Mature workers still valuable

by From ANDREW FUNG General Manager, Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices

05:55 AM Aug 28, 2009

I REFER to "Older folks have it worse" and "Older and not wanted" (Aug 17 and 20).

The challenges faced by mature workers in getting a job are recognised. Singapore, like many other populations worldwide, is rapidly ageing with one in every five residents expected to be above 65 by 2030, compared to less than one in 10 today. There are compelling demographic reasons and a strong business case for companies to adjust their employment practices so as to leverage on the experience and expertise of older employees. 

While there are various programmes to retrain mature workers, with steps being taken to introduce re-employment legislation by 2012, employers and workers must do their part.  Changing mindsets and employment practices are key. Workers must also continue to go for training and upgrading to ensure they remain relevant and employable. 

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (Tafep), which was formed in 2006 to promote the adoption of fair employment practices, will continue to work closely with employers and unions on this front. Tafep strongly encourages companies to hire on merit and to review their recruitment policies, practices and any existing stereotypes. 

Relevant and objective selection criteria should be used to ensure that applicants and employees are fairly and objectively assessed on their suitability. For example, rather than making assumptions about a job seeker's ability based on age, the focus should be on the actual job-related criteria.  This way, there will be a win-win outcome when older candidates, who are able to do the job, are given the opportunity to work and contribute to the organisation. 

Tafep has also been working to raise awareness on fair employment practices. More than 1,000 companies have already signed the Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices, with hundreds more benefiting from Tafep's on-site advisory services, as well as training on the effective management of mature workers. 

We encourage more companies to come forward and commit to be fair employers, as well as to make use of Tafep's resources in order to enhance their employment practices.  Tafep thanks those who have contributed their feedback and suggestions on age discrimination. Achieving fair employment practices is a long-term process and requires the concerted support of employers, workers, Government and customers. We welcome suggestions as we continue with ourefforts to promote the adoption of fair employment practices. 

Tafep invites those who have experienced discrimination at the workplace to contact us at 68380969 or by emailing query@fairemployment.sg.

Living Your Dreams

Knowing what you want in life is essence to your living your dreams

Most polytechnic and university graduates do not know what they want to do with their lives. Some think that they'll find out by taking a job, trying it out, and then moving on to try something else. Later, they may discover that they are on a path inadvertently. After the first position, they tend to move into a similar one. We meet them ten years later, unhappily trying to sort out what they should do with their lives.

Michael is 48. He's spent his entire life doing what other people expected him to do - with an accountancy degree followed by work in an audit firm. After 20 over years in the industry, he was finally retrenched due to restructuring. When he did a self-assessment and career profiling exercise, he decided he loved the outdoors. Now he’s a real estate consultant managing his own real estate firm. Michael is having the time of his life.

Jenny a recent graduate, is being pushed into finance by her well-meaning parents. After all, finance is where they have a lot of contacts. But when Jenny did a psychometric test, all of her enjoyable accomplishments had to do with travel (she subscribes to four travel magazines) and writing. She even designed a computer screen-saver that promoted a travel agency. She would be happy if she could get a job having to do with travel and writing, say, in public relations covering travel accounts. Which path will she take - her own or her parents?

Robert has spent the last 15 years in the army as a logistic officer. He’s done well even though working in the military environment does not interest him. Now he's trying to figure out what he should do with his life, and get on the right path, probably in supply chain or logistic of high tech or health care firm.

Don't wait until you're 40 or 55 to figure it out. Come up with a career action plan, and work towards it. You may change it later, but at least you'll be making your own decisions rather than drifting or being what others would like you to be.

Parents have to ask themselves what they want their children to grow up to be. Many want their children to be successful. But what is success? Success means different things to different people. Parents must educate their children not to compare themselves or their achievements with others.

Success is the progressive accomplishment of a worthy goal or idea. If there is something you want to have, be or do, and you move closer towards that outcome, you have succeeded. Success is not just about passing exams and owning material things. It's about having a happy life.

Here are some areas that you can look into to identify and pursue your dreams and passion.

1. Self-awareness. Do a thorough self-reflection until you actually recognise your true calling.

2. Strengths and weaknesses. Determine these through self-assessment. Find out your values and desires in order to arrive at your perceived needs. Dwell on your strengths constantly. Pick your top three weaknesses and do something about them. Forget the rest of your shortcomings. No one is perfect, nor is that goal realistic.

3. Manage expectations. Looking at your strengths and weaknesses will helps you manage your personal expectations more realistically.

4. Setting of personal goals. Considering your personal interest and academic achievements, try to clarify issues and overcome barriers in order to set more realistic and achievable goals.

5. Setting career goals. Explore your options based on your self-awareness, interest and values in facilitating your decision-making. Take the time to think about your dreams, desires and expectations, and to write them down. This will set you thinking about what you want out of life and what you needs to do to achieve that target. Without knowing what you want, you may go through life aimlessly, like a ship without a rudder.

Do not be confused if, sometime down the road, you want to do something else. This is quite normal as our interests and values do change over time, influenced by economics, environment, or our many life experiences and events. What is important is to trust your own judgment, believe in yourself and have self-confidence.

Three Things To Take Stock

Life will never be the same again in the face of the current global economic crisis. However, we can take stock of our life by facing such situations with a can-do attitude and making the best out of it.

3 things in life that never comes back when gone:
- Time
- Words
- Opportunity

3 things in life that should never be lost:
- Peace
- Hope
- Honesty

3 things in life that are most valuable:
- Love
- Faith
- Prayer

3 things that makes a person:
- Hardwork
- Sincerity
- Commitment

3 things that can destroy a person:
- Lust
- Pride
- Anger

3 things in life that are constant:
- Change
- Death
- God

Start living your life on a positive note instead of dwelling on a bad situation!!
"It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it's the one that is most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin

Hope my article will increase the transparency of what should be truly a fair market practice.

Social Networking Event

Vawch Group, is organizing a social networking event on Tuesday, 3 February 2009 in town. (Venue: Harry's @ Boat Quay, 2nd Floor). It is targeting professionals working in the banking and finance sector across all functions to meet recruiters as well as expand their professional circle. Those of you who wish to attend are also advice to invite their friends who may also be interested to attend. The larger the number of participants, the more recruiters (and jobs) they will bring in.
Please RSVPas well as send your employment information (current or previous) to: admin@vawch.com

Banking/Finance Networking Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 3 Feb 09

Location:

Upstairs@Harry's, Boat Quay (2nd Floor)

28 Boat Quay, S 049818

Time: 6:45pm- 8:30pm

Venue Partner:

Wishing All My Friends and Readers A Happy and Peaceful Chinese New Year of the OX

Not Entrenched, No Retrenchment

Forced out of your comfort zone? Try freelance work. You can pick what you want to do, for whom and when. And there's no such thing as reaching a salary ceiling. You may also want to upgrade your skills by taking advantage of some of the government initiatives to help the retrenched.

Take Stock in 2009

Life will never be the same again in the face of the current global economic crisis. However, we can take stock of our life by facing such situations with a can-do attitude and making the best out of it.
3 things in life that never comes back when gone:
- Time
- Words
- Opportunity

3 things in life that should never be lost:
- Peace
- Hope
- Honesty

3 things in life that are most valuable:
- Love
- Faith
- Prayer

3 things that makes a person:
- Hardwork
- Sincerity
- Commitment

3 things that can destroy a person:
- Lust
- Pride
- Anger

3 things in life that are constant:
- Change
- Death
- God

Start living your life on a positive note instead of dwelling on a bad situation!!
"It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it's the one that is most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin

Job Search Strategies

Looking for a new job is often fraught with difficulties in time of recession. However, searching for a job in another area or industry is even more difficult. You may have all the skills and qualification to do the job, but the trick is to get yourself an interview to convince potential skeptical employers to give you that chance. Here are some tips on how to prepare for that interview:

Prepare yourself psychologically. One important reason people fail to achieve a successful career transition is because they give up too easily. Research shows that perseverance is a key characteristic of people who achieve their goals. Don't give up so easily, stop and think about how you can modify your approach and keep on doing so until your goal are met.

Be flexible in your expectation. Beginners cannot be too choosy. Be prepared to take a pay cut, lower job title and status. If you are serious about making a career switch, be prepared to start from the bottom and work your way up. Bear in mind that your experience in your previous jobs count, it will not take years to work your way up. You enthusiasm and willingness to learn should go a long way in helping you climb quickly. (read: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/294320.asp)

Think out of the box. Do not stick to conventional job-hunting methods by relying heavily on job advertisements. Be prepared to try different things. For example, try to write directly to the CEO of companies you are interested in working with, join relevant professional associations you wish to get into and attend their functions and talks. Build a network of people in the industry and keep in touch with them regularly. Make time for coffee or drinks after work with them. (chatting over facebook or msn alone will not get you the job). You never know when you might get a phone call from one of your contacts telling you about job opportunity.

Be prepared for part-time work or volunteerism. Working for a few hours a week in the field you wish to break into demonstrates your commitment and drive. It will also go a long way in teaching you things about the industry that are difficult to pick up as an outsider. Volunteerism will also expand your network and exposed you to new area you've never thought about before.

Online job portal. There are many online job portals you can register with. Post your resume with them so that potential employers searching for candidates can find you. You can also get jobs preference emailed to you and save you time searching. There are also many career advice and articles to ensure your resume, cover letter and interview skills are up to scratch. Here are several of them:

• http://www.monster.com.sg
• http://www.jobsdb.com.sg
• http://www.efinancialcareers.sg

"Nothing happens by itself...it all will come your way, once you understand that you have to make it come your way, by your own exertions." - Ben Stein

With the global economy slumping, job losses across industry is becoming widespread and could get worse next year. However, not all industry are down-sizing. In fact if you are willing to make a career switch and make adjustment, there are jobs available if you're willing to take it up.

When old is gold - The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Home Affairs (Home Team) in Singapore are launching a recruitment drive to recruit mid-career talent to become teachers and police officers. Dare to take the challenge to make a career switch??

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit". - Aristotle

A handy little chart we need from time to time.........

Make a career of your passion - Each and everyone of us has an interest or hobby. Why not pursue your passion and use your transferable skills and turn it into a profession. Have you ever drag yourself to work, dreading the thought of getting through another long, boring day. If the answer is yes, it's time to take stock.

"If you enjoy what you do, you will never have to work another day". - Confucius

Passion - Nothing is impossible if you have passion and determination. This is amazing!!

Staying collected during your job search is important. Treat the job hunt as a business problem and engineer short-term successes to keep your morale up!

"You cannot always control circumstances, but you can control your own thoughts". - Charles E Popplestone

Prepare for your interview - Before that crucial meeting with your prospective boss, wouldn't you love to be able to look inside his mind and discover what exactly he is looking for? Display the right attitude, ask the right questions, give the answers that matter and that job could be yours.

Want to know a bit about your personality? Why not eat some fruit first!! If you're still not sure, why not drop me an email for a self-assessment evaluation.

"Habits are powerful factors in our lives. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character and produce our effectiveness...or ineffectiveness". - Stephen R. Covey

Your Resume is your vital marketing tool - Employers are king now during this economic tsunami. They do not have the time to go through pile of applications for a single or a few positions. A well written resume will enhance your chances of landing a job suited to your skills, ideals and temperament. If you require assistance to spruce up your resume, why not drop me an email for a non-obligatory consultation.

"Success comes to those who set goals and pursue them regardless of obstacles and disappointments". - Napoleon Hill

During your career transition period, there are some homework you need to do in order to jumpstart your career again. You have to reinvent yourself in order to get back into the job market. You may need the help of a career coach or for those who are fortunate to be offered outplacement program by their former employers to help you through a customized career transition program that suit your needs. If you need help in career coaching, why not drop me an email for a non-obligatory discussion. The coaching process are to assist you to:-

• Learn to manage own emotion
• Learn prudent financial management
• Discover your career preference through self-assessment
• Barriers you might face in pursuing your dream career and how to overcome them
• Discover the secret of effective job search strategy
• Learn the art of networking
• Understand the new world of work
• Learn to write a power resume
• Interview skills techniques

"Almost every goal you set for yourself involves learning. The ability to learn what you need to know, in a hurry, is the basic tool for getting what you want." - Joyce Brothers

How do you managed your unemployment? To some, it may be their first time, some who are not so lucky could be their second or third time. What do you need to do during these difficult time of your life?

Keep Healthy - If you adopt a healthy exercise routine, you will be less prone to illness thus reducing your medical cost at a time when you cannot visit a company doctor. It will make you more alert and presentable during your job interview.

Start A Hobby - Remember the hobby you were always interested in, but didn't have the time? Well, that excuse doesn't apply anymore. It keeps your mind alert and your body busy.

Expand Your Knowledge - Keep yourself updated to the latest trends and issues, especially those pertaining to your area of work. If you're hopelessly outdated and not keeping with the changing trend of your industry, you are not going to be very attractive to a potential employer.

Improve On Your Skill Sets - Take up a short course in your area of work. Alternatively, get training in a complementary area. In this age of multi-tasking, employers are looking for people who are adept in more than one field, so as to provide further value-add to the position.

Remain Positive - Maintain a positive frame of mind is important, although it can be difficult, especially if you have been out of work for some time. Keep reading inspirational stories and pray to god (your own religion) and remind yourself that this difficult period will pass. Positive-thinking will carry you through an interview and make you stand out from the rest of the candidates. Remember, that tough people last longer than tough times do!

What are your thoughts and feeling when you have been asked to go to the conference room? How do you feel when you are handed the pink slips by the human resource manager? What are your initial reaction and thoughts at that point in time?