killer resumes and acing the job interview for new graduates

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by 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?

very good answers

on the salary thing ---- its always good to have in your mind what salary you want. and when asked dont be shy saying it. be confident, make the interviewer feel you really deserve it.

whats the amount? make it a little better than norm --- a slightly higher amount than what the indsutry pays for the same position for someone with similar experience as yourself.

when asked that question on the first interview i answer this way -- i expect to get paid what the industry pays for the position. if probed further, i say --- i expect to be paid within the range of what those already in your company is getting at the same position. (of course these answers are lies!)

i try not to quote a price on the first interview bec i dont want to turn them off too early. i try to lure them in for a secomd interview. so giving an answer they like to hear on the first interview is a good thing.

its on the final interview or interview second to the final when i give them the bomb! when you reach this stage, they already like you so telling them the truth about salary is a good thing. at this stage, they like you so much, theyd give you what they want.

[abcxyz]

tip : send letters to three people a) the hr head, b) the president and c) the division head

[candycandy]

wala pa feedback?? hehehe

[abcxyz]

oo nga ano.

[diwata28]

let's revive this thread for the new grads

[abcxyz]

any experiences for the new grads to share?

[IslaNegra]

an interviewer asked the age of my parents and i don't know how old are they. he was surprised that i don't know their exact age...so i was surprised as well coz he's like making a big deal out of it when i told him that i don't asked their ages and they're like 40 something, and when he asked me if i know their date of birth, i told him, yes of course! but i don't know the year of their birth...sheesh! i would have known their ages if i knew what year they were born. And personally, i don't really asks people's ages not even my bro. and sisters. he even insisted that i was their daughter and i should know...geeez! i told my dad about that incident and he said ''ayaw nya e diwag'' ..guy yung nag interview sa akin. haay, mga lalaki talaga ayaw mag patalo..aba di naman ako paaapi noh.

well, i have an upcoming interviews tomorrow...geez, it's so weird i wasn't really looking for work anymore since we're migrating already maybe late this year.....and then suddenly, companies are calling me for either a test or interview..hehe, well, i've got nothing to loose anywway so i'm going to try. I've been learning lots of places lately and other things as well, like what the company look like, their employees, etc...

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by IslaNegra
an interviewer asked the age of my parents and i don't know how old are they. he was surprised that i don't know their exact age...so i was surprised as well coz he's like making a big deal out of it when i told him that i don't asked their ages and they're like 40 something, and when he asked me if i know their date of birth, i told him, yes of course! but i don't know the year of their birth...sheesh! i would have known their ages if i knew what year they were born. And personally, i don't really asks people's ages not even my bro. and sisters. he even insisted that i was their daughter and i should know...geeez! i told my dad about that incident and he said ''ayaw nya e diwag'' ..guy yung nag interview sa akin. haay, mga lalaki talaga ayaw mag patalo..aba di naman ako paaapi noh.

well, i have an upcoming interviews tomorrow...geez, it's so weird i wasn't really looking for work anymore since we're migrating already maybe late this year.....and then suddenly, companies are calling me for either a test or interview..hehe, well, i've got nothing to loose anywway so i'm going to try. I've been learning lots of places lately and other things as well, like what the company look like, their employees, etc...

yeah, dont fret about the interview. if this guy asking about the ages of your parents and making a big dral of it is someone you will report to, its not all worth it. youre better off not dealing with that guy.

yes, dont turn down any interviews or tests, no matter how small or boring. practice makes perfect.

[altair]

Originally posted by IslaNegra
an interviewer asked the age of my parents and i don't know how old are they. he was surprised that i don't know their exact age...so i was surprised as well coz he's like making a big deal out of it when i told him that i don't asked their ages and they're like 40 something, and when he asked me if i know their date of birth, i told him, yes of course! but i don't know the year of their birth...sheesh!

the interviewer might have been looking for somebody who has a keen eye for details. You need to be one if you are hired to do troubleshooting (be it a machine or an organization or a system) or detective work.

[soulthird]

Originally posted by IslaNegra
an interviewer asked the age of my parents and i don't know how old are they. he was surprised that i don't know their exact age...so i was surprised as well coz he's like making a big deal out of it when i told him that i don't asked their ages and they're like 40 something, and when he asked me if i know their date of birth, i told him, yes of course! but i don't know the year of their birth...sheesh! i would have known their ages if i knew what year they were born. And personally, i don't really asks people's ages not even my bro. and sisters. he even insisted that i was their daughter and i should know...geeez! i told my dad about that incident and he said ''ayaw nya e diwag'' ..guy yung nag interview sa akin. haay, mga lalaki talaga ayaw mag patalo..aba di naman ako paaapi noh.

well, i have an upcoming interviews tomorrow...geez, it's so weird i wasn't really looking for work anymore since we're migrating already maybe late this year.....and then suddenly, companies are calling me for either a test or interview..hehe, well, i've got nothing to loose anywway so i'm going to try. I've been learning lots of places lately and other things as well, like what the company look like, their employees, etc...

well, for one it really is bothering that you don't know the age of your parents. It can be reflective of your relationship with them, or just like what altair said, the attention you give to little details.

[the_BuGs]

Hmm hangang ngayon naalala ko pa yung first interview ko ehehehehe biruin mo first time kong mag apply ng work sabay yun dun kumuha sa akin ***** dahil din sa interview ko ehehehe


Payo sa mga fresh grads... tip ko lang muna sa inyo to.....

Pag tinanong kayo ng ganitong senaryo


1. Expectations nila sa iyo

Sabihin nyo lang na ibibigay nyo ng full 101 Percent! ang kakayahan nyo para mapagsilbihan ang company nyo ng maganda.
(haay eto sinabi ko nun eh... pero mahaba pagkasabe ko nun ehehehe)


2. Strengths and weakneses

Sabihin nyop strengths nyo shempre.. then yung weakness nyo dapat sabihin nyo rin pero DAPAT! positive pa rin sa strengths mo! yung weakness mo.


3. For the next Five or 7 years ano yung nakikita mo sa sarili mo?


Huwag na hwag nyong sasabihin mag .. me bzness na ako nun.. magtatayo ng bzness...etc... HUWAG NA HUWAG nyong sasabihn na magnenegosyo kayo dahil ang Ibig sabihin nun hindi ka tatagal sa COMPANY na pinagaaplyan mo... Dapat ang sasabihin mo Magiging isang Project Manager ka sa COmpany na yun!Basta sabihin nyo na Magkakaroon kayo ng mataas na position sa company na yan.


4. Sa Salary Expectations naman

Huwag kayong mahiyang magtanong kung magkano binibigay nila for fresh starter... Huwag muna kayo mag babargain ng salary nyo dahil freshy pa lang kayo... humiling *** kayo ng kaunting dagdag kung alam mong maliit.


At isa pa.. kung ano yung nilagay nyo sa resume dapat alam nyo rin kung paano i-defend yun






Eto na lang muna siguro

[* tinny gUrL *]

if you didn't ask the interviewer anything at the end of the interview, will it reflect negatively on the results of the interview? i had an interview kasi kanina and the interviewer asked me twice if i have any questions and in both instances, i answered NONE... not that i don't really have any questions but then when she asked me that, my question jst suddenly disappeared... i couldn't remember it, in other words...


--------------
bb'sEarth

[survivor_fan]

nice thread thanks kung sino man ang nagsimula nito

[dekster]

I have a bunch of questions too

1) I had an interview for an OJT before and it seemed like it was going well untill I started thinking that the terms were rather disadvantageous for me. Anyway, I was trying really hard not to be too honest but I think my facial expression revealed too much... The interview was very relaxed and in fact the interviewer and I were getting along pretty well... I think at first my charm was working heheh but in the end, I guess due to my obvious hesitation, the interviewer asked me to think about it and call her as soon as possible regarding my decision...

The next day I decided I might as well take the OJT there since it was just an OJT anyway. I called the person who interviewed me but as I feared, she wasnt as enthusiastic. She just said she'd be in touch but as expected I wasn't called again...

My concern is this... would the company/HR remember this incident if and when I apply for a job there in the near future? Keep in mind that, that was my very first interview...

I was just trying to be honest cos I wouldn't have wanted to break a commitment in case another company, offering the terms I was looking for, would take me in...

2) Although I've experienced this only once: Kung mejo nababarok yung nagiinterview sayo... is it ok to slip in some tagalog words in the interview? I feel really awkward kasi whenever I'm talking to someone not as fluent (not sure if this is the approporiate word right now)... And besides... marunong naman ako magtagalog e! (Hope I'm not sounding cocky here)

Finally,

3) Is a 3 page resume too long? Would it be ok to leave the title of your awards etc on their own or would it be better to include a short description of them? Finally, are fresh grads really supposed to include a section on the research papers they've prepared? I'm just following my school's format kasi e and so far... that's whats lengthening my resume...

Anyway... I'd appreciate any of your insights Thanks

[Starbreeze]

dami pala tips dito... thanx.

keep posting.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by * tinny gUrL *
if you didn't ask the interviewer anything at the end of the interview, will it reflect negatively on the results of the interview? i had an interview kasi kanina and the interviewer asked me twice if i have any questions and in both instances, i answered NONE... not that i don't really have any questions but then when she asked me that, my question jst suddenly disappeared... i couldn't remember it, in other words...


--------------
bb'sEarth

you wont fail the interview if you are unable to ask a question.

while its NOT a negative, you may have lost an opportunity to score more points.

use this ask a question bit to do do any of the following :

> opportunity to reverse what you think was a negative impression you may have made during the interview

> opportunity to further highlight your strengths and achievements. you can never have enough of good things

> ask about the health of their business. ask questions like did the company make money last year. did business imrove. how is the business doing now? what were the drivers for success for the company. ask what the greatest threast to the business. this will give the impression you are truly interested in the company.

and when you get an answer to any of these that you can use to further your cause, do so. lets say they tell you customer service was a challenge, tell them what you think about it.

> often, i use this portion to make the interviewer feel stupid. i do this only if during the interview i decide i dont like to work for the company or i find the interviewer too arrogant that he/she needs to be pulled down to earth. i grill the interviewer on something he/she has said that i can prove wrong. i make the interviewer defensive. sometimes i succeed, sometimes i fail but boy it does feel good being able to get back to the interviewer.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by dekster
I have a bunch of questions too

1) I had an interview for an OJT before and it seemed like it was going well untill I started thinking that the terms were rather disadvantageous for me. Anyway, I was trying really hard not to be too honest but I think my facial expression revealed too much... The interview was very relaxed and in fact the interviewer and I were getting along pretty well... I think at first my charm was working heheh but in the end, I guess due to my obvious hesitation, the interviewer asked me to think about it and call her as soon as possible regarding my decision...

The next day I decided I might as well take the OJT there since it was just an OJT anyway. I called the person who interviewed me but as I feared, she wasnt as enthusiastic. She just said she'd be in touch but as expected I wasn't called again...

My concern is this... would the company/HR remember this incident if and when I apply for a job there in the near future? Keep in mind that, that was my very first interview...

I was just trying to be honest cos I wouldn't have wanted to break a commitment in case another company, offering the terms I was looking for, would take me in...

2) Although I've experienced this only once: Kung mejo nababarok yung nagiinterview sayo... is it ok to slip in some tagalog words in the interview? I feel really awkward kasi whenever I'm talking to someone not as fluent (not sure if this is the approporiate word right now)... And besides... marunong naman ako magtagalog e! (Hope I'm not sounding cocky here)

Finally,

3) Is a 3 page resume too long? Would it be ok to leave the title of your awards etc on their own or would it be better to include a short description of them? Finally, are fresh grads really supposed to include a section on the research papers they've prepared? I'm just following my school's format kasi e and so far... that's whats lengthening my resume...

Anyway... I'd appreciate any of your insights Thanks

what is ojt? on the job training?

do not accept a job if you are not totally happy with it. your first job is YOUR MOST important job. it will be in your resume forever. not to mention, your first job will be your foundation, it will teach you the basics. unless of course you really need the money....

yes most hr people will remember what happened during the first interview. but its ok --- prepare for the interview. what happened the first time will probably the first asked of you when you come back. so prepare for it.

too many filipino companies paying their employees poorly. so dont let them get away with it.

its ok to use pilipino specially if the interviewer speaks in tagalog. i use tagalog to interview sometimes just for kicks, to unsettle the person i am interviewing. its the equivalent of asking left field questions. i do that to see how fast the mind of the interviewee.

reasearch papers? i have not seen a resume that includes that. unless of course you are applying for a researcher job. i find that unusual. i guess it depends in the industry your trying to break into ---- in marketing/advertising, i would be more interested in leadership skills, communication skills and achievements than research papers.

this is my personal view : the real world at work is not really a geek's world. its more of street smart with applied intelligence than purely intellectual and scholastic.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by Starbreeze


dami pala tips dito... thanx.

keep posting.

please post your recent experiences here ---- successes and failures and tell us how you did it. it will help others who might encounter the same thing in the future.

[tadeus]

Why does when I take it seriously I don't get hired but on the other way around I got hired.

Coincidence?

[altair]

Originally posted by tadeus
Why does when I take it seriously I don't get hired but on the other way around I got hired.

Coincidence?

When you take it seriously, you get jittery.

When you don't take it seriously, you loosen up and you come across as confident.

be confident, psych yourself up before an interview, you should picture yourself as the best candidate to be interviewed

let the FORCE be with you hehehe