" Handsome juga Prof baru kita tu, tak adalah annoying sangat pun. Elok je dia, tak suruh kau buka purdah pun. Siapa tah yang fitnah dia." Puji Arisa ketika mereka datang ke kelas pada hari jumaat itu.

" Hmmm, jaga mata Arisa jangan lebihlebih memuji, nanti terjatuh susah." tegur Jamilah lembut.

" Jatuh? aku elok je berjalan ni." Jawab Arisa

" Jatuh kebawah, boleh bangun. Jatuh cinta, meranan kau nanti." Ucap Jamilah serius. Arisa terdiam. Mana ada aku jatuh cinta. Arisa mengabaikan teguran Jamilah berbaur tegas itu.

" Lah, budak lelaki dah penuhkan kawasan depanlah. Tak apalah kita duduk belakang dia orang." Ujar Arisa, mereka berdua mengambil tempat duduk baris yang ke 4, barisan 1 hingga 3 semua pelajar lelaki conquer.

" Kita lambat ke Arisa?" Tanya Jamilah pada sahabatnya.

" Taklah, diaorang ni ha yang awal." Jawab Arisa sambil melihat jam tangannya. Lagi 10 minit kelas bermula. Kelas itu sudah hampir dipenuhi dengan pelajar-pelajar. 7 minit kemudian Prof Mikail masuk.

" Ok, saya harap semua faham. Sebelum kita masuk ke chapter yang baru, jika ada apa-apa yang tidak faham boleh angkat tangan dan ajukan soalan pada saya." Ujar Mikail tegas.

Tiada siapa yang dilihat mengangkat tangan. Mikail menyambung bicaranya.

" Ok, sebab tak ada siapa ajukan soalan, biar saya yang ajukan soalan pada korang semua." Semua sudah membeliakkan mata masing-masing.

" How to Answer, How Are You Better than the Competition? give me a three clues to answer the questions when you're on the interviews. Saya rasa Prof Ain sudah selalu tanya soalan ini. Kerana ini antara soalan wajib dari dia. Memandangkan awak semua sem akhir, maka perkara ini awak mestilah kena tahu. Mudah untuk masa akan datang.

Saya tak tahu nama kalian lagi, saya sebut warna pakaian anda ya dan nanti ada boleh terus perkenalkan nama anda terus.

Pelajar perempuan yang berada di barisan keempat, berjubah hitam dan berpurdah, sila jawab soalan saya." Ujar Mikail.

Jamilah berdiri, dia sajalah yang berpurdah siapa lagi kan?

" My name is Khairunnisa ," Agak kuat suara Jamilah. Tapi Prof Mikail seolah buat tak dengar.

" I can't to hear you...." Ujar Mikail.

" My name is Khairunnisa," Ulang Jamilah dengan lebih kuat. Mikail anggukkan kepala tanda sudah mendengar nama yang disebut tadi.

" Ok, Khairunnisa .. you can continue," Arah Mikail. Seronok dia mempermainkan perempuan yang dihadapannya ini.

" Ok, thank you.. 1. Set Yourself Apart, Highlighting Your Strengths
When someone asks you about your competition, you’re probably not going to know what they are talking about. The key here is setting yourself apart from other candidates, focusing on your strengths. It is important to mention any assets that may improve your chances of getting a job." Setelah memberi jawapan itu, Jamilah ingin menyambung, tetapi wajah Prof Mikail seakan tidak berpuas hati.

Aku bagi jawapan salah ke. Jamilah diam bila Prof Mikail membuat isyarat berhenti.

" Sorry you all, saya nak bagitahu.. saya tak suka pelajar saya tutup muka ketika saya mengajar. Ini pendirian saya, kalau tak nak ikut sila keluar. Even pakai mask sekalipun saya tak suka dan tak benarkan." Mikail tidak merasa bersalah langsung mengucapkan kata-kata itu. Padahal nampak sangat dia tujukan ayat itu pada Jamilah.

Jamilah terdiam. Dia memandang Arisa disebelah. Arisa berbisik padanya.

" Buka je lah Jamilah. Nanti dia potong markah kita dan demerit lagi susah." Pujuk Arisa. Arisa pun tidak pernah melihat wajah Jamilah. Sangat susah suruh Jamilah mempernampakkan rupanya. Buruk sangat ke?

Jamilah takut. Dia tak suka dengan keadaan sekarang. Dia malu. Ya Allah apa aku perlu buat. Dengan perlahan Jamilah membuka ikatan purdahnya. Dia munudukkan matanya memandang mejanya, Jamilah memberanikan diri melihat Prof Mikail diam, dan seisi kelas diam. Pelajar lelaki sudah ternganga, ada yang tidak mengerdipkan langsung mata mereka ketika melihat Jamilah. Begitu juga Arisa disebelah.

" Cantiknya..." Arisa bersuara perlahan.

Jamilah memberanikan diri meneruskan menjawab soalan tadi, dia mengulangkan semula jawapannya,

" 1. Set Yourself Apart, Highlighting Your Strengths
When someone asks you about your competition, you’re probably not going to know what they are talking about. The key here is setting yourself apart from other candidates, focusing on your strengths. It is important to mention any assets that may improve your chances of getting a job.

Depending on the position you’re applying for, your answer will differ. Be specific about the skills you can provide. An example of a possible answer would be:

"I’m not familiar with my direct competition, but I can assure you that I am an excellent fit for the position. I not only have seven years experience, but I have worked as a team leader which taught me valuable skills in terms of effective communication, leadership, and organisation. I have an extremely creative mind which allows me to produce unique ideas. This is what made me so successful as a leader. I feel as though I could bring a lot to the company, both in terms of my ideas and work ethic."

2. Make a List of the Top Attributes for the Ideal Candidate
If you focus on the top qualifications and attributes, you will be able to answer this question successfully. Perhaps you’re applying for a job in sales. You will want to be a great communicator, listener, adaptable, extremely organised, and persistent. Now relate this list to your past experience. For example:

"My family owned a business for ten years, which is where I began working. We owned a restaurant, so I became very close with the regular customers. It is important to build a positive relationship with your customers and potential clients. I would sell them on the freshest ingredients, providing them with a visual on what they could expect. Once we sold the business, I began my first sales position.

It is not always about what you have to say, but what your potential client thinks and has to say. I addressed their concerns making them feel more comfortable. As I built contacts, I would make lists regarding my next step. I would colour code contacts regarding the response I received. This helped me organise my thoughts and provided me with my next course of action. Persistence is key, and I have always displayed that crucial skill."

3. Bring Unique Skills to the Table
After you have covered the basic requirements and skills, focus on how you’re truly different. What skills or talents give you an edge over other applicants?

"I spent a summer in Germany, as I already spoke German. From there, I moved to Italy for a year. I am now fluent in English, French, German, and Italian. Speaking multiple languages has allowed me to connect with clients across the world. I travelled a lot when I was younger, so I have been exposed to various cultures and have learnt a lot about the world. This has helped me throughout my career and will allow me to reach clients that others could not."

You do not need to know your competition to obtain the position you desire. Although your competition should motivate you, you should focus on yourself. What is it that makes you different? What makes you stand out? If you focus on what you can bring to the table, you are much more likely to be successful." jawab Jamilah dengan yakin dan terus duduk. Dia kembali memakai purdah hitamnya. Semua di dalam kelas itu seperti kaku yang amat sangat. Prof Mikail tidak memberi apa-apa komen pada jawapannya.