Career advice
Curated writing from operators, recruiters, and HR leaders — written for people building real careers in HK.
馬去羊來，新的一年祝編輯部同仝及讀者職途洋洋得意，事事順境！對於祈求羊年有更佳人緣運的，大可先從一個尊重的稱呼開始。 新春期間，本地某電視台將節目內歌手的名字寫錯，立即成為網上被揶揄的對象。而同一電視台另一節目主持人亦曾將已逝世的荷里活笑匠Robin Williams誤讀成另一英國男歌手Robbie Williams。弄錯名字在外國媒體也非新鮮事，早前英國天空電視台新聞主播訪問愛沙尼亞總統Toomas Hendrik Ilves時，竟錯將中間名Hendrik當成姓氏，喚作President Hendrik。此舉立即觸怒對方脫去耳機和眼鏡拒訪。 稱呼時遇有中文姓名更要加倍小心。中國人的姓名組合本身已千變萬化。而針對不同的地區同一字亦有不同英語拼音方法，例如「蘇」字在香港的拼音是「So」、台灣是「Su」，新加坡則是「Soo」；而「張」字在香港的拼音是「Cheung」、台灣是「Chang」，內地則是「Zhang」。
Every good employee reaches a point where they need to ask their manager for a well-deserved year-end bonus. Whether it’s annually, or every few years, asking for a bonus can be a dreaded occasion. Employers will not always freely give out bonuses for a variety of reasons. An employee who knows their worth and knows they are due for a bonus needs to muster up the courage to speak to their boss and make a strong case for why they deserve to receive a bonus. There are tips that will help the process go smoothly and have you smiling all the way to the bank.
During the Chinese New Year, many people spend the time leading up to the festivities cleaning their houses to banish old qi and make room for the new. This can also be a time to clean up your work habits and make changes that can help advance your career in the new year. Perhaps you are hoping for a raise or promotion. Or maybe you are even thinking of seeking another job for an all-together new career. Here are five ways to prepare yourself for working toward a major career goal in the year of the sheep.
Asking your manager for a raise is a delicate process. It is a stressful and often awkward experience. You need to enter your boss’s office armed with research and proof of your worth to support your request. The problem with asking for a raise is that there are only a few ways it could go right, but so many ways it could go wrong and potentially harm your career if you say or do something inappropriate. If you’re not careful with how you approach your employer, you risk humiliating yourself, pointing out your flaws instead of your strengths.
We all know that a clean, clutter-free office space can improve productivity and even boost employee morale for companies. Unfortunately, in reality, poor office design still seems to be common practice. While many businesses just simply aren’t aware of the benefits behind redesigning office spaces, others feel the cost of such an undertaking can be better used on other operational matters.
Whether it’s nail biting or skipping breakfast, most people are aware of their bad habits in their personal lives……
Most people don’t like change and switching jobs ranks as one of the most stressful experiences we can have. We often avoid making job or career changes until it becomes painfully clear…
We all wish for the perfect job, the perfect paycheck, the perfect employer. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. While we strive for happiness in all three categories…
So you’ve landed an interview for your dream job. Now what? Don’t just wing it! Be prepared. Here are 16 common interview mistakes to avoid: Dressing inappropriately. While there are some places where the dress code is casual, don’t assume you can show up in jeans and a t-shirt. A suit is really the only acceptable attire for a job interview. Even if the interviewer’s dress code is relaxed, wearing a suit will show that you are serious about the job.
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is an elusive feat many people have yet to reach. No matter how hard people may try, effectively juggling professional responsibilities and familial or social commitments continue to prove to be a near-impossible dream. As technology has increased the functionality of business, more and more employees are seeking better assurances in maintaining a balanced work-life schedule.
Navigating a successful professional path is extremely challenging. When it comes to overall career goals, most people tend to look upwards to positions in senior level management with higher salaries and greater responsibilities for guidance and inspiration. While there isn’t always a sure-fire path to success, many prominent business leaders, CEOs, and other senior executives, past and present, have been open and vocal about what they believe is the best career advice out there for those looking to climb the corporate ladder to greater heights.