A Fresh Graduate’s Job Application Starter Pack

No more #gradwaiting because you are now officially unemployed. Just kidding! What I mean is that you are now a graduate of your respected university and it calls for a celebration already. You’re done with school (no more terror profs, lengthy papers, quizzes and pa-major subjects). Congratulations! But what’s next after that?

It’s up to you if you are going to take a break first or if you will dive into employment immediately after graduation. If you’re the latter and you haven’t started with your job application, you might be confused as hell on where to start or what requirements you need when you apply. So here are the application essentials you will need on your journey to that dream job of yours.

A Comprehensive Resume

A resume is a written compilation of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments and is used to apply for jobs. It is the first thing an employer looks for in an applicant. It is your ticket to passing your initial screening before being called for an interview. Your resume has only seven seconds to make an impression on your recruiter so make sure those seven seconds count.

A well-composed resume consist of the following parts:

1. Heading – Full name, complete address, contact information (phone number and email)

Sample Resume Heading:

Artemis Cara A. Luna
22 Camachile St., Project 2, Quezon City
Phone: (02) 438 – XXXX
Mobile: (+632) 915 – XXXX
Email: acaluna@gmail.com

2. Career Objective (also Objective or Job Objective) – Tips | Examples

Sample Career Objective: via JobStreet PH

BS Accountancy graduate with good academic standing applying for a General Accounting position where I can use my knowledge and experience to ensure the delivery of all financial and accounting activities related to accounts payable, accounts receivables and general accounting.

3. Career Summary (also Profile) – Tips and Examples

Sample Career Summary: via The Balance

Multi-faceted, efficient, and reliable administrative professional with 10+ years of experience supporting executives, sales, and managers to improve internal operations for small businesses

4. Professional Qualifications (also Qualifications, Professional Skills, Technical Skills, Technical Competencies or Core Competencies)

5. Other Qualifications (also Personal Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities or Other Skills) – List of Skills for Resume

Sample Skills:

Mastery of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Search Engine Optimization

6. Educational Background (also Education, Academic Qualification or Education and Certifications) – Degree (or degrees if there is more than one), school or institution where you graduated, the year you attended/graduated and major, minor and/or concentration (if there are any)

Sample Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management
University of Santo Tomas
2012-2016

7. Relevant Coursework (also Related Courses)

8. Pre-Professional Experience (also Relevant Experience) – internship position, company, organization or institution you worked for and the duration of your service.

Sample Pre-Professional Experience:

Graduate Development Trainee
SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.)
April 2014 to June 2014

Worked closely with leading business tax professionals in analyzing, calculating, and preparing income tax estimates. Organized and digitized tax data, researched specific tax matter and technical questions. Provided administrative support such as scanning and filing documents.

Optional

9. Training and Seminars Attended (also Training and Seminars or Activities) – event name, date, and location or venue.

Sample Training and Seminars Attended:

Enterprise Risk Management Seminar
February 27, 2015 – February 27, 2015
AIM Conference Center
Makati City, Philippines

10. Awards Received (also Activities and Honors) – academic and extra-curricular achievements

Sample Awards Received:

Best in Feasibility Study (March 22, 2016)
Mindanao State University

11. References

Sample References:

Louise A. Valderrama
Software Engineer
Accenture Philippines
Email: louisevalderrama@gmail.com

Here are some other tips and examples from JobStreet, Kalibrr, and College Info Geek site:

Here are templates that can work on any types of job: (List made by College Info Geek)

Classic Resume Templates via Resume Genius
Resume Templates via Microsoft Word
Google Docs Resume Templates via The Balance

Cover Letter

Some say the cover letter is (almost) dead and it’s not read by employers anymore but others claim cover letter is still relevant. But regardless of the debates surrounding cover letters, it is still necessary to write your own because of the benefits you can get from it. It is a platform for you to further discuss the skills, experiences, and credentials you mentioned in your resume. You can also put parts of your letter on your LinkedIn profile and job interviews.

Here are some tips and examples:

School Credentials and Personal Documents

Employers usually ask for your school and personal documents during the pre-employment stage but it is best for you to secure your papers as early as possible.

School Credentials

Transcript of Records (TOR) or copy of grades (if TOR isn’t available yet)
Diploma

Personal Documents

1. NSO-Birth Certificate

You can get your original birth certificate at eCensus or you can go to the nearest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) office near you.

2. NBI Clearance

You can register online and set an appointment date for your National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance at their online portal.

3. Government-issued valid IDs

3.1. Social Security System (SSS) Number

To register for an SSS Number, accomplish the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1). This is available at your nearby SSS branch, or you can get the downloadable form online. Submit the accomplished form with the original/certified true copy and photocopy of any of the primary supporting documents.

3.2. Tax Identification Number (TIN)

To register for your TIN, you need to accomplish BIR Form 1901 for mixed-income individuals (self-employed, engaged in sole proprietorship business, and professionals), or BIR Form 1902 for individuals earning purely compensation income (employee). You can get the forms at the nearest Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office, you may download it, or register online.

Submit the same together with the required attachments to the Revenue District Office (RDO) having jurisdiction over the registered address of the company where you’ll be working in.

3.3. Philhealth Number

To secure your Philhealth number, you need to accomplish the Philhealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and submit together with the documentary requirements. You may get the form at any Philhealth branch, download it, or register online.

3.4. Pag-IBIG Fund Number

To register as a member, you need to secure a Member’s Data Form (MDF) and submit with 1 valid ID. You may get the format any Pag-IBIG Fund branch, you may also download it, or register online.¹

Aside from the mandatory IDs mentioned above, you can also secure other government-issued IDs like the voter’s ID and postal ID. This identification card will be your ticket to enter company buildings. Most allow old college IDs but there are rare cases who don’t. If you can’t avail other valid IDs, your NBI clearance or police clearance can serve you well also.

Recent ID Photos

Some employers ask for your 1×1 or 2×2 ID pictures. Prepare both hard copy and soft copy. Make sure your pictures are professional (no selfies please).

Additional Reminders:

Don’t forget to keep soft copies of your resume, cover letter, documents and ID pictures for your online applications. Have backup copies on a flash drive and Dropbox.
Keep multiple copies of your documents all the time and keep them in an envelope or file case.

These are the requirements you will need in your job application. Always remember job hunting is never an easy feat. Be patient, determined and confident. Happy job hunting! And may the odds be ever in your favor!

How about you?

As a fresh graduate, how do you prepare for your job application?
As a working professional, what tips you can give to all the fresh graduates who are going to embark on a new journey, the corporate world?

^{1.Poyen, R. (2016, August 2). Philippine Government IDs Everyone Needs For Any Job [Blog Post]. Retrieved from www.kalibrr.com}