Guidelines for Living

I received this from one of the members of the Ang Kapatiran party, and have decided that it is worth sharing. These are just simple guidelines, and most of them make common sense, but oftentimes we forget them in our rush to achieve our goals.

Guidelines for Living
“Para Sa Diyos at Pagbabago”

Volume 2, Issue 02, Series 2010 For a Better Philippines

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mat. 22:39 NAB

HONEST PINOY BASICS

Introduction:  Today, the Filipinos face mounting difficulties due to actual and perceived corruption in all areas of society.  Most experts and media attribute the ills of the Filipino society to a culture of corruption from the barangay to the highest offices (president, supreme court, departments, and legislature).

We believe that one of the necessary solutions is moral transformation through re-education of all Filipino citizens on the basics of a just and orderly society. These are the Honest Pinoy Basics:

1.                  Respect the property of others – Do not use the property of others without the owner’s permission.
2.                  Be responsible for your actions – Do not blame others for your mistakes; do not lie
3.                  Teach our children to save regularly – Any amount saved regularly and consistently will grow and become useful for their future
4.                  Develop habits of hard work and discipline – Follow the rules, even if it is inconvenient; follow all laws no matter how basic they are; do not bribe; do not accept bribes.
5.                  Teach our children early about helping one another – Inculcate in the minds of children the attitude of service to others
6.                  Filipinos of all ages should develop the habit of studying and reading.
7.                  Teach our children the importance of community involvement – Join village and barangay associations to help your small community
8.                  Respect government authority and report all violations; vote according to your conscience.
9.                  If you have the courage, integrity, and competence, volunteer yourself for an elective position to ensure good governance.
10.             Organize cooperatives in your community.
11.             Volunteer to help the poor in your community or barangay.


www.angkapatiranparty.org

What Can A Fresh Grad expect From His/Her First day On The Job?

Abridged version published on Manila Bulletin, June 21, 2009

Any new employee can expect that on their first day on the job, they will undergo an orientation to help him get to know the company and the job more. The orientation is a crucial part of work that will help set your goals and work plan for your stay with the company.

Not all orientations need to be formal. For some, especially call centers, the new employee undergoes several days of foundation training which helps put them in perspective for the job they will face. For companies who are more hands-on with the job, the employee’s first day starts out as a day with their superior, learning the ropes. Whether it’s a classroom set-up, or an informal on-the-job training type of orientation, the most important lesson you must learn is how to be able to do your job properly within the restrictions and expectations of the company.

There are times, though, when your employer is in dire need of your skills that you may be given an incomplete orientation. While employers are generally encouraged to provide a full orientation to the new employee to ensure the best, there are times when the employer is forced to teach you about their own rules, regulations and company culture “the hard way”. This calls for you to take the initiative to learn the things they did not teach you. You can ask more tenured colleagues about the rules and regulations, or you can try to catch a few minutes of your boss’ time to clarify ideas. To ensure your success in your chosen career, you will need to be brave and learn how and where to ask questions. It is better to ask and learn the truth, rather than make your own assumptions and bear the brunt of the consequences later. As early as your first day, learn how to protect yourself from making a misstep at the office by being brave enough to check out your facts.

What are the things I should learn about?

To make it easier for you to understand how the company works, you can start by understanding the things that are most relevant to you. Start out with their compensation and benefits plans, and available perks in the company. The things that you may receive, or the things that you deserve to get, are great motivations for doing a good job. Knowing what exactly you are working for can help you focus on the job on-hand. Goals make work more tolerable, and easier to handle. Working for somebody gives you a big responsibility, and big responsibilities can be very stressful. Dividing your work into bite-sized chunks, with rewards at the end, can help you handle the stress better.

Also, look for the policies and procedures of the company. The policies and procedures of the company are comparable to the company’s bible of ethics and processes. You may be a wonder kid at your job, but if you end up bypassing or violating core procedures of the company, you may end up sacked and sent back home to your parents. Just like in school, you must also follow a set of rules to follow at work, and certain procedures to get the things that you want. Following the rules and procedures is a sign of good breeding, and gives you additional credit with the supervisors.

Learn about the company’s history, vision and mission. As part of a company, you are now part and parcel of an entity that seeks to grow and take itself to new places or heights. Knowing the company’s objectives, for both short-term and long-term, can help you assess your skill level and talents to see where you may best help out with the company within your jurisdiction.

Last, but not the least, a new employee should get to know his fellow employees – particularly the managers and supervisors. Not a lot of people appreciate arrogance or disrespect. The man with a tie beside you in the elevator can be the owner of your company. The man in simple jeans, walking with his kids at the lobby may have been one of the managers on vacation dropping by. It pays to know who the bosses are, to be able to treat them with the respect they deserve. Remember: they went through the same things you have and will go through. You have to give them credit for giving their best at their job, and reaching their current position.

Other than knowing who the bosses in the company are, find the key people you need to interact with. Good impressions with these key people can help make future transactions smoother. Entering a company requires you to make many new and different relationships. Starting each relationship on a good note can go a long way to your success in that company.

Your first day at work is your chance to learn the things that you need to know to keep yourself happy and working productively inside the company. For the company, your first day at work is their chance to impress you, and show to you that they are worth more than just what they are paying you. The first day at work shows the new employee that their company is worth their loyalty, and their productivity becomes the strength and future of the business. A lot of exchange of trusts happens during this first encounter. As a recipient of that trust, we should learn how to take care of it properly by living up to the company’s expectations. Learning the basics of life inside the company is just the first step, like a baby gingerly putting its foot down on the floor. Its gives you the courage to take yourself further, and will be your support in making your dream job come true.

Why do manners matter in jobseeking?

This was originally an article submitted to Manila Bulletin for their Clasified Answers column for June 7, 2009. 

I have to admit, when I first received the topic for the article, I was completely dumbfounded. I found it a bit ludicrous to discuss why anyone would ask my manners are important. Coming from a strict values-oriented family, this question was a very alien concept.

To answer the question directly, I would like to quote the words of one of my colleagues: “If during an interview, where one is expected to put their best foot forward, they cannot behave well, then he might be problematic to the company eventually, especially when dealing with clients”.

This statement truly summarizes the importance of manners to your prospective employer – and to the person applying for the job. Without the proper conduct, any jobseeker can jeopardize their chances of entering the company of their dreams. An employer would not want to hire a person who he thinks will cause him more problems. Employers hire employees as a solution to certain needs of their company – not to become something that they will need another solution for.

The First Impression

Manners are part of that first impression you give your future employer. From the moment you send in your resume, the way you handle your interaction with the company and its representatives may affect your possibility of hire. There are many different types of chances for first impressions. As an applicant, you have to be aware of these opportunities, and use them to your full advantage.

With the advent of the internet, this first encounter can start when you send in your resume to the recruiter's email. Take for example this hypothetical email:

good day mam/sr. i am a fresh graduatte of mass communication and i am applying for a possition as a reporter or any jobs related to journalism, i attached my resume and sample of my works.. i am willing also to work on extended time i am a hardworking and willing to learn more and gave more ideas in your company. god bless and more powers

The application letter has at least two faults: (1) It does not follow standard letter format; (2) It has several spelling and punctuation mistakes. These two faults can make it difficult for the employer to understand the full train of thought of the applicant. If the company this was intended for has international clients, there would be a high chance that his application may be rejected. These little things, such as minding your punctuation and grammar, show that you are considerate, and it shows that you give your future employer enough respect to spend extra time making sure your letter is in order.

The Persons Who Deserve To Be Shown Good Manners

Most applicants put their best foot forward once they meet face to face with their interviewer. However, it is more advisable to be polite starting with the first person you encounter, even if that first person is the security guard or the janitor. Remember that these people are also employees of the company you are working for. Your future employer can easily walk out of his office and ask these people about the way you treated them. There have been reported cases of employers including this type of feedback in their considerations to hire a person. A simple raise of the eyebrow at one of the janitors may have a profound effect on your application.

Manners can also be used to set the tone of your encounter with these people. The best place you can start is with yourself. Treat your body with consideration – prepare your materials ahead of time to avoid rushing, eat your meals properly, and make sure you are groomed properly. The way you treat yourself will reflect in the way you treat others. If you treat yourself the way you would treat a king, it would be easier for you to show the same degree of respect and consideration for everybody you encounter.

Practice Makes Perfect

Manners do not just come into play when you are looking for a job. Manners are necessary for any human interaction, and is one of the important foundations for establishing good relationships. Good relationships can be the catalyst for good opportunities for you. Your neighborhood baker may have a son who may become your future boss. Your mother's friend may be able to give you leads for job vacancies in a respectable company. Every relationship you have has the potential of giving you something valuable. It is this potential that you must nurture, even through the simple act of being polite and considerate of the other person. Practicing good manners every day, to the people that you meet, may open many doors for you, and can help you exhibit the same to your future employers. Having good manners is not very hard; if you already practice it everyday, your natural likability will shine through, and employers will be attracted to the package that you are selling – you.

Email Etiquette: Think Before You Type

from Hcareers Newsletter, May 21, 2009

So long snail mail, electronic mail is one of the most popular forms of communication today. About 70 percent of North Americans use the Internet and email is their top reason to go online. It's quick, easy and paperless. But it can be painful to receive emails, if the sender doesn't follow some basic rules of netiquette.

1. Subject
This is probably the most important part of an email. What you write here will determine whether the recipient opens your email. This means it's a good idea to take the time to create a subject line that's catchy and concise. You have to spark curiosity and lure the reader into the email. Mention the most crucial details first so it doesn't get cut off.

2. To, Cc, Bcc
Make sure you know the difference! Send the message to the right person. "To" should contain email contacts that you are directly addressing. You want these people to respond. "Cc" should contain contacts that you are indirectly addressing. You don't expect these people to reply. "Bcc" is like "Cc" except these addresses are not visible to the other email recipients. For this reason, "Bcc" can be considered somewhat sly or unprincipled.

3. Reply and Reply to all
Be mindful. Make sure you've hit the right button. Nothing is more frustrating than a group of people getting an email that's directed at a single person. Hit "Reply" to respond to one person. Hit "Reply to All" to respond to many people. If you click on the wrong one, you could wind up with an inbox full of annoyed contacts.

4. Salutations
Dear, Hello, Hi, To...There is no absolute way to address a contact. For the most part, "Hi" and "Hello" are for personal emails and "Dear" and "To" are reserved for business emails. But whether to use them is optional. In some cases, business people prefer to drop the title of Mr. or Mrs./Ms./Miss because it is overly formal and somewhat outdated. How to address business contacts can be tricky, especially if you don't know them very well - or at all. Find out how the individual is usually addressed and go with that. Keep it gender neutral.

What the professionals say:

a) To/Dear [insert contact name]:
b) To whom it may concern:
c) To the recruitment department:
d) Dear human resources:
e) Dear hiring professional:

5. Signatures
An electronic signature is similar to a name signed on paper. It seals the email. If you have a business email there is usually an attached letterhead that includes your name, title, company name and contact information. You can add letterheads to personal email accounts too. Or, you can simply sign off with "Best," "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your full name. You must understand the company culture in order to select an appropriate closing line. Refrain from using "Ciao" or "Cheers." Stick to the same tone as the individual or company you're contacting.

What the professionals say:

a) Regards
b) Sincerely
c) Yours in hospitality
d) Thank you for your time

6. Get to the point
Don't write a book! Just as emails are sent quickly, they're skimmed through just as fast.

"Recruiters can get hundreds of emails a day. Keep your email brief but professional,

" says Randy Goldberg, Executive Director Recruiting, of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Lead with a polite salutation and then sum up the reason for the email. Include all the pertinent details and contact information. Write shorter, active sentences instead of long, passive sentences. Take out "and" to form two sentences. Give the eyes a rest. Create brief paragraphs to break up text. A solid block of text can be discouraging to read. Use headers, color, italics or bold options to draw the eyes to important points. Remember to make an email short and sweet since reading online copy is more difficult than reading printed copy.

7. Spelling and Grammar
Make sure you know the difference between a colon and a semi-colon, and a dash and a comma. Don't leave sentences hanging without a period, unless you've included a list of items. Contractions such as "I'm" or "haven't" are typically fine. Acronyms and abbreviations are not, unless they are widely known ones.

8. Punctuation overload!!!
It's easy to get carried away with punctuation! If you're contacting a potential employer or colleague, you may want to sound enthusiastic! But it doesn't look professional! Never pile up exclamation marks!!!

9. Quote and reply
Ever received an email with long-winded replies that stack up in your inbox? But where's the feedback or the answers to your questions? Lost in the middle or stuck at the bottom perhaps. Don't make the reader scroll through an entire document to find an answer. If you have important points to make regarding email content, simply quote the selected text and respond in the line below. "Copy and Paste" is a great function. This breaks up the content and clearly projects the major topics.

10. Abbreviations and Emoticons
A :) (smiley face) and a "LOL" (laugh out loud) might suit a personal email.. But when you get down to business, it's best to stray from abbreviations and emoticons. That means no winks or sad faces and no TTYL (talk to you later). The only abbreviations that might be acceptable are common hospitality-related acronyms, such as ARDA or NRA.

11. Attachments
Consider the file size. The standard size tends to be 2MB maximum. You're well below that figure if you send only Word documents like a cover letter and resume. You may start to go over this if you send digital photos or scanned images of your diploma. The best practice is to consult with your contacts before you email large attachments that bog down their computers.

Compose a great email and get a great response.