Busy Streets

Here’s the continuation of our job interview write-up the other day:

4. Be prepared for weird questions. — Before the interview, rehearse the questions and your answers in your head. After the standard stuff, though, try to think of the weirdest things that they might ask you and prepare for it. I think the weirdest thing I’ve been asked (for a job at one of the bigger banks) was: “If you were a brand of soap, what would you be and why?” I wasn’t applying for a marketing post nor did I remember joining a beauty contest. The question was asked though and I had to quickly answer. The officer probably didn’t like my reply. I did not get the job. =)

5. Try not to be sassy. — During interviews, there will be some interviewers who may rub us the wrong way. They may come on as too strong, too smug — whatever. Just remember that you are there to get a job, not antagonize the person you are talking to. Do not be too proud. I remember an interview way back where the person I was talking to said something and then, rather haughtily (that was my interpretation at that time) said: “That’s if we decide to hire you.” Feeling sassy, I quickly retorted: “That’s if I decide to work for you also.” I said to myself, he’s not the only one doing the choosing here. Well, I didn’t get called back. Not that I regret it but maybe I could have been less proud.

6. Be patient. — Sometimes, the person who is scheduled to interview you will be called to an “emergency meeting.” Stay put. Better yet, be open to a resked. Do not get irritated and take it as a sign that this job was not meant for you. I was waiting for an interview at one of the biggest, most stable conglomerates in the country. As I said, the person I was supposed to talk to was called to a meeting and I was irritated to say the least. Well, I did go all the way to Makati for nothing. At that time, I already had an offer to teach at the College of Business of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. They were waiting for a reply from me the day after that interview. So after waiting for some amount of time, I stood up, decided not to wait for the person anymore and told his secretary that I was leaving and that I would just pursue this other job opportunity that I had. To this day, I wonder what would have happened had I waited. Still, things turned out pretty well. I met my husband at UP and now have 2 adorable kids. Conglomerate or no conglomerate, life is good — but do stick around long enough to see what alternatives exist.

7. Do not ask about pay. — Wait for the employer to ask you about your desired salary. Do not bring the matter of pay up. Wait for them to make you an offer first and then ask all your questions. Asking about pay right away, when they have not chosen you yet, is not proper and can turn off your prospective employer. Besides, as you will find out when you are older, pay is not everything. I remember I took a job which paid P11 thou a month in 1992 and chose it over a job which paid P9 thou a month. What was the basis for my choice — just the pay. Three weeks after, I quit that P11 thou job without any alternative as I really did not enjoy myself. After some time, I was lucky to try the P9 thou job and am still working at the same company fourteen years after — though not for P9 thou anymore. When you find a job that you enjoy, the pay you want will eventually follow. With the job I have now, I have been able to purchase my own car, go on trips to places like India and the US, travel yearly, meet the most interesting business people, etc., etc. So when starting out, try not to think about the pay. It’s more than just about money.

So to you graduates, good luck! May you find that job that will be right for you so you never have to work a day in your life.