19 April 2011

Employer Tips for Fresh Grads

Story by Shamini Darshni with pictures by Michelle Kiob

Getting a degree is a first step to a successful career. But it doesn’t get you through the door. For that, you need to be an outstanding personality.

Monash University students heard first-hand from senior management of major corporations and organisations how to impress a potential employer to land a job.

Panel members consisted of Siemens Malaysia Vice President Mr Anand Menon, Multimedia Development Corporation General Manager of K-Workers Development Mr Muhammad Imran Kunalan Abdullah, StemLife Operations Manager Mr Sunny Voon, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) member Mr Uqba Jamshaid Iftikhar and WWF-Malaysia Youth Outreach Executive Mr Brandon Liu.

If there was one thing all panellists agreed on, was that fresh graduates needed to have a combination of the right attitude, be a team player and have excellent communication skills.

“The main qualities employers look for is sincerity and dedication to work; punctuality and promptness; willingness to work in a team, an openness to others’ ideas and to supplement them; and the humility to accept your mistakes and learn from them,” Mr Menon said.

He also stressed the importance of curriculum vitae (CVs), saying that employers could look for marks in subjects that are of particular interest to their industries, apart from participation in extra-curricular activities.

Adding to that, Mr Voon of StemLife said that CVs should be kept simple and highlight how a graduate could contribute to the company he/she was applying to.

Mr Muhammad Imran said he had come across CVs from fresh graduates that were unsuitable.

“I have seen CVs accompanied with pictures like the applicant was applying for a job at a modelling agency. What we are more concerned with are the crucial details – like the GPA, qualification, any work experience and so forth,” he said.

All panellists agreed that CVs should be kept simple and professional.

To a question on why photos were submitted as part of a CV, Mr Muhammad Imran said this was a common practice in Malaysia although a photograph might not have a significant bearing on most industries.

“Unless you are targeting the entertainment industry, a photograph may be dependent on the specific role being applied for,” he explained.

To another question, he said post-interview, a job applicant may follow up with the employer two weeks after the closing date of applications.

Mr Uqba of ICAEW advised fresh graduates to be “thick-skinned and not to be intimidated or shy” when attending interviews.

“Don’t get disheartened if an interview goes bad, because the next one could go very well,” he advised.

Mr Liu of WWF-Malaysia reminded students to look for their passion and follow their instincts.

“Take a step back and you will see countless opportunities. Are you picking a job or building a career? There will be no wrong direction. Every path will be correct. The difference is in the number of obstacles.”

Mr Menon summed up the session when he said: “Live in the moment. Be spontaneous and open to options.”