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AS ONE of the world’s leading information technology (IT) companies, IBM Corporation operates in 164 countries and has over 200,000 people in its employ. 
It is involved in the creation, manufacturing and development of technologies such as software, computer systems, storage devices, network systems and microelectronics.

Founded in 1914, IBM was established in Malaysia in 1961 and has played a key role in providing solutions to customers since.

Its strengths lie in the people, skills and expertise in IT, and a network of international offices and laboratories, which work together in synergy to put together solutions needed by customers.

IBM Malaysia human resources director Chai Cheng Sheng, who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, provides insight into how to gain access into this multinational company.

Prior to joining IBM, Chai was the country manager in a multinational IT outsourcing services company.

He was responsible for designing and implementing the human resource policies and guidelines for the office in Malaysia.

Finding your way in

Graduates have many paths forgetting into IBM, including walk-in interviews, and advertisements in newspapers and online job sites.

“We also encourage graduates to look through the IBM official website (http://www.ibm.com/my) to find out more about the company,” says Chai.

You’re hired

Good academic results are very important at IBM. Graduates with excellent academic qualifications will stand out even if their major is not immediately relevant, he adds.

IBM employs fresh graduates from many disciplines –including accounting, IT and computer science, chemical engineering and architecture.

Qualifications aside, candidates must also possess the three P’s – preparation, physical attributes and presentation skills. In terms of preparation, candidates need to show that they are familiar with the core business of IBM.

“The very least they can do is equip themselves with knowledge about the company’s dealings and values,” says Chai.

First impressions are very important, so candidates should place importance on their physical appearance, dressing and personal grooming.

Communication skills are another element that candidates should brush up on before attending any interview. The ability to articulate one’s thoughts is of great importance, he says.

The most important part of the hiring process is the interview. This usually takes place after several candidates have been short listed for a particular position.

“In principle, an interview session serves two purposes.

“Firstly, it is an opportunity for the candidate to understand the company, its expectations, the demands of the job, and the remuneration offered. The candidate can check out the package to find out if it is up to expectations.

“Secondly, the interview is for the employer to evaluate if the candidate is the best person for the job,” says Chai.

Often, the interview determines whether a candidate is hired or not.

The way a candidate carries himself through his body language is important, as this is often projected unconsciously.

“People are understandably nervous when they come in for an interview, so we, as employers, always make an effort to put them at ease.

“If the interviewee is nervous, it is difficult to gauge his ability or understand what the real person is like,” explains Chai.

Whatever happens though, candidates must remember that an interview is a platform for the employer to assess the interviewee personally to determine if he, or she, fulfils the requirements they have laid out.

“Companies are usually looking for people who can think clearly in a stressful situation, and an interview is a highly stressful situation.

“We are not out to frighten the interviewees – we just want to get to know the real person,” says Chai.

Excerpt from The Star Online

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 at 3:26 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.