Are you in a Job Search? Beware of the
Glorification/Mis-representation of Job titles
Dear all, I can be considered a fresh graduate considering that I
graduated in April 2007. Subsequently, I worked in this MNC
research house for 3 months but then decided that the culture and
workload didnt suit me. I have yet to tender my resignation, but I
am actively on a job hunt now.I discovered some innate truths which
I would like to share with current fresh graduates who are also in
their job search.
1) I am disturbed by the usage of titles such as
Management Associate, Management Trainee or Management
Assistant. Such programs usually stipulate that its a 2
years program; you will be rotated to different business functions
within the company, learn stuff and eventually be posted to fixed
position in the company at the end of the program. However, be
careful in applying to such positions. There are scrupulous
companies who hire graduates in such titles, simply to
exploit you and get themselves a cheap temporary labor.
Usually, a good gauge is to look at the pay they are paying you.
For instance, I applied to this XXX Airline Management Trainee
program. There were 3 rounds and I got through to the 2nd round. In
the 2nd round, I told the interviewers that my expected salary is
$2.5K. And subsequently, I was rejected. I called up my
Universitys career office and asked then to find out from the
Airline why I was rejected. Hmm, indeed, in the end, the Airline
said that they were only prepared to pay S$2.1K. This sum,
is simply too little and reflects the Airlines intention to hire
cheap labor yeah?
2)I am also disturbed by the glorification of job titles. I applied
to one of our local banks, the position for Branch relationship
Manager, Consumer Banking Group. In the job advertisement, the job
scope description was insightful; it talked about nurturing
relationship with your customers, understanding their needs, and
then recommend the various innovative financial instruments and
also provide in-depth financial expertise to help our clients. When
I entered the interview, I had a rude shock. The interviewer said,
Look in essence, this is
just an insurance agent job, period. There is no such thing as
being based in a branch. This is a mobile job. Can you do it? Yes
or No? I retorted and said the advertisement
states it is a branch relationship manager, meaning I will have a
desk, serve walk in customers etc etc. The interviewers reply was,
Sure, it is just a fancy
name. I can also call it personal banker, or privilege banker, or
ultra supreme banker; but the job scope is still the same; sell
insurance. I was thinking how serious can this
misrepresentation be!?!?!?! I guess, on one hand, I am glad the
interviewers are candid and upfront; in fact, I left moments after
this question was asked. On the other hand, I am a little pissed
that I made a wasted trip to this bank due to a misrepresented job
advertisement.
3)Lastly, you know the thing about all these online Job search
websites such as jobscentral.com, or jobsdB.com or jobstreet.com
etc. I am especially skeptical about certain dubious postings which
gave really generous job description, but they merely state apply
to The advertiser. My concern is that, some graduates may
actually apply by sending in their resume and cover letters. But
little do they know that their resume could be harvested
and resold online by just changing the name on the resume. You will
never know.
4)I also replied to a job interview call from Jobscentral.com. The
company had a name and a legitimate website. It looked really
impressive especially when the website says we are located in
Tanjong Pagar area. I know a lot of big office buildings are in
this area. So the day before the actual interview, I decided to do
a little recon and checked out the office address. To my shock,
this so called, MEGA-reputable company is merely located
in a small shophouse (2nd storey), and worst of all, it is beside
this sleazy massage shop house where loads of PRC and Thai
prostitutes walk in and out. This company looked really
dubious, and if it were reputable, I do not know how the female
staff can put up with that location? Imagine leaving office late at
night and they might be recognized as one of the whores?
So yup, sign. Job hunt is hard. I still remember the press said
that it is a booming job market now, and Jobs are plentiful. What
they fail to report is that, it aint that rosy for fresh
graduates.
