Great, I'll pay MPH a visit tomorrow and I think the first book I'll get is "The Creative Attitude" first because I think not only Apple, but most companies nowadays demand creativity

And your 5th statement just made me realized where for each different company, I should focus and relate my skills to the directions they are going just like video/music editing on Apple, tape drive storage/backup/imaging on HP and etc... thanks again...

Hi,

Another very useful and must read book is "The Secrets of Consulting" by Gerald M. Weinberg. The number one problem of a fresh graduate is that they have no idea what the problem is. In college/university, you were always told what the problem is. In real world, 99% of the problem is knowing what is actually the problem. Plus, user/customer normally do not actually tell you what the real problem is. What they tell you may not be what they actually want or need. That book provides a very good guide of giving and getting advice. It is a very good read plus a very good introduction to general system theory.

Highly recommended!!!

Dreamer

Dreamer101 .. thanks for the guide ...
succeed edi ... thanks alot ...

This is really good as what others mentioned about the interview session. I am currently seeking for a technical support where i can learn more on the network support position. If anyone happens to see any job vacancy, please advice. Still quite fresh with only a year experience.

[quote=dreamer101,Aug 9 2005, 01:26 PM]
Hi Gemini,

Some random thoughts/ideas:

1 ) If you want to learn on how to make your resume stand out, read some books on desktop publishing and find out how to use certain fonts to generate some mood and looks good. Hint: use "Times New Roman" font on your resume and it will look good on both screen and print out.

once I read from Internet regard how to write the Resume, it recommend using Arial, any comment on this, dreamer101?

[quote=ini,Aug 13 2005, 03:29 PM]
[quote=dreamer101,Aug 9 2005, 01:26 PM]
Hi Gemini,

Some random thoughts/ideas:

1 ) If you want to learn on how to make your resume stand out, read some books on desktop publishing and find out how to use certain fonts to generate some mood and looks good. Hint: use "Times New Roman" font on your resume and it will look good on both screen and print out.

once I read from Internet regard how to write the Resume, it recommend using Arial, any comment on this, dreamer101?

[/quote]

Hi,

Take your CV or resume. First, formated into arial and print a copy. Then, re-formated the same document into "Times New Roman" and print a copy and save a copy. Put both copies on the screen "arial" versus "Times New Roman" at the same time. Ask yourself which one feel nicer. Ditto for thet print out copies of "Arial" versus "Times New Roman".

You can take the two copies of your documents to almost anyone and they will tell you somehow that the "Times New Roman" version feel nicer and more professional..

Your eyes will not lie..

Dreamer

I dont have any experience in such interview before but i will try my best to answer.(because i am currently only in Diploma level).

I think this company should hire me is because i have the drive and energy to work in this field, i am not only efficient but also a very effective person when i am doing my job. When i say that i am efficient and effective it means that i can be able to deliver consistantly and effectively means that i can always get the job done on time without delaying it. On top of that, i can easily adapt to the environment because i am a friendly person and always keep a positive mind, i am a person who will step up and receive a task rather then sitting down and wait for people to ask me to do a job. Finally, i will always try my best to make myself as an asset for this company rather then a liability.

Err. do you think that by answering this way would be effective?

Hi,

IMHO, you are trying to bluff me and it is whole bunch of BS. Where is the proof that you are telling the truth?? There is absolutely nothing in what you said that prove/verify to me that you are telling the truth. You are just stating your opinion of yourself. Given that I do not know you, why should I care/trust your opinion?? Plus you are careless and have a low opinion of yourself since you forget to put "I" in capital in the right places. What have you done to show off your capability?? A statement that works will be like this. As an example, let's say you want to be a Web master

I like this field. I have setup my own web pages at this web site. Let's look at what I have done. My web pages use flash and use mySQL database and so on.

Or, I like LAN. I setup my web server and local LAN with WiFi at home via Streamyx. You can access my web server at this URL. I have my own database and e-mail server at home too.

Dreamer

Err.As i have said i dont have any experience but during the interview i will have to past all the secondary school record to the interviewer, by then they would have know whether i am lying or not. Track records of both outdoor activities plus the academic records will be the only evidence to show that i am not fabricating and of course i wouldn't be so dumb to make stories up without having any proof. Anyway thanks for pointing out my mistakes

This post has been edited by crystal_kit85: Aug 14 2005, 02:24 PM

Hi,

"I don't have experience" is the other big excuses that I see regularly. If you are in IT area and you really interested in IT, how hard is it for a person to gain experience designing a web page?? Do you mean that you have no PC and you have no access to a PC??

Ditto for database, programing, LAN admin and so on.. You do not need a course/diploma/degree to gain those experience

"If there is a will, there is a way. If there is no motivation, there are thousand of excuses"

Most people that has a degree/diploma in IT do not really like IT. So, they only learn what is taught in the class. And, when they graduate, the most common excuse of cannot finding a job is "I do not have experience". This is whole bunch of BS!!!

Dreamer

What makes you think that i am currently interested in getting an IT job, you are the one who suddenly said that it is an IT related job and i do not know how the hell on earth you can simply give that position for me and suddenly using examples like "dont tell me i have not use a pc before", and btw, if you would want to let people down make sure you do it in a proper way, this is a forum for people to learn things not having people like you who knock people down hard without any reason. Ya, you might think that the answer i gave for the question that i try out might be a bit disbelieving, but i am just trying, you can always correct people with a better way.

Hi,

I know nothing about you. I am not commenting about you. I am speaking in general about IT freshies that complaint about "I do not have experience".

Dreamer

This post has been edited by dreamer101: Aug 14 2005, 05:19 PM

OIC, it's ok no hard feelings. Btw i got a question here that i would want to ask you, i have came across people telling me that most interviewer would ask question such as "tell me about your background". What answer their expecting from the inteviewee actually.

Hi,

The basic rule of the game is that

The interviewer is trying to find out whether you can do the job, so

1) He/she is trying to find out whether you are capable

2) He/she is trying to find out you can fit in to this company

So, regardless of whatever the question is. You will try to answer relevant facts about you that answer quetiion (1) and (2) for the interviewer.

So, you say and tell things about your background that will blend in well with the company..


Dreamer

I have a question here...

I'd always wanted to ask something about the job which something regarding promotion and etc... Normally it is not stated in the job description ... These are the things I wanted to ask...

1) How long before I can expect/ask for a promotion?
2) Is there any restrictions on how far can I go based on my current degree? Do I need to do any extra courses to get promoted?

Is the questions above proper to ask to the interviewer ?

1) Few companies promote people based only on the amount of time they have been employed. promotions are usually based at least in principal on performance and contribution to the company. A better question would be to ask "what type of promotions could be possible in this position and what would it take in terms of contribution or performance to obtain such promotion and what is the typical amount of time it takes a person to reach such promotion?

2) Once you are employed and contributing to the company, most companies will not be concerned about your degree unless required by laws or regulatory agencies. Promotions seldom happen just because of the amount of extra courses or study you take.

As an applicant for a job, your highest priorities in the interview should be to

- determine in as much detail as possible the job responsibilities and the opportunities the position could offeer you.
- convey to the interviewer the ways in which you are ideally suited to the position.

The questions you mentioned are certainly beneficial in moving towards the goal of learning more about the job but as you have stated the questions it may be taken in a negative or arrogant way by the interviewer who may think that you believe promotion is based on factors other than performance and contribution.

These 2 questions are a bit too advanced to be asked during interviews.
You havent even got the green light to work for them and its better not to ask these questions. Unless you are well experienced or have a very good portfolio to proof your existing skill and talents that most probably will show your interest in moving forward in their company. Some companies will welcome your questions because it shows how professional you are.

Hi,

You are NOT asking in a proper manner.

<<1) How long before I can expect/ask for a promotion? >>

What you should and could ask is

What is your company policy and procedure on performance review?? Is it qurterly review plus a final annual review. Is increment and bonuses awarded yearly or in a quarterly fashion?? Do you use a different system for a freshies?? What are your criteria for performance review??

Focus your question on the policy and procedure. Your original question sounds too damn arrogant and self serving..

<<2) Is there any restrictions on how far can I go based on my current degree? Do I need to do any extra courses to get promoted?>>

This question expose you as a freshie with no real job experience of any kind. Real job do not care about cert. It only cares about your capability (ability to do job). See my post on the pinned thread of useful resources.

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=186583

A good company will have either in house training courses or sponsor you to relevant training classes to do your job. Or, the company will expect you to ask for proper traning classes whenever you need something.

The right and proper question to ask should be

What is the policy and procedure of the company on employee training?? Do the company has in house training resources?? Or is it, a internship type of arrangement where a freshies is attached to a senior and learn as you go?? Do the company has a minimum training policy where everyone must have 2 weeks of training per year?? Is training target part of the performance review process??

By the way, one way to get all those questions answerred is by asking whether you can get a copy of the employee handbook.

Dreamer

This post has been edited by dreamer101: Aug 16 2005, 10:34 AM

ic.. thanks dreamer, jsm and providence ...

Yes, I didn't ask these questions b4 in any interviews as I myself also thinks that if I didn't convey the msg properly, I'll sound like an arrogant fool who knows nothing ..

It's great everytime I post a question here I learn something in return...

I'll always keep in mind that I MUST be more professional during interview and ask my questions in a more professional way ... Thanks

This post has been edited by Geminist: Aug 16 2005, 10:34 AM

I've not been working for 1 year. the interviewers are sure to ask why and I would say it's because of some personal problem and it's all settled, and I also took some time to think of in which area do I want to further enhance in. the problem is I don't know how to answer their next question which would be
1. Why do you need such a long time to think? and/or
2. What have you done in this 1-year to upgrade yourself?
I have to admit that I am lazy and had wasted such a long time. but I'm sure this is not what i should answer.

This post has been edited by lazypiggy: Aug 16 2005, 02:36 PM