Job Opportunities in Malaysia : April 2016

Monday, 25 April 2016

5 Things You Should Know When Looking for a Job Abroad

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Leaving your home, as well as your friends and family behind to move to another country, where everything that surrounds you is completely different from that to which you are used to seeing is really not an easy task: different people, different cultures, different food and sometimes even a different language. However, some people think leaving their country of origin and traveling to settle down for a while on the other side of the planet to be a personal goal or even a milestone they need to achieve. In order to get established in a new country, there are some important aspects you will need to take into account: finding a job, a house, a room or an apartment, learning the native language, basic cultural aspects, and so many more! But let’s focus on finding a job for now. Follow these simple recommendations and you will be well on your way to successfully finding a job abroad:

Do your research. Before applying for a job abroad, you need to be informed about how they manage resumes in the country you are moving to. Do you need a cover letter? Short or long resume? Do you need to attach your certificates? Or is your resume acceptable as is? In some cases, you will need to translate and notarize your degree and other certificates, so it is very important to do your research.
Spread the news. Once you make a decision about the place you are going to be living next, tell every single person you know. This way, you will probably meet people who went through a similar experience or that are native of the country you chose. Your aunt will always have a friend of a friend who spent their summer in a far away and exotic country.
Consider all your possibilities. Before quitting your job and booking the first ticket to Timbuktu, find out if the company you are currently working for offers exchange programs or if you have the possibility of being transferred to another branch. Other options are searching online for a job abroad, as well as searching your alumni networks and social network connections. Volunteering is also a great way to work abroad; besides, it’s a very rewarding experience.
Be smart. Always let the employer know, in your cover letter or during the interview, that you have done your research about the different aspects of their country and that you are willing and prepared to start working. Furthermore, assure them that you are flexible enough so as to adapt to a foreign environment.
Don’t be scared, relax. You have done your research, you have talked to every person you know about working abroad, you have looked for jobs online, you know everything there is to know about your target country, you have saved enough money to survive at least two months without a job, you are officially ready. Of course it is scary to live somewhere completely new, but it will probably be the most exciting adventure of your life, so go for it!

Vanessa Fardi / NEUVOO

Team Leader US/CA/LATAM

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

How to Find the Right Job (Part 1/3)

During the job seeking process, we have always wondered what the best way to find a good, well-paid and full-of-benefits job is.

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While we are at it, we will find tons of staffing agencies, thousands of job boards, millions of companies. So, how do I find the right job?

There is no right answer to that question because there are just different ways to get to the same objective, so let’s start by explaining how each of these paths works and that way you can choose the right one for you.

Let’s begin with staffing firms, how they work, and how they can help you find a good job. Staffing agencies are companies that work –really hard– to help corporations find good employees, and help job seekers find good jobs. They have many recruiters that are calling candidates most of the time, offering jobs and placing people. These companies make money through the candidates’ salaries, that is, they keep a percentage of the salary for themselves. Therefore, when you get hired through a staffing firm, you are actually working for the staffing firm, not for the company you get selected to work for. This is important to take into consideration because whenever a recruiter calls you, they are basically offering you a job in the firm. They are the ones that actually pay you and, if you get fired, the company loses too.

Thus, why would I want to receive a phone call from a recruiter? Well, a staffing firm is like a real estate agent: they have the best deals. Companies usually considerate the candidates from staffing firms first because they already know their salary expectations, they have already been pre-qualified and they –usually– have the best resumes. Therefore, part of the recruitment and selection process is already done.

So, what do I do when I receive a call from a recruiter? Take it! It will not take more than 10 minutes and it could be the job you’ve been looking for, even if you are happy in your current job, you don’t know if you could be happier in a new one.

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During the call, they will qualify you according to your experience and skills, do not give out any personal information. However, it is likely you will stand out if you explain in detail your job experience. The recruiter will describe the type of job (contract, contract to hire or direct hire), and negotiate with you. Wait for them to make an offer, and if you think it’s too low, raise it, make a counter offer, it is likely they can offer a bit more. If you are really interested, go ahead and take the next step: ask for what you think you need during the interview, companies will pay what’s right for a perfectly qualified candidate, so don’t waste the opportunity on money issues, but let the recruiter know how much you are willing to accept.

Bottom line, staffing agencies work to find good jobs for you, they are employers and they get the best offers. It is always good to check their vacancies on the job boards and, whenever you receive a call from them, take it, it could be your dream job calling.

Vanessa Romero / NEUVOO

Country Manager US/CA