Bersedia sebelum terlambat : Get experience before you work!

“I’m sorry, but we’re looking for someone with experience.”

How many times have you heard this when you apply for a job? If you are a fresh graduate without any formal work experience, you will probably hear this quite a bit before someone decides to give you a try.
But, instead of feeling sorry for yourself and wailing “How am I supposed to get experience if no one wants to give me a job!”, there are actually lots of things you can do to get all kinds of work experience.

6 Creative ways to overcome the ‘No Experience’ tag

Classroom Experience
This is a great place to get started. Think beyond your exams and papers. What else could you do to earn ‘experience’ in your chosen area of study? If you are studying Finance, could you do a term project about the economic impact of SARS outbreak on tourism in Malaysia? You could do research, analysis, draw charts and make presentations on the subject. What does this reveal about you? It reveals initiative, curiousity, perseverance, attention to detail, creativity, research ability, and the ability to collate different information together to form a comprehensive picture.
All of the effort you put into the project counts as – you guessed it, EXPERIENCE. It adds value to your resume.

College/University Activities
That’s right. Take part in associations/organizations on campus. Take on responsibility like being the Treasurer for the next Graduation Ball. Be seen, heard and work hard. Don’t sit in your shell and think that aceing your exams is your ticket to a good job and a high salary. By taking part in campus activities, you learn teamwork, leadership, people, financial and management skills. It also shows you are a person who knows how to manage his or her time, and that you have extra-curricular interests.
You will learn so many skills – all of which you can put down on your resume as - EXPERIENCE

Sports
Most employers take notice of people who can show active participation in sports while studying. Why? A person who does sports is usually healthy and has a more positive outlook. This is also a person who has a life outside of studies which shows a balanced lifestyle. Nobody wants a potential employee with a string of A’s, but a loner. By joining a team, you learn teamwork and camaraderie. It shows people skills. All of these are important work skills. You may also be given some responsibility like team captain.
Again, these are all positions and responsibilities that count as – EXPERIENCE

Volunteer
Is there a children’s shelter where you can volunteer to teach a language? Or even an animal shelter that needs volunteers? There are many non-profit organizations that desperately need volunteers to help with their activities – two of which Yayasan Salam and Mercy - are presented in this issue. Study them and see if you want to help. Volunteering opens up your mind and your heart – to see beyond your immediate problems and needs. It will also teach you patience, perseverance, commitment and attention to detail. You will learn people skills, planning skills, resource management skills and financial skills, just to name a few.
Being a volunteer may not earn you a big salary, but there is a big payoff in the – EXPERIENCE.

Community Service
All our lives, we will be part of a community of one kind or another. Community services in your neighbourhood, for example, would be a gotong-royong, painting the balai/community hall, organizing a community Hari Raya celebration, or a 5km run. Find out what’s happening in your community, and offer your services. Help organize/manage/plan the event.
It may be a small thing in your community, but for you, it will count as big – EXPERIENCE

Mosque Activities
If you are active in your mosque activities, it’s another great place to pick up some experience. Find out what activities are being planned, and how you can help. Get to know the people in your mosque because it is also a fantastic place to network and make new contacts. Whatever you do to help, even if it’s helping to serve food at a festival gathering, it shows you are dependable, committed, excited, and a team player.
It’s all – EXPERIENCE.

p/s: Think yourself. You are looking for job or JOBS are looking for you. MASA UNTUK BERTINDAK!

Bekerjalah untuk berjaya.

"Dah start gheja ka Hariz?" sapa saya pada seorang teman lama.

"Ha'ah, baru ja start gheja sebulan lebih kot." sambutnya.

"Owh, bagusla. Tak lama lagi kawinla kot hang. Heheheh." gurau saya.

"Ish. Apa plak. Cukup makan ja gheja nie. Baru sangat gheja. Bukan banyak sangat pun gaji. Barang pun mahai laa nie.. huhuhu." balas sahabat saya itu.

"Ala tak lama lagi naik pangkat laa tu.." sapa saya memberi semangat.

"Taktau la aku.. bila la nak naik pangkat." jawabnya selamba.

Saya belum bekerja. Masih di akhir tahun pengajian. Tapi saya pernah merasai suasana kerja dan sedikit memahami pengalaman bekerja. Pelbagai cara digunakan untuk memenangi hati bos. Ada yang kuat membodek. Ada yang kuat mengampu. Tapi ada juga yang kuat BEKERJA. dan tidak kurang juga yang kuat BERCAKAP. Akhirnya saya memahami sesuatu. Pengalaman mengajar kita segala-galanya.

10 Attitudes of Successful Workers

Why do some people seem to reach the top of the corporate ladder easily, while others remain stuck on the middle-management rung? You might think that it is just because those people have more of what it takes to succeed, like brains, talent and powerful people in their corner. But there is something else that is just as important: attitude.

Dr. Martin Seligman, an authority on optimism, discovered that attitude was a better predictor of success than I.Q., education and most other factors. He found that positive people stay healthier, have better relationships and go further in their careers. And he even found that positive people make more money.

Anyone can adopt the right attitude. No matter where you are from or how much innate talent you have, the right attitude can make a difference in your career. Try adopting these 10 attitudes of successful workers:
1. I am in charge of my destiny.

If you spend your entire career waiting for something exciting to come to you, you will be waiting a long time. Successful professionals go out and make good things happen. So commit yourself to thinking about your career in an entirely different way. You will make it to the top, and you are in charge of making it happen.
2. Anything is possible.

Think that there is no way you will ever be at the vice-president level? Then you definitely won't. Remember: If you think you can't, you probably won't. Adopt the attitude of The Little Engine That Could -- "I think I can."
3. No task is too small to do well.

You never know when you are going to be noticed. That is one reason to take pride in your work -- all of it. One public relations executive in Chicago said that her first task in the PR department of a ballet company was reorganizing the supply closet. She tackled the project with gusto and was immediately noticed for her hard work and attention to detail. Remember this the next time you feel like slacking because you are working on a menial task.
4. Everyone is a potential key contact.

While you do need to be aggressive in the workplace, you can also go far by being nice to those around you. Do you think it's unimportant to establish a good rapport with your boss's secretary? Well, just try getting your meeting squeezed onto the schedule when you really need it. Be courteous to those around you -- you never know when your past contacts will play a role in your future.
5. I was made to do this job... and the one above me.

If you spend your days feeling like you are not cut out to do the work you are responsible for, your performance will suffer. Your job may not be the perfect fit, but successful workers act like they are in their dream job, no matter where they are.
6. It's not just what I know, but who I know.

Successful workers understand the importance of networking, both in and out of the office. You need to proactively establish professional contacts. Invite a colleague out to lunch. Go to the after-work happy hour. Join your professional association. Do your part to establish a networking path for your future.
7. What else can I do? Since you are in charge of your destiny, it's your job to look for ways to improve your professional self.

Volunteer to take on an extra project. Learn a new skill that will make you more marketable. Stay late to help your co-workers. Successful workers don't just complete the job and sign out -- they look for additional ways to make their mark.
8. Failure will help pave the way to my success.

While it seems like some people never experience setbacks, the truth is everyone fails from time to time. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they deal with failure. Those who find success are the ones who learn from mistakes and move on.
9. I am my own biggest fan.

Have you been waiting for someone in the office to recognize your talents and efforts? Maybe it's time you start tooting your own horn. Step up and talk about your accomplishments and what you have done for the company. Successful workers know how to point out their achievements without sounding boastful.
10. My opportunity monitor is never turned off.

Yes, there will be days when you will want to just be happy with the status quo. But remember that successful workers are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve. Keep your eyes, ears and your mind open to new opportunities -- you never know when you will discover the one that will change the course of your career!

p/s: Akhirnya anda bakal MENCIPTA SEJARAH anda yang tersendiri! Bekerja untuk terus berjaya.