Ya, we all know John F. Kennedy once said “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
I know as an international student coming to New Zealand, you might feel,

“What’s there in it for me?” Or “I mean, why should I even consider what John said, I am not in the US…?” Or
“John..??? Who is this John guy???” Or “Man… I have got so much to worry about in my life and here we are talking about John!!”

Guys, I am not here to give you some lessons on patriotism using what John F. Kennedy said after winning his presidential elections in the US in the year 1961 but yes, I would like to use this famous quote from his speech as a backdrop to explain one common personality trait that has been observed in all those international students who struggle to get what they aspired for in their careers.

They all know… and without doubt… they know what they WANT
It’s a shame that none of them know what needs to be GIVEN

I am addressing to all those who are constantly struggling to get a “desired job”. It’s not about ‘A Job’ it’s ‘The Job’. ‘The Job’ that can help them with their work visas and finally their permanent residencies

They want work visas they want permanent residencies
They don’t ask these hard hitting questions to themselves

  • Can you hold a meaningful conversation with someone on the phone and in-person?
  • Agreed that you don’t have an experience; can you impress someone with your technical knowledge & expertise?
  • Can you synchronize your transferable skills to the job description; assuming you know your skills?
  • Do you have your ‘elevator pitch’; assuming you know what it is?
  • How many industry professional have you met outside your college? How many relationships and references have you created while you were studying? Do you have a mentor?
  • Do you know all the resources available with majority of them being free of cost and the networking events here in NZ that can enhance your knowledge base? If you know them, how many have you used and attended?

Strugglers are always like ‘Cry-babies’
Everything and everyone around them is bad, wrong, dirty, cheap… keep adding… the list goes on!!!

“NZ is the most pathetic place!!! I’ve got nothing from here
Ya, I got this just last week from one of our enlightened student. God bless him!!

God bless him with the courage to ask these questions to himself and the wisdom to understand and implement the answers otherwise NZ undoubtedly is going to be a nightmare for him!

I know strugglers hate me!! There…I said it!!

Because I don’t allow you to hide behind your excuses; I know I am a tough task-master!!
I would rather see you hate me than being unsuccessful with what you came here to achieve

After reading this even if one from that category can change the course of their professional career or even if one of the new students can escape getting into the trap of struggle; I’ll be happy. Doesn’t bother me a bit if you hate me!!!

I am here to guide you and show you the right path, gotto be tough with you if I have to. I am not here to win your love and friendship. If I can help you get what you want, love, friendship and respect will follow!!

Feel free to talk to me you ‘Haters’ 🙂 Beware, I do bite!!

Cheers
Raj