Periscope
Fight for talent
by Dawn Law
Competition in the job market is intense for university graduates and young people, as both companies and employment seekers say they look for the best possible match.
Positions of management trainees, like government administrative officers, which provide good starting salary, training and promotion prospects, are among the jobs most sought after by graduates.
Sarah Lee Sze-wah, a year-three biochemistry student who is going to graduate this year, said she grasped every chance to get closer to her ideal job. She applied for management trainee positions with big companies such as the MTR Corporation, Sun Hung Kai Properties and Sino Group.
"I don't like finance or any numerical jobs, so simply I will not apply for them," Miss Lee said. "I think it is important that the company and I can match each other well." She now has got a job offer from the MTR's management trainee programme.
Samuel Li Chung-kwong, a 27-year-old customer service duty manager trainee of Jardine Airport Services Limited, said the government and the private sector were looking for similar talents. He was one of the five people hired for the management trainee programme provided by the Jardine Matheson Group in 2005.
"I applied to some other companies like Hang Seng Bank and Cathay Pacific Airways as well as for the position of administrative officer in the government.
Indeed, the recruitment procedures of aptitude test, written tests and interviews," Mr Li said.
To win a good job, only performing well in the tests is not adequate. A right match between the job seeker and the company is also significant, Mr Li said.
"Whether you can fit into the culture of the company does affect your job performance, satisfaction and career development," the management trainee said. "Other than salary, you should also consider your own interest."
Employers have similar concerns. Iris Cheng, manager of career development at the MTR, said it would be better if the candidates were firm with their career aspiration.
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