JOB ADS HAVE NO FINE PRINT

In many legal and commercial documents there is always the fine print often written in very small font. Many ignore this and later get caught. Job advertisements are also commercial documents. When you read it and submit your application you are agreeing to enter into a contract with the employer if and when you get the job. But the point I want to raise here is the fact that job advertisements do not have fine prints. They are very explicit about who and what they want from you. Yet many migrants don’t comply and fail to respond appropriately.

I recently advertised for a position. The advertisement made it very clear what the position was and applicants were asked to submit a cover letter and a CV. I received around 65 applications and over 95% of the applicants were migrants. Sadly more than 50% did NOT send me a cover letter. And a large percentage sent me their general CVs.

What does this sort of response tell me the employer? The applicants failed to read the advertisement carefully or they don’t understand simple English. Or they are so desperate that they fail to follow simple instructions. If they can’t follow instructions now, how will they perform if I gave them the job?

In the Bible there is a verse that says: “Which of you, if the son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” How come when the employer is so specific about something, some give the opposite or nothing? And then wonders why one didn’t get the job.

So the next time you read a job advertisement don’t go looking for the fine print. There is none. Just read and follow what is blatantly obvious and respond accordingly. You have a better chance of getting on the “Yes” pile.

Migrants can survive anywhere

Earlier this month I went to Vienna (Austria) and Bordeaux (France). After some 30 hours in the plane I arrived in Vienna city and went looking for some food. Being in a strange country, I decided to check out something familiar and found a Burger King Restaurant. At the counter I saw several migrant workers, one looked very Indian and so I spoke to her in English, she replied to me in an unknown language. “Do you speak English”, I asked. She said “Yes”. When I asked her what language she spoke earlier, she said “Deutsch” meaning German. I was impressed to learn about a Bangla Deshi lady having the fluent ability to converse in the language spoken in Vienna.

In Bordeaux, I encountered many migrants of African and Chinese ethnicity speaking fluent French. I felt somewhat isolated and alien as I could not speak either of these languages

The good news is, migrants can survive anywhere and be successful in their chosen vocation, be it a Burger King sales person or an air hostess. I was still able to communicate with my French taxi driver by sign language and a few French and English words that I wanted to be taken to the airport. When I wanted to know what the fare was, he simply wrote the value on a piece of paper. We bid adieu at the airport never to see each other again.

What I realised is the power of words to communicate meaning, to establish rapport and to ensure appropriate outcomes. It is best expressed in one's native language or the vernacular.

What impressed me most was the versatility of migrants wherever they chose to emigrate to. While the native French taxi driver said “Non” when I asked in broken French, “Parlez vous Anglaise?”; The migrant lady at the Burger King spoke English, German and several Indian dialects!

Cheers migrants, you can do anything!

Who in the world am I?

Everybody want’s to become somebody. Many migrants have problems defining what that somebody is. Culturally migrants are often coy about talking about themselves. Others believe that their Karma will define their future and they have very little say in the matter. In my many years of teaching migrants, I have found that many migrants are not really sure what their goal is or what exactly they want to be. Yes, I want a good job, good pay and a good status. Come on, be more specific. Does good pay mean $15 per hour or $50 per hour?

What exactly would you be doing in 3 years from now? Where exactly do you want to take your career path in the next 5 years? Lewis Caroll said, “If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s a great puzzle” - Lewis Caroll. To be explicit about your future you need to first of all know who you are and understand your strengths and weaknesses. At the job interview you will be asked questions relating to your goals and your personal attributes – good and bad. Have you got your answers for these?

If you have never seriously asked yourself these questions then it is about time you looked at yourself in the mirror and self reflect. Talk to your close friend and ask him or her what they think your qualities are. Think ahead and write down your goals. Are they realistic, can you really achieve them? What should you do now in order to realise your goals or how would you turn your weaknesses into strengths?

I started as a factory worker making rubbish bags. I had no option then because I needed the money to survive. But I had a clear goal before me to reach the heights as a successful manager. Today I work as the General Manager for the world’s most used wine search engine. Blood, toils and tears got me here.

Looking back I can see my footprints from the valley below. My journey is unique. You cannot be me but you can reach the heights like me, only if you know who you are and where exactly you want to go. Faith in your self and your creator will get you there.

The Power of Pride

Pride is a virtue as well as a sin. It all depends on how pride is used. There is no harm is expressing your pride for something you have achieved. You can walk tall when you go up the stage to be awarded your gold medal.

Earlier this year I flew to Brisbane, Australia for my capping. As I sat with several hundred graduands I reflected on the three years I slogged to study while working full-time. That day was the culmination of my dedication to the task and at last I was proud to reap the rewards of my labour when I shook the Vice Chancellor’s hand and gained my Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics.

Migrants are proud people when it comes to educational and career achievements. In many cultures education and job title gives tremendous status and power. The paper certificate is often the ticket to ones future and employment. But when migrants enter another country they often find that their certificates and past positions do not command the same power, authority or status. They feel deflated and disillusioned and “demand” recognition at the interview. But this backfires.

I have seen far too often that migrants who hold such pride don’t get too far in a new country. The power of pride now has the power to destroy their career prospects. Unless one is willing to swallow ones’ pride and start afresh or start at a lower rung, one could be severely constrained. I was once a victim of this pride syndrome until I realised that my pride in the past was the impediment to my career in the new country of my choice. I then decided to choose the lowest rung on the employment ladder and within a very short time I was climbing mountains!

How proud are you? Are you willing to forego your status, your caste, your past position and be now proud to start at ground zero if you have to?

Would you agree with me about my point about the power of pride to make you or break you? Send me a note by clicking on the comments button below.

Migrants Migraine

Talk about headaches, they can be mild or severe. But migraines are the worst type of headaches and can almost disable a person to the extent the sufferer wants to find a dark place to hide and lie down (sometimes wishing to be dead).

I personally know of a number of my migrant friends who feel they have a perpetual migraine. Not that they physically suffer this pain but emotionally feel they want to hide from everyone because of the stress and their rejection by employers who send them the regular “unfortunately you were not successful…” letters. Despite many attempts they seem to get nowhere because of the walls put in front of them. I know of one migrant who has chosen a reclusive life and feels suicidal at times. Life is one big migraine!

You take headache tablets to relieve your pain but is there a cure for migrants’ migraine? The good news is, yes! There is a cure and a way out. Here are some remedies:

Find a friend – Find another migrant who has travelled your road before and succeeded. Find out what and how that person got rid of his pain and stress. Learn from him or her and try some of their ideas.

Find help – There are many groups, agencies and social services resources available to you. Ask your doctor, your neighbour, your teacher to help and guide you to the right place and get help.

Find fellowship – When you feel like hiding and dying, you need the warmth, love and understanding of others. So you need to pluck the courage to get up and join a small group of people who can edify you. Your local church is a great start. Join a club, a hobby group, sports group or any group that uplifts you. Get out of the group of friends who are all as depressed as you are.

Find a job – any job will do. You need a break to rebuild your self esteem and self-worth. So go to the local supermarket, petrol station, café or your local library. Tell them you will take on any job even if the pay is low. If they say they have no vacancies, tell them you will work for free for a few weeks.

Find yourself – If you tried some of these things I have suggested, you will soon discover what a great person you are. Others will also tell you what a great worker and skilled person you are. Your self confidence and dignity will return and you are on the road to freedom and success.

Are you a migrant with such a migraine? Do you agree with anything I have said here? Will my ideas and tips work for you? Have you tried any of these? Let me know by clicking the “Comments” button below.

I once suffered from this massive migrant’s migraine. Today I am the General Manager of a very successful Internet Company. I practised what I have preached here and that is how I succeeded. You can say goodbye to your Migrant’s Migraine.