MANILA, Philippines – With millions of graduates adding to the workforce every year, an estimated 2.8 million are unable to find jobs—and half of the unfortunate ones are new graduates.

There is, however, no problem in job opportunities in the country, Dennis Evangelista of Evans Consultancy Inc. told attendees at the annual STI National Youth Convention on Thursday.

Instead, the problem lies in the quality of graduates. “There are no problems in job opportunities; what is lacking is the number of qualified employees,” Evangelista said, quoting a report from the Philippine Personnel Management of the Philippines.

According to the report, graduates are usually lacking the following strengths to be hired: 1) Initiative, 2) Critical thinking, and 3) Good communication skills.

(Read: Good grades and great ideas can land jobs for new grads here)

More than 30,000 students from various STI schools nationwide participate in the convention that is simultaneously being done on various key areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Personality, passion, potential

An applicant should go for a job that matches his or her personality, Evangelista advised, noting that there are jobs suited for both introverted and extroverted personalities.

The key, he added, is to know what would work for an applicant’s personality.

Further, Evangelista recommends for a job that they are somehow passionate about.

He also recommended doing the 10,000-hour rule, a rule that says a person can master a craft by spending 10,000 hours doing the said craft.

Evangelista also noticed that fresh graduates are timid and tend to downplay their qualifications. “You should hype your potential,” Evangelista said.

“Hindi pwedeng magpa-humble, dapat idiin mo ang galing mo. [You should not be humble but to assert your abilities],” he said.

The chances of getting hired largely depend on the job interview and it is during this stage that applicants either fail or end up getting the position.

“If you’re a winner, they [interviewers] will feel it,” Evangelista noted. “If you do your job well, you’ll get to places,” Evangelista finally said.

‘Be hireable’

Evangelista listed down the following tips on how to create a good impression during a make-or-break job interview:

* Hone your communication skills. According to Evangelista, employers always prefer applicants who are articulate. Evangelista, however, also added that it is fine to use Tagalog during interviews.

The key, he said, is to get your answers across in a concise and clear manner.

* Identify your strengths, weaknesses and improve your character. “Talent is overrated,” he said. “Kahit may talent, kung walang magandang character, sasablay tayo. [Talent does not matter if you are hard to deal with]” Evangelista explained.

Further, Evangelista told the students to prioritize improving their skills than aiming for a higher pay. Students should run after excellence, he said. “Money will follow if you are good.”

* Respect begets respect. The number 1 rule during job interviews is to arrive on time and to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Also, applicants should dress for the job in order to create an impression.

* Enthusiasm and Initiative. A person will be hired or not depending on the enthusiasm he or she exudes as they walk toward the room. “When you enter the room, you should look like a winner, not a loser,” Evangelista reminded again. “You should be confident. Look like a winner.”

* Advertise yourself. Looking for a job is like putting up an ad placement with people being the products. Evangelista cited that the simplest and best way to be enticing to employers is to “be the best that you can be.”

He added that more often, applicants who are good do not have to worry about getting a job. The key is to create a strong foundation by studying hard and being active in school.

* Believe in your vision. Evangelista simply put this as: “If you know what you want, you will get it.” Applicants should focus on their dreams and visions and not let money hinder their goals.

* Logical reasoning should be developed. Likewise, Evangelista advised the students to “think logically” instead of emotionally. Usually, the answers are just in front of them, he said, but they fail to see it because they are not in touch with themselves.

* Expand your knowledge. Students should read more, says Evangelista. Further, to be hired, the applicant should have made initial researches on the job description and on the company. “

Do not be like Patrick Star (a dim-witted but friendly starfish on the hit cartoon "Spongebob Squarepants") when looking for a job. It would be humiliating if the interviewer asks you what you know of the company and all you can say is: "Ummm…” Report by Lei Chavez, abs-cbnNEWS.com.