So your thesis is bound, your university clearance signed, and all your college memories packed up in a box. Now what? Unless your parents are the type to let you "rest" for a bit and figure things out, the next (and urgent) step is to find a job. With all the competition out there, it's tough finding a job, and even tougher getting one. Like it is with games, you can't exactly predict the outcome, but there's plenty you can do to increase your shot at winning.
Tips Here are some tips from people who've been there, from finding a job to interviewing people looking for a job. Advertise. Even if you come from a top university, have stellar grades, and a resume that puts other resumes to shame, if no one knows you're looking for a job, it's highly unlikely that anyone will just come up to you and offer you one. Put all those researching skills to good use and find out which companies have openings that you're qualified for. Don't limit yourself by being picky, especially if it's your first time to look for a job. Experience is always good, and you need as much of it as you can get. On the other hand, don't simply print 100 copies of your resume and send them out randomly. This only makes you look desperate, and unsure of what you want.
Resume vs Curriculum Vitae Also, don't confuse your resume with your curriculum vitae. Your resume should be concise, and the objective is to let your potential employer know why you are perfect for the job, not to tell them everything you've ever done. On the other hand, your curriculum vitae is comprehensive. Latin for "course of life," this is where you list all the details of your education and work experience.
What Do You Want? Job hunting is not easy, but it helps to figure out what you actually want. This is tried and tested advice from an A.B.S Entrepreneurship graduate named Antonette, who says "If you can't be whimsical about it now, when can you be, right? If you're a business major but you've always always loved art, why not apply for an art gallery job? Who knows, you might actually turn out to be happy." Antonette interned with a creative multimedia solutions provider, and then with a lifestyle shop. She eventually figured out that all of those didn't work out, and she decided to start a business with her friends. Their business, Twee Shop, is a mostly-online shop with hand-crafted and locally designed baubles and garb. Twee Shop is now eight months old with a loyal customer fanbase. Talk to people about their jobs. It will give you a clear idea of what it is they do, and whether or not it's something you might be good at too. Also, it lets them know that you're looking for a job, and they just might know of a job that interests you.
Sooner or later, you'll get called for an interview. This is where all those good-manners-& right-conduct lessons come in handy. It goes without saying that you should always be polite. Don't confuse polite with passive, however. A good interview should be a conversation. You're allowed to ask questions. Indeed, you
should ask questions. "At the interview, ask bright, informed questions when the interviewer asks if you have any. Don't just ask to score pogi points," warns Lucrezia, a voice-&-accent trainer and HR assistant at a BPO company.
No Stupid Questions, Please And avoid asking about things you should already know, like what position you're applying for. "That was my pet peeve as an interviewer. I'd ask, 'So, what do you think a call center agent does?', and honestly, there are people who shoot you a blank stare or say stuff like 'I don't know, all I know is, it's good money'." Know what the company will expect of you and what your job responsibilities may be. If it isn't clear, then ask," says Lucrezia.
Know the Competition, Know Your Value Luna, an advertising strategy planner, adds that you should know the competition, and the industry as well. "Knowing your competition will give you the opportunity to ask pertinent questions of your interviewer/future boss. This will show that you know something and you are interested in your position," she says. Another thing you ought to know is how much you can expect to be offered for the position. "Know your current salary. And give the industry standard for the raise in percentage, if you're too shy to give an actual amount," says Luna.
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance Practice doesn't necessarily make perfect, but it sure helps. Research about possible interview questions and try answering them. But this doesn't mean you should memorize your answers. "This is not a school play. Chances are you'll get them mixed up or you'll forget them and you'll be left blank. The secret is to KNOW your answer," says Luna. "Study, study, study the company. Know what their vision and values are. And convince them you're perfect for the job they're looking for... even if you're actually not," says Andrew, a research analyst who screens applicants from time to time. Here's some of his power tips:
- Nobody cares about your grade school achievements.
- Make sure the ID picture is the closest version of yourself.
- References matter. Never write "available upon request"
- Nobody reads a 4-page resume.
- Relax before meeting your interviewer. Make sure you don't have beads of sweat forming above your lip or on your temples. It's bothersome. Take a final check in the mirror. After that long commute, surely you need a retouch.
- Smile. Nobody likes interviewing a log.
- Sometimes you'll get asked questions that seem strange, or even funny.
Ria, 24, recalls her most memorable panel interview, where the interviewers were reading their questions from something they'd googled. "It was something like 'top 25 interview questions' and in the middle of the interview they'd say 'let's ask number 15...natanong na natin kahapon yung number 5,'" says Ria, now an IT Business Process Analyst/ IT Consultant. Whatever the question is, it's important to remember that what matters is how and what you answer. "Answers like 'I'm a hard worker', or 'I was the best student' really don't cut it. Give me concrete examples of your hard work or reasons why you were the best student," says Lucrezia. Be honest. If you don't know, don't pretend that you do. But show that you're willing and able to learn." Attitude is everything. Most companies hire for attitude, train for skill. You can't teach good manners, good conduct and politeness," says Lucrezia. "Confidence counts. Sometimes we also consider the personality of an employee before assigning them to a particular project. It's not just a fit of the skillset but more of their attitude towards work/challenges and how they handle tough situations and how they present themselves (especially for us in IT consulting where we face clients all the time)," says Ria. So be confident, but don't overdo it. Lucrezia warns that "there's a fine line between confident and being mayabang (arrogant)."
Dress for Success Also, while it's true that it's what's inside that counts, it doesn't mean you can forget about your appearance. In fact, given the short time it takes to make an impression, you want to do everything you can to communicate that you're the one they want. "Dress up. It's better to attend an interview dressed up then dressed down. It does not matter if you are applying for a janitorial position or that of a CEO — it pays to dress to impress," says Lucrezia. Again from Lucrezia: "Please please please practice good oral hygiene. The interview room is usually very small." While you're at it, take care of your other needs, like going to the bathroom. "I had one interviewee who took one look at us and touched her stomach and said "I'll be right back," just as the interview began. Nakakaloka! She had to go the bathroom. So the rule is, make sure the tank is empty before you head in," says Lucrezia. After taking care of the big stuff, it also helps to pay attention to the details, which can go a long way. Luna advises to confirm your interview with the HR/ interviewer the day before. On the day itself, you should arrive early, if not on time. "This will give you time to relax/ get settled. Plus it gives you time in case some little delays happen along the way i.e. Monday morning traffic, etc," says Luna. And after the interview, whether or not you get the job, a thank you note to your interviewer/s sent within 24 hours goes a long way.
— AY/TJD/MDM, GMA News 
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