The idea that a college degree is a ticket to a career is at the back of everyone’s mind. Upon entering the work force, however, one is faced with the reality that the skills needed for professional success are not taught in universities or found in textbooks. They’re nowhere else but the University of Life (it does exist, no doubt about it!) and we are all registered.

Over years of work in traditional and non-traditional jobs, I discovered a few basic, if not crucial, skills for any profession. Here are three:

1)    Willingness to adapt

The work environment, whether actual or virtual, absolutely requires a versatile and flexible mindset. Confidence in one’s ability to do and deliver on a task, no matter the size of the job (relaying timely and accurate messages to a manager, for example) is important. Another case is providing the bottle of ketchup to a customer when working at McDonalds can go a long way. An employee cannot be rattled by job challenges. Instead she/he learns to take the initiative in resolving issues.When in doubt, ask questions. In the make up of an adaptable employee is a high threshold for tolerance for job demands and glitches. As Mahatma Ghandi said, “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.”

2)    Ability to listen actively

Active listening means one is not just hearing what is being said. Formulating an answer/rebuttal to the question/discussion at hand in one’s mind while the speaker has the floor is not active listening. Nodding, a smile, and eye contact with the speaker are proofs of active listening.When possible, provide feedback at the appropriate time.

3)    Courage in the face of change

Change naturally generates anxiety, be it personal or professional. It is essential to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Keep in mind that in every experience is a lesson waiting to be learned. If retrenchment is in the air, remain practical and explore possible alternatives in the same or related field for work opportunities.

Honing abilities like adaptability, active listening, and guts when a situation calls for it will take some time. However, an open mind and a never give up spirit will definitely make an ideal career a reality.

Written by: Yoli P.- The Help

The nature of job search dramatically changed since the World Wide Web found its place in daily life. New graduates, middle managers, and many unemployed persons surf the web for employment possibilities rather than combing through newspaper ads. Yet one aspect of the hunt for meaningful occupation remains the same – the interview.

Once an institution is interested in hiring someone, an appointment for an interview in person or via video conferencing may be set up. Some human resources experts say a career can be jumpstarted at the interview.

Interviewers will be prepared with questions that may be based on the job seeker’s research knowledge, problem solving skills, and behavior. In these questions, the applicants are obligated to provide answers to the best of their abilities.

If one is a fresh college graduate, possible questions could be: What are your thoughts on team work? How was your group motivated to meet deadlines? If a project were delayed, how would you relay this situation to a manager or client? Interviewers may provide a couple of actual problems to test Excel and Word skills.To assess resourcefulness, an interviewee may be asked how she/he would prepare background material for an upcoming conference on, for example, waste management. Applicants with previous work experience could be asked what were the positives or negatives at a previous employment. Describing a critical situation and the interviewee’s proposed solution to it may also be posed at this time.

However, all these questions’ importance diminishes when the topic of compensation comes up. Perhaps the years of sacrifice in school, the average salary of a middle manager, and months of unemployment lead most job seekers to quote an inflated figure when queried on salary expectations. If an applicant is conscientious, she/he will have done the necessary research at sites like http://www.salary.com/ or http://www.glassdoor.com/index.htmfor current levels of pay if only to gauge the salary scale of their profession, whether it be for an entry level or an executive position. Such proactive attitude will garner respect from any interview panel.All of the above notwithstanding, a job seeker who is aware and confident of the skills and ability that she/he brings to the institution will be in a great negotiating position.

Bearing in mind that a job search is after all a sales pitch and that one is selling one’s professional capabilities, keeping the salary quote down to a reasonable level pays dividends in the long run.This part of the interview is a fundamental aspect of any job search and has not changed over the years.

Written by: Yoli P.- The Help

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org), work ethic is a value based on hard work and diligence; it may include being reliable, having initiative, or pursuing new skills.

Developing good work ethic necessitates dedication to a valued or treasured job. Professionals with work ethics set excellent personal standards for themselves.

Honest employees with strong ethics take responsibility for mistakes, own up to failures and keep the lines of communication open with team members/colleagues, managers, and clients.

A respectful employee who has strong work ethic is consistently on time. They anticipate delays – computer glitches, weather changes – allowing extra time for projects that need meticulous attention. There’s wise use of time thus meeting deadlines while respecting colleagues and clients’ time as well.

Good work ethic means considering other opinions and moving forward with the big picture in mind. Cooperating with and doing what is important for the team and company ensures efficient workflow. A productive team member is respected, shows adaptability to task changes in the middle of a project.

Factors that contribute to good work ethics

Sense of responsibility:

A sense of responsibility is evident in employee output. When an employee feels personally accountable for job results, her very best effort is put forward. Where other workers may deliver the bare minimum, product quality is more important to someone with strong work ethic. Such responsible attitude improves the overall quality of work that the company provides to clients.

Integrity

To nurture trust among coworkers and clients, integrity is needed. Colleagues have to be open to constructive feedback, which directly impacts overall company goals. Prepared employees are in a good position to provide clients with business advice.

Discipline

Disciplined employees are focused on goals and are determined to finish assigned tasks daily. They are loyal to the company, making certain that they fulfill their commitments.

Employees with good work ethics are the insurance of businesses in meeting the bottom line of improved productivity and profit.

Written by: Yoli P.- The Help

So we begin 2014 with a grateful look back at last year – one that left tremendous damage to lives and property in Asia, North America, and Africa because of extreme weather changes.

And The Help team was not exempt.  Professional and personal challenges came up; illness, loss of clients, unsatisfactory ratings, not to mention loss of company revenue, tested the team’s capacity for growth. A reservoir of courage had to be found. No surprise that everyone, nature’s wrath notwithstanding, stepped up to the plate.

To deal with client demands and expectations, The Help buckled down to work, making sure that communication lines were always open and projects delivered on time. Perseverance became the operative word; returning customers and new patrons were and are confirmations of The Help’s resilience in dealing with adversities. In 2014, we look forward to supporting current clients and, of course, starting more projects with new ones.

It was a year of milestones: staff rejoiced at hire anniversaries while new colleagues came on board. A team building meet up in December, joyful get-togethers with family and friends during the holiday season, topping it all with The Help’s outreach to Typhoon Haiyan’s victims relocated in Imus, Cavite – for us the best is yet to come!

Behind every cloud is a silver lining; we’ve come through.  Proud and accomplished, The Help ended 2013 on a high; started 2014 with bells and whistles!

Once again, Elance ranked us 2nd nationwide and 9th worldwide!

2014 here we come!

Written by: Yoli P.- The Help

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Typhoon Haiyan’s devastating short but chaotic stay in Tacloban City and its environs caused immense destruction in lives and property. Residents had to scramble to higher grounds and even then several thousands have died and more are still missing. The once thriving city is a wasteland, hopelessness in the heart of its residents.

Loss of family members in the typhoon left a feeling that seeps into the bones and makes a permanent home in its hollows. As if an invisible hand squeezes the heart, hyperventilation becomes the default for everyone.

Twenty-two families and its 60 members slowly began normal breathing again on finding safe haven in Imus, Cavite in early December.

With financial assistance from religious groups, 14 families of 38 adults and 20+ children led by Pastor Rico Mantilla were bussed out of Tacloban City to Manila. They first stayed in Taguig in Rizal, then Caloocan City and, finally, came to Imus in Cavite in early December because some of them had relatives in the area.

They found refuge in a three-bedroom house. The limited spaces made bonding a daily task for them and with the assistance of Brother Rafael Jose Alarcon of Taga Imus Ka Kung, two associations – a professional medical assistance group and The Help – were connected to the families.

On December 14, eleven days before Christmas, 14 families and its 60+ members had an early celebration. The visit by The Help team and its family members began with an offering of prayers followed by dinner consisting of spaghetti, fried chicken, and fruits. Stories of the typhoon’s wailing wind and relentless rain that swept away roofs, beds, entire homes, and bodies were shared in conversations. The sadness in the stories gave way to sharing, as well, of plans to find jobs like daily labor in building construction, to register children in local schools to prevent interruption, and to support one another in various ways such as playing with the young children. Canned goods, blankets, toiletries, cookware, school supplies, and clothing were provided to the families.

Albeit temporary, the sadness lifted when games were played after dinner – toothpick race for the children and Pinoy Henyo for the adults. Cash prizes were awarded to the delight of everyone. Laughter, joy rang throughout the house; appreciation lightened everyone’s heart.

By evening’s end, a profusion of thank you from both the visitors and the survivors – an evening spent in finding hope, in learning and supporting one another.

Written by Yoli P- The Help