Job Hunting

Cover Rationale
The cover design depicts a mountain climber, scaling the rocky

mountain heights. Attributes such as endurance, determination,
mental and physical strength, courage, alertness, resourcefulness and
anticipation are needed to reach the top of the mountain.
Just as the mountain climber needs to develop these attributes to
reach the peak of the mountain, students of Politeknik Malaysia, are
constantly and rigorously developing and fine tuning their hard and soft
skills and mindset, enabling them to reach the peak of their careers.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted , in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying , recording,
and/or otherwise without the prior written permission from
The Department of Polytechnic Education, Ministry of Higher
Education Malaysia
Department of Polytechnic Education
Industry Liaison, Graduate Tracking
and Alumni Division,
Level 11, Heritage Office Tower,
Jalan SB Dagang 43300,
Seri Kembangan
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 03-8939 4000 Fax: 03-8939 4045
Department of Polytechnic Education
First Publication
Job-Hunting Success A Handbook for Politeknik Malaysia Students January 2011 Edition 1
CONTENTS OF THIS HANDBOOK

Introduction (page 2)
Section One Having the Ideal Mindset & Soft Skills (page 3)
Section 1.1: Why are Mindset and Soft Skills so crucial to your job-hunting success? (page 3)
Section 1.2: Which soft skills do you need to succeed in your job-hunting and in your future career? (page 4)
Section 1.3: Key Soft Skill Being Positive, or at least learn how to appear that way! (page 8)
Section 1.4: Job-Hunting can be very time-consuming! (page 10)
Section 1.5: Desire and Believe you can win that great job.and do not let rejections deter you (page 11)
Section Two Creating a winning Career Strategy & Plan of Action (page 13)
Section 2.1: What do you enjoy doing? (page 14)
Section 2.2: Sense checking your direction (page 20)
Section 2.3: Creating a Career & Job-Hunting Road Map (page 21)
Section Three How to find and connect with Potential Employers (page 23)
Section 3.1: Networking & Connecting (page 24)
Section 3.2: Using Job-hunting websites, databases & portals (page 27)
Section 3.3: Other Job-Hunting Sources (page 28)
Section Four Job-Hunting Mechanics (page 29)

Section 4.1: Your 20-Seconds Sales Pitch (page 30)
Section 4.2: Your Resume is your Salesperson (page 32)
Section 4.3: Cover Letters, Emails & Thank-You Notes (page 35)
Section 4.4: All Impressions Count (page 37)
Section 4.5: Interviewing with Success (page 38)
Section 4.6: After the Interview and the Job Offer (page 43)
Section Five Considering Other Options? (page 46)

Section 5.1: Considering Further Education? (page 46)

Section 5.2: What about becoming an Entrepreneur? (page 46)
Suggested Reading (page 48)
2 Job-Hunting Success A Handbook for Politeknik Malaysia Students January 2011 Edition
INTRODUCTION
Job-hunting is such a large and important task that it has to be treated
with the seriousness that you would accord your own business.
This Handbook is a step by step guide giving you advice to help you
succeed in the shortest possible time-frame. Each section is selfexplanatory and you could choose to read each section in chronological
order, or you could choose those sections which you feel in most need
of learning from.
Are you trained in job-hunting? Perhaps you have received a little careers
advice already? In an ideal world, a job-seeker would have the services
of a full-time career coach or advisor, a person who has been there
before and can be on hand to share tips and words of wisdom.
However, underlying all my job-hunting advice are four fundamental or
basic truths relating to you and your quest for a job. If you learn nothing
else from your reading of this Handbook, then remember the following
basic truths:
#1: JOB-HUNTING IS DIFFICULT;
#2: VERY FEW ACTIVITIES IN YOUR LIFE ARE AS IMPORTANT AS
FINDING A JOB;
#3: YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR OWN JOB-HUNT;
#4: YOU NEED TO INVEST CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT TO
ENSURE SUCCESS.
Enjoy reading and learning from this Handbook and good luck with your
job-hunt!
[N.B. In this Handbook the terms Resume, CV and Curriculum Vitae are
used interchangeably and mean the same thing.]
Always bear in mind that your

own resolution to success is more
important than any other one thing.
- Abraham Lincoln
SECTION ONE HAVING THE IDEAL

MINDSET AND SOFT SKILLS
We believe whatever we want to

believe. Demosthenes
Section 1.1: Why are Mindset and Soft Skills so

crucial to your job-hunting success?
Your polytechnic education, combined with your internships and workbased learning give you the knowledge, experience and skills to make
you eligible for a job. These are what are called your hard-skills. Or in
other words show that on paper your should be able to carry out a
particular job.
But in this world, we all have personalities, characters, feelings and
emotions. These are collectively called your mind-set or your soft-skills.
Any potential employer needs to know if you have the right mindset to
make you suitable for their job openings and a suitable fit for their
company.
Understanding your Fit for a Job
Experiences
Behavioural Tendencies
Skills
Motivation
Knowledge
Interpersonal skills
Training
Task Preferences
Education
Work Preferences
SUITABILITY
ELIGIBILITY
Source: Copyright 2008 Nigel Cumberland & STG

Group Ltd (www.stghk.com)
Eligibility can you perform?

This is relatively easy to obtain and measure.
Suitability will you perform?
This reflects a range behavioral tendencies and are
very qualitative.
Section 1.2: Which soft skills do you

need to succeed in your job-hunting
and in your future career?
It takes all the running you can do,

to keep in the same place. If you
want to get somewhere else, you
must run at least twice as fast as
that! - Lewis Carroll
The following table lists those aspects of soft skills, which graduate jobhunting experts realize are important for you to have in order to maximize
your chances of success. Do work through this list and work to improve
those skills which you believe are important for you and are in need of
improvement.
The following list is not exhaustive and some of the skills do overlap
each other.
SOFT SKILLS
DESCRIPTIONS
WHY ARE THEY SO

IMPORTANT?
Essential to all aspects of
a students job-hunting and
career planning
HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE

THESE SOFT SKILLS?
In various ways, ideally
throughout the time as a
Polytechnic student.
Communication skills
All forms verbal and nonverbal; written, spoken.
Leadership (self-leadership &

leadership of others/projects)
& taking responsibility.
Self-leadership is key to jobhunt successfully and also

evidence of people/project
leadership impresses future
employers
Self-leadership links to
self-awareness and selfacceptance all are signs of
maturity and noted that rises
with life experiences
Through life experiences and

being taught and through
being given examples to try
out leading.
Body language & Dressing
Choice of words, hand

shake, how one sits, what
one wears, eye contact
when speaking to someone
etc.
Key due to the importance

of first impressions counting
with future employers.
Can be easily learnt from a

book or in a course but need
conscious practice.
Punctuality
Doing things on time and at

agreed times.
Key to enable one to stand

out and to avoid one being
rejected for being late.
Avoids the need to give
dishonest excuses for being
late for interviews (stuck in
traffic)
Good Time Management and

not being late for lectures,
meetings and activities.
First impressions
Links to Body Language.

Relates to all kinds of initial
impressions including what
you first say when you meet
someone.
Essential given the

assumed importance of first
impressions in interviews and
even on telephone interview.
Also relates to how one
initially applies for jobs e.g.
how does your initial email
look etc.
Can be broken down into

parts and can be self-learnt.
SOFT SKILLS
DESCRIPTIONS
WHY ARE THEY SO

IMPORTANT?
HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE

THESE SOFT SKILLS?
Positive mindset & attitude

& thinking
Having an optimistic and

positive demeanor and
outlook. Seeing the glass
as half-full and not as halfempty.
Essential as negative
thinking can be contagious
and affects how you come
across e.g. poor first
impression.
Can be explained and taught

easily. But hard to learn
life long learning but certain
positive must-does can be
taught e.g. being positive at
the interview.
Presentation skills & public

speaking
How you present

information, ideas, your
thoughts and opinions
Key as an individual jobseekers needs to stand out

in the job-hunting process
and being able to present
one-self well is a key part
of this.
Can be learnt e.g.

practice public speaking
at Polytechnic and giving
powerpoint presentations.
Proactive & motivated &

initiative
Be willing to take the

initiative rather than always
waiting to be asked to do or
think about something
Important to appear to
be motivated and keen.
Employers want people who
want to achieve things
Can be learnt from books

and trainers, but does
require coaching/leading by
example. As bad behavioral
habits can be hard to break.
Flexible & open
How open to change and

new ideas person is.
May not appear to be

important if one has a
quick and easy job-hunting
process. But if the jobhunting process is prolonged
and full of rejections, then
being open to change is key
e.g. where does one look
for jobs.
Can be explained and

understand but would take
you time to change these
aspects of their mindsets.
Being realistic
This involves seeing life

and things as they truly
are. Rather than through
nave or ignorant glasses.
Also takes a certain amount
of knowledge and life
experience to know what to
look for.
Important in all stages of

the job-hunting e.g. salary
expectations, kinds of jobs
being applied for. So often
being unrealistic can lose
one time in the job-hunting
process. Links to selfawareness
Can be learnt from books and

trainers.
Self-realization & selfawareness
Truly understanding and

accepting oneself brings
an inner confidence.
Opposite might be
insecurity, low self esteem.
Good self-awareness
enables a student to job-hunt
with clarity and honesty
Takes time to acquire,

although teachers and books
can give the ideas and ideal
states. Links to optimism &
positive view of life.
SOFT SKILLS
DESCRIPTIONS
WHY ARE THEY SO

IMPORTANT?
HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE

THESE SOFT SKILLS?
Maturity
Mature students exhibit

many of the other desired
soft skills e.g. are persistent
and deal with rejections.
It is ideal but cannot easily

be created.
Comes with time and

experience. Key is for
you to avoid the worst
immature behaviours e.g.
if you commit to attend an
interview at a certain time,
then please attend it!
Willing to learn and to

acquire knowledge
Self-explanatory and
relates to being willing to
understand and to enact any
needed changes.
Key given that no-one is a

natural job-hunter e.g. cannot
write a good CV without
some kind of new learning/
knowledge.
Life is a journey of continual

learning.
English & Bahasa
Mother tongue and/or

second language
English is essential in todays

business and governmental
worlds. Bahasa is key in
Malaysia.
Through regular and

repeated use and learning
at Polytechnic e.g.
more reading and more
conversational practice.
Persistence
Not Giving up or walking

away from something
important just because of
rejection or difficulty.
Job-hunting and planning

your life/career is very
hard and hurdles (such as
employer rejection letters)
must not allow one to give
up or to become in some way
negative.
Can be learnt but not easy to

become persistent overnight.
Multi-tasking ability
Ability & comfort in doing

various activities at the
same time. Having multiple
responsibilities. Links to time
management.
Essential given that a student

is being asked to both study
for a diploma or certificate as
well as to plan their future
and to job-hunt (and/or apply
for further study)
Can be learnt start by

consciously setting aside
time for job-hunting
(including time to acquire
and practice these soft
skills)
Time management
Ability to manage ones

timetable and workload.
As with multi-tasking, this

is key if one is to job-hunt
successfully e.g. following
numerous leads.
Can be learnt start by

consciously setting aside
time for job-hunting
(including time to acquire
and practice these soft
skills)
Reflective
Being able to sit back and

review ones options and
avenues
Essential to have students

reflect upon their career
plans to avoid them seeking
jobs that will not make them
happy (round peg into a
square hole)
Take time to review what

you are doing.
Activity Committing to your own soft skills development

SOFT SKILL
Communication skills
Leadership & taking responsibility.
Body language & Dressing
Punctuality
First impressions
Positive mindset & attitude
& thinking
Presentation skills &
public speaking
Proactive & motivated & initiative
Flexible & open
Being realistic
Self-realization/self-awareness
Maturity
Willing to learn and to acquire
knowledge
English & Bahasa
Persistence
Multi-tasking ability
Time management
Reflective
SUMMARY NOTES - WHAT I NEED TO LEARN OR DO TO IMPROVE

THIS SOFT SKILL
Section 1.3: Key Soft Skills - Being

Positive, or at least learning how to
appear that way!
I fully understand the challenge of trying to remain upbeat and feeling
positive while looking for a job. Nevertheless, you have to always appear
positive and upbeat for one very important reason: employers will not
hire unhappy and negative people!
Think about the last time that you met somebody who was down and
depressed:
Did they offer you a limp handshake?
Did they walk with a droopy back or lack eye contact with you?
Were they being apologetic and a little negative in their
conversation?
Were they not smiling and not appearing relaxed, or were they tense
and uptight?
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
The entire (and I mean entire) job-hunting process revolves around
communicating with other people: your friends, your referees, your
lecturers, even the receptionist at the company where you may be
attending a job interviewthe list is very long. Failing to project a
confident, happy and positive impression is an easy way of failing to
secure a new job.
You cannot fake being positive, but you can practice and teach yourself to
appear and act in a positive manner.
The simplest way to succeed in appearing positive is to decide that you
wish to appear that way. The mind works in remarkable ways if you
repeatedly ask it to. Have a success orientated attitude. In addition, try
the following ideas and work out which methods are best for you:
When calling potential employers, look in a mirror and smile as you
speak.
Look each person in the eye that you speak with;
Learn to shake hands with confidence - ask friends if you can test
your handshake with them.
Think of your positive strengths and write them down in a list.
Close your eyes and visualize moments of success in your life. Note
how you felt in those moments.
Read uplifting self-help books or watch inspirational films.
When you find yourself feeling or acting depressed or in some sense
negative, pinch yourself and smile!
Employers want to work with

happy and positive people as
a result, they wish to hire such
people.
Activity: Write down four ways in which you are going to ensure that you have a positive
mindset and also appear positive to other people:
1: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
2: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
3: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

4: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Section 1.4: Job-Hunting can be very time-consuming!

As well as looking for a job, you also need to complete your course work, take exams and do many other things. You need to be a
good juggler!
This section gives some tips and suggestions for making the most effective use of your time and rather than just blindly working
long hours, you are encouraged to work smart meaning you must not waste your time and effort.
SET ENOUGH TIME ASIDE

Although it is difficult to give a precise time-frame, you can expect to be job-hunting from one to six months. During such a long
period, if you fail to plan your time well, you may find yourself becoming inefficient and frustrated. The key is effective time
management, with the need to make time for all parts of your life.
How will you set aside enough time for job-hunting?
PRIORITISE
Keep a diary or agenda. It might be a written diary and address book or it may be on a computer. Either way you must write down
all past, present and future activities. You must then prioritize everything. The difficult part is to determine when to sweat the small
stuff and fire-fight, and when to set all these aside and to focus on achieving your more strategic job-hunting aims. If you need extra
advice, there are many great books on time management, but I would highly recommend Stephen Coveys work where he suggests
placing all activities into four quadrants (Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People).
How will you prioritize your work and tasks (including job-hunting)?
BE SYSTEMATIC
This naturally flows from the advice above it is pretty hard to successfully prioritize without a system. Be systematic:
With the use of your time;
With your notes, agenda and all of your paperwork have a good filing system;
In asking others for advice, favours and services and in your follow up with them;
With your style of communication in emails, letters and on the phone;
Even with the reading of this Handbook work out how each of the ideas and points affects you, and how can you optimally
learn from them.
How will you be systematic?
IN SUMMARY, BE FLEXIBLY SYSTEMATIC

To be successful you must be both systematic and flexible. You must always re-evaluate what you are doing and ask yourself: is this
activity or idea beneficial and essential in helping me to achieve my job-hunting and career aims?
Section 1.5: Desire and Believe you

can win that great joband do not let
rejections deter you
Many great men and women faced many setbacks in life before finally
achieving success. Similarly when job-hunting, you will face rejections
and setbacks. So often this is just the law of supply and demand with too
many young people chasing the same graduate jobs in Malaysia, just like
elsewhere in the world. This makes skilled and professional job-hunting
essential to enable you to stand out.
All the great self-help and positive thinking gurus such as Anthony
Robbins and Napoleon Hill agree on one fundamental truth: success,
particularly in the face of repeated rejections, is first and foremost the
result of your own beliefs and attitudes.
If you feel that you are receiving too many rejections, try to understand
why. If necessary, ask peoples advice and do not delay. If you are
unemployed, you cannot afford to be an unsuccessful job-hunter for too
long.
All the reasons for rejections should fall into one of two of the following
categories:
1) There are no job opportunities in the areas that you are focusing
on;
2) our presentation and other job-hunting skills need improving.
Be ready to constantly re-evaluate your entire job-hunting process in light
of the rejections that you may receive. Treat this Handbook as your guide
and keep referring to its relevant sections for advice.
DESIRE IT! HAVE CLEAR DESIRES THAT YOU

REALLY WANT TO ACHIEVE
You must truly desire the outcome of such a job-hunting exercise. You
cannot state that you aspire to be a Junior Project Engineer, when in your
heart, you know that you really wish to work in a Sales and Marketing
role.
Its not whether you get

knocked down, its whether
you get up. - Vince Lombardi
BELIEVE IT! YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN

ACHIEVE THESE AIMS AND DESIRES
Far too many job-seekers may say they want to find a certain kind of
job, but inside they may not believe it is possible. When your beliefs are
in alignment with your desires, you will discover that you can achieve
whatever you want to believe.
BE WORTH IT! YOU MUST FEEL WORTHY OF

ACHIEVING THESE AIMS AND DESIRES
Try finding friends and mentors who have positive attitudes to life and ask
them to reaffirm these with you. Your level of belief in yourself (and your
self-worth) will be felt by all those with whom you connect in your jobhunt. Just think of other examples of success and failure in your life, and
take a moment to reflect on your levels of desire, belief and self-worth
with respect to these situations.
PERSIST WITH IT! YOU MUST HOLD ONTO THESE

AIMS AND DESIRES
A fourth and absolutely essential component of achieving success in the
face of set-backs, is to understand and act in the full knowledge that
persistence is essential.
Activity: In what ways will you ensure that with

respect to your career and job-hunting aims and
targets that you truly:

Desire the job role and career?

Believe they are achievable?
Worthy of the kinds of roles you want?
Persist in achieving your aims in spite of rejections?
SECTION TWO CREATING A

WINNING CAREER STRATEGY &
PLAN OF ACTION
To successfully know where to look for a new job and to know that you
would be comfortable with your choices, you need to take time out to
devise a plan.
Here is a simple and straightforward three stage process to help you to
get from being a polytechnic student to becoming a successful employee
in your first graduate job:
1. What do you enjoy doing?
2. Sense checking your direction
3. Creating a career & job-hunting road map
Man does not simply exist but

always decides what his existence
will be, what he will become in the
next moment. - Viktor Frankl
Choice not chance is the name of

the game. - Anon
Section 2.1: Stage One What Do

You Enjoy Doing?
So often job-seekers lack a focus in terms of what kinds of jobs and
careers they are looking to pursue. As a result, they fail to be convincing
in job interviews and risk facing a long job-hunt and a disappointing work
life.
This section will help you to get in touch with your ideal career, by
helping you to identify the activities that you are skilled at and highly
motivated to do.
WHAT IS MY DREAM JOB LIKE?

Try answering this fundamental question by thinking through answers to
these related sub-questions, which will start allowing you to sense the
ideal career options for you:
When you were a child, what did you wish to become when you
were older; was it to be a doctor, fireman, vet or soldier?
Have you ever had any lifelong dreams, for instance, to live in the
USA, to sail to Australia or to run a charity?
How do you enjoy spending your time? You must know! Is it by
sunbathing, being with your family, reading self-help books or
attending community functions or doing charity work with children
perhaps?
Answers to these questions will help you to understand which activities
you feel good or passionate about doing. Logic dictates that your ideal job
should in some (at least small) way reflect these choices. Psychologists
have shown that activities which you truly enjoy are those that you can
become very good at doing.
Based on experiences gained with your internships, work-based learning,
holiday jobs and studying, answer the following two questions:
1. What kinds of work activities and work situations do you
think you will most enjoy doing and being involved with? (By
enjoyment, I refer to those tasks that you are happy and positive to
undertake, and to repeat if necessary.)
2. What kinds of work and studying activities have you been
most successful doing and being involved with? (By successful,
I mean achieving what was asked or expected of you you may or
may not have received explicit recognition.)
For each of these two questions, write down a separate list of answers.
You may wish to note why you enjoyed certain activities and also why
you were successful with the tasks. Your answers could cover any or all
of the following:
If you dont know where you are

heading, no employer is going to
hire you to give you a lift to Dont
know where land! - Anon
What kinds of work environment? Do you think you will enjoy working in: a large office or at home; a regional job with travel or
close to your family; a multinational or small firm?
What kinds of people connections do you prefer? Working alone, with lots of colleagues or in a small team?
What kinds of actual work? Is it working with a computer, with lots of writing, working with animals or foreign languages? Is it
outdoor or inside work, physical labour, high or low paid work? Is it contract work, a temporary job or charitable work?
What kinds of responsibilities? For example: for a whole company, for a single project, for a simple repetitive task or for a sales
team and sales budget.
What kinds of career growth? Are you aiming for a multinational career path, a two year contract, to work overseas or start your
own business?
What kinds of ambitions? Do you want to become head of a research or of a sales team; to become the manager of a certain
department; to start-up business or to earn RM150,000 per year?
Here is an example of how your two lists may appear:
Work that I enjoy doing
Work that I am successful doing?
Working with people

Being in part of a large group
Working outdoors
Working long hours
Travelling in Malaysia and in SE Asia
Selling my ideas
Convincing people
Finishing work on time
Learning new things
Leading Research projects
Your lists could be as short or as long as you deem necessary. They are after all unique to you. Only you truly know what activities
and situations you have enjoyed and excelled in during your working life.
Activity Create your own two lists:

Work that I enjoy doing
Work that I am successful doing?
CREATING YOUR OWN CAREER MISSION STATEMENT

The next step is to take both of these lists and create your career mission statement.
This is a description of the ideal work and career scenario you wish to achieve. Having a career mission statement which you are
passionate about will make your job-hunting much easier. Those with whom you communicate will sense your clarity and passion
about the work and career direction you are aiming for.
Here are two examples of Career Mission Statements. Each persons statement is very unique to them and there are no right or
wrong answers as such.
My ideal job would be based in Penang and would involve being involved in planning construction projects. I would like to have a
role involving travel and lots of people interaction and the role should not confine me indoors.
I wish to become an IT consultant who works with a team of programmers in a multinational company. I am happy to be based
anywhere in Malaysia or possibly in Singapore. I would like a role which will offer some career progression and the opportunity to
work with global teams.
ACTIVITY CREATE YOUR OWN CAREER MISSION STATEMENT

______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
After writing down your own statement, read it to your friends and discuss what you have written. Refine your career mission
statement as often as you wish.
In addition to seeking advice and input of friends, you may wish to consider some formal testing in the form of personality profiling
or psychometric tests. Such behavioural assessment tools are often quite inexpensive and available through the Internet. These
tests would ask you a series of questions about your preferences in order to produce a set of results, which helps to give you a
picture of your character traits, personality, suitable careers and work style.
A simple assessment is given on the following pages for you to complete. It is a simple version of a well-known test known as the
DISC Personality Assessment which looks at a persons 4 key soft skills in the areas of:
Drive
Influence
Steadiness
Compliance
Detailed definitions are given at the end of the assessment.
ACTIVITY - ASSESSING YOUR PERSONALITY AND LEADERSHIP STYLE (DISC)

Step One Instructions:
In the spaces provided for each horizontal line of four words, decide which words best describe you.
Write a 4 for the word that most describes you, a 3 for the next most accurate word, a 2 for the third most descriptive
and a 1 for the least descriptive word.
When completed please add up the total numbers in each column.
Column 1:
Column 2:
Column 3:
Column 4:
Argumentative
Impulsive
Disciplined
Timid
Competitive
Creative
Precise
Satisfied
Direct
Convincing
Steady
Long suffering
Risk taker
Animated
Wants facts
Submissive
Opinionated
Entertaining
Conservative
Obliging
Outspoken
Cheerful
Dependable
Sympathetic
Venturesome
Well-liked
Precise
Risk avoider
Tenacious
Confident
Methodical
Lenient
Daring
Expressive
Logical
Non-assertive
Forceful
Forefront
Loyal
Easy-going
Demanding
Imaginative
Even-temper
Over-friendly
Decisive
Poised
Predictable
Agreeable
Open
Cordial
Detailed
Accepting
Goal-oriented
Outgoing
Controlled
Casual
Domineering
Optimistic
Organized
Calm
Aggressive
Extroverted
Particular
Non-combative
Independent
Magnetic
Distance
Willing
Persistent
Flashy
Thorough
Status quo
Eager
Sensitive
Conscientious
Humble
Determined
Gregarious
Security
Conforming
Restless
Conceited
Stable
Good follower
Self-motivated
Popular
Serious
Cautious
Self-assured
Sociable
Sceptical
Amiable
TOTAL:
TOTAL:
TOTAL:
TOTAL:
ACTIVITY - ASSESSING YOUR PERSONALITY AND LEADERSHIP STYLE (CONTINUED)

Step Two Instructions:
Put an X by the score for each of the four parts (D, I, S & C) on the score sheet graph below
Connect the four crosses with lines to create a line graph

SCORE
SHEET
Column 1 Total
D = Drive
Column 2 Total
I = Influence
Column 3 Total
S = Steadiness
Column 4 Total
C = Compliance
80 or more
79
78
77
76
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34 or less
ACTIVITY - ASSESSING YOUR PERSONALITY AND LEADERSHIP STYLE (CONTINUED)

Step Three Instructions:
Based on the scores in the four columns you can see if you are high (over 50) or low (under 50) on the four soft skill traits.
Below are the definitions of each of the 4 traits along with descriptions of what you are like depending on your scores.
D - DRIVE
General Characteristics:
Key Words: Direct. Decisive. High Ego Strength. Problem Solver. Risk Taker. Self Starter
People who score high in the intensity of the D styles factor are very active in dealing with problems and challenges, while low
D scores are people who want to do more research before committing to a decision. High D people are described as demanding,
forceful, egocentric, strong willed, driving, determined, ambitious, aggressive, and pioneering. Low D scores describe those who
are conservative, low keyed, cooperative, calculating, undemanding, cautious, mild, agreeable, modest and peaceful.
I - INFLUENCE
Key Words: Enthusiastic. Trusting; Optimistic. Persuasive; Talkative. Impulsive; Emotional
People with high I scores influence others through talking and activity and tend to be emotional. They are described as convincing,
magnetic, political, enthusiastic, persuasive, warm, demonstrative, trusting, and optimistic. Those with low I scores influence
more by data and facts, and not with feelings. They are described as reflective, factual, calculating, skeptical, logical, suspicious,
matter of fact, pessimistic, and critical.
S - STEADINESS
Key Words: Good listener; Team player. Possessive. Steady; Predictable. Understanding; Friendly.
People with high S styles scores want a steady pace, security, and do not like sudden change. High S individuals are calm,
relaxed, patient, possessive, predictable, deliberate, stable, consistent, and tend to be unemotional and poker faced. Low S
intensity scores are those who like change and variety. People with low S scores are described as restless, demonstrative,
impatient, eager, or even impulsive.
C - COMPLIANCE
Key Words: Accurate; analytical. Conscientious; careful. Fact-finder; precise. High standards; systematic.
People with high C styles adhere to rules, regulations, and structure. They like to do quality work and do it right the first time. High
C people are careful, cautious, exacting, neat, systematic, diplomatic, accurate, and tactful. Those with low C scores challenge
the rules and want independence and are described as self-willed, stubborn, opinionated, unsystematic, arbitrary, and unconcerned
with details.
Section 2.2: Sense Checking Your

Direction
Having worked through the last section, you will have determined the
kinds of work that you prefer to do and in which you are successful.
Before embarking upon a search for this ideal work, you must clarify what
you are looking for, and sense check that you have the necessary skills.
The future belongs to those who

believe in the beauty of their
dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt
You should also work out the path, starting from what you have been
doing up until today, and leading to what you wish to embark upon in
the future.
In addition, you are encouraged to also carry out a reality check that what
you wish to offer an employer fits with what opportunities actually exist.
GET A FOCUS AND CHOOSE CLEAR DIRECTIONS AHEAD

As a starting point, write down answers to the following questions. Whilst reflecting upon these questions you may decide to review
and update your Career Mission Statement. Be as open, reflective and pragmatic as possible during this entire process. Write down
your answers and notes to each of these questions noting what missing information you may need to look for and find.
1) Do I look for a new job which is exactly using my diploma/certificate studies and/or is exactly like my internship job
experience?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2) Do I need to study more before entering the workforce? (Full-time or Part-time)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Do I move towards self-employment and start my own business?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Do I seek a full-time job or do I wish to find a temporary, part-time, contract or interim kind of role?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
5) What kinds of job roles and job functions do I aim to work in?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
6) Which industry or related groups of companies (such as, energy companies or the advertising industry) do I wish to work
in?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
7) What other changes are necessary to help me work towards my career mission statement? (e.g. move to Kuala Lumpur)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Section 2.3: Creating A Career & JobHunting Road Map

Having created and sense checked your Career Mission Statement you
now need to draw up an action plan which maps out how you will move
from being a graduating student today to working in your dream job.
I call this action planning your Career & Job-Hunting Road Map. There
will inevitably be overlap between your career mission statement and
this road map. After all, the former is a picture of your ideal future career
and life scenario, while the latter should be viewed as a realistic plan to
move you from where you are today in Politeknik Malaysia, towards your
preferred career in the working world.
This road map covers all aspects of your job-hunting and career planning
and must be updated as needed. The plan would cover things such as
your preferred work locations, timing, job titles and roles and types of
employers.
Here is an example of a career and job-hunting road map:
I will use my remaining time at Politeknik Malaysia to learn more
about Malaysian companies in my field of study (e.g. civil engineering
or hospitality).
I will find out what kinds of roles may be available for graduates
such as myself.
I am happy to work anywhere in West Malaysia but ideally based in
Johor Bahru.
I am open as to the level of salary but really need a starting base
salary of at least RM900 per month to cover my basic costs.
I will aim to get a role with a large company on their graduate
training scheme and to stay with this organization for at least 2-3
years gaining excellent work experience.
I may then need to study for a BSc degree in my field in order to grow
my career.
I hope to become a manager in about 4-5 years time.
Your career road map should be adjusted to deal with any hurdles that
you may face. As an example your ideal job vacancies may not exist
because of a recession, which may entail you needing to accept other
jobs until such time as the economy improves.
Life is a sum of all your

choices. - Albert Camus
If your chosen path requires that you make uncomfortable or unpopular short-term job choices, you can and should accept them
knowing that you are working towards a bigger goal.
You have to be willing to learn as you go along, particularly in the face of rejections. Rejections are not a reason to give up on your
career road map plans and your desires to achieve your career mission statement. Rejections are rather sources of information to
allow you to fine-tune and to reassess all aspects of your plans. I term this process being flexibly persistent.
As you move forward with your job-hunt, be prepared to review, assess and regularly update your two interconnected career tools:
Your Career Mission Statement showing where you want to be with your career.
Your Career & Job-Hunting Road Map showing how you will get there.
ACTIVITY WRITE DOWN A FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR CAREER & JOB-HUNTING ROAD MAP
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION THREE HOW TO FIND

AND CONNECT WITH POTENTIAL
EMPLOYERS
Finding, choosing and connecting with companies and organizations that
may have job-openings suitable for you is a key part of your job-hunting
process.
Although your Polytechnic may be able to actively help introduce you to
hiring companies, you cannot rely on passively waiting for this to happen.
There are simply too many graduating students each year and you need
to stand out from the crowd.
Section 3.1: Networking & Connecting

WHY YOU NEED TO NETWORK?
Networking is a word that describes the process of connecting with and
communicating with other people. And quite simply, you need to network
because you cannot rely upon any other form of job-hunting to ensure
success. Having drawn up your career mission statement and career &
job-hunting road map, you now need to communicate with people who
may be able to guide you towards your ideal job opportunities.
Too many job-hunters rely on applying for jobs that are advertised in the
classified sections of newspapers, or only on the Internet job sites. Others
send out their resumes to a lot of recruitment agencies and search firms,
or just post them on Internet jobsites without doing any follow-up.
In my experience, far too many job-seekers rely upon this game of
throwing around their resume. When I meet such people, I ask them to
tell me the names of the people who have received their resume. They
often reply that they cannot, because they applied to blind ads or to
organizations rather than to individuals. How can you effectively follow
up on your application if you do not know the names of the people who
may (and I stress, only may) have glanced at your resume details?
The only way to succeed is to determine what are the names and contact
details of all the individuals who have the power to hire you. You must
then contact them individually and directly. It is not what you know but
who you know and how you communicate with them that matters.
The other job-hunting methods do have a part to play and can lead to
success, but only they will not ensure you of success.
WHY BE SYSTEMATIC AND THOROUGH IN YOUR

NETWORKING?
Finding out the names of such people involves lots of research, often
using the Internet, and persistence. This is where the Polytechnics
Career Guidance offices can be very helpful and supportive. Names could
also be given to you by referrals, or by calling companies receptionists
and asking for the name of a certain manager (e.g. HR Manager).
Keep a diary or personal organizer (on paper or on the computer) and
record the details of everybody that you have already contacted, and also
those that you plan to contact. Write-down:
Who was contacted;
What was shared and discussed;
What follow-up is necessary;
When must you re-contact with them and why?
Everybody knows at least 250

people and is only, at most, seven
people away from contacting
anyone. - John Fuhrman
HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU FIND POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS?

You might strike lucky very early in your job-hunt and by some simple research or referral, be able to quickly be offered a great job.
But if you are not so lucky you will have to be ready to work hard. Remember that I have already warned you, that job-hunting is a
full-time job!
Here are some extra tips which I have learned that may prove invaluable to you:
Apply to organizations that you would like to work for, even if they have no known job openings. This will involve a lot of
research into relevant industry sectors and individual companies.
Do not ignore small and medium sized companies when choosing companies to contact.
Aim to speak with as many people as possible in the organizations that you are contacting.
Keep records of the people that you contacting, noting who is willing to meet with you, and what you said in order to achieve
those face to face meetings. This allows you to understand how you can ensure success in the future when cold-calling.
Do not be afraid of cold-calling people (i.e. contacting strangers). Most job-seekers are reluctant to actively contact strangers
because it involves the risk of being rejected. I have heard so many people finding excuses for not trying to locate and introduce
themselves to this group of people. But failing to communicate with this group is like saying I do not wish to talk with potential
employers!
ONCE YOU ARE FACE TO FACE, OR ON THE PHONE, WITH A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER, WHAT
SHOULD YOU SAY?
Be polite and convincing and do not waste the time of the other person. Ask if the person has a few minutes free or whether
you should call back.
Aim to share your 20-seconds sales pitch (see next section) so that the potential employer knows exactly why you are speaking
with him, and also why he or she should be willing to meet with you.
Use the telephone well by sounding very confident and positive. Use a mirror as you speak to allow you to see how you are
coming across to the other person.
Try to meet as many contacts as possible. Ask them for a short meeting (say twenty minutes) to allow you to share how you can
help.
Try to show that you are interesting and that you can bring value to the person and his or her company.
Thank the person and later send a thank-you note/email (as appropriate).
Activity Making a list of people with whom you need to connect

This list can be made and maintained on paper or in Word or Excel on your computer.
Companys
Name
Industry sector/
products
Persons Name &

Job Title (if known)
Email address
Phone Numbers
Notes on calls made

and to be made
Section 3.2: Using Job-hunting websites, databases & portals

Today so much of your career planning and job-hunting can be carried out on the internet.
How to research and learn more about possible employers? using web search engines is an easy way to find out all kinds
of information about companies. The benefits of such information sources are very clear but there are some downsides:
All of your fellow classmates will be looking for and reading the same information.
Smaller companies and organizations (called SMEs or SMIs) are often not on the web to the same extent as the larger local and
foreign groups.
Sometimes information on the web can be wrong and should be sense checked. It is often out of date.
How to optimally use other databases? it is important to understand what kinds of information exists in your Polytechnics
Careers Offices. There could be information on Malaysian companies, actual employers of Polytechnic students and details about
where Alumni are working. Alumni make great referrals and contacts.
How to successfully apply for jobs on job websites/portals? virtually every Polytechnic, University and Community College
student in Malaysia will apply for at least one job on some of the leading jobs portals such as jobstreet.com, jobsdb.com and
monster.com. The secrets of succeeding with such web-based job applications include:
Ensuring that your information is correct without any spelling or grammar mistakes if necessary ask someone to check for
you.
Keeping your information and CV/Resume updated.
Being quite particular about the kinds of jobs that you apply for.
Do not rely upon these websites for success since so many candidates would be applying for the same jobs as you giving you
only a small probability of success.
Section 3.3: Other Job-Hunting

Sources
Cover all your bases!
I strongly suggest that you spend at least three quarters of your time
networking with potential employers, and only the remaining quarter
of your time on the sources detailed in this section and the previous
section.
CLASSIFIED JOB ADVERTS IN PRINT MEDIA

For the majority of graduate job-hunters, they associate applying for jobs advertised in newspapers (and on the Internet) as the main
part of any job-hunting process.
Hopefully, you now realize how much of a lottery this can be! Statistics vary by job, but on average a classified job advert can attract
anything from fifty to one thousand replies from applicants.
So many job-seekers complain of having applied for dozens of jobs that were advertised in various classifieds and of never getting
any responses.
Even if you choose to apply for jobs advertised in classified advertisements, do try to avoid blind adverts where you do not know
the name of the person you are applying to.
Are you ready to apply for jobs advertised in newspapers and on-line?
RECRUITMENT FIRMS
Investigate which recruitment firms should have your resume and then proactively befriend them with regular and friendly
communication you need them to think of you as soon as one of their clients has an assignment. Far too many job-hunters simply
mail, fax or email their resumes to a large and ad hoc selection of recruitment firms. They then silently sit back and await requests
for interviews and for job opportunities to be presented to them. These job-hunters typically become very frustrated when they
rarely hear anything back from any of these recruitment firms. Certain firms may send you a thank-you
email or letter, and occasionally others may see your resume and call you to learn more.
Recruitment agencies
For your levels of roles you should apply to Recruitment Agencies rather than to Executive Search firm which deal with more senior
candidates.
Firms such as Adecco, Kelly and Manpower would fall into this category of Recruitment Agencies. They provide a walk-in interview
approach, whereby job-seekers can apply in person without an appointment.
Which recruitment agencies will you approach and apply to? How do you plan to do this?
ETIQUETTE AND GOOD MANNERS

Please be aware that whenever you contact someone with a view to seeking job-hunting related help or favours and, in the case of
recruiters, hiring managers and interviewers, you have to remember that their time is limited and valuable.
Do you have and always practice good etiquette and good manners?
SECTION FOUR JOB-HUNTING

MECHANICS
This section could be viewed as the nuts and bolts of job-hunting. It offers
specific advice to those of you who want to find a job.
Give me a fulcrum, a lever and a

place to stand and I will move the
world. - Archimedes
Section 4.1: Your 20-Seconds Sales

Pitch
There is one very important aspect which cannot be left until later and
this is the question of how you will convince potential employers to both
meet with you and to hire you. This convincing needs to be in a form
that is short, sharp and to the point, given that you need to attract the
attention of any potential employers as well as recruiters.
You achieve this through creating a 20-seconds sales pitch which should
grab the attention of the other person in a few seconds. This speech or
paragraph will be used in all of your job-hunting activities - in networking,
during interviews and on your resume. Your 20-seconds sales pitch (also
called an elevator pitch) should concisely summarize your strengths,
and clearly demonstrate to your ideal employer why they should hire
you.
The wording may be constantly revised and updated by you, but you must
write something down now, even if it may be updated next week. It will
be drawn from the strengths and preferences that you identified in earlier
activities in this handbook. The wording would be complementary with
your career mission statement.
Here is an example:
I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from ABC Polytechnic and
had an internship in a project management team with a division of XYZ
company in Penang. I am a fluent in English and am looking to bring my
good technical and people skills to work in design engineering. I am open
to working in a role based anywhere in Malaysia.
It may be necessary to tailor the precise wording each time you use your
sales pitch, depending on the person with whom you are communicating.
Practice speaking your sales pitch to your family and friends, and also in
front of a mirror.
When used on your resume, the sales pitch will be placed in a summary
profile section at the start of your resume (see next section). When used
in an application letter or email, your sales pitch would form its own
paragraph at the top of the letter or email (see later sections). When
networking (both in person and on the phone), you would recite this sales
pitch and add a request at the end such as:
...could I take twenty minutes of your time next week, to allow me to
demonstrate how I could help your company?
Be able to sell ice cubes to

Eskimos you may have to!
Activity: Draft your own 20-seconds Sales Pitch:

______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Section 4.2: Your Resume Is Your

Salesperson
Even when not present, you

can be noticed.
Your resume is a summary of You and it enables you to get in the door
of a company for an interview. It will not get you a job, but a poorly
created resume will definitely deny you the chance of both an interview
and the job!
THE IDEAL RESUME FORMAT (see the two examples at the end of
this section)
There must be No spelling or grammar mistakes on your resume this
is easier said then done, but worth the extra effort! Ask friends to check
your resume.
Have a summary profile this should capture your key, positive points and is based on your 20-seconds sales pitch. You should
also add any notable and relevant achievements and qualifications. It should be written in a way that sells you well. The cover letter
would normally use similar wording (see the next sector).
If you have some interesting and relevant work experience, you could place it before your educational details on your resume.
Have a clearly presented work experience section putting the jobs in order, with the most recent first. Show the months and years
of starting and finishing with each employer. Have one-liners describing each employer and its business nature. For each job held,
describe your job role and its responsibilities in a short paragraph. There is no ideal length and common sense should prevail.
Your education section on your resume should be clear and show any achievements e.g. completion of relevant projects or teams
that you might have led.
Here is a checklist of more resume dos and donts:
Clearly written - remember at all times when creating a resume, that it must be a fair reflection of yourself. A messy and long
resume suggests a very long-winded and unfocused writer! Be sure that each sentence and paragraph reads very clearly.
Keep it on one or two pages many resumes are too long and can be up to five to fifteen pages in length. You may feel that
you need so much space to sell yourself, but recruiters and hiring managers do not! We do not have the time to leaf through a
book!
Keep the format simple use Office Word with a font style like Arial, in a size of 10 to 12, using black and no colour. Be sure
that the information easily fits on two pages.
Choose a client-friendly file name for soft copies of your resume which is helpful to the recipients who will read your
emailed resume attachment. How can such a recipient easily find your resume later? An ideal file name could be: Resume of
<Full Name>, updated MM/YY. As an example, I may write for myself: Resume of Nigel J. Cumberland, updated 05/10. For
full name, I suggest you write down the name that allows people to easily remember who you are.
Other details there is no need to mention salary details, salary expectations, references or availability unless asked; these
things change and your resume may sit on someones desk for some time awaiting attention. When creating hard copies of your
resume, use nice quality white paper with matching envelopes. In my opinion, there is no need to include your photograph on
your resume. But others would suggest that you should. This is your choice.
ACTIVITY DO PLEASE UPDATE AND DOUBLE CHECK YOUR RESUME! ARE YOU
TRULY SATISFIED THAT IT SHOWS YOU IN AN OPTIMAL LIGHT?
Examples of well written Resumes/CVs
Everything matters and the little

things do count in life.
Section 4.3: Cover Letters, Emails &

Thank-You Notes
THE COVER LETTER
A good cover letter may or may not help you but a bad one can deny you a job interview, even if your resume is excellent. An
ideal cover letter should be short and to the point, giving a summary of yourself and of why you are applying to that employer or
recruiter.
Your own address/ telephone number/ email
Date
Dear Mr Hamid,
Application to join Alpha Company
I would like to apply for the position of Sales Account Manager that you
advertised in the Star on April 16th 2011.
I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from ABC Polytechnic and had an internship in a project management team with a
division of XYZ company in Penang. I am a fluent in English and am looking to bring my good technical and people skills to work in
design engineering.
I very much look forward to having a meeting with you.
Regards,
John James
Note that the main paragraph is based upon your twenty second sales pitch this reinforces the marketing of yourself.
THANK-YOU AND CONFIRMATION NOTES (by email or post)

Whether by email, mailed letter or phone (if applicable) always send a short thank-you message or confirmation note after having
had a meeting, interview or even after a telephone conversation. This note can be short and will be tailored to the occasion, as in
the example below. Such a note or email may not win you a new job, but failing to send such messages may prejudice your chances,
when other candidates are remembering to send such notes.
Your own address/ telephone number/ email
Date
Dear Mr Wong,
Thanks for your time on the phone today. I very much look forward to
meeting with you as agreed in your office on XXX.
Should you need to contact me, do call me on the following number, XXX.
Yours sincerely,
John James
ACTIVITY: DRAFT AN EMAIL COVER LETTER AND THANK-YOU EMAIL ASK YOUR FELLOW
STUDENTS TO CHECK THEM AND TO COMMENT

ON HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE
First impressions are

important, but all impressions
count forget this at your peril!
Section 4.4: All Impressions Count
Getting your body language and voice in order is essential if you wish to make a positive and lasting impression, no matter whether
on the phone, at a networking event or during an interview.
We talk about first impressions and certainly people do form opinions about each other as soon as they have met. However I
maintain that all impressions count and you should always be on your guard. You never know if the person you meet in the lift on
the way to an interview or networking function, may one day be actually interviewing you for a new job.
The advice in this chapter is equally relevant for those of you choosing the option of self-employment where you will have to make
sales presentations, and first impressions will be as important as they are for job-seekers.
Arrive early for any events arriving early to any interviews or networking events gives you plenty of time to cool down and to use
the toilet. Sweating in an interview or needing to go to the bathroom will definitely affect your composure and your performance.
Do realize that you must be comfortable with your own style and the following list of advice should serve only as a guide and not
as a must-do list.
Please reflect upon and answer these questions?
Do you understand your own body language? start to understand how you move your hands, eyes, head and body when
speaking or listening to someone aim to be calm, still and relaxed as much as possible. You can learn lots of optimal body
language on the web.
Do you smile and project a positive attitude? wear clothes that you feel good about wearing.
Do you always sound happy and confident? try speaking on the phone while looking at yourself in a mirror. Make sure that
you are smiling.
Do you maintain a professional body posture? when meeting somebody, be sure to walk confidently up to them offering your
hand and keeping eye contact. Your handshake should be firm but not too strong. Wait until you are offered a seat.
Once seated do you? maintain eye contact, sit upright, and occasionally lean forward a little to show your interest in the
conversation. Try to avoid moving your arms about, and ideally keep your arms and legs unfolded.
How well do you listen? be sure to breathe calmly, listening (and showing that you are listening) at all times. If asked a
question, pause before answering since this shows that you are listening and also shows respect to the other person.
Do you make sure that you wear business attire? remember that an art studio job interview would require quite a different dress
code compared to an interview with an investment bank or with a manufacturing site.
Preparation and planning are

everything ask any chef.
Section 4.5: Interviewing with

Success
After interviewing hundreds of job-hunters, I have realized that very few
people interview well. This long section identifies the key areas to focus
on to help improve your interviewing skills. This advice is also applicable
to any meetings or chance encounters you may have with any potential
employers and recruiters.
CARRY OUT RESEARCH BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

It is incredible how many people attend interviews without having visited
the potential employers own website. You should go one step further and
search for the companys information on a search engine such as www.
google.com.
In addition be sure to confirm the date, time and location of the interview.
In addition, try to learn as much as possible about the interviewer and
the organization.
PRACTISE AND REFINE YOUR 20-SECONDS SALES

PITCH
Work out how you will impress the client by defining which of your
strengths and past successes will be relevant to the role that you are
being interviewed for. Remember, and read again, any communications
that you have had with this potential employer (and interviewer).
Hopefully, you sent them a cover letter and resume which was specifically
aimed at showing you in the most effective light to impress this client. If
not do not worry, but be sure to make your answers and comments during
the interview are congruent with what you have already communicated
with this company. The key will be your 20-seconds sales pitch and being
able to expand upon the contents of this pitch
when required.
Try to avoid creating confusion and lack of clarity. For example, in a
telephone conversation you say that you are open on salary level and
to relocation, and then during the interview, you say that your minimum
salary expectation is RM90,000 per annum and that you must be located
in Kuantan. This is a sure way of being rejected!
UNDERSTAND AND LOOK FOR THE KEY

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
You will discover that nearly all interview questions are based on the
following core questions, which any potential employer would need to
have answered before they could hire you. These core questions are the key considerations that would be going through the mind of
any interviewer. With some careful listening and common sense, you will be able to relate any questions that you
are actually asked with one or more of these core questions. The key is to answer the question asked and be sure to address the
underlying core question as well if necessary.
The four key interview questions are listed here:
1) Why are you job-hunting (and sitting in front of me)?
This core question underlies the following kinds of questions:
Why are you job-hunting?
Why did you lose your last job?
Were you competent?
Did you fall out with your boss?
Why are you interested in my company and this job?
2) Can you fit into our job opening and company?
This core question underlies a question such as:
What kind of experience do you have?
This would lead into certain technical or job specific questions.
In addition the interviewer may ask:
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
You have to assume that such a question relates to your strengths and weaknesses in a work context.
The interviewer is probably thinking thoughts such as:
Will this candidate screw up and fail if I hire him?
What will my boss and colleagues find wrong in him when they meet him?
3) How will you get on with people in my company?
This key question is at the heart of these questions:
How do you manage and motivate staff?
Are you good at motivating your team?
How did you get on with your last boss?
4) If I make you an offer will you accept and be accepted by others in my company?
This core question is behind these kinds of questions and thoughts:
What are your salary expectations?
Have you been job-hunting long?
What kinds of roles are you looking for?
When can you start?
Will you pass our medical?
Do you have any non-compete clauses?
Do you have referees that we could contact?
What would they say about you?
Will my boss like you in the next interview?
PREPARE WHAT YOU WILL TAKE TO THE

INTERVIEW
I would suggest that you take the following with you:
Details of where the interview is and also the contact numbers: it is
surprising how many candidates get lost and arrive late!
Paperwork take two neat copies of your resume; any helpful evidence
of your past successes; copies of any references; contact details of your
referees; and any copies of certificate and qualifications. Do not bring
out any of this material unless asked or unless it is clearly suitable and
helpful for you to do so.
A nice pen and pad of paper which you may bring out to make any
important notes.
A list of questions which if there were time and it were appropriate,
you may ask in the interview. Such questions would typically revolve
around the company and the role. Of course, they should be questions
whose answers are not sitting on the first page of the companys website!
Suggestions for sensible and intelligent sounding questions you could
ask are:
What are the promotion and career opportunities offered by your
company?
What is the next stage of this recruitment process?
Would the role that you have in mind for me, need filling
immediately?
What is the company culture like?
In summary, the more prepared you are, the better will be your actual
performance in the interview.
IN ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS, PUT

YOURSELF INTO YOUR INTERVIEWERS SHOES
Aim to answer any question with a short answer which should be a
maximum of two minutes long practice this with friends or in front of a
mirror. Avoid putting yourself down or revealing your weaknesses.
You may think that this is difficult when asked a question along the lines
of, What are your strengths and weaknesses? In my experience, it is
best to answer this question by giving two or three strengths and then
to turn one or more of these strengths into weaknesses. You could say
something like this:
My strengths are that I am very results orientated, I manage and motivate
people well, and am very adaptable. In terms of weaknesses, I cannot
think of anything obvious, but I certainly would not perform so well in a
role where there were no clearly defined performance

targets to achieve.
You will realize that this kind of weakness is not
so serious compared to saying something like, I
have a short temper and I never listen to peoples
opinions! Common sense should tell you to avoid
such comments.
ADDITIONAL ADVICE ON HOW TO

PERFORM WELL IN AN INTERVIEW
Make a good impression when you are being
introduced to your
interviewer, remember about making a good
impression. Do not forget the essentials in terms of
eye contact, handshakes and posture. Both at the start
and during the interview, minimize small talk with your
interviewer.
An interview is a two way business conversation do
let the interviewer lead with the questions, but realize
that both parties need to make decisions.
Firstly, the interviewer needs to feel that you are
a safe bet. Interviewers tend to look for similar
positive attributes and qualities, namely, problem
solving, customer focused, results orientated,
good communication skills and being a team
player. They also want to know that you will easily
fit into their organization and into a particular
role.
Secondly, you need to know if the job and employer
are the right choice for you. You will need to address
the following kinds of considerations:
Does the company feel right?
What kind of culture does it have?
Did the interviewer (his personality, questions
and style)
make you feel good about the company?
What concerns do you have?
Listen well to the questions remember the
advice I gave earlier in this section about the types of
questions that you should expect. Aim to answer any
question in a maximum of two minutes and feel free to
ask the interviewer: Would you like me to share more
about this experience or this example?
Realize that moments of silence are OK and you should
not rush to fill them.
Be ready to illustrate your successes aim to demonstrate the following

strengths, and to feed these points into any relevant answers and
comments that you give:
good team player;
able to work independently;
effective problem solver;
results orientated;
good with people (both bosses, colleagues and own staff).
Experience Questions
Be tactful about salary expectations if the interviewer asks you

about salary, try to avoid giving a single figure as the minimum that you
would accept. Try to say things like: I am flexible and would hope for a
market level of remuneration, or I understand that your salary range for
this role is XXX to XXX, and this is in line with my expectations. Rely on
your common sense to guide you through this tricky topic.
7.
8.
Activity read through these questions and think of answers.
12.
13.
Ideally speak them out loud to a friend, who can pretend to interview you.
Try answering in both Bahasa and also in English!
Motivational Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What caused you to enter your field of study?

What is it that interested you in your studies?
What is your ideal job?
What do you want most from a job?
What position and salary would you like five years from now?
How long would you stay if this job were offered?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
9.
10.
11.
14.
15.
16.
What can you offer to this company?

What type of supervisor do you prefer?
What type of working conditions do you prefer?
Why have you changed jobs so frequently?
Have you ever been fired or asked to resign?
Who has exercised the greatest influence over
you and how?
How many people have you supervised?
What are your greatest accomplishments to
date?
What are your major strengths?
What are you major weaknesses?
What duties in the past have you liked best/least
and why?
What other positions are you considering?
What do you consider the greatest crisis youve
ever faced?
Why are there gaps in your resume?
Why did you leave your previous jobs?
What did you like least about your last job?
Educational Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe your education?

What honours did you earn?
What special training have you had for this job?
What was your class standing?
What course did you like best/least and why?
Salary Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What salary are you looking for?

What is the minimum salary you will consider?
What is your pay salary history over the last five years?
Why do you believe you are worth this much?
We cant pay you what you wish.
Would you be willing to start lower?
Other Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
What public figures do you admire most and why?

What books have you read in the past three months?
What periodicals do you subscribe to?
What are your hobbies?
What organizations do you belong to?
What do you think your co-workers think of you?
How is your health?
Will you relocate?
Who would you give as character references?
Will you be able to travel?
Would you be concerned about a full background investigation?
How many hours do you think a person should devote to a job?
Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?
What kind of individual do you work with best?
Would you rather have a secure job or one in which you sink or swim?
What kind of leader are you?
What is your management style? What do you prefer?
How would you describe your personality?
What kinds of people do you like to work with?
Have you ever fired anyone? Have you ever been fired?
If you could start again, what would you do differently?
What other companies and jobs are you considering?
How do you respond to pressure?
How much money have you ever been accountable for?
Describe several problems youve had in your career. How did you solve them?
Do you know what kind of position you are looking for?
Whatever you start, finish well!
Section 4.6: After the interview and

the Job Offer
I have seen far too many job-seekers fall at the last hurdle in their quest
for that ideal, new job.
THANK-YOU NOTES
After any interviews or meetings (no matter how short), follow up with an
appropriate email, thank-you letter or phone call to the interviewer and
potential employer.
If you are working through a recruiter with regards to a potential employer,
call him/her immediately after any interview with that potential employer.
This allows you to share your feedback and to encourage the recruiter to
obtain some feedback from the interviewer.
PLANNING FOR ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS

If further interviews or meetings are arranged for you (or even requested
by you), take them all seriously and prepare in a similar manner to the way
I have proposed for your initial interviews. Even if a potential employer
says just to pop over and meet some of your potential, new colleagues
over coffee, treat this as an interview.
In preparing for further interviews one thing that may change is your
choice of questions. You must remember that you need to find out as
much as possible, to allow you to make an informed decision if you were
to receive a job offer.
REFEREES
Referees exist to make sure that an employer will hire you for a role that
you wish to accept. As such, they should not be contacted by too many
potential employers, sometimes the referees will become tired of giving
out references.
Only share the names of referees when a potential employer (or recruiter)
asks, and when you feel comfortable doing so. Do warn the referee if he
is going to receive a telephone call or email, letting him know who may
be contacting him and why. It is wise to choose some referees early in
your job-hunt process and this choice should form part of your career road
map and networking exercises. You should choose up to three people with
whom you have worked (or studied with if you are a recent graduate).
Ideally all of them should be your lecturers, ex-Internships bosses
and superiors, but even more importantly, you should choose referees
who will say positive things about you as a person and about you as
a successful employee (or student). It is advisable to share your career
mission statement and your career road map with them. As stated earlier,
your referees may even serve as good sounding boards in the drawing up
of your job-hunting strategy.
REJECTIONS
As you may have already experienced, most people most of the time
will receive rejections or silence in response to their job applications.
Deal with them politely and if you have already been interviewed by the
potential employer who rejected you, write them a thanks for your time
and keep in touch kind of note. You never know when your paths may
cross again.
If you are working through a recruiter, make sure that you find out as much
as possible about why you were rejected. Unfortunately, recruiters are
not always so interested or helpful to find out and share such information
with you.
RECEIVING A JOB OFFER

Moving onto the good news of being given a job offer; this would typically
be given to you over the phone via the recruiter or directly by the potential
employer.
I would strongly recommend that upon receiving the offer (with or without
full details of the employment offer), act happy and positive but do not
rush in to accepting the offer. Try to ask for a written offer letter showing
the proposed salary details and other key terms, although I realize that
an employer would normally try to agree the details with you, before
committing anything to paper.
Ask yourself which questions you feel need answering

by your potential employer, to help you to arrive at
a decision. If working through a recruiter, seek their
counsel and advice remembering that they need to
place you in order to earn a fee. Do ask them if they
have another equally strong candidate that the client
is considering (even at the job offer stage): nothing is
perfect on the job-hunting front!
These are possible issues for you to ponder:
Are you desperate for a job but not comfortable
with this offer?
Do you need to learn more about the company or
job (perhaps a job description) in order to make an
informed decision?
Do you have any other job leads that look
promising? How do you compare these jobs?
SALARY NEGOTIATIONS
This is likely to be a serious issue if the salary package
on offer is less than you hoped for and this could
make you feel undervalued. As a rule take your time
and sleep upon any salary offers. Understand the
breakdown of any offers in terms of base, commission,
bonus, share options and any other benefits.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT QUESTIONS

Have a good look at your new contract and seek advice if necessary.
Try to focus on the key issues particularly when giving feedback to your
potential employer.
Only you can determine which points are of concern to some the length
of a probation period could be a problem, but this may not concern you.
Will you need a work visa and does the employer know about this? Tell
employers as early as possible in the job-hunting process. Does the
employer ask that you take a pre-employment medical, a personality test
or background checks? Is this a concern for you and if so why?
STARTING WORK
There is not much to say on this topic apart from the advice of not being
late and treating your first few days as you would an interview, in terms
of your preparation and how you act.
If the job is not your ideal one, you may choose to continue job-hunting.
There is no problem with that, but as a rule try to avoid creating a jumpy
Two roads diverged in a wood,

And I took the one less travelled
by, And that has made all the
difference. - Robert Frost
career history by leaving a new job after only a few months.
SECTION FIVE CONSIDERING

OTHER OPTIONS?
WHEN CONSIDERING STARTING

YOUR OWN BUSINESS, BE FOCUSED,
REALISTIC AND KEEP IT SIMPLE
The section explores the options of continuing in further education or

starting your own business of some kind. It is recognized that over 90%
of you will prefer and choose to become an employee in a company, but
do at least skim read this section.
The amount of planning required before actually

choosing to embark on a business venture is similar to
that required in reviewing ones own career.
Section 5.1:
Education?
Considering
Further
Your Polytechnics Careers Centre should be able to help you to evaluate

this question by having you consider the key underlying issues such as:
Can you afford to continue your studies? Do you have access to
grants or other funding? Can you family help you?
Does further study help you to achieve your career goals? Or
are you simply considering further study to avoid the difficulty of jobhunting?
Do your Departments lecturers support you? Have you spoken with
them about considering further studies?
Have you spoken to the relevant Universities or Institutions? Are
your grades good enough?
Section 5.2: What about becoming an

Entrepreneur?
This book is aimed at the 90% of you who either wish to enter to the
workforce. Detailed advice about self-employment and business start-up
opportunities would require its own book.
However, I want to share some advice because self-employment has a lot
in common with being an employee; both must find people who will pay
them for their services, one with an employment contract and the other
with a supplier agreement. In addition many job-hunters, particularly
unemployed ones, often look at employment and self-employment options
in parallel at the same time.
Consequently, this section serves as a summary of advice, but I would
urge you to seek out more detailed help, as and when you need it.
Evaluate options well and try to look at as many

opportunities as possible. I have found that so often
ones first idea may not be the ideal one. If you have
spent your life as an employee, be especially careful
not to be blinded by what you consider an easy high
profit business idea.
In addition to your Polytechnic help, look for as much
advice as possible by speaking with anyone you feel
could help you, such as:
Family;
Lawyer, business and accountant friends;
business start-up advice centres;
successful and not so successful entrepreneurs;
Just as you would evaluate your strengths and
preferences when choosing career options and drawing
up a career mission statement, you should carry out a
similar evaluation of activities that interest you, and to
assess if you can find relevant and profitable business
opportunities.
Make a business plan and think about the finances
Once you have some idea about a business idea,
you should be thorough in evaluating both your own
strengths and weaknesses in terms of what would be
expected of you, and also to evaluate the market for
your proposed product or service.
Create a cashflow forecast and begin to understand the financial impact of your business venture. If you had been accustomed to
receiving a monthly paycheck, be especially careful before you jump into becoming an entrepreneur. This is more so if you have a
family to feed and a mortgage to pay.
Marketing and networking being known about is key Just as networking is key in the job-hunt process, so it is in all business
situations. Here are some tips:
Appear professional, well-established and corporate-like!
Even if you are only working from home, do not let it show.
Invest a small amount of money in creating a company (or sole proprietorship) with an attractive name.
Create a simple but professional website and email domain name.
Use a business centre as a mailing address.
Get some executive-looking name cards.
KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW AND ASK OTHERS TO FILL IN THE GAPS
In one sentence, take advice when necessary it need not cost the earth! If you choose to pursue this avenue of self-employment,
get more advice and good luck!
SUGGESTED READING
The following books offer a great cross-section of ideas which allows you to go into more depth with all aspects of the job-hunting
process.
Alexander, Laurel, Thrive on Redundancy take charge of your future using these vital tools and insights (Oxford: How to Books,
1996).
Bolles, Richard, What Colour is your Parachute? (California: Ten Speed Press, 2002).
Covey, Stephen R., The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (UK: Simon and Schuster UK, 1989).
Fuhrman, John, Are you Living your Dream? How to create wealth and live the life you want (USA: Possibility Press,1999).
Lindenfield, Gael, Success from Setbacks simple steps to help you respond positively to change (London: Thorsons,1999).
Schonberg, Alan, Headhunters Confidential (New York: McGraw Hill, 2000).
Zeiss, Tony, The 12 Essentials Laws for Getting a Job... and becoming indispensable (Nashville, USA: Thomas Nelson
Publishers,1997).
The Internet also offers many useful websites. A good selection can be found by typing job-hunting advice into the search engine,
www.google.com.
Special Thanks
The Department of Polytechnic Education would like to record its appreciation and thanks to the following for their invaluable
input towards the production of this FIRST Handbook for Politeknik Malaysia Students.
Politeknik Banting
Mr. Tung Chee Kuan, Director
STG Consulting (Asia) Sdn. Bhd.
Mr. Nigel Cumberland, CEO
E & M Education Counselling Centre Sdn. Bhd.
Ms. Jane KF Loke, Managing Director
Ms. Mable Pan, Executive Director
Faber Group Berhad
Ms Masela Ibrahim, General Manager
HELP University College Sdn. Bhd.
Mr. Eric Bryan Amaladas, Deputy Director
JobStreet.com Sdn. Bhd.
Mr. Steven Tan, Business Development Manager, Search & Selection
Mr. Tan Hong Sun, Marketing Executive
Kelly Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Ms. Jeannie Khoo, Head of Marketing & Communications
Ms. Nor Azizah A. Karim, Consulting Manager
Talent2
Mr. Leigh Howard, Managing Director
Toshiba Electronics Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Tn. Hj. Ruslin bin Hj. Abdul Karim, Senior Manager
Centre for Research & Development of Polytechnics, DPE
Pn. Erina Ismail
2010 CISEC officers of Politeknik Malaysia
The Editorial Committee
Zainah Rujihan
Ong Tit Suen
Fadzilah Abdullah
50 Job-Hunting Success A Handbook for Politeknik Malaysia Students

Notes January 2011 Edition

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CONTENTS OF THIS HANDBOOK

Section Four Job-Hunting Mechanics (page 29)

Section Five Considering Other Options? (page 46)

Always bear in mind that your

SECTION ONE HAVING THE IDEAL

We believe whatever we want to

Section 1.1: Why are Mindset and Soft Skills so

Understanding your Fit for a Job

Source: Copyright 2008 Nigel Cumberland & STG

Eligibility can you perform?

Section 1.2: Which soft skills do you

It takes all the running you can do,

WHY ARE THEY SO

HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE

All forms verbal and nonverbal; written, spoken.

Leadership (self-leadership &

Self-leadership is key to jobhunt successfully and also

Through life experiences and

Body language & Dressing

Choice of words, hand

Key due to the importance

Can be easily learnt from a

Doing things on time and at

Key to enable one to stand

Good Time Management and

Links to Body Language.

Essential given the

Can be broken down into

WHY ARE THEY SO

HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE

Positive mindset & attitude

Having an optimistic and

Can be explained and taught

Presentation skills & public

How you present

Key as an individual jobseekers needs to stand out

Can be learnt e.g.

Proactive & motivated &

Be willing to take the

Can be learnt from books

Flexible & open

How open to change and

May not appear to be

Can be explained and

This involves seeing life

Important in all stages of

Can be learnt from books and

Self-realization & selfawareness

Truly understanding and

Takes time to acquire,

WHY ARE THEY SO

HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE

Mature students exhibit

It is ideal but cannot easily

Comes with time and

Willing to learn and to

Key given that no-one is a

Life is a journey of continual

English & Bahasa

Mother tongue and/or

English is essential in todays