Land Your Dream Job Faster: Optimizing Your Resume for International Recruiters

Want a better job abroad? Your resume is your ticket. It needs to be top-notch to impress international recruiters. This guide is made just for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) like you, to help you create a resume that stands out and gets you that dream job faster.

Why a Good Resume is Super Important for OFWs

Imagine your resume as a movie trailer. It’s a short preview of your skills and experience. If the trailer is boring, nobody will watch the movie, right? It’s the same with your resume. Recruiters are busy people. They look at hundreds of resumes every day. If your resume doesn’t grab their attention quickly, it will end up in the reject pile. This is especially true for OFWs because you’re competing with people from all over the world. Your resume needs to be clear, concise, and show exactly why you are the best person for the job. It needs to be tailored specifically to the job you are applying for, and showcase the skills that international recruiters are looking for.

Understanding What International Recruiters Want

Recruiters in different countries have different expectations. For example, a resume that works in the Philippines might not work in Canada or Singapore. It’s essential to understand what recruiters in your target country are looking for. Generally, they want to see:

• Clear and Concise Information: No long stories or complicated sentences.
• Quantifiable Achievements: Numbers and results are powerful.
• Relevant Skills: Skills that match the job description exactly.
• Proper Formatting: Easy to read and visually appealing.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Avoid anything that might be offensive or misunderstood.

A good way to find out what recruiters in a specific country are looking for is to research job boards in that country. Look at several job postings for the same type of job you want. Pay attention to the keywords they use in the job description. These keywords are often used by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Also, look at sample resumes online that are designed for that specific country or industry.

Key Sections of Your OFW Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s break down the different sections of your resume and see how to make each one shine.

1. Contact Information: Make it Easy to Reach You

This seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people get this wrong. Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Include:

• Full Name: Use your full legal name.
• Phone Number: Include the international dialing code (+63 for the Philippines). Double-check it!
• Email Address: Use a professional-sounding email address (e.g., [email protected], not [email protected]).
• LinkedIn Profile (Optional): If you have a LinkedIn profile, include the link. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is also updated and professional.
• Location (Optional): You can include your city and country (e.g., Manila, Philippines). Some people prefer not to include their full address for privacy reasons, especially when applying from overseas.

Example:

Juan Dela Cruz

+63 917 123 4567

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/juandelacruz

2. Summary/Objective: Your Elevator Pitch

This is your chance to grab the recruiter’s attention in just a few sentences. Think of it as your “elevator pitch”—what would you say if you had only 30 seconds to convince someone to hire you? There are two main types: Summary and Objective.

• Summary: Use a summary if you have several years of experience. It highlights your key skills and accomplishments.
• Objective: Use an objective if you are just starting your career or changing careers. It states your career goals and how they align with the job.

Examples:

Summary (Experienced Chef):

“Highly skilled and experienced Chef with 8+ years of experience in Filipino and international cuisine. Proven ability to manage kitchen staff, create innovative menus, and maintain high standards of food quality and hygiene. Seeking a challenging and rewarding Chef position in a reputable restaurant abroad.”

Objective (Recent Nursing Graduate):

“Highly motivated and compassionate Registered Nurse graduate seeking an entry-level nursing position in a patient-centered healthcare facility. Eager to apply my skills and knowledge to provide excellent patient care and contribute to a positive team environment.”

Important tips for writing a great summary or objective:

• Customize it for each job. Don’t use the same summary for every application. Tailor it to match the specific requirements of the job.
• Use keywords from the job description. This will help your resume get noticed by ATS.
• Focus on your strengths. Highlight what makes you unique and qualified.
• Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 3-4 sentences.

3. Work Experience: Show What You Can Do

This is the most important section of your resume. It’s where you showcase your skills and accomplishments. For each job you’ve held, include:

• Job Title: Use the official job title.
• Company Name: Include the full company name.
• Location: City and country where you worked.
• Dates of Employment: Month and year (e.g., January 2020 – December 2022).
• Responsibilities and Achievements: Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and quantify your achievements whenever possible.

Example:

Chef

Via Mare Restaurant, Manila, Philippines

January 2020 – December 2022

• Managed a team of 5 kitchen staff, ensuring efficient food preparation and service.
• Developed 10 new menu items, resulting in a 15% increase in sales.
• Maintained high standards of food quality and hygiene, consistently exceeding health inspection requirements.
• Reduced food waste by 10% through improved inventory management.

Key tips for writing compelling work experience descriptions:

• Use the STAR method. The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Describe the situation, the task you were assigned, the action you took, and the result you achieved. This helps you provide context and demonstrate the impact of your work.
• Quantify your achievements. Use numbers and data to show the impact of your work. For example, instead of saying “Improved customer satisfaction,” say “Improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%.”
• Use action verbs. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., managed, developed, implemented, led, achieved).
• Tailor it to the job. Focus on the responsibilities and achievements that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Highlight your accomplishments, not just your duties. Don’t just list what you did; show how you made a difference.

4. Education: Your Academic Background

List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include:

• Degree Name: Use the full degree name (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
• Major: Your major field of study.
• University Name: Include the full university name.
• Location: City and country where you studied.
• Graduation Date: Month and year (e.g., May 2018).
• GPA (Optional): Include your GPA if it is high (e.g., above 3.5).
• Relevant Coursework (Optional): If you are a recent graduate, you can include a list of relevant coursework.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

May 2018

5. Skills: Show What You’re Good At

This section is where you list your skills, both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills that you learned through education or training (e.g., computer programming, cooking, nursing procedures). Soft skills are interpersonal skills that you use to interact with others (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving).

• Hard Skills: List your technical skills relevant to the job.
• Soft Skills: List your interpersonal skills.
• Language Skills: List any languages you speak fluently, including your level of proficiency (e.g., native, fluent, proficient, basic).
• Computer Skills: List your computer skills, including specific software programs you are proficient in.

Example:

Hard Skills: Cooking, Menu Planning, Food Safety, Inventory Management

Soft Skills: Teamwork, Communication, Problem-Solving, Customer Service

Language Skills: Filipino (Native), English (Fluent)

Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), POS Systems

Tips for listing your skills effectively:

• Use keywords from the job description. This will help your resume get noticed by ATS.
• Be specific. Instead of saying “Computer Skills,” say “Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).”
• Be honest. Don’t list skills that you don’t actually have.

6. Certifications and Licenses: Prove Your Credentials

If you have any certifications or licenses that are relevant to the job, list them in this section. Include:

• Certification/License Name: Use the full name of the certification or license.
• Issuing Organization: The organization that issued the certification or license.
• Date Issued: The date the certification or license was issued.
• Expiration Date (if applicable): The date the certification or license expires.

Example:

Registered Nurse

Philippine Regulatory Commission

Issued: June 2018

Expires: June 2023

7. Awards and Recognition: Highlight Your Achievements

If you have received any awards or recognition for your work, list them in this section. This shows that you are a high achiever and that your work is valued.

• Award/Recognition Name: Use the full name of the award or recognition.
• Issuing Organization: The organization that issued the award or recognition.
• Date Received: The date the award or recognition was received.
• Brief Description: A brief description of why you received the award or recognition.

Example:

Employee of the Month

Via Mare Restaurant

July 2021

Awarded for outstanding customer service and dedication to teamwork.

8. References: Who Can Vouch for You

You don’t necessarily need to include references directly on your resume. Instead, you can write “References available upon request.” This allows you to choose the most relevant references for each job you apply for and to notify your references that they may be contacted. When you do provide references, make sure to include:

• Full Name: The full name of the reference.
• Job Title: The reference’s job title.
• Company Name: The company where the reference works.
• Phone Number: The reference’s phone number.
• Email Address: The reference’s email address.
• Relationship to You: How the reference knows you (e.g., former supervisor, colleague).

Important tips for choosing and preparing your references:

• Choose people who know your work well and can speak positively about your skills and experience.
• Ask permission before listing someone as a reference.
• Provide your references with a copy of your resume and the job description for the job you are applying for.
• Let your references know what you would like them to highlight about your skills and experience.

Formatting Your Resume for Success

The way your resume looks is just as important as the information you include. A well-formatted resume is easy to read and visually appealing, which makes it more likely to get noticed.

• Use a Clean and Professional Font: Choose a font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use a font size of 11 or 12.
• Use White Space Effectively: Don’t cram too much information onto one page. Use white space to make your resume easier to read.
• Use Bullet Points: Use bullet points to list your responsibilities and achievements.
• Use Bold and Italics Sparingly: Use bold and italics to highlight important information, but don’t overuse them.
• Keep it to One or Two Pages: For most OFWs, a one-page resume is sufficient. If you have extensive experience, you can use two pages, but try to keep it as concise as possible.
• Save Your Resume as a PDF: Save your resume as a PDF to ensure that the formatting stays consistent across different computers and devices.

Addressing Common OFW Resume Challenges

OFWs often face unique challenges when creating resumes for international recruiters. Here are some common challenges and how to address them:

1. Language Barriers

If English is not your first language, make sure your resume is written in clear and grammatically correct English. Have a native English speaker review your resume for errors. You can also use online grammar and spell-checking tools.

2. Cultural Differences

Be aware of cultural differences in resume writing. For example, in some countries, it is common to include a photo on your resume, while in others it is not. Research the resume conventions of the country you are applying to.

3. Explaining Gaps in Employment

If you have gaps in your employment history, be prepared to explain them. Be honest and provide a brief explanation. For example, you can say that you took time off to care for family or to pursue further education. You can also frame the gap as a period of skills development or personal growth.

4. Translating Qualifications

Make sure your qualifications are easily understood by international recruiters. If you have a degree from a Philippine university, include the English translation of the degree name. You can also provide a brief explanation of the Philippine education system if necessary.

5. Highlighting International Experience

If you have worked abroad before, highlight this experience on your resume. This shows that you are adaptable and have experience working in different cultures.

Tools and Resources to Help You

There are many online tools and resources available to help you create a great resume:

• Resume Templates: Websites like Canva and Microsoft Word offer free resume templates that you can customize.
• Resume Builders: Online resume builders like Resume.io and Zety provide step-by-step guidance and help you create a professional-looking resume.
• Grammar and Spell Checkers: Grammarly is a popular tool that can help you improve your writing and catch grammar and spelling errors.
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a great resource for finding job postings, networking with recruiters, and researching companies.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

Before you submit your resume, proofread it carefully for any errors. Even small errors can make a bad impression. Ask a friend or family member to proofread it as well. A fresh pair of eyes can often catch errors that you might have missed.

Customizing Your Resume for Each Job

This is perhaps the most important tip of all. Don’t use the same resume for every job you apply for. Customize your resume for each job to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job. Carefully read the job description and identify the key requirements. Then, tailor your resume to match those requirements as closely as possible. This will show the recruiter that you are genuinely interested in the job and that you have the skills and experience they are looking for.

The Power of Networking

Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Reach out to friends, family, and former colleagues who may be able to help you find a job. Attend job fairs and networking events. Connect with recruiters on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will have.

Staying Positive and Persistent

Job searching can be a challenging and frustrating process. It’s important to stay positive and persistent. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back from employers right away. Keep applying for jobs and keep improving your resume and skills. Eventually, you will find the right job for you.

FAQ Section

Q: What if I don’t have a lot of work experience?

A: If you don’t have a lot of work experience, focus on your education, skills, and any volunteer work or internships you have done. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects you have completed. Also, emphasize your soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Q: Should I include a photo on my resume?

A: It depends on the country you are applying to. In some countries, such as the Philippines, it is common to include a photo on your resume. However, in other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, it is generally not recommended. Research the resume conventions of the country you are applying to.

Q: How long should my resume be?

A: For most OFWs, a one-page resume is sufficient. If you have extensive experience, you can use two pages, but try to keep it as concise as possible.

Q: What should I do if I have a gap in my employment history?

A: Be honest and provide a brief explanation. You can say that you took time off to care for family or to pursue further education. You can also frame the gap as a period of skills development or personal growth.

Q: How important are keywords in my resume?

A: Keywords are very important. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. These systems scan resumes for keywords that match the job description. Make sure to include relevant keywords from the job description in your resume to increase your chances of getting noticed.

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

LinkedIn Talent Solutions

Grammarly

Canva

Microsoft Word

Resume.io

Zety

Ready to take the next step? Don’t let a weak resume hold you back from your dream international job. Invest some time and effort into crafting a compelling resume that showcases your skills and experience. Use the tips and resources in this guide to create a resume that will impress international recruiters and land you that interview. Your dream job is within reach – start today!