Identifying opportunities in today's job market

Identifying opportunities in today's job market

By Pri Notowidigdo

JAKARTA (JP): Hartono (a fictitious name) was stunned when he
walked out of his boss' office.

After 12 years of working as an engineer for PT Engineering
Indonesia (also a fictitious name), he was informed that he was
being laid off.

The monetary crisis in Indonesia had had a significant impact
on this engineering company, resulting in big projects being
canceled and a loss of revenue.

The owner had no other choice but to let go of some of the
employees, including Hartono who held the position of engineering
manager.

While Hartono was fully aware of the current economic
situation in Indonesia, he had not in his wildest dreams imagined
that he would be let go.

After all, he had been loyal to the company for the last 12
years. He had worked hard and sacrificed his time -- not leisure
time but also time for his family -- for the company to
eventually reach the position of engineering manager.

Over the next few days, Hartono rode an emotional roller
coaster ranging from denial to what was happening, anger,
bargaining and, ultimately, to accepting the situation.

His family, fortunately, was very supportive. It also became a
blessing in disguise in that Hartono became closer to his family.
This led him to open up to other family members, friends,
colleagues, recruitment professionals and reporters seeking
counsel as well as to getting information on the job market.

Hartono's acceptance of his situation and problem-solving
approach to meet people and get information are good initial
steps.

In today's job market in Indonesia, Hartono must be prepared
to confront a lot of major challenges in the job market.

There is tremendous competition for jobs, more demanding
employers, and the fact that other well-qualified job-hunters are
willing to take less money.

Employers now also want professionals with a hands-on
management work style. Companies with a "lean, mean" organization
also want professionals with multidimensional skills, both soft
and hard skills, with good communication skills being highly
regarded.

The greatest challenge, though, is the individual himself. If
Hartono was not able to manage his initial anger about his
situation, it would have become an obstacle.

Other obstacles are low self-esteem, impatience, unwillingness
to seek assistance, or a false sense of entitlement. At the end,
a person must accept the fact that it is up to him to find a job.
Life seems unfair sometimes but that is the reality.

Hartono is on the right track of meeting as many people as he
can and of getting information. The bottom line for success in
job hunting is being informed.

If you find yourself in Hartono's shoes, or even if you are
not, the following questions are useful in looking for a job or,
at least, in preparing yourself to reposition yourself in the job
market:

1. What type of job do you want? What are your interests?

2. What job categories match or relate to your interests?

3. What gives you job satisfaction? (e.g. tasks you enjoy,
working conditions and environment preference plus satisfying
work situations);

4. What are you good at? Where do you need improvement?

5. Can you list your skills? How good are you at them?

6. Can you identify three personal traits which will help you to
adapt to new situations?

7. What skills do you have which are transferable? (e.g.
leadership, communication, or decision-making skills);

8. What are three accomplishments you are proud of? Why?;

9. Do your interests and skills apply to positions available
today?

10. Where can you gather useful job information? (e.g.
interviewing key industry people, reading articles, or surfing
the Web);

11. How would you describe your character? What are your personal
objectives? What are your dreams?

If after all this, you still don't know where you want to go,
then embrace your passion.

What you like doing may not be reflected in your current job
title. If you are creative, you may be able to translate your
passion into an enjoyable, productive and financially rewarding
activity.

The average length of time to reposition yourself in today's
job market is two to six months.

This varies among individuals and depends upon a number of
factors. They include job market demand or available positions.
Your ability to match skills to job market needs is also
critical.

Alternatively, if you have skills which are not needed by the
market, your ability as a job-hunter to meet the skill levels
required will be a challenge. Your assertiveness will be very
important. How you present yourself (e.g. your resume, your
telephone skills, your interviewing skills and personal
appearance) will determine whether doors open for you.

Getting valuable information is a major determining factor. In
this regard, job source areas and avenues include:

* visible and openly available positions: through ads, posted
listings, recruiting firms, agencies, employee referrals and
word-of-mouth; and sometimes through executive recruiters when
such positions are not confidential;

* behind the scenes opportunities: opportunities in the possible
development stage, thinking stage, or in the process of being
developed and approved; no formal opening exists and no job
requisition may exist;

* hidden job market opportunities: available on a very limited
basis, either through an internal search by the company or
through external search means; searches may be internally hidden
and later become openly available and may appear anywhere, and

* potential job opportunities: creating need by developing
employer interest and showing you can add value to the company.

Hartono's success, and perhaps your success in the end, will
be a combination of attitude plus ability plus effort.

The writer is an executive search consultant with Amrop
International, The Amrop Hever Group, an organization that finds
senior executives worldwide. (E-mail: jakarta@amrophever.com)