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JobStreet.com “The Voice” will feature selected JobStreet.com members who are in a different line of profession each month. If you are curious about what really goes on beyond the job title, do read on! Stay with us as we go one-on-one in The Voice with JobStreet.com members.
JobStreet.com member : Ms Eliza Kow Shuk Han
Job Title: Advertising & Promotion Manager
Age: 20-something
Place of Work: A new entertainment and leisure mall in Mutiara Damansara
JobStreet: Can you describe in general terms the tasks and responsibilities of your current position?
Eliza: I oversee the customer service team to ensure that the positioning of the mall in terms of visibility is consistently at the desired level. In addition, I am building up my network with the local authorities and business partners for joint effort events. Other than that, I ensure the proper management of the annual budget and generate sufficient annual income for the mall.
Apart from that I strategize, implement and oversee the annual A&P activities of the mall and ensure that the A&P plan is aligned with the company’s business direction. Operation-wise, I have also to ensure the integrated marketing communication mix is maximized to the fullest to ensure maximum brand exposure of the mall.
JobStreet: How long have you been a JobStreet.com member?
Eliza: Since 2001.
JobStreet: What kind of skills and/or paper qualifications does your current position require?
Eliza: The minimum qualification is a Degree in Mass Communication or Marketing Communication with three to five years of working experience in an Advertising Agency or Corporate and Entertainment industry.
Apart from that one must have the following:
- Management skills
- Creative/Innovative
- Wants challenge
- Interpersonal skills
- Presentation skills
- Enjoys meeting people
- Decisiveness
JobStreet: Can you name some of the pros and cons of your current position?
Eliza:
Pros
- Better career advancement as this position involves major decision-making.
- Get to meet people from all walks of life
- Able to build up better and wider networking in the industry
- Very challenging and fun
- Always up-to-date with trends
Cons
- Inflexible and long working hours
- Required to meet deadlines
- Cannot slack and no mistake is allowed
JobStreet: What are the working hours like?
Eliza: Officially, from 9am to 5.15pm, 5½ days, but we are expected to work after working hours when necessary without overtime pay.
JobStreet: What advice would you give to people who are interested in getting into this line of work?
Eliza: You must gain experience from the ad agency, media house or production house as you are required to handle suppliers and understand the procedures in the industry. Of course, most importantly, you must have strong analytical skill and be very organized. Never rush into the corporate world as there are many compulsory off-book experiences that you cannot gain in the corporate world. Be patient and learn fast, and be alert with the current economic issues.
JobStreet: Since when did you sign up with PriorityApplication and why?
Eliza: I think it was about a year ago.
JobStreet: After signing up with PriorityApplication, did you believe it will help you with your job seeking activities and do you have anything in particular to share?
Eliza: It definitely saved time in my job hunt and it is worth paying the amount. Without Priority Application, my resume would not have been viewed by the employers in such a short period of time. However, the success of each application is subject to the employers’ needs.
JobStreet: Any advice to new job seekers about the importance of being ready for a job interview?
Eliza: We must understand the company business well before any interview and therefore, it is essential to do some homework. However, many employers do not reveal their identities until we are called for interviews. As such, we can only impress the interviewer by presenting ourselves well and trying to ask more relevant questions that can help us to understand the company. We must also show great interest during the interview, from filling up the job application form till the end of interview. When you are asked to pose questions, never ask questions that are related to money matters, such as how much increment after confirmation, is there any contractual bonus, and etc…this will scare the employer away. But, we may ask them to brief us more about employee benefits. Groom yourself well according to the job requirement. Never over-dress or under-dress. Impress them with your gratitude after each interview.
JobStreet: Thanks for your time for being interviewed by JobStreet.com. Do you have any parting words to job seekers out there?
Eliza: Always understand yourself well and do not apply to jobs just because of their popularity. You must love your job, always be willing to learn, be humble and most importantly, be honest in your job application. Never lie about your experiences, as your true abilities will surely be reviewed over time.
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