Quantity vs. Quality: Years of Experience

Quantity vs. Quality: Years of Experience

So often that when we are looking for a job, a recruiter would immediately ask you regarding your work experience. It's already a taboo, "how can you get a job when you need work experience, and get work experience when you need a job to do it?". According to the study of Mr. Scott DeRue of the Graduate Management Admission Council, work experience has become a fundamental metric by which management education programs and students are judged.  Thus today, I'd like to discuss a certain question, would recruiters/HR Managers look at the quantity or the quality when it comes to years of experience? Should all MBA programs require students to have work experiences first before studying? How about a choice between a caliber senior vs. a smart and savvy fresh MBA Grad?

Let's try to sort this out a bit shall we?

Quantity: Years of Experience

You've worked so hard, you've been working for almost 8~10 years now and here you are! Ready to take on the world! The length of your years of experience in a way dictates about your sense of maturity at the workplace. Having that "senior" experience provides a good wall of security in a company. Moreover, in the eyes of HR Managers, it dictates a cost beneficial strategy to place experienced prospects in certain positions as you may train them less and can work immediately under less supervision. But is it just a "cost" based move? Most people with experience requires a higher level of position and pay. What else do you think are the benefits of having a good quantity of years of work experience?

Quality: Years of Experience

Finally, you're done with your first year and you're off the list of employees who might be cut-off soon if you didn't perform well. However, in the course of your time in the company, though short, was well worth it. You've had business trips, exhibitions, meetings with big clients, was able to share your ideas with top management. Now you feel that there's no challenge anymore and you're moving forward. The HR sees your thin CV yet was impressed with the quality of work you've had, but your still light years away from taking an account executive position as you've never had experience handling people.

What do I think? It's all about balance...

Yes, you read it right! It's all about balance (not that bass, ba-dum-tiss!). Anyways, what I meant about balance is making sure that before you resign from your current company:

1. You've at least finished your contract before ditching for another one. 

2. Get as much RELEVANT training and certifications as you can.

3. Increase your KPI's to a notable level.

Make the best out of what you have, keep moving forward!

What is the measurement of SUCCESS?

I was browsing through the internet this morning and I stumbled upon this photo. And right then and there, I asked myself, what is the real measurement of success? How can you even say that a person was successful in life? It bothered me even more when I saw this article written by a Japanese, Aya Imura, about a situation that was happening in Singapore which in her perspective was shocking!

According to her article in FIVE STARS AND A MOON, her concern came from a mom pointing at a hardworking gardener who's cutting grass while telling his son to study hard or else he'll end up being like him in the future. As a Filipino, this was not a surprise for me. Ever since we were kids, we were raised to study hard. However, my opinion for this mindset is now slowly changing.

THE GOOD

Education will always be a vital part of our culture, of life. It is important that people be encouraged to dedicate a portion of their lives for learning and new discoveries. It has always been my dream to be on the top of our class, to graduate in a top tier university, pursue my MBA (I actually wanted to be a LAWYER before), and land myself on a corporate job outside of the Philippines. This mindset made me feel that anything is impossible with Education and that life is easier when you're always in front.

In this mindset, we were able to develop a sense of fulfillment of what we have achieved and took pride in it. In a country wherein Education is more of a luxury rather than a privilege, it was important for my generation that we study hard and be successful in order to pay back the hard work our parents did.

THE BAD

However, is some situations, this type of mindset creates unnecessary pressures to people. We tend to try and pursue greatness with a false mindset. For example, the story about the kid, the gardener and the mother. In that situation in itself, it could create an image in the mind of the kid that being a gardener is bad. But the fact is, it's not! 

According to Sir Ken Robinson in his "Changing Education Paradigm" (PLEASE take some time to watch it, it's worth your time), there are two types of students: the academic and the non-academic. However, we were molded in the idea that when our grades are bad, or if we do not excel in academics, it means we are stupid, BUT IT'S NOT! 

THE DOWN RIGHT UGLY

As we grow older and follow our dreams we end up asking ourselves at one point of our lives, "is this what I really would've wanted?", "If money didn't actually matter, would I still have pursued this path?". I bet your answers would have varied. Because of this Paradigm that were raised with we are then restricted by a false thought. 

I do ask myself the same question, and I've asked myself many times. What is the true measurement of success? Quoting from Ms. Hilary Cooper:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."

Pursuing an MBA: Time well spent?

Reminiscing the past: It's more fun in IIMBA

Two years of my life were spent within the walls of the Institute of International Management and Business Administration at National Cheng Kung University here in Tainan, Taiwan. The program was filled with case discussions, student debates, factory tours, and extra-curricular activities. Now, was it worth it? Was it worth sacrificing two years of potential solid work experience in exchange for two years of learning theories? And with all honesty, here's my answer:

Yes, it was worth it!

You might be wondering why it was worth the time? So, I listed some of the things I did during my time in IIMBA and how was I able to apply it now that I'm working at my full-time corporate job.

DIVERSE

I attended various classes: Finance, Service Marketing, E-commerce, etc. and did you notice something? One of the things that I made sure during my MBA days was to get as much knowledge as I can from the world of business. Often times, I get faced with questions like "which one did you major in during your MBA?" and I'd be dazzled with the type of questions they asked because in fact the major idea of having an MBA would be to have the grasp of the bigger picture of business administration! This means you have to gain background in every facet of your company's business may it be marketing, finance or sales. As an MBA graduate, you have to be the JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES.

Now that I'm working, I can work issues out faster and clearer at all points of view. It's because I got to have an "idea" of how each issue works. For example, I am an Area Manager who's in charge of the Philippine market. Included in my job would be to promote and sell our machines in our designated market while taking into account the costs in all aspects of the business transactions like, freight and shipping, taxation, cost of manufacturing, and more. It's important to have a wider view of the horizon rather than enclose yourself in a box. Anyways, our goal is to become a manager/supervisor/director in the future right? How would you be able to guide or even discuss matters with your subordinates if all you're hearing are jargon to you.

IMMERSE

My first thought when I started in the program was to have myself involved in as much student activity as possible. I immersed myself in the richness of culture in the program. There were numerous students from at least 30 different countries! That's right 30 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES! It's like travelling the world, for free! Not only that, we had numerous backgrounds! Some of them were from I.T. Companies, music industry, or into linguistics, finance and banking, and a lot more! I spent most of my time interacting (group discussions and meetings), socializing (drinking and having a simple chat) and even playing (sports and other extra curricular activities). I joined the IMBA Student Council to even further develop my relationship with the whole student body. I was staying at the student lobby in order to meet new people and interact with them (to a point that people felt weird if they couldn't find me there and that they gave me an award, the Research Room Resident).

So what does having fun during my MBA got to do with doing well at my work? It gave me tons of confidence (in a good way!). Interacting with customers from other countries has been a breeze! Plus, I gained the knowledge on how to properly converse with other nationalities. In my job, I'm required to speak with customers worldwide most especially if I have to attend huge exhibitions! Since i'm already accustomed to having foreigner friends around me, having a conversation and a laugh of two with customers has been a fun experience for me already.

DISPERSE

Now you're packed with wonderful memories from your MBA degree. You've learned and passed your classes and earned your rights to that diploma you so much sought of! Now it's time that we challenge those theories! That even if we feel that currently we're not allowed to handle large decisions, we should be glad to have the chance to at least understand these situations better than anyone else. Sooner or later you'll be given your own moment wherein you have to make decisions by yourself. And when that time comes, you'll do great!

If there's a certain quote that I would never forget during my IIMBA days, it would be the one that I got from my senior who was the president of the IIMBA Student council that time. His name is Thomas "Tom" Bailey, he told me these simple words: What you do is what you get. I guess it goes to everything that we do in life, right? If you just came to class, yet you never even got to know the name of your seatmate, then what's the point of your MBA?

I'll be honest, I asked myself this question a lot of times. And finally, with what my classmates, friends and I are achieving right now. I think I'm confident with my answer.

It's still a YES! :)

Do you want to build a resume?

In a Single Page: RESUME

The hats have been tossed, the wines have been toasted and our dear good bye's have been said. Now, it's time for us to move forward into a world we've been waiting for so long! The real life, the real world, to find a job!

Exciting at it may sound (being all that "I'm finally free" feeling inside of you), the challenge of even getting yourself that first job interview is like finding a needle in a haystack! Well at least there's always a way to everything! And I want to share some tips in building up your best ticket to find a job...

A brief, well written, clean, and concise resume.

DISCLAIMER:

I'm not saying that this would guarantee you to land on a job, but this can help you organize your resume.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE: RESUME VS. CV

A Resume is a brief (NOT more than one to two page) summary of your skills, experience, and education. While a Curriculum Vitae or CV includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers may expect to receive a curriculum vitae.

WHY USE A RESUME? WHY NOT A CV?

My reason is "simplicity". In today's age of technological feats, time is the most expensive and most valued resource. Therefore, as HR Managers continue to value time, it is also important that we, as applicants should adapt to such circumstances. I guarantee you that putting up your resume won't land you on a job, but it lets you take a huge leap from no one to someone whom they'd put their time on for a chance of an interview.

WHAT RELEVANT INFORMATION SHOULD I INCLUDE?

According to the inforgraph above, I listed the four major things that are needed to be highlighted for your resume.

1. BASIC INFORMATION
2. WORK EXPERIENCE
3. EDUCATION
4. SKILLS
5. REFERENCES
6. EXPECTED SALARY

Here's a version of my resume for your reference.

HR managers nowadays are looking for candidates with relevant information. Some of which receives if not thousands, at least hundreds of resumes every single day. Getting your resume noticed would not only increase your chances of being on their list but also a step closer to getting that job as well.

How about you? What's inside your resume? Do you feel it's crowded with too much information? Or is it lacking with substance?

Feel free to comment below!

Matthew 7:7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Job Search: Glassdoor

Job Search: Glassdoor

In an age where information is abundant, it is important that we look for the right information at the right place. Specially when were looking for information regarding a job or a company that we want to work for. 

In my search to find useful information regarding companies I wanted to work for, I ended up with Glassdoor.

What is Glassdoor?

Quoting directly from their website, Glassdoor is the world's most transparent career community that is changing the way people find jobs, and companies recruit top talent.

And it totally makes sense! Why? Simply because it is the home to a database of at least 6 million company reviews, CEO approval ratings, salary reports, interview reviews and questions, office photos and more.

And all of this information comes from the most trusted source - their employees. Yes, you heard it right, straight from their employees. Think of it as a notebook, full of testimonies towards their companies.

So why Glassdoor?

As I have mentioned, we are living in an age where information is abundant and that people are not afraid to express themselves in ways we couldn't have imagined before. And now that it is readily available at a touch of a finger, we should be utilizing it in its full potential. Glassdoor gives you a glimpse of what's in store for you! Not only that, it gives you information explicitly like company culture, salary benchmarks, etc.

Want to know more about a company you'd love to work for? Then don't waste your time, learn more about them! Prepare for than interview! 

Be informed!

Genesis 11:6
And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

Let's balance 'em eggs up!

Let's balance 'em up!
Dragon Boat Festival Style!

Yeah! Today was the first day of our race and guess what? We're moving forward to round two! Party on! Say what? Hope that we can advance further to Semi-Finals!

NCKU-IIMBA Dragon Boat team 2014

But, did you know that other than the race itself, one of the most important traditions during Dragon Boat festival involves balancing eggs? You heard me right! Eggs... Balancing eggs! According to Taiwanese tradition, Egg Balancing would bring good luck and fortune! Moreover, this has been a popular craze all over the world!

Quoting from Ms. Ottavia Huang's Blog, during the dragon boat festival, the pull of gravity tends to be at its strongest during the position of Earth in respect with the Sun in our solar system.

Solar Solstice (This year's June 1st-2nd)

This phenomena however has been proven to have no significant connection in the Earth's position. They mentioned that it's solely due to the mood and concentration of the one who balances the egg and that the eggs may be balanced any time of the year.

My good friend Otta's egg balancing activity

Why keep on doing it then if it's proven already that there's not scientific fact behind it? Well, it's fun! Balancing those eggs can be a huge challenge! really! Moreover, it's about the tradition! It wouldn't hurt anyone to actually try it and even receive good luck and fortune, right?

So here's what we will do! I'll give you a chance to win a 500 NTD Carrefour Gift check  by posting a photo of yourself and as many eggs balanced as possible! Yes, a selfie with all those eggs you've balanced!

Rules and Regulations:

1. Everyone can join the competition however the winner will only be for people who are in Taiwan.

2. Take a photo of yourself together with as many eggs as possible tomorrow at exactly 12:00 noon.

3. Post it on Facebook with #Balancingemeggsup and tagging my name Aldrin Perez Atienza as well as this blog.

4. The person who got the highest number of standing eggs on June 2nd will win the prize.

So what are you waiting for? Train yourself! Prepare! And Balance 'em eggs up!

CREDITS to Ms. Ottavia Huang's blog for all photos and information!

Working in Taiwan: For Foreigners

Working in Taiwan: For Foreigners

My blog's been up now for 3 months now and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking a moment of your time to read my articles. I will do my best to keep on updating my blog for as much as I can for your viewing entertainment! I hope that you are learning a lot from the things that I have posted in this blog.

More importantly, however, one of my friends asked a very important question: Have you done a post about working in Taiwan as a Foreigner/Filipino? And, honestly speaking, nope, not even once, which was actually weird since this is a blog that highlights my experience in Taiwan as a foreign professional. Therefore, thanks to Ms. Amy Hubbard, I have prepared a very nice article for everyone especially for those who are aspiring to work here in Taiwan.

TYPES OF WORKERS IN TAIWAN

Basically, there are two types of workers in Taiwan namely the Blue collared and the White collared workers. Blue collar workers are skilled laborers or foreigners working as household helpers or factory workers and are working under a binding contract of a specific time period. On the other hand, White collar workers are foreigners working in a specialized or technical work.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

So, I heard that you really want to work in Taiwan. Here you go! I've prepared an infograph just for you! The infograph below dictates information and requirements if you would like to work here in Taiwan. I'll give a brief explanation for each block right after the infograph. NOTE: If you want a copy fo the Inforgraph, just send me a message or place a comment below!

WAYS OF LANDING A JOB IN TAIWAN

There are different ways in order for you to land a job here in Taiwan. The most common among all of them would be graduating from a legitimate Degree program here in Taiwan. There's a ton of universities here in Taiwan that offers scholarships for a 2 year MA or MBA degree. After graduation, the government of Taiwan then gives you the opportunity to be hired by letting you stay in Taiwan for 6 more additional months. 

Been there, done that? Well try checking some online job searching sites such as 104.com.tw, 1111.com.tw (Yes, they are all numbers) and Orseek.com.tw. These websites are popular job search engines here in Taiwan. However, take note that 104 and 1111 are all in Mandarin. I suggest that you either ask help from a friend who can read and write in Chinese but if you don't, then Google translate can assist you but it may not be as good as you think.

IMPORTANT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Of course, it's important that as a foreign worker that you know your rights, and equally important, your requirements. Your company must sponsor your ARC or Alien Residence card as per Taiwan government regulations. In order for the process to proceed, you must supply your employer with the following documents:

1. Highest Degree Diploma

2. Recent 2x2 Photo (according to Taiwan regulations)

3. Proof of Residency / Rent Contract

Your employer will print a copy of your contract and then apply for a work permit for you. After receiving the work permit, you should then proceed and apply for your ARC.

Now, let's talk about Salary! According to regulations, the minimum salary for Foreigners in Taiwan is 47,971 NTD. However, it should be clear that there are certain exemptions and this includes the salary for Research Assistants (Bachelors 31,250 NTD & Masters 36,050 NTD) as well as graduates from universities in Taiwan (37,619 NTD, Yes, if you finished your masters, that is the minimum wage according to the law). Take note that all deductions such as Tax and health insurances are excluded and are allowed to be deducted from your salary. It depends upon your skills in negotiation and experience on how you would be able to work things out.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, TIPS, AND CONCLUSION

It's been two years now since I became a part of the workforce here in Taiwan. And I must say, it is a feat that I am really proud of. We all know that we are away from our families and that living alone takes the best out of us. Experiencing rejection (at least 85% of the time) was probably that something that I will always remember from my experience here in Taiwan. I didn't work in the corporate world right away to tell you the truth. I think not every one knows. I was a Cram School teacher for a year right after MBA. However, being a Filipino that I am, I was rejected by almost every single Cram school employer out there, except for one! I received a phone call one day and he said "Why don't we try and see first, then I'll decide". To cut it short, I got the job and I became an English Cram school teacher! And I am very proud to be one! Because I learned that educating children is something that I can hold on to forever. I was able to make a difference in those kids lives.

But I had to move forward. I was hungry for more! I started throwing my CV's everywhere in 104 and in 1111. However, to no avail, I always face either of the two situations: A. My Chinese was not enough and/or B. The salary offered was way too low. I guess this connects to the tips that I could share to everyone who's reading this article right now.

TIP 1: Never give up! Just keep sending out those CVs!

TIP 2: Never lose hope! Hope is something that keeps you going!

TIP 3: Never give in! Don't you ever accept a low salary! It's your right!

TIP 4: Lastly, never tie yourself in Taiwan if you really couldn't find one.

My experience in Taiwan has been a life changing experience. It gave me a broader horizon and numerous opportunities. I guess this is one reason why I started this blog. I guess I want other people to have that life changing experience as well and grow as an individual. I sincerely invite you to come here in Taiwan and experience the Life of an Expat!

Genesis 12:1
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.