Tutor:
For today's session, we're going to look at the job market and employers hiring strategies.
Tutor:
It mainly takes great people to generate and execute efficient strategies and ideas.
Tutor:
In fact, a company's growth is strongly supported by its human resources.
Tutor:
Therefore, we'll look at the determining factors for recruitment, the traits of a successful applicant and the possible reasons for rejection.
Tutor:
First, let's take a look at the job market for students who have just graduated from secondary schools.
Sansa:
So, what should they focus on when applying for a job?
Sansa:
Is education the most important factor in recruitment?
Tutor:
Well, actually the degree is not that important.
Tutor:
It's not the only factor that personnel managers take into consideration.
Tutor:
Some employees with years of work experience still have a competitive edge over fresh graduates with a higher educational degree.
Tutor:
However, with neither an impressive educational background nor practical experience, secondary school graduates should stress that they have great enthusiasm for work.
Tutor:
Employees who are interested in their job often work hard and are willing to take more responsibilities.
Sansa:
What else should they highlight during a job interview?
Tutor:
Well, it is wise for them to demonstrate that they possess valuable characteristics such as curiosity, willingness to learn new stuff and good interpersonal skills.
Tutor:
Companies favour applicants who are easy-going and fit in quickly.
Sansa:
Right, but I guess things get harder for women to re-enter the workforce and reconnect after raising children at home.
Tutor:
After taking an extended absence from work, women with young children have to strike a good balance between work and family.
Tutor:
Changes have to be made within the family to ensure they have sufficient working hours.
Tutor:
Apart from that, they are working with totally new colleagues in an unfamiliar workplace.
Tutor:
After even two or three years of absence, they face challenges of rusty or obsolete skills.
Tutor:
Even though they are quite confident in themselves, they often find it hard to adapt to these changes.
Tutor:
But on the other hand, many employers find these mature women valuable assets in the workplace.
Tutor:
They are excellent role models for younger employees, as being quite motivated and with strong work ethic.
Sansa:
Indeed, employers not only need qualified but also flexible and well-trained employees.
Sansa:
Given the experience, perspectives and stability, these women are offered unique opportunities in today's workplace.
Sansa:
So what kind of people do companies generally find unwelcoming?
Sansa:
Will they consider candidates from a rival company?
Tutor:
Well, actually, hiring employees from a competing firm is not a taboo.
Tutor:
Highly skilled workers are always welcomed no matter where they're from.
Tutor:
What concerns employers the most is how they left the previous company that they had worked for years.
Tutor:
If they have been fired, they must have done something wrong during the previous job.
Sansa:
What about people who remain unemployed for a considerable period of time?
Tutor:
Well, this type of employee isn't at the bottom of the employment list.
Tutor:
The reason why they remain unemployed is the key.
Tutor:
Actually, most companies cast doubts on applicants who left the job simply because they didn't like the working hours or the work assigned.
Tutor:
Have you read any articles about worker retrenchment?
Sansa:
Worker retrenchment on a massive scale is sometimes introduced as one of the short-term measures to resuscitate the industry through the reduction of overhead costs.
Sansa:
Workers are also laid off as companies restructure and reform.
Sansa:
But what happens to these retrenched workers afterwards?
Sansa:
Is it easy for them to find another job?
Tutor:
Well, generally companies are reluctant to hire them.
Sansa:
They must have plenty of work experience in the previous industry.
Sansa:
Isn't that a strength for them in the job market?
Tutor:
Actually, new industries are eager to hire experienced workers, but retrenched workers know nothing about other industries, and it also costs employers more to retrain them.
Tutor:
They need training courses to acquire relevant skills and qualifications for a new career.
Sansa:
Our government is providing public training programs to help them identify their current skills and acquire new skills to improve their career options.
Tutor:
Yes, but retrenched workers are generally too old.
Tutor:
They are less motivated and energized at work.
Tutor:
Companies thus prefer younger employees to them.
Tutor:
They are also reluctant to adjust and are unwilling to be retrained.
Sansa:
Do retrenched workers from companies with big names have an advantage over other job applicants?
Tutor:
Employers today value skills more than where they're previously from.
Sansa:
So what are the most common factors of rejection during application?
Tutor:
Applicants are rejected mainly for three reasons.
Tutor:
First, they have experience and skills that are irrelevant to the industry.
Tutor:
Even experienced workers may receive rejection letters.
Tutor:
Wearing appropriate clothes and how they look during an interview are key to a successful interview.
Tutor:
No matter how good their presentation skills are, a shirt with stains or informal clothes like a pair of jeans only means the applicants aren't taking the interview seriously.
Sansa:
Yes, during an interview, formal dress is key to a good start and will inevitably affect how people evaluate you later.
Sansa:
What's the third factor?
Sansa:
Let me guess, is it interpersonal skills?
Tutor:
Companies are eager to hire people who can work well with others and fit in quickly.
Tutor:
It's difficult to work in an environment full of conflicts.
Tutor:
Therefore, people who don't get along well with others are often rejected.
