Is your job search in the Philippines feeling like a hard climb up a mountain? Your resume might be the heavy backpack slowing you down. Many Filipinos, despite being talented and hardworking, make common mistakes on their resumes that unknowingly push them to the bottom of the applicant pile. This article breaks down these resume blunders, giving you simple fixes to create a resume that shines and lands you that dream job.
The “Picture Picture” Problem: Is Your Photo Helping or Hurting?
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room… or rather, the portrait on your resume. In the Philippines, including a photo on your resume is pretty common. But here’s the thing: not all photos are created equal. A low-quality picture, a selfie from your last vacation, or even a formal photo that’s ten years old can make a bad impression. Recruiters want to see a professional snapshot that represents you well. Think professional headshot – good lighting, a neutral background, and clothes you’d wear to work. Imagine you’re meeting your future boss for the first time; that’s the vibe you want to convey.
So, what makes a good photo? First, it needs to be clear and well-lit. No blurry images! Second, keep the background simple. A plain wall or a neutral-colored backdrop works best. Avoid busy backgrounds that distract from your face. Third, dress appropriately. Business attire is your safest bet, even for less formal jobs, it shows that you are serious about this process. Finally, smile! A genuine, warm smile can make you seem more approachable and friendly. Remember, your photo is your first impression, so make it count.
However, consider the company culture and application platform. Some multinational companies and online job portals may discourage or even prohibit photos to prevent biases during the initial screening. Research the company and the platform you’re using to determine the best course of action.
Example: Photo Faux Pas
Imagine a candidate applying for a customer service position. They submit a resume with a blurry photo taken at a party, wearing casual clothes and holding a drink. Even if they have the skills and experience, the photo sends the wrong message. It suggests that they are not serious about the job or aware of professional standards.
Solution: Photo Perfection
The same candidate gets a professional headshot taken. They wear a blouse with a blazer, smile warmly, and the background is a plain grey wall. This photo projects professionalism, competence, and approachability, making them a more appealing candidate.
“Objective” vs. “Summary”: Are You Stuck in the Past?
The dreaded “Objective” statement! It’s a classic resume relic that many Filipinos still cling to. “To obtain a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and contribute to the company’s growth.” Sound familiar? The problem is, it tells the employer nothing about what you can do for them. An “Objective” statement is focused on your goals, not the company’s needs.
Instead of an “Objective,” opt for a professional “Summary” or “Profile.” This is a brief overview of your skills, experience, and qualifications, tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. It’s your chance to grab the recruiter’s attention and show them why you’re the perfect fit. Think of it as your elevator pitch on paper.
A good summary highlights your most relevant skills and accomplishments, using keywords from the job description. It also demonstrates your understanding of the company and its needs. It showcases how you fulfill the job requirements. Rather than stating your own objectives.
Example: Objective Blunder
A fresh graduate applying for a marketing assistant position writes: “To obtain a challenging marketing position where I can utilize my creativity and develop my skills.” This is generic and doesn’t tell the employer anything specific.
Solution: Summary Superstar
The same graduate writes: “Enthusiastic and detail-oriented Marketing graduate with experience in social media management and content creation. Proven ability to increase engagement and drive brand awareness. Eager to contribute to ‘s marketing efforts and support their growth objectives.” This summary highlights relevant skills, mentions the company by name, and shows a desire to contribute.
The Skillset Showdown: Are You Just Listing or Proving?
A long list of skills is impressive, right? Wrong. Simply listing skills without providing context or proof is a common mistake. Recruiters want to see how you’ve used those skills to achieve results. Instead of a generic list, focus on demonstrating your skills through your work experience and accomplishments.
For each job you’ve held, use action verbs and quantifiable results to showcase your skills. For example, instead of saying “Proficient in Microsoft Excel,” say “Developed and maintained complex Excel spreadsheets to track sales performance, resulting in a 15% increase in efficiency.” The second statement is much more impactful because it shows how you used Excel and what results you achieved.
Don’t forget to tailor your skills to the specific job requirements, too. Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills the employer is looking for. Then, make sure your resume highlights those skills through your experience and accomplishments.
Even if your skills are soft skills make sure to demonstrate them through your achievements. Rather than stating communication as a skill, showcase your ability to communicate to other people through real experience.
Example: Skill Set Stumble
A candidate applying for a project manager position lists “Project Management, Communication, Leadership” under their skills section. This is a generic list that doesn’t provide any evidence of their skills.
Solution: Skill Set Success
The same candidate, under their previous job description, writes: “Led cross-functional teams of 10+ members to successfully deliver three major projects on time and within budget. Improved team communication by implementing daily stand-up meetings, which resulted in a 20% reduction in project delays. Mentored junior team members, providing guidance and support to enhance their project management skills.” This description demonstrates their project management, communication, and leadership skills through specific examples and results.
Company Name Conundrums: Is Your Employer History Clear?
The Philippines has a unique business landscape, with many companies operating under different names or subsidiaries. This can create confusion for recruiters if your resume doesn’t clearly outline your employment history. Be specific with the full and official company name whenever possible. If the company is part of a larger group, mention the parent company or holding company.
For example, instead of writing “Worked at BPO Company,” write “Worked at , a subsidiary of .” This provides clarity and helps the recruiter understand your employment history more easily.
If you worked for a small business or a startup that might not be well-known, provide a brief description of the company’s industry and size. This gives the recruiter context and helps them understand your role within the organization.
If the company underwent a rebranding or a name change during your employment, mention both names. For example, “Worked at (now known as ).” This avoids confusion and ensures that the recruiter has an accurate picture of your employment history.
Example: Company Name Confusion
A candidate writes “Worked at Call Center” on their resume. This is vague and doesn’t provide any useful information about the company.
Solution: Company Name Clarity
The same candidate writes “Worked at ABC Call Center, a leading provider of customer service solutions for the telecommunications industry.” This provides context and helps the recruiter understand the company’s nature and size.
The “Job Description Jackpot”: Are You Tailoring Your Resume?
This is a big one! Sending the same generic resume to every job application is a recipe for disaster. Recruiters can spot a generic resume from a mile away, and they’re unlikely to waste their time on someone who hasn’t taken the effort to tailor their application to the specific job requirements.
Before you submit your resume, carefully read the job description and identify the key skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is looking for. Then, customize your resume to highlight how your skills and experience match those requirements. Use keywords from the job description throughout your resume, especially in your summary and work experience sections.
For example, if the job description mentions “experience in social media marketing,” make sure your resume clearly highlights your social media marketing experience. If the job description mentions “proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite,” make sure your resume lists your specific skills within the Adobe Creative Suite.
Tailoring your resume shows the employer that you’ve taken the time to understand their needs and that you’re genuinely interested in the position. It also increases your chances of getting past the initial screening process and landing an interview.
Some Applicant Tracking System (ATS) may even filter out your job application when you failed to include the necessary keywords they require.
Example: Generic Resume Grief
A candidate sends the same resume to applications for both a Sales Representative position and an Accounting Clerk position. The resume is generic and doesn’t highlight any specific skills or experience relevant to either job.
Solution: Tailored Resume Triumph
The same candidate creates two versions of their resume. For the Sales Representative position, they highlight their sales experience, communication skills, and ability to build relationships with clients. For the Accounting Clerk position, they highlight their accounting skills, attention to detail, and experience with financial software.
Grammar and Spelling Gauntlet: Is Your Resume Error-Free?
Typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing are a surefire way to kill your chances of getting an interview. Errors can make your resume look unprofessional and careless. Employers might assume that if you can’t take the time to proofread your resume, you won’t pay attention to detail on the job.
Proofread your resume carefully before you submit it. Use spell check and grammar check tools, but don’t rely on them entirely. Read your resume out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or sentences that don’t flow well. Ask a friend or family member to proofread your resume for you, too. A fresh pair of eyes can often catch errors that you’ve missed.
Pay particular attention to common grammatical errors like incorrect verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and misplaced modifiers. Also, be careful with your use of articles (a, an, the) and prepositions (in, on, at, to, from). Even small errors can make a big difference in the overall impression your resume makes.
Try printing it out and then proofread it. Sometimes, reading off a hard copy gives another perspective to the document.
Example: Grammar Gaffe
A candidate’s resume contains several typos and grammatical errors, such as “Experience in sales” and “Responsiblities included managing accounts.”
Solution: Grammar Glory
The same candidate proofreads their resume carefully and corrects all the errors. The resume now reads “Experience in sales” and “Responsibilities included managing accounts.”
Contact Information Catastrophe: Is It Easy to Reach You?
Seems obvious, right? But you’d be surprised how many Filipinos make mistakes with their contact information. First, make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Double-check your phone number and email address to ensure they’re correct.
Second, use a professional-sounding email address. Avoid using nicknames or silly email addresses. A simple email address that includes your first and last name is always best. For example, “[email protected]” is much more professional than “[email protected].”
Third, provide a phone number that you’re likely to answer. If you’re not available to answer calls during certain hours, include a note indicating the best time to reach you. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile, if you have one. This allows recruiters to learn more about your professional background and connect with you online.
Make sure your information is easy to find at first glance as well. Keep the formatting clear and visible.
Example: Contact Information Calamity
A candidate’s resume lists an incorrect phone number and an unprofessional email address.
Solution: Contact Information Correctness
The same candidate updates their resume with the correct phone number and a professional email address: [email protected].
The Lengthy Lament: Is Your Resume Too Long?
While it’s important to showcase your experience, a resume that’s too long can overwhelm recruiters. In general, aim for a one-page resume if you have less than 10 years of experience, and a two-page resume if you have more than 10 years of experience. Recruiters often only give resumes a quick glance, so it’s important to keep your resume concise and easy to read. Prioritize the most relevant information and remove anything that’s unnecessary or repetitive.
Use clear and concise language. Avoid jargon and technical terms that the average recruiter might not understand. Use bullet points to break up large blocks of text and make your resume easier to scan.
Consider what you can remove. If you worked in retail 10 years ago, and you’re now applying as a backend engineer, that will likely not be relevant. Edit as needed.
Example: Lengthy Listing
A candidate with 5 years of experience submits a three-page resume. The resume includes a lot of irrelevant information and is difficult to read.
Solution: Length Limitation
The same candidate trims down their resume to one page, focusing on their most relevant skills and experience. The resume is now much easier to read and more likely to catch the recruiter’s attention.
Font Fiasco: Is Your Resume Readable?
The font you use on your resume can have a big impact on its readability. Avoid using decorative or overly stylized fonts that are difficult to read. Stick to simple, professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use a font size that’s large enough to read easily, but not so large that it takes up too much space. A font size of 10-12 points is generally a good range.
Use consistent formatting throughout your resume. Use bolding, italics, and underlining sparingly to emphasize important information. Avoid using too many different colors or font styles, as this can make your resume look cluttered and unprofessional. Space out your resume to avoid a large block of text.
Example: Font Frustration
A candidate uses a decorative font that’s difficult to read. The font size is also too small.
Solution: Font Fix
The same candidate switches to a simple, professional font like Arial. They also increase the font size to 11 points.
The Reference Riddle: Who Should You List?
Listing references on your resume is generally not necessary in the Philippines, unless specifically requested by the employer. Instead, you can simply write “References available upon request” at the bottom of your resume. However, it’s a good idea to have a list of references prepared, just in case the employer asks for them.
Choose references who know you well and can speak positively about your skills and experience. Former supervisors, professors, and colleagues are all good choices. Ask your references for permission before listing them on your reference list. Let them know what kind of job you’re applying for and what skills or qualities you’d like them to highlight.
When you provide your references to the employer, include their name, title, company, phone number, and email address. Send a thank-you note to your references after they’ve provided feedback to the employer, letting them know how much you appreciate their help.
Example: Reference Request
The candidate is asked by the employer for the references. They are able to give the details and contact information of credible people.
Solution: Reference Readiness
The same candidate switches to a simple, professional font like Arial. They also increase the font size to 11 points.
FAQ Section
Q: Is it mandatory to include my expected salary on my resume in the Philippines?
A: Generally, no. Unless the job posting specifically asks for it, it’s best to leave your expected salary off your resume. Salary expectations are generally discussed during the interview process.
Q: Should I include my age or date of birth on my resume?
A: No, it’s not necessary to include your age or date of birth on your resume. This information is not relevant to your qualifications for the job and could potentially lead to discrimination.
Q: What if I have gaps in my employment history?
A: It’s best to be honest about gaps in your employment history, but you don’t need to dwell on them. You can briefly explain the reason for the gap in your resume. For example, “Took time off to care for family” or “Pursued further education.” Focus on what you did during that time to develop your skills or gain new experiences.
Q: Should I include my hobbies and interests on my resume?
A: Only include hobbies and interests if they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position, mentioning your passion for social media or content creation could be relevant. However, if your hobbies and interests are unrelated to the job, it’s best to leave them off your resume.
Q: How important are certifications and training courses?
A: Certifications and training courses can be very valuable, especially if they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be sure to list any certifications or training courses you’ve completed, along with the date you received them and the issuing organization. This shows employers that you’re committed to professional development and have the skills they’re looking for.
References List
Indeed Career Guide. (n.d.). How to Write a Resume Profile.
JobStreet Philippines. (n.d.). Resume Writing Tips.
LinkedIn Talent Solutions. (n.d.). The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Resume in 2023.
Ready to take your job search to the next level? Don’t let your resume hold you back any longer! Review your resume today, paying attention to the common mistakes we’ve discussed. Get a friend or mentor to give you feedback. Tailor your resume to each job application, highlighting your skills and accomplishments. With a polished and effective resume, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job in the Philippines. Good luck!
