CAREER ORIENTATION SEMINAR

One of the objectives of this seminar is to inspire you and at the same time challenge
you in your chosen profession.
You might not be aware that there are four major areas in the ECE profession:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Electronics
Communication
Computers
Broadcasting

In the filed of Electronics, we have companies like Intel Philippines, National

Panasonic, Sony, JVC, plus the string of Semiconductor companies along South
Superhighway and at the Calabarzon areas.
Under the Communication umbrella, we have our cellular phone companies like Smart,
Globe, Piltel, Islacom and Extelcom. We can also add to the roster, data communication
companies, RCPI, PT&T and ETPI.
Telecommunications is booming nowadays. This can be credited to the Philippines 2000
program of the President for telecommunications. Under Executive Order No. 109, if
you are operating a cellphone company, you are mandated by the government to install
400,000 lines; and if you are offering International Long Distance Services, you are
required to put up 300,000 lines, Thats why, because of this Executive Order, there
have been eleven (11) new telephone companies to compete against PLDT.
We should also not forget the presence of your paging companies, Easy Call, Pocket
bell, Infopage, JAS Page, Icon, Powerpage and many others.
For the Computer enthusiasts, we have IBM, Intel Philippines, Hewlett Packard, Digital
Equipmenr Corpopration plus the various banks which employ ECEs to take care of the
computerization of some banking processes.
On the Broadcasting front, we have the VHF channels like GMA or ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN
or GMA, depending on which side you are in. Of course, nandiyan din ang bahay nina
MArimar, Maria del Barrio at Luz Claritas, Channel 9, IBC, the home of basketball fans,
the big leap of ABC, the government channel, PTV-4, ang channel na tunay na
nagmamahal sa Panginoon, Zoe TV 11 plus UHF channels, 21,23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 39
and 41. We should also recognize the presence of the radio stations, both AM and FM
bands. Of course, ECEs also have rooms in various recording, film and advertising
companies.
Thats why, its very important that we are sure of the career path that we shall be
walking through.
Now, in case, you really do not like ECE as your profession because you were just a
victim of situations like:
1. Your parents forced you to

2. You were pressured by your peers

3. You simply join the fad

You might want to choose from these other areas:

1. If God gave you the gift and talent to train and educate, you can choose Teaching
as your profession. I tell you, it is very rewarding and fulfilling. Pero, kung nung
estudyante ka pa, pag nagrerecite ka o nagsasalita sa harapan, walang nakikinig
sa iyo, forget it. You do not have the gift.
2. If you want a job which deals with a lot of people and a lot of patience too, Sales
is the profession for you. Sabi nila, nasa sales daw and pera. Being a former
Tehnical Support Officer of the Sales and arketing Group of ICC Telecoms, I
should say, yes. But, again, Sales is not plainly selling. You got to have all what it
takes to be a good salesman
3. Kung ayaw mo naman ng may Boss, humingi ka ng puhunan from your rich
parents and then start your own business. Some have been very successful in
this.
4. Or you could just help in your family business. Iba na talaga, pag rich, hindi ka
ma reach.
Assuming that you made up your mind, and with the Lords help, you were able to pass
the Board Exams, whats next?

Of course, the most exciting part of everybodys life Job Hunting.

The First thing that you are going to do is to prepare your resume.
Resume is also known as Curriculum Vitae or Vita or C.V., latin for the course of ones
life, as it applies to your performance as a worker. Remember that a resume takes on
your shoes when you should have been the one being asked inside the premises of a
company instead. And in sending the resume as your representative, you only want the
best, right?
Remember that a good resume CASTS a good background about you. You are selling
yourself in your resume.
Be Concise:

Be brief and concise, unless you are the President of the Philippines, one or two
pages will be fine.

 Economize on words
Use punctuation instead of and then
Keep sentences short and direct
Be Apt:
State only relevant or appropriate information
Synthesize:

Synthesize or harmonize the parts of your resume by organizing them

The parts of your resume may consist of the following information:
1. Identification Data
Name, Address, Telephone numbers
2. Career Objective
State the position or job level, function and industry you are interested in.
3. Work Experience
Job titles, names of employers and locations, inclusive dates, job
functions, accomplishments
4. Education
School, location, degree, major, date of graduation, honors and grade
point average, special project or course that speaks of a certain ability or
knowledge
5. Extracurricular Activities
Organizations, clubs, associations, activities and positions that say about
pertinent skills or responsibilities
6. Skills and Capabilities
Special Skills like knowledge of sophisticated machines, or computers,
foreign languages, etc. But, only if you really have special skills to speak
of
7. Personal Interests
Community activities, hobbies, travel
8. References
If you have space, you may include this, but it is not necessary.
References available on request placed at the bottom of resumes, are
expression of courtesy.

Write the Text with these tips in mind:

Never use the pronoun I. Just say: Prepared reports, Supervised five staff,
etc.
Never use high-falutting, exaggerated statements like the greatest in the world
Use the language of the field or trade lingo

Use action verbs which imply that you are a doer, such as:
Achieved, administered, analysed, assembled, budgeted, expedited,
generated, handled, increased, installed, interpreted, interviewed, invented,
led, modelled, operated, organized, performed, prepared, tested, trained,
utilized

Use strong self-descriptive words that indicate what a good worker youll be such
as:
Adaptable, aggressive, alert, creative, dependable, diplomatic,
enthusiastic, forceful, mature, organized, personable, positive,
reliable, self-reliant, systematic

Check your grammar. This can unmake your resume

Write in Style
-Resume may be written in one or in combination of these three styles:
1. Chronological
2. Functional
3. Targeted
Chronological
The easiest ant the most popular, use this if you have good working history that is
directly related to the job you are applying for. Start with your most recent experience
and work backwards.
Functional
Use this if you have had a variety of jobs not directly related to the job you are applying
for.
Stress the important functions, duties and responsibilities you had. Write a heading by
type of functions performed and list under it any accomplishments related to it. Present
the headings in order of their importance, according to the job you are applying for, not
based on the date you performed past jobs.
Targeted
You may use this if you are a fresh graduate or a first-time employee because here, you
emphasize what you can do even if you havent proven yourself yet in a work setting.
State four or five sentences that indicate what you are capable of and what youve done
to demonstrate it. Write also a job objective to stress the skills you have to offer.
Combination of Styles:

This is most usefu7l if you are a professional with proven track records. You can begin
with a career summary, followed by a description of skills, a chronological history, and
the education at the bottom.
Final Reminders:
1. Double check for typographical errors
2. Use a good typewriter or a computer printer
3. Print the resume on short sized bond paper in black ink. Dont overdo it in
colored stationeries, or expensive typeset, etc.
4. If your education is not something you are too proud of, bury it at the bottom
5. Honesty is still the best policy
Sometimes, a cover letter would be beneficial, because it introduces your resume.
Enclosing a cover letter is adding the right professional touch. In todays competitive
world, professionalism can indeed make a difference.
So, after preparing the resume, with the corresponding cover letter, you are to look for
companies where you could fit in.
If you want to build a career on communications, apply only at telecommunications
companies, because your experiences in other fields will not be credited.
And if the companies you have applied at respond to your impressive cover letter and
resume, you are now called, either for examinations or for an interview.
Examinations for employment cover personality and IQ exams. Some companies have
prepared technical exams for technical applicants. So, it would be better that you
prepare for the exams.
A job interview is simply a screening process wherein the company learns more about
you and vice versa. During these 20 to 30 minutes, the employer makes significant
decision about your capabilities and personality.
WINNING FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
When you cant do anything about your experience and skills, whats more important
are these eight (8) factors that can make first impressions last:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Alertness
Articulateness
Compatibility
Enthusiasm
Maturity
Motivation
Personality
Preparation

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS:

Remember that male interviewers take in your whole look without focusing on details.
Females, on the other hand, are more likely to notice the little telltale signs that would
indicate your being a pro or not, like a loose hemline.
Fashion experts mention eight (8) no-nos for interview clothes, namely:
1. Anything not spotlessly clean
2. Anything brand new that you dont yet know how you walk in, sit in, or perspire
in
3. Anything sexy (sends the wrong message)
4. Pants for a woman
5. Anything too casual
6. Bow-ties, whether youre a male or female
7. Colours that make a statement
8. Noticeable shoes
Commonly, try to dress as you would on the job.
OTHER WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION:
1. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. Isnt it logical to think that an enthusiastic,
energetic applicant would make a good employee? Body language speaks
volumes.
2. Walk in and shake hands warmly.
3. Take the nearest seat to the interviewer.
4. Avoid manifest nervousness like scratching, biting, or picking at your nails or
fidgeting with hair or cloth.
5. Be polite but dont be a timid either. Unless its your true personality, there is no
reason to speak softly or sit with your hands folded in your lap and your legs
crossed at the ankles.
6. In sitting down. Sit upright and back in the chair; dont slouch.
7. A warm smile is a powerful weapon in communicating and winning attention.
8. In speaking, establish eye contact with the interviewer. Do not look down or
mumble or the interviewer might think that you are hiding something, you dont
know what you are talking about, or you are insecure and nervous.
9. Do not stare either.
TOP 35 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

What do you know about our company?

Why did you decide to interview with our company?
Tell me about yourself.
What personal qualities do you possess which might distinguish you from other
applicants?
Why did you attend college?
How did you choose that school or field of study?
What were some of the important parts of your education?
What courses in school/college did you like best? Least? Why?

9. What type of work interests you?

10. What are your favourite working conditions?
11. What jobs have you held?
12. What factors are most important to your success
13. What is most important to you?
a. Job security
b. Satisfaction
c. Work hours
d. Salary
e. Working conditions
14. What have been some of your important work responsibilities?
15. What have you liked best and least about your jobs?
16. Do you have preferences as to the part of the country or province you work in?
17. Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
18. How do you schedule your time?
19. What are your hobbies?
20. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
21. What was your most difficult decision in the last six months and why?
22. How do you deal with pressure?
23. Do you prefer working alone, one on one, or with a group?
24. What extracurricular activities did you participate in?
25. How have these activities prepared you for work and life?
26. What can you bring to this company?
27. How are your people skills?
28. Are you married? Or other personal questions
29. Have your skills improved over the last few years?
30. What do you think are your employers obligations to you?
31. Are you applying for any other jobs?
32. What type of salary did you have in mind?
33. Why did you leave your last job?
34. Have you ever been fired or laid off?
35. Silence.
Finally, if you have not prepared for a question, be honest. You can say: thats a
good question. Could you give me a minute to think about that?
And then do think. If nothing comes up, simply be as brief as possible.
You dont get extra points for answering all questions, but you do get points for
trying.
Its a very good policy to ask a few questions at a job interview, not only for the
obvious reason that there are things you need to know in order to make your
decision, but also because it sends the message that youre thoughtful individual.
What then are these questions that you may want to ask?
1. What are your company plans for future growth?

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Tell me about the community in which I would be employed?

What qualities are most important to success on the job?
What are the opportunities for advancement? Whats the typical career track?
What might I expect to be doing in the next six months or so?
Describe the work environment.
Does your company encourages and support continuing education for its
employees?

FINAL INTERVIEW TIPS:

1. When preparing for the interview, you must equip yourself with one of the most
important facts and that is, whats youre worth.
2. Well, its good to stand out but its not tasteful to be too wacky.
3. The best policy is still food old-fashioned etiquette.
4. Even if you have sent a resume before, bring a few more.
5. Fill out the application as carefully and completely as you can.
6. Make as many allies as you can.
7. Thank the interviewer when you are finished and always, follow up with a letter.
8. A few interviews will be followed by a written skills or aptitude test. It may be
advisable to do a little review ahead of time on your math, grammar, or special
job-related skills depending on the job.
9. Its nice to break the ice, but withdraw from too much humor.
10. Be prepared for computer interviews. Just be honest with your answers.
11. When you are with a human interviewer, dont forget that they are only human.
Remember, too that the interviewers job is not that easy because finding the right
candidate may likely make her or him nervous. Try then to put both of you at ease.
Next in line are the different items that the applicant considers in looking for a job.
1. Compensation
Of course, your first consideration should be your salary or compensation. In
short, what you are worth
2. Benefits
Benefits include the mandatory 13th month pay and other bonuses, Rice
Subsidy, SL, VL, Health Plans for the employee and his dependents, Car
Plans, loans and many others.
3. Company stability
We should be aware of the stability of the company. How? Through its
owners, affiliates, sister companies, foreign partners, etc.
4. Work experience
Another consideration is what experiences you would acquire from your job in
terms of professional gain.
5. Career growth
You should also consider your career growth or career path. Baka naman,
mataas nga ang sahod mo, pero there is no more room for growth. Along with
this are the trainings, foreign and local, that the company could offer the
employee.

6. Travel opportunities
Some companies like Philippine Airlines give their employees travel
opportunities as part of their benefits.
7. Working environment
Working environment covers the work area, or your office, the people you
work with, and the people you will be dealing with from day to day.
Our job, whatever it is, is so much a part of our lives, that we simply cannot take it for
granted. How we live our lives depends so much on how we feel about what we are
doing, which is why we must have pride in our job. Besides the literal meaning of the
word pride, it is also an acronym.
P Professionalism
R Respect
I Integrity
D Dedication
E Enthusiasm
Professionalism in whatever we do is a basic element in doing our job well. What does
being a professional mean? While we may think of a professional as someone who
earns a living from a sport or occupation, the true meaning of the word goes much
deeper than that.
A professional is someone who knows what he is doing and constantly strives to learn
more about his chosen field of expertise. The output of the work of a professional is
consistent with set standards and expectations.
Respect has become such an archaic concept in our modern world that we have whole
generations of young people coming of age without it. Respect begins with having selfesteem which comes from talking pride in what we are doing.
We must be courteous to people, not because we fear them but because it is only right
that we should be considerate of others.
If we are unable to respect the organization we work for as well as the people running it,
we will not be able to take pride in our job. If we are unable to take pride in our job, we
will have little regard for other and ourselves.
Integrity enables us to have a clear mind and a clean conscience, allowing us to do our
job well. It is imperative for us to keep our name and record clean and untainted by
doubt.
Integrity extends beyond honesty and virtue in the workplace; it encompasses our entire
life and we cannot switch it on and off as we move from our home to the office and viceversa. Integrity allows other people to trust us to look after their best interest and for us
to do what is right and proper.

Dedication allows us to do our job to the utmost of our capabilities. We must be able to
focus on our work and not allow distractions from attaining our objectives. Of course,
this does not mean that we should turn onto robots with no time left for our family and
other personal pursuits. Much like spending quality time at home, it is only fair that we
must spend quality time at the office.
Enthusiasm on the job adds a totally new dimension to our work. It would not be hard
for you to be enthusiastic at your first job, since it is your first. But, as time goes by,
when you feel that you are bored or getting tired of your job, yun bang tipong, I love my
job, its the work I hate attitude nyo, just recall your first day at work. And remember
how thankful you were you got the job.
Remember how you were so relieved to be finally finished with school and so eager to
get into the real world earning a salary instead of getting an allowance from your
mother?
You probably came to work early with well-pressed clothes and well shined shoes and
had a smile painted on your face the whole day. You did everything possible to create a
good impression and you left really good; dont take things for granted and let time
tarnish those wonderful memories; live each day like it was the first and let those sparks
fly!
An organization composed of individuals who do not have the elements of P.R.I.D.E. in
their job will never be successful, and the less successful an organization is the less
chance it will have to motivate existing personnel and attract new ones to join in. So
which comes first, the motivated individuals or the successful organization? Without
doubt, the motivated individuals must first be present in an organization to drive it
succeed.
Each individual has different talents and abilities and it is important that you find a job
that will enable you to achieve fulfilment, a perfect job for someone may be the exact
opposite for another.
There are four (4) basic factors to consider in choosing the right job that will enable you
to take pride in what you do:
First, consider if you have the right training and background for the job.
Second, consider the organization and the people in it, do you fit in, can you relate to
the other people, do they like you?
Third, consider if you can meet the demands of the job, which may require frequent
travel, odd and long hours, difficult working conditions or high personal risk.
Finally, consider the output of products and services of the organization, do you believe
in what you are doing?
If for any reason, you cannot have pride in your job, you should do your employer
and yourself a favour; quit immediately and look for your calling elsewhere.

But, on top of all these, we should know where our inclination would be and our
motivation for work.
In this light, I would like to share with you my poem about Work. Its entitled Why Do I
Work? and it goes like this:
WHY DO I WORK?
Every individual has his own reasons for working.

A practical worldly person will have money for his reason.

You would hear him say . . .
Money makes the world go round, you know.

A man born with a silver spoon in his mouth would say . . .

I want a job because I am bored. I need something to do to keep me busy.

A patriotic person would reason out . . .

I work to serve my country in my own little way.

A responsible employee would say. . .

The company pays me much more than what I deserve, so I should return the favor
back
by being more of an asset than a liability

An egoistic person would say. . .

I work to prove my worth not only as a person but also as a professional.

A loving family man would say. . .

I work to give my family, a healthy and a happy home.

But if you will ask me the same question, Why do I work?

I should say . . .
I am a practical, patriotic, egoistic and a responsible employee, with the attitude of a
loving family man, born with a silver spoon in his mouth rolled into one.

But there is still one element missing . . .

I work for the glory of our Lord Almighty, who has given me everything I have in this
life.

If not for Him, I would not have the ability, the strength and the push to accomplish all
the tasks assigned to me.

If not for Him, I would not have acquired the knowledge and the wisdom I need in the
achievement of my goals.

If not for Him, I would not be where I am now.

So I must give credit to whom it is due. . .

GLORY BE TO OUR LORD ALMIGHTY!

One to two years from now, you will be joining us in the corporate world with various
motives. Some of us would associates success with money, fame and power. Some
would be content with plain and simple lives. Other would want more and more.
But what would really content a man.
Sabi nga nila, its always a compromise. You might be earning a lot but you do not enjoy
what you are doing or you might like what you do but you are not well compensated.
Seldom would you find a job where you could have both.
But again, where does success come in?
I would like to borrow our pastors definition of success. I would like to quote, Success
is doing what you want to do.

But I think I can better rephrase it into a statement where everyone could identify;
Success is doing what God wants us to do
I remember a TV program I watched a few months back. The host defined success as;
Success is not measured on how much money you have in the bank, nor on how many
houses you have built but on how many lives you have touched.
To end, I would like to leave you a statement you can always ponder on:
What you are is Gods gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.
Thank you very much and may our Good Lord bless you.
EFFECTIVE TOOLS ON HOW TO PASS THE BOARD EXAMINATIONS
1. Develop a very healthy spiritual life. Acknowledge the Lord at all times. Attend
masses, Services or spiritual gatherings regularly. Live a life of prayer.
Remember, The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
2. Prepare an organized & attainable timetable and strictly follow it. As much as
possible, follow the schedule of your review center. Thats why it is very important
to choose your review center wisely. You should consider not only the track
record but also the programs and services it offers. Develop study hours, which
you could really observe. Recommended study hours: 8:00 10:00 AM, and 6:00
8:00 PM.
3. Gather the best materials. Start with food books on all topics. Suggested books
in Communication Engineering are Electronic Communications System by
Kennedy and Davis and Communication Electronics by Frenzel. For Electronics
Engineering, please see Basic Electronics by Grob. For Mathematics, you could
rely on the lecture & materials of the review center.
4. Write all important terms, formulas, tables, etc. on index cards which you can
bring wherever you go. You could also write them on Manila paper of cartolina
and post them in your rooms so you could glance at them before sleep and after
sleep.
5. Choose study group mates who could relly influence or pressure you to study
and conduct a group studies.
6. Make time management your way of life and learn to prioritize things, especially
your review. Avoid manana habit.
7. Attend all review classes regularly. See to it that you will attend makeup classes
on topics which you miss.
8. Device ways and means to study effectively and efficiently. This will be on a case
to case basis your own study habit.
9. Develop a very optimistic attitude especially with regards to the result of the
board exams. No ifs and no buts.
10. Eat well, sleep well and have time for rest and relaxation.