Being in an intercultural society like Singapore, there are bound to be differences in intercultural language, communication and behaviour. No doubt that culture is tied very much to people's behaviour, sometimes living in a society as diverse as Singapore can have its 'side effects'.
I remembered this one time when I had to go for an Indian funeral (North Indian) and I thought the dress code was only white and you had to give a packet of money as act of condolence. So i 'stupidly' went to prepare an envelope in white, wrote my friend's family name on it and gave it to the mother the minute I reached there. I still remembered the look she gave me - she literally stopped tearing, stared with eyes bulging at the envelope and started crying again! After that she avoided me throughout the funeral and I was thinking what did I do wrong? Later I realised, upon confiding with a friend that for North Indians, you only give them money during happy occasions! Argghhhh!
I couldn't stop slapping myself after that! But being in a sociey like Singapore, there are bound for such 'mishaps' to happen and I am sure you guys went thorugh something similar too. I guess to evaluate intercultural behaviour, we got to first talk and understand about other culture's norms and practices. Having freinds from different races and background help.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Application Letter
February 11, 2010
Mr Patrick Keenan
Personnel Manager
Grebstad Hicks Communications
51, Mount Sophia
Dear Mr Patrick Keenan:
I am responding to your advertisement in the February 10 issue of The Straits Times (Singapore) for a Public Relations Executive. I am writing to explore the possibility of being employed as one in your firm as I have participated in many communications related activities and will be graduating from the National University of Singapore (Engineering) this June.
Early in my coursework I got involved in many co-curricular activities that required me to develop and use several communication skills. Being involved as a career guide at the NUS Career Centre required me to assist in helping students prepare for their interviews, write their resumes as well as to generate ideas for reaching out to the student population in terms of career related activities and development. I was also an NUS Student Ambassador for some time and a Customer Service Executive at a firm which required me to deal with enquiries in a professional and effective manner and resolving a wide range of customer related issues despite the language differences.
I understand that being a Public Relations Executive is not an easy task as it involves client relations and effective communication skills and strategies, which one would say, an Engineering undergraduate would not have. However I am confident that I have the assets and experience needed to make a good Public Relations executive. Despite being hardworking, driven and proactive, I am always eager to learn and undergo training to further improve myself in order to become well suited for the job. I am also friendly and approachable which I feel are qualities necessary in making a good Public Relations Executive.
For your perusal and evaluation, I have enclosed my resume which includes all my achievements, accomplishments and skills I have learnt which honed my communications skills and strategies. Should you wish to ask about my personal traits and capabilities, I will be more than willing to come over for a personal interview with you anytime during office hours.
Thank you for taking the time to read my application letter.
Respectfully Yours,
Varjeet Kaur Gill
Mr Patrick Keenan
Personnel Manager
Grebstad Hicks Communications
51, Mount Sophia
Dear Mr Patrick Keenan:
I am responding to your advertisement in the February 10 issue of The Straits Times (Singapore) for a Public Relations Executive. I am writing to explore the possibility of being employed as one in your firm as I have participated in many communications related activities and will be graduating from the National University of Singapore (Engineering) this June.
Early in my coursework I got involved in many co-curricular activities that required me to develop and use several communication skills. Being involved as a career guide at the NUS Career Centre required me to assist in helping students prepare for their interviews, write their resumes as well as to generate ideas for reaching out to the student population in terms of career related activities and development. I was also an NUS Student Ambassador for some time and a Customer Service Executive at a firm which required me to deal with enquiries in a professional and effective manner and resolving a wide range of customer related issues despite the language differences.
I understand that being a Public Relations Executive is not an easy task as it involves client relations and effective communication skills and strategies, which one would say, an Engineering undergraduate would not have. However I am confident that I have the assets and experience needed to make a good Public Relations executive. Despite being hardworking, driven and proactive, I am always eager to learn and undergo training to further improve myself in order to become well suited for the job. I am also friendly and approachable which I feel are qualities necessary in making a good Public Relations Executive.
For your perusal and evaluation, I have enclosed my resume which includes all my achievements, accomplishments and skills I have learnt which honed my communications skills and strategies. Should you wish to ask about my personal traits and capabilities, I will be more than willing to come over for a personal interview with you anytime during office hours.
Thank you for taking the time to read my application letter.
Respectfully Yours,
Varjeet Kaur Gill
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