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)