MSc. Pham Manh Ha: "Do the work you are passionate about."

After exams and thesis defenses, finding a job is perhaps the most important and time-consuming task for recent graduates. Except for those who, through hard work and luck, have secured a stable job while still studying, many others are confused and worried about where they will find employment, whether their salary will be sufficient, and how to maintain relationships with their superiors and colleagues. With the desire to offer helpful advice to these students, we interviewed Mr. Pham Manh Ha, M.Sc., Deputy Director of the Center for Psychological Support and Counseling.

- Reporter:Dear Mr. Pham Manh Ha, students seeking employment after graduation often feel anxious, worried, and even insecure. Do you have any advice to help them reduce this pressure?

- MSc. Pham Manh Ha (MSc. PMH)I think we need to identify the root cause of impatience or low self-esteem before we can find a solution.

In my opinion, recent graduates face immense pressure. Pressure from family and friends, pressure from themselves to find a job to support themselves and no longer be financially dependent on their families... This pressure leads to a common mindset of being willing to do anything, as long as there's work. However, when searching for a job, some are overly eager and impatient, while others feel insecure and unsure of their ability. Therefore, they forget the most important reality: whether they are qualified for the job, and whether the job suits their abilities and interests.

My advice to you is to calmly "refine" yourself, give yourself certain quiet moments to assess your strengths and weaknesses, and carefully prepare in many aspects for your job search strategy. Thorough preparation will help avoid feelings of failure and reduce job search stress.

- PV:In your opinion, what preparations should students make when looking for a job?

- M.Sc. PMHI think the preparation process for finding a job should begin while you're still in school. Most importantly, you need to build a solid foundation of professional knowledge and other skills such as foreign languages ​​and computer literacy. In addition, you should learn interview skills, how to prepare a good resume, communication skills, and how to present yourself effectively.

- PV:Can you suggest some skills to impress recruiters?

- M.Sc. PMHI want to emphasize one thing: most recent graduates, when looking for a job, only think about applying for the job and don't pay much attention to whether they are suitable for the job or whether they meet the requirements of the position.

For recruiters, a strong resume and excellent communication skills aren't always the most important things. They simply need to see what the candidate understands about the company and the position. You need to present to the recruiter who you are, what your strengths are, how you can fulfill the job requirements, and what contributions you can make to the company. Showcasing these qualities will help you make a good impression.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2008/5/img_5349.jpg" border="0" title="Students of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication presenting their graduation thesis" width="480"/>

- PV:Students are often confused when having to choose between a job that matches their field of study but pays less, and a job outside their field that offers a more attractive salary. What advice can you give them?

- M.Sc. PMHThis relates to each individual's development strategy. In the long term, if you are passionate about your work, a low initial salary is not a problem. Over time, coupled with your passion, you can become an expert in your chosen field. And once you become an expert in any field, you will not be poor, if not prosperous and wealthy. However, there are also cases where, for economic reasons, you need to choose a side job that provides a better income, and then adjust accordingly. In general, the decision of which job to choose depends on each person's circumstances, abilities, and goals. I just want to advise you to choose and pursue a career you are passionate about; you will surely become well-off.

- PV:In a similar situation, if students have to choose between a low-paying job in a government agency and a high-paying but unstable job in a non-governmental organization, how should they decide?

- M.Sc. PMHThis also depends on each person's personality—whether they like challenges, change, or stability. I know many young people work in non-governmental organizations because they want to challenge themselves, gain practical work experience, and develop a dynamic work style. Some people want a stable job with a long-term development strategy to commit to that job. In general, it depends on each person's preferences and abilities. But generally, the more change there is, the faster an individual matures and becomes stronger. Stable jobs tend to have less change and less breakthroughs.

- PV:When starting a new job, students will inevitably encounter many unfamiliar situations. What should they proactively learn and how should they prepare themselves mentally to ensure a smooth working environment?

- M.Sc. PMHMost importantly, you need to know your position and what you will be doing, so you can proactively take on tasks. Being proactive makes it easier to integrate into the team and leads to smoother workflow. Many people don't know what they need to do, so they passively wait for tasks to be assigned, resulting in low evaluations. If this continues for a long time, they will be eliminated from the team.

- PV:In fact, some students complain that their boss is too authoritarian and difficult to approach and offer their own opinions, so many choose to silently follow their boss's instructions even though they don't really agree with them. Do you think this is the right thing to do?

- M.Sc. PMHIn your work, you need to know when to compromise. Usually, regardless of their personality, bosses are the leaders and bear the highest responsibility for their department. You need to respect them. Furthermore, no matter the circumstances, as employees and leaders primarily responsible for the work, they will always want the best possible solutions. When they are angry, don't argue. Nor should you just silently follow their lead. It's best to choose an appropriate time to present your viewpoint in a reasonable and logical manner to resolve any disagreements.

Besides professional skills, you should also understand the workplace culture to adapt. This will greatly benefit you in your work. In modern psychology, the term is increasingly mentioned.emotional intelligenceIt refers to the ability to understand human psychology, personality, and values, as well as cultural etiquette and communication skills. Possessing emotional intelligence and applying it to daily interactions, communication, and work will make it easier for you to achieve success.

- PV:One situation that graduates often encounter in their first days at work is being noticed by colleagues, who make comments that many find shocking. In such cases, how do you think one should handle it?

- M.Sc. PMHThat's also an expression of the communication culture I just mentioned. Understanding current communication culture is extremely important, alongside having good professional skills. This is also related to teamwork skills – a crucial skill in modern work. If you can't integrate with your colleagues, you will be ostracized, isolated, and unable to complete your work. Being teased or receiving negative feedback is a sign that you haven't yet integrated into the workplace's behavioral culture.

Therefore, when faced with such a situation, it's best to reflect on whether you've truly integrated. Generally speaking, culture inherently contains elements of conservatism. Sometimes we have to learn to adapt and change gradually.

- PV:Ultimately, many people have held various jobs but are still dissatisfied with their current work, even though they are at an older age – meaning they are no longer young enough to keep changing jobs. Do you think they should continue searching for new jobs, or should they be content with their current work but remain perpetually dissatisfied?

- M.Sc. PMHAs I said at the beginning, only when you do work that you are passionate about and love will you find satisfaction and achieve certain accomplishments in your work. If you realize you've made a mistake, you should be brave enough to change.

- PV:Thank you for the conversation.

•Thanh Ha (perform)