Vacancies for Comglasco AG

Comglasco AG is a leading firm engaged in the marketing and distribution of various acrylic sheets, advertising materials, plasticsheets, solar window films, automotive glasses and other auto accessories with branches and booking offices nationwide. They are currently looking for the following competent and dynamic individuals for the following positions:

• HR Manager


• Management Trainee


• Account Executive


• Executive Assistant


• Company & Warehouse Drivers


• Driving Instructor

For more job openings, you may check out http://www.comglasco.com

Kindly e-mail CV's to cmfrancisco@comglasco.com / kayefranc@yahoo.com.ph

ComglascoAG

8480 km 18 East Service Road

Brgy. San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City

Pet Peeves of Hiring Managers

Abridged version published on Manila Bulletin, September 16, 2009

Perhaps because of our history of being colonized more than once, we Filipinos find it easy to pick up new languages – the most prominent of which is English. With our many different dialects, and a history of debate over the true national language, English has helped us find a middle ground with which we can communicate with our countrymen, as well as with foreigners.

This, however, does not make us instant experts. Oftentimes, interviewers must struggle to understand what their applicants are telling them. Below are a few of their pet peeves, and some tips on how to avoid them.

1. Mispronunciation

Brought about by the differences in the phonetics of English and Filipino, we are very susceptible to replacing certain consonants for consonants that sound similar to them. The most common mistake is interchanging p’s with f’s, and b’s with v’s, giving you terms like “suferbisor” or “fropesor”.

Probably also due to our many different dialects, we are also susceptible to interchanging vowels for each other. Popular occurrences are even used for local advertising, such as “fich mengo pie” (peach mango pie). We also make the mistake of reading the word exactly as it is spelled, which is one of the main difference of English with many languages. Words with silent letters like almonds, become “ahlmonds”, and words with special pronunciation, like “façade”, can be a challenge for us.

To avoid this, it is important for you to familiarize yourself with the correct pronunciation of these words. When you encounter a new word, take some time to look it up in the dictionary and check the phonetic symbols. If you cannot understand the phonetic symbols, you can go online and check for English songs that make use of that word. If you can’t find it, the word you like may be too high falutin, and it might be better to look for an alternative word to use.


2. Filler Words

In any language we use, we are always limited by the amount of words we know. Some individuals find it easy to use the terms that they have learned. However, during stressful times, or when we are rushing, the right set of words may escape us. Many of us resort to the use of filler words that buy us a few seconds to think the correct term, or to organize our thoughts. Basic common fillers are non-words, such as “umm” or the tagalog term, “ano”. People also use fillers words at the start of a sentence, using terms like “actually” or “basically”, or with sentence enders like “you know”.

Frequent use of these terms can become irritating to the listener, distracting him from your message. Take a few seconds to organize your thoughts. Your interviewer would not take offense if you took a short breath before answering his question. The best way is to start with your gist of your answer, which is the topic, then follow-up with supporting details. You’ll find that filler words may not be necessary when you go straight to the point.


3. Forced Accent

With the advent of the BPO industry, there is an increase in employers looking for good verbal English skills. At times, applicants resort to imitating foreign accents to show their versatility in the English language. However, if you are not used to speaking in this language, your English comes out sounding like it went through a meat grinder and got stuck in the middle.

It is best to avoid using any accent to highlight your English skills. Your objective to be able to send your message across and the use of accents may prevent this from happening. A preferable style would be to have a neutral accent, similar to the diction of CNN newscasters. Do not be afraid to open your mouth for vowels, and make sure you are not speaking too fast. Your interviewer will surely appreciate your efforts.


4. Answering in the Wrong Language

There is a very simple rule in conversational skills – when you are asked a question, answer in the same language the question was asked in. Don’t give yourself a hard time by answering a tagalog question in English. Use simple words to convey your message across.

If you were asked a question in English, and you do not quite know how to answer it in English, ask for permission with the interviewer if you may answer it in Filipino. Being polite and respectful of your interviewer is always beneficial to you.


5. Unclear, or Round-about Answers

The way our sentences are constructed is different from the way English sentences are constructed. Sometimes, however, it is much easier for us to do a word per word translation, instead of taking the essence of the entire sentence and re-wording it to English. Doing a word per word translation can make your message unclear. It is important that we take time to organize our train of thought, and construct the sentences that can get that message across properly. Do not be afraid of using short sentences, as opposed to the popularity of longer sentences in formal Filipino. Be direct to the point, and spare you and your interviewer the extra minutes trying to make a short answer long.

What are Pre-employment Requirements?

While catching up with some of my friends during the holidays, our conversation led to a list of important documents which we should have a copy of. Even at our age, and having gone through several employers already, not everybody is aware of the important documents that are needed by our potential employers. While others may write this off a personal oversight, all across the country, other people are probably scampering to get these same documents at the last minute because they did not know it would be important for them to keep copies.

The list of requirements changes from employer to employer. Below is a list of the most common items that will be requested from you when you start a job:

1. SSS number

The government requires all businesses to submit your deductions and their contributions for your social security. This covers sick leaves, accident benefits and pension plan.

How to Get It: To get a number for the first time, you will need to go to the nearest SSS Office. Once employed, you can register on their online service to keep track of your contributions.

Additional Requirements:

• SSS Form E-1
• Certified true copy of your birth certificate/ baptismal certificate/ driver’s license/ passport/ PRC Card or Seaman’s book

For more Information: http://www.sss.gov.ph


2. Birth Certificate

The Birth certificate shows the exact details of your birth, confirming your identity.

How to Get It: You may apply for your birth certificate at the National Statistics Office personally, or through their online service.

For more Information: http://www.e-census.com.ph/


3. Philhealth number

Philhealth is the government agency providing medical benefits for us.

How to Get It: Your employer will submit your application to Philhealth. Your ID card will also be sent through the employer who applied for your Philhealth number.  If you are changing employers, ask your previous employer for your Philhealth number.

Additional Requirements:

• Philhealth M1-A form
• Photocopy of your Birth certificate, and your dependents’ birth certificates

For more Information: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/


4. PAG-IBIG number

PAG-IBIG is the government agency addressing our home financing needs. This covers long-term loans for the purchase, construction or renovation of homes.

How to Get It: Your employer will submit your application to PAG-IBIG for you. If you are changing employers, ask your previous employer for your PAG-IBIG number.

Additional Requirements:

• Member Data Form (MDF), 2 copies
• Photocopy of your Birth certificate, and your dependents’ birth certificates

For more Information: http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph


5. NBI Clearance/ Police Clearance

These are documents showing that you have no criminal record, and are not wanted by the law.

How to Get It: You may visit the NBI Offices to secure an NBI clearance for the first time. If you are renewing your clearance, you have the additional option of using one of their satellite kiosks in malls across the country.

For police clearance, you may visit the nearest police station in your area of residence. Each police station may have different procedures, so it’s best to call them beforehand.

Additional Requirements:

For NBI: Valid ID (for a new applicant)/ Original personal copy of the old NBI Clearance (for renewing applications)

For Police: Community Tax Certicate(CTC) or sedula and 2 pcs. 2x2 ID picture

For More Information: http://www.nbi.gov.ph/


6. Community Tax Certificate (also known as Sedula or Residence Certificate)

How To Get It: Visit the City Treasurer at your City Hall. Some barangay treasurers are also authorized to release CTCs. It is best to call your local barangay office first to verify.


7. Transcript of Records

How to Get It: Request for a copy through your school registrar.

Organizing your Documents

Your documents are much like money – you must keep them safe. This is because these are requirements for you to be able to sustain a living. Keep your documents in a safe location in your house, such as a safe or a cabinet.

For easy access, you can organize your documents using clear binders or expandable folders. Keep 3 photocopies of each document. This will allow you to easily pull out copies when you need it, and extends farther than for job application purposes.

Not all of the requirements listed above will be requested by your employer. For those who have tight schedules, it may be best to check your future employer’s list of pre-employment requirements.

Why Good English Matters In Applying For A Job

No man is an island, so the old saying goes. And how can you be an island? With the Philippine population pegged at 88 million last 2007, you cannot deny that you are not alone. This requires us to learn how to interact with other people to be able to survive, and a major foundation of human interaction is communication. Without good and effective communication, where will we find our society today?

There are different ways to communicate, but the most valuable communication resource sought after in the market is fluency in the English language. As the universal language, the use of English enables us to cross the boundaries of different cultures. This is extremely helpful in this day and age, with different businesses going global, and more opportunities for work and business opening up beyond our country’s borders.

Because of these opportunities, more job vacancies are opening up that require fluency in English. Many of our budding industries right now have international clientele. These types of businesses require good English skills to be able to maintain their company operations. This makes English one of the skills that support the lifeline of their company – their international clients.

The need to learn English is not just restricted to businesses that have international relations. With the numerous dialects in the Philippines, English is becoming a second language with which we can conduct business deals with. It provides a cue that discussions conducted in this language mean serious business, and is separate from personal affairs. Many official documents are also written in English. It is important for those receiving and handling these documents that they are able to understand them. Wrong interpretations of the contents of important documents could mean life or death. This can happen in many different fields, in as simple as daily transactions at a store, making an investment with your hard earn money, or saving a life in the E.R.

Despite all the benefits of English to a company, not all positions in a company require good English skills. For some companies, only key personnel are required to be fluent in the English language. These key positions are usually positions of authority – positions that can make or break a deal. Majority of these positions have supervisory or managerial roles. Their need to master the English language is brought about by the need for accuracy, precision and clarity in their communications with their clients. It is from these communications that the rest of the company will get their daily tasks from, and ensure that the company is moving like clockwork. Correct judgment calls made from proper understanding of client needs are what run a company, and ensure that many of us continue to have a career and a source of living.

Since not everybody is applying for such a role, many job seekers can opt to not master the English language. However, this would limit the length of your growth in your career of choice. For many of us, we dream of eventually being able to hold high levels of responsibility, and receive the equivalent compensation for such work. Companies will consider how far your abilities can benefit them. Without mastery of the English language, both your dream, and your usefulness to the company, will be severely limited.

Given all these reasons, if not for the sake of your future company, the least you can do is to arm yourself with the tools you will need to make your life better. You don’t need to be a genius to master English. All it requires is your determination. English is simply a skill, and just like any other skill, it can be learned and it can be developed. All it takes is for you to make that decision.