Career Guidance for the Next Generation: How to Shape Their Future

Career Planning: A Lifelong Journey 

In the Philippines, high school graduates often choose their college courses based on trends among their peers or suggestions from family members. Unfortunately, the child’s personal interests and passions are often overlooked in this decision-making process.

Some private schools have started offering career counseling programs, which are often inaccessible to students from middle-income or impoverished families. As a result, many young Filipinos only discover their valid career preferences after entering the workforce. A common scenario involves students completing a degree—like computer engineering—only to realize that their chosen field does not align with their passions.

This mismatch leads many to shift courses during college or even change careers later in life. While some succeed in finding their true calling, the process is often costly and time-consuming. Taking a second course or pivoting careers usually involves sacrifices and delays in achieving stability. Nonetheless, the effort invested in their initial education is always well-spent; it serves as a learning experience and stepping stone. As the saying goes, "Better late than never."

How You Can Help Shape Future Careers

If you’re reading this, you have an opportunity to help others avoid this cycle. By sharing your knowledge and guiding family and friends, you can empower them to make more informed career decisions.

From an early age, children often show signs of their interests, such as singing, playing instruments, or tinkering with building blocks. Their choice of toys or activities can offer clues about their future aspirations, like becoming doctors, artists, or engineers. As they grow older, parents and mentors can play a pivotal role by introducing them to various career paths.

Exposure is key. Educational or career-focused TV shows like ER or Glee or movies about different professions can spark curiosity. Simple conversations—asking children what they dream of becoming—can lead to meaningful discussions. Providing reading materials, brochures about universities, or information on vocational courses can further guide them.

Consider encouraging children to explore two-year programs or applied courses. These shorter programs provide foundational knowledge and skills. If the student later decides to pursue a different path, some completed units can be credited toward a new course.

The Importance of Focus and Career Planning

It is crucial to help children develop focus early on. While switching jobs or fields can enhance versatility, building expertise in one area requires time, dedication, and a clear sense of direction. Specialization is often the key to long-term career success.

Creating a career plan involves envisioning a life path. Here’s an example: During college, I attended a seminar where a young vice president of a telecom company spoke about career development. Inspired by his story, I set a goal to one day stand before a large audience and share my experiences.

I created a roadmap:

1. Complete my degree in Industrial Psychology.
2. Start in recruitment and work my way up to becoming a specialist.
3. Gain exposure to different areas of Human Resources and eventually become a manager.

As I approach retirement age, I plan to transition into teaching, where I can share my expertise with the next generation. To prepare for this new chapter, I am earning extra units in my master’s program and gaining experience as a part-time instructor.

Career Development: A Lifelong Process

Career planning doesn’t end when you land your first job. It’s a continuous process, evolving with your interests, skills, and life circumstances. Even at 65, you don’t have to stop working; retirement can be an opportunity to explore new passions or give back through mentorship and teaching.

Just like learning, career growth is a lifelong journey. Recognizing this can inspire you to stay committed to your goals, adapt to challenges, and embrace personal and professional development opportunities.

By guiding others or reflecting on your own path, you contribute to a culture of thoughtful and intentional career planning that leads to fulfillment and lasting success.

Confidently Conquering Job Interviews: A Prep Guide

The Key To a Successful Job Interview is Thorough Preparation

The key to a successful job interview is through a thorough preparation.  As an HR practitioner and interviewer, it irks me when I ask candidates how and where they learned about the job vacancy in the organization, and they just say that they found it online.  Then, I would ask them what they know about the company or the organization.  Most of the time, they don't know anything.  Much more when you ask them what makes them fit for the position.  Then they would answer that they have no idea about the job but would be very willing to be trained.  As the interviewer, I would appreciate it if he/she researched the organization and its objectives and considered what they can contribute.  Is it easy?  Well, yes, if you have done your assignments.

Here are some tips on how you can ace your application and help HR see you as the best candidate for the post.

The Challenge

You applied for a specific job and sent your resume to the company you want to work for. You were confident that you could land the job. However, during the initial interview, the interviewer informed you that they would just give you a call. You wondered why you did not proceed to the next step of the recruitment procedure.

There could be several reasons, and you could have gained insight into where you are lacking by having the confidence to ask the interviewer where you could improve during the interview process.  Interviewers are usually HR practitioners and are usually willing to help applicants by sharing information that could improve their chances of getting a job.

The key to successfully landing a job lies in the preparation you've made.  When you send that resume, you've assessed already that you are fit for the position you are applying for, skills-wise.  However, your confidence in answering the questions also counts for the interviewer to consider you for the next step.  So, what are the things that you need to prepare when you are scheduled for an interview: 

Personality - How you carry yourself and your confidence should be enough for the post you apply for.  If you are applying for a marketing position, you should exude confidence and sell yourself with sincere replies to questions, and you should not be too shy in answering questions.  Be clear with your answers and expound on points.  The interviewer wants to learn more about your strengths, weaknesses, potential, and what you can offer to the company.  If you just answer yes or no or are too critical of your answers, the impression left to the interviewer is that you are too privy and not honest enough.  Others may think that you have poor communication skills.  Also, check how you wear your dress, whether it is well-ironed and not too loud, the way you sit, and your gestures during the interview.  Relax and think you are talking to a potential friend during the interview.  Be candid with your answers, and be careful not to offend the interviewer.

We all know that we have our own unique traits.  Your identity is not similar to others.  You don't need to be like a superstar or be an actor to win them.  You have to be you!  And to be YOU, your self-awareness counts.  How can you expect others to believe you if you don't believe in yourself?  Learn to appreciate what you can do, which will shine during the interview.  And that now leads us to the next step.

Understanding Yourself—Situational questions may arise. Use your past experiences to answer them. Avoid theoretical responses and assumptions. When asked about your weaknesses, present them as areas for growth. This approach shows that you are self-aware and committed to self-improvement. 

If you are applying for a specific position, determine if you can meet their expectations.  List down the strengths that are aligned with the requirements of the job.  Much better to find someone who's already working for that organization and ask some questions to gather information about the culture and environment of that company.  See if it fits your own values and principles.  By doing this, there's a much better possibility that you will be happy working for that organization.

Proof and Credibility - When you send your resume, its contents declare what you can do.  Now, you need to bring proof documents or a hard copy of what you declared in your resume.  Bring a copy of your training certificates, diploma, transcript of records, and even NBI or police clearance.  The last two (2) documents are actually pre-employment requirements.  Seeing that you have it would only tell the interviewer that you are trustworthy and keen on securing the job.

Credibility is also tested on your ability to answer most of the questions.  Do not invent answers if you don't know how to address the question.  Be honest and do not lie.  Interviewers are well-trained to ask situational questions. They can capture those who are faking it and who are genuine.  The best proof of credibility is your frank and honest answer.  Beating around the bush is just a waste of time; honestly, interviewers don't have much time to entertain you.

Be prepared with your questions - The interviewer usually ends his or her questioning by asking if you have any questions.  The best questions would be those related to the company or the job you are applying for.  Of course, you need to do some research about the company.  But you can ask them their expectations for the kind of worker they need for specific positions.  Do not immediately ask about the compensation and benefits package.  Wait until you reach the job offer.  Because asking about it would only show that you don't care about securing a career and are more concerned with what you can get from them.  Get inside the organization first, then prove they've made the right choice.  The proper time to ask for an increase is when you've provided an exemplary performance and output.

These are just a few tips on how to start your career right. I hope they also provide valuable insights into the interview process. If you have any questions, feel free to comment. I will get back to you as soon as I can.