Apr 5, 2008
Job Hoppers
For about 2 nights, I was chatting with a fellow blogger about her job hunting efforts who just graduated from a top university.
As an HR practitioner, I gave her 2 quick tips to start on the right direction as far as her career is concern.
- Choose a career not a job.
- Choose a company where she can stay for a minimum of 2 years.
Applicants who can’t stay for a company for at least 2 years is a turn off to most head hunters. There are only few companies who can tolerate such, and even encourage prospective candidates to turn their backs on there present employer for a price. In my opinion, this is not healthy because organizational loyalty will be defined by a price tag.
As an HR practitioner, we receive hundreds of job applications. My staff will have to sort and arrange the applications initially according to:
- Position they’re applying for.
- Where they live.
Applications with cover letters are given first attention because not only it makes their job easier, it gives them idea of the writing skills of the applicant.
After this process, we’ll determine the best fit by going thru their credentials. By this time, we’ll know in paper the best fit for the job and schedule applicants according to this order.
I tell you, “job/company hoppers”, will be the last in our priority. This is not the kind of (employee) brand that we are looking at.
Wow, making a cover letter never got into my head but thanks for the advice. I guess I should really set my goal on getting on a career for 2 years or so.
There are offers and opportunities, but I’m really aiming for something that would make me look forward to each day in the workforce and something that is related to my interests and what I have been studying for the past 4 years in college. Sometimes I feel that my career would not be here but in other countries because of my course, but I still have hopes on landing a job here in the country.
Thanks Sir Sonnie
Maki’s last blog post..Cool Food For this Hot Season
Hi Maki,
I do hope that you can find a place to work here. The Philippines is experiencing brain drain because of this.
If you’ll apply with us, you don’t need a cover letter since I regularly visit your blog
Congrats again and happy job hunting
Thanks Sir Sonnie
I’m still gonna extend my quest in joining the workforce until May. For now, I’ll be on a vacation and blog more often than before. 
Maki’s last blog post..Janina San Miguel Ringtone Anyone?
yun ngang mga doktor natin nagigi ng nurses at nag-aabroad pa.
Hah, I’m a total no-no person in your book I guess. I have had 5 different employers in 6 years, due to various reasons (company closure, got a better offer, got fired, etc) but the IT market is volatile enough and is a seller’s market (with companies desperate to acquire talent in a brain drain, they gloss over the fact that you have little/no company loyalty).
I’m looking into staying for at least another year in my current employer (already finished 1 year with them, I’d like to finish at least 2) and then maybe jump to freelance/consultancy or try to do my own web startup beyond that.
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Hello Sir Sonnie. I serve my organization for twenty one years…going on 22. It is a government organization, hence, delivering public service. May I seek your advice and perhaps endorsenment as to my option in the private sector. I truly want to diversify from the public to the corporate sector and bring along my competencies and credentials to the business industry. I have no intention of job-hopping, rather, I want to apply with a company who will take a chance on me and give me an opportunity to contribute to the success of the business. I have backgrounds on operations, logistics, comptrollership, HR and administration, and public relations. I also did trainings as lecturer and course director for small group trainings. I hope you can take time out of your busy business practice, which I do undestand, and spare me some of your thoughts and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance. God Bless.
Respectfully,
Kenneth
tingabngab@ yahoo.com