Fresh graduates have special place in my heart, charrot! Whenever I learn that someone is a fresh grad looking for his/ her first job, the first thing I do is to give encouragement. I know, there are a lot of competitive job hunters  and HR officers who devour applicants out there( isa pang charrot lang!)  If you are a fresh grad or not so fresh na, here are my important tips sa paghahanap ng trabaho based on lessons I learned and personal experiences.

Hanap trabaho tip 1: Come prepared!

Somewhere in Shenzen, China

Kapag sinabing come prepared, hindi lang ito kapag may interview na.  Ito ay mula pa lang sa preparation ng

• Well written and presentable resume
• nakahandang requirements
• Knowing company’s profile and address
• Practicing q & a portion/ job interview

Between overthinking and slacking off, prefer the first one. But of course, ideally  you should enjoy/ embrace the journey of job hunting. Yong tipong problema mo lang dapat ay perang panggastos or paaano makakuha ng matamis na oo. It’s possible to experience this if you are confidently comfortable because you are prepared.

Job Hunting tip 2: Exude the aura that you are not just a fresh graduate

Napanood ko ang journey ni Maureen Wroblewitz sa Asia’s Next Top Model (2017). Bagay na bagay na motivation ang kanyang story sa lahat ng fresh graduates or no work experience pa.

Most of her competitors had more modelling experiences than her and some of them tried to pull her down. Sa entire season, ang tag kay Maureen ay “just the pretty face” (naging problema ko rin ata ito, charr) because of her lack of modelling experience and skills.  Siguro rin, kung napanood ko ang show  na ito habang bino-broadcast pa lang, I would  doubt sa chance ni Maureen  kasi ang lalakas ng personality at ang gagaling talaga ng iba. But see, her determination and attitude lead her to outshine the other 13 aspirants.  She proved na she’s not just “the pretty face,” but a dark horse. So cliche na kung cliche, but believe me it’s a fact na you shouldn’t underestimate yourself.  The first person who will pull you down or push you up is always you.

Cook-A-Loka with Madonna University Students @ Mabuhay Restop

Ano ba ang magandang mentality if you are a fresh graduate hunting for your first/next job?

Una wala ka pa lang experience, pero hindi ka tanga at tamad para matuto. You have to imbibe this mentality so you believe in yourself, but at the same time be humble and open-minded to new learnings.

Don’t let your interviewer overpowers you because your lack of self-confidence.  Because in truth, being a fresh graduate is an advantage and will give benefits sa company na a-aplayan mo like…

• They can pay you less (but please accept only ‘yong patas sa iyo)
• You are teachable because you are hunger for solid experience
• And you are most likely a follower of rules and regulations
• At oo fresh ang ideas at experience na mai-offer mo.

Sometimes, napapaisip ako na kaya may company na nagse-set ng age limit/ requirement ay hindi dahil sa edad mismo, pero dahil madalas masakit sila sa ulo. It has something to do with flexibility and persuasion.  Magkaiba ang age sa seniority, at balewala ang seniority kung walang professionalism.

Career Tip 3: Own your resume

Your resume shouldn’t just a job requirement. Consider it as your marketing tool to boost your chance and confidence.  Make it your Best Positive Profile ever  that can tell someone  what’s your personal brand or at least you are prolific sa career path na tinatahak mo.

Personally, I try things na libre or mura na puwede ko ilalagay sa resume ko at bubuno sa kakulangan ko sa experience.  Ano yon? Seminars and workshops.

My resume also serves as my guide during interviews. I always relate my answers  sa kung ano ang nakalagay sa resume ko at hindi sa personal kung buhay. Kapag nag-dig in na yong interviewer ay saka ko sasagutin pero titipirin ko. Be cautious kasi baka ma-sway at mag-divulge ka ng something na hindi makakatulong, bagkus ay makakasira sa chance mo.

Sa totoo lang ‘yong mga nagtanong na ilan kami magkakapatid (10) ay hindi rin ako tinanggap.  And actually iniisip ko ay ano nga ba ang relevance? Kung dyowa ko ba si Cardo Dalisay o twin sister ko si Liza Soberano, ano rin ang kinalaman n’ya sa trabahong gagawin ko?  Para saan ang NBI at Police Clearance, ‘di ba?  So stick ka sa laman ng resume mo at alam mo i-explain bawat bahagi nito.

As much as possible also ay pagyamanin mo pa ang content nito sa paglipas ng panahon.

Mabuhay sa iyong job hunting journey!

Do you have career advice for fresh graduates, pa-share and please comment below. TY!