Trabaho Philippines

March is coming next week and job seekers, get ready! More job fairs 2010 are coming your way. So, update your resume and get your calendars. One of these dates may be your lucky day.

CAL Job Fair 2010
By: UP College of Arts and Letters
March 2-5, 2010
UP CAL Atrium
University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC

Annual Campus Jobs Fair
By: Central Philippine University
March 5, 2010 (8am-5pm)
Alumni Promenade Concert Park
Lopez Jaena St., Jaro, Iloilo City

Local and Overseas Job Fair
By POEA
March 10
- Barangay Hall, Barangay 4, Sagpon, Legazpi City, Albay
- Rizal Triangle near Olongapo City Hall, Olongapo City, Zambales

Local and Overseas Job Fair
By POEA
March 11
- Barangay Hall, Barangay 12, Tula-Tula, Legazpi City, Albay
- Freddie Webb Covered Court, General Mariano Valdez (GMA), Cavite
- Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Mid-La Union Campus, San Fernando City, La Union

The Alphaland South Gate Mall Job Fair
by Philtrade Exhibits
March 12-13, 2010
Alphaland South Gate Mall
Makati City

Local and Overseas Job Fair
By POEA
March 12
- Barangay Hall, Barangay 15, Ilawood East, Legazpi City, Albay
- Montano Hall, Cavite City, Cavite
- Ground Floor, Executive Building, New City Hall, Guinobatan, Calapan, Mindoro Oriental

Local and Overseas Job Fair
By POEA
March 12
- Barangay Hall, Barangay 15, Ilawood East, Legazpi City, Albay
- Montano Hall, Cavite City, Cavite
- Ground Floor, Executive Building, New City Hall, Guinobatan, Calapan, Mindoro Oriental

The 15th Job Fair @ the Mega
March 12, 2010 – March 13, 2010
Megatrade Hall 3, Megamall
Pasig City

Local and Overseas Job Fair
By POEA
March 13
- Barangay Hall, Barangay 7, Baño, Legazpi City, Albay
- South Station Market 2, Alabang, Muntinlupa
- The Fisher Valley College School, Grounds 5ML Quezon Street, Hagonoy, Taguig

Classifieds Job Fair
by: Manila Bulletin
Mar 23, 2010 – Mar 24, 2010
Glorietta Activity Center, Glorietta,
Makati City

Local and Overseas Job Fair in Isabela
by: City government of Santiago City, Isabela/PESO
Mar 27, 2010 – Mar 28, 2010
City Hall of Santiago City, Isabela

Just in case this is your first time to go to a job fair, read this job fair dos and don’ts guide to tell you what to expect and what to do inside. Good luck!

How to Know if a Job Offer is Legitimate or Not

Job seekers, beware! Although there are numerous job opportunities, it is easily to get swayed by job scams. Yes, you read it right—scams. If you are beginner, it is definitely difficult to see the real job postings from the fake ones. You may think that you are applying for a good job but you’re actually falling into a trap.

So, the question is: how will you be able to find a good job without worrying about these cons? The fact is: con artists have become so talented that they are able to imitate the real ones and penetrate employment sites without any trouble. Not to worry! There are certain qualities job scams have that sets them apart from the genuine ones.

In order for you to land a job without any troubles, you should always remember these things:

1. Getting a job is free and it will always be. If you find a job ad which requires you to pay a certain fee before or after applying, then you should definitely back out while it’s still early.
2. A genuine job opening found in employment sites do not really promise much. If you think that what you are reading is too good to be true, chances are it is. If these say that you can get bundles of money without doing much, then these are scams. Just think: who would offer you money just like that?
3. A real job posting only shows you the description of the job and the list of requirements they need. Plus, they would always give you contact information. If you have the time, you should do a background check on them.
4. Although too much can be regarded as scams, job openings which have limited details are definitely suspicious. If you see something like ‘come see me at…’ and place an address, this is definitely something you should report.
5. Job offers which come from emails and phone calls are somewhat doubtful. Most of the time, the con artists pick out your name and contact information from somewhere without knowing much. Nonetheless, you should make sure that they are a legit company by asking them questions.
6. Job offers which promise to take you abroad should be studied carefully. If these promise you that you will get a job instantly, these are often fake. Most legitimate job openings in foreign countries only offer you a list of opportunities which you can take.

How to Act when Faced with Suspicious Job Offers

Now, that you know how to recognize a scam, what should you do? If you are a fresh graduate who is not familiar with job postings, you should remember these things:

1. Never ever submit your resume online or give credit information without doing a background check on a company. Check out what they do or their past achievements. This will tell you if they are legitimate or not.
2. If you have been contacted by someone, you should never hesitate to ask questions. You should ask who the person is, their company background, what their contact information is and even references. Never ever give out information over emails and phone calls!
3. You should check with your local government agency to learn more about how to apply a job overseas. This way, you will be aware of what jobs to take and what not to trust.
4. List down everything they tell you. This will give you an easier time to report them in the future if ever they are scams. In fact, have a copy of the contracts you sign!
5. Do not get overwhelmed by good company names or promises. Always check with the government if this is a legitimate business.

Just in case you get scammed, do not feel alarmed. Learn from your mistakes and you will certainly find a good job. At the same time, there are still things you can do to help other people avoid these cons. Never ever hesitate reporting suspicious people or groups. After all, if they are legal operating groups, they will surely check out.

When you’re a first time applicant, it cannot be helped that hear rumors. However, don’t let these discourage you because chances are, most of them are not real. To help you relieve yourself of the questions, here’s a list of things that you shouldn’t believe.

Rumor # 1 – The Top 4 University Prestige

For sure, you’ve heard the rumor that employers only focus their attention on the 4 top universities in the Philippines, which they say are: Univesity of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas. This is NOT TRUE. Although it’s true that the standard of education in these universities are the best in the Philippines, talent and skill cannot be limited to the school alone—employers know that. So, don’t be shy! Be proud of your school!

Rumor # 2 – The Entry Level Job Rule

It’s not true that when you’re a fresh graduate, the only jobs for you are entry level jobs. If you work hard in college and gain experience, you may actually get scheduled for an interview (and get hired) for jobs that required experienced individuals. So, don’t hesitate! Apply for jobs that require 1-2 years of experience. There’s no harm in trying!

Rumor # 3 – Top Companies = High Compensation

When you’re a fresh graduate, working in top companies may not mean that you’ll get a high salary. If you’re applying for a job in places such as networks, publishing (newspapers, etc.), events and many others, these may require you to work longer hours. You will surely get the training you want but as a fresh graduate, there’s a possibility that you won’t get the salary you’re hoping for. Don’t worry, once you’ve established yourself with a (minimum) year’s worth of experience, you can definitely try to negotiate your compensation.

Rumor # 4 – Makati City is the Only Place to Get A Great Job

Makati City—it’s a certainty that when you hear this place, you think of nothing but a sophisticated city. Unfortunately, it’s not all that. This city may be one of the most beautiful and upscale places in the Philippines, but this doesn’t mean that all the good jobs are found there. In fact, there are also top companies found in Pasig, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and many others. Don’t limit yourself by thinking that you’ll only prosper in Makati. There are other places to check out too!

Rumor # 5 – Stick to a Job Related to Your Major

NOT TRUE. Just in case you’re interested in applying for work that’s not related to your major, don’t panic! There are people who land jobs in fields such as Marketing even though they’re graduates of Education or Accounting courses. It’s not about the major; it’s actually about the skills you have to offer. Of course, you will really have to prove yourself to your employer.

Rumor # 6 – Humility Can Get You Hired

When you’re in a job interview, that doesn’t mean that when you speak about the truckloads of things you’ve done in college, you’re self-centered. In fact, employers like that. They are expecting you to market yourself in order for you to prove that you’re worthy of being hired. So, speak up and tell them what you’ve accomplished. They’re looking for talented individuals who can contribute to their company; not some shy fresh graduate!

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1. Job Hunting Myths – Learn more about Job Hunting Myths!

2. TrabahoPhilippines.com Facebook – Get updates on Job Openings and other helpful Job Hunting Details!

3. Employer Preferences – What Fresh Graduates Should Know About Employers!

How Employers Choose Over Multiple Applicants

If you think that employers are picky when they evaluate applicants, think again. As you can see, being a recruitment officer in a company is hard. Just think, dozens of hopefuls stand in line outside their office just to get the chance to get a job.

More often than not, employers have a certain criteria to choose between job seekers, assuming that they have similar qualifications. They use this just in case they don’t see anyone who stands out. This, however, does not mean that there are no promising candidates from the set of applicants waiting to be interviewed. This is just their way of picking out the best.

Cover Letters – The First Test

Sure, resumes are very essential when applying for a job but Filipino applicants tend to forget the cover letter. This very document is also important because of the fact that this is the first thing HR officers look for when reviewing an application. Through a cover letter, they will see if the job seeker is serious and determined. Passing a resume without a cover letter is a sign that you’re lazy.

Education – Very Important In The Employment World

Have you ever found yourself wondering why you need to go to school? Some people don’t realize that education can help raise your chances of getting a great job in the future. Most companies require a good education as an important prerequisite but don’t really look for honor students or a copy of your grades. This is because, completing a four year course is your training for the real world. For those who are skeptic about this, chances are you won’t realize how important education is until you’re set out in the employment world looking for a job.

Experience Is The Best Teacher

You’ve often heard it before—that grades don’t really matter. Because majority of Filipinos get to go to school, the ‘education qualification’ is quite easy to pass. However, this isn’t the same for experience. Employers like to assume that the more activities you’ve participated in, you’ll be able to develop:

• interpersonal and intrapersonal skills
• time management
• being versatile
• training with regards to your field
• …and many others.

Extra Skills – Earn Extra Points

Let’s not rule out the fact that you may have extra talents. There are certain skills that can be used in various fields. If you have some extra knowledge in computers such as Photoshop, Flash programs and many others, or even know more than 2 languages, then this can be an asset to the company you’re applying for. Take these seriously, even though these might not be related to your chosen area of specialization. It can get you far.

That Iron Clad Determination and Dedication

Setting aside all the bullet points in your resume, employers like to see a person who has something to contribute to the company; someone who is open to learning new things and who is willing to go that extra mile just to help the company reach their goals. This is definitely someone worth hiring. You can show this from the minute you pass your application to the time when you finish your job interview.

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Other links you might find helpful:

1. Job Interviewee Personalities – Which One Do You Have?

2. Crash Course On Cover Letters and More – Learn how to write successful application letters!

3. A Job Hunting Guide For Fresh Graduates – A Beginner’s Guide To Job Hunting!

This school year is coming to a close and it is TrabahoPhilippines.com’s job to help fresh graduates get a lead on their life after graduation. For sure, majority of them are clueless as to what comes after the college stage but as we said, we exist to help any applicant through the whole job hunting process and provide them with numerous job openings in diverse fields!

Last February 26, 2010, TrabahoPhilippines.com, with the help of its partner job site, OJTCareers.com, participated in the Siena College of Quezon City Job Fair 2010. The team enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the Siena College facilitators as well as its guidance counselor, Rizalyn Salac. It was not only a good experience for the students but also for the site representatives.

The career fair only lasted a few hours. Nonetheless, interactions between applicants and employers were made. Surveys were conducted in order to gather the opinions of future applicants, as well as employers, regarding the task of finding a job and seeking for employees, respectively. Thanks to these, we have an idea of how to make our site better.

It was a truly memorable experience for all parties! Till next time job seekers! You’ll be sure to see both TrabahoPhilippines.com and OJTCareers.com in future job fairs, willing to give you the helping hand that will aid you in the working world!

Photo Credits: Arji Villanueva

As far as employers are concerned, there are multiple job interviewee personalities. Some of these are what they’re looking for and some, well, they’d rather forget. If you’ve undergone a job interview before and have not received that ‘acceptance notice’ from the employers, keep on reading. You might probably find out what your shortcomings are. For newbies, use this guide to see what you should be when you’re in a job interview.

Personality # 1 – The Bilingual

Applicants, specifically Filipinos, forget that interviewers have the job interview in English. For some reason, even though employers speak in straight English, interviewees tend to get bilingual and start speaking in ‘Taglish (Tagalog and English)’. This will give people a very bad impression. Be careful!

Personality # 2 – The Shy Type

Job interviews are all about confidence. There are applicants who tend to speak soft and seem timid. Instead of looking at their interviewers straight in the eye, they tend to look around or just have their heads bowed. Voice volume and eye contact can do a lot for your chances of getting hired!

Personality # 3 – The Persistent

Employers have a way of seeing if you’re saying the truth or not. If you’re lying, they’ll know. Better keep your answers to a minimum. If you don’t have much experience, elaborate on your skills. They’ll understand!

Personality # 4 – The Underdressed

In the Philippines, it’s understood that job interviews require applicants to wear smart casual clothing. Yet, there are people who go to their job interviews wearing shirts, jeans and slippers. Although it may not seem like it, employers look at their applicants from head to foot.

Personality # 5 – The Early Bird

This gets them every time! The mere fact that you’re early shows employers that you’re determined to get the job! Good job to you if you arrive 10-15 minutes earlier. You’ll definitely catch them at a good mood.

Personality # 6 – The Chatty Person

Your answers need to be brief and concise. Although you’re skilled or talented in your field, being too chatty can make you seem too boring and uninteresting. Mention only what needs to be mentioned and elaborate when asked.

Personality # 7 – Little Ms./Mr. Confident

This is the person who has everything ready – the appearance, the resume, the answers, and so on. People who give out a good impression, speak fluently and is polite is someone that companies want. In fact, if you have all of these and market yourself well, but don’t have much skill, then you’re exactly what people want to work with.

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Other Links You Might Find Interesting

1. OJTCareers.com Blog – A collection of job interview tips, resume writing guide, career advice articles.

2. Hardest Job Interview Questions – Learn how to answer them!