Young Roots
The perfect plan
By Raqueza S. Lalangan
THE National Statistics Office recorded a 6.9% unemployment and 19.3% underemployment rates as of April this year. The unemployed are not earning while the underemployed are those who have jobs but are earning below their capacity in terms of skills and experience.
Both unemployment and underemployment are, of course, negative indications of how the economy is fairing. First, the unemployed fails in “buying his own bread” and helping his family and the country by means of income tax contribution. Second, the underemployed misses the chance to apply skills and knowledge gained through education.
Fresh graduates like me must avoid falling into either category, but at the same time there is the pressure of earning for myself and my family and being able to apply my skills and knowledge.
Last March, I started submitting my resume to companies around Pangasinan and Baguio. I searched for possible jobs on internet sites, flyers, and newspaper classified ads. I even patiently lined up during job fairs. Today, I do not regret having put in that much effort in my job-hunt because I learned a lot in every job interview.
Here are some basic things that I had observed. Firstly, come prepared for the interview. It’s important to research the company’s vision, mission, and the products or services they offer. Almost all employers ask what you know about their company and being speechless when that question comes up is a big blunder. Anticipate all the questions. Stuttering or giving a delayed response reflects hesitation, lack of confidence or knowledge about the matter at hand.
A prestigious school and good grades are useless if you cannot prove to the employer that you earned them. Dominate the interview. Speak with wisdom, confidence, and proper attitude. Daniel Goleman’s book Working with Emotional Intelligence says that Emotional Intelligence is actually more important than Intellectual Intelligence. Be polite and tell only the truth. All employers do background check and faking information may only lead to immediate dismissal from the company later on if you do get hired. Be on time because this reflects your work ethic.
As the final and most important touch, never forget to pray. Ask Him for the job that can bring out the best in you while you can still serve Him. Sometimes we don’t get what we want even if we exerted our best because God is the only one who knows what’s really best for us. This brings to mind the Christian movie The Legend of the Three Tress which the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) sisters made us watch during our Graduation Farewell Party at the St. Francis Ladies Dormitory. The first tree, the beautiful Olive tree, dreamed its wood to become a treasure chest of a king, but it was made into a feed trough. The second tree, the strong oak, longed to be the strong side of a ship that fits a king, but it was made into a small ship. The third tree, the tall Pine, just wanted to stay where it was — the tallest pine in the forest, but later it was made into a cross.
The three trees failed to get what they desired and it seemed that God neglected them for letting it just happen. But God proved that He has the greatest plan and purpose for the three trees. The Olive became the manger for Jesus, the Oak became the ship that carried Jesus, and the Pine became the cross where Jesus was crucified and died.
We cannot get all what we want but we can get all what Jesus wants for us if we just allow Him to do so. So when God gave me the opportunity to work in a daily Manila-based newspaper, I grabbed it at once knowing that it’s His will. Fresh graduates and the other jobseekers must not lose hope for He has His perfect plan for us. Keep on dreaming. Keep on praying.
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