My First Job Interview!! I Learned a Lot
@louierrific24 (1114)
Philippines
April 6, 2010 5:59pm CST
Hi guys,
Yesterday was my first ever job interview. (for a customer service representative) I was actually feeling a little bit hungry and I arrived disappointingly "just in time."
The interview went well, I answered the questions satisfactorily. (according to the HR) I was actually caught off guard. In terms of the questions, I didn't anticipate that too much emphasis would be put into my resume.
Too much means too much. I had included my online freelance writing experiences and the HR was "amazed" that's why her questions revolved around that area. I wasn't ask typical interview questions.
Although I still manage to come up with good if not great answers I was disappointed the result.
Coming from the mouth of the HR herself,
"You are good, you speak with substance, you speak with authority, a little more confidence wouldn't hurt, a little polishing would do. Overall you were excellent but I'm sorry we really don't entertain working students"
They didn't clear that matter!! Grr...
Well, I guess that's my fault. As for me, I'm confident but I did expect to fail my first few interviews and I was thinking that I'm still on the "testing the water" stage.
I did learned a lot, I'm actually better at writing than speaking.
I have another interview later this week. 
1 person likes this
19 responses
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
I totally agree!! For me I believe that it's part of learning. I'm expecting to be hired maybe on my 5th or 6th try. It's really more of a confidence-building stage. This isn't the "interview that matters."
@bxl937981658 (2)
• China
7 Apr 10
"It's really more of a confidence-building stage".I really agree with it,so come on and persist.The success will be yours finally!
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
8 Apr 10
i don't quite understand. do you mean you are searching for a part-time job while studying (a few hours each day after class)? or looking for a temporary job while on school/semester holiday (normal working hours but only for a few months)?
if you are looking for a temporary job (and really wants to get hired), you should not say so during your interview. just say that you are looking for a permanent job. when nearing the end of your holiday, just say that you planned to further your studies or you received better offer and would like to leave.
in today's society, no company would employ someone and train him/her so much, knowing that he/she would be leaving the company even before they could start to contribute back to the company.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
8 Apr 10
if that's the case, what does he/she meant by saying they don't entertain working students? 
does he/she refers working students as the fresh graduates? 
does he/she refers working students as the fresh graduates? 
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
7 Apr 10
You are young, hang in there and it will get better.
quita88
@NoreenNoor (64)
• United Arab Emirates
7 Apr 10
well seriously, I have never gone for any job before, and what scares me is interview, i dont know why! thats why i dont try to apply any where for a job, i know its stupid, but i dont know how to get out of it :(
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
8 Apr 10
Sooner of later, you'll find the need to seek for a job and sit in front of an hr officer. Good luck to you mate!!
@annavi23 (6522)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
sometimes interviewers are like that.they ask you so many questions but deep inside they always think of what their company's needs.maybe they won't risk time on hiring people who makes other responsibilities like studying.but hey,look on the brighter side,many companies were hiring everyday.they're not the only company in the world!
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Yup, I guess they thought that I will give more priority to my studies than work. But then again I know myself better. I trained myself to be a professional. I make it a point to give my 100% all the time.
Once I said "Yes, I can do it" I definitely mean yes I can do it. Hmmm...
Hopefully, I'll get hired late this month.
Hopefully, I'll get hired late this month. @kateredding (31)
• Canada
7 Apr 10
Sounds like you had a pretty good interview! It's unfortunate that you didn't fit their profile of what/who they wanted, but had that one issue (which isn't necessarily a negative issue) not been present, then it sounds like you would have had a good shot at the position.
Good luck with the next one! :)
@rajaiv0810 (1012)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Probably you can check if they have some ramp ups. They would hire students in this case because they would be needing more people for that. Ramp ups happen when there are occasions like Christmas, Valentines, Thanksgiving etc. Try to check on EPLDT Ventus as they hire students from time to time.
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
I actually send my resume to ePLDT Ventus, I'm just waiting for the reply. Thanks for the much needed advise.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Apr 10
Congratulations on your first ever interview, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you but I am glad that it did go well either way. Maybe you could work for the company once you finish your schooling if the situation arises that you would need to either find a job or change the job you would be working at.
My first interview was scary, though I don't remember it!
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
8 Apr 10
Yup, I believe that although thing's didn't work out the way we want it to be, we should still thank the hr manager to stay in good terms with the company, to generate goodwill.
Who knows? you might be right, I may be working for them in the future.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
7 Apr 10
If you have a good friend that will play act with you, it might help and if you could video it that also might help. Body language means alot in interviews.
As you are very young, it doesn't hurt to say I don't know, but I'm willing to learn. Good Luck, I know you will do well. There are a great many looking for jobs so keep treating each interview as a learning experience.
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Practice really makes perfect whether you are introvert or extrovert. Thanks for the encouragement. I also wish you luck in all your endeavors.
@warvial (1146)
• Singapore
7 Apr 10
Hi there, sad to hear about that. I still vaguely remembered such situation when I went for an interview (one of my first few) where the HR personnel told me like 5 mins into the interview that they aren't looking for people without experience. I was totally amazed and upset because the agency who referred me there told me likewise. But well, I thanked them for the opportunity though and the next thing I knew, they selected me for a 2nd round of interview.
But well, I did badly for the 2nd round so I didn't get the job. Anyway, just trying to encourage you that whatever happens in the interview, just don't let them see the bad side of you and you might just have a chance at the job. Cheers
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Well, a beautiful soul is often rewarded at times. It doesn't matter whether you "seal the deal" at the end a good, warm, firm handshake generates goodwill.
@rinzgca (316)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Hi! It's good that you did well in the interview. I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get the job. But you've got a nice attitude going right now. It's good that you are able to accept this stumbling block not as something that would bring you down, but as something that would help you with your next endeavor. I'm sure that you will do better in the next interview and that if ever you do get a job, I believe your employer will be blessed to have you in the company.
I pray that you will finally get hired in that next interview! God bless. :D
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Thanks for the encouragement my friend. A good attitude is what we need in life. There are a lot of hurdles but the reality is, we just need to jump a little higher to pass those hindrances.
@Gothicfb1 (141)
•
7 Apr 10
nice one try friend, next time you will be accepted for sure because you learn by the past interview ...
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Thanks, gothicfb1. Life is a continuous struggle for learning and when we stop growing we start shrinking.
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
"Flattery is the food of fools" 
I'm just an ordinary college student who's fond of writing. There's nothing to envy me. Come to think of it, I envy you because you're already a graduate of.... Uhm, Pharmacy I guess..
I'm just an ordinary college student who's fond of writing. There's nothing to envy me. Come to think of it, I envy you because you're already a graduate of.... Uhm, Pharmacy I guess.. @louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
I can't agree no more. It's absolutely true in it's truest sense. I somehow feel a different aura of confidence.
@honeydew82174 (1720)
• United States
7 Apr 10
Sorry about the interview but if you learned some thing from it , all is good. You'll do great on the next one. Good luck!
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
As I've said, I did expect to flop in my first few interviews but I was happy that I performed well. I didn't flop!! LOL
@mynestegg (519)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Hmmm... There are a lot of BPOs that will accept part time students and will specify such in their job postings. I suggest you check those out first since it seems that the is the one reason that held back your recruiter from hiring you. I work for one here in Alabang and I won't say the application process is easy as pie but you really don't need a degree to perform well in the job. Maybe they are just concerned about your commitment to the company? Attrition is a big issue for call centers. Every year they expect to lose some of their existing employees because of the nature of the job. Next time try to highlight things that would not be on your resume. You can also steer the conversation to your strengths. They would love to hear how long you are planning to stay with the company and if you see yourself growing with them.
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Yup, the hr manager told me that she is concern that I might prioritize my studies over work. Well, I know myself better. If I take a job, (writing job that is)I make it a point to give my 100% dedication.
It's all about professionalism. Thanks,
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
8 Apr 10
Well, I guess that you are right to chalk it up to a little bit of experience to start with. I can't help but wonder though, did you have it in your resume that you were a student that was looking for work? If you did, then I think it is very wrong for them to give you the reason for not offering you a job to be that you are a working student. If they only learned that during the interview process, I think it would be an acceptable reason, but even that hangs on the line for me.
@laniekins (4579)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
Most of Call Center Company will just ask almost anyone to apply for Call Center Agent or Customer Support Representative without considering if, in the first place, the applicant is qualified or not. Even if they already read your resume prior to your job interview. Anyways, I guess there Call Center Company who accept working students, as long as your schedule fits. Goodluck to you!
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
It seems however that the hr manager did not read the resume I sent online. She only read it come interview time. Yup, there are lots of call center firms in the Ortigas area and a few of them might just accept working students.
@mackybevs (19)
• Philippines
23 Apr 10
my first interview was when im in college taking my On the Job Training, then i pass it. I am happy because the interviewer love what im saying,Im being honest for what i share to the interviewer then i give the informations about my self. I hope your first interview will be good as mine good luck.
