If you have come to asked me why some companies would let you wait for an hour or two when they can send you home three minutes from the beginning of the interview, i would say that the talent acquisition specialists [TAS] are observing you.

The best way to know more about the person is to watch how he/she deals with the idle time he/she has.  The mistake of most applicants is that when they are given a lull they tend to leave their guards down.

In one group interview, the hiring owner of the company told that guy up front that he will not hire him because he is lazy.  The guy said, “what made you say I am lazy?”  The owner/manager said, “You slouch when you sit and you are fat!  Between you and me in a climb uphill, you will be the first one to give up.”

Lazy people tend to slouch or sleep while waiting for their turn instead of doing something productive. I noticed that those who have the tendency to sleep before the interview are also the first to go. So, do NOT slouch or sleep. You do not want to have the smell of a dried saliva be the reason why you are rejected, do you?

Do not listen to music, as it may lead you to sleep and you may miss your name being called when it is your turn.  You might also be carried away by the song or laugh out loud on what the diskjockey said.  They might think you are a security threat and that you are in the wrong place. You might end up on a straight jacket.

Kidding aside, there will always be waiting time. You better tag along a good book to read. Reading will help you become attentive to your sorounding since any noise will disrupt your concentration. It also projects a personality of willingness to learn. Of course, do not bring a tabliod with you to your interview — not even for the puzzles that you can enjoy.  The TAS might think that you are sleazy.

[UP NEXT: Work from Home]

Be observant.  I mention in my last article that you have to set a good schedule because it will give you the chance to scout about the place and the people who are going to work.  But why?
Observing how people behave in coming to work and in going home is the best way to check if the company you are applying this time is worth joining.  If the morale of the people working for the company is low, you will see people drag their feet to work and rush their way home. You do not want to work for a company with many dissatisfied employees, do you?
It is also important to take notice of the attire of these people. It will give you the idea on what type of culture this company has. If you are the type of person who believes in the penshoppe motto: “express yourself”, then you will find no room for yourself in a company that wears uniform in close neck and black shoes. If you are the type who wants this attire, then you will be out of place if you work in a company with people who wears pajama to work.
There are two reasons why people stay long in a company and bloom. One, they feel they belong. Two, they are highly satisfied with the company’s culture that they are in. In most cases, staying longer really has nothing to do with money.
Finally, whatever you gain from your observation will give you an idea on how the interview will go and what the interviewer will expect from you. That is a battle half won. How you will turn that to your advantage is all up to you.

[UP NEXT: The Waiting Room]

I got a call from one of the talent acquisition specialist [TAS] who wanted to interview me for a position in her company. She scheduled me for a Friday interview. I asked her: “Is there a Tuesday schedule?” She said: “Yes, there is.” I asked what time would be best and she retorted that I could drop by anytime between 1pm to 8pm.

Come Monday, I went to check the address that the lady TAS has given me. I found out that it will take three rides coming from my house going to the place but only one ride going home. It also took me more than an hour to arrive at the place since if I travel at 12 noon. I decided to waste time in the nearest eatery and get to see the people who just came from work.

On the interview day I arrived at the place before noon time. I logged in the reception hall where the receptionist guard informed me that the TAS will not be available until 1pm. I said it is perfectly fine and ask the guard for the nearest 711.  Accommodatingly, the guard gave me the direction and I told him that I will be back after 15 minutes. I went back at 12:30.

Why schedule it on a Tuesday instead of a Friday? It is the same reason as I have mentioned about timing BUT the most important one is about preparation. If you schedule the meeting impromptu then you will have very few information about the company and what they will need. You will also have less time to psychologically prepare yourself. Friday is a time when everyone is wrapping up. Monday is when everyone has the hangover from a two day rest. So, Tuesday is when you will be treated fair and squire.

Why come early? Of course you do not want to be late. That will give them a bad impression on your time management.  Why choose the first hours? It is better to be listed ahead of the other applicants – your competitors.  Positively, there is a saying that goes: the early bird catches the worm.  It will give you the chance to scout about the place and the people who are going to work.

[UP NEXT: Observe People]

“Life is ironic. I have to let go of my reserved seat besides you so I could share a seat with you – then get to know you.”

A new found friend asked me, “What should I do? I am confused. I have a rekindled feeling for my high school sweetheart and a relationship with a boyfriend for three years.”

I am NO joe the mango. In fact I have many failed relationships than an average joe could possibly have. I decided to tell her a story instead and let her reflect about it.

The first story was about the man & the corn field. I told her that there was once a man who was told by the landlord of the sweet corn’s field:  “You can pick and keep the biggest corn from my cornfield but with one condition: as you pick the biggest sweet corn, you have to keep on running without stopping until you reach the end of the cornfield. There is no turning back and no going back as well. To top all these, you can only pick one corn.”

The man said: “Well, that is easy!” and off he goes to run in the cornfield. Then he saw a sizable corn a few meters away, he said to himself: “this is one big corn.” BUT when he reach the corn stack he decided that he might find a bigger one in the middle of the field so he did not pick the corn. This goes on with the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and an almost countless big corns he just did not pick thinking that farther on the field there will be a much bigger corn.

Then the man reached the point that he could already see the end of the cornfield. He fanicked then he pick the biggest corn he could see in sight. He ended with a mediocre size corn.

She asked me, “so, what is the moral of the story”. I told her, do not delay your decision; you might end with a mediocre corn. You have to decide now. Then, she said, hmmm… you make my problem a lot difficult this time.

Then I told her: The human heart capable of loving more than one person. So, you should not worry about “being still in love” with your highschool sweet heart.  It is humanly possible and normal. Likewise, do NOT confuse Love with that exciting feeling. In fact, love is not even close to that feeling. BUT when it comes to that “Matrimonial Love,” you will have to see that it is more than that exciting feeling.

It is all about commitment.  It is the commitment to stay in love even when the other has started to become unlovable since he/she has grown old; or you found out that there are characteristic that he/she have that you DO NOT LIKE; or that he/she is low in cash but high in maintenance; or you have simply outgrown him/her.

Maybe I can make your decision a little lighter with this quote: “You can NEVER step on the same river twice.” She said, what do you mean by that?

I said, remember that when you step on the river your second chance to step in would be with a different river, the first one is already down stream. If you are thinking that the person you have met in your high school days is the same person, you are wrong. You might be nostalgic, but that person you might be looking for is already downstream – not the same person you meet now.  There will be a lot of catching up to do.

In the end, you will have to choose your big corn!

I always have this question from applicants: what is the best attire to wear during interviews? And I always reply: “Wear yourself.”

It is always a tendency for everyone to focus more on the physical aspect and forgetting that which is essential. Quoting the little prince: “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”  After all the application I have attended and most of the friends I have helped has been through, I have reached the conclusion that the best attire is to wear yourself.

It does not really matter much if you come in polo barong or short sleeve than when you come in shorts and t-shirt.  The highest post I ever get hired was when I was wearing my short pants and a t-shirt that says “pop cola angat sa iba.” I was hired to become the campus ministry coordinator of La Salle in an interview done right next to the school’s oval.  My friend got his chance to get hired in a call center when he dropped by in jeans as old as our friendship and a t-shirt just enough to cover his skeletal body.

Companies do not hire you for the dress you wear but by your attitude towards work.

[UP NEXT: Scheduling the Interview]

Timing in getting a work is everything. Many people think that since the application time is set between 8am to 4pm they can just rush into the application by 3pm and expect to get hired.

I made this mistake during my early years in job applications. I tried to apply for a teaching appointment in one of the girls school. I arrive at 3pm and by 4pm I got my letter from the HR personnel. It says, although your qualification is impressive, we regret to inform you that our need at present is for a PHILOSOPHY TEACHER.

“Darn! I am a qualified PHILOSOPHY TEACHER!,” I said to myself. I graduated with honors in my Bachelor in Philosophy and my MASTERS is in Philosophy.  But looking at the timing, it was already time for going home.  The person who handed me the letter was already all made up… ready for window shopping or for a movie date.

It was my mistake. Looking back, I realized that I did not bother to check that it was the 15th of the Month. The very day for our one day millionaires.

[UP NEXT: The Right Attire]

One of the lessons I learned from not being hired is the fact that you were not hired because nobody is there to back you up. This does not mean that you get hired because you have somebody from the inside who would do some magic so that you can get the work. Don’t get me wrong. It is all about having somebody to oriented you well on what this work is all about or what kind of worker they are looking for.  Having someone who can serve as a secondary reference. A reference that you may not write in your resume but the hiring personnel will ask if she/he happens to know you.
As early as college, build your network.

I keep a list of people on my cell phone, my email and my directory book that I greet or visit from time to time.  I believe that you have your version too.  These people are your garden of referral.  It is most likely that these same people works on a company that needs a person that fits your capabilities.  They do not have to bring you or your resume. All you need is the direction to the place and the person to look for.

Where else is the heart of your network but in school.  That is where I get my first work.  I went to ask our school registrar if he knew of a school where I can apply to teach.  And he said, two philosophy teachers are leaving next semester.  Go ask the dean if you can take their place.

Of course, you do not have to work or apply in the school where you graduated.  But most schools have a well built network and maybe a listing of companies that are looking for fresh graduates.  {You will know why when you get the salary offer.}

You can approach your guidance officer about it. If they do not have a list of hiring companies, at least they can help you find one.
Begin your 100 list from their referrals.

[UP NEXT: Timing]

A friend once to told me: “Put up a list of one hundred companies then go ask them to hire you, keep moving from one company to the next following the order in your list even when you hit a snag. I tell you, before you get to the 100th you will get hired.”

I started with a career in teaching.   I can still remember my first application. I was wearing my white polo barong, black pants, eye glasses. It was not a sight worth looking at.

I went straight and asked the guard if there are teaching vacancies. In visayan accent he said: “Go to that door, near the drinking fountain.” I obliged.  It was the office of the dean and the secretary told me to “leave your resume on that tray on top of the table right next to the door… we will call you if we are interested.”

They never called. I assumed I was not as interesting as the novel she was intently reading that time or that my resume fell into the garbage bin just right beside the table.

But yes, before I reach my 100th company[19th company], I get hired.
After I reached my 48th company to have rejected me, I get my teaching appointment in La Salle Green Hills.

I can go on and on to tell you my stories: some are dramatic; some others are comedy and few horror stories. That I shall delve on in a different blog.

[Up Next: The network]