The HR advisor for the company I have been dealing with has just sent me the form. I asked him tips on what they are looking for, etc, and he basically said:
"Try to outline what skills/experience you can offer to improve the company, industry, and Singapore in general"
He also said:
"Don't use any industry jargon, or terminilogy, as if they can't understand it, they will just ignore it".
Seems pretty good advice. Is he generally right?
I'm just thinking what angle to go for.
To give you some ammo to work with, I work on academic journals. And peer review. Firstly, making decisions on whether to consider articles for the journal (based on quality, how it will be received in the field, and how that will reflect on journal sales, and image).
And once that decision has been made, selecting suitable peer reviewers (based on assessing their skills and suitability to the work), and then making publishing decisions based on their conclusions. As well as a bit of marketing, and the obvious "networking". As in, basically going to conferences, and trying to convince people to send us their work.
I'm just thinking how to attack it? Well, without sounding like an idiot! My positives as I see it, as in, why it would be good to have me over:
1: Uk/West is generally quite bit ahead of Asian publishers in regards to publishing techniques.
Not that I'm planning on boasting, or patronising - but I was thinking of something like:
"excellent knowledge of cutting edge UK/European publishing techniques"
or something like that?
2: I work on a really top title. Like top 5 in the world. Singapores titles in comparison are more modern, and are just starting to break through a bit. I was thinking something like:
"Edit and develop one of the world's top journals, and help coordinate and develop European and US marketing campaigns.
Again, the focus being, experience in those western markets? As in, markets that Singaporean publishers won't be working in?
3: I network a lot with western authors and referees, and have built up some nice relationships in my time. The reason I'm bringing it up is that Asian companies struggle big style to attract business from the west. One of their prime targets, this decade, it seems, from reading their web sites, is breaking US/European dominance, and moving into those markets.
I was thinking:
"networking with American/European authors, and developing important business relationships for the company in those markets".
4: Similar thing. I do a lot of conference work in Europe and the states. Basically standing in a sales booth, trying to talk people in to working with us.
"experienced conference delegate, in European and US markets. Confident networker, and company representative".
Firstly, is talking along these lines relevant?
Secondly, am I attacking it from the right angle?
Thirdly, does anyone have any other ways to go?
I should also add, I do also plan to include all of the day to day stuff I do. This is more "the icing on top of the cake" if you like