Hellcats, Another TV 'Cheeries' to Follow

Bring It On meets Glee, goes on a date, gets drunk and gives birth.

Most of you would know Bring It On as practically the most popular cheerleading movie ever released. If you’ve only seen the installments, then you haven’t seen anything yet. The first Bring It On covers most conflicts that cheerleaders experience amidst the combative atmosphere while performing with extreme optimism (nodding with wide-open smiles despite muscle contortion), which Hellcats’ pilot episode teasingly gives you a sample of.


Now, what’s the Glee part of the equation? It’s basically the transition from cinema to TV series, Glee is the ‘televisionification’ of the musicals which slowly regained popularity after being dead for about a decade or so. I guess we owe it to Disney’s High School Musical, acting as a necromancer for characters lunging into songs.
Another Glee characteristic is the pilot episode’s plot semblance. The Hellcats’ budget is threatened by a surge of budget for Lancer University’s, the setting, football program. This means cutting cheerleading scholarships which is why Marti(Alyson Mitchalka, Phil of the Future), a pre-law college student, desperate for a scholarship, tried out in the first place.


A few more factoids
-          Hellcats is based on American journalist Kate Torgovnick’s book, Cheer: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders.
-          Tom Welling, Clark Kent of Smallville, is one of its producers.
-          Ashley Tisdale, Sharpay Evans of the hugely popular High School Musical trilogy, plays Savannah Monroe who’s the captain of the Hellcats. As early as the second episode, I realize that her role here has more depth.
-          The series is expected to show more similarity to Election, a Witherspoon-starred 1999 film about how much ambition a student has, and to what extent she’ll go to just to get a student council position. Being a former campus journalist myself, this part I really understand. However, since I haven’t read the book, I am yet to see this comparison in the series.


What to like
-          Come on, who doesn’t enjoy watching cheerdance moves? The latest poverty of tickets to the UAAP Cheerdance Competition proves there’s an entire audience hungry for pyramids, tumbles and throws. Not to mention, short skirts, flips and tight-fitting outfits.
-          It’s funny. My favorite character so far is Marti’s mother, who somehow reminds me of Kristin Chenoweth’s character in Glee, April Rhodes. Maybe it’s just their stubbornness and idiosyncrasies that make me laugh.
-          A promising storyline. Brought by the book’s reviews, it is said to shed light to a myriad of difficulties that cheerleaders face. In a sport built around the concept of ‘cheers’ and ‘optimism’, the crowd wouldn’t, and shouldn't, have an inkling of what goes on before these athletes take the stage.


Unlike basketball drama, that regularly unfolds on the hardcourt, much like the recently concluded FEU vs. DLSU game, cheerleading has no hint of drama. Because if there is, then it defeats its purpose. And this series might just give you that hint.


HELLCATS is on ETC, Wednesdays at 8pm.
Here's the HELLCATS trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5b3rAxj8G8

Read more...

The Job Interview; What to Say

The mere prospect of being perused, face to face, by an interviewer, or even a panel, is daunting for most first time job applicants. Usually, it is not fear of the actual interview but fear of the unknown: What should I wear? What should I bring? What should I say? What should I expect?

A.      What should I wear?

B.      What should I bring?

C.      What should I say?

I’m not entirely sure if it’s necessary to say that jobseekers should have a mental pdf copy of their resumé.  You, as a jobseeker, should know every inch and crease of your advertisement, since the job interview will largely circulate with what’s on there. Can you imagine Miley Cyrus losing the lyrics of her own song, Party in the USA?

The items on your resumé are like categories for Who Wants to be a Millionaire, or other quiz shows, which have a set of pre-determined questions. The only difference is, you have no lifelines; no 50:50, no Ask the Audience, only Call a Friend (for your references).

These questions intend for you to expound and supplement the contents of your curriculum vitae (CV). These are questions triangulating on collegiate background; student organizations, academics and the likes, for fresh grads. Those with previous work experience would probably know and expect questions they’ve heard before, with one inquiry theme, ‘Why did you resign?’

And knowing what to expect is already half of the game; it may mean the difference between a definite yes and an indefinite, “we will call you if you passed”, no. As fresh grads, here are certain questions you’d probably encounter:

1.       Why should we hire you? Or what can you contribute to the company?

-          This is a beauty pageant question, this gives you the opportunity to shine. Bank on your skills and talents, however, trudge carefully so as not to go overboard. Give the interviewer sufficient evidence that you have a backbone, the necessary specific skills for a particular job.

But also capitalize on your capacity to learn and improve, brandishing your potentials is a good marketing strategy. Employers would want someone who’s not reluctant or too stubborn to learn anything new. An empty cup is easier to fill than a full one.

Just be honest with what you can do and what you can’t but you’re willing to improve on.

                        

                        Tricky version: Why SHOULDN’T we hire you? (Try answering this first on your own)

2.       Why did you choose (insert company name)?

-          This is highly individualized. But here are probable key points you would want to mention: company name, stability and track record; career growth and personal advancement; word of mouth recommendation, like a friend who already works in the company; proximity and convenience.

3.       How long do you plan to stay in this industry?

-          This is applicable, and only difficult, for those who are applying for jobs that’s not in line with their college program. The best and most famous example would be nurses and registered nurses applying at call centers. However, this is also relevant to those with previous traditional jobs applying for jobs way off of their radar: a manager applying as a Korean English Tutor, an engineer applying as a newspaper photographer.

The question is ambiguous. Though it asks for longevity on the job, its underlying pretext is to determine if you are a good investment or you’ll go running back to your specialization once you get the chance.

I can only effectively speak for nurses, as for the others, the best way is to just be honest and banner the reason why you’re not pursuing a job within your scope. First of all, there must have been a strong situation or basis for you to cast a rope far from your expected line of work.

As for my answer, I merely shared a true predicament, ‘It’s not practical to pursue a nursing career now’. Others would buy the advice to convince your interviewer that nursing was forced on you. And yes you could do that, though I’m pretty sure they’ve heard it a thousand times before. But as long as it’s true then go for it.

4.       How do you see yourself 5 to 10 years from now?

-          This is a test of ambition, a test of your drive and your life goals. An ambitious and driven employee is a more desirable part of a team. The best way to answer this is to say that you see yourself successful in 5 to 10 years. If it’s specific to the company, then mention a position or title you would want to get in the future.

The tricky question, ‘Why SHOULDN’T we hire you?’ aims for you to divulge your weaknesses. Remember that admitting your weak points is not weakness but a show of strength and wisdom. A wise man knows he does not know. But do not answer in a way which makes your flaws irreparable and debilitating that it would be idiocy to hire you.

By experience, my answer to that question was, “If you are looking for more experienced applicants, those with years of work experience, then you shouldn’t hire me.” You could go bold enough and answer, “There’s no reason for you not to hire me” but this would surely be a fork in the road. It’s either you come off as confident and trustworthy or an airhead who believes in himself too much.

On the day of your job interview, don’t forget your honesty and confidence. What you say in the entire interview should be summarized in four words, “I deserve the job”.

Read more...

The Job Interview; What to Bring

The mere prospect of being perused, face to face, by an interviewer, or even a panel, is daunting for most first time job applicants. Usually, it is not fear of the actual interview but fear of the unknown: What should I wear? What should I bring? What should I say? What should I expect?


A. What should I wear?

B. What should I bring?

Brown envelopes are billboard advertisements saying you’re a job applicant. Brown envelopes and job applicants are so linked in our minds like witches and brooms.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. It might even be a lifesaver. Security guards easily identify you and render, usually, automatic assistance, especially with directions, “ Mag-aapply ser? Sa ‘sea-canned’ floor po tayo ser” (Are you an applicant sir? Go to the second floor sir). And a piece of advice, never be impolite or take security guards for granted because they can help you a lot.

From my job hunting experience, down south to up north; Alabang, Ayala, Ortigas, and even Eastwood, you’re bound to use your envelope as sunblock and fan, so place your documents in a long folder first, to prevent wrinkles or creases on your resumé and other requirements. Then get a plastic envelope. I’m pretty sure you’ll be sweating and you wouldn’t want your resumé looking like a piece of used tissue. Even doubling as an umbrella is possible, in case of rain—not for the Milenyo kind though.

Your brown envelope should contain:

1) Photo IDs: 2-4 pcs of 1x1 and 2x2 unless they would require a different size.
2) Black ball pen, not a sign pen or a gel pen. And never place your pen in your chest pocket, ink might leak out.
3) At least 2 copies of your resumé, and a copy of your cover letter if you initially submitted one
4) At least 2 paper clips, for your photo IDs
5) Necessary documents:

   5.1) Photocopy of your NSO Birth Certificate
   5.2) Photocopy of your NBI for Employment, the orange one
   5.3) Photocopy of your TIN (Tax Identification Number)
   5.4) Photocopy of your SSS
   5.5) Photocopy of your TOR and Diploma

6) Portfolio or sample works depending on the position applied for.

Bring the original copies too, so you could easily dash to a nearby photocopier if needed. But as much as possible, submit photocopies and not the original documents. Those who have gone to government offices for these documents would know why submitting photocopies is more preferable. I’ll probably tackle this on another post.

Though employers would require most of these documents after you qualify, especially for fresh grads, acquiring them beforehand is more reasonable. Because once you have the job, finding time to get these documents from ‘box office’ government offices would be a dilemma. Moreover, you are paid based on your attendance. And incurring absence during the first month of your work isn't good.

Now this is important, unless you want to die of boredom, this would even help you control your nerves. Bring a PSP, or a music player, or a book to pass time especially for companies entertaining a number of jobseekers. Though I'm usually fascinated by watching people, waiting around for 4 to 5 hours changed that. And when they say one-day process, they mean one-day process—it takes 24 hours.

But above all, bring your self-confidence. Remember that you are there because you deserve the job, and that’s what the interviewer needs from you. You may show up with a bible of your certificates and merits, slouching with medals hanging from your neck, and the rest of your qualifications trailing behind you, but if you don’t appear as if you could walk the talk, just listen to Fall Out Boy’s Sugar, We’re Going Down.

C. What should I say?

Read more...