TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m Rona Cabarlo, 21 years old and the eldest of 3 siblings. We’re from Tambobong, which is seaside
barangay in the humble town of Dasol in Pangasinan. I graduated from the Polytechnic University of
the Philippines with a degree in Entrepreneurship, and was able to do so while self-supporting. My
family isn’t well off so I had to finance my studies and I was just so fortunate that a relative employed
me as their kids’ nanny and let me study at the same time.

I’m a firm believer of determination overpowering any obstacles in life and I may be a living
testament to that. My dream is to make a change for my family and in fact, I’d like to believe that I’ve
already started so by being the first in my immediate family to obtain a college degree. My ambition is
to be able to join a good company which I may contribute in though hard work and dedication while
also being able to learn and enhance my skills.

I’m humbly saying that I may not be the best in terms of technical and corporate skills needed for an
entry level position at this point but I’m hoping with all modesty that an organization may look at my
drive to succeed and proven grit and determination as good starting points to get hired.

WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS? WEAKNESSES?

Coming from a poor family with no means to send me to school unless I work and finance myself, I
could say that I was used to really working hard to achieve my dreams. Patience, determination and
strong faith to the Almighty go along with that so I can probably consider those as my strengths.

As for my weaknesses, the lack of experience or exposure yet to a corporate setup is what is lacking
first and foremost. I am also aware that I am an introvert and people would usually mistake me for a
snob person but the truth is, I am just shy to initiate conversations unless I get to know people around
me more.

TELL ME ABOUT THIS INTERNSHIP/OJT IN YOUR RESUME.

As part of the course requirements, we needed to do on-the-job training in any office. I chose to do it
in my alma mater since I’m already familiar with the commute and at the same time, it was like giving
back to the school as well.

Basically, it was a clerical work that I did. I got to help the staff with their encoding needs, and was
able to experience talking to a lot of individuals when I helped entertain inquiries mostly from other
students. I was also exposed to the organizational hierarchy especially whenever I had to gather
signatures for memos and assist in cascading such.

TELL ME SOMETHING NOT IN YOUR RESUME.

Not that I’m shy or anything but I chose not to put my previous work as a nanny there because I don’t
think the experience or background is something that will matter in a corporate world. I’m proud of
course that I was able to send myself to college because of that job.
I am also an introvert. I prefer being at home rather than going to parties or other social events. Part
of it is also I don’t like spending money unless it’s really for necessities, and not because I hate people.
I’m the type who likes to get to have fewer but real friends rather than large group of acquaintances.

In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with my smart phone especially capturing and editing images
with it. I also grew up in a coastal town which might explain my great love for the sea and water
sports. (pwede mo dagdag yung ibang sagot sa question #1)

WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK IN THIS COMPANY?

Tip: research about the company before going to the interview!

Having researched about your organization, I see that the company is well known in the (insert kung
banking, finance, health) industry (kung malaking company lang itong sagot na to) / I see that the
company has mission and vision that aligns to my personal beliefs in life or my career aspirations.

I would also be honest that being a fresh grad, my goal is to be able to join a well-established
company and be able to contribute while learning more, so here I am and trying my luck to do so.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

Being born into a poor family with no other college degree holders than me is my drive. I intend to
change our family’s stars, so to speak. My plan is to be part of an organization that will value my hard
work and determination while being able to earn and support my family, especially my younger
siblings whom I plan of supporting to college as well.

I take inspiration from other people who, despite of poverty, did not let anything get in the way of
dreaming and eventually achieving success. A good sample would be the well-known business tycoons
like the late Henry Sy.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DREAM JOB.

Since I know for a fact that there is no easy job, I simply hope that I’ll be able to land a job that will
hone my skills while being able to contribute through hard work and determination. It should be
something that I’ll be able to practice my field of study which is business, and since it is pretty generic,
one that will make me contribute to an organization’s success is ideal for me. Any office type of work
as long as it is a role that will enhance my corporate understanding is good for now. Eventually, once I
became seasoned in the field, I dream of climbing the corporate ladder to be honest so perhaps being
a manager in the future isn’t bad to be an aspiration at all.

WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTED SALARY?

TELL ME SOMETHINIG A TIME YOU HAD TO WORK ON A PROJECT WHERE ONE TEAM MEMBER WASN’T
HELPING. WHAT ROLE DID YOU PLAY?

What I can remember is when we were doing our thesis in college. Since it is a group work, expectedly
not everyone has equal efforts and there was this guy who was usually absent in meetings and almost
did not contribute at all. Although I wasn’t the leader, I helped remind the guy at first to contribute as
he might lose his slot in the group. But then when I came to understand that he was having financial
and family issues at that time, I eventually became sort of his voice to our leader and backed him to to
get another chance.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR? HOW ABOUT FAILURE?

What I consider as my big achievement so far is my college degree, which I earned as a working
student. It opened the door for greater opportunities and chances to help lift my family from poverty.

On the other hand, what I see as my biggest failure so far is not being able to be beside my mother
during the times when she needed a shoulder to cry on when my parents were having domestic
issues. I was busy with school at that time aside from we’re more than 300 miles away from each
other. Thankfully I was able to make up to her by explaining and assuring her that what I was doing
was also for them and my siblings.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF 5 YEARS FROM NOW?

I see myself as a valuable contributor to a company, having already learnt the in’s and out’s of the job
and the organization coupled with my usual hard work and determination. As an effect, I would
probably be financially stable and would be a good provider to my family.

HOW SOON CAN YOU START?

Since I still need to attend our graduation rites on May 9, I can start after that unless the job will
require me to report immediately and can just allow me that day to attend the ceremony.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR US?

I know you don’t usually do it in hiring but will there be a chance for me to get feedback on my areas
for opportunity regarding this interview? That way, I would be able to prepare more on my next
applications and help me achieve my aspirations. Also, how long do you think I have to wait until I
consider my application as unsuccessful?

THANK THE INTERVIEWER FOR HIS/HER TIME.