do not encourage gossips, anyway as it dampens morale and productivity. 

Managing People at Work

In our course of work, we come across different across people from different walks of life. We might meet people who are at different end of the spectrum – from the very ambitious to the plain lazy.   

It is fair to say that workplaces do not bring out the best in people, yet it consists most of our daily hours. Here are some tips to manage your emotions, and expectations.

Be Patient

Once a while, we need to be constantly reminded that we have different moods throughout the day. It is impossible for one to be constantly optimistic and positive about life. Do remember that if you are experiencing a disheartening colleague, or even an unreasonable one, you should not be judging the person as his entire character. Instead of being judgmental, you can choose to be tolerant.

Instead, it would not hurt to show a little bit of a concern to understand the reasons why they are not in the best of moods, and to be supportive. This helps you make more friends than foes.

Say what you feel, constructively

Some people are not as sensitive as the rest, and colleagues could have affected you without being aware of their actions. Share your thoughts to people who are being overly critical on others. This might help to heighten self-awareness which would lead to either them being very apologetic, or defensive.

This would still be a form of negative reinforcement and your colleagues would subconsciously consider twice before being overly critical on others.

Manage expectations

This would mean either managing your expectations, or managing your colleagues’ or superiors’ expectations. If your colleagues, or superior would expect you to be on the ball always – even during after work hours, or when you are on a holiday – you might want to sit down with them to personally share with them on their expectations and to see how other ways you can work together.

With these three tips, you should be able to handle your emotionally needs as well as your colleagues in understanding the different people. It is always important to remind yourself, that past situations have led people to be who they are – including yourself.