A BROWN MAN'S JOURNEY

It's March once again and the time of the year when graduating students will be stepping into a new chapter in their lives. Gradeschools going to Highschool, Highschools entering College, and College students becoming unemployed, I mean professionals.

So here's something I would like to share with you:

Back in college, I remember being so darn excited about graduating and getting a job. Wondering how it feels like to receive my first paycheck, and finally shoot for my dreams! I've printed lots of copies of my Resume and mailed them to any ad relating to my course. Back then emails are not yet common to everybody. That's why I was always on the lookout when mails arrive. At first I was so excited to wear my new sets of clothes and attend those interviews. The race was on! Usually you'll meet some of your batchmates going for the same interviews because you are all looking for the same line of work. Being on the top of my batch, I was very confident. But after a few rounds of unsuccessful applications, some of the enthusiasm began to fade, and doubt started. I told myself, "I was better than that guy back in school and yet he's now an engineer in this company".

Kung-fu lesson no.1 - Never ever doubt your kung-fu. Instead of saying the latter, say "that's one lucky bast***", then move on. Evaluate yourself, and ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. Am I too cocky or confident?
2. Do I look professional? -> I looked like wolverine when I graduated, sporting a shoulder-length hair
3. Am I blabbering a lot during the interview? Or is my saliva frothing when I talk?

Since all fresh "bloods" have 0 work experience, part-time jobs in Jollibee or McDonald's while you're studying may help, but not always an auto-plus, your application will depend mostly on how impressive or "fictitious" your resume is. Which will bring us to...

Kung-fu lesson 2 - Put all your good accomplishments relating to academics or the job on the first page of your Resume. Examples can include:
1. Participation in Toastmasters, special citation awards, academic scholarships or grants
2. Making it to the dean's list of your department
3. Special acknowledgments about your thesis
4. Trainings and seminars you attended relating to the job
5. Specific technical skills relating to the job

Examples that we should forget about including:
1. Most polite award when you were in primary school
2. Best in music, PE, or recess
3. Most improved or valuable player during the intramurals
4. Loyalty award from your school
5. Chess, Scrabble, or Games of the Generals school champion
6. Inter-barangay singing champion

The reason why you need them in first page is that when screeners have tons of resumes to look at, they won't read through all the 5 pages back-to-back of your resume to see your qualifications or potential.

Kung-fu lesson 3 - Long resume doesn't mean you're good. Be concise and put only the most important and relevant details that can help you in getting the job. The ideal resume is 2 pages long and never use the one peso BIO-DATA sheet when applying for a professional job. Not unless you're applying for a construction peon job. Never use script type font in your resume and make sure to place your contact details in the most noticeable area, double and triple check if the email address and phone numbers are correct. If your current email address is sextoy69@yahoo.com or your_ass_is_mine@hotmail.com or baldo89283738@gmail.com, better create a new one.

Kung-fu lesson 4 - Make a quick research about the company and the job you're applying to. During the interview, it's good to ask informative questions as well as this will show enthusiasm and interest in joining the company. Don't just research on how much the company pays, although it's a very good information as well on the later part of the hiring process.

Kung-fu lesson 5 - When negotiating for your remuneration package, there's always the logic of the "cake". Only the employer knows how big is the "cake" that can be offered to you, but make sure not to just accept what has been presented to you if it's really below your expectations. It's always ok to ask questions and other benefits, and from there you can gauge how far you can ask. Learn that worth is not the same as value, emphasize that your worth is lower than your real value to the company.

It's going to be more than twice as tough to find a job these days because you won't just be competing with fellow fresh graduates, but also with experienced professionals and workers who recently got laid off or retrenched. Workforce supply is far higher than the available jobs, so we better make sure not to be so picky and ridiculously demanding when it comes to offers.

... to be continued