5 Ways JobStreet.com Can Help You Decide Your Future

The process of selecting a course should be done after a comprehensive research of what you like or  dislike and compare it to the courses available.

Starting with yourself

Let’s first start with something that you must work on before heading to JobStreet.

1. List down what your hobbies are as well as your likes and dislikes.
2. What can you do? what are you good at?
3. What would you like to be after you have graduated?
4. What is your dream company/organisation that you would want to work for?
5. How much do you want to earn in 5 years?

No one else can answer these questions but you. If you don’t know how to answer them, you should definitely start here.

Meet Jane, our "fictional" character

The following is a scenario that acts as an example for what you can do. Let’s meet Jane.

Jane: Hi, my name is Jane. I am 17 years old.

Afterschool.my: Hi, Jane. Can you answer the questions above?

Jane: Yes, of course.

1. I like technology and gadgets. I like to look through any android devices to find out the tricks I can do on it. I love to watch lots of YouTube videos about the different mobile devices out there, how much they cost, what kind of apps there are for each device and so on. I also like to learn about computers and love to do maintenance on them. Sometimes I'd break them apart and would have to go to the shop to get them fixed, but that's how I'd learn new things. I like blogging about technology and I do have my own blog. I'm interested to learn about how websites are built.
2. I can do maintenance on computers and phones. I also like to help my friends with their gadgets and give them advice on which computers or phones to buy.
3. I want to be a Mobile Apps Developer.
4. I would like to work for a company like Appster, a very big App Developer in Australia
5. In five years, I would like to earn between RM6,000 – RM10,000

Afterschool.my: You seem to have a clear idea of what it is that you want to do. How did you figure out what you wanted to do? How is it so specific?

Jane: Well, whenever I have free time, I play video games and try to learn tricks in the game. So, I go on YouTube and forums to find out more about the game. That's what got me interested in the way games are built and the companies that build them. That interest sparked my curiosity to start watching videos about programming. Then one thing led to another. It all started with two things: Video games and YouTube.

Afterschool.my: If you are going to look for a job, do you know what to do and where to go?

Jane: In Malaysia, there are many websites that would help you find a job. The most famous name that comes to mind is JobStreet.

Afterschool.my: Have you looked for a job on JobStreet?

Jane: No. Not really.

Afterschool.my: Do you know that you can actually use JobStreet to help you decide what course you should pick up in college, what skills you can learn for the jobs and what jobs are available out there?

Jane: That sounds really interesting. I didn’t know how to do that.

Afterschool.my: Here is how you can use JobStreet to select the course.

Here is how to use JobStreet to help enforce your decision making

1. Do a job search

Search for multiple job titles related to your interest (let’s say 5 related job titles)

After finding one, try answering the questions above, go ahead and do a quick search on the site. Since you are interested in Mobile App Development, let’s search for titles (Mobile App Developer, Java Developer, Mobile Developer, Web Developer, and Programmer). As of February 12^th, 2016 there are:

• 68 job postings for Mobile Developers
• 117 mobile Application Developer
• 168 Java Developer
• 252 postings for Web Developer
• 126 postings for Programmer

This means, if you have the right skills, you can apply to all these jobs, but you only need one to get you started.

2. Look at the skills and qualifications

From the title of each of the jobs, you need to acquire certain knowledge and skills in order to get checked by an employer. Each job title has a list of skills associated with it. For instance, a Mobile Apps Developer needs to have the following:

• Objective C
• Java
• C# and SQL
• HTML and CSS
• Familiar with Xcode 4 for iOS and Eclipse for Android

These skills are needed if you are going to get a job in this field.

Now, when you look at the university courses, which university is the most suitable to teach you such skills or at least get you started? Do you need a degree, diploma, masters?

You will also be able to find out what skills you need to learn on your own to complement your qualifications.

3. Look at what skills are considered as an added advantage for you?

In this case, extra language, graphic design, Android Studio, PHP, JavaScript, WordPress Plugging and development.

In many cases, a set of skills like that will be suitable for a number of related jobs in different industries.

4. How many applicants applied for the job?

Look at who else has applied for these jobs, how many people are competing against each other.

That way you will be able to look at the qualifications of the people who might potentially compete with you in the future.

5. Track these companies

Look at different company profiles and follow them on social media to familiarise yourself with the companies of interest.

Why do all that?

Remember, you still haven’t started your course. You are still trying to decide what course you should study.

This way, you can have a comprehensive profiling of what companies are available out there, what are the industries that hire the most, what salaries are offered, the kind of skills that you should possess before moving on to the actual decision.

After you have collected all the information, you will be able to decide which course offers the right qualifications for you, which university offers it, and how far can you get with it. You will also be able to find out if you need to do further studies.

Remember, whatever course you decide to pursue, you will be competing against your classmates for these jobs that you have searched for.

Keep an eye on these companies and jobs

As you move on with your studies, it's always a great idea to track the companies you searched for. You might be surprised that some would go out of business, others would grow, and others would have merged their business with other companies to form a bigger alliance.

This has a lot to do with the future direction of the different jobs out there.

Afterschool.my: Now, Jane, do you think the information above will help you stay ahead of your peers in this very competitive world?

Jane: It is very helpful. It would help me gather the right information and develop the right skills even before getting into college. But, wouldn’t people who read this have the ability to do the same thing as me?

Afterschool.my: You are right. This is the time to start making yourself standout from the rest. How many people are willing or able to do that?

Make your assessment

With all that done, you should be able to answer these questions:

1. Are my skills marketable?

2. If I pursue my interests, can I get a job?

3. If I follow my interest, and If my interest isn't marketable, what kind of skills do I need?

4. What is the popular demand in the market?

5. Will I be able to achieve my goals by the time I graduate and within 5 years of employment?

6. Do I have a sufficient list of companies to apply to for my internship?

7. With the skills I have, will they accept me?

8. By the time I graduate, what are the companies that are my best options?

Surely, there will be more questions that will come to your mind.

Remember, you can always ask Afterschool.my for help. We will be more than happy to answer. Click here to post a question.