Q I wish to seek advice for my son, 24, who is graduating soon with a bachelor's degree in finance.
Currently, he is working in the backroom of a local stockbroking firm. He believes that his skills and academic record can easily land him a better job as his peers with lower educational level and with no experience managed to get good jobs.

Given his current entry-level job, should he disclose his two years of experience in his resume if he applies for a higher-level job? Would the experience be an advantage or a disadvantage to him?

A A resume should be a factual document, detailing one's academic background, skills and working experience. Under no circumstances should details be distorted, or worse, be untrue.

To respond to your question, your son's current entry-level job, plus the fact that he has taken the initiative to pursue higher qualifications, should be played up during interviews.

Continuous learning in this competitive society is not just an option but a necessity.

He should practise and hone his interview skills to effectively bring the following key points across when looking for his next job:

• He has his head firmly on his shoulders and is willing to start at the entry level to gain useful working experience while pursuing higher qualifications;
• He is able to apply his practical experience in his next job;
• His experience and success in the equity market; and
• He has invested in seminars to further enhance his knowledge.
  Besides these, your son should ideally portray himself as a team player who is also able to work effectively as an independent producer.

Paul Heng
NeXT Career
Consulting Group, Asia

This article was first published in The Straits Times on February 01, 2009.