We have job vacancies for several positions. We are also in need of bookkeepers and accountants.
Advertising is expensive and most of the time we don’t get good results. Online job ads do not bring quality applicants either. It’s very easy for anyone to just email their bio-data, it doesn’t cost a thing and it’s done in seconds.
Finding the right people could be very frustrating.
Here are the things I’ve observed so far:
1. Only a few people know what bio-data is. Comprehensive resume (CR) na daw ang uso or Curriculum Vitae (CV). Nung panahon ko, biodata ang tawag.
“Excuse me, do you have a CR?”.
2. Most of the applicant’s don’t even remember that they submitted their applications. It’s natural and smart to blast your application to many companies for higher chances of getting a job but it would be good to make a list of the companies you sent your application to. It’s not surprising that sometimes, we get three sets of bio-data from one applicant.
“Ha? Hindi ako nag-apply dyan”.
“Saan na nga ito? Nag-apply ako? Parang hinde, promise”.
3. Most have at least two cellphone numbers listed but they rarely answer or text back.
4. Most have two email addresses but only a few reply. Meron pang isa, she emailed back after three and a half months, kabubukas lang daw nya ng email.
Well, at least she replied. Some never.
5. Gone are the ridiculous email addresses like mancatcher, madlyinlove, handsomehunk. People have learned that they have to pretend to be serious to land a serious job.
6. Most have similar covering letters, proof that they are copied from somewhere. Nothing wrong with that, as long as they proof read what they’ve copied.
“To hire a job with opportunities..”
“I am an executive with flying ambitions…”
“To be an active job in an environment working hard..”
“With extensive knowledge and skill to spearhead the company in achieving its 20th century goal” (written by a 19 year old newly grad)
“Go-getter, capable of subjecting myself in tension-filled environment”.
“With proven competent in handling various fields and departments”. (from a 22 year old fresh grad with no work experience)
7. Young adults, fresh graduates, babies, please talk to your parents first and get their clearances before applying for a job so you don’t waste the companies’ time and resources processing your applications. After all the interviews “Sasabihin ko muna sa parents ko”.
8. Bunso, please secure permission first from your OFW ate and OFW kuya who sent you through college. Inform them first if they agree on letting their baby sister/brother embark on a new field– earning your own money. Again, after all the interviews, “wag na lang daw po, kasya naman daw po ang padala nila sa amin”.
9. Oh men, love your wife but do not make it obvious that you are under her spell or under her saya.
OMB——–“Hello, hi, your application was forwarded to me by the HR. To save time, I would like to do a short preliminary phone interview”.
Man——–“Yes mam, where are you?”
OMB——–“I’m in my office. Would like to ask a few things. It says in your biodata that….”
Man——–“Biodata, mam, ano yun?”
OMB——–“Resume. You’ve worked as internal auditor ….”.
Man——–“What company are you mam? I did not apply there”.
OMB——–“Oh, how come we have your biodata. We’re here in Pasong Tamo”.
Man——–“Ah, siguro my wife mam, She applied”.
OMB——–“Is she also looking for a job?”
Man——–“She has work mam, in Pasong Tamo. She saw your…. nakita nya yung opening nasa labas. Sabi nya mag-apply daw ako. Para malapit lang”.
OMB———“Para sabay kayo pagpasok at pag-uwi. Eh paano kung may gagawin ka pa?”
I proceeded in asking him a few things about his previous jobs. I saw some potential. I asked him to come the next day for personal interview.
Jo———“Mam, meron daw hong applicant nasa baba, for personal interview daw ho”.
Omb——–“Sino daw”.
Jo———“Accounting daw”.
I forgot that I was expecting three applicants today.
Omb———“sabihin mo sa guard paakyatin after 5 minutes”.
Entered a fairly presentable guy with a big brown envelope tucked under his armpit.
Guy———“Good morning mam”.
Omb———“Ano’ng inaaplayan mo?”
Guy———“Sabi ng wife ko mag-apply daw ako dito?”
(Bad, that’s a very bad opening. But I am a wife too, so I have to be kind and understanding to andres de saya husbands).
Omb———“Let me see your biodata. Ah ikaw yung kinausap ko sa phone?”
Guy———“Yes, my wife said to apply here”.
(Di ba sinabi na nya yan? Bakit uulitin pa. Sana sinama na lang nya wife nya).
Omb———“May I ask you a personal question?”
Guy———“Andres de saya ka ba?”
Anyway, I tried to see beyond his macho-nurin personality and just focused on what I thought he could do as an internal auditor, a new position I hope would help improve our controls.
After I laid out his compensation package, he agreed, then I asked him when he could start his training. He picked June 8, the following Monday.
Omb——“Okay then, we’ll see you on monday”.
Guy——“Depende sa wife ko. I-di-discuss ko pa kung approve sa kanya”.
(My shoulders dropped. Malabo ito. Again, I tried to be objective.)
Omb——“Sige, if I see you on monday that means pinayagan ka ng wife mo. If you don’t show up, we’ll just presume, hindi ka nya pinayagan”.
Che——-“Boss, selosa yung wife nun, pagka ganun”.
June 8—— No hi no hoy. Jo tried contacting him just to confirm that he’s not coming but he was not responding to any of our calls or texts.
It’s probably good that he didn’t show up. I mean for an internal auditor, he’d have to be tough to make people accountable and improve processes with firmness. He should display those qualities himself. Good luck on your recruitment.