Ms. Christine C. Quita , RGC September 2, 2010 AMV Multipurpose Hall

1. ACING THE JOB INTERVIEW AND POWER DRESSING Ms. Christine C. Quita, RGC September 2, 2010 AMV Multipurpose Hall

2. EMPLOYMENT RATE April 2011 Labor Force Survey (LFS) Source: National Statistics Office

3. Research • Know Yourself • Current Values, Interests, Skills, Personality Traits and Personal Priorities. • Goal Setting • Explore Career Opportunities • Matching goals, transferable skills, and personal needs to a career path. • A list of potential employers.

4. Conquering Interview Types • Screening Interview • filters out unqualified applicants, conducted by human resource professional not the actual hiring authority, generally look for cues to eliminate you. • One-to-one Interview • Face to face with the actual decision maker, interviewer wants to know if indeed you are the one they seek • Telephone Interview • Get the person’s complete name, title and phone number in case you need to call back

5. Conquering Interview Types • Stress Interview • Deliberate attempt to see how you react to uncomfortable situations • Behavioral Interview • Previous behavior is used to predict future performance • Group/ Panel Interview • Done for time and scheduling efficiencies as well to gauge the candidate’s reaction under the pressure of dealing with different personalities

6. How to Pass that Interview • Impact • No non-sense • Talking • Energy • Relationship • Vision • Integrity • Entrepreneurial • Wisdom

7. Impact • Create a good impression with the interviewer. • Your appearance is what the interviewer will first notice. • Grooming, Power dressing • Don’t wear something that will distract interviewer or yourself. • He will ask questions basically for the purpose of matching you with the job.

8. Impact • Walk straight in the direction of the interviewer and don’t show signs of nervousness. • When the interviewer offers a handshake, take it firmly and shake hands for about three seconds. • Composure and alertness in carrying conversation. • Every time the interviewer ask question listen intently. Look him straight in the eye and digest what he is saying. • Be brief and straight to the point whenever you respond.

9. No non-sense • When asked why you are interested in the job, relate to the interviewer your career plans. • When asked how you see yourself growing in the company if you are given all the trainings and opportunities, give an idea of your potential. • The interviewer is interested to know if you can make your own decision.

10. Talking • The interview is basically all about talking – yours, not the interviewer’s. Be ready to articulate what you feel. • When asked a question just answer it. Go direct to the point and avoid roundabout questions. • Interviewer is basically interested on one thing – to find the match between you and the job you are applying for. • Know beforehand the specifications of the job you are applying for.

11. Talking • Don’t attempt to overdo your enunciation or highlight too much the schwa or twang when you speak English. • Don’t mix English with the vernacular. When asked in Tagalog, answer in Tagalog but not with the English accent. • The interviewer will always prefer somebody with good oral communication skills, especially because some jobs require excellent ability to talk and convince others through argumentation.

12. Frequently Asked Questions • Tell me something about yourself. • Why do you want to join this company? • What kind of position are you looking for? • What do you consider are your strengths and weaknesses?

13. Frequently Asked Questions • What do you consider to be your greatest achievements? • Where do you see yourself five years from now? • When you start a new job, how do you establish good relationships with your new colleagues and supervisors? • What do you know about our company?

14. Energy • Prepare not only mentally but also physically for the grueling employment process. • Prior to the interview, have a good rest and physical conditioning. • If you are scheduled for an interview and you suddenly got sick that day, you must call in and request for a resetting of the interview. • If you sound very sluggish or as if you woke up at the wrong side of the bed, you can the interviewer a wrong impression.

15. Energy • Adjust your facial expression according to what you are suppose to feel. Generally, you should feel happy and confident during the entire interview. • In the same manner that you truly prepare for the finals or thesis defense, you should have the energy and right frame of mind to go through the employment interview – prepared both physically and mentally. • You are defending a livelihood or a long-term career.

16. Relationship • Interviewer will delve as deep as he can in to your ability to interact with people. • Customer satisfaction will continue to be the most important competency that is required by most companies. • Tell the interviewer how you dealt with people or situations in a manner that highlights your ability to relate well with others. • It is important to show that you are approachable, you can handle pressure situation, you don’t panic, you can work in a team, and you are courteous and don’t rub people the wrong way.

17. Vision • If they sense that the applicant’s priority is only to learn the ropes and put up his own business, or make the company a stepping stone to a better placement, then the interviewer is justified to junk the applicant. • They usually hire those who can visualize themselves doing the job and contributing to the goals of the organization. • Many companies are hiring people not just for what they are but for they can be when given the opportunity to develop themselves.

18. Integrity • Integrity is one of those corporate values that many companies have. • During the interview, your integrity as a prospective employee will be probed. The best way to handle this probe is to be very honest and truthful. • Don’t fake or hide information about yourself when you are asked. • Once the interviewer catches you lying, you can say goodbye to the job.

19. Entrepreneurial • Entrepreneurial spirit is a sense of ownership and makes the employee treat the company resources as his own and with care. • He usually does not do anything foolish or silly to put the company in jeopardy. • Malasakit or concern for the company’s resources and people. • You can tell the interviewer what you did in school activities and projects, either curricular or co-curricular, where the entrepreneurial spirits helpful in achieving your goals.

20. Wisdom • During the job interview, the interviewer will probe in to the job applicant’s wisdom. • Past behavior is good indicator of future behavior. • Determine the real issue before you respond. If you immediately jump into conclusion and recommend a solution that does not squarely address the issue, you will not give a good interview impression. • Give the interviewer and opportunity to gauge your wisdom by showing him how well you solve problems.

21. Power Dressing for the Professional World

22. Power dressing is a form of dressing, especially in the corporate world, which makes you appear in control, confident and authoritative. When you dress professionally, you feel professional. Wearing a smart suit can instantly make you feel more confident. And it projects the image of a confident person to the world!

23. The first impression your interviewer makes about you is based on the way you look. The way a person dresses is the single biggest non-verbal communication you make about yourself. The right dressing is a measure of the seriousnessthat you place on the position, as a person normally spends time on his looks if he considers an event important enough.

24. Things to Remember: • Do not dress for the position you are in. Dress for the position you want to be in. If you want to advance in your career, this is the mantra to follow. • Stick to conservative when job hunting. When you go for an interview, dress in strict business formals, unless you are interviewing for a creative position in a firm where everybody dresses casual and you are expected to, too.

25. Things to Remember: • Wear something you are comfortable in. Find a dressing style that suits you, while adhering to the norms of your workplace. The whole idea of power dressing is to make you feel and appear confident and authoritative.

26. THE RULES: Corporate Attire • There are two levels of business attire: • Business professional (the most conservative corporate dress) and; • Informal business professional (a more relaxed version of the business professional look).

27. Thebusiness professional lookincludes a conservative suit in a solid or pinstriped pattern.Preferred colors are navy, dark brown, gray and black. • Whiteandpastel-colored blouses andshirtsare acceptable.

28. The informal professional lookincorporates more pizzazz and color--in jackets, sweaters and blouse styles--and even dresses and skirts in silky prints combined with tailored jackets and sweaters.

29. THE RULES: Casual and Chic • Casual attire has been called the most relaxed corporate dress code, and subsequently, the most abused and misunderstood dress code. • Casual and chic business attire includes incorporating colorful sweaters and leather blazers, and your favorite accessories into your professional look.

30. Casual and chic business attire

31. STRICTLY BUSINESS: Dress Code For Job Hunters There is no casual chic look for those pounding the pavement for a new job; strictly business professional is the best way to go. Your interview attire should send the message that you can fit into the work environment.

32. Men • Long-sleeved shirt and dark slacks. White is still the safest and the best color for shirts. Also acceptable: pale shades such as beige, blue, and other pastels. • Tuck in the shirt and do not roll up the sleeves. • Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will destroy your executive image.

34. Ties. Optional. But if you do wear one, choose a conservative pattern. Solids, small polka dots, diagonal stripes, small repeating shapes, subtle plaids and paisleys are all acceptable. • Belts. Belts should match your shoes. Those with smaller buckles with squared lines look more professional. • Socks. Black socks are the best, followed by blue or gray, depending on your attire. Never wear white socks! Check your sock length, too--no skin should show when you sit down or cross your legs. • Shoes. Black or burgundy leather shoes with laces on them, because tassel loafers are very casual. Other suitable colors are brown, cordovan and navy.

35. Hair. Keep neat, short and preferably parted on the side. And shave off all those facial hair. • Jewellery. Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only acceptable pieces of jewellery. Thin gold or leather-strapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also, avoid political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely no pierced body parts, and cover up your tattoos! • Accessories. As much as possible, use leather briefcases or folders to hold copies of your resume. Use narrow briefcases and avoid plastic folders and plastic ball pens as they are out of place.

36. Women • Three-piece business suits, blouse and skirt or slacks, and cardigan twin-sets. Sleeveless shirts should be rejected. Short-sleeved blouses are okay when they are tailor-cut or have features such as a sports collar or double breast design to create a business-like look. Skirts can either be long provided it does not create a Cinderella look or short where it falls no shorter than two inches from the knee. • Panty-hose or stockings. A must for professional grooming, but nothing with overly fussy patterns. Bring an extra pair, just in case the ones you are wearing run.

37. Shoes. Closed shoes or pumps with at least 1½-inch heels suggest a more professional look. Dark colors are best. • Hair. Hair longer than shoulder length should be worn up or pulled back. Don't let it fall in front of your face and don't keep trying to fix it during the interview. Avoid large hair ornaments and trendy hairstyles. • Make-up. Be subtle; natural is the key word. Light shades of lip coloring and nail polish are recommended.

38. Jewellery. Be conservative. Studs of gold, silver or pearls are best. Do away with gaudy fashion jewellery, and those that clank and make noise when one moves. • Accessories. Folders and bags should blend well with the total professional look. Women should match their purse with their shoe colour.

39. Looks to Avoid: • Too sexy: see-through lace, miniskirts, spaghetti straps, sheer sundresses, plunging necklines, backless blouse, strappy stiletto sandals, fitted clothing, leather pants • Too casual: denim/jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats, sneakers, shades, flip-flops • Too sloppy: wrinkled clothing, too many layers, baggy-fit clothing. • Club wear, beach wear, t-shirt with profanity on it or with offensive words or images, cartoon character tie

40. Your final tip is to stand up straight and be confident. Your attire and your resume won’t help you if your posture is not straight and you’re not smiling from the second you meet your interviewer. Just relax, be happy and have confidence- you are a Thomasian!

41. Thank you and Good Luck on your Job Hunting!