Get yourself a clear career goal

"This is the first rule of existence," advised the winner of the Fan Pan Tae in Thailand's Stock Exchange award. He was talking to undergraduate students at the SCG Excellent Internship Road Show.

"Now, get a pen and a piece of paper, think about what you want to do in the future and write it down," Olarn continued.

One of the keys to success is finding your future goal and making it happen, he said. Putting your goals down on paper is like making a commitment to yourself.

"If you've never thought about it and never have written it down, then it's like you're sailing a boat without any direction. You're not sure if you should go right or left, so you just go sailing along, waiting for the wind to take you places."

Not everyone can reach their dream destination, but at least when you write it down, you have a better vision of how to get there. When you have a clear career goal, you can make a list of factors and the ways to achieve your goal. If you lack qualifications that may stop you, list them.

Goals such as graduating, getting a job and being able to afford a family are not clear career objectives.

"They're the goals of a 'nobody'," Olarn said. "They're too general and you'll end up becoming just a person who no one pays any attention to."

Goals can change through time. It's not necessary that you must strictly stick to them, he explained.

Once you've written down your career goals, share them with at least five people. This way, you'll be making a commitment to others, which will help you get closer to your goal.

"When you let others know, you'll get advice, support and encouragement. They can help you one way or the other," he said.

Olarn said that though he may not know everything about the Thai Stock Exchange, he won the award because he refused to let his chance float away.

"Opportunities are around. You just have reach out and grab them."

Obtain experience

Every time Olarn looks at a resume, he concentrates on the experience obtained by the candidates.

"Does anyone here work part-time at McDonald's?" he asked the undergraduates at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok where the road show was organised.

Olarn said he gave special consideration to candidates who had experience working at the fast-food chain.

"People at McDonald's, from managers to trainees and part-timers, learn to do everything from up front to the back kitchen to cleaning the toilet."

His final tip on how becoming successful is smiling.

"People want to be around those who smile easily. So, you should practise smiling in front of a mirror. But don't do it for too long otherwise people might think you're crazy."

By Rojana Manowalailao

The Nation