Tip 227: Get a job in 1 month

It is sad to read about the persistently high unemployment rate in the U.S.A. These days, nothing is constant. Gone are the days of life-time unemployment and family owned enterprises with free home cooked lunches around a common dining table with the owner. Hence, daddies need to be equipped with the necessary nimble skills to search for another job if the need arises being the breadwinner of the family. I have my share of stories and tips since it must have been not easy to secure different jobs abroad in Japan, Hong Kong and now Singapore. No time was wasted when I saw signals that the job environment was not rosy. Each time, I succeeded in getting a better job within 1 month or immediately, thanks to God for His grace to accompany my applications.

One method to get a job within 1 month of resigning or being laid off from your existing job, is to prepare in advanced an online resume of your career. It takes time to update your resume and it should not be delayed till you need a job. It takes a while to start on your first thorough resume. After that, you just need to reflect on your career regularly to update new milestones and skillsets on your resume. The next step is to build a foundation of connections. Be proactive in contacting recruiters within a locale or within the industry. First, send them an email with a short introduction and if they would like to review your resume. If they respond, make a point to meet recruiters who likes your profile. Even if you do not have an immediate need for a job at that moment, it helps to be on a databank of a headhunter. Even if the recruiter is overseas, do not hesitate to reach out to recruiters there if you have preferences to work abroad.










Do not expect headhunters to hunt you down if you are not searchable. During the search process, there could be many application forms to fill as a means to knowing you. There could also be many advice to update your resume. Yet, all these processes will only improve your applications.













During my 3 month internship in Tokyo as part of my MBA program, I was determined to secure a job abroad instead of returning home to Malaysia. I spent time searching the internet of the hundreds of recruitment firms in Tokyo and contacted them. I used LinkedIn as an impersonal means to mass email recruiters who have provided their email address to be contactable. As it turned out, 50% of those contacted responded with a thank you and 20% out of those who responded were willing to meet with me. No hard work was in vain as I found out that even those who did not respond have kept my resume and contacted me later. I made a target to meet with a recruiter or any local Japanese friend every day after my job at the intern company. At the end of my 2nd month internship, I finally secured an interview and secured the job in Tokyo, a foreign land that I have only 2 months living experience. Keep applying and keep up the hard work.

Check out another blog I write: http://lifenewcreation.blogspot.sg/2013/05/how-resveratrol-and-red-wine-activate.html to find about a new opportunity to do business anywhere besides building your family's health and wellbeing.















(Photos show the family at the Universal Studios in Singapore, sponsored by AIA)

Tip 226: Live on 50% of income

I previously blogged about ensuring a cash pile of 1 year's income is available in today's volatile economic environment. I do watch The Suze Orman Show, a show about managing money. Suze like me says that she did not grow up with money. The key to managing money is to not let money manage our lives. One method is to only live on 50% of our income. This is a safety net in case one of the spouse loses his/her job, the other spouse's income will be sufficient to cover family expenses.

It is neccessary to build a strong foundation of savings and then only start spending and enjoying money after that. This can possibly go against preferences and philosophies of certain people who believe in living for the moment. But reality is that you cannot be envious of others, but build your own wealth yourself. It really is not that difficult. It just takes some determination to live within your means, or rather 50% of your means.

Be determined to settle all your existing debts with high interest rates. Also, be determined to cut all unnecessary wants and delay them till you have sufficient savings. This can be done with any amount of income. Only invest when you have sufficient savings and the investment money set aside is not for emergency use.

I still remember saving my scholarship allowances every month during my 1 year MBA stint in Hawaii. I cooked meals every day and even volunteered for events to enjoy proper meals and trips. Every month, I will set an unrealistically high target of savings and put all my income into a step up savings account, and be determined to delay my wants till the next income cheque and not withdraw from my savings account. Towards the end, I saved enough for a trip to all the islands of Hawaii and also a cash pile of savings together with a flight ticket to Japan for my next job.

Then, during my job in Tokyo, I saved enough to buy an apartment in central Tokyo within 2 years. I saved enough to get married and now being able to support a family of a wife and 2 kids. All the experiences represented in the photos on this blog are through the most optimised way of spending. I only travel when it is free or through the cheapest available means. None of my wealth is inherited either from my parents or from my spouse. I am the only one working in the family and support my wife's and kid's expenses. Anyone can do it. It is through living within your means - or rather 50% of your income.

(Photos show Haruka goldfish scooping, a traditional Japanese game and playing water at her alma mater, a Japanese playcenter near our previous home in Tokyo).

Tip 225: Fully toilet trained at 2 yrs 9 mths

Halleluyah! I did not expect that day to come so soon when I need not buy diapers anymore. Not quite though, since my diaper purchase starts again in 2011.

I have to admit that I was too anxious, impatient and wanting to rush Haruka to be rid of diapers. It truly is a natural process when reason will take the better of the child as the child understands that if they grow older, they would not want to wear diapers.

Now, even when Haruka has diarhea, she controls it so well that she keeps asking me to take her to the toilet. Dad's job doesn't end. When there is no longer the task of buying and carrying diapers, a new task emerges.

It seemed like only yesterday when I blogged about Haruka being potty trained at 16 months. Yet, even when she could do it, she later refuses as it is convenient when she has well absorbent diapers. Yet, after a few nags and encouragement, one day she just decides to be diaper free.

I think one breakthrough is that Haruka begins to be more comfortable with toilet seats. It may require some courage initially to reach for a high toilet seat and sit firmly on a large bowl. As she could start a habit of using toilets outside the house, she need not depend on using only the potty at home. This habit improves bowel control throughout the day. Hence, parents may be able to quicken the process by encouraging the child to use the toilet seat at home once the child is potty trained. It took Haruka just 2 years and 9 months to be 100% toilet trained and I am very proud of her.

(Photos show Haruka with new found friend, Mihiro-chan in Tokyo at Inokashira Park during her short 5 days stay in Tokyo. Mihiro-chan is exactly 1 year older than Haruka).