Obviously Written How To Land your First Job [Part 5] (05.22.10)
reading my contract over and over. I didn't care back then and good
thing my mom is there to clear the clauses included in my contract so
as I won't mess up and do something stupid. She acted like my personal
lawyer together with my dad ensuring that their first daughter don't
recklessly sign a contract to sell herself to the devil. I didn't even
remember now what were the benefits the HR told me about.
Lesson 4 The Confusing World of Job-Hunting
When I was younger I only know of being hired by a certain company to
work. I didn't know that that is what they call a 'direct hire'.
Usually in this form of work, you get full benefits of whatever
company you are in, healthcare, bonuses, trainings, etc. You can even
have an ID with the company's initial on it. Most often when hired
here, make sure that the company is stable for in cases when it goes
bankrupt you have no choice but to pack your bags and move on. It's
okay if the company is huge and you have long years of tenure to have
accumulated a separation pay that will bloat your current assets. But
if not, well. Too bad.
Then there are agencies.
They deploy you to other companies but are in the agency's payroll.
They also get a cut off of what you are earning. Government mandates
that the 'sharing' is 70/40 (I think), BUT since the government rarely
checks on what a company does unless they are the ones being cheated
on (government) it is not far to say that some companies are extremely
greedy they are just milking you for what you deserve. Beware of this
fresh produce. They MAY give you benefits and all but be very aware
with their conditions. Some agencies are better off than others so
better do your research.
Consultancy are almost the same with agencies that they deploy 'their'
employees elsewhere. Most for consulting firms cater
contractual/renewal forms of jobs. If you are in the field of IT, the
best thing I know of this is either they get also a cut off of your
negotiated salary or the company you are to be deployed gets a
separate form of pay so you'd get your asking rate all for yourself. I
am not exactly sure with the exact difference of agency and
consultancy firms but most often a company with a tag of consultancy
gets pissed off when you call them an agency. I, however, don't know
the difference.
Headhunters are people who usually does the looking for you and they
are like cupids who hook you up to a certain company. This is where
network comes in. If you get to have friends who knows head hunters,
most likely that when they call you, no one knows the job opening
other than you and a select few. What I understood from this from an
experienced officemate is that they get some one time commission in
referring you to a huge company and the only way for you to be in
touch with them is if they find you.
Agencies, consultancies and headhunters
are really good to keep in contacts because through them you can get
in touch with most companies who don't exactly post their job
openings. Surely you won't get the direct hire everyone likes, but it
keeps you updated on possible places where you can work. Direct hire I
think is best if you really want to settle for a long term to retire
type of work while the rest can give you experiences in as little time
as possible. Just imagine that if every 6 months you can get to
different companies thru contractual basis, you have already build up
your CV. And by that time that you decides to be direct hire, it may
become much more easier for you to land that dream job.
Speaking of contractual, it can go on as 3 months, most often it's 6
months, and you are lucky if you get more. This is usually renewed if
the company still thinks you are of use to them. So once you feel like
your immediate boss gets cranky whenever you are around, try job
hunting as early as you can. For direct hires, usually you don't get
to be a regular employee not until after your 6 months of stay.
Some companies also have bonds. Often it is a contract for 2-3 years
and that you are not allowed to resign unless you are willing to pay a
specific amount. It can be as low as 30000 to as much as 200000k.
Pro-rated (correct me if I'm wrong) is when a company decreases that
amount depending on how long you have already stayed. But most
companies who issue bonds are wise to not impose this, making you stay
as stated in your contract.
If you don't really like to be tied up to a bond try to avoid this.
But if you ask me, bond is more than an assurance for you for them not
to expel you anytime they want especially if the job offer is really
good.
For job offers, it is not just the salary that you fix your eyes on.
Try to look for the following when looking at an ad or asking with the
HR:
1. Tax. Most often when a company requires you to a tax, there is a
huge possibility that that is a legal company. You are ought to see
this in your payslip and in that form I forgot what is it called that
you can request from your HR to know if they are really in behalf of
you, paying your taxes to the government.
2. Nth month pays. The furthest so far that I know off is a company
that issues up to 22nd month pay. I won't tell you what that company
is but they are only just generous at those times according to my
source but not the entire year.
3. Healthcare. As much as you believe that you don't need it, an
Annual Physical Exam can assure that you are in your tip top shape
before something inevitable happens.
4. Trainings. Some companies are generous in giving trainings for
employees that not only would you get a day off but you are entitled
to a free training of additional knowledge. They mostly have free
lunch at trainings too yey!
5. Other perks. Like Christmas bonuses, free trips and the likes. You
sure are lucky when you encounter this. But don't be assuming with
this part though. This is just optional and don't expect all companies
give this.
From our previous lessons you may have already found yourself what
kind of job you are possible to apply to. And the moment that you are
really sure of a company, send in your CV but don't be fixated on just
one yet. Go and send to all of your possible choices and see what
comes from there. Try to wait a week or two before any replies. If you
have a certain company you really want and hasn't contacted you yet,
try sending your CV a second time and wait again. And when someone
contacts you, surely it will involve an exam and an interview. Not
sure what to do with that? Well read on to our next lesson to learn
more!
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