Boholano Graduates Get Ready for the Real World

While the old- timers, the baby boomers and the generations of HNU graduates were getting ready to take a stroll down memory lane during the Alumni Day of Bohol’s biggest Catholic learning institution, a different sort of activity also took place with members of the graduating college seniors taking part in the Mock Interview Session.

 With HNU student facilitators: Jojith Claire Bongcahig,

Gary Gem Alago  , Kirstel Mary Ann Cesar & Milyn Rosales

The HNU Guidance Office, the Alumni Association & the Society of College Seniors have been organizing the pre- graduation activity the last couple of decades to prepare the university’s graduates a feel of what job applicants do to prepare & hurdle the job interview process when they leave the portals of their Alma Mater and begin the challenging task of landing their dream jobs.

Your Roving Eye, along with the some of the school’s luminaries such as legendary stage thespian & alumni officer Mrs. Marietta Corales and Ma’am Remedios “Baby” Cardino, our motherly teacher who introduced me and a generation of high school seniors to the world of Physics where we discussed acceleration, velocity, speed and aerodynamics and who later on sat as High School Principal, sat down as interviewers with each of us assigned with graduates who were applying with job openings associated with the industry or career path we were in.

 

 Alumni luminaries Marietta Corales & Maam Baby Cardino lead the panel of  interviewers

As a media practitioner and as a university mentor who taught English grammar and Mass Communications major subjects, I had the chance to interview 15 graduating BA  Communication Arts students. After interviewing, grilling & subjecting each of them to almost 10 minutes (from the suggested four minutes) of a barrage of questions that made some squirm on their seats, I hoped that it was an eye- opening learning experience for them.

 Order from HERE 

  mugging for the camera after receiving my certificate

From across the table and as I was talking to the hopefuls, I saw a little of myself when I was their age. I was a dreamer then, a hopeless romantic and an idealist who had quixotic views of the world that he wanted to conquer. It has been a quarter of a century when Your Roving Eye left the portals of his Alma Mater and life has been an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Our new generation of graduates are so lucky to have these kinds of activities that prepare them for what is to come. During my time, we were so clueless and even when we had to go to imperial Manila for the final job interview hurdle, we never had an inkling on how it was going to turn out. We were SCS officers during our time (I was the VP then) so I always empathize with student leaders who organize these kinds of activities.

 with Baby Rara, my fave English mentor & later on a teaching buddy

In the end, it would all boil down to two important things: First, just be yourself and be full of candor & wit for interviewers can see through the rehearsed & phony answers. If we really have to believe everything that are splashed on resumes and cover letters, then we live in a perfect world where everyone is ambitious, driven, smart, confident, versatile, determined & willing to extend overtime services. 

  w/ teaching colleagues Professors Biloy, Cathy Napigkit & Jay Obenza

 with BS Psych student facilitator 

But this is not how the cookie crumbles and I, for one, always believe that perfection is boring and it is how to spot that diamond in the rough that can be polished into one valuable & priceless asset that is important in the job interview. So learn how to admit one’s flaws and imperfections because for some employers, it is your potential & not your performance that can be your ticket for entry into the world of professionals.

Finally, articulate and explain how it’s going to be a mutually- beneficial business & professional relationship with your potential employer if you will be a part of their business company.

As a parting shot, when you finally get that dream job of yours and you have made it, learn to look back where you came from and give back in gratitude!

Congratulations to the Class of 2016! Cheers graduates!

Job Hunting Workshop in BISU- Bilar Campus

March 14, 11:00 am, Friday. Right after checking out from the Bohol Tropics Resort where I emceed the highlight of DU EK SAM INC.’s annual national business conference, I was whisked off to Bilar some 40 kilometers from the city of Tagbilaran

Your Blogger talking to the graduating students

It was to honor a commitment with the graduating class of Bohol Island State University (BISU) Bilar Campus. Along with labor expert Gerry Guidaben, I was invited to facilitate a two- day workshop on Job Hunting. 

I was assigned with the topic “How to Apply for a Job” which I broke down into three sub- topics:

a)      The Application Letter

b)     The Resume

c)      The Interview

THE APPLICATION LETTER:

The Welcome Streamer

Aside from discussing the rules & guidelines for business correspondence, practical tips on how to make their application letters stand out, how to get considered for an interview and new trends in the business world were also shared 

As a former Business English Correspondence mentor for college students, I stressed the importance of the following:

-                    The letter has to attract & impress the reader

-                    Writer should observe the rules on grammar

-                    Writer should observe clarity, conciseness & courtesy

-                    Research for the correct names, positions & designations

Practical tips like adopting the Full Block Style & the Picture Frame Principle were shared with the students

THE RESUME

I explained to the graduating students that the resume is a piece of paper (usually one- three pages in length) that details who they are and what they’ve accomplished in life so far.

It is a selling tool that outlines their skills and experiences so an employer can see at a glance, how they can contribute to the employer’s workplace. The most effective resumes are clearly focused on a specific job title & addresses the requirements stated for the position

Most job applicants make the common mistake of preparing the same resume for five or more job openings. Do not commit the same mistake. I reminded them to make sure to customize their resume to fit the culture of the company. Highlight core competencies that they might find useful and valuable.

They have to get hold of the company’s brochures or annual reports because they frequently talk about the company’s vision, mission, strategies, and organizational structure. Find a match between the skills and competencies they have to offer and align them with the job opening and the company’s goals

With regards the career objectives, be realistic. In an attempt to impress, applicants sometimes write down a lot of career goals and plans. This can backfire and make it appear that the applicant only knows a little of everything but doesn’t really have an area of expertise.

State both short- term and long- term plans including plans for higher education. In a nutshell, the career objective must show the applicant’s clear sense of purpose

Additional tip: Be sure character references know the applicant and that the applicant has asked for the references’ permission. Make sure the names are spelled right.

THE INTERVIEW

The interview aims to select the final choices from among the short- listed applicants based on how these applicants conduct themselves and how they tackle and hurdle the final interview questions.

1. It probes for competencies demonstrated in the applicant’s past experiences

2. It ascertains the applicant’s attitude about themselves, towards their work and their views on life. It asks about personal vision

3. It aims to know if the applicant can articulate or communicate the added value they will bring to the job if they’re hired 

THE MOST COMMON JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

We also tackled the most commonly asked job interview questions and how to answer them. I told them that at the end of the day, they have to be candid and honest and be themselves and not to be too rehearsed. 

Luck plays a role in the hiring process as well

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Practical tips on how to stretch and extend a limited number of corporate wear, grooming habits to avoid and making that great positive first impression were also discussed

PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLING TWO- DAY WORKSHOP:

Overall, it was a productive two- day activity for the 400 plus graduating students. I was extremely delighted with the college seniors for they really participated in the activities. Their eagerness and enthusiasm made the whole trip to Bilar worthwhile and gave me a sense of fulfillment.

 

Ma'am Sharine Signe & Sir John Gudmalin

Your Blogger with the Organizing Committee

Kudos to the BISU staff led by for the enrichment session that would surely prove to be invaluable when these new graduates line up for job openings

SPECIAL THANKS: 

Thank you to Ma'am Sharine Signe BISU- Bilar Campus Guidance Counselor, Sir John Gudmalin BISU- Bilar Campus School Nurse who facilitated my presence, to Ms Charity Jaya, Graduating Class 2014 President and to Dr, Arnulfo C. Olandria, School Director

After I bade farewell to the organizers & the student leaders, I silently prayed for their success when they finally step out into the real world

Congratulations Class of 2014!