This post was initially posted last July 10, 2017, from my old blog and updated today, July 26, 2021.
Hello, the month of July. I couldn’t post the last few weeks because I am fixing my theme and joining giveaways on YouTube. I keep on changing the colors and the layout of my blog. Finally, I already made a design that satisfies my eyes.
I am a newly graduated college student, and I am excited to experience working or pursuing my Master’s degree. I submitted my requirements to the University of the Philippines – Los Banos, Laguna for my Master’s degree. I am still waiting for their email. While waiting, I tried to submit my resume to Universal Robina Corporation (URC) online.
Luckily, they texted me for an initial interview and an exam last June 28, 2017. I couldn’t go due to an emergency, so they reschedule my interview for the next day at 10 AM. I can’t sleep the night before my interview, maybe because I am excited or nervous. I keep on thinking about what will happen to me in that interview.
I want to share my first job interview experience. At first, I was skeptical about going to a job interview, but hey, I know if I do that, I won’t get a job. So I had my first initial interview with the said company.
The company is at First Cavite Industrial Estate (FCIE) at Dasmarinas, Cavite. When I arrived, I need to ride a tricycle to go precisely to URC. Since FCIE is quite big and has many different companies and factories, I was obliged to ride a tricycle. Tricycle fare is P9.00.
URC is not that far, and I think it’s 5 minutes to get there when you are already in the FCIE place. And yes, I finally arrived at URC on time.
The guards are very attentive. I just noticed that they have lady guards. They asked me about the message sent to me by the H.R. in URC, and then they check my temperature, get my I.D., and asked me to log in. They gave me a visitor I.D., visitor form, guidelines sheet and accompanied me to the H.R. department.
As I get there, HR Trainees accommodate me. They asked me to fill up their application form, and after that, they gave me the exam. The exam is basic. Maybe it is just a review of your whole academic years. It consists of English, Math, Abstract Reasoning, and some form of essays. After the exam, the interview started. The trainee is the one who interviewed me. Questions are more likely about yourself, your plans, your skills, and the salary you want to get.
Examples:
- What is your weakness?
- Tell me about yourself?
- Why do you want to apply here?
- What makes you different?
- What are your plans?
These are some of the questions that I encountered. After the interview, the trainee went to the HR head and passed my credentials. They said: “Thank you and wait for the next text message for the schedule of your final interview.” and yeah, that’s the end of my initial interview.
I am waiting for their message, and boom! I received a new message from them after two weeks. It says that my final interview is scheduled for July 8, 2017, at 10 AM. I am so excited when I received the message. I went to their company on the said date and time for my final interview. Unfortunately, I waited almost 6 hours in their lobby because the manager and supervisors had an emergency meeting that time (but na lang maraming free snacks).
Finally, they came and interviewed me looking tired, and they also apologized for what happened. The interview went well, and I hope it does.
Examples:
- What can you contribute to this company?
- What if we can’t afford to give you a high salary?
- What skills do you have that will make us choose you?
- What is your most outstanding achievement?
- What do you expect in this job?
These are a few questions that they asked. Well, all I can say is just be yourself. I know every one of us can make it as long as we give our best. Being honest is very important.
Tips:
- Just be yourself
- Be confident
- Know the company and the position you’re applying
- Always smile
- Wear a proper corporate attire
- Be honest
- Be professional
- Be humble
- Be patient
- Be ready for their questions
- Speak in English as much as possible
- Show them what you’ve got in a friendly and humble way
- Trust yourself
- Be on time
- Enjoy what you are doing
- Pray and let the Lord Almighty guide us
I hope that some of these tips will be helpful to anyone. Companies are different, so we must be ready and give our best to every interview that we will encounter.
What is your first job interview experience?
If you haven’t experienced a job interview, I hope that my story will help you understand it.
