BECOMING MORE EMPLOYABLE
Experts urged young Indonesians to enhance their skills to stand out in a crowded job market.
For Icha, she took up more certifications to make her employable in areas like data analytics.
Career coach Teddy Diego, who worked with Icha to improve her resume after she failed to secure a job, advised jobseekers to also focus on relevance when applying for a job, instead of listing all the achievements they have.
When asked how he guides jobseekers in their job search, he said: “I focus on what companies in Indonesia are actually looking for, whether it’s administrative requirements, specific skills, or how to successfully go through the recruitment process.
“Information on these aspects isn’t always clearly or effectively communicated by companies. That’s why I try to fill that gap by providing guidance and insights to jobseekers.”
On Icha, he noted that she possesses strong job competencies.
“Her experience, her willingness to learn, her involvement in various organisations, and all the certifications she’s taken really show that,” he added.
“The issue was more about how she presented all of that in her resume, and also how she presented herself during interviews.”
While her current customer service role is not linked to her diploma, Icha earns up to 5 million rupiah (US$300) monthly. This is above the national average of 3.27 million rupiah a month.
“Even though technically it might not align with my major, it fits with the soft skills,” she said.
“(This includes) the problem-solving skills I use every day to handle drivers’ complaints, how I adapt, and also communicating with other teams.”
Icha still hopes to earn her bachelor’s degree one day, a step toward achieving her dream of becoming an engineer.
“If I look at my friends, maybe most want a job in an air-conditioned room, something not too physically demanding,” she said.
“But for me, I want to work wearing a wearpack (protective clothing); I want to work with a helmet on. I want to work in the field.”
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