Thanks to my interviewees, two of the most successful women I have known…women of strength, intelligence and dedication in everything they do…

 

One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of finding a job is the job interview.  Newly graduates, most of the times, do not know what to expect. The fact is, the interview by the employer always turns to be the most crucial point of the job application process.  Some employers would take advantage of this personal encounter with the applicant to test how smart or intelligent the applicant is; how determined the applicant is in accepting the responsibilities of the certain position he or she is applying for; as well as how the applicant handles stress or pressure which can be apparently observed during the entire duration of the job interview itself.

 

We gathered some tips from those who have been there and are now considered seniors in their respective field of profession.

 

Be punctual.  “Punctuality is very important.  Arriving few minutes early could make a lot of difference. Time is very expensive.   If you value time most employers would feel respected and they will have the impression that you are a disciplined person.  A good job applicant is someone who is prepared not just to answer the interviewer  but is also ready to take the job. And of course, whatever is written on the resume must be truthful”, says Ms. Jasmin Cajiuat, Midway Media Communications President & General Manager.

 

Be confident and natural.  “If you were to start working at a young age, you should have a lot of self-confidence. Every newly graduate worries about having no experience, bear in mind that everything starts from zero. I personally believe that the years spent in the university and the trainings acquired during college are enough to be considered as basic experience. Consider your job interview as an opportunity to prove your knowledge and skills.  Step out of the traditional question and answer portion. Try to converse naturally by adding a little spice in your answers. 

 

Be specific on the kind of job you are applying for. Most first timers, when asked what kind of job they want would say “anything, whatever position is open”.  This kind of answer turns us managers off.  Employers needs workers that are sure about themselves and are most likely to become an asset rather than a liability to the company”, explains Ms. Cajiuat.

 

According to Ms. Mary Jane Aguinaldo, Owner and Operations Manager of Direct Travel And Tours, “An applicant must focus on what he wants and where he wants to work.  The employer, in the interview, can already assess if the applicant qualifies for the position he is applying for and has the potential to be a part and an asset to the company”.

 

Dress up properly for the interview.  Wear the appropriate clothes; formal or corporate attire. Jeans, rubber shoes, slippers, sandals, sleeveless shirts and tops are big no-nos!

 

This is very important especially if you are applying in companies where the job itself requires that employees wear formal attire. For instance, if you are applying to work in an office as administrative staff or assistant, you have to wear corporate attire, like top with a blazer or long sleeves, formal shoes, and trousers.

 

It helps to remember that employers tend to get a first impression from the way the interviewee or applicant presents himself or herself to the company and to others. Personality is a big factor that employer consider in job applications.  However, this does not refer merely to the physical attributes of the applicant which include cleanliness, confident posture and gestures but to the totality of the applicant’s character.

The usual goal of the interviewee is to impress the interviewer or employer. However, this brings danger on how the employer will perceive and assess the applicant as the latter tends to put up a front to make him appear impressive during the interview.

 

So, let’s read on the pieces of advice given by our professionals here.

 

“I don’t believe that first impressions last. An applicant must get the employer’s first and lasting impression.  I have hired several employees that really made a great impression in their first interviews, but during their work period, they have become lazy and incompetent. A good employee must be consistent and always learning”, Ms. Cajiuat emphasizes.

 

Every applicant’s goal is to pass the interview and get hired.  Being alert and ready to give the right answers during the interview will surely put the applicant in the position he is applying for.

 

Ms. Aguinaldo, however, believes that, “It is necessary to impress the interviewer because by doing so you, as an applicant competing with others for the job, place yourself to the most advantageous position.”