////and the post here who said that he did not tell the truth about his qualifications during interview, I think most bosses can read thru these lies by the way the candidate speaks and his body language////

yes, non verbal communication counts.

post #63, on July 13th, 2009 10.31 pm

eh, let’s be fair. this downturn has forced many PMETs out of job. besides, the more 1 earns the more 1 spends. even in difficult times MSM is encouraging everyone to spend like the boom years. how many can really lead frugale lifestyles? there is subtle pressure from co-workers, friends, family, & society at large to “live it up”.

back to the topic, we cannot pin all the blame on select individuals. “when the music is playing we have to keep on dancing”. those who do live their lives contrary to society’s expectation run the risk of being ostracized for the worse, being wierd, a little queer. at work, impressions matter.

also, KopitiamApek, whenever you tell your little stories, you risk offending others who you do not know, & your little stories may not accurately portray the poster’s experience. i will not be surprised if the poster takes you to task for that (as i have in the past).

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

KopitiamApek,

consider this. everyone at an informal office party drinks wine, beer or alcoholic fruit punch. how would others think of 1 “oddball” who insist on sticking to milk, or plain water?

But he is stuck with this high expectation of good pay good life, when he was just a lucky shot for being at the right time at the right place

He has completely no experience in his field of study (psychology) and is not really a banker but really a salesman exploited by the bank, and during the banking boom, a monkey can sell finacial products

this is an example of a PMET went wrong

///from the HR point of view, he is not the ideal candidate. reason not to hire- possible high chance of turnover, resulting in the need to find replacement again. .///

true.
and the post here who said that he did not tell the truth about his qualifications during interview, I think most bosses can read thru these lies by the way the candidate speaks and his body language

//// Actually there are stocktakers who work thru the night to stock up the store for the next day at the “household name super market ////

true, but its a little known fact for majority of shoppers. never see, never know.

this is a good example of gross job mismatch.

jobseeker profile:
- middle age
- with high overheads, like family commitment
has to content with,
- low salary (not sustainable income for the long haul)
- odd hours (impact of family commitment, time spent)
- gross mismatch in qualification

from the HR point of view, he is not the ideal candidate. reason not to hire- possible high chance of turnover, resulting in the need to find replacement again. will reflect poorly on the HR who made the decision if the fear of turnover comes true.

///5. Then, he said, how about work in wee hours shifts? I told him, your household name super market got operate at midnight or wee hours wan meh? He got stunned, he stammered and said, oh, no lah just asking.////

Actually there are stocktakers who work thru the night to stock up the store for the next day at the “household name super market “

looks like we really are back to square 1 when S’pore achieved independance. the middle class boom of yesteryear, seem all but bust, now….

yes i mean WDA, not WCA. it was a typo error…

////Take this scenario into consideration:
PMET buys a typical 4 room flat after getting married. Due to the high cost of public housing here, he is committed to a 30 year loan of about $420k for that 4 room flat.

Have two kids. Put them thru school. High cost of child care. Tuition to ensure kids can keep up with the competitive school environment.
Earning the average $3000 a month, it is enough to get by on a day to day basis.

Now, company retrenches. Minimum compensation. Go to govt agencies for these so call work schemes only to be offered jobs that pays $1000-$1200. After CPF deductions, which is not even enough to service the HDB loan for the home due to the drop in income. So to ensure there is a roof over head, have to top up with cash.

So tell me, can you afford to just take up a job that pays so much less, so much so that it is not even enough to make ends meet?
And you call them choosy?////

i get your drift, but unfortunately, do bosses care? that is my point, they person who points finger at others should look into the mirror. in this case its the employers, are they not choosey?

of course, the condescending term was coined then echoed to insult our intelligence. because throughout the decades post independance we have been encouraged to aim high & work for our dream & turn them into reality. now that the bubble of the boom years has passed, they powers that be needed a buzzword that is easy to remember & echoed….

there are 2 words being repeated rather often to thumb the already down throddened “business sense”.

govt say, business also use this convenient term…. S’pore INC Pte Ltd?

Just check SAF, how many Officers you think can pass IPPT?
Yet, NSMen must pass if not RT u go.
Singapore pledged for EQUALITY, regardless of RACE, LANGUAGE, RELIGION.
Do you really think there is equality? Is time to wake up everybody.

The Monarch is trying to secure the Monarchy. We have to wake up now.
If not, all will be marginalized.

Searching for a job is really tough. I don’t know if I’m being choosy but, at the risk of sound arrogant, I believe I’ve somehow earned it. Having come from the US and working at one of the top banks there for 3 yrs, I naturally want to top or at least match my previous job (in pay at least). But no, Singaporeans won’t have any of it.

It is either you get a low paying job or, they won’t even touch you at all. I’ve seen ads by recruiters offering jobs. but when you contact them, it seems as if these posters are non-existent. Not even a “thanks for sending in your CV” or something. And that’s just for starters. What bout companies who never seem to answer your response to their job postings? Let’s not even go there…

What gives?

Searching for a job…and the meaning of life itself: http://bit.ly/3wmLeV

hi Brembo Braka,

eh, you mean WDA not WCA?

maybe they want to weed out “choosey” jobseekers?”

Can you entirely blame some for being choosy?

Take this scenario into consideration:
PMET buys a typical 4 room flat after getting married. Due to the high cost of public housing here, he is committed to a 30 year loan of about $420k for that 4 room flat.

Have two kids. Put them thru school. High cost of child care. Tuition to ensure kids can keep up with the competitive school environment.
Earning the average $3000 a month, it is enough to get by on a day to day basis.

Now, company retrenches. Minimum compensation. Go to govt agencies for these so call work schemes only to be offered jobs that pays $1000-$1200. After CPF deductions, which is not even enough to service the HDB loan for the home due to the drop in income. So to ensure there is a roof over head, have to top up with cash.

So tell me, can you afford to just take up a job that pays so much less, so much so that it is not even enough to make ends meet?
And you call them choosy?

And I am just referring to those average singaporeans who is earning an average salary. So think about it, for those singaporeans who is earning and living in the below average range, how are they going to cope if the next job offer they get are not at least the same level as the one they just lost?

So, don’t brand people who are choosy about their jobs with a single broad paint brush. They have reasons to do so!

////singaporeans fight with singaporeans for jobs. There is no compassion in job market. Case in point, singaporean employers would be more than glad to hire as many cheaper labor as he is allowed so that he can profit more to buy his next lambo. And remember what they say, “no one owes you a living”.
Its a brutal world and a vicious cycle.////

its ugly & its so true, i’ve experienced that not just once. local employers… sigh.

cannot even secure own ricebowl serve NS protect what, other people’s ricebowl?

But I am quite sure, his boss will never know who came and went.
Those may be living in ivory towers hor?

When the emperor is far away, the generals can do what they want.

48] toiletmatter : Precisely what I feel. To be honest, I really sensed that he sort of afraid of me like maciam wary or feel threatened like that. The lesson learnt this round is that when in a recession, in an interview, do appear to fit the role for the kind of qualification required. Else, the interviewer, who is more concerned about his RICEBOWL than the Company getting higher qualified candidates, may purposely find reasons not to hire someone who can pose a threat of replacing him.

singaporeans fight with singaporeans for jobs. There is no compassion in job market. Case in point, singaporean employers would be more than glad to hire as many cheaper labor as he is allowed so that he can profit more to buy his next lambo. And remember what they say, “no one owes you a living”.
Its a brutal world and a vicious cycle.

why dont you try to ask his boss who said do all what he can to make you lesser mortal stay employed no matter, you who i refer, rite?

ya, whos paying these FT? our income tax?

basket, this manager got so many patterns, maybe he scared u are higher qualified than him will one day take his manager job, after all supermarket manager only need o’level & some store experience

A day before, I asked him for the application form.
He told me he very busy, not that day. so , he said maybe 1 or 2 days later . Then he said, 2 days later better. It gave me impression that he not urgently getting the position filled.

On the day of interview, a short 5 minutes, heres what he told me:
1. Erm, this is a low pay job you know? I said no problem. Any salary you pay , i take.

2. Next, he told me, we only have a part-time position you know ? I said, ok no problem.

3. Then he said, to start with, it will be only a temp job you know? After temp job, see if you good enough, then give you part-time job. I felt , hmmm, why he changed his words saying its part time and then now temp job? I said, yes, no issue.

4. Next, he said, this job pays very little, about $4.xx bucks per hour only leh. I said, can, that is good pay already. He looked at me like not sure what will deter me. kinda teeny bit frustrated like that but kept to himself.

5. Then, he said, how about work in wee hours shifts? I told him, your household name super market got operate at midnight or wee hours wan meh? He got stunned, he stammered and said, oh, no lah just asking.

6. Next, he even more frustrated like that (low profile), and asked me if ok to work in other branches they have on the island. I said, of course, no problem. Anywhere. He looked at me, kinda no sure what to say, a bit surprised that nothing will deter me. The funny thing is, next he told me all other branches on the island positions all filled already. No more vacancies. Which means only 1 vacancy here in this branch.

7. Then, he told me, the job requires carrying heavy loads leh. I said, no problem. Though not like teenager, I still fit.

At this point he seems like run out of questions.

Then the meeting ended.

My impression was that he somehow has Reservations of hiring me, though the requirement is anyone can apply basically, as shop assistant. I was well dressed , decent and polite and spoke in clear simple english.

I wonder would he employ me? I told him I live next door only and can work any hour they want me to work at any pay under any work terms and conditions.

Technically speaking, there is no reason he should reject my application.
But the reality is something unknown for now – the decision lies with him.

After telling my family members this episode, they said, if they are the manager, a young prolly O Level qualified guy, seeing my kind of profile would NOT employ me for sure as I threaten his rice bowl. I told the manager, I just want to earn a simple living. Not asking much. I also said, I no physical disability, illness etc.

Lets see if I am employed. Pls comment what reason could you think of that will lead to his rejection of my application. Thanks.

email : wheresmycheese2009@yahoo.com.sg

sincerely
LFY