application for underbars 101

finally!

as yette would always say, insert my maniacal laugh here. =)

after having graduated from law school, there is this eensy weensy four-week freakin' examinations that you have to conquer. so as they all say, to graduate from law school can hardly be considered a feat, but just the start of the many miles you have to trod to have the four-letter freakin' title be attached on your gravestone.

the bar exams, so they say, is a combination of bloody sweat, more sweat [the ones that would really need some deo, hehe] and an ounce of luck. i believe however, that the same continues until after you have coveted the "atty" title. the bar exams, i suppose, was just a mere "warm-up."

so after havin warmed up, i rested a little. call it katamaran, pagkabatugan, conceit, what-have-yous. mid of october though, it's a 'caso fortuito.' mom had to have an operation and i have to take the helm. and my brain decayed, so i really tried hard to "find" a job. i didn't realize that it was as hard as finding the outcome of the taxes paid for by the citizens [at least on my part, an average bedan graduate who has underestimated the study of law].

and after 'eons' [a lil exaggeration here] of treasure hunting, here are some of the many things i have learned.

the cardinal rules for job application [applicable to the underbars, non-ateneans/up law]...

RULE 1 - The Pre-Application Stage

Sec 1. expect less. [salary, perks, return calls, more return calls and courtesy]

Sec 2. be prepared for more. [disappointments, calluses, arthritis, expenses and some more expenses]

Sec 3. never get the mistake of being too japorms when you are just about to submit [aka, "distribute"] your resume. i violated this rule. it was purgatory, 3rd level.

Sec 4. never get the mistake of printing out all your resumes, unless of course you can afford lots of cartridge/ink to replace the ones you've used. and also, do not use costly papers. it does not really matter. [trivia: did you know that my friends and i submitted photocopied resumes?the law offices to which we submitted these photocopied resumes still called us despite the cheapy look...of the resumes.]

Sec 5. do away with the cover letter. let's save trees.

Sec 6. prepare a really good map, showcasing the lovely metro. it's okay if the navotas area's a bit confusing. the ortigas, manila and makati areas are the only relevant spots... my sister bought me an ortigas-makati map for P99.00 and boy, it was sooo overused.

Sec 7. if you do not have an employers' list [okay, i just learned about this a month ago when my friend and i were interviewed in this law firm where the partners are from UP, meron pala nun! in UP Law.], dish out a latest copy of The Lawyer's Review. at its back part, you'll find more than a hundred law offices. well, wag ma-amaze, they are about just a half of the entire law-office-dom.

Sec 8. scour for your friends, acquaintances and even people you didn't even talk to in college or in law school, baka kasi hiring sila,hehe. honestly, i know of several people who got their jobs through referrals. remember, you are in the Philippines.

Sec 9. before proceeding to the areas where you will submit your resume, prepare a really good diagram of your itinerary. time is so precious. saka ang hirap akyat-baba sa 'lift' noh!

Sec 10. plan your job hunting with a really, really good friend. someone who can tolerate really long walks [and it's not even on the sandy beaches]. if he/she is a classmate, both of you must feel really at ease with each other as to leave no room for insecurities. both of you must be really prepared with what will the turn-out of events be.

please trust me on this. been there, violated these all, suffered a lot. =)

p.s. more next time!