Why is it so impossible to get a job without the RIGHT SKILLS?

[dancemania]

If you are in the mid-40's and hold a degree but it is extremely difficult to get an admin job. Lots of people would say, this is unbelievable but it is true. It has been found that some employers ask- have you done travel arrangement, SAP system, Powerpoint etc. If you have not done any of these in your previous jobs, no one is willing to offer you the job. Even temp jobs all require relevant skills too so it is difficult to get a temp job too even you want to try something new or gain new skills.


Would you upgrade your skills? Say, do a diploma in HR, marketing or others -WSQ? No point right? If there is no opportunity to get into the workplace, how are you going to do progress or do anything?

 

[donut88]

If you are in the mid-40's and hold a degree but it is extremely difficult to get an admin job. Lots of people would say, this is unbelievable but it is true. It has been found that some employers ask- have you done travel arrangement, SAP system, Powerpoint etc. If you have not done any of these in your previous jobs, no one is willing to offer you the job. Even temp jobs all require relevant skills too so it is difficult to get a temp job too even you want to try something new or gain new skills.

Would you upgrade your skills? Say, do a diploma in HR, marketing or others -WSQ? No point right? If there is no opportunity to get into the workplace, how are you going to do progress or do anything?

It's all depends on what kind of job looking for.

 

[Bukitimah]

It is not always about not being able to land a job but rather meeting expectations. The fact you are invited for an interview, shows you do meet certain criteria. They are either looking for a best fit or you are just expecting too much.

However, try not to enter into an arrangement you are not comfortable. To change the situation after you have accepted, it is more difficult than looking for another job. Know your base line.

 

[kandinsky]

You could try searching specifically for job ads with the phrase 'training provided'?

Example:

The Role:

Shipment booking and documentation preparation
Build good rapport with customers
Work closely with internal departments to fulfill customers’ orders
Any other tasks as assigned by superior
Computer literate
Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Able to start work at short notice, an advantage
On job training will be provided
5.5 days work

http://www.stjobs.sg/singapore-jobs/training+provided-jobs-search

I would imagine companies also generally consider someone who is 'overqualified' for the job as unsuitable for the job. Perhaps they think such an employee is more likely to get bored/dissatisfied and leave soon, or eventually come to think the work is beneath them, or more likely to ask for a raise, or may affect morale of existing staff with the minimum qualifications, etc...

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs...rs-dont-want-to-hire-overqualified-candidates

 

[Foxshade]

I do not know how to put it nicely, but in my day to day work I do encounter many IT request that pissed me off.

Example, a secretary of some VIP, asked me to help with her report formatting in MS word, or how to insert movie into her powerpoint slides. I mean, it feels like your classmate ask you to spoonfeed with his/her homework. Wtf?

I don't mind accounts asking me to help with her spreadsheet with some 3-5 lines of formula that gives me headache after solving it. It definitely feels like it is beyond account staff capability, since it requires some logic and math taught in IT schools.

I am trying not to sound heartless, but the fact is, if one is not fully "equipped" to do the job, he/she bound to increase other people's workload unnecessarily.

Or can a newbie ask what's the relationship between ISO and aperture? Anyone care to explain without asking that bugger to do search?

 

[brapodam]

I do not know how to put it nicely, but in my day to day work I do encounter many IT request that pissed me off.

Example, a secretary of some VIP, asked me to help with her report formatting in MS word, or how to insert movie into her powerpoint slides. I mean, it feels like your classmate ask you to spoonfeed with his/her homework. Wtf?

I don't mind accounts asking me to help with her spreadsheet with some 3-5 lines of formula that gives me headache after solving it. It definitely feels like it is beyond account staff capability, since it requires some logic and math taught in IT schools.

I am trying not to sound heartless, but the fact is, if one is not fully "equipped" to do the job, he/she bound to increase other people's workload unnecessarily.

Or can a newbie ask what's the relationship between ISO and aperture? Anyone care to explain without asking that bugger to do search?

I don't think TS is complaining about meeting basic requirements/having some basic knowledge on how to use common applications. Things like SAP system, it's not like any normal person will use at home and be familiar with it.

 

[Kit]

I see a chicken and egg thing going on here. Many businesses are facing difficulties in hiring the right people for their jobs. Then we have job hunters lamenting that they were not given opportunities.

 

[Foxshade]

I don't think TS is complaining about meeting basic requirements/having some basic knowledge on how to use common applications. Things like SAP system, it's not like any normal person will use at home and be familiar with it.

SAP is just an ERP system which is tailored around business functions and operations.

SAP can be around for many companies, but how the company implement the SAP around its' business is different from one another. There will be slightly different documentation in each company of how to go about certain biz process with SAP.

I've seen SAP which includes the company IT helpdesk, I've seen SAP used solely for purchasers, although IT is supporting it, the helpdesk is out of SAP. So, it is not that scarry. One just need to learn how the biz process and procedure going, and translate that into what button to click, which menu to select.

If TS is talking about administering a SAP system, well, for that you need a certification. It's not for any tom dick and harry IT guy can handle full fledged SAP system. TS is not looking for IT post in administering SAP right?

 

[ronniegogs]

Well its hard to get a job without right skills cause of Logic. Job is given to people based on skills. You cant hire someone based on just normal degree as there are always candidates who would have the skill for the position. People normally specialize in a certain career skills as they work. Takes years to get certain skills and that's the value associated with it. The more specialized you are the more you will be in demand. Admin jobs also require more skills nowadays however its still a general job so their are far more candidates trying for the job. So unless you have some skill which separates you from the crowd its hard. Its just the nature of world no skill no job simple.

 

[dancemania]

SAP is just an ERP system which is tailored around business functions and operations.

SAP can be around for many companies, but how the company implement the SAP around its' business is different from one another. There will be slightly different documentation in each company of how to go about certain biz process with SAP.

I've seen SAP which includes the company IT helpdesk, I've seen SAP used solely for purchasers, although IT is supporting it, the helpdesk is out of SAP. So, it is not that scarry. One just need to learn how the biz process and procedure going, and translate that into what button to click, which menu to select.

If TS is talking about administering a SAP system, well, for that you need a certification. It's not for any tom dick and harry IT guy can handle full fledged SAP system. TS is not looking for IT post in administering SAP right?

No, I'm not looking to administer the SAP sytem.

 

[dancemania]

Well its hard to get a job without right skills cause of Logic. Job is given to people based on skills. You cant hire someone based on just normal degree as there are always candidates who would have the skill for the position. People normally specialize in a certain career skills as they work. Takes years to get certain skills and that's the value associated with it. The more specialized you are the more you will be in demand. Admin jobs also require more skills nowadays however its still a general job so their are far more candidates trying for the job. So unless you have some skill which separates you from the crowd its hard. Its just the nature of world no skill no job simple.

Are you implying that this is the END of work life in the office? Should I go into Retail then?

 

[ronniegogs]

Are you implying that this is the END of work life in the office? Should I go into Retail then?

Personally I am not a big fan of retail. Hard working hours and quite tiring.
I would suggest to look for start-ups and smaller SME companies. Companies requiring SAP or ERP experience are usually bigger companies. Gain experience and gradually move ahead if you want to work in office 9-5 jobs.

 

[dancemania]

Personally I am not a big fan of retail. Hard working hours and quite tiring.
I would suggest to look for start-ups and smaller SME companies. Companies requiring SAP or ERP experience are usually bigger companies. Gain experience and gradually move ahead if you want to work in office 9-5 jobs.

I am not a retail fan either but it seems like no choice. However, if no one gives you an opportunity, you will go broke at this rate. Giving tuition is not my cup of tea either and not easy to.

Did you know that start-ups/ small companies that are expanding are rather fussy to? They want someone experienced (knows everything person- HR/Accounts included). So that's even worse.

As for SAP, they are more willing to teach the newbie rather than the older folks.

 

[Foxshade]

As for SAP, they are more willing to teach the newbie rather than the older folks.

This is very true, unfortunately.

Although I did encounter few seniors who are IT savvy although not IT trained. Some are even better than youngsters.

However these people are very few, hence the blanket treatment for all older folks.

 

[donut88]

Are you implying that this is the END of work life in the office? Should I go into Retail then?

I don't know what kind of admin work u really looking for.

Not every admin need to do SAP. and SAP is in any system these days. All are customised. Sometimes, the user doesn't even know he's using SAP in a particular system.

Can I ask, during the interview, did u answer the question on SAP system knowledge?

 

[Foxshade]

Not every admin need to do SAP. and SAP is in any system these days. All are customised. Sometimes, the user doesn't even know he's using SAP in a particular system.

Can I ask, during the interview, did u answer the question on SAP system knowledge?

True, true...

Just tell them that SAP is just an ERP system. One company's implementation would not be the same as other. This especially true, when biz process is so unique that requires many SAP customization.

Whether you are experienced in SAP or not is quite irrelevant since at the end of the day you still need ot learn how the SAP is tailored around the company's business process.



============

... and try to avoid this fact that it would be easier for you to learn if you had SAP experience before, since the interface is so standard n boring no matter the amount of customization being put in.... ;p

But if you answer it with confidence, there's a chance they forget this fact. The main thing is you get the job n we all go lim kopi right?

 

[BBTM]

If I completed my trip n for a month, I been to 15 hotels, I can try to apply for a hotel manager or higher post with those knowledge. Heh heh!

 

[-120-]

It is not always about not being able to land a job but rather meeting expectations. The fact you are invited for an interview, shows you do meet certain criteria. They are either looking for a best fit or you are just expecting too much.

However, try not to enter into an arrangement you are not comfortable. To change the situation after you have accepted, it is more difficult than looking for another job. Know your base line.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[dancemania]

I don't know what kind of admin work u really looking for.

Not every admin need to do SAP. and SAP is in any system these days. All are customised. Sometimes, the user doesn't even know he's using SAP in a particular system.

Can I ask, during the interview, did u answer the question on SAP system knowledge?

Actually, I am only looking for a office admin job.

One interviewer asked whether I have SAP knowledge and I said no but am willing to learn. Some recruitment agents also ask this question but tell me no SAP no can do.HA!HA!

 

[kandinsky]

Even temp jobs all require relevant skills too so it is difficult to get a temp job too even you want to try something new or gain new skills.

Actually, I am only looking for a office admin job.

Tried the link I posted? I see a couple of temp admin jobs which state "No experience required, training provided".

Requirements
GCE "O" Level (3 credits including English) / A Level / Diploma
Entry level applicants are welcome to apply
Good communication skills, proficiency in second language is an advantage
Meticulous individual who is able to work in organized manner
Able to commit for at least 3 months
Singapore Citizens preferred
5 days work, office hour
Islandwide location, near MRT
Training provided, good benefits
Various durations catered to different availability (3 months / long term / contract / permanent)

http://www.stjobs.sg/3-5mth-long-te...elcome-training-provided-job/view-job/1198032

Job Description

Data entry and filing
Photocopying and reply to emails
Handling of phone calls
Handling administrative duties as required
Assist in all other ad-hoc duties
Job Requirements

Min Qualification: GCE A Level/ Diploma Holder
No working experiences needed as on the job training will be provided
Able to commit at least 3 months
Candidate who is able to commit within a short notice will be preferred

http://www.stjobs.sg/admin-assistan...tant-5-days-office-hours-job/view-job/1208865

Duties:

Provide administrative support to the department, and help with accounting duties
Verify invoices and handle petty cash
Data entry into the system
Filing, scanning and other adhoc duties


Job Requirements:

Minimum GCE 'O' / 'A' level or diploma in any discipline
No experience is required
On-job training provided

http://www.stjobs.sg/contract-admin...-mths-up-to-9-hr-ref-jmc-job/view-job/1208856