How to Start Job Hunting?

 Career, finding a new job, fresh entry into job market are the key concerns for many. I have been mentoring on this subject for long and have also written many articles.

Recently, I received the following email from a young lad:

Just read your blog “How to Build A Career Path?” It is an excellent piece of advice for all job seekers. Thanks a lot sir:) Your efforts to help people especially youth are commendable!

Having said that I would like to mention that I am already very clear about my aim to join FMCG finance and I am targeting Unilever, Nestle and P&G. The problem however is that inspite of 5 months of search and asking people from Unilever, Nestle etc I haven’t got very clear reply to the following queries:

1. How to make myself a perfect candidate for job in FMCG finance, given the fact that ACCA’s holders face stiff competition from MBA finance and CA’s. (I am not saying that ACCA’s are more competent or less competent as compared to CA’s or MBA’s, but when I put myself in the shoes of recruiter, I can see that I have a choice of employing either an ACCA, or CA or MBA finance)

2. If they don’t hire fresh ACCA’s what kind of work experience they want?
a) big four audit firm or any audit firm?
b) duration of experience required prior to applying?
c) internship in companies like Unilever, P&G etc
d) internship in local companies like Tapal, Shan foods etc

3. what level of knowledge is required of ms excel and sap?

4. what soft skills to specially focus on for development?

FOLLOWING is my response which I am sure will help many!

Dear Mr ACCA. Following guidelines will help:

1. Do not focus on companies that get tons of applications. There are 180 multinational companies in Pakistan, but there are 50,000 SECP registered Pakistani companies too, and a number of these companies are pretty good. So make a list, I would suggest your list should have 250 potential companies. Use KSE Listed companies. Expand your horizon.

2. You need to stand-out amongst the crowd. Crowd is those applicants that are of similar qualifications, looking for similar opportunities and live in the same city. No one can tell you how to stand-out; you need to use your imagination. Offer things that your competitors can’t. Your CV needs to reflect something uncommon if you can become expert user in QuickBook or SAP, that would be great. Be creative, not in design, but in content.

3. Check which companies hire ACCAs.  I know that finance jobs on Rozee.pk prefer ACCAs. So join Rozee.pk. Speak to seniors and ask them the trick to join the stream.

4. Internship is a nice way to enter the job market. Yes, I support the idea. I have seen that most supervisors consider interns as burden. Select a progressive company so that you learn. Company should have a road map for interns. If not, ask for one.

5. Find who is who in your network. Use linkedin, facebook friends. Tap into hidden job market and follow twitter trends for #Jobs #Pakistan. Use ACCA network. I am sure the help you can get from your own ACCA community, others can’t offer.

6. Soft Skills are all human skills. You should be able to speak well, write well, and present your case well. etc.