Archive for September, 2007

Experience or Salary: Which is More Important to First-Time Job-Seekers?

Would I accept a low-paying job that would give me substantial experience? Or would I go for a dead-end occupation that pays big-time but somewhat unrelated to my field? Why even choose? Can’t I just get a high-paying job that put my skills to good use?

Those are the eternal questions newly-graduates ask themselves as they prepare to join the labor force, and most often they get confused. I was one of them nine years ago.

Continue reading ‘Experience or Salary: Which is More Important to First-Time Job-Seekers?’

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Overcoming Regrets

It always bothers me when I wasn’t able to get the things I wanted. I keep thinking, “I should’ve done this instead of that, maybe things would’ve been a little different.”

I remember when I was already out of college looking for a job. I couldn’t hack it in to the corporate world. Several good companies kept rejecting me. Then, when some “so-so” companies called me for job interviews, I was pre-occupied with the “what-ifs” and “what-might-have-beens” of previous work applications, I couldn’t focus on the present time. And that meant another failure.

At home, I remember, I would follow-up applications only to hear an old technique: “We will call you back.” Or “We will keep your résumé on file.” After hanging up the phone, I would sigh and say, “That was a really good company. What a waste.” And I would think about it like it’s really my fault and it’s already the end of the world.

It’s not. Thanks to my father and his timely advice. He said that “if you keep thinking about it, then you would never be happy.” He’s right.

I was able to get past my failures and use it as motivation. After my programming career in the Philippines (which I’m also going to blog soon), I’m now a Computer and Math Teacher, Computer “Mechanic”, Web Designer, and a Blog Writer; and still motivated to do other related jobs.

It’s senseless to dwell in the past. It’s been done and there’s nothing more you can do about it. We have to move on, otherwise, we will remain unproductive. Instead of spending time worrying and obstructing the present, why don’t we use the time thinking on how we can improve ourselves and avoid the same mistakes?

The best course of action is do your best, stay motivated, and learn to love what you do. Otherwise, it’s regrets all over again.

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Something in Return

As a local computer mechanic, I receive handful of calls from friends (and their friends) to fix their erratic machines. Since we are “chummies”, I refuse to bill them when they ask me how much I charge. Is it shyness on my part? Partly. My philosophy is, someday, I’ll get something in return anyway. Give and you shall receive. Something big is waiting for me.

And then it becomes a habit. This time, I service computers without charging people who I met just once. Not good, I think. Most of these people are professionals and businessmen, and it makes them uncomfortable when someone refuses their offer, may it be in donation or in kind. They even have to force the payment to my hands. What an awkward situation. I had to accept. And the moment that happened, the long wait was over.

If you are in the same boat, I have an advice for you: don’t let the day pass by. You have to understand that this is your chance or you’ll keep waiting forever. Politely take it, like it is an honor servicing them. Because “that someday” you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. And “that something in return” that awaits you, is already right in front of you.

Own it, like I do now. There’s nothing wrong with accepting something you rightfully deserve.

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When NOT to say NO

If you are a YES person trying to get out of your shell, perhaps you have already read few topics about “LEARNING TO SAY NO” from books or internet or any articles. But I will not talk about that in this post.

In fact, what I’m going to talk about is “When NOT to say NO”.

Sometime in my early 20’s, I needed something personal done, and to make it happen, I also needed someone I can trust to do something big for me. So I turned to my friend, who I knew I can count on. I came to him with high hopes and told him the plan and seeked his help. But to my surprise, I was denied.

I’m not the type of guy who asks for help all the time, so I was taken aback by the rejection. I knew he can do the favor, and it wasn’t his nature to reject someone. The thing was, I also knew he was in to this “LEARN TO SAY NO” practice. I am his friend, and he was giving me that “no”-routine? I felt it was not right, but I didn’t say anything and acted like it was nothing. But it wasn’t. It still bothers me.

I am okay with that saying no habit, only if done correctly.

So when do you not say no?

When a favor was asked of you no matter how small or big it is, and you know you can do it, then say yes, especially when someone is really counting on you. Stop practicing saying no just for the sake of it. Do you really have anything to lose? Nothing really, if you think about it.

Is it really going to kill you if you say yes?

I don’t think so.

A person will not come to you and ask for help if he knows you are not capable of doing it.

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“S” Light is ON - Honda Accord LX 1990

The “S” Light was ON - again - in the dashboard of my old Honda Accord LX 1990. This is the second time it came on. But unlike before, the car was running normal when I drive it. Based on my previous experience, I thought the light would go away the following day, but it wouldn’t. I became worried after couple of days when it didn’t go away. I searched for answers but nothing seems to be working, so I decided to bring it to the mechanic with my friend last weekend for checkup (the car has other “characters” as well, aside from startup and “S” light).

S-Light

(”S” Light at the bottom right, under temperature)

Guess what? The mechanic solved the “S” indicator as soon as I told him the problem. The cause of the “S” light: a button at the side of the stick was pressed. As simple as that. I felt so stupid when the mechanic gave me that “you-don’t-know-that?” kind of look. :D I also learned that the button is a switch if you want to toggle between “NORMAL” driving and “SPORTS” driving.

Moral: Know thy car and get a hold of its manual.

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