Finding a source of Income today is one of the most essential parts of living. Our daily sustenance and way of existing depends on how much we make every pay day. Whether we can afford having luxurious life which involves extravagant vacations, lavish clothes and accessories, sumptuous food and an executive life, or living in simplicity and contented to the ordinary and the mundane, will all depend on how much money you make out of the job you are doing. (Unless you are heiress of a hotel, born with a silver platter, and son of a powerful mafia, then money isn’t a problem at all)
In our times today, due to the numerous problem of the nation is facing in general, eking out everyday has been one of the major problem. With escalating number of unemployed individuals, every year, the life of the ordinary Joe deteriorates. That’s why landing on a decent and stable job is a must in this challenging time, for this will define both our present way of life and what we will become in the future.
The very first thing to consider on looking for a job is know where to look for one. Today, the resources available are the following:
Considered as the most popular avenue to look for a Job vacancy, most of the employers especially those looking for employees who are willing to work abroad, blue collared jobs, and skilled required jobs advertise and publish in the Classified Ads. Since next to radio, the newspaper is far the second most accessible form of media in our country, the employers think that they can reach majority of the people by advertising in the newspaper.
Some of the employers extend their job vacancy announcement on Radio and Television advertisements; this is a smart way to reach the general public in a wide spread basis. Since, the Filipinos are the type of race who spends most of their leisure and vacant time watching TV and listening to the radio the employers can then target vast majority in advertising on the said media.
This is a fairly new way of employers to get quality employees applying in their company. Compared to the first two, this way of getting in touch to those who wants to apply is more personal and more precise in getting and focusing not on quantity of those who will apply but on the quality of the person who will get into their office. This is where, employers creates, either, monetary and commodity bonuses to their employees currently employed to recruit willing person to work for their company. If the recruited person by the employee can make it to the company’s cut, then the incentive will be given appropriately to the employee who is responsible for the said recruitment.
At the dawn of the new age, employers adapted to the cyber age technology. In this way, the companies can target a new class of greater public, much ensured that the people that are targeted are mostly computer literate. The Internet served as the new gateway to fresh graduates and unemployed to land on their dream job. All you have to do is to log in on the company’s site or on job seeking sites ( such as JobStreet.com or Jobsdb.com) fill up necessary information that will serve as your resume and in that instant your application will be processed and they will set your qualifying exam and interview in no time. It is fairly easy to navigate on the said sites, you can even apply for multiple jobs at the same time, and the application processing is fast compared to the traditional walk in or resume passing where in some cases your application will either, get lost on the pile of applicants, or get totally ignored because some imbecile HR misplaced your application. It also have services where the job vacancy will be emailed to you personally, the job engine also have functions that can cut out short the emailed job opening updates only ON YOUR DESIRED FIELD OF INTEREST. If for example you’re a Mass Communication Graduate, you can limit the updates by choosing the fields such as Writing Arts, communication and media Arts, and Broadcasting. In this way, you can apply on Jobs that you like which will make you a more effective employee if hired.
Now, that we know where and how to look for your dream Job, let us move on some key ingredients in getting hired. Let us first discuss tips on making your resume. The resume is defined as a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position. Moreover, the Curriculum Vitae or resume will be the very first thing that will be seen by your employer thus will mark the very first impression to you. That is why, to create an initial good impression it is a must to give edge on your resume. These are the tips in making your resume:
You should first qualify what kind of company you are applying. Qualifying and knowing what company is the key in knowing what kind of resume you will be giving. If for example, you are applying for a position vacant in the government your resume needs to be comprehensive of all the awards, accomplishment and job experiences in your belt. Same thing, also, should be given to prestigious and big companies; the reason behind this is that for sure, many applicants will be as competitive or more competitive for you in that position. The key is creating a long lasting impression and making your resume competitive by placing all your key talents, achievements, experiences and skills for your employer to know. If then for example you will be applying for a post in a Call Center, Sales Representative and Advertising, you resume needs to be precise, brief and concise. The reason behind this is that the Human Resource Department of the companies stated doesn’t focus on the details of the resume but on how it is presented. If your resume is lengthy and exceed more than four pages it logically means that some essential details are placed on the 3rd or 4th page of your resume, meaning if the HR doesn’t bother to browse it all up some competitive key details on your belt will not be reviewed. So this type of employers advise that you limit the pages of your resume to lets say a maximum of 2-3 pages and placed all necessary details in it. They are not interested on the achievements you made on your primary and secondary level of school, but focuses on Job Experiences and key skills that will benefit their company.
The resume should always be neat and presentable
Place a decent picture preferably wearing corporate attire in the upper right corner of your CV.
Check all spelling and grammar, typographical error should be avoided this will create wrong impression in your capability even if your one of the best in your field.
And lastly be sure that the reference people that you’ll be placing at the end of your resume are the people that know you personally and know your capabilities as a worker. Sometimes applicants tend to put high ranking individuals on their Character Reference thinking that this will help them boost their application, but more often than not, when the company Background checks the applicant and call the reference, the person placed as reference have no idea who the person is. So to avoid this situation applicants are advised to incorporate people who have ascendancy to talk about you when your background is being checked.
These are some tips on making a good impression out of your resume. Usually, after the employer received your resume and they feel that you qualify based on what they read, they will schedule you for a qualifying exam. Depending on the job that you applied for the exam usually revolves on psychological tests, basic English, reading comprehension and a little math, if you at least do good in school before then this exams is a piece of cake.
Let us now focus on the next level after you passed the exams, the INTERVIEW. The interview gauge the confidence and critical thinking of the applicant, the said aspects are some of the key attitude that the employer look for his possible work force prospects. If you do well in the interview, this will seal the deal and can be your ticket inside the company. With confidence, honesty and demonstrating the right kind of attitude, the interview is a defining moment and a time for you to shine. I have come up on some tips during and after the interview:
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
It is really important to study the position that you have applied for. This will give you the edge to advertise to the interviewer your strength that will make you effective and suitable for the job. Also, this can also gauge your weaknesses so that you can work it out and limit discussing these weaknesses for you not to create a wrong impression.
Research about the company. You will be off with a great start and will surely impress the people around you if you have ample amount of knowledge and information about the institution that you are applying for.
Know the location of the interview ahead of time. You don’t want to spend your time wandering like a nomad on the day of the interview.
Update yourself about all the achievements, talents and skills you have that will benefit the company. Have a self introspection, this will boost up your confidence and give a wide and extensive advertisement about yourself when asked.
Be prepared, by doing this you will eliminate your nervousness and will create a positive aura in you. Convert nervousness into enthusiasm, in this way you will have a clear mind and will, at least, lessen buckling and fight mental block.
Have a mock interview; practice always make things perfect as the old cliché goes.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
Dress well, physical appearance is a big plus during the interview. Always remember that the first impression always starts at your physical appearance. Your outfit will reflect your personality, and choose the outfit that will present you well. Also put into consideration the position you hope to fill in, don’t over dress. Being well groomed and having good appearance is very essential.
Be on time. This is very important, being late whatever your excuse is, gives negative impression. Have a good night sleep before the scheduled interview, eat well and have plenty of traveling time. It is better to be on the interview location early so that you can relax a bit and gather your thoughts, than to be late and stress yourself even before the actual interview takes place.
Always mind the unwritten law of good impression gesture is one of them such as handshake, eye contact; smile, good sitting posture, and good introduction are something you should consider. But don’t, take note, over do it. There is a very thin line separating prissiness and a stiff numbered robot. Just relax and be yourself.
Always mind your manners especially when you address your interviewers. Always address them properly and accordingly.
Take your time in answering questions; a well-thought answer can be formed by thinking about it rationally. Don’t rush and take sometime to think and rationalize. It is foolish to haste answer; this will only lead to poor constructed sentences and stammering.
Listen, always make to a point that you listen carefully. Be witty in balancing speaking and listening. Sometimes, it is not only the rhetoric aspect is weighed but also the capacity of the applicants to listen.
Some interviewer throw, trick questions such as asking your failures, weaknesses and your attitude liability, in answering such, it is wise to answer this way; first enumerate the weakness, and then say how you coped up with such, how you faced it and lastly how you overcome it. By constructing answers this way, you will give the impression that you can think critically under pressure.
And lastly be honest in answering questions. Don’t go on feats you don’t know and never claim stuffs that you have no idea. This will only lead to obvious mistakes and shameful situations, things that you don’t want to happen during this shining time.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Thank the interviewer for the opportunity.
Have some time to contemplate on your strength and weaknesses on the interview and make sure you use the experience when you target a new company.
Follow up your status by calling the company usually after three working days.
The following are the tips that I have come up. Always be mindful that as of today it is fairly hard to look for a job that you want, and it is really hard to be unemployed. So if you’re currently on a job or you’re looking for one, try to love everything that you do. Have a good relationship with your co-workers, and respect all the people around you, no matter if their lower than you in the hierarchy. As the old cliché goes “love your job and you will fell that you’re not working at all”. Good luck to you and I hope you land on your dream JOB!!