a time to shine

A rather long article was forwarded yesterday by one of the adiks (thanks Ren). It tackles the most common questions thrown by an interviewer to an applicant. The article tells us how to respond properly to those questions instead of some misguided and often loose answers that can cost us the job we are applying for.

Magandang guide yong article coz it covers 50 possible questions na kung makakabisa mo yong suggested answers, will help you a lot to have a successful job interview. Although it focuses on the interview itself. Para sa akin kasi, the actual interview is just one part. There are many other things na ginagawa ko pag humaharap ako sa isang job interview. And these things I wanna share with you with the hope na makatulong.

My CV. First thing na ginagawa ko ay nire-review ko ang aking CV and make sure na ito yong CV na pinasa ko sa kumpanyang magi-interview sa akin. Baka mamaya matagal na yong application ko at lumang version pa ng CV ko ang hawak nila. So I make it a point that I have the latest version of my CV pagpunta ko ng interview, just in case. At syempre, kailangan kabisado ko yong mga pinag-susulat ko doon. It’s a no-no na tatanungin ka about one point from your resume tapos maghahagilap ka ng sagot dahil hindi mo matandaan na nilagay mo doon. Baka isipin pa ng interviewer, galing Recto ang papel.

The Company. It pays to do a bit of research tungkol sa kumpanyang ina-aplayan mo. At least dapat alam mo kung anong line of business nila, whether they are local or an international organization. Maganda rin kung alam mo kung anong pwesto nila sa industry. It will give the impression na talagang interesado ka to join the organization. Mahirap mag-linya ng ‘I want to join a top-rank company like yours’ without you knowing na bagong-bago at start-up pa lang pala yong kumpanya. It’s so obvious you’re just jerking them around.

The look. Unless specifically instructed, hindi ako nagko-coat and tie sa isang job interview. Ayaw kong umani ng hagikgik behind my back dahil overdressed ako at talo ko pa ang CEO ng kumpanyang ina-aplayan ko. Baka ma-turn-off pa ang magi-interview sa akin. Because I’ve always been applying for office work, the safest way to go is to wear dark pants, preferably slacks, but definitely not ‘maong’. Syempre out ang rubber shoes and I always use simple black leather shoes. At syempre, kailangan shirt na may collar. Never yong sport t-shirts, kahit sabihin pang La Coste or Nike yan. Kahit walang brand, as long as it’s medyo formal. Collared shirt nga pero may malaking print naman ng Megadeth sa likod, talo pa rin yon. Kung Makati, lalo na sa isang hotel ang interview, always bring a necktie with you. At least madaling ikabit yon if you find the situation calling for something a bit more formal. And if you’re a guy na may hikaw sa isang tenga, tanggalin muna. Maligo at mag-toothbrush. At wag munang i-gel ang buhok na para kang pupunta sa punk rock concert. If you can’t afford to look formal, at least be normal.

The mindset. I always go to a job interview with a positive attitude. Iniisip ko lang lagi, a job interview is nothing short of an oral examination na ilang libong beses na nating ginawa noong nasa school pa tayo. And because you come prepared, you should expect to do well and pass the oral exam. And by prepared I mean not necessarily knowing all the answers to all the questions. Dahil hindi mo naman alam kung ano ang mga itatanong. Ang importante, how you deal with difficult questions. Kahit hindi mo alam ang tamang sagot pero naipakita mong hindi ka madaling ma-rattle, hindi ka inaatake ng nerbyos at hindi nanginginig ang iyong baba, you’d still win points. So just go in there and believe that you’ll do the best you could.

The first minute impression. As soon as pumasok ako sa interview room, I always make sure na maaliwalas ang mukha ko. Kahit pa nabwisit ako dahil pinag-antay nila ako ng isang oras, aalisin ko yon sa mukha ko and make it as pleasant as it can be. Wearing a smile always does the trick. Wag naman yong ngiting labas ang bagang, mukha ka namang hunghang non. Simpleng smile lang. Malaking tulong yon if you want to create a good first impression. And so does a firm handshake. The smile says you’re happy to see them and the handshake reaffirms it. While doing the handshake, say something like “good morning sir/ma’am”. Never ever let “Hi” be part of your greetings. It’s so informal and indicates familiarity which is a no-no at that point. At ito ang tandaan, after the exchange of pleasantries, wag agad uupo kahit alam mong yon ang chair for the interviewee. Antayin mong sabihan ka na umupo. Coz if you did without being told, adelentado ang dating mo non. Good manners is very critical at this point.

While on the hotseat. Very important: wag kabahan. Remember that the interviewer is usually an expert in human behavior. Pag kinabahan ka, it could be taken as a sign of low self-confidence. Minus pogi points agad yon. Besides, pag kinabahan ka, maaring lumabas ang mga pangit mong mannerism. Di mo alam picking your nose ka na pala. Bagsak ka na non. Again, believe in yourself para hindi ka kabahan. Then answer questions as briefly, honestly and professionally as you could. Wag mag-banggit ng kung ano-anong bagay na hindi relevant sa question. Wag magpaka-intelligent kung hindi kaya ng powers. At wag gayahin ang mga contestant ng Miss Universe na simpleng tanong eh kung ano-anong eklat ang pinag-sasasabi. Wag mag-quote ng mga Freudan principles kung tinatanong ka lang about your personal strengths. Wag magpaka-philosophical kung hinihingan ka ng opinion about your ideal job, personal goals and future career plans. A job interview is designed by companies to know more about yourself. Not to test if you can be an ambassador of goodwill.

Remember: it’s a two-way conversation. Don’t forget that even if they (the interviewer/s) are the ones driving the conversation, you’re still very much a part of it. Sagutin ang mga tanong but never miss the points na pwede mong sundutin din ng tanong to make it a more interesting conversation. Kung isang-tanong-isang-sagot ang gagawin mo, you’ll present yourself as somebody with very limited conversational skill. Worse, baka isipin nila na limited ang knowledge mo. Although this one’s a bit difficult to balance. Pag nag-over ka naman sa pagiging conversationalist, fresh naman ang dating mo. So just do it here and there during the whole course of the interview. And when it comes to the point na ikaw naman ang binibigyan ng chance to ask questions about the company/work you’re applying for, magtanong lang ng 2 or 3 very important and relevant questions. Wag yong halos imbestigahan mo na ang kaharap mo. Remember, you’re just a passenger kaya wag agawin ang manibela.

Closing it off. Pagtapos ng interview, may ilan akong linyang laging sinasabi to seal of the meeting. Basta it runs along the lines of “Thank you for your time and I hope I will be hearing from you soon”. Words that express your gratitude sa chance na binigay sa iyo and the same time expressing your positivity na mapipili ka sa trabaho. These words are just as important as the first few words you said during the first minute impression. Say these words while you’re shaking their hands. Coz again, the right words and the firm handshake seals the conversation in a positive manner.

Some job interviews can be nerve-wracking. Siguro dahil gustong-gusto mo yong trabaho or kailangang-kailangan mo para may income ka. Either way, you just have to do your best while going through the application process. Lalo na during the interview. It’s your moment under the spotlight. So do your best and shine.