PR PROGRAMME
Q: I am looking for some part-time or evening courses on corporate communications which include event planning, media relations and other PR-related topics. I would like to study for a diploma or postgraduate course for one to two years. Can you help?
A: Kwan Chuk Fai, General Manager - Corporate Communications, New World Group (NWS Holdings Ltd) suggested, "There is a wide range of choice for PR practitioners who would like to pursue part-time studies in corporate communication/public relations. Institutions like HKU SPACE, The Chinese University of HK and Open University of Hong Kong do organise part-time postgraduate diploma courses of this nature with a duration of about 12-18 months. These courses do put focus on practical knowledge in PR writing skills, event management, media relations and crisis communication.
Course organisers would invite seasoned practitioners to share their unique experience with students.
"You can consider enrolling in a course that suits you. Given these courses would take some 12 months to complete, a strong desire to learn and high level of commitment are important as most of the classes would be held every Saturday afternoon (for over a year!) and students have to submit assignments on a regular basis," Kwan said. Having said that, students would find it will pay off when they gain fresh knowledge from the courses and speakers, not to mention the useful network that students can build.
RELOCATING TO SINGAPORE
Q: I have been an account director in a 4A's company in Manila for over two years. I'm quite interested in relocating to Singapore and working in the agency field there. Could you tell me how I could get a job there? And if the agencies there would have any concern about hiring foreign talents for account management?
A: Juliana Campbell, Division Manager of Sales & Marketing team, Hudson Global Resources (Singapore), indicated that most of the agencies have preference to hire candidates who have local knowledge and are available for interviews immediately. However, if there is a certain skill that an agency is looking for but which cannot be found from local candidates, they will be more open to hire foreign talent.
Campbell further explained, "To increase your chance in getting a job overseas, it is important that you do some more research about the agency that you would like to work for and what you need to fulfil the qualifications required by the company.
"You can contact a reputable recruitment consultancy which specialises in the advertising sector, work closely with the consultant and show why you are interested in working with a certain agency. You and the consultant need to work out your "selling points" to the agency. But bearing in mind that as you will be competing with local talent, you should think about the kind of added value that you can bring to your target company."
DILEMMA
Q: A small scale recruitment consultancy has arranged some interviews for me, but said that I've got a low chance of getting any offers. I was asked to sign an agreement that I need to report to work on a specified date if any of these companies decide to employ me. Otherwise, I must compensate the agency for an "unlimited and undefined loss". I feel uncomfortable with this and asked for a change in wording, but was told that "not one word could be changed" and any further effort to help me would cease if I insisted. What can I do about this?
A: Catherine Kwong, Sales & Marketing Manager, Hudson Global Resources (Hong Kong) answered, "I would suggest you review the relationship between yourself and the recruitment company, though I have never heard of this in Hong Kong. When looking at this "agreement", it clearly indicates there is a lack of "trust and partnership" between two parties. If this fundamental thing does exist, I suggest you move on and work with some other professional consultancies that you can partner with."
Kwong continued, "Ultimately the key to finding the right job is how a job seeker can develop a strong understanding and relationship with the recruitment consultancy, and if the job seeker can get professional advice from the recruitment consultant he/she works with."