killer resumes and acing the job interview for new graduates

[candycandy]

I graduated 1999.. my first job with a British/American CEO and lastly my second job with a Filipino CEO.

My question is:
Why is it hard to please or win the interest of a Filipino employer? Been through with meetings with foreign clients and noticed that I can impressed them and have their YES so easily.. while others (Filipino client), they will examine your skills bit by bit before they give their answer.. mostly, NO pa. But some ok naman.

another Q:
People usually see me squinting and tend to think that I dont believe them. Na parang "kinikilatis" ko yung mga sinasabi nila. Marami tuloy nagagalit sa akin.

Sa mga companies, after interview hindi na ako tinatawagan.. I dont know but I feel that squinting is one major reason. Kasi di ba eye contact yung importante? I don't feel relaxed tuloy pag may interview ako kasi conscious na ako sa mata ko. What should I do?


Thanks for any help or advise.

[bepanthene]

Originally posted by candycandy
another Q:
People usually see me squinting and tend to think that I dont believe them. Na parang "kinikilatis" ko yung mga sinasabi nila. Marami tuloy nagagalit sa akin.

Sa mga companies, after interview hindi na ako tinatawagan.. I dont know but I feel that squinting is one major reason. Kasi di ba eye contact yung importante? I don't feel relaxed tuloy pag may interview ako kasi conscious na ako sa mata ko. What should I do?


Thanks for any help or advise.

Baka yan ang reason. Just try not to do it. alam mo naman, minsan pag may nakikita kang taong mukhang suplada, ang iniisip mo, talagang suplada siya pero hindi naman. mukha lang. kaya baka akala nang manga tao sa yo, galit ka or inaasar mo sila or something like that.

[candycandy]

hi bepanthene!!


maiiwasan ba yun?? ganun na talga ako makatingin eh.. unless you are my friend, you will understand.. Feeling ko pag nag-iiba ako ng tingin sa kausap ko.. parang crossed-eyed naman ako.. feel ko lang.. hehehe

ang hirap lalo na sa interview.. Nakakawala ng confidence

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by anwarlorenzo
sometimes it pays to be spunky pala

yes, all the time. companies want to hire the best among those in the job market

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by ahock
abcxyz

Can you also give info about applicants with experience already. What field are u into nga pala?????????

essentially the same principles apply.

but the more work experiences you have, the less important what school you graduated in and your course becomes. what becomes more important are :

> the companies you have joined
> the experiences you have had
> career development
> promotions
> achievements
> business results of what you have done

[bepanthene]

Originally posted by candycandy
hi bepanthene!!


maiiwasan ba yun?? ganun na talga ako makatingin eh.. unless you are my friend, you will understand.. Feeling ko pag nag-iiba ako ng tingin sa kausap ko.. parang crossed-eyed naman ako.. feel ko lang.. hehehe

ang hirap lalo na sa interview.. Nakakawala ng confidence

Are you near-sighted? Before I started wearing glasses, I squinted a lot. Maybe you should get your eyes checked if you haven't already.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by candycandy
I graduated 1999.. my first job with a British/American CEO and lastly my second job with a Filipino CEO.

My question is:
Why is it hard to please or win the interest of a Filipino employer? Been through with meetings with foreign clients and noticed that I can impressed them and have their YES so easily.. while others (Filipino client), they will examine your skills bit by bit before they give their answer.. mostly, NO pa. But some ok naman.

another Q:
People usually see me squinting and tend to think that I dont believe them. Na parang "kinikilatis" ko yung mga sinasabi nila. Marami tuloy nagagalit sa akin.

Sa mga companies, after interview hindi na ako tinatawagan.. I dont know but I feel that squinting is one major reason. Kasi di ba eye contact yung importante? I don't feel relaxed tuloy pag may interview ako kasi conscious na ako sa mata ko. What should I do?


Thanks for any help or advise.

i dont think race has anything to do with difficulty to persuade them or to get their trust. i have dealt with all kinds and it can go either way.

why do you squint in the first place? is that an eye problem? kung eye problem, see a doctor.

but if you squint bec u agree/disagree or believe/not believe who you are talking to, then you need to do something about it.

you really cant choose the people you deal with --- there will be smart ones and dumb ones; meron trying hard, merong puro pretend, meron ding really knowledgeable and skill full.

professionalism, good persuasive skills and maturity says you need to know ho to handle each person and be successful with each one.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by aji
Question: Should I recognize the panel when the panel interview starts? If yes, would that make me look bad if I didn't? If no, would that make me look good?

what you mean by recognize? as in say hello? well u should say hello.

the first that they will probably ask you is --- tell us something baout yourself. its a dumb question but panel interviews for some reason start this way.

have a prepared answer to this question. its best that the answer immediately says "im the guy you want for this job".

anothertypical panel question --- "why do you think are you qualified for the job", another dumb question you need to prepare for.

[candycandy]

bepanthene and abcxyz i am far-sighted.. even now that im wearing my eyeglasses, i still squint. Matalim ako tumitig. Nakakaoffend daw talaga.

Turn-off ba yung Taglish?? or as long as you deliver well and express your thoughts that counts?
Mini skirts(4 inches above knees) on/off during interview? or masyadong maiksi na yun?

[Kaoru_Himura]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by abcxyz

the first that they will probably ask you is --- tell us something baout yourself. its a dumb question but panel interviews for some reason start this way.

How is the best way to answer this? Do you talk about your interests? jobs you've handled?

have a prepared answer to this question. its best that the answer immediately says "im the guy you want for this job".

anothertypical panel question --- "why do you think are you qualified for the job", another dumb question you need to prepare for.

This is tricky. What's the best way to sell yourself without sounding so full of yourself or sounding like 'nambobola'.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by candycandy
bepanthene and abcxyz i am far-sighted.. even now that im wearing my eyeglasses, i still squint. Matalim ako tumitig. Nakakaoffend daw talaga.

Turn-off ba yung Taglish?? or as long as you deliver well and express your thoughts that counts?
Mini skirts(4 inches above knees) on/off during interview? or masyadong maiksi na yun?

you sure there is no medical reason for the squinting? go see your doctor.

if they say its a real turn-off, you need to learn to control it. how? hindi ki alam actually. if the squinting is brought about by your dismay on how dumb the person interviewing you, try thinking of good things about the person instead. that might help.

you need to be conscious of what you do and how you conduct yourself in meetings/interviews. i have learned to control many things. put your mind into it.

taglish? if the person your interviewing you talks in taglish, it is ok then. for me, the rule is --- it is safest that you use the language the interviewer is using; and the language you are most confortable with.

mini-skirts? personally, i wont have problems with that. you'd get a second, third interview even. ooops ---- ano nga iyong topic? he he he. just kidding.

the over-riding consideration is -- you want to look prefessional and sincere. so you dress up according to that. it really depends on the industry and the job you are applying for. if its marketing/brand management and advertising --- being trendy and daring is acceptable. or even in the liesure/travel industry. but not in the banking industry. merong mga companies and industries that tend to be traditional and conservative.

it is ok to be you, but you need to bend that just a little to suit the occasion and scenario.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by Kaoru_Himura
How is the best way to answer this? Do you talk about your interests? jobs you've handled?

answer that is job-related, your experiences and achievements, your skill sets.

"im a junior brand manager who has been involved in some marketing successes in the country. i have worked for companies who appreciate strategic thinking and demand on-time, high-quality execution."

or some bs like that. but NEVER LIE. bec they will probe and you will be found out. just SELL yourself. its in the choices of the words.

Originally posted by Kaoru_Himura
This is tricky. What's the best way to sell yourself without sounding so full of yourself or sounding like 'nambobola'.

there is a diference between sounding "full of yourself" versus confidence. show confidence not boastful. be factual, editorialize at the right topics. be SINCERE. a lot of it has to do with the WAY YOU DELIVER the lines. so practice, practice.

i went to ALL the interviews i was called for, even for jobs i dont like or companies i dont like. i went to get some practice. and id try out a few lines with companies i dont like just to see their reactions to it. then change it next time.

[candycandy]

Usually, eye-contact lang naman yung problem ko during interview.. thanks abcxyz.

How about the gestures?? And plus ba yung magdala ng print-outs of your portfolios??

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by candycandy
Usually, eye-contact lang naman yung problem ko during interview.. thanks abcxyz.

How about the gestures?? And plus ba yung magdala ng print-outs of your portfolios??

gestures are good. just make sure u have clean nails and hands. ha ha ha

yes by all means bring portfolios. make sure they really look good.

[candycandy]

abcxyz about resume.. Ok ba yung maglagay ng personal info like this:

*Proficient in ..
*Strong knowledge in..
* Involved in...

.. so forth or turn-off yung ganun?

[abcxyz]

these words are just fine as long as you can talk details/specifics.

[rhk111]

When the interviewer finishes asking his set of questions, they usually go out and asks the interviewee if they have any questions they would like to ask. I've learned to ask 2 things: First, I ask about what products the company is making or manufacturing, and second, what the job position is really like, what it's all about specifically.

abcxyz, do you have any other suggestions on the questions the interviewee could ask the interviewer?

[arnivorous]

Interview Questions and Ways to Answer Them

1) Tell me about yourself.

Answer this by stating your educational attainment, professional achievements and goals as well as your qualifications for the job. No beating around the bush but just straight to the point.

2) Why do you want to work here? What about our company interests you?

Show your enthusiasm and interest about the company. Talk about how your professional skills would benefit the company.

3) Why did you leave your last job?

Never ever say anything bad about your past job or your past employer. The best way to answer this is to state any one of the following reasons, provided they are true to your situation:

- The company wanted to me to relocate.
- It was just a temporary job.
- There was no possibility of advancement.
- I wanted a job better suited to my skills.

4) What are your best skills?

Give specific examples of what you can do best via real situations which happened to you before.

5) What is your major weakness?

One possible answer without really admitting your weakness is this: "I often worry much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is well done."

6) What are your hobbies? Do you play sports?

If you said playing chess, that would be a point toward your analytical skills.

If you said reading, music, painting, that would be for your creativity.

If you mentioned any individual sports like swimming or running, that shows determination and stamina.

If you're into group sports like basketball, that shows that you can be a team player.

7) What salary are you expecting?

This is one of most touchy subjects for young guns. One of the best ways to answer this is ask a question instead of answering it. Sample answer: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?"

8) What have I forgotten to ask?

This is your chance to summarize your good characters and attributes and how they may benefit the company.

I hope these tips help. They helped me when I was looking for a job in the US.

What do you think abcxyz?

[candycandy]

Hi arnivorous.. BTW, where did abcxyz go??

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by rhk111
When the interviewer finishes asking his set of questions, they usually go out and asks the interviewee if they have any questions they would like to ask. I've learned to ask 2 things: First, I ask about what products the company is making or manufacturing, and second, what the job position is really like, what it's all about specifically.

abcxyz, do you have any other suggestions on the questions the interviewee could ask the interviewer?

oh yes, you can use these questions they allow you to ask at the end of the interview several ways, one or or a combination of them : a) make more points for yourself, b) paybeck time! -- make the interviewer squirm, put him on the spot (this means you probably dont like the job so who cares if he gets pissed at you) or c) get answers to some of your questions.

its always best to do some research about the company and its products before the interview, so you might not want to ask that question on that coz it might make it appear youre not intetrested in their company/products.

here are some good questions (not these words exactly, but pick up the thoughts):

>> how finanacially stable is the compnay? did the company make money last year? why/why not? (shows you are interested about your future, that u wont join a company that is about to fold up)

>> what has been the key drivers of success for the company? what company is its biggest competitor, how is this company doing against that. (shows you are interested in the business side, not just employment)

>> how important is new blood/hiring of fresh grads to the company, any training programs? (will tell u if they will take car of you)

there are a lot more you can ask, but these are the guidelines :

> ask quetsions that make it sound you are interested in bigger things other than employment
> questions that say something about you, can add to building a good impression of you
> questions that when an answer is given, you can add to or contribute an idea to
> ask questions if you think you didnt do a good job during the interview and you want to improve your standing

you should do mock interviews with friends to help you out.