The Benefits of Formal IT Training

Lucia Jenkins

Employees that feel their company is investing in them may feel more job satisfaction and increased loyalty to their organization.


Having a formal IT training plan in place can be beneficial to the organization and offer benefits to employees that competitors may not offer. Although companies may risk losing employees that have just been trained, the benefit of training these employees far outweighs this risk. When IT staff is involved in a formal training plan, individual’s skill sets improve and they can contribute more to the organization.

Employees that feel that their company is investing in them may feel more job satisfaction and increased loyalty to their organization. The benefit of training employees is mutual and can be realized for quite some time. Organizations can also offer lesser skilled workers formal training in order to benefit from their new skills. This will also allow companies to save money on salaries for higher skilled workers.

Employee Training Programs Have Some Risks
Companies often have trouble finding skilled and trained technology staff and an even harder time retaining those employees. However, while this is an opportunity for most employees, it also presents a risk when so many organizations are competing for skilled workers. These newly trained workers can easily be lured away by other organizations offering more money, benefits, flexibility or just a new work environment.

Another risk to note in providing formal IT training is in making sure organizations get a return on investment for technology expenditures. If a company invests time and money in new technology, that company would certainly need employees with the right skill set to operate the new technology. If technology systems are underutilized because of improper training, the return on investment becomes minimal. Companies not investing in this type of training will not realize that return on investment.

The Importance of IT Training Programs
Formal IT training programs cannot be ignored because the benefits outweigh the risks. Most employees do want to enhance their skills. If companies offer training, employees may view this as an added benefit from their employer. Organizations that offer formalized training and keep employees’ salaries competitive mitigate the risk of losing employees to other organizations.


If employee retention is a strong focus in an organization, consider putting in place a formal IT training program to enhance the benefits to employees and the organization alike. Having a training program in place will contribute to creating a great place to work. Organizations can benefit long-term from employees who continue to enhance their skills with this type of training and employees may stick around a lot longer.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Decorating an Office Cubicle On a Budget

Michielle DJ Beck

There's no need to stare at drab, dull walls and desks. Happy workers are productive workers, so be both by decorating an office space or cubicle with style, cheaply.

Anyone who works in an office, especially if he's stuck in a tiny cubicle, knows that it can be a little bit boring and depressing. Thankfully, there are easy ways to remedy that problem so the cubicle reflects the worker's personality and still stays within company guidelines.

What to Use to Decorate an Office Cubicle
As long as the decorations are not offensive, dangerous, counter-productive to work, or in violation of office rules, anyone who works in a cubicle can let his imagination soar. He'll be amazed at the transformation the cubicle will go through, from looking like a box-like boring prison to an eye-catching and enjoyable sanctuary. All it takes is a little creativity.

Just as home decorating isn’t stagnant, office decorating needn’t be, either. An office dweller can change the decor for holidays and special occasions or when he's just tired of the digs. He might not be able to rearrange all the furniture, but there are plenty of other things that he can do to spice up his little piece of the working world. It’s true. Anyone can be queen or king of their office space, too.

Why is Cubicle Decorating So Much Fun?
Cubicles make the most of the workspace allotted. That’s why employers love them so much. It's possible to learn to love a cubicle when the realization hits that it's not only convenient, it is also a chance to show others who 'lives' there, what that person is like, and how much creativity he has. It's not necessary to be or hire a professional interior designer to create comfort and beauty in a cubicle.

One thing a cubicle dweller can do is surround himself with his cherished possessions and things that put a smile on his face. If he's still drawing a blank, studying magazine photos and other cubicles where he works to help him formulate his own scheme can be some other great ways to get cubicle decorating ideas.



careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Are You Ready for an Unexpected Job Interview?

by Deborah Walker

Most job-seekers wait to polish up their interview skills until they are looking for a new position. Important interview opportunities, however, can present themselves at any time. For example,

Unplanned internal job openings: You encounter a sudden opportunity to advance your career from within, and your boss recommends you as a candidate for the job. Are you ready to communicate your contributions to the company?

A recruiter calls: The position sounds like just the career move you've been wanting. Will you say the right things to win the job, or will you blunder your best chance?

A former colleague introduces you to his boss:The organization is building an exciting new division and looking for new staff. Can you entice the boss's interest in you as a must-have new team member?
Those who continually grow in their careers are always prepared for these situations. Their interview skills are sharp at all times. To know if your skills are sharp enough to handle a surprise interview, see if you can answer the following four questions:

1. Can you concisely state your value proposition in 30 seconds or less? A value proposition is meant to intrigue your listener with a quick overview of your skills, expertise, and industry know-how. If you can offer a precise summary of why you are the perfect candidate for that job, you are more likely to get to the second or third interview. A concise value proposition can make a critical difference in winning you a new position. [Editor's note: See also Your Unique Selling Proposition.]

2. Can you list your top five accomplishments, and can you communicate their impact to your employer's bottom-line initiatives? A list of your top accomplishments will enable a prospective employer to imagine what you can do for he organization. Accomplishments give employers a way to associate your skills with their needs and a reason to remember you. Be prepared to list your top skills and show how they can help meet corporate needs.

3. Are you prepared to answer your own toughest interview questions, or do you hope they just won't come up? Don‚t leave yourself vulnerable to such questions as: "If you‚re doing so well in your job, why do you want to leave?" A good recruiter or hiring manager will see you sweat and stutter and squirm; you'll lose their confidence and destroy a chance to get your dream job. Think about the questions that will be your biggest pitfalls and be prepared to answer them.

4. Do you know how to find out your interviewer's motivations to understand how best to answer his or her questions? This is a very important question. Without knowing your interviewer's motivations, how will you know if your answers hit the mark of what he or she is looking for in a perfect candidate? Conduct research and determine exactly what that employer needs. Once you have those answers in hand, you can target your interview answers accordingly.

A good career coach can help you answer all these questions and more, preparing you for the interviews you plan -- and the interview you didn't expect. With those answers in hand, you can take your career from mediocre to marvelous with "always-ready" interview skills.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Evaluating a Job Offer

Once you receive a job offer, you must decide if you want the job. Fortunately, most organizations will give you a few days to accept or reject an offer.
There are many issues to consider when assessing a job offer. Will the organization be a good place to work? Will the job be interesting? Are there opportunities for advancement? Is the salary fair? Does the employer offer good benefits? Now is the time to ask the potential employer about these issues—and to do some checking on your own.

The organization. Background information on an organization can help you to decide whether it is a good place for you to work. Factors to consider include the organization’s business or activity, financial condition, age, size, and location.

You generally can get background information on an organization, particularly a large organization, on its Internet site or by telephoning its public relations office. A public company’s annual report to the stockholders tells about its corporate philosophy, history, products or services, goals, and financial status. Most government agencies can furnish reports that describe their programs and missions. Press releases, company newsletters or magazines, and recruitment brochures also can be useful. Ask the organization for any other items that might interest a prospective employee. If possible, speak to current or former employees of the organization.

Background information on the organization may be available at your public or school library. If you cannot get an annual report, check the library for reference directories that may provide basic facts about the company, such as earnings, products and services, and number of employees. Some directories widely available in libraries either in print or as online databases include:

* Dun & Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Directory * Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations * Mergent’s Industrial Review (formerly Moody’s Industrial Manual) * Thomas Register of American Manufacturers * Ward’s Business Directory
Stories about an organization in magazines and newspapers can tell a great deal about its successes, failures, and plans for the future. You can identify articles on a company by looking under its name in periodical or computerized indexes in libraries, or by using one of the Internet’s search engines. However, it probably will not be useful to look back more than 2 or 3 years.

The library also may have government publications that present projections of growth for the industry in which the organization is classified. Long-term projections of employment and output for detailed industries, covering the entire U.S. economy, are developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and revised every 2 years. Trade magazines also may include articles on the trends for specific industries.

Career centers at colleges and universities often have information on employers that is not available in libraries. Ask a career center representative how to find out about a particular organization.
During your research consider the following questions:

Does the organization’s business or activity match your own interests and beliefs?
It is easier to apply yourself to the work if you are enthusiastic about what the organization does.

How will the size of the organization affect you?

Large firms generally offer a greater variety of training programs and career paths, more managerial levels for advancement, and better employee benefits than do small firms. Large employers also may have more advanced technologies. However, many jobs in large firms tend to be highly specialized.

Jobs in small firms may offer broader authority and responsibility, a closer working relationship with top management, and a chance to clearly see your contribution to the success of the organization.
Should you work for a relatively new organization or one that is well established?

New businesses have a high failure rate, but for many people, the excitement of helping to create a company and the potential for sharing in its success more than offset the risk of job loss. However, it may be just as exciting and rewarding to work for a young firm that already has a foothold on success.

The job. Even if everything else about the job is attractive, you will be unhappy if you dislike the day-to-day work. Determining in advance whether you will like the work may be difficult. However, the more you find out about the job before accepting or rejecting the offer, the more likely you are to make the right choice. Consider the following questions:
Where is the job located? If the job is in another section of the country, you need to consider the cost of living, the availability of housing and transportation, and the quality of educational and recreational facilities in that section of the country. Even if the job location is in your area, you should consider the time and expense of commuting.

Does the work match your interests and make good use of your skills? The duties and responsibilities of the job should be explained in enough detail to answer this question.
How important is the job to the company or organization? An explanation of where you fit in the organization and how you are supposed to contribute to its overall goals should give you an idea of the job’s importance.

What will the hours be? Most jobs involve regular hours—for example, 40 hours a week, during the day, Monday through Friday. Other jobs require night, weekend, or holiday work. In addition, some jobs routinely require overtime to meet deadlines or sales or production goals, or to better serve customers. Consider the effect that the work hours will have on your personal life.
How long do most people who enter this job stay with the company? High turnover can mean dissatisfaction with the nature of the work or something else about the job.

Opportunities offered by employers. A good job offers you opportunities to learn new skills, increase your earnings, and rise to positions of greater authority, responsibility, and prestige. A lack of opportunities can dampen interest in the work and result in frustration and boredom.
The company should have a training plan for you. What valuable new skills does the company plan to teach you?

The employer should give you some idea of promotion possibilities within the organization. What is the next step on the career ladder? If you have to wait for a job to become vacant before you can be promoted, how long does this usually take? When opportunities for advancement do arise, will you compete with applicants from outside the company? Can you apply for jobs for which you qualify elsewhere within the organization, or is mobility within the firm limited?
Salaries and benefits. When an employer makes a job offer, information about earnings and benefits are usually included. You will want to research to determine if the offer is fair. If you choose to negotiate for higher pay and better benefits, objective research will help you strengthen your case.

You may have to go to several sources for information. One of the best places to start is the information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You should also look for additional information, specifically tailored to your job offer and circumstances. Try to find family, friends, or acquaintances who recently were hired in similar jobs. Ask your teachers and the staff in placement offices about starting pay for graduates with your qualifications. Help-wanted ads in newspapers sometimes give salary ranges for similar positions. Check the library or your school’s career center for salary surveys such as those conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers or various professional associations.

If you are considering the salary and benefits for a job in another geographic area, make allowances for differences in the cost of living, which may be significantly higher in a large metropolitan area than in a smaller city, town, or rural area.
You also should learn the organization’s policy regarding overtime. Depending on the job, you may or may not be exempt from laws requiring the employer to compensate you for overtime. Find out how many hours you will be expected to work each week and whether you receive overtime pay or compensatory time off for working more than the specified number of hours in a week.

Also take into account that the starting salary is just that—the start. Your salary should be reviewed on a regular basis; many organizations do it every year. How much can you expect to earn after 1, 2, or 3 or more years? An employer cannot be specific about the amount of pay if it includes commissions and bonuses.
Benefits also can add a lot to your base pay, but they vary widely. Find out exactly what the benefit package includes and how much of the cost you must bear.



Source: lowongankerjan.com

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Project Management Software

By: Donald Fresoy

One of the latest tools that has been made available for all varieties of businesses is project management software and if you think that it might not apply to your business then read on, because you are most likely incorrect in your initial assumption.

The fact is that there are many forms and types of project management software that have been developed and that means that there is most likely one that will tailor fit to what ever type of business that you are in.

How can project management software make managing your projects so much more easier and profitable? What project management software does is simply break down all of the data that is available both in a real time and non real time basis and then sorts it out and makes it available for you on plain to read and simple to understand charts and graphs.

For scheduling, project management software can make your work so much easier and efficient, because it takes all the guesswork out of it. For instance projects management software can make tracking wasted or unused excess material a snap meaning greater efficiency in managing and supplying raw materials. Also, project management can help you to determine on just what shifts the most waste is happening not only in terms of materials but also in time.

Another place that project management software can and will prove invaluable is in dissecting and analyzing finished projects to make bidding on future projects more accurate and efficient. With all the data broken down on easy to comprehend charts and graphs that can be compared against one another, its so easy to take the guess work out of bidding on new projects.

Also, costs and time and material information that you now have to scramble for and take a call back on are a simple and quick mouse click away with project management software.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Etiket Bisnis Pebisnis Korea dan Jepang

Adakah beberapa dari Anda yang bekerja di perusahaan asing? Atau setidaknya selalu bertemu dengan orang asing untuk urusan bisnis dan pekerjaan? Jika ya, Anda pasti tahu betul bahwa berhadapan dengan orang asing yang berbeda kebudayaan memiliki tantangan tersendiri. Bukan hanya soal bahasa dan cara berkomunikasi yang terkadang menjadi kendala, tapi juga soal kebiasaan, adat, dan tingkah laku yang harus selalu disesuaikan. Mungkin Anda pernah mengalami kejadian unik atau memalukan berkaitan dengan cross-cultural business ini, misalnya Anda lupa tidak membungkuk ketika menyapa bos besar dari Jepang atau selalu kerepotan memenuhi permintaan atasan dari Korea yang ingin segala sesuatunya selesai dengan cepat.

Dalam menjalankan bisnis, setiap negara ternyata memiliki cara yang berbeda-beda yang dipengaruhi oleh kebudayaan yang dianutnya. Untuk bisa menjalin bisnis dengan rekan asing, terkadang Anda harus menyesuaikan diri dengan cara mereka. Bukan berarti mengubah budaya perusahaan dan kehilangan jati diri, tetapi mengetahui dan memahami etiket-etiket bisnis yang berlaku serta menerapkannya tatkala bertemu dengan orang asing sesuai dengan kebangsaannya.

Banyak panduan mengenai etiket bisnis internasional yang bisa dipelajari dan beberapa diantaranya adalah seperti dibawah ini:

Jepang.
Business card adalah hal terpenting yang harus Anda bawa ketika bertemu dengan pebisnis Jepang. Setelah Anda bertukar salam (baik dengan cara membungkuk atau berjabat tangan), berikan kartu Anda dengan cara yang sopan, yaitu memegang dengan kedua tangan. Jangan pernah melipat, mencoret-coret, memainkan, apalagi meninggalkan kartu yang Anda terima, sebab Anda akan dianggap tidak menghargai sang pemberi kartu. Simpan kartu-kartu tersebut di tempat yang pantas dan perlakukan dengan hormat. Untuk busana, gaya konservatif dan formal adalah pilihan yang pas. Untuk wanita, sebaiknya menggunakan rok daripada celana panjang. Berhati-hatilah dengan hand gesture dan ekspresi wajah, sebab bisa menimbulkan salah interpretasi. Selalu datang setidaknya 10 menit sebelum waktu pertemuan, terutama jika Anda akan bertemu dengan para bos atau eksekutif senior. Orang Jepang terkenal tepat waktu, jadi buatlah agenda rapat yang tepat waktu pula. Ketika rapat pebisnis Jepang akan mencatat apa-apa saja yang terjadi dalam rapat, maka tidak ada hal yang luput atau terlewatkan.


Korea.
Sama halnya dengan Jepang, pebisnis Korea juga menganggap business card sebagai hal yang penting dalam urusan bisnis, jadi pastikan Anda selalu membawanya. Dalam suatu pertemuan, jarang sekali Anda memperkenalkan diri langsung kepada lawan bicara, biasanya orang ketiga yang akan memperkenalkan Anda. Jika Anda lebih junior, maka Anda harus membungkuk terhadap lawan bicara yg lebih senior/posisinya lebih tinggi. Korea sangat menjunjung tinggi senioritas dan hubungan atasan dan bawahan. Sebagai bentuk penghormatan, biasanya mereka menyapa lawan bicara dengan nama jabatan/profesi/titelnya kemudian dikuti oleh nama keluarga, misalnya: Direktur Kim, Manajer Choi, atau Supervisor Lee. Atau jika Anda tidak yakin, panggil saja dengan sebutan international, misalnya Mr. Kim atau Ms/Mrs Lee. Orang Korea biasanya mengadakan pertemuan bisnis yang dibarengi dengan jamuan atau minum (beralkohol), Anda bisa mengggunakan alasan keyakinan dan kesehatan untuk menolak secara halus tawaran tersebut.


Dua negara ini merupakan negara Asia teratas yang berinvestasi di Indonesia setelah Cina. Mendekati pasar bebas, akan semakin banyak orang-orang asing yang masuk ke Indonesia untuk mendirikan bisnis. Hubungan kerjasama pun mau tidak mau akan semakin sering terjalin. Diperlukan pengetahuan yang luas dan kepekaan yang cukup tinggi terhadap kebiasaan dan kebudayaan negara yang akan menjadi rekan bisnis Anda. Oleh karena itu, pelajarilah lebih jauh etika-etika bisnis yang berlaku secara internasional agar pendekatan dan jalinan bisnis Anda dengan orang asing bisa berjalan dengan lancar.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Menimbang Tawaran Kerja Baru

Bisa jadi saat ini Anda merasa cukup nyaman dan aman di perusahaan tempat Anda bekerja. Punya atasan yang baik, bahkan rekan kerja dan bawahan yang amat suportif. Tentu Anda tak berani menggadaikan semua itu demi apa yang belum tentu diraih di tempat baru, bukan?

Nah, berikut ada 5 tips untuk mengatasi dilema saat harus memilih untuk tetap bekerja di tempat lama atau menerima tawaran menggiurkan di depan mata.

Investigasi Itu Perlu
Investigasi tak saja perlu di dunia kepolisian, tapi juga perlu dalam urusan karier, lho! Bila direkrut oleh salah satu perusahaan, alangkah bijaknya sebelum menjalani proses perekrutan, Anda menyelidiki dan menggali secara aktif profil perusahaan itu.

Termasuk latar belakang dan sudah berapa lama perusahaan itu berdiri. Gali dan minta informasi sedetail mungkin, agar tak terjebak ke dalam jurang yang bisa membuat karier Anda makin jatuh.

Pentingnya mengetahui profil perusahaan juga berkaitan dengan kemapanan perusahaan itu. Bila perusahaan ternyata tidak mapan, sementara Anda tak tahu kondisinya, tentu akan membahayakan.

Jangan Malu Bertanya
Budaya malu bertanya masih melekat di kultur bangsa kita. Untuk urusan karier dan diri sendiri, kemungkinan akan lebih malu ketimbang bertanya di jalan, mungkin tepatnya, “tidak enak.”

Padahal, banyak bertanya amat diperlukan saat Anda menghadapi kasus dilema mendapat tawaran pekerjaan baru. Maka, bertanyalah sebanyak mungkin yang berkaitan dengan kebutuhan pengembangan karier selanjutnya di perusahaan baru.

Tak hanya bertanya soal fasilitas atau tunjangan apa yang akan didapat, tapi juga soal peluang apa yang sudah dipersiapkan untuk Anda.

Termasuk, apakah Anda akan mendapatkan sejumlah pelatihan atau disekolahkan lagi untuk menambah keterampilan dan kemampuan Anda dalam menunjang pengembangan karier.

Diskusi dengan Keluarga
Pindah pekerjaan memang tak semudah membalikkan telapak tangan. Begitu banyak yang harus diperhatikan dan dipertimbangkan. Tak hanya fasilitas atau gaji berlipat saja, tapi juga lingkungan kerja yang mendukung, termasuk orang-orang di sekeliling dan keluarga.

Pikirkan juga jarak dan waktu yang harus ditempuh dari tempat tinggal Anda menuju kantor baru nantinya, apakah setimpal dengan apa yang akan didapatkan.

Diskusikan bersama keluarga atau sahabat yang sangat mengerti Anda. Tapi ingat, keputusan tetap di tangan Anda. Mereka hanyalah teman berdiskusi dan bertukar pendapat.

Kenali Calon Atasan Baru
Kenali lebih jauh calon atasan Anda! Jangan sampai menyesal setelah memilih bergabung di perusahaan baru, tapi ternyata tak sesuai harapan.

Gaji besar jadi tak berarti lagi bila bekerja sama dengan bad boss. Jadikan proses perekrutan yang mempertemukan Anda dengan orang yang akan menjadi atasan, kesempatan untuk mengenalnya lebih jauh.

Jangan hanya berfokus pada penampilan di hadapannya, tapi perhatikan juga secara teliti, tipe calon atasan baru Anda. Apakah ia tipe orang yang berselera humor baik dan ramah, atau kaku, workaholic, atau sulit dipercaya?

Jangan segan bertanya soal perusahaan itu dari sudut pandangnya sebagai atasan. Ciptakan pembicaraan dan diskusi dua arah agar sama-sama puas.

Jaga Hubungan Baik
Apapun keputusan Anda kelak, perlu diingat, untuk tetap menjaga hubungan baik dengan kedua belah pihak, baik perusahaan lama maupun perusahaan baru.

Ucapkan terima kasih untuk kesempatan berharga yang telah diberikan kepada Anda dan waktu yang telah diluangkan atasan selama bekerja di perusahaan lama.

Kepada atasan baru, jangan lupa bertukar kartu nama untuk melengkapi proses pendekatan Anda selanjutnya. Nah, selamat menjalankan yang terbaik dalam kehidupan karier Anda!


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Teknik Menulis Surat Lamaran Pekerjaan

Surat lamaran pekerjaan merupakan salah satu unsur pendukung yang cukup penting dalam proses melamar pekerjaan. Oleh karena itu, ada baiknya kita membuat surat lamaran dengan baik dan benar.
Seperti surat formil pada umumnya, surat lamaran ini dibagi menjadi tiga bagian, di antaranya:

1. Pembuka.
Isinya menyebutkan sumber informasi dari mana pelamar mengetahui adanya lowongan pekerjaan itu. Kemudian, lowongan apa yang dilamar dan menerangkan bahwa diri pelamar memenuhi persyaratan dan kualifikasi yang diinginkan perusahaan.
2. Isi atau Uraian.
Isinya berupa uraian bahwa pelamar telah memenuhi persyaratan yang diminta dan telah memenuhinya. Selain itu, juga menyebutkan keterangan mengenai usia, pengalaman, keterampilan, dan informasi lainnya yang menunjang posisi yang diinginkan.
3. Penutup.
Kalimat penutup yang berisi harapan pelamar mengenai proses selanjutnya, yang disertai ucapan terima kasih.

Idealnya membutuhkan waktu sekitar 15 menit untuk membuat surat lamaran yang efektif. Namun, sebelum mulai menulis surat lamaran, ada baiknya memerhatikan kaidah, etika, dan cara penulisan yang tepat.

Menulis surat lamaran perlu memerhatikan tatanan bahasa agar mudah dimengerti. Untuk itu, pergunakanlah Bahasa Indonesia yang baik dan benar. Tulislah lamaran dengan kalimat yang tidak terlalu panjang, singkat dan efisien, jelas, dan sopan.

Surat lamaran tidak perlu memuat keterangan panjang lebar karena nantinya akan dilampiri dengan daftar riwayat hidup. Cantumkan alamat sejelas mungkin agar memudahkan perusahaan atau instansi menghubungi untuk keperluan proses seleksi berikutnya. Gunakanlah model penulisan yang paling praktis.

Beberapa catatan penting dalam menulis surat lamaran agar terlihat sopan dan formal sebagai berikut.
1. Antara nama kota atau tanggal dengan alamat tujuan dikosongkan satu baris jika menggunakan folio bergaris.
2. Antara alamat tujuan dengan kata “Dengan Hormat” dikosongkan satu baris jika menggunakan tulisan tangan atau 4 spasi jika diketik.
3. Antara kalimat “Dengan Hormat” dengan pembukaan surat dikosongkan satu baris atau dua spasi bila diketik. Penulisan paragraf dengan paragraf berikutnya tidak perlu dikosongkan.
5. Penulisan kata “Hormat Saya” dalam penutup surat lamaran berjarak dua baris dari kalimat penutup.
6. Penulisan kata “lampiran” berjarak tiga baris ke bawah dari kalimat penutup surat.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Mencari Kerja di Internet

Mencari Kerja di Internet
Date: 17.10.2009 · Category: Lowongan
Career Advertisement


BAGI para pencari kerja, pameran bursa kerja menjadi kesempatan emas. Maklum, di arena ini tersedia sekitar 3.000 lowongan kerja untuk berbagai jabatan. Sayang, kesempatan ini hanya berlangsung sekali setahun. Selebihnya, pencari kerja lebih banyak mengandalkan iklan lowongan di koran. Padahal, ada alternatif lain untuk mencari kerja, yakni lewat internet. Beberapa keuntungan mencari kerja lewat dunia maya antara lain:

* Praktis. Anda cukup menulis surat lamaran kerja dan daftar riwayat hidup sekali. Berkas dalam bentuk file digital tersebut bisa dipakai selamanya.

* Cepat. Untuk mengirim lamaran hanya butuh beberapa menit dan langsung sampai ke alamat tujuan.

* Mudah. Bisa memilih jenis pekerjaan yang Anda inginkan. Komputer (program) akan memilih lowongan yang sesuai dengan pendidikan dan minat Anda.

* Bisa lewat orang lain. Mengirim lamaran via internet bisa dilakukan orang lain. Anda bisa minta tolong orang lain yang sehari-hari bisa mengakses internet. Keuntungan lain, pencari kerja di internet biasanya tidak sebanyak pelamar lewat koran. Jadi kemungkinan untuk diterima juga lebih besar.

Yang jelas, Anda tak harus menulis surat lamaran dan ke kantor pos setiap kali ingin melamar pekerjaan. Apalagi sampai pingsan di pameran bursa kerja.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Mencari Lowongan Kerja Tanpa Diketahui Atasan

Anda mendapat info dari seorang rekan bahwa sebuah situs penyedia lowongan pekerjaan mengiklankan posisi yang Anda incar di sebuah perusahaan impian Anda. Karena keterbatasan waktu, akhirnya Anda hanya sempat membuka situs tersebut di kantor. Anda terpaksa melakukannya, dengan perasaan was-was atasan akan melewati meja Anda dan mengetahui yang Anda lakukan. Bila Anda buru-buru mengklik windows lain saat atasan Anda lewat, atau menutup windows di mana situs tersebut terpampang, atasan Anda pasti curiga. Anda tak ingin ia tahu Anda berniat mengundurkan diri. Lebih parah lagi bila atasan langsung menunjuk orang lain untuk menempati posisi Anda, padahal Anda ternyata tak diterima di perusahaan baru tersebut.

Selain itu, ada banyak hal lain yang bisa menimbulkan kecurigaan atasan Anda mengenai niat Anda. Misalnya, Anda kasak-kusuk dengan teman-teman Anda mengenai eksodus di perusahaan saingan, dan Anda berniat mencoba peruntungan di sana.

Lantas, bagaimana cara mengantisipasi agar niat Anda untuk berburu pekerjaan di tempat lain berlangsung dengan mulus?

1. Jangan membicarakan rencana Anda tersebut kepada siapa pun di kantor. Biarkan hal itu menjadi rahasia Anda, sampai Anda betul-betul diterima dengan kompensasi sesuai yang Anda inginkan. Anda tak bisa berharap rekan Anda mampu menyimpan rahasia jika Anda sendiri tak bisa.

2. Jangan menggunakan telepon atau fasilitas e-mail kantor. Pada beberapa perusahaan, atasan memiliki akses untuk memonitor komputer atau penggunaan telepon dari Anda. Adalah perbuatan konyol jika Anda memaksa menggunakannya. Pakai saja e-mail pribadi dan ponsel Anda. Keluarlah dari ruangan jika mendapat telepon dari perusahaan yang ingin mengundang Anda interview.

3. Jangan mem-browsing lowongan kerja pada jam kerja. Mencari lowongan pekerjaan yang Anda inginkan jelas membutuhkan waktu. Lebih baik gunakan jam makan siang Anda, atau saat atasan sedang tak berada di kantor.

4. Jangan menggunakan peralatan kantor lainnya, seperti printer, kertas, dan tinta untuk mencetak berkas lamaran dan CV Anda, serta menitipkan dokumen di kurir langganan kantor. Sangat tidak adil jika Anda memanfaatkan fasilitas kantor untuk membiayai “pelarian” Anda.

5. Jadwalkan wawancara sebelum atau sesudah jam kantor, atau saat break makan siang. Meminta izin untuk masuk tengah hari justru akan menimbulkan pertanyaan dari atasan mengenai keberadaan Anda. Bila perlu, lakukan cuti sehari.

6. Perhatikan cara Anda berdandan saat menghadapi interview. Jika biasanya Anda dikenal sebagai Si Tomboy yang selalu mengenakan pants lalu tiba-tiba muncul di kantor dengan blazer dan rok, rekan-rekan dan atasan tentu langsung curiga. Anda harus mau sedikit repot. Ganti busana interview Anda dengan pakaian kantor Anda seperti biasanya.

7. Atasan memang orang yang paling tahu bagaimana kualitas Anda sebagai karyawan, tetapi jangan menjadikannya referensi Anda. Lebih baik Anda meminta mantan atasan yang sudah berkarier di perusahaan lain, atau mantan karyawan lain yang sudah mengenal Anda dengan baik.

8. Hati-hati jika melamar pekerjaan di perusahaan yang merupakan mitra atau klien perusahaan Anda, di mana sebagian besar karyawannya mengenal Anda. Anda tak akan tahu ketika salah seorang dari mereka tanpa sengaja menceritakan pada atasan bahwa mereka baru saja mewawancarai Anda.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Getting Started on Twitter: 25 Tips For Job-Seekers to Take Advantage of the Web's Best-Kept Job Search Secret

by Susan Whitcomb


Twitter.

There's been lots of buzz about it. Perhaps you even visited the site, created an account, or dabbled with tweeting. Not love at first sight, right? If you're like most people, you're not alone in wondering, "What's the point? How can this cacophonous site -- crammed with apparently tangential, disconnected information -- possibly help my job search?"

Do keep an open mind! Although Twitter has a learning curve (as is the case with all good things), you can find value from Day One, whether just dabbling as a NOOB (Twitter shorthand for newbie) or committing to becoming a power user. Here are 25 tips to get you started:

Lurk First. Sit back and study what's happening on Twitter before jumping in with both feet. You can do this even before setting up your own Twitter account by going directly to Twitter user's streams (for example, you can see my Twitter stream at www.twitter.com/susanwhitcomb or my coauthors in The Twitter job Search Guide (JIST, 2010), www.twitter.com/chandlee and www.twitter.com/CEOCoach). You can also visit www.monitter.com and search keywords of interest to you.
Think Strategic When Setting Up Your Twitter Account. Many people vacillate between using their own personal name (such as JohnDoe) or profession (such as CFOintheKnow). There are advantages to both, but using your real name can add to your name recognition. If you have a common name that is already taken on Twitter and want to use your name, add a designation that matches your profession, such as JohnDoeCPA or JohnDoeSalesExec.
Write an Employer-Focused "160me" for Your Twitter Profile. Twitter allows you 160 characters max to describe who you are. Give them a taste of the return-on-investment they'll receive from hiring you. For example: "Go-to resource for publicity for nonprofits. Earned org's cover stories in regional mags; PR delivered 10s of thousands in contributions."
Point Employers to More Information. In your profile, include a link to a site where employers can get more information about you, such as your resume at VisualCV.com or your profile at LinkedIn.com.
Include a Professional Photo. Leaving off a photo is an invitation for people to dismiss you. Your photo should be as professional as you look when going to an interview -- your absolute best. A greater sense of connection seems to take place between followers and followees when each of you can see what the other really looks like. If you use an avatar, be on brand. Some people use avatars rather than a real photo -- these sites are great starting points for avatars: BigHugeLabs.com and SouthParkStudios.com.
Don't Rush to Follow at First. When you follow people on Twitter, it's likely they will consider following you back. If your history of tweets (your "tweet stream") isn't interesting or it's non-existent, you'll lose the opportunity to gain new followers. Instead, put out some interesting tweets first.
Tweet On-Brand. Tweet primarily about things that relate to your profession. Read news feeds, blogs, and other resources for relevant, fresh content.
Set Up Google Alerts for Tweet Content. Go to Google.com/alerts to set up alerts for industry trends, news on your target companies, and more sent directly to your email. You can then be the first to tweet about it.
Use a Third-Party Application (API). Twitter can appear disorganized and confusing. APIs such as TweetDeck.com, HootSuite.com, and Seesmic.com help organize tweets into columns of your choosing, such as those that reference your name, those that contain a relevant hashtag or keyword (such as #forensicaccounting), or a list of followers you are particularly interested in.
Follow People Who You Want To Know You. Follow companies on your list of target companies, employees in those companies, potential networking contacts, recruiters, industry leaders, and others who might help connect you to the people with the power to hire.
Explore Twitter's Advanced Search Feature. Search Twitter's advanced search function at www.search.twitter.com/advanced to search for opportunities (e.g., #jobs #portland #finance) or people.
Search Beyond Twitter. Use sites like TweepSearch.com, Twazzup.com, Tweetzi.com, or Tweefind.com to find people (e.g., recruiters, finance).
Use the 75-25 Rule When Tweeting. When in job-search mode, approximately 75 percent of your tweets should be professional, while 25 percent can be more of a personal nature (e.g., "Looking forward to my 25-mile ride through the Blossom Trail this weekend."). Use discretion with your personal tweets!
Tweet, Tweet, Tweet, But Don't Get Sucked In. Be careful that your time on Twitter is focused and productive. Consider a 15-minute-a-day model where you spend five minutes in the morning, noon, and afternoon. During that time, you might tweet about an interesting industry trend, retweet someone's tweet that would be interesting to your followers, and send an "at" (@) message to someone based on an intereting comment in their tweet stream.
Retweet -- The Highest Form of Flattery. Retweet (RT) interesting tweets from your networking contacts. Imagine how impressed a prospective employer might be when he/she sees you retweeting information that will promote the company.
Turn Your Twitter Conversations into Phone and Face-to-Face Conversations. You'll eventually want to shift the conversation from Twitter to a voice conversation or live meeting. Watch for opportunities, and act immediately when they present themselves.
Time Your Thank You's. As you engage people on Twitter, people will recommend you, retweet you, and compliment you. Consider thanking these people at off-times (late in the evening, early in the morning) so they don't clog your tweet stream.
Schedule Your Tweets. In some cases, you'll want to schedule your tweets in advance if you know you'll be unable to tweet. SocialOomph.com is a free service that will allow you to do that. HootSuite.com is another.
Go Mobile. Set up mobile alerts so you can stay in touch with Twitter friends while on the road. Tweetie is a favorite iPhone app. Android users can check out twidroid.com.
Sign up for TweetMyJobs Alerts. Every job seeker, whether a Twitter user or not, should visit www.TweetMyJobs.com to sign up for mobile-phone alerts of jobs relevant to their profession and geographic area. It's simple and free to jobseekers, and a lot less expensive for employers than some of the traditional job sites such as Monster and CareerBuilder.
Use Hashtags. Hashtags, represented by the # sign in front of a word (e.g., #accounting, #finance, #programming, #healthcare), are used on Twitter to help users find all the tweets with that hashtag. Use them religiously! You can find a hashtag directory at hashtags.org. Or, simply watch for the hashtags used by your favorite tweeps to get an idea of the latest hashtag lingo.
Let Your Followers Know You're Looking. One savvy jobseeker posted this hashtag-heavy tweet to gain the attention of employers and recruiters: "Looking to leverage my awesome #transportation #trucking #logistics & #supplychain tweeps to find #employment in #Charlotte NC. Suggestions?" Consider tweeting this type of information weekly.
Get Career Advice on Twitter. Follow savvy career coaches and job-search strategists for great career tips (such as this list) or search for hashtags such as #careercoach #resumes #jobsearch #twitterjobsearch.
Use Lists to Find People.Check out Listorious.com to find lists of people of interest in your target companies or profession. Similarly, check out the lists that other Twitter users have created.
Give, Give, Give Before You Go Asking for Help. As in all networking, look for ways to be of help to others before asking them for help. If you start off on Twitter with a tweet that says: "Lost my job. Anybody know of job openings?" You'll not likely get much help.

Final Thoughts
Start now. In the words of master networker Harvey Mackay (@harveymackay), "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty." It takes several weeks to really get into the swing of things on Twitter... once you do, you'll discover that Twitter truly is "the barrier buster." Enjoy!

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy