time to ask questions

if you didn't ask the interviewer anything at the end of the interview, will it reflect negatively on the results of the interview? i had an interview kasi kanina and the interviewer asked me twice if i have any questions and in both instances, i answered NONE... not that i don't really have any questions but then when she asked me that, my question just suddenly disappeared... i couldn't remember it, in other words...

you will not fail the interview if you are unable to ask a question. while its NOT a negative, you may have lost an opportunity to score more points.

use this opportunity to do any of the following :

• opportunity to reverse what you think was a negative impression you may have made during the interview
• opportunity to further highlight your strengths and achievements. you can never have enough of good things
• ask about the health of their business. ask questions like did the company make money last year. did business improve. how is the business doing now? what were the drivers for success for the company.
• ask what the greatest threat to the business. this will give the impression you are truly interested in the company.
• and when you get an answer to any of these that you can use to further your cause, do so. lets say they tell you customer service was a challenge, tell them what you think about it.
• often, i use this portion to make the interviewer feel stupid. i do this only if during the interview i decide i don't like to work for the company or i find the interviewer too arrogant that he/she needs to be pulled down to earth. i grill the interviewer on something he/she has said that i can prove wrong. i make the interviewer defensive. sometimes i succeed, sometimes i fail but boy it does feel good being able to get back to the interviewer.

what salary to ask

on salary :

• its always good to have in your mind what salary you want.
• when asked dont be shy saying it. be confident, make the interviewer feel you really deserve it.
• whats the amount? make it a little better than norm --- a slightly higher amount than what the industry pays for the same position for someone with similar experience as yourself.
• when asked that question on the first interview i answer this way -- i expect to get paid what the industry pays for the position.
• if probed further, i say --- i expect to be paid within the range of what those already in your company is getting at the same position. (of course these answers are lies!)
• i try not to quote a price on the first interview because i dont want to turn them off too early. i try to lure them in for a second interview.
• so giving an answer they like to hear on the first interview is a good thing. its on the final interview or interview second to the final when i give them the bomb!
• when you reach this stage, they already like you so telling them the truth about salary is a good thing. at this stage, they like you so much, theyd give you what they want.
  
  

your turn to ask questions

When the interviewer finishes asking his set of questions, they usually go out and asks the interviewee if they have any questions they would like to ask. I've learned to ask 2 things: First, I ask about what products the company is making or manufacturing, and second, what the job position is really like, what it's all about specifically. abcxyz, do you have any other suggestions on the questions the interviewee could ask the interviewer?

oh yes, you can use these questions they allow you to ask at the end of the interview several ways, one or or a combination of them :

• make more points for yourself. sell yourself more. get things about you on the table that were not discussed or not asked of you.
• paybeck time! -- make the interviewer squirm, put him on the spot (this means you probably dont like the job so who cares if he gets pissed at you)
• get answers to some of your questions.

its always best to do some research about the company and its products before the interview. ask these questions so that you make it appear you are intetrested in their company/products.

here are some good questions (not these words exactly, but pick up the thoughts):

• how finanacially stable is the compnay? did the company make money last year? why/why not? (shows you are interested about your future, that u wont join a company that is about to fold up)
• what has been the key drivers of success for the company? what company is its biggest competitor, how is this company doing against that. (shows you are interested in the business side, not just employment)
• how important is new blood/hiring of fresh grads to the company, any training programs? (will tell u if they will take care of you)

there are a lot more you can ask, but these are the guidelines :

• ask quetsions that make it sound you are interested in bigger things other than employment
• questions that say something about you, can add to building a good impression of you
• questions that when an answer is given, you can add to or contribute an idea to
• ask questions if you think you didn't do a good job during the interview and you want to improve your standing
• you should do mock interviews with friends to help you out

lies, yabang and bola

This is tricky. What's the best way to sell yourself without sounding so full of yourself or sounding like 'nambobola'.

your answers should always be job-related, your experiences and achievements, your skill sets. NEVER LIE, because they will probe and you will be found out. just SELL yourself. it's in the choices of the words.

there is a difference between sounding "full of yourself" versus confidence. show confidence not be boastful. be factual, editorialize at the right topics. be SINCERE. a lot of it has to do with the WAY YOU DELIVER the lines. so practice, practice.

i went to ALL the interviews i was called for, even for jobs i did not like or companies i did not like. i went to get some practice. and i would try out a few lines with companies i don't like just to see their reactions to it. then change it next time.

taglish and mini skirts during interviews

Turn-off ba yung Taglish?? or as long as you deliver well and express your thoughts that counts?Mini skirts(4 inches above knees) on/off during interview? or masyadong maiksi na yun?

taglish? if the person your interviewing you talks in taglish, it is ok then. for me, the rule is --- it is safest that you use the language the interviewer is using and the language you are most comfortable with.

mini-skirts?

the over-riding consideration is -- you want to look professional and sincere. so you dress up according to that.

it really depends on the industry and the job you are applying for. if its marketing/brand management and advertising --- being trendy and daring is acceptable. or even in the leisure/travel industry. but not in the banking industry.

there are companies and industries that tend to be traditional and conservative. it is ok to be you, but you need to bend that just a little to suit the occasion and scenario.

questions during interviews

the first that is usually asked is --- "tell us something about yourself".

have a prepared answer to the question. its best that your answer immediately says "im the guy you want for this job".

another typical question --- "why do you think are you qualified for the job". have a prepared answer for this one. note that to answer this question properly, you need to know about the company and the job you are applying for. that tells you research is important.

applicants with work experiences

Can you also give info about applicants with experience already?

essentially the same principles apply.but the more work experiences you have, the less important what school you graduated in and your course becomes. what becomes more important are :

• the companies you have joined
• the experiences you have had
• career development
• promotions
• achievements
• business results of what you have done

high school achievements in resumes

Another thing, should resumes contain high school achievements? I notice some of my friends include high school awards received way back in their freshman year (1st year HS- onwards). Is that proper? Would that clutter the resume or would that concretely show off your capabilities?

clutter on the resume is a good consideration. but the more important consideration is - will including the high school achievements help your cause? will it improve the resume on the over-all? how meaningful are they? use your judgement.

also, if there is a noticeable difference between the high school and college achievements, be prepared to explain why there is a significant difference.

Could anyone of you give me tips on how to deal with panel interviews?

treat panel interviews like any other interview. you need to do the same kind of preparation and mental attitude.

these things work :

• do some research on the company and products, form an opinion on them
• work on a few "images" you want to cultivate about yourself and make sure your examples about you and your answers go back to these images.
• work on a very few and select images, no more than 3 --- "leader", "fast learner", "good communicator" for example could be the images you want to cultivate
• make sure these images are meaningful to the company, to the job and you can deliver.

on panel interviews:

• panel interviews normailly mean they are in a hurry to hire.
• it also means you might not get another chance, so make sure you pass the panel interview.
• it would be good to connect and cultivate a dialogue with one panel interviewer who appears to be the person who has the most power to hire.
• but do not snob the others. don't ignore everyone else because if you do they will be antagonostic against you. they might give you a hard time during the interview.
• make eye contact to everyone

making "bola" during interviews

Do HR people know when "binobola" lang sila ng new graduates? How? Sometimes its really hard to strike a balance between sounding good, confident and pure "bola".

its really hard to tell if its "bola" (white lies or outright lies, untruthful). but when i feel its "bola", i change the topic in the meantime, then go back to it after awhile and ask other qualifying questions. will also probe for more details. if the person is unable to provide details, "bola" iyon.

cover letters

cover letters should:

1. error free, absolutely no typo or grammar flaws
2. shows the person did some research about the company
3. mentions a skill or interest that is specifically applicable to the company
4. shows a lot of interest on the job
5. has spunk, is confident

note : this is not exhaustive and detailed. read other posts on same topic.

grades and extra-curricular activities

Would you go for the person with high grades and no extra curricular activities or the person with a lot of extra curricular and low grades?

both will be considered - person with high grades and no extra curricular; and person with lots of extra curricular but low grades.

high grades and no extra curricular activities to me mean the person might have good intellectual abilities but might need to work on leadership or people skills. in the interview i will probe on leadership and people skills.

low grades and lots of extra curricular activities means the person might have good people and leaderships skills. in the interview i will probe on how responsible or irresponsible the person is. will also probe in intellectual skills and communication skills.

what will get me an interview?

this is how resumes are looked into specially for new graduates. if at any one step, the resume does not match the criteria, the resume is junked and the person does not get a call for an interview :

1. read cover letter - needs to grab the reader. no typo and grammatical errors, please.
2. good school? good school reputation?
3. check major - fit for the job?
4. check school activities - look for leadership roles and achievements (most important, actually)
5. good grades? (the least of my concerns, actually)

next step during interviews, looking for the following :

1. confidence
2. verbal communication skills - communicating his/her ideas, persuasiveness, correct grammar a must
3. quality of ideas and opinions (important!)
4. ability to handle pressure - tough questions are asked
5. being late for the interview and not dressing well for the interview is an automatic delete!

when to follow up status of application after job interview

when is the most appropriate time for me to follow up the status of my application after a job interview?

• there is no real rule on the most appropriate time. common sense tells you you should give it a few days before you call.
• it's best you make a phone call to ask. when you do, be prepared to handle any kind of response from the person you are asking about the status. know how to respond if it's bad news or good news.
• next time, make it a practice to ask the interviewer when is the most appropriate time to follow-up.