Board Meeting Terakhir!

Pre amble:

In the summer of 2007, I was made redundant by Unilever Middle East. The entry below was written after my last board meeting as the one of the Directors of the company.

Hari ini ada board meeting. Sepatutnya selesai semua agenda jam 6 petang tapi berlarutan hingga 10 malam. Meeting tadi merupakan kali terahir aku hadir sebagai seorang direktor syarikat. Mulai Julai pengganti aku akan mengambil alih dan aku akan bersamanya sehingga ahir Julai untuk urusan penyerahan tugas.

Bercampur aduk perasaan tadi semasa menyuarat berjalan. Ada rasa sedih kerana aku tidak lagi akan bergelar pengarah syarikat ini. Ada juga rasa bangga kerana banyak juga legasi yang aku akan tinggalkan. Dalam perjalanan pulang, satu perasaan bebas datang mencuit hati ku. Satu perasaan yang aku sendiri kurang mengerti.

Adakah aku sendiri merasai yang aku sudah bersedia untuk berhenti.

Adakah aku sudah bosan dengan dengan cabaran kerja di firma antarabangsa yang padat dan jadual traveling yang begitu memaksa.

Aku rasakan kebebasan yang aku rasai itu satu anugerah Tuhan untuk menghibur hati aku supaya tidak gundah dengan satu perjalanan yang berahir - kerana satu perjalanan yang baru akan bermula.

Kita tidak mengetahui apa yang tertulis untuk kita - yang kita mampu lakukan ialah berdoa untuk yang terbaik untuk diri, keluarga dan ugama kita. Selepas itu, kita berusaha dan berserah.

Malam ini aku berbisik kepada isteri tersayang, " I wish penghujung Julai datang segera...tak sabar rasanya untuk pulang bercuti ke Malaysia".

She smiled......and I know dia juga tertunggu-tunggu!.

Answering Ida!

Ida, a friend I first got to know through blogging and has also met for lunch during my vacation last summer requested via an sms for me to share some tips about job interviews. I have been busy lately and have delayed in responding to her request. Now I am at the lounge of Dubai airport waiting for my flight to Jeddah - and will try to do my best within the time I have. Hopefully Ida will find this useful....Maaf juga yang di minta sekiranya tidak seberapa yang dapat abg id tuliskan di sini.

A job search does not start with an interview. It starts well before one lose one's job. The best time to search for a new one is while still in employment. The best place to start is by knowing what one wants - is it a career, is it financial rewards, is it an opportunity to travel, is it seeking experience in preparing for one's own business start up in the future or is it a combination of the above. Or could they be other reasons?
An opportunity to change job should be used to re-launch one's career. We don't get this opportunity very often - so make full use of it when it comes. Sometimes, we are blocked by an open road * please refer to my previous entry - title, Blocked by an open road* and we need a dead end to force us out of our comfort zone and look for a new opportunity.

Assuming that you already know what you are looking for - then the next step is to focus on finding the right one. Focus is the word. Try the hardest you can, but never put yourself in a desperate position. Employers do not hire desperate people, believe me. Employers hire winners!

List down all companies in the industry you are targeting. Get to know the key stake holders; HR Director, the head of the department, the secretaries etc. Get to know the company, search key information about its businesses, vision and values etc etc.

Assuming you have done all of those, then the next step is to get yourself interviewed.

Whether the job you want is being advertised or not, use the network to get your application in. Call someone who knows somebody working in the company. try to meet this person first, get some information about the job and also get him or her to recommend you to the decision maker. Normally, out of people you know, there will be someone who knows someone else who knows somebody in any company. Use the network. Even if the job is advertised, use the network to get your resume and application to the hand of the interviewer. Referrals and recommendations go a long way!

First preparation starts at home. Pay attention on how you dress. Dressing to attend a wedding is different from dressing for a job interview. A jacket looks good. There must be an aura of professionalism. Your dress need to be suited for the occassion, in fashion and material used. Pay attention also to accessories such as brooch, handbag etc....Shoes must always be of the type which do not show your toes. Sandals of any sort is not for office - sorry ladies, but strictly no sandals to the office please. Make up moderately. Please distinguish between making up to attend an evening dinner reception from making up for a job interview. Heavy mascara are more suitable for hostesses in Japanese lounges, but less so for normal nine to five jobs. Pay attention also to other accessories, such as handbag etc.

What I am writing here are so obvious that you probably know already. However, I will share anyway.
Only attend an interview when you are equipped with sufficient information about the company and the job. Have a list of questions you want to ask. List down anticipated questions and rehearse your responses. List down what your strengths are which are relevant to the job. And what your weaknesses are too. Being an ardent blog reader is not a strength you want to boast about.....hehehehe. And not having a blog of your own is not a weakness! Chances are your boss himself or herself are bloggers and they know very well that most Malaysians use office time to surf and update blogs. Hehehehe...jangan ada yang terasa ye!
Once you reach the interviewer's office, be confident and relax. If you are asked to wait, occupy the time to read business magazines or journals. The worst thing to do is to do nothing!

Once called in into the interview room, extend your hand * If you do not shake hands with non Muhrim, sufficient to nod and smile* and shake hand firmly. Make sure your hand are warm and not sweaty. Rub your palms together just before entering the room to make sure they are warm. Avoid dead-fish hand-shake.

Almost 90% of interviews will start with you being asked to tell something about yourself. Be prepared to give a brief account about you as a person, but spend more time talking about your work experience. Be enthusiastic when you talk about your past jobs, past achievements and past experience. And be positive when you speak about your ex-bosses and ex-colleagues. There is no need to say anything negative about any of them. There is a place to be totally honest, but at job interviews skip from talking about anything negative.

Make sure you are prepared to talk about your achievements. I have seen many candidates when asked about what they are proud of from their previous job, they start to roll their eyes -totally unprepared. Equally important is to have a list of questions to ask, but it is not appropriate to ask anything about salary during the first interview.

One tip for you and this is what I personally practice. For each interview, prepare a brief presentation on how you can add value to the business. That way, the interviewers know that you have researched about the company and the job and that you also differentiate yourself from other candidates. Most candidates don't even bother to do this. In attending an interview recently - I spent the first interview by asking the interviewer to describe to me in details about what are the challenges and what does the company want the new person to achieve. He took 2 hours to describe. I then asked for a second interview the day after. I came back with a presentation on how I will add value and contribute. That meeting extended for about 4 hours because he liked it so much he called his other associates to come and listen to me as well. God willing, I got the job. Syukur!

It reflects well to end the interview by asking when you can expect to know the outcome and the next step. It gives the impression that you are keen and pro-active. As you gets up to leave, say thank you to the interviewers clearly and professionally. Don't giggle or gelak2. Those acts are not professional. Keep a professional and confident look at all time.

Last but not least, have faith in God and continue to doa. If it is meant to be it will be.....keep trying, and never give up.

God luck Ida and everyone else who is looking for a job. I am only sharing my thoughts and experience. I will not even attempt to claim that I am an expert on the subject.

Jika ada rezki...

Untuk anakanda Angah dan Along yang jauh di mata namun sentiasa di hati.

Salam sejahtera dari dubai.....semoga Angah di Dublin sehat walafiat dan menghadapi peperiksaan dengan tenang dan berjaya. Ayahanda juga mendoakan anakanda Along di Kuala Lumpur selalu sehat dan selamat.

Jika ada rezki dan panjang usia.....ayahanda, bonda dan adik2 akan pulang bercuti di malaysia di bulan ogos ini. InsyAAllah.

Sekarang pun di sini sungguh panas. Tadi sebagai contohnya suhu menjangkau 40 degree Celcius.

Jika ada rezki.....ayahanda akan bermula dengan tugas baru di syarikat baru bermula September nanti. Perbincangan dengan 'boss' baru telah masuk ke peringkat ke tiga....dan menggalakkan.

Ini berita gembira untuk kita sekeluarga - Alhamdullillah. Ayahanda berharap anakanda2 semua akan sentiasa bersembahyang dan mengingati tanggung jawap kita sebagai Muslimin dan Muslimat. Bersyukur lah bersama bonda dan ayahanda di atas rahmat dan rezki yang telah di kurniakan kepada kita - dengan kesihatan, kebahgiaan, kejayaan, dan keimanan.

Buat dua hari lepas bonda dan ayahanda telah berusaha mencari sebuah rumah yang sesuai untuk kita sekeluarga. Dan jika ada rezki, bulan Ogos nanti kita akan memasuki rumah baru di sini.

Ayahanda tahu Angah merasai dukacita dengan prestasi peperiksaan tadi - tapi, jangan risaukan sangat apa yang telah berlaku. Tumpukan kepada papers yang akan Angah hadapi besok dan seterusnya. InsyAAllah bonda dan ayahanda sentiasa mendoakan kejayaan Angah.

Ayahanda juga tahu Along sekarang sedang berusaha dan menumpukan sepenuhnya kepada kerjaya. Ayahanda dan bonda juga sentiasa mendoakan kejayaan Along. InsyAAllah, kita hanya berusaha dan harus redha dengan apa yang telah di aturkan. Jika ada rezki....adalah!

Kami semua di sini sentiasa mengingati Angah dan Along. Achik pun dah naik badan sikit sejak bercuti di sini dalam sebulan ni...hehehe.

Ayahanda sudahi dengan pesan dan doa!

Hingga kini, kita telah di rahmati dengan rezki oleh Allah. Harus kita bersyukur....Alhamdullillah!

wassalam.

Blocked by a clear road!

I have been living in Jeddah for close to four years now. I know the town quite well and I can drive to my favourite restaurant without much trouble. From the office - turn right and right again into the Al Malek road until the traffic light where I need to turn left. Then straight on along Hera' street until the ship round-about. Take 9 o'clock turn and go straight until the second traffic light where I need to make a U-Turn. The restaurant is about 100 yards from the U-turn.

One day a few friends and I set out for the restaurant from the office round about the same time, but we decided to drive our own car so that after dinner we can go straight home.But they got there long before I did. I asked them if they had driven fast but they denied this. Then I asked what route they had taken. They explained and it was obvious that they had taken a short cut by making a u-turn on AL-Malek road then turning right into a small lane and they just needed to make one left turn into another small lane behind a row of shop houses and arrived through the back of the restaurant.

A small side turning had led them directly to the restaurant while I was making unnecessary detour through the center of the town. My own route had always seemed satisfactory so I never looked for a shorter one. Nor had I ever been aware that there was a shorter one. I had driven past the small side turning each time but had never explored it because there had been no reason to. And without exploring it I could never have found out how useful it was. My original route had been in terms of large well known segments, cliche segments, because that is the easiest way to give instructions. 

When I first arrived four years ago, that was how my friends had given me instruction and I kept with it. There had never been any reason to break off along one of these cliche segments. My mind was blocked because I never had problem looking for the restaurant. It occurred to me that sometimes, if I was to lose my way then maybe it would been a blessing in disguise since I may have discovered the shorter way.

I can think of three ways how our mind can be blocked.

1. One is blocked by a gap. One can't proceed further because the road runs out *Jalan mati*. One needs to find more road or to construct a bridge. This is equivalent to having to generate more information or to find out by experimenting.

2. Another is blocked by there being something in the way *Pokok tumbang di tengah jalan*. Here there is a definite obstacle which bars progress. In order to go on, one has to find a way of removing the obstacle or getting around it. This is about concentrating one's effort in finding alternative options *U-Turn and detour or cut the branches of tree just enough to clear a path for the car to pass through*

3.The least obvious is blocked because there is nothing in the way *Like my case to the restaurant* The road is open and clear, so one shoot right pass the small junction without even noticing that it was there. Here a particular way of looking at things leads one to miss a better way of looking at them. Because the first way is adequate, one does not consider that there might be a better way - let alone look for it.

We become a creature of habits!

The third type of block is what happens when one is block by the adequate, blocked by the openness, blocked by perceived success!. Trying to avoid this type of block requires lateral thinking - an open mind and open attitude with a good sprinkles of humility. A balance between self confidence and steadfastness versus being inquisitive and challenging self for continuous learning can help.

I welcome you to join me in finding a shorter cut to the restaurant of your own lives. A new way of looking at things - not necessarily better, but definitely new.

When I think about the above, I can relate to my job search as being an opportunity now to look for a new path. Perhaps I will discover a new journey with scenic views and more thrilling and rewarding adventure. Only God knows..!

Thank you for the Dialogues!

Dialogue 1 - There is no time pressure!

Today, first thing in the morning my boss came to my office and handed me a business card of the Managing Director of a well known search consultant company. "He is a friend and I told him about you. Please give him a call, he may be able to help". I did call, and there might be an opportunity. Great!

Last thing before I left the office today, my boss and I had a chat in his office. He was providing support and reassurance that there is no time pressure for me to move out of the company. He told me to take as much as time as I need to find a good job. And when I find one, then only he will organise a farewell do for me. Then he asked, how do I want to have my farewell.

"Since you asked, with the board colleagues I prefer an outing to the sea - fishing!" I said.

"That is great,and we can finish off by BBQing our fish for dinner..." He caught on with enthusiasm.

"We will also do farewell in each of the head offices too" He added.

Dialogue 2 - Why look for a job? Why not start a business?

"Why should you be looking for a job? Why not start a business of your own? I think you have the capital"

Yes indeed, those were fair questions from this friend when we were very briefly online today.

If not for her having to rush off from her office for an external commitment, I would have loved to continue the discussion. The subject was engaging an stimulating.

Rad, I appreciate the brief conversation we had today.

My best wishes for your presentation.....and a prayer for your success! And thanks for the email - I found the information really helpful. *smile*

Dialogue 3 - You have a consultant DNA!

"I heard that you are leaving.....how are you feeling?"

A friend came in my office with a cup of tea and opened up the subject. I appreciated his concern - a genuine concern and expression of support.

"What is your plan?" He asked.

"Well, my wife and I have decided we will continue staying in the Middle East region. So at least that part is clear and children are very happy with that"

"How about your next job?" He continued. His motive was to see whether he can help in any way.

"There have been a couple of discussions, but nothing is finalized. Even indication of offer has been only verbally, nothing in black and white. I am open to all options, including doing consulting business". Said I.

"You will be very good at consulting! I have seen you in action and you have the DNA to be a very good one!" He followed through describing his assessment of my DNA. It was interesting to hear his view of what my strengths are....

Then he delivered his summary, "At your age, you want to be telling and teaching others how to do things and not having to do things yourself. One thing for sure, something better will come your way, InsyAAllah". I pointed to him that he have just mentioned a sensitive spot - age! We both laughed.

Dialogue 4 - All that matters!

"Ayah, thanks for the cookies! I love you" Luqman greeted me when I got home. Before I could ask what cookies, my wife came out from the kitchen to greet me with her hugs and kisses.

"I was baking cookies for you - for Father's day - I told him to keep it as a secret....but you know la, he was excited! Abis bocor rahsia..." LiL said with a little laugh.

That is love! In the final analysis, that is what really matter - To come home to love and laughter!

----

I was actually in high spirit today. I felt strong. I got many support and care from people around me towards my well being and my future. Everyone has been so so good to me. And above all, God is Great!

Strength is in the spirit, not in the body!

Thank you for the Dialogues!

Pre amble:

In the summer of 2007 I was made redundant by Unilever Middle East. The entry below was related to my feeling of uncertainty and anxiety after knowing that I was about to lose my job and not yet secured a new job~!

Dialogue 1 - There is no time pressure!

Today, first thing in the morning my boss came to my office and handed me a business card of the Managing Director of a well known search consultant company. "He is a friend and I told him about you. Please give him a call, he may be able to help". I did call, and there might be an opportunity. Great!

Last thing before I left the office today, my boss and I had a chat in his office. He was providing support and reassurance that there is no time pressure for me to move out of the company. He told me to take as much as time as I need to find a good job. And when I find one, then only he will organise a farewell do for me. Then he asked, how do I want to have my farewell.

"Since you asked, with the board colleagues I prefer an outing to the sea - fishing!" I said.

"That is great,and we can finish off by BBQing our fish for dinner..." He caught on with enthusiasm.

"We will also do farewell in each of the head offices too" He added.

Dialogue 2 - Why look for a job? Why not start a business?

"Why should you be looking for a job? Why not start a business of your own? I think you have the capital"

Yes indeed, those were fair questions from this friend when we were very briefly online today.

If not for her having to rush off from her office for an external commitment, I would have loved to continue the discussion. The subject was engaging an stimulating.

Rad, I appreciate the brief conversation we had today.

My best wishes for your presentation.....and a prayer for your success! And thanks for the email - I found the information really helpful. *smile*

Dialogue 3 - You have a consultant DNA!

"I heard that you are leaving.....how are you feeling?"

A friend came in my office with a cup of tea and opened up the subject. I appreciated his concern - a genuine concern and expression of support.

"What is your plan?" He asked.

"Well, my wife and I have decided we will continue staying in the Middle East region. So at least that part is clear and children are very happy with that"

"How about your next job?" He continued. His motive was to see whether he can help in any way.

"There have been a couple of discussions, but nothing is finalized. Even indication of offer has been only verbally, nothing in black and white. I am open to all options, including doing consulting business". Said I.

"You will be very good at consulting! I have seen you in action and you have the DNA to be a very good one!" He followed through describing his assessment of my DNA. It was interesting to hear his view of what my strengths are....

Then he delivered his summary, "At your age, you want to be telling and teaching others how to do things and not having to do things yourself. One thing for sure, something better will come your way, InsyAAllah". I pointed to him that he have just mentioned a sensitive spot - age! We both laughed.

Dialogue 4 - All that matters!

"Ayah, thanks for the cookies! I love you" Luqman greeted me when I got home. Before I could ask what cookies, my wife came out from the kitchen to greet me with her hugs and kisses.

"I was baking cookies for you - for Father's day - I told him to keep it as a secret....but you know la, he was excited! Abis bocor rahsia..." LiL said with a little laugh.

That is love! In the final analysis, that is what really matter - To come home to love and laughter!

----

I was actually in high spirit today. I felt strong. I got many support and care from people around me towards my well being and my future. Everyone has been so so good to me. And above all, God is Great!

Strength is in the spirit, not in the body!

I am looking for a job....so?

I am looking for a job so
- I updated my resume, not over exaggerating but updating! Not underselling either, but stating facts of my achievements and what skills and experience I will bring with me.
- I customize my resume for each vacancy I am applying for, stressing the parts of my skills and experience which are relevant to the particular job.
- I answer all phone calls with an upbeat voice, "Hello - this is Idham speaking" rather than the more casual "Hi....idham here". Who knows, a potential employer is on the other end of the line.
- I dress extra smart everyday to work, with a matching jacket on top and matching socks at the bottom. I will always be ready to meet any interviewer at short notice.
- I have been practicing my 'hand-shakes' - has to be firm and warm, my 'greetings' - warm and formal, always 'Hello' rather than 'Hi'. My 'eye contact' engaging rather than fleeting or staring.
- I have been preparing with answers to the common and other anticipated questions.
- I have also listed questions I want to ask.
- And I have been doing my homework, surfing and finding information about the prospective employer.

And I am not even a beginner, yet I am investing my time and effort getting myself ready. Preparation gives me confidence. At interviews, one has to come across confident but not arrogant, self-assured but not closed minded, opinionated but not stuck up. Rational but with sufficient emotion to be human. A pinch of sense of humour to be able to laugh but not to start the joke. I should know, I have been on the other side of the table for a long time now.

I have sent my resumes to selected search consultants. The key word is to be selective - so that one's resume does not become a commodity. Choose the consultant company which represents the type of employers you are seeking relationship with. It is about branding - the more prestigious you make yourself be, the more sought after you are! And chance are, the more bucks you can negotiate out of the deal.
Or if you are like me, I also approach the employer direct through someone who know the key stakeholders there. There are people who you know who are bound to know someone else that matters. If you don't then something is to be said also about your network and the type of people you have in your social circle.

I am looking for a job, and I could not afford to be desperate! Desperation has a way of showing through at interviews, and believe me not many employers want to employ desperadoes! Therefore as a rule, always look for a job while still in employment!

I am sharing for the benefit of others who are also looking .....for a job*smile*

Friends, please wish me luck!

Don't swear!

We all do it. Many of us even think it is cool. For some it the influence of Western and modern world, and to do it is seen as to be moving with time.

Sorry, swearing is not proper in the presence of others - even in the presence of people who swear.

You can swear all you like when you are alone. But at work you don't swear. At home you don't swear. In public you don't swear.

It is much more cool to be civilized! Civilized people do not swear, period!

Do you accept you?

When the going gets tough and the pressure is on, it's not necessarily the talented ones who rise to the challenge. It's the ones who accept themselves. 'Narcissists rush in where angels fear to tread. They may not be the most talented. but they believe in themselves, don't fear failures and respond brilliantly to pressure. It is often called self-love, but it can be very useful' according to Dr R Baumeister of Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

Do you accept yourself? Many even find the question as sounding corny and cheesy, what more to come up with a resounding 'Yes' to the question. Many actually hesitate before answering in the affirmative as if loving or liking oneself is a deformity or symptoms of social retard. To accept the things you like and also the things you don't like about yourself is to be at total peace with who you are~!

By loving yourself, you take responsibility for who you are and you look after your health, dignify your image, conscious of your manners, make best effort for your performance and your progress in life. People who have problem accepting themselves tend to do self-sabotage. They hate how they look, so they eat foods which make them overweight! They hate how their parents treat them, so they fail at school as a form of revenge! The next time a child came home with more red than blue in their record book - it is not only them to be questioned, but the parents too. 

Love begins at home. A home is a house filled with love. Where parents exhibit genuine love for each other and display unconditional love for their children. Acceptance prevails~! Children from a loving home are more confident of themselves and tend to be better adept socially and at school both in education and at play. When I was in Kuala Lumpur, there were vandalism in our neighbourhood and more often than not upon investigation they were done by children from unhappy homes. How do we know? Oh yes we know because their parents are always at each others throat and they treat their own children with contempt.

Loving homes produce children with higher level of self-confidence and self-belief. Both confidence and self-belief are essential towards self-acceptance.

In relationship, many wise people have already said that you first need to be able to love yourself before you can love others. Another question comes to my mind - As Muslims, is it possible to truly love yourself if you know that you have not full-filled your duty to Religion and to God? Or to reverse the question - Is it possible for someone to love themselves but not to love God and his/her religion? And if one loves God and Islam, is it possible for him or her not to do what is asked of him or her to do, religiously speaking?

These are questions which do not call for anyone else but the owner of self to answer. Religion is a sacred and personal thing and it is a matter of faith between individual and his or her God.

I will leave the paragraph on religion by saying how I am always enchanted, energized and hopeful whenever I see faces of practicing Muslims with Nur shining through their whole face, radiantly. I admire these people. To me that is an ultimate result of self-love - to be in total surrender and in devoted love to God the Almighty!

I am not there yet...

I have seen faces of many Muslims with all the worldly blessings, yet their faces are dull like a whole cloud hangs over their head. Mine too~!

I have also seen faces of people who pray so hard that their foreheads have the 'black marks' due to praying - yet, their faces are lacking Nur and not shining as if the whole light bulbs have been fused.

Perhaps, I am being over simplistic by measuring the degree of ones' self-love through facial expression and the sparkles in their eyes. But then again, I am a simple person.

To accept oneself, is not about justifying the wrong to be right or vise versa. It is about being at peace that certain things have happened, and that there are reasons why they happened. In Islam, this is called Redha!