According to my Career-of-the-Day tips courtesy of Answers.com, there are many things that I should know when that time comes. Here are the excerpts from that very interesting article. A group of people would really like this. It’s not easy. Deciding whether or not to accept a job offer can be just as stressful and time-consuming as getting to that point in the first place.

1. You need to determine your desired salary range. Research typical salaries for someone with similar experience in your industry. [That's why the never ending coffee talks are happening around. It's still numbers game.]
2. Ask yourself some important questions. How much do you need to pay your basic expenses, such as rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, and car payment? What kind of salary do you need to live a comfortable life that allows you to enjoy yourself? What is the lowest salary you will consider? How much do you need to be able to save for the future? [This is the pitfall for some. Lifestyle changes as salary does. Sometimes, we keep on complaining while sipping a high-tag priced coffee.]
3. You need to gauge the other person’s intentions without giving away all of your secrets. [In vernacular, pakiramdaman.]
4. If the company cannot meet your salary requirements, it may be able to make it up to you in other ways. [Interesting factor that sometimes you won't think now to stay in the present company.]
5. A company is not going to offer you the highest salary they’d be willing to pay right off the bat, and most companies expect candidates to come back with a counter offer. [Moral of the lesson - have your business attire readily available for nth interview.]

Read the full article on CareerBuilder.com through this link.

Disclaimer: The intention of this entry is to laid out a topic – what I think, what I feel and what I believe beneficial for others. It does not persuade others’ decision, nor does it attack any actions of the people involved. If you cannot understand the essence of blogging, freedom of expression, and emotional needs, back off! Never ever ask me again to bring down my site for your personal happiness. The comment box always and still welcomes your response.

Kapag hindi nadaan sa ERP pickup lines, daanin sa harana!

[audio:http://www.snapdrive.net/files/504729/music/Eraserheads%20-%20Ligaya.mp3]
Ligaya as popularized by Eraserheads

Ilang sine pa ba ang panonoorin, o giliw ko?
Ilang shift pa ba ang i-co-cover, o giliw ko?
Tatlong buwan na akong nagpapacute sa iyo
Di mo man lang napapansin ang full time effort koIlang systems pa ba ang i-ri-refresh, o giliw ko?
Ilang purple pa ba ang susuotin, o giliw ko?
Sasalihan ko lahat pati ang Backup TEG
Wag mo lang ipagkait ang hinahanap ko

Sagutin mo lang ako
Aking sinta’y walang humpay, o ligaya
Aasahang iibigin ka
Sa EMEA, sa NA-LA at sa ASIA
Wag ka sanang magtanong at magduda
Dahil ang puso ko’y walang pangamba
Na tayo’y mabubuhay na tahimika’t buong ligaya

Ilang IDs pa ba ang i-unlock, o giliw ko?
Ilang DR pa ba ang attend-an, o giliw ko?
Di naman ako nag-moment tulad nang dati
Pinapangako ko sa iyo na igagalang ka

Sagutin mo lang ako
Aking sinta’y walang humpay, o ligaya
Aasahang iibigin ka
Sa EMEA, sa NA-LA at sa ASIA
Wag ka sanang magtanong at magduda
Dahil ang puso ko’y walang pangamba
Na tayo’y mabubuhay na tahimika’t buong ligaya

A tribute to a call center agent over there.

[audio:http://www.snapdrive.net/files/504729/music/6%20Cycle%20Mind%20-%20Prinsesa.mp3]
Prinsesa as popularized by 6 Cycle Mind

Nakaupo siya sa isang madilim kabilang tapat na sulok
Ewan ko ba kung bakit
sa libu-libong babaeng daan-daang I.T.O.-ng nandoon
Wala pang isang minuto
Nahulog Narindi na ang loob tenga ko sa iyo

Gusto Ayaw ko sanang marinig ang tinig mo
Umasa na rin na sana’y
Mahawakan ko Mahinaan mo ang palad boses mo
Gusto ko sanang Si Hannah Sia ay lumapit
kung ‘di Hinay lang sa lalaking kayakap caller na kausap mo

Dalhin mo ako na kita sa iyong palasyo Room Bonifacio
Maglakad tayo sa hardin ng iyong kaharian Maglakad kayo ni Mokang sa inyong kaharian
Wala man akong pag-aari Mayron man akong earphone, rinig
Pangako kong habangbuhay kitang pagsisilbihan DSL mong nasa bahay, di ka mapagsilbihan
O aking aming Prince ESA
Prince ESA, Prince ESA

Di ako makatulog makapag-work
Naisip ko ang ningning ng iyong mata Narinig ko ang meaning ng SAP R.F.C.
Nasa isip kita Naririnig kita buong umaga buong magdamag
Sana’y parati kang tanaw wala
O ang sakit isipin sa tenga, ito’y isang panaginip
Panaginip lang

Dalhin mo ako na kita sa iyong palasyo Room Bonifacio
Maglakad tayo sa hardin ng iyong kaharian Maglakad kayo ni Mokang sa inyong kaharian
Wala man akong pag-aari Mayron man akong earphone, rinig
Pangako kong habangbuhay kitang pagsisilbihan DSL mong nasa bahay, di ka mapagsilbihan
O aking aming Prince ESA
Prince ESA, Prince ESA

How ironic it is to know that when people bet for me as the next evicted one, it would turn out that I’ll end up staying longer than most of the Parokya and Kapwersa. Others tagged me as a leader of an union. There’s no union. Neither I am a Moses of an Exodus.

It’s getting lonely and lonelier.

[audio:http://www.snapdrive.net/files/504729/music/Itchy%20Worms%20-%20Beer.mp3]
Beer as popularized by Itchy Worms

Nais kong magpakalasing makapagresign
Dahil wala ka na na you
Nakatingin sa salamin Maluwag na ang free seating
At nag-iisa

Nakatanim pa rin ang gumamelang alaalang
Binalik mo Iniwan nyo sa ‘kin
Nang tayo’y maghiwalay
Ito’y katulad pangako ng damdamin ko
kahit buhusan mo ng beer ayaw pang mamatay Kahit malayo ay friends pa rin, walang iwanan.

Giliw, wag mo n’yo sanang limutin
Ang mga araw na hindi sana naglaho
Mga anak at bahay Ang Malaysia at Bora nating pinaplano
Lahat ng ito’y nawala nung iniwan mo n’yo ‘ko
Kaya ngayon

Ibuhos na ang beer sa aking lalamunan I-update na’ng CV with aking natutunan
Upang malunod ma-balance na ang puso work-life kong nahihirapan
Bawat patak Ang T.P.A. anong sarap saklap
Ano ba talaga’ng mas gusto ko
Ang beer na ‘to o ang pag-ibig mo Ang learning ko o higher salary

Nais kong magpakasabog magpost sa blog
Dahil olats ako ang _A__
Kahit ano hihithitin ano’ng hiritin
Kahit tambucho Hindi diretso
Kukuha ako ng beer ako’ng CV at ipapakulo sa kaldero i-fo-forward sa HR n’yo
lalanghapin ang usok nito Hihintayin ang tawag nito
Lahat ay aking gagawin upang hindi ko na isiping nag-iisa na ako

Ibuhos na ang beer sa aking lalamunan I-update na’ng CV with aking natutunan
Upang malunod ma-balance na ang puso work-life kong nahihirapan
Bawat patak Ang T.P.A. anong sarap saklap
Ano ba talaga’ng mas gusto ko
Ang beer na ‘to o ang pag-ibig mo Ang learning ko o higher salary

Giliw, wag mo n’yo sanang limutin
Ang mga araw na hindi sana naglaho
Mga anak at bahay Ang Malaysia at Bora nating pinaplano
Lahat ng ito’y nawala nung iniwan mo n’yo ‘ko
Kaya ngayon

Ibuhos na ang beer sa aking lalamunan I-update na’ng CV with aking natutunan
Upang malunod ma-balance na ang puso work-life kong nahihirapan
Bawat patak Ang T.P.A. anong sarap saklap
Ano ba talaga’ng mas gusto ko
Ang beer na ‘to Ang learning ko
Ang beer na ‘to Ang learning ko
Ang beer na ‘to o ang pag-ibig mo Ang learning ko o higher salary

2004 is a sequel to 1999, five years after. I don’t remember that I had written a part two until now. I can’t wait to write the trilogy now that I have 6 gigs of MP3′s. Originally posted at the defunct dogtag.blogspot.com last March 29, 2005.

YOU’RE A GOD sent down from the skies
mortals ALL RISE, HANDS TO HEAVEN
now a BEAUTIFUL STRANGER here on earth
your light strikes me COLOURBLIND
LOVING YOU is MY SACRIFICE

i feel LUCKY when we are TOO CLOSE
i’m on ELEVATION, flying over the RAINBOW
i’m ON A HIGH, soaring like SUPERMAN
i’m just OVERJOYED over you

i CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD
you’re permanently TATTOOED ON MY MIND
CRAZY IN LOVE picturing you
FOOL AGAIN, THINKING OF YOU

though, i told MY STUPID MOUTH
to SHUT UP crying out your name
EMOTIONS still POP,
keep on ROLLIN’, JUMPIN’ JUMPIN’
feelings BURN in IGNITION,
fiery in ETERNAL FLAME

THIS LOVE triggers my life
COMPLICATED, UPSIDE DOWN
at times UNWELL and BREATHLESS
STRONGER, WEAK, EVERY OTHER TIME
you are TOXIC, i’m OVERLOAD
i CRAVE, i am ADDICTED to you
you TAKE MY BREATH AWAY
at the same time you BRING ME TO LIFE

i’m offering ALL THE LOVE IN THE WORLD
i LAY MY LOVE ON YOU, this is what I’ll do
we’ll share a WORLD OF OUR OWN
you ROCK MY WORLD, i’ll stun yours

even distance’s HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
i let my ARMS WIDE OPEN for you
to bring warmth TO WHERE YOU ARE
WHENEVER, WHEREVER, they’ll hold you EVERYWHERE

IF YOU’RE NOT THE ONE destined to be with
why is it ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE when with you
please UNBREAK MY HEART, love me LIKE I LOVE YOU
LET ME BE THE ONE you will ask to STAY

It’s 1 AM and I’m still awake writing this post. Blogging has been my stress reliever after, ehem, in between, work. The hobby slash habit started two years ago during the time when I was a student assistant of our department. The frequency of posts depended on the time of PC usage of other student assistants. Now that I own a laptop solo and have a wireless Internet connection, I can blog anytime anywhere I want.

WordPress-ing is not merely blogging and web design. It involves PHP programming. Plugins are on-the-fly. However, I still tweak them to suit my taste. I do change management when I upgrade my backend. Yes, all those backout procedures and workarounds. They do exist in my site management. While the lead team folks haven’t find the right timing for me to place in the Enterprise Portal TEG, jonas.ph is my outlet.

As much as I want to immerse myself on the world of photography, bringing camera along with me is petty crime magnet. If I want to achieve professionally acceptable quality of photos like Jay‘s, paying the cost of the lens, flash and other peripherals would take this new hobby to its heights a decade for my salary to compensate. Don’t ask me for the details – the increase, the promotion, whatever!; Crossing the line is not an option (a hint!) yet just for photography. Blogging is cheap.

Badminton is promising. Aha! That’s what May’s status “broken promises hurt” could mean. I assure her to join that club but the work presses me to break it. Tsk tsk. Obligations of a ___friend. Anyways, one of May’s staying factors is to compete as a HP, yeah happy player against other IT companies. Hobbies are like those – things that you will look after work. Maybe that’s also why Jay and Larisse “still enjoy” life here with Shutters, Groove and Jam. Exhibits and performance numbers on coffee talks are ways to show more of what they normally do, solving incidents. Someday, I can do all these things, too! Yeah, dance! (Not Dans – *eyes on Jeff*) Believe me, I do! Sort of! A grade of 1.25 on social dance slash ballroom slash U Can Dance slash Shall We Dance things can say something. Need to burn oars to spark hope on work-life balance. Oars. Cough. Cough. And maybe I would whip shuttlecocks too with May but as of now all I can reply to her is ‘Wala na ngang time para sa trabaho. Wala na ring time sa Star B. Tapos mag-babadminton pa!’. And she would throw away something (violet) on me. Yeah, obligations.

I also have other things at the side – scrapbook (usually as a memorabilia for leavers), event organizing (again for leavers), videoke, ambigrams, photography and Reklamo TEG. But blogging will remain my first love.

Awit ng <Barkada> (Awit ng Parokya for Extended Shububus and Awit ng Kapwersa for Kapwersa) is the unofficial send-off theme song for the two barkada’s sung by Advanced Planner and Optimizer Hiking Society.

[audio:http://www.snapdrive.net/files/504729/music/APO%20Hiking%20Society%20-%20Awit%20ng%20Barkada.MP3]
Awit ng Barkada as popularized by APO Hiking Society

Nakasimangot Nakareklamo ka na lang palagi
Parang ikaw lang ang nag-mamay-ari
Ng lahat ng sama ng loob systems at ng TeG

Pagmumukha mo ay hindi maipinta
Nakalimutan mo na bang tumawa ng umuwi ka
Eh, sumasayad na ang nguso mo sa lupa

Kahit At kung sino pa man ang may kagagawan karanasan
ng iyong pagkabigo Ang siyang nagsipag-go
Ay Ang isipin na lang na ang buhay
Kung minsan ay nagbibiro nagbabago
Nandirito kami ang parokya/kapwersa mong tunay aawit sa iyo
Sa lungkot at ligaya, hirap at ginhawa Sa SC at Logica, Deutsche at IBM
Kami’y kasama mo

O ikaw naman Sa Malaysia naman.

Kung sa pag-ibig man Pinoy Big Bother pinag-awayan
Kung salapi ay annual increase, huwag ng pag-usapan
Tayo’y ‘di nagbibilangan magbibilangan

Kung ang problema trabaho mo’y nagkatambakan
At mga utang FTE ‘di na magkasyahan
Lahat ng bagay ay nadadaan sa usapan Odd Table

Kahit At kung sino pa man ang may kagagawan karanasan
ng iyong pagkabigo Ang siyang nagsipag-go
Ay Ang isipin na lang na ang buhay
Kung minsan ay nagbibiro nagbabago
Nandirito kami ang parokya/kapwersa mong tunay aawit sa iyo
Sa lungkot at ligaya, hirap at ginhawa Sa SC at Logica, Deutsche at IBM
Kami’y kasama mo

O ikaw naman Sa New Zealand naman.

Kung hahanapin ay kaligayahan ang gagawin ay mag-ober-da-bakod
Maging malalim o may kababawan Kapitbahay man o sa Quezon City
Sa iyo ay may nakalaan

Kami’y asahan at huwag kalimutan
Maging ito ay Gimik tayo nang madalas o minsan
Pagkat iba na nga ang may pinagsamahan

Kahit At kung sino pa man ang may kagagawan karanasan
ng iyong pagkabigo Ang siyang nagsipag-go
Ay Ang isipin na lang na ang buhay
Kung minsan ay nagbibiro nagbabago
Nandirito kami ang parokya/kapwersa mong tunay aawit sa iyo
Sa lungkot at ligaya, hirap at ginhawa Sa SC at Logica, Deutsche at IBM
Kami’y kasama mo

Kasama mo
Kasama mo
Kasama mo

In celebration of truncating the Yahoo IM status message to a shorter length, I come out with types of IM users, perhaps frustrating, who shout out their current status, what else.

Busy

They’re too busy that they don’t even have a time to think of more creative stat. They will use readily available messages: Busy, Stepped Out, Not At My Desk. Usually, they are the people working, really working at their desk, who do not want to be disturbed by non-work related private messages.

Sila yung mga adik sa trabaho na bawal istorbohin.

Invisible

They do not want to be disturbed. But unlike the first species, Invisible people can disturb others. They are also sneaking other types of YM users in the list.

Sila kasi yung merong mga iniiwasang makukulit na tao pero sila din naman mismo mangungulit. Sa simula, invisible muna. Tapos, pag walang nakitang kalaban, ayun, visible na ulit.

No Status

Kakalogin pa lamang or na-disconnect na nakalimutang maglagay ulit ng stat. Or they are also the busy guys but not really into productive work stuff. Pwede ring yung mga naka-Meebo lang na tamad maglagay ng Away message.

I’m On SMS

They have utilized the mobility feature of YM.

Hindi sila kuripot kasi para maging forever ang feature na ito kasi they reply to you via SMS. For you to have that service, you need at least to reply via SMS in a certain period before it cuts off.

What Are You Feeling/Doing

Before Twitter and Friendster shoutout came out, YM status message has been the outlet.

Madalas, sila naman yung mga hindi gaanong nagba-blog pero knows the need to express their inner self. O kaya, kung ano talaga ang ginagawa nila currently. Either sobrang masaya sila or imbyerna na.

Last Song Syndrome

They are common YM users.

Sobrang naka-relate dun sa napakinggan sa MP3 playlist or radio kaya ni-quote ang chorus or yung line na talagang tinamaan at sapul sa puso. Naks. Kulang na lang isalpak ang buong kanta to feel the emotions of it. Yun nga lang since hindi na pwede ang mahabang status (maliban yata sa Gaim and the like) hindi na magagawan ng paraan.

Quotation

Sila naman yung mga philosophers na instead love songs eh quotes yung nilalagay. Minsan pick up ines din kasama dito. Madalas, hindi nagbabago yung status. Sabi nga dito, ‘We are what we repeatedly do’. Ayun, sineryoso nga. Yun na lang lagi. Mag! Mag! Mag! (Sorry, Parokya joke!)

Add Request Pending / Offline

Sila yung makukulit na tao na yung avatars nila eh yung tulog na kalbo na emoticon na akala mo tuloy offline or hindi mo pa inaaccept ang invite mo.

Word of the Day, Listening to Music

Mayroon silang ginagamit na plugin to “feed” us daily. Available naman ang Listening to a Yahoo! Music.

Blog Announcement

Kulang ang YM status message kaya kelangan nilang mag-blog. Siyempre, libreng publicity ang YM stats and usually ang market ng blog nila ay yung mismong friends nila, eto mega-link sa kanya-kanyang blog.

Status Literally

Eto, sineryoso ang ibig sabihin ng YM Status na ang bumabandera ay ang Civil Status. Usually, ang status ay ‘I am Available and Single.’ Mga ganunbang status.

Greetings

Usually, haberday messages to a friend na gusto mo ring malaman ng ibang tao na birthday niya. Kasi naman, yung birthday celebrant naka-Invisible. Iwas libre.

Avatar Explanation

Minsan, kelangan nilang i-explain kung tungkol saan ang avatar nila or kung sino ang kasama nila sa avatar. In the case above, hindi na yata kelangan malaman kung sino sila.

Sagutan

Masayang manood minsan ng Yahoo! Messenger. Kasi may nagsasagutan through YM status, pero yung pinag-aawayan naman nilang (babae) eh Offline or Invisible. Basta ako dun ako sa ‘Stay Classy’.

Countdown

Since Christmas is coming, other users can hardly wait for the day to pass.

Minsan naman binibilang kung ilang araw na lang sila sa company or kung ilang araw na lang para maging tatay na. Pwede rin pa lang Countup (Timer) kung ilang araw na sila sa ganitong status.

Meebo

Kapag naman hindi pwede ang Yahoo! sa network ng company, kelangan sabihin explicitly na you are using Meebo or E-messenger kasi hindi nagwowork ang BUZZ!!! dito.

Smileys

No need to use words naman ang philosophy nila. Gumagamit sila ng AsCII characters para idescribe yung status nila.

So sino ka sa kanila? Stat it!

Okay, to clear the issue (Naks, I’m feeling celebrity), I haven’t been interviewed by a prospect employer. The long sleeves polo gave that impression because I am not who wears that way to comply with smart casual appearance in the company.

Last week, I was up to May’s challenge. She hasn’t seen me in plain Jeff’s style. I almost arrived at that taste last coffee talk when I came like rugged rock star. Oh I remember the EAO pictorial. It’s compulsory anyways.

I assumed being too formal won’t be too off to go out and to watch movie. My getup will pass and since this is Makati, it is normal. Of course, I want that date, er day, er night, memorable. Unforgettable since I was on not-Jonas-corporate-attire. Kayo talaga, naka-purple lang eh.

And then the long-week vacation mystery. I haven’t set up a meeting “outside” within this week. I just got burned out from the last two weeks of September patching support packages to Wella systems and supplying front offices’ demands. E-award anyone as reimbursement for my taxi fare during late night shuttles?

I am a bummer this week. I will get back to work on Saturday as I will be the EMEA Duty Manager. Right now, I’m enjoying WordPressing. I wake up 3PM and sleep 5AM – very typical programmer’s body clock. Blogging with WordPress involves (PHP) programming. I’m escalating this site to another level and dressing it up with cleaner style just like me – but not in purple.

I can barely wait Friday – a seafood galore at back-to-back send-off and birthday celebration of Echpe Parokya-no’s Kat and Myk. A very satisfying way to end my work-bum balance week.