Friday, October 31, 2008

Of Job Market

With my final paper on 20 Nov, i'll then wait impatiently for my results, scheduled to be released on 11 Dec 2008, which would mark the end of my pursue for my Bachelor of Commerce with double majors in Advertising and Marketing.

At a time of poor economic performance, the value of a part-time degree might not be fully utilised, as companies freeze headcount and try various means to reduce overheads..

In any organisation, costs are usually the main factors that affects the profitabilty of a business. Manpower cost are among the highest investments in a business, right up there with rentals and equipment(fixed assets) costs.

A hawker, for example, would worry about making enough money to pay for the store rental, fixed assets like that fridge, wok and plates are incurred as once-off. Variable cost, in the form of raw food, sauces and water raises and falls with different sales figures..if he employs someone to serve the plates, its a good 500-800 bucks.. manpower cost are high

In times like this, most companies have frozen headcount, meaning zero new employees.. if people start resigning, going for maternity leave or sorts, they are unlikely to be replaced.. this means that if workload stays the same, the remaining staff will be expected to work more for the same pay (could be lower if bonuses are not given)

comparatively, workers who are overloaded and underpaid are more likely to leave the company, but when the economy sucks, people are cautious that they might not find something better, so they stay and put up with the shit

In short, its a bad bad time to be job hunting

I'm in situation whereby my current job with E is ending in Feb09.. E serves client V, and in feb08 when i interview at both E and V, V mentioned about offering me a job when my current contract ends with E

E = MNC, more generalist work, highly educated workforce thats young and friendly
V = Subsidiary of a big local company, mixed departments with people who can be quite erm.. erm

So while E is my preferred employer, the complications are many, time are bad and its evident that E has gotten fewer jobs although there was a sharp increase in headcount over the last 3 months. An offer, if any, is also likely to be within boundaries (Recap: they didn't pay me what i wanted previously, would they do now?)

V on the other hand, is more likely to be able to pay slightly better, i'm fine working with the Deputy GM of V but i have some qualms operating under a certain manager that i would be reporting to should i then join V

Finally, there's always an escape route that i join a totally different place. But then, the short and long of it is..

In short, its a bad bad time to be job hunting

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