Tag Archives: professional

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

5 Things I Learned From Wearing Killer Heels

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Originally on 5 Things I Learned – January 30, 2011

In an attempt to look hot, professional and intimidating, I wore a killer pair of high heels recently. Here’s the 5 things I learned from that experience.

1. Customize, customize, customize…

Anyone who has ever endeavored to wear heels higher than 2 inches will know that it is uncomfortable…if not, it will be after a couple of hours. Even seasoned high heal wearers like celebrities and models will attest to that. But there are tips and tricks to make the experience a hell of a lot more comfortable… one of them is to customize your heels for a better fit.

Unless your heels were made for you and custom-crafted according to a mold of your foot and according to the way you walk…even the best fitting heels need a little customization. For me, I attached a heel grip to tighten the back of the shoe for a more snug fit. I also added 2 foam taps-gel and fabric cushions that went under the balls of my feet to absorb the shock when walking. Lastly I added, arch support for the added comfort.

Normally, wearing heels like that would have had me groaning in pain within two hours or so of walking and moving around. The padding I had added lengthened it’s comfortable wearability to 4 hours.

2. Sit down and let your feet and legs rest.

Sitting down is not enough, if you’re like me, the type of girl that still puts weight on your feet while seated. I’ve found that instead of keeping my heel clad feet firmly planted on the floor while seated, the best and most relaxing for my feet and legs is to cross my ankles and tuck my feet under the chair. (If you’re familiar with the movie Princess Diaries, refer to the scene where the Queen [Julie Andrews] teaches the Mina [Anne Hathaway] the proper way to sit. Mia actually falls of the chair when she tries it, but trust me it’s not that difficult.)

P.S. Crossing your legs actually isn’t that comfortable either…you’re letting one leg rest but the other is getting a beating.

3. It’s hard to run when you’re in high heels – whether your running toward or running away.

I’m a really fast walker, even in heels. But the heels, I wore the other day were higher than usual and I couldn’t walk as fast as I normally did for fear of losing balance and falling. It was a great feat to walk slower than I normally do. The experience makes me wonder how performers and dancers manage to do what they do-wear heels, dance and not fall on their faces or butts.

Wearing low heeled shoes and flats are definitely better options if you’re expecting a lot of walking and fast movement but learning how to move fast in killer heels would be all the more sexy if you’re running toward someone and all the more memorable if you’re running away from someone.

4. Thus, after #3, work your femininity into each step.

Being ‘forced’ to walk slower than normal, I had to work each step-to consciously infuse my power, sensuality and confidence into each step.

Use the time to hone your feminine power.

5. Thus after #4. enjoy the attention.

High heels get you noticed. In my case though, it got me more looks than I usually get. I’m decently attractive and the way I walk and present myself generally turns heads. However…I’d usually walk briskly and confidently. This time however, I couldn’t walk fast and walking slowly made me feel vulnerable and ‘on display.’ I couldn’t plow through like I normally do. Walking at a slow pace, I could not help but observe the area and the people around me…and interact with them to some degree.

It can be unnerving to have a lot of eyes on you if you aren’t ready, but just relax and enjoy the attention…you can even flirt a bit.

5 Things I Learned about Doctors

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Originally on 5 Things I Learned – February 15, 2011 (after a particularly long day at the doctor’s office)

1. Patience is required.

Over the past few months I’ve had to visit my doctor quite a lot and the waiting can be really frustrating. I’d wait for a minimum of 30 minutes (and so far a maximum of 2 hours) to speak with my doctor for a minimum of 4 minutes (and so far a maximum of 15 minutes). I’m sure you’ve experienced the same.

Having patients wait is the most efficient from the doctor’s perspective. Unlike business meetings, you can’t peg down how long a specific doctor’s appointment will be. Sometimes a visit can last 2-3 minutes-just a quick “how are you-I’m feeling good-Come see me next week” kinda conversation with your doctor. Or it can take longer (that usually means there’s something seriously wrong with the patient or the patient is being inquisitive or difficult.) The point is, for the doctor-you don’t really know what to expect until the patient gets there and starts talking. So having patients be patient, sorry for the pun, is the most efficient for the doctor. Note that, the doctor actually wants to speed things along. S/he wants to accommodate more patients in a day as that would mean more consultation fees.

The clinic I go to, Healthway Shangri-la Mall has a system in place…that at least makes waiting more palatable. There’s a numbering system so you sort of have an idea of when you will be called. They also SMS you when the doctor is in, etc.  But waiting anywhere from 10mins to 2 hours  is inevitable.

So I started thinking of a system where both doctors and patients are happy. Imagine this:

  • Register to see your doctor. This can be done online 24 hours before the doctors’ consultation schedule. Put in the necessary personal info if its your 1st time or just pull up your records if your a regular patient. It’s important that the patient has a functioning mobile number.
  • The system sends an SMS to the patient 2 hours before the doctors’ consultation schedule to advise the patient a) the doctor is coming and b) what number they are and around what time they should be at the doctors’. It asks the patient to confirm via SMS that they will be visiting the doctor.
  • Patient #1, #2 and #3 should be at the doctors’ when consultation time starts. The doctor sees him/her – pulls up the patient’s records on the computer. This signals the system that the appointment has begun and prompts the system to send an SMS to Patient #4 that the doctor is seeing Patient #1 and that Patient #4 should be at the doctors’ in 15 minutes or something like that. When it’s Patient #2′s turn, Patient #5 is alerted, and so on.

It isn’t a perfect system (I just thought of this as I was waiting for the doctor earlier) but I’m sure there’s a way to leverage SMS technology to make visiting the doctor more time efficient than it currently is.

Another reason why patience is necessary – sometimes the effects of treatment (or even the treatment itself) takes some time. You might even feel worse before feeling better.

2. The more data you supply the doctor, the better.

People avoid medical check-ups and visiting the doctors under the illusion that ‘what I don’t know won’t hurt me.’ But when it comes to health this is more than just an illusion it is dangerous. However, even when patients are with a doctor, they’d rather be vague (and even lie) about what’s going on with them.

Do you know the show House? The main protagonist, Dr. Greggory House, an expert diagnostician, believes that patients (and their families) lie all the time. Thus as a doctor and diagnostician, if you depend on what the patient tell you-the lies, you won’t be able to get to the root of the problem.

Take note (literally, write it on paper) of what you are feeling, how often, how severe, where exactly, etc. anything that has to do with your body and what’s wrong with it so you can give your doctor some data. It helps him/her diagnose you faster.

Don’t hold back information about yourself – your addictions, your lifestyle, etc. Something minor to you may greatly affect your treatment.

3. Look for a doctor you are comfortable talking to.

If you can’t talk to your doctor then it’s going to be hard for him/her to monitor your health or address your health problems. You need to be able to tell him/her things that are weird, yucky, personal -  what’s going on with your body (and sometimes even your mind).

You need to be comfortable asking the questions you need to ask. There is no such things as a dumb question. Your doctor should answer them. If you don’t ask questions, your doctor will assume you understand whatever he/she said.

On the flip side, the doctor’s demeanor should be one you are comfortable with, whether its business-like or friendly. If you are intimidated by your doctor, it will be very difficult to establish a good relationship.

4. A doctor is a profession.

Doctor’s work as doctors. It is thier income earning activity. Even for the most generous and self-sacrificing of doctors have to put food on the table. The most common way they earn is through consultation fees. They make you see them routinely for check-ups or follow-ups so that they earn consultation fees every time you visit them. If the doctor can manage it, s/he will see you more often than really necessary. In my experience, the doctor assumed that because I had a company health card all my visits were company paid. So she had me come see her more often than what was really necessary. But I was paying for them…at one point two-thirds of my salary for the month went to paying the doctor and the tests.

Cash strapped patients shouldn’t be shy about expressing their difficulties with the doctor. They are human, they know financial and health troubles. Besides, if you find that your doctor is overly concerned about the ‘money’ then he/she may not be the best doctor for you.

5. Doctors appreciate appreciation.

Being a doctor is more than just being able to identify the problem and knowing how to and being able to solve it. Doctors endeavor to be emphatic to their patients to rejoice in their good health and to provide strength when there are health problems. Express your appreciation to your doctor – kind words, asking “How are you?” or “How’s your day so far?”, wishing them well, saying “Thank You!”…etc. It matters to them :D

5 Things I Learned about Broken People

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Originally on 5 Things I Learned – March 2, 2011

Life is a journey of ups and downs. Those that have a good life, learn the value and skill of self-healing early on. In the past two weeks alone, I’ve encountered so many people, from all walks of life and of various ages that share one thing in common – they are broken (and have been for some time).

Broken people are people who have been hurt but have not healed-they are still hurting. There are many different causes of brokenness and reasons for why one did not heal. Sadly, I have come to realize that there are many many more broken people and for so many of them they remain broken for years and maybe even till the day they day. There’s so much more to say about this, but for now I’ll stick to my 5 Things…

1. Broken people break other people.

Broken people are guarded – they are not generous with themselves. Why? Because their life experiences have caused them pain so they guard themselves as best as they can so as not to get hurt again. They are afraid to be vulnerable so they put up a front. The front can be of strength, of candor, of leadership, of arrogance and sometimes even of empathy. The basic commonality is that they keep most if not all people at a distance and they do not let themselves be vulnerable.

In being guarded however, a broken person is always on the defensive…such that if another person rubs him/her in the wrong way the broken person can react very strongly. In worst cases, a broken person is on the offensive – the insecurities that are rooted in his/her brokenness are always at the surface. They are ready to battle others anytime even over the smallest of things. The most broken people even cause brokenness around them. Some are negative, skeptic, unduly critical, not supportive, irritable, etc. these can be seen both in their words and in their actions which affect the people around them.

Broken people do not empower – the worst of them disempowers other people. I would bet through that they do not do this intentionally. Most are unaware of how their words, actions and behavior hurt other people. In many cases, it makes sense to them so they don’t have any reasons to change (this is the same for ourselves and our own brokenness).

2. Acknowledge your own brokenness.

Life’s ups and downs affect us all. No one is spared. So we’ve all been hurt, and most of the time we are also bearing our brokenness (usually hurts from our childhood that never healed).

I’m sure we’ve all been ‘broken’ at some point in our lives and it is highly likely that we will experience it again. The likelihood that we will feel pain and experience brokenness  again is high. Given this, understand where the other is coming from. The worst thing we can do for the people around us, is pass on our brokenness to them. So when you find yourself in that situation, take stock of the bigger picture and don’t lash out.

On the flip side, acknowledging our own brokenness should also lead us to #3.

3. Approach the broken with gentleness, sincere concern and genuine love.

If you are currently dealing with someone who is lashing out because he/she is broken…you know how easy it is to just respond in kind – with anger, irritation and harsh words. That however does not make you nor the other person better, instead it contributes to your own and their brokenness. So instead of meeting him/her head on (biting the bait, so to speak), approach him/her with gentleness, sincere concern and genuine love.

As John Maxwell states in the Situation Principle in his How to Win With People book: Strive to remember that a person is separate from the situation he/she creates. Focus on the person. Trust me it isn’t easy… in fact it is one of the most difficult things you are going to do in life. But it does become easier the more you do it.

That being said, if the person really did something terrible he/she should still be held accountable for his/her actions. Just because he/she was hurting doesn’t give him/her the right to hurt others.

4. Be generous with your power to heal.

It requires a great amount of generosity of self to be able to see an individual who is hurting himself and others. It even takes a greater amount of generosity of self to be able to be present and to share your healing power with someone who is hurting.

Being given the opportunity to provide presence, comfort, feedback, wisdom, assistance to another person is a gift! It isn’t easy to show pain and be vulnerable to others. As Coach Pia mentions in her book Born to Be A Hero, you have to watch out for listening moments and teaching moments.

5. Be patient and encourage all the time.

People heal at their own pace. Respect that pace. Rushing a broken person will not help him/her. This is true for yourself as well as the people around you.

More people will discourage and pull others down rather than encourage and lift others up. The second is more powerful!