killer resumes and acing the job interview for new graduates

[the_BuGs]

Kelangan nakatingin ka sa mata ng interviewer nyo lagi.

Ang tips ko lang lang sa mga freshy wag masyado maging boastful sa interviewer at arrogant.. kelangan cool lang kayo sumagot yung tipong nakangiti...then magbigay ng kaunting Joke... pero padaplis lang. Yan kasi style ko eh... yung tipong bibigyan mo ng kaunting kakulitan..*** maisip din ng interviewer masayahin ka at madaling mapakiusapan. Tsaka dun sa re-scheduling naman ng interview wag kayo matakot mag pa re-sched kung talagang hindi kayo pwede.

Ako aaminin ko me nabara ako na employer sabihn mo ng arrogant ako nun.Me pagka discreet yung guy eh.Tumawag sa cellphone ko nun thenn sabi me interview ako sa friday ng 3:00 PM eh ang sabi ko naman nde pde dahil me task pa akong gagawin(actually working din ako nun) .. aba tinarayan ba naman ako sabihan ba "hindi ka pwede i re-sched eh... at kung ayaw mo sabihin mo na lang at marami pang APPLICANT!" eh ang sagot ko... "Ok that's your decision no problem!..btw IT'S NOT MY LOST!.. IT's YOUR LOST!" ehehehehehhehehe langyang bading na yun tinarayan ako ehehehehe.

Magsasalita lang kayo ng ganyan kung me pagmamalaki na kayo...pero ako nung panahon na yun wala rin akong pinagmamalaki .. nainis lang ako sa tono ng boses nya sa telepono... hehehehehhe

[Bea19]

any advice on how fresh grads can even be considered since halos lahat ng companies ay may requirement na atleast 1 yr experience.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by Bea19
any advice on how fresh grads can even be considered since halos lahat ng companies ay may requirement na atleast 1 yr experience.

you obviously wont beat those with 1 yr experience bec u dont have any.

so beat them on ther things :

> being a quick learner
> showing them you're a hard worker
> shows real interest on the job and the company

so do some research on the company you are targeting so you can say something on their business and how you can contribute.

do some research on the job and mention things you have done in college where skills you used are applicable to the job.

keywrod : research

[Bea19]

Haaay sana nga ganun kadali, minsan kse pag tingin pa lang sa resume na fresh grad di na agad kinoconsider for intrvw or testing e.

[Zzz_18]

abcxyz,

I have an MS degree in IT from a reputable university but no work experience (aside from a 3 month OJT) . How do I package that on my resume and cover letter? Will employers (especially those seeking applicants with 1-2 years work experience) be willing to consider my MS degree as equivalent to "work experience?" Is a master's degree useless without work experience?
Thanks!

[BLue{}FairY]

pray for me... may interview ako bukas... malaking tulong sa akin tong thread na to salamat sa nagsimula... keep posting... huhuhu... kabogkabogkabog wag sana akong kabahan...

[hodgepodge]

Question: What do they usually ask in the final interview which is usually a panel interview? Feeling ko kasi lahat na ng pwde tanungin natanong na nung 1st and 2nd eh.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by Bea19
Haaay sana nga ganun kadali, minsan kse pag tingin pa lang sa resume na fresh grad di na agad kinoconsider for intrvw or testing e.

i agree its not easy. the reality of the situation is working against you.

BUT you need to make a go at it. these are suggestions on how to go around it or to fight it.

areas to work on :

> make sure your resume handles this issue in some way

> IT IS A GOOD THING if you get an interview and you know that they are looking for someone with experience. the fact that you are being intertained for an interview inspite of your experience handicap means there is something in your resume that got you there. figure out what that is and exploit it to the hilt.

better yet at some point in the interview, ask the question --- why are you interviewing me when you'te looking for someone with experience.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by Zzz_18
abcxyz,

I have an MS degree in IT from a reputable university but no work experience (aside from a 3 month OJT) . How do I package that on my resume and cover letter? Will employers (especially those seeking applicants with 1-2 years work experience) be willing to consider my MS degree as equivalent to "work experience?" Is a master's degree useless without work experience?
Thanks!

your MS desgree SHOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

but to be honest with you, if you were in the US, its harder to get an interview for someone with just an undergraduate degre. unfortunately in the philippines it might not matter much to most companies.

yes, package your MS degree to make it appear as equivalent to work experience. how do you do that? its hard for me to say bec i dont know what you did in your ms course.

having said that, here are my suggestions for your resume and during the interview :

> emphasize "case studies" you did in ms. say you enjoyed it the most bec it was realistic and close to the real thing.

> use words like "close to real work experience" , "tough situations", etc

> cite one or two examples of what your case studies or anything close to work experience and mention your specific contribution to solving the case. some smart idea you had.

>

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by BLue{}FairY
pray for me... may interview ako bukas... malaking tulong sa akin tong thread na to salamat sa nagsimula... keep posting... huhuhu... kabogkabogkabog wag sana akong kabahan...

thanks for the good review on this thread.

tell us about your experience during this interview. might help you for the next one and others.

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by hodgepodge
Question: What do they usually ask in the final interview which is usually a panel interview? Feeling ko kasi lahat na ng pwde tanungin natanong na nung 1st and 2nd eh.

not sure i understood this. this is how i understood it --- same company, the final interview is a panel one. youve had 2 interviews already before the final interview.

there have been posts on this thread on how to handle panel interviews. look it up.

ask the same questions anyway. and maybe incorporate the answers they gave previously. or ask new questions based on the answers given.

[Britneys_Jugs]

HI abcxyz, hope you could answer my question.

Several companies I've applied for are looking for someone with experience. I still sent my resume, anyway. I highlighted my strengths yada yada yada, so that I could at least have a slight advantage. Do you think my resume will be a given a second glance? I know I have a lot to offer, my resume shows it, too. But, it just depresses me that they always look for someone with experience.


Hope you could help. Thanks

[abcxyz]

Originally posted by Britneys_Jugs
HI abcxyz, hope you could answer my question.

Several companies I've applied for are looking for someone with experience. I still sent my resume, anyway. I highlighted my strengths yada yada yada, so that I could at least have a slight advantage. Do you think my resume will be a given a second glance? I know I have a lot to offer, my resume shows it, too. But, it just depresses me that they always look for someone with experience.


Hope you could help. Thanks

here's how it is from the employer's standpoint :

> you look to hire people to fill up SPECIFIC needs for the group and the company. these could be to (1) replace someone who resigned or someone who got promoted or (2) expansion, need someone to fill up a new position.

> when the above happens, you tend to look for someone with exeperience. you do that because you want the new person to hit the ground running, because you have no time for training or no time to lose. or at times, you dont know how to train.

> some companies very smartly purposely look for new graduates / those without experience. they do that bec they have a corporate philosophy that says they like to develop/promote from within. they also like to nurture people, they have a distinct culture that they want their employees to have. also, new graduates tend to be paid less than those with experience. or its a company who believes fresh blood / new thinking is good for their business and the future.

thats the basic thinking.

analize that and see how it applies to you and how you can go around it. these are the realities you face when you look for a job. while these are realities, they can be overcome by playing it smart.

some ideas have been posted here, but let me recap a few :

> make sure you have a well written resume. demonstrate real life skills and achivements, not too much theory.

> DO RESEARCH on the company you are applying for. do some tailor fitting SPECIALLY on the cover letter.

> pay extra attention to your COVER LETTER. the cover letter is THE FIRST DODUMENT they will read. so in the cover letter do a lot of tailor fitting, include something relevant and unique to the specific company (thats why research is important)

> when u get an interview --- apply the same principles. ANTICIPATE questions on your handicap of not having any experience.

ok, ok ----- i know that seems to be a lot to do. and it seems really tough. but what can i say? thats how it is in the real world. you know your handicap and you want to overcome it, so you need to work harder than most. be tough. and dont give up.

let me know if any of these make sense to you. or ask more questions so i can be more responsive.

[kevinCostner]

Just to share my thoughts......

I just had this Job application a week ago and the company I applied in called me three times in a span of two weeks, one for the technical test, the other one for the personality test and the latest is for the workshop.

There's nothing to loose, as many people might say, but not for me since i have a job now and absences in a probationary status is a big No, No- specially if you wanted to make an good impression on your bosses., I came to the appointments anyway not minding that I may not be regularized on my current job since I was very optimistic that I will be hired in the job i am applying for since the HR personnel consistently gives me a call and encourages me to come to those appointments though she knew that I have a job now. (anyway, i have no right to blame her in the first place since i submitted my resume not thinking of the consequences this application might bring out)

Ive already made three absences in my current job now just to give way to my application on this company since they offer a better, higher-paying job, (and more beautiful secretaries, i may add )

Here is the thing.. I had a good score on the Technical exams, i mean, I think, that I really did very well.

Then comes next the PERSONALITY EXAM, which i think is very odd since ive got to finish the test in 30 short minutes for a 120-question module.
I don't know if the company gives emphasis on the personality test but i damn sucked.. at some instance, i wanted to be an introvert, and at some instance i prefer to be an extrovert so that may look confusing when they find out what type of personality I have. IS THE PERSONALITY TEST OF THE APPLICANT A VERY BIG FACTOR IN HIRING THEM? I MEAN, Its just a Test,.. or does it really have a strong impact on the employers?

Moving on, here comes the Workshop.. I dont have any Idea at all what this workshop is all about. I even thought that It was an acting or singing workshop or whatever whimsical workshop I might think since the word "workshop" is stereotyped..
anyway, i soon found out that the workshop is like a test of your communication skills, and your skills to reason out and make some firm judgement on the data that they will give you..

so then it came, all 9 qualified applicants has to point out their decisions and justify such decisions.. The thing that really sucked in me is that I am a born debater, so whenever some people made some "negative" remarks on my statements, i always follow it up with a further elaboration but I don't threw their statements in back in their faces. I mean, I just can't help but to elaborate. Is this a bad attitude?.. What kind of interpersonal skills should be "desirable" in these kind of matters??
Please help me..

(anyway, as of presstime, i am still waiting for their call, but it seems like i didn't make it in the workshop, I dont know why, but definitely, it is not because I am an introvert, That's a sure thing!)

It was one of those experience that did not turn out right but sure did give me lessons so that I may not be wrong again the next time...
I HOPE..

PS..
CAN ANYBODY ANALYZE MY SITUATION NOW? Is it ethical to give them a call asking about my job application status?? or should i forget everything and move on??

Your advice would be greatly appreciated..

[Britneys_Jugs]

TO abcxyz

Originally posted by abcxyz
let me know if any of these make sense to you. or ask more questions so i can be more responsive.

All the things you have pointed out are, I know, sad but true. I do research (it even took me a day to gather relevant data on companies where I submitted my resumes), I do check my cover letter (I always change it when necessary) so that I highlighted all my skills and experiences that'll be important for the job, and I do think my resume stands out among the rest. Most applicants (from where I've applied) didn't even have a cover letter! Still, it ain't enough. I know, I know, this is the real world, oh well, it really bites!


I have a follow-up question (here's the scenario):
I worked as a part-time office staff in my dad's company for over a year because I had only three days of classes during 4th year. Unfortunately, all I did was, surf the internet, answer the phone, and fax something, since most of the supervisors were afraid to order me around and let me to do something worthwhile, (although, I wouldn't mind at all!) knowing my dad was their boss. I always include this as a part of my working experience in my resume, however, I don't offer a lot of infos. I just include the name of the company, duration of my stay and my position.

These are my questions:
Do you think companies would merit my part-time job as a full-time job?

What do you think would be the best job description for this? Or more importantly, how could I make it sound interesting?

Do you think companies would still call me for an interview even if there's a minor (hehe, I prefer it as minor) hindrance (which in my case, is inexperience)? Or do you know any instance wherein a company was looking for an experienced applicant, but, in the long run, hired a fresh graduate?

Hope you could help me again. Thanks.

[computergeek]

sa totoo lang..

Im totally pissed off because I always get rejected on my job applications...

I am a fresh graduate though, and up to now, wala pa akong nakukuhang "matinong" trabaho. is there sopmething wrong with me??
Competitive naman ako, I pass most of the exams pero sa interviews ako nakakatay..
your posts are of a big help!!

[phantom]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kevinCostner
Just to share my thoughts......

bThen comes next the PERSONALITY EXAM, which i think is very odd since ive got to finish the test in 30 short minutes for a 120-question module. I don't know if the company gives emphasis on the personality test but i damn sucked.. at some instance, i wanted to be an introvert, and at some instance i prefer to be an extrovert so that may look confusing when they find out what type of personality I have. IS THE PERSONALITY TEST OF THE APPLICANT A VERY BIG FACTOR IN HIRING THEM? I MEAN, Its just a Test,.. or does it really have a strong impact on the employers?


Depends. For some, the personality test (PT) is a "must". It comes in handy when all the short-listed applicants share almost the same technical qualifications. The PT results might be the deciding factor in separating the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.

As to "faking" the test, a good psychometrician should be able to handle that.

I once quit a job even before starting. Despite having aced 3 interviews (1 panel) and being told by the Project Director (foreign donor side) that I was hired and should start as soon as possible, the HRD Director of one Phil. government agency insisted for me to take all 4 personality tests before my hiring could be made official. (how's that for a run on? ) Well, I refused to take their psychological tests because of "prinsipyo". The HRD director insisted and even sanctimoniously lectured me on the importance of testing. I reminded her she was preaching to the choir leader. She then assured me they'd just have to "go through the motion" of testing because it was SOP. She even indirectly threatened me-- "no test, no job". Huh! In 2 days, I accepted a teaching position in Manila. You bet I couldn't wait to discuss about the principles of testing in one of my classes.

Lesson? Don't follow me. Unless you're already experienced and very confident about your marketability, play the application game well. Or I should say-- dance with the wolves carefully. I don't mean for you to kiss employers'/recruiters' arses. Don't be too much of an upstart either. Makiramdam ka lang and keep the balance.

Hope this helps.

[phantom]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Britneys_Jugs
TO abcxyz


These are my questions:
Do you think companies would merit my part-time job as a full-time job?

No, sir. You don't have to indicate in your resume it's a partime/fulltime job though. Just put there the dates (1995-1998) and tell the whole story during the interview, if they're curious.

What do you think would be the best job description for this? Or more importantly, how could I make it sound interesting?

Was it an internship/practicum? Nothing wrong with stating that, especially if you're a new graduate. Your other option is not to mention it as an internship. Just put your job title in the resume and again... tell the rest of the story during the interview.

Do you think companies would still call me for an interview even if there's a minor (hehe, I prefer it as minor) hindrance (which in my case, is inexperience)? Or do you know any instance wherein a company was looking for an experienced applicant, but, in the long run, hired a fresh graduate?

It depends on the position you're applying. Here in the US, an internship is as good as job experience.

[kevinCostner]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by phantom

Originally posted by kevinCostner
Just to share my thoughts......

bThen comes next the PERSONALITY EXAM, which i think is very odd since ive got to finish the test in 30 short minutes for a 120-question module. I don't know if the company gives emphasis on the personality test but i damn sucked.. at some instance, i wanted to be an introvert, and at some instance i prefer to be an extrovert so that may look confusing when they find out what type of personality I have. IS THE PERSONALITY TEST OF THE APPLICANT A VERY BIG FACTOR IN HIRING THEM? I MEAN, Its just a Test,.. or does it really have a strong impact on the employers?


Depends. For some, the personality test (PT) is a "must". It comes in handy when all the short-listed applicants share almost the same technical qualifications. The PT results might be the deciding factor in separating the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.

As to "faking" the test, a good psychometrician should be able to handle that.

I once quit a job even before starting. Despite having aced 3 interviews (1 panel) and being told by the Project Director (foreign donor side) that I was hired and should start as soon as possible, the HRD Director of one Phil. government agency insisted for me to take all 4 personality tests before my hiring could be made official. (how's that for a run on? ) Well, I refused to take their psychological tests because of "prinsipyo". The HRD director insisted and even sanctimoniously lectured me on the importance of testing. I reminded her she was preaching to the choir leader. She then assured me they'd just have to "go through the motion" of testing because it was SOP. She even indirectly threatened me-- "no test, no job". Huh! In 2 days, I accepted a teaching position in Manila. You bet I couldn't wait to discuss about the principles of testing in one of my classes.

Lesson? Don't follow me. Unless you're already experienced and very confident about your marketability, play the application game well. Or I should say-- dance with the wolves carefully. I don't mean for you to kiss employers'/recruiters' arses. Don't be too much of an upstart either. Makiramdam ka lang and keep the balance.

Hope this helps.

It does help.....
Damn. it was the first time i took a PT so I'll study and review my lessons well next time...

[Britneys_Jugs]

Thanks Phantom! What's your opinion about my hanging question, abcxyz?


Question: (to abcxyz or to anyone who wants to share his/her views)

Is it ok to apply for several positions in just one company? I recently submitted my resume(s) in a company that has several openings, and applied for each position that I know I have the necessary qualifications to begin with. Can this be considered normal or do I look desperate enough to apply for all positions? Any opinion from any of you would be highly appreciated.