Dressing for the Interview:

Magsaysay People (MP) stands out not only because of their skills, but also because of the way they carry themselves. In a room full of people, one could easily identify an MP. So if you dream of being an MP, you need to have not just substance, but also a dash of style. Whether you agree with it or not, the truth is people make assumptions based on how you present yourself during an interview (or even after you’ve gotten the job).

So, here are a few tips on how to dress for an interview:

MEN

·         Clothes
Wear a suit with color coordinated trousers. You may also opt for neatly pressed long-sleeved polos in neutral colors. Don’t forget to wear an undershirt as well. Because you live in a tropical country, you don’t want to go to a job interview soaked in perspiration. An undershirt helps you and your polo look neat and clean.

·         Neckwear
Wear a tie. Even if you wouldn’t be required to wear one when you get the job, a nice, classic necktie adds elegance and class to one’s outfit. Choose ties with uniform and subtle patterns such as stripes or small dots. You may also choose ties with solid colors like blue, navy, gray, black, or maroons. Stay away from ties that have loud colors, designs and brand signatures displayed. They may be cute but not for interviews.

·         Bags, Shoes and Accessories
Wear clean and polished leather shoes. Black is the best. Your socks should also match your shoes. Pairing black or brown leather shoes with white socks is just unacceptable. Your belt should match the color of your shoes. Choose belts with a small silver buckle. Lastly, you may also want to carry a simple bag for your portfolio and other essentials. You don’t want any unnecessary bulges in your pants because of your cellphone, your wallet or set of keys.

WOMEN  

·         Hair and Makeup
Wear your hair in a conservative style. Put on minimal makeup just to add some color to your skin. Stay away from bright, flashy nail polish colors.

·         Clothes
Wear a classic suit or a simple dress with a jacket. An interview is not a time to be sexy and sultry so avoid wearing clothes that are tight or revealing. This may cause distraction to the interviewer.

·         Bags, Shoes and Accessories
Carry a simple, classic handbag that complements your entire outfit. Stockings are also a must. Refrain from wearing colored or patterned ones. Select a pair of shoes which are comfortable, but formal. Open toed, strappy sandals, ballet flats and the like are better left for a Saturday night out or a Sunday brunch.

SOME MORE TIPS:  

• Look clean and neat. Men should trim their beards or shave unwanted facial hair. Women should keep their hair appropriately fixed. Keep your nails trimmed as well.
• If possible, wear a light scent perfume or cologne. Your best option if you want to smell good is to use a good quality bath soap or body wash when you take a shower. Use also an unscented antiperspirant to keep you fresh.
• Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Your chunky bling bling are meant for parties and clubbing, not for a job interview. For women, if you must wear jewelry, select ones that go with your outfit. A simple necklace, a conservative pair of earrings would suffice.
• Finally, go to the restroom just before your interview to have a final check of your appearance. Look into the mirror and tell yourself, “You’re going to get the job.” It sounds silly, but it helps.

As a summary, remember that they way you dress would play a key role in your job interview. How you dress can make you appear confident, smart, polished and the right person for the job. But also remember that your clothes are just an extension of your personality. During the interview itself, the spotlight shouldn’t be on your outfit. It should be on you and why you deserve to be part of the company.

JOB INTERVIEW:

So you got a call from the Recruitment office for an interview, congratulations. You’re now one step closer to becoming part of the Magsaysay world. The next thing you should think about is how to ace the job interview to score the job you’ve long been wanting to get.

Remember that there are probably ten, or maybe even a hundred, other people applying for the position you’re eyeing. So the first thing to ask yourself is “Why should I get the job?”

Here are some points to consider when you’re up for a job interview:

Prepare. A job interview requires careful preparation. You should take the time to sit down, assess your career plans and your career experience, and make some notes.

Here are some questions that may be asked during the interview:

• What are the things that encouraged you to apply to the company?
• What are your career objectives?
• What courses did you take up and why?
• What do you do particularly well at school?
• What are your main responsibilities in your present job?
• Which aspect of the job do you like most?
• What are the main problem areas of your job?
• Why do you want to leave your present employer?
• What is expected in your first year if you are offered this job?
• How do you see yourself five years from now?
• Are there any people you find difficulty working with?
• What are your strengths?
• What are the things you like to improve on about yourself?
• Why should the company hire you?

Whether you are a fresh graduate or you have several years of work experience, it is important to prepare for the job interview. Try to anticipate the questions that will be asked in the interview. Get a friend to act as an interviewer so you can practice. Preparing for the job interview will help build and boost your confidence.

Research. Thanks to the Internet, information is now available more than ever. Go online and find out what you can about the organization and the position. This will give you more information about the company’s business, its people and the work environment. The interviewer would also be impressed that you did your homework and get the impression that you really are interested in the job.

Stop, Look and Listen. During the interview, listen attentively to the interviewer. Look at the interviewer to show interest. Before answering a question, take a pause to think about your answer.

Try to cite evidence for your statements. For example, if you say that you have good leadership skills, mention some previous projects where you had to assume a leadership role. Pay attention as well to your body language – posture, handshake, attire, personal grooming.  Sit properly. Keep your hands free from pens, keys or cellphones to avoid fidgeting. Put your phone on silent mode, or better yet, turn it off.

Also, remember that interviewers conduct the interview to find the right person fit for the job. They are not there to find flaws in you, nor to make your life difficult. Interviewers need to be convinced that you are indeed the right person for the job.

Interview the Interviewer. At some point during the interview, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. This is the right time for you to know a bit more about the company, the position you are applying for, the work environment, the people, to name a few. Prepare your questions way ahead so that when you’re given the chance to ask, you already know what to ask.

Thanks. When the interview ends, make sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time. Extend your hand for a good shake. If you have the interviewer’s email address, you may also send a brief note of thanks. This would show that you’re really interested in the job, and this gesture is something very rarely done by applicants.

The job interview plays a very big role in your application. Knowing that you only have a couple of minutes to demonstrate your competency and your desire for the job can cause some pressure. But with the right preparation, your interview should go smoothly. Remember that your objective is to show the interviewer that you are the one most capable of doing the job among all the applicants.

Before you enter the door, take a deep breath, relax and project confidence. Now, go on and show the interviewer they should hire you.

RESUME BUILDING

Remember that the Recruitment office and the Human Resources dept. receive hundreds of resumes every week. How do you make sure your resume gets a longer look? Do you need to write a life story? Do you need to print it colored? Would using scented paper make a difference? Will a ten-page resume show you’re the right choice?

Your resume should contain:

Job objective. Specify the kind of work you are looking for. Be specific and straightforward.

Skills. For fresh graduates, you may include on-the-job experience or big projects you were part of in school. If you are looking for a new job, include your present and previous employers, address, dates of employment, your job title, and your duties. It would be helpful to mention your acquired skills and significant accomplishments.

Education. List down your educational attainment, including the name of school and year graduated. Include any awards received to add to your credentials.

Trainings. Whether you’re a fresh grad or a practicing professional, it would be helpful to list down the trainings you have previously attended. These will increase your credibility.

References. Have three people in mind who will serve as good references - a professor, a colleague, a former boss. Keep in mind that your references should be able to establish your credibility and credentials, so make sure that your references know you well.

Some useful tips:

Choose a resume format that best suits you. A chronological resume lists your job history with the most recent position listed first. A functional resume categorizes your job experience into sections focusing on skill and accomplishment.

Be brief and concise. Your resume should summarize your accomplishments. It is not an autobiography so make sure you only include the relevant information.

Proofread. Read, read, read your resume. Double check dates, facts, grammar, punctuation marks, among others. Ask a professor or a colleague to take a look at your resume.

Beautify. Your resume must be inviting. Use classic but elegant fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, at least 10 pts in size. Use section headings. Print on clean, white paper.

Your resume is the first step in a job application. Given this, you need to invest time and energy not just on the content, but also on its design.