Tag Archives: Design

Non-Techie Designing Tech Products & Experiences

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I’ve always been amazed by the power of technology to bring things to the next level. 
Back in college, I tried my hand at developing an online library/digital archiving and digitization services. Admittedly there was something wrong in my business model, so it didn’t – couldn’t fly. But that experience taught me a valuable insight: me a non-techie (someone without any skill and high level understanding of technological systems could envision and design tech products and experiences.  

I’m not talking about putting up a website. These days that’s pretty much an assumed skill given all the pre-made templates you can play around with. I’m referring to creating digital/technology products/software/systems which can change industries and lives. 

In the past three years a significant portion of my work has been focused on harnessing and mastering these techie things in building products that are of value to customers.

I guess right now what I want to say is don’t let not knowing technical skills limit you. If you have a vision and can communicate it anything can happen, especially if you reach out to others.

 

Smart Bomb Job Hunting

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I remember the first time ever that I was looking for a job-I knew one important thing: I didn’t want to work in the corporate world. I wanted to work in the development sector i.e. NGOs or foundations. That posed two problems, the first is that these companies rarely advertise. The second is that as a sector – it is still pretty broad. (Fresh grads or seasoned professionals that want to work in the development sector but have no access to opportunities can message me, I’ll hook you up) :) .

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Anyway, I decided to be smart about it and went through the following processes to discover whether a company was hiring.

1. Online Job Listings. Seek out job ads often published online or traditionally in the newspaper (and sometimes even on radio or tv). Just sign up for jobstreet, jobsdb, or any of those database sites. It’s a very easy way to find out if a company is hiring, what the position is, the qualifications and sometimes even the salary grade. Often the  application process is also on-line. All you have to do is lodge your application through the jobs database site. The down side is that practically every job hunter will know about it too. By the way, some of these internet database services track whether you are invited for an interview, hired or recommended or not and job posters (potential employers) have access to such data that ranks applicants. So I don’t recommend applying through job database sites but it IS a good source of information. When you find a listing you like, head on over to their website or give the company’s HR a call.

For friends aiming for the development sector – this is NOT the way to go. There are very few worthwhile listings.

2. Look for Company Listings. What do I mean by company listings? I mean look for databases and directories. In my case I went to the DSWD website and to the website of the Philippine Council for NGO Certification. These sites had directories of development organizations. From these lists, I chose a good 50 organizations whose websites I would visit and about another 200 to send emails to.

Others can check out websites of Chambers of Commerce

You can also check out the local holding companies of big local corporations: JG Summit Holdings, Ayala Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, etc.

3. Be referred! Referral from family, friends or other contacts is a great way to know of vacancies. Most good vacancies don’t even make it to the company website let alone job databases. Usually people are referred to the position. Being referred is a good thing – it means that the person referring you is vouching for you. It’s an automatic plus.

Tell family, friends and even casual contacts that you are looking for work. Give them information about what you want and what you don’t. That will help them be on the look out for a job that aligns with you. I remember my embarrassing experience when an older lady I serve in church with, told me of an opening in their law firm. I felt compelled to submit my resume and go to the interview because she wanted to help me out but I didn’t really like the company. Anyway, after a series of interviews I actually landed the job. I realized a week after saying yes, that I really didn’t want to work there. I had no choice but to withdraw! It was very embarrassing for me to have to talk to my church friend and to the person who I was going to be under to explain. Needless to say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

5. Straight to the websites! Except for BPO Companies, walk-in applications are generally not encouraged. Go instead to the target company’s website. Naturally this only works if you actually have a company in mind. Often vacancy listings will be written there, together with job descriptions and the application process. A plus is that as you are going through the site, you are getting to know about the company too. The downside though is that you’ll have to check every website.

WHAT IF THERE ARE NO VACANCIES or nothing about open positions is published? Well from my own experience, writing a compelling email to the HR or admin of the site is a good move. I was looking through the one website and it looked interesting so I wrote (what my boss would later tell me was a very impressive) email inquiring whether there were any vacancies and why I was interested in being part of their company. This method landed me about 15 interviews of the 30 companies I applied for within 2 weeks. Then about 10 more interviews 2-3 months after I had emailed. There’s something about this method that makes the receiver feel impressed and honored that you took the time to compose an email especially for the company you are eyeing.

Other sources: newspaper, TV, radio :D

Questions? Comment below or email me at blogsbyguita@gmail.com

More than just the usual Resume

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Younger friends especially those in their last years of college and fresh grads have been subjected to my many thoughts and pieces of advice about looking for a work, making a resume, how to manage job interviews, strategies for advancement early on in your career ranging from what to wear, resume content, the ‘ideal starting salary’, etc. So much so that they’ve approached me for advise about their career and work life. I figured why not share what others have found as useful advice, to others about Resume, Company Hunting, Job Interviews, Salary and Your First Job – coming up in the next few days. Enjoy.

 

Before we go to the meat of the thing, I’m assuming you know resume basics… so I’ll be sharing the enhancements, the added pizzaz. But just in case – make sure everything is readable, easy to understand, no typographical errors and TRUE!

Here’s what I learned from my own experience as a fresh graduate, a job hunter, a candidate, a recruiter and a supervisor.

 

RESUME: STAND OUT

Remember that scene in Legally Blond where Elle Woods submits her resume of light pink scented paper? While that isn’t generally accepted in the working world she had the right idea – STAND OUT! Let your resume reflect you!

Three things to consider: Design, Content & Audience (for me its in that same order of importance!)

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Design: At a glance, how distinct is your resume from that of others?

I remember my very first full time job at Ayala Foundation. I had sent in my resume several times (a couple of times when I was a senior and then a last time upon graduation) to the same hiring manager, let’s call her Cynthia (not her real name)…she eventually got me for a contract position. Yet while we were talking she told me, “You know you’d be perfect to work in the museum as a tour guide but the position’s been filled.” And I’m like…”Um…yeah I applied for that too, months ago.” I was still studying then. Looking back on the different versions of my  resume, one thing was very apparent. The resume I sent in when I was a student was plain…formatted according to what we were given in job preparation seminars. The one that landed me the job, on the other hand, had some pizzazz!

Hiring managers go through hundreds if not thousands of resumes. Their eyes are often drawn to the resumes that ‘LOOK GOOD’ at a glance. If the company you are applying to accepts paper or PDF resumes then you are in luck! Get a friend who’s good in graphics and lay-outing to help you design your resume. Search google for samples of interesting resumes. Design makes a difference!

When you design your resume think of SAM:

  • Strategic – let the design enhance the content not make it more difficult to understand.
  • Appropriate – consider the industry and company you’re applying for. 
  • Mature and professional – no cutesy hearts, hello kitty, etc.

If you are trying to get into the finance industry – banking, investments, loans, etc. – be minimalist – think simple, clean lines, and only neutral colors if you want to incorporate color into your resume. If you are a creative trying to get into an advertising firm then using bold color and strong graphics would potentially work to your advantage. WARNING! Stay away from clip-art and other cartoony images.

Companies also have online applications – unfortunately you can’t do anything with the design in this case. Just make sure that all the data you input is spelled correctly and easy to read. (Bring your attention grabbing resume on your interview date).

Google any of these phrases and check out interesting resumes for ideas: beautiful resume, cool resumes, resume design

 

Content: Make it meaningful

Face it! As a fresh grad you are a blank sheet when it comes to experience! Usually you are told to put: your objective (?!), your education, your awards and your extra-curricular activities. If you do this you are not wrong, but neither are you unique. Here’s what I recommend:

  • Contact Information
  • College Degree, High School (and any awards or distinctions). No need to put grade school and primary school.
  • Other Education: Seminars you’ve attended and even classes while in school (personally I’ve listed my classes on project management and change management – I particularly valued them and would like my work to be along those lines. Highlighting them in this way gives the audience more information about you.)
  • (depending on the job you are applying for) Papers and/or Projects – these are things you have worked on specifically as a student or as a leader that you would like to call attention to. Include statements like, I was responsible for:
  • Extra-curricular: Positions of Leadership, also include descriptive statements like: I was responsible for…
  • Notable Skills: This day and age saying you know how to use the computer or MS Office is a given. Do you have other skills – both on the computer and off? Some could be hobbies that double as skills -  painting, performing, calligraphy, etc.

Often times items under each of the headings above are ordered chronologically with the most recent at the very top. I would like to suggest that instead, order it according to value, either how you value that particular project, paper or class OR how you perceive such will be valued by the company you are vying for.

Creatives – designers, writers, artists, applying for creative positions should also include a portfolio with their resume which is customized for the company they are applying to. Choose recent and best work that is varied so it showcases you abilities. If you can, include also pieces that relate well to the industry of the company you are applying in. If you are confident, you can also create something new just for the company to show you understand their brand identity. 

BTW please don’t put anything on your resume that you are not confident in discussing with a stranger.

 

Audience: Who will be reading your resume?

I recently had a discussion with a couple of HR Practitioners regarding resumes, the recruitment process and hiring the best candidates. One thing was clear: there is only so much one can learn from a piece of paper but at the same time they don’t have the luxury of going through all the details of the resume and especially interviewing all the applicants. So immediately they discard the ones that don’t catch their eye (Note: design plays a role in catching the recruiter’s eye) and the ones that on paper don’t fit (content mis-match) – those whose academic and extra-curricular background have nothing to do with the company or position being applied for.

Another reality is sad but true, coming from the top schools also gets you in, even if your course or other experience isn’t a match. In all other cases, they SCAN resumes looking for indicators of knowledge, skills and experiences of leadership and responsibility.

Just an FYI its always the HR Recruitment Officer or Hiring Manager (depending on the size of the company you are applying for) first that looks through a resume. If you catch their attention on paper they’ll schedule an interview   They are the ones whose eyes you have to catch. Then depending on the hiring process of the company you are considering, your resume will be viewed at a glance and thoroughly by your immediate superior and at most your intended department’s head and even the company CEO or President.

 

Do I really have to get into all this work just for one lousy resume to be submitted to one company for one position? Yes ESPECIALLY if you have a company and position in mind that you really want to get into. If you’re casting a wider net, then at least make a decent resume that is better than others and will work for various industries and positions.

 

 

 

Questions? Want me to take a look at your resume for free? Email me at blogsbyguita@gmail.com

What is Social Design?

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Originally on ASIDE, August 1, 2011

Author’s Note: Futurists say that the rate of change is exponential…thinking of things as unchanging will ultimately spell our doom. Given this dynamism, I have issue with definitively defining terms. So what I have here is a working definition… one that will eventually evolve to have v2, v3, v4 and so on. Either accept what has been written here or build on it and redefine it.  You are welcome to do so!

The last thing I want to do is to spew out cut-paste dictionary or wikipedia definitions of what design and social design are. Just type the words – define design – into any search engine – Google, Yahoo, Bing, and you’ll come up with a gazillion possible answers.

In preparing this article, I peeked into how different art schools, design institutes, websites and blogs about design, etc. define design. Initially, I was going to summarize them and try to come up with a generally acceptable definition of design, until I accidentally bit my tongue and realized that’s boring. Plus, I’d already spent three weeks working on this article. Researching definitions would take forever and I seriously wanted to get this article out!

So here goes!

Design is the process and output of visualizing and defining the future. Social design, differs in that, the design process and output is directed toward creating a better future by either envisioning alternative realities or by formulating solutions to existing and foreseen social problems.

On another day I’ll probably deconstruct this working definition and play devil’s advocate with myself until I come up with v2….but like I said, that’s for another day.

I’d like to sum up with this…Of the websites, I did visit, I found an article on desizn tech, to be interesting. Entitled, Do you know “What design is?” 41 Answers to One Simple Question, the article showcased 41 images from creative designers. I particularly appreciated, desizn tech’s own addition to the showcase….

The ASIDE Vision

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ASIDE was a separate blog I started just this July. However, after a while I realized I should just collapse it into this blog because in the end it’s still my thoughts. I still dream of building, creating, establishing ASIDE in the real world. So for now ASIDE is a category in this blog. :D Enjoy

I believe the way to improve the quality of life of Filipinos and other Asians is through design, innovation and entrepreneurship directed towards addressing social problems.

In the course of my work, my studies, my research and my day to day life, I encounter people, ideas, initiatives, enterprises, designs, etc. directed towards alleviating poverty, improving health and sanitation, providing livelihood, and the like and most importantly these are simply amazing.

ASIDE is all about sharing the amazingness of social innovation, design and entrepreneurship (SIDE) ideas, personalities, initiatives, etc. 

Pretty basic right, but why focus on Asia? Well for one, SIDE as a development paradigm are in their infancy in the region. Most knowledge, practices, standards etc. come from the US, UK, EU and others. Their social problems are drastically different from that of Asia. In addition their appreciation of Asian social problems is different (not ineffective or unhelpful – just different). There is a need to re-frame these concepts and customize them for Asia, the countries in the continent, and the specific localities.

ASIDE seeks to stimulate thinking and discussion to both expand and localize SIDE in the hopes that such will spur more SIDE for and by Asians.   

There is so much more that ASIDE can become…so as with everything about ASIDE…here’s what ASIDE is About, what I envision (a working description).

Let’s Make Things Happen

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Three months ago, I quit my job…went on a three month tour of Europe promoting Philippine culture and arts and decided that upon returning I would MAKE THINGS HAPPEN! With God’s grace and with good luck, I seem to be doing just that.

Making things happen isn’t simply the matter of having a good idea – but make no mistake it must start from AN IDEA which will energize you and move you to action. An idea however is like helium outside of a balloon – unless you harness helium into the balloon neither the helium nor the deflated balloon will amount to anything. Ideas require strategic analysis and action plans and ultimately human agents to make it concrete. Herein lies the challenge (or rather the challenges)…

(1) To even be brave enough to pursue an idea, a person must be well BRAVE. To be such a person is not easy. Each person has his or her own demons, the internal and external factors which makes it difficult to be brave. (2) Once you have that inner stability…designing the arms and feet of your idea will be less emotional. You can be more objective and rational. (3) When you have a decent picture of what you want to happen…GO FOR IT. Plans and designs are useless unless its put into action and made real. Note that I said decent – not perfect or complete. Don’t get stuck in designing the perfect or complete plan…things change at the blink of an eye. Plans are a great guide – they tell you where you’re headed and how to get there and give you an idea of how far you are veering away and if it makes sense to stick to the plan or design, make adjustments or make a new one. So again once you have a guide, GO FOR IT and then be sensitive to the need to adjust your plans or designs.

This is where human/personal development comes in…to make things happen whether its in your own life, in your work, in your business – there must be a commitment to personal growth (your  is own and that of those around you and eventually of your organization. There are things we have to learn and unlearn in order to be able to make things happen…it is a process that is constant.

Some people can do this on their own but the presence of advisers will be of great benefit…there are many knowledgeable and talented persons who can help you or who you can hire. The key is looking for people you can work with – those that can share in your vision (and can refine and expand it), those that will work with you and for you lending their knowledge and efforts to make things happen with you and those that can encourage you (especially when you’re doubtful, troubled, stressed or weary).

Let’s make things happen!