Hi guys,

First of all, My apologies for updating the Blog. It have been for over 2-3 months since i updated Blog. Guess my schedule and of course my laziness caused me to postpone my blogging commitment. Well, hope you guys accept my apologies. So lets move on and as promised, I'm continue blogging about the first Part of my Personal Financing Tips series (If you guys missed out, refer my Personal Finacing -Intro article written on the 28th September 2010)

As stated in the earlier article, this part mainly focuses on the common money spending mistakes that we use to commit. The first mistake will be lack of spending plans and overspending. its can be ignored the fact the Humans have a "monkey brain". We just can't control ourselves from buying things that only satisfy our emotional needs or useful for short terms only. Only this problem mainly applies for people who have credit cards. Lack of planning will result in credit cards bills becoming fatter and fatter while the balance amount in the credit card becoming thinner and thinner. This proves to be the problem face by a majority of the people.
The second will be Not doing your homework. Basically, very few user will conduct a simple research on which place to get the desired goods that comes with good deals or reasonable price. Due to this, many consumers usually end up buying goods at a higher price or unreasonable price.

The third major problem and this mainly applies for credit cards will be buying products with consumer credits. There are some people who despite of enjoying some good benefits like lower price rates and discount, always prefer to buy things using credit cards. Please keep in mind that credit card might be handy but frequent spending using credit cards usually leads with higher debt repayment and the worst part will be that the debt repayment must be done using most of your future earnings. Lat but not least, it can't be ignored that most people do not have long term planning, especially in terms of retirement plans. Most people wants to retire fast and enjoy the remainder of their lives. But remember that you need good money to enjoy good life. So the problem will be delaying savings for retirement. Old age of 60's and 70's is where the energy to work and the level of your health will be low. So to retire fast, you need a good chunk of money to helps you go through your old age. Therefore the more delays made on you retirement savings plan(s), the more harder for you to accomplish your goals which is to retire early.

Well, there are more problems or mistakes in terms of money spending. But the mistakes stated above are the common and most highly-rated mistakes done by people or consumers. In next part we'll be seeing on how to tackle this problems and improve our spending plans and making our accounts more fatter!!!..Until then, stay tune peepz!!!..;)

Hi Guys, Its been a quite a long time since i visited my blog. Sorry for the delayed updates. After all, as a human being i do have certain responsibilities right?? Well, Thank GOD i have some time to spare and now here i'm back with what i love to do - blogging!!

Well, i have discussed about a stuff like job interviews and tips for securing desired jobs and also my view of how we should respect our nation's independence. Now i'm gonna talk about a topic where all existing human beings will come across the moment they start to work and earning monthly incomes - PERSONAL FINANCING.
Basically, what is personal financing?? Well, personal financing is all about managing the money that is coming into our pockets (or more specifically our bank accounts) efficiently and finding the ways to double our money to have a better future for us, and our families. The basic success of Personal Financing is following the mantra known as - "More Saving, Less Spending". Many people always think that saving money is easy. But to be honest, it is easier said than done.

First of all, i'm not a financial guru when it comes to personal financing..Hell, i even had a dilemma to decide whether or not to buy my favorite football club jersey for RM200 ringgit!!!(i finally decided to go for a pasar malam type of jersey which cost me only RM30..lolzz). But then again, as times goes by, i'm starting to learn the art of saving money and as they said - "Knowledge is sharing", I'm gonna share with u guys some basic facts and tips on how to plan and stabilize your financial source. As with the Job Interview series, I'm also gonna divide this topic into three major parts which are as follows:

PART 1 -> This section mainly describes on how to avoid common money-spending decisions
PART 2 -> This section mainly describes on analyzing your spending and how to keep control of it
PART 3 -> This section mainly describes on how to trim your taxes and what Income taxes basically,

Before starting this series, Please note that i'm no financial guru as i'm a novice too. I just felt to share what i know about money spending with you guyz.. For better knowledge, I personally recommended the book "Personal Financing for Dummies" which is a good book for beginners. Even some of the knowledge i have right now is based on this book which i have read during my leisure. Well until next time, see ya guyz!!!..:)

Hi Guys, Here' the video of our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman declaring of our beloved Nation..MERDEKA!!! MERDEKA!!! MERDEKA!!!

It was 31st of August 1957, where our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman shouted MERDEKA!!! 3 times with all his might and passion. My dad was there and he told me that people were celebrating and tears of joy was flowing like a river on that day. People hugging each other and wishing each other regardless your skin color, racial and religious background. On that day, the only thing that they had in mind is "If you wanted merdeka as much as i do, then you are my brother/sister". And on 16th Sept, a country named Malaysia was born.

Now, 53 years since that unforgettable day (for the old timers, i may add) lets look at where Malaysia is heading. On one part Malaysia is slowly but steadily adapting the world standards as a modern country with a stable economy (well, regardless of the price hike and other stuff, majority Malaysians are still ok with their economic lives!!) while the other part, the unity among Malaysians seems to have a crack being displayed.

Now, all of us know that one of the unique thing about Malaysia is that its a multiracial country where three major types of races (Malays, Chinese and Indians) live together in harmony. But now the so-called politicians of country are starting to use one of the most dangerous tactic in politics - racial politics. And the sad part is the main reason of using this racial politics is to gain votes!!!. Why they have to use racial politics? Don't they know that the most easiest way to gain votes is to serve the people and be a good leader? Its even disheartening to see that some unfortunate people is falling into this racial trap.

Malaysia is a country that belongs to all - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans etc.., we're all make up a country called Malaysia. Malaysia is a mother of us all. It doesn't matter who landed on this soil first many centuries ago. The important part is all races fought for the independence of this country. All of our ancestors fought and suffer together regardless of their racial and religious background. All the people want is a country where all of us can live together in harmony and respect each other customs. Its even better if we take the initiative to learn the customs of our "brother and sisters".

Well friends, all i'm requesting is that be friendly with all people regardless of their races, don't make fun of their customs and their way of lives. Please throw way the "I'm Indian, You're Chinese, You're Malay" mentality and adapt the "We're all Malaysians" mentality. Its just a simple request. I hope we can all play our part in creating a "harmonious" Malaysia

For you Malaysia....MERDEKA!!!!!...  MERDEKA!!!!!....MERDEKA!!!!!

Hey, guys, check out this video where Maggie Crystal, a Life & Career Coach where she explains on how you should present yourself for an interview. This video is very good especially for fresh graduates

Hi guys, Been busy with a lot of things (but all ends in a positive note, Thank GOD!!). Anyways, in this third and final part, I'm gonna share with you guys some of the common questions during the interview sessions and also some of the interview processes that the company conducts for suitable candidate selection.
Before beginning, I'm just gonna inform you guys that i'm an IT graduate. Therefore this article is mainly based on the IT interviews that I've attended . So, i'm very much unsure how the non-IT fields such as Business and finance conducts their interview sessions. But don't worry..The initial stages of the interview are all common regardless whether or not you're an IT graduate. So lets get started then..

Some of the interview questions asked by the interviewers (which applies to all candidates regardless of ther education background) are as follows:

1) Tell us about yourself  (this is the most vital part, especially to experienced candidates. the main purpose is to know your previous and current working background. Most of the questions will be asked based on your answers for this questions)

2) What projects have you participated? (this questions is usually asked to know on what type of activities you've done and your role in the projects that you've participated. Therefore the interviewer can decide if your experience matches their requirements)

3) Are you willing to work after working hours when necessary? (Regardless of your job nature, there are certain situations when you have to accomplish a task to meet the deadline. Therefore, the interviewer wants to know if you're willing to work overtime to complete the task. Saying NO will definitely reduce the chances of you landing the job. Therefore always says YES. Just like Jim Carrey in "Yes Man".)

4) Tell us a problem you've encountered in your work/tasks/projects and describe how you solved it?
(This question is mainly to know your problem solving skills and how you deal with the problem. Another objective is to see if you're easily stressed out with the problem encountered. Always remember that, in case you never have encountered a problem, then just tell the truth. Don't "cook" up a story because in case you're selected and the people wanted you to solve the problem. Then you're so dead.)

5) Why should we hire you? (Ahaa!!! This questions is famously know as the tie-breaker question. Even though the questions is to see how confident you're in taking up the position. Your answers will be the most vital in securing you a job. For instance, if the interviewer narrowed down to two candidates and you being one of them, then your answer to this question will serve as a tie-breaker for the interviewer in deciding whether or not you're the right candidate.)

6) Where do you see yourself in the next [any number] years? (This questions is to see whether or not you see yourself as part of the company plans or objective. Also, the interviewer wants to know if you really want to use the position as a platform to achieve you career objective and of course whether you will achieve it by staying WITH them. Therefore plan your future career path nicely).


7) What do you know about our company? (You might be surprised on why i put this as the last commonly asked question. Its because this question can be asked either in the beginning or end of the interview. Basically this is the most easy questions. Just do some background study of the company before going for the interview and all will be fine.) 

Well, thats the most commonly asked questions as mentioned above. Next i'm gonna share with you on the interview process of the company i've attended so far. Here's the details

1) IBM
No matter what position you apply in IBM, you MUST sit for an aptitude test. The test mainly consist of english grammer, mathematical calculations, and some problem solving questions. ONLY if you pass this test you will be going to the next round - which means the interview of the respective positions that you've applied.

2) Experian (Cyberjaya)
Be warned!!!...This applys to all the IT people who wish to apply for the positions in Experian. If you wish to apply any position in Experian, make sure you have VERY VERY good Java experience. No matter what position you apply, you're subjected to sit in the Java Test (including writing codes). Therefore sharpen you java skills first.

3) Panasonic (Cyberjaya)
Panasonic has basically two tests (one is an aptitude test while the other is the test related to the position that you've applied ). The thing is that you've to complete these two tests in 1 1/2 hour time. So plan wisely. After the test, you'll be interviewed by HR and the people in charge for the position you've applied



Well, that's the basically what I've gone through so far in my career. Other than the three above, most of the companies will have one test (usually related to the position) and the interview (if you pass the test) or you will have two interviews (one is with the person in charge of the position, usually a Manager while the other will be with HR)

Before signing off with the final part of the Job Interviews article. I just want you to know that getting a job sometimes is not easy as it depends on your luck. But then again, whenever you're not shortlisted, don't get dejected. Learn from the mistakes and ensure you don't repeat it in your next interview.
Just put your faith on GOD and let HIM take care of it.  Well good luck in your job search and have a successful career!!!.

Hi guys, Finally got time to write the part 2 as i promised. Man i love blogging!!!..Well lets not waste time. The guidelines for the job interview will be divided into four major parts which are Before interview, Interview Invitation and Preparation, During Interview and After Interview..So as promised, here are the guidelines:

Before Interview

• Make a decision on what is your preferred career path before applying for a job. For example, if you want to be a Java Programmer, then you should be applying for Java Programmer or Analyst Programmer positions. Same goes for other fields as well.
• For fresh graduates, applying for an Graduate programmes is highly recommendable especially if you're unsure of which field you want to develop your career. Multinational companies, like DHL, IBM and Scope organizes fresh graduate intakes twice a year. So do try to apply for that.
• Knowing your strength and skills is a major plus. For instance, if you're good in software testing, you can apply for Test Engineer positions. Therefore evaluate yourself first before applying for a job.
• When applying for a job, make sure you read the job descriptions first before applying for the job. This is important as by doing so, you'll be able to decide if the job does meet your expectations.(I once made a mistake by applying a job without reading the descriptions, therefore i'm requesting you not to do it)
• Whenever a company organizes a walk-in interview..PLEASE GO FOR IT!!!.It's one of the most effective ways in making them view your resume as well as your skills. Its recommended because applying online do have its own limitations. There are positions where over 300 candidates applied for it. So chances of your resume getting viewed are very low.

After graduation, the next step will be finding jobs. Getting into a job and being in your first job always turns out to be special no matter what the outcome is in the near future. The reason is simple..we're leaving our fun-filled college/university environment and stepping in into a whole new world - the working world.

This transition proves to be an important one in everyone lives..Its where boys become men (also girls become women as well..) and we'll be earning money to support our financial need and so on. But the main thing why this transition is important is because we'll be exposed to the real world..world of opportunities where opportunity can only be attained or grabbed by those who are intelligent, cunning and have the hunger to succeed. Simply put it as "survival of the fittest".

But the thing is this "opportunity grabbing" begins even before we secure a job. Wondering how? Its simple, Before securing ourselves a job, there is an obstacle where each of us must go through. This obstacle is known as job interview. I've been through multiple interviews (around 20-25 i guess) organized by various companies for various position. Trust me, it's not easy as you think. But at the same time its not impossible too..You just need to follow certain guidelines, that's all

I'm gonna share some of the tips with you guys which is based on my experience. It not 100% effective and i will never guarantee that. But if you follow the guidelines and be positive about yourself and have the ability to present yourself in an effective manner to the respective employers, then you'll soon be securing a job in a short amount of time..

Well..kinda sleepy (its 1.48am in the morning..)..So i'll post part 2 tomorrow..Goodnight and sweet dreams...;)

Well, i'm finally here..My own blog!!!

A big thanks to the Internet and of course google who made blog creation look simple. Blog serves as a different purpose to each and every human being. Some use it to share knowledge while others use it to share his/her own personal thoughts. Some even use it to spread a propaganda (rebel without a cause, i might add) and and many more.
Well i can't categorized on which my blog belongs too. But one thing is for sure..It might be a mix of both..There why i named my blog as Life Journey. My life's jounrey which i might encounter various situations and various people. I might use it to express my amusement, frustration and even some of the lessons i'v learned throughout my life.
In short, this will be my online life's diary.