Your resumé is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. In the Philippines, where the job market can be competitive, a resumé riddled with errors or questionable content can quickly land in the “no” pile. We talked to several Filipino recruiters to get the inside scoop on the most common resumé red flags and provide actionable advice to help you avoid them, specifically within the Philippine context.
Typos and Grammatical Errors: A First Impression Killer
This might seem obvious, but recruiters consistently flag typos and grammatical errors as a major turn-off. In fact, a CareerBuilder survey showed that 58% of resumés have typos. It suggests a lack of attention to detail, which doesn’t translate well in any role. Recruiters in the Philippines, where English proficiency is generally high, consider grammatical correctness a basic expectation. Imagine applying for a customer service role that requires excellent communication skills and your resumé is full of errors; it immediately casts doubt on your abilities.
Example: Instead of “Experienced in project managment,” write “Experienced in project management.” It’s a small change, but makes a big difference.
Solution: Proofread, proofread, and proofread again. Ask a friend or family member with strong English skills to review your resumé. Use online grammar checkers like Grammarly as an additional tool. Don’t rely solely on spellcheckers, as they won’t catch misused words (e.g., “there” vs “their”). Consider hiring a professional proofreader if you want to ensure complete accuracy, especially if applying for higher-level positions.
Generic Resumés: Lacking in Personalization
Recruiters in the Philippines often receive hundreds of applications for a single position. A generic resumé that appears to be mass-mailed without any specific tailoring is a clear sign of a lack of genuine interest. It shows that you haven’t taken the time to understand the company’s needs or the specific requirements of the role. Recruiters are looking for candidates who proactively demonstrate that they’re a good fit for the company’s culture and the demands of the job.
Example: Simply listing “customer service skills” is less effective than saying, “Provided excellent customer service in a fast-paced BPO environment, consistently exceeding customer satisfaction targets as measured by NPS scores (average of 9/10).”
Solution: Customize your resumé for each job application. Carefully review the job description and highlight the keywords and skills mentioned. Tailor your work experience and skills section to match what the employer is seeking. Research the company and demonstrate how your values align with their mission. For instance, if they highlight “innovation,” include examples of how you’ve implemented innovative solutions in your previous roles.
Irrelevant Information: Focus on What Matters
Including irrelevant information can clutter your resumé and distract recruiters from your key qualifications. In the Philippines, where cultural norms might encourage sharing personal details, it’s crucial to maintain a professional focus. Details like your marital status, religion, or even a detailed account of your high school achievements (if you have significant work experience) are generally unnecessary.
Example: Unless specifically requested or relevant to the role, avoid including your age or detailed height and weight. Instead, focus your bullets on skills and achievements directly relevant to the job description.
Solution: Focus on your professional experience, skills, and education directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, instead of saying “Improved sales performance,” say “Increased sales by 15% in Q2 2023 by implementing a new customer outreach strategy.” Prioritize the information that showcases your capabilities and aligns with the job requirements. Remove any information that doesn’t add value to your application.
Unexplained Gaps in Employment: Addressing the Elephant in the Room
Employment gaps are a common concern for recruiters in the Philippines. While it’s perfectly normal to have periods of unemployment, unexplained gaps can raise suspicion. Recruiters may wonder if the gap was due to performance issues, misconduct, or other problematic reasons. Leaving gaps unexplained creates uncertainty and can cause recruiters to move on to other candidates.
Example: Instead of simply listing employment dates with gaps, you could add a brief explanation like “Career break for family responsibilities (2021-2022)” or “Pursued professional development courses in data analytics (2020).”
Solution: Be honest and transparent about any employment gaps. Briefly explain the reason for the gap, highlighting any positive activities you engaged in during that time, such as pursuing education, volunteering, caring for family members, or engaging in personal development. Frame the explanation in a positive light, focusing on what you learned or achieved during the gap period. Don’t dwell on negative aspects or provide overly detailed explanations.
Exaggerations and Lies: A Quick Path to Rejection
Honesty is paramount in any job application. Exaggerating or lying on your resumé is a serious offense that can lead to immediate rejection and damage your professional reputation. In the Philippines, where word-of-mouth and professional networks are strong, dishonesty can quickly spread and negatively impact your future job prospects. Recruiters often conduct background checks and verify information provided on your resumé.
Example: Don’t claim proficiency in a software program that you only have basic knowledge of. Instead, accurately represent your skill level (e.g., “Basic knowledge of Python” or “Proficient in Microsoft Excel”).
Solution: Always be truthful and accurate in your resumé. Represent your skills, experience, and education honestly. If you lack a specific skill mentioned in the job description, don’t claim to have it. Instead, highlight your willingness to learn and your ability to quickly acquire new skills. Focus on your strengths and accomplishments, but avoid embellishment or exaggeration.
Poor Formatting and Presentation: Making it Difficult to Read
Recruiters spend an average of just 6-7 seconds initially reviewing a resumé. A poorly formatted and presented resumé can make it difficult for recruiters to quickly scan and identify your key qualifications. In the Philippines, where many applications are submitted electronically, a clean and professional format is essential. Using inconsistent fonts, excessive formatting, or cluttered layouts can create a negative impression.
Example: Avoid using excessive use of different fonts, colors, or decorative elements that can make your resumé look unprofessional. Stick to a clean and professional template like the one available on resources such as Canva.
Solution: Choose a clean and professional resumé template. Use consistent fonts, font sizes, and formatting throughout your resumé. Use white space effectively to improve readability. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and responsibilities. Ensure your resumé is free of grammatical errors and typos. Save your resumé as a PDF to preserve formatting across different devices and operating systems. Prioritize clarity and readability over excessive design elements.
Unprofessional Email Address: Maintain a Professional Image
Your email address is often the first point of contact with a potential employer. Using an unprofessional email address can create a negative impression, especially in the Philippines, where professionalism is highly valued. An email address that includes inappropriate nicknames, slang, or offensive language can immediately disqualify you from consideration. Recruiters expect a professional and easily recognizable email address.
Example: Avoid using email addresses like “[email protected]” or “[email protected].” Instead, create a professional email address using your name, such as “[email protected]” or “[email protected].”
Solution: Create a professional email address using your first and last name or a variation thereof. Use a reputable email provider like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook. Avoid using nicknames, slang, or offensive language in your email address. Ensure your email address is easy to remember and type. Regularly check your email for communication from potential employers.
Lack of Quantifiable Achievements: Show, Don’t Just Tell
Recruiters in the Philippines (and globally) want to see concrete evidence of your accomplishments. Simply listing your responsibilities is not enough. You need to demonstrate the impact you made in your previous roles by quantifying your achievements whenever possible. Quantifiable achievements provide tangible proof of your skills and abilities and help recruiters assess your potential contribution to their organization.
Example: Instead of saying “Managed social media accounts,” say “Managed social media accounts for three brands, increasing follower engagement by 25% and lead generation by 15% in six months.”
Solution: Identify your key achievements in each of your previous roles. Quantify your achievements using numbers, percentages, and metrics. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments. For example, “Increased sales,” “Reduced costs,” “Improved efficiency,” or “Increased customer satisfaction.” Focus on results and outcomes rather than simply describing your tasks and responsibilities. Use specific examples to illustrate your accomplishments.
Missing Contact Information: Making it Impossible to Reach You
This might seem obvious, but it happens more often than you think. Failing to provide accurate and complete contact information on your resumé is a major red flag. Recruiters need to be able to easily reach you to schedule interviews or follow up on your application. Missing or incorrect contact information makes it impossible for them to do so.
Example: Double-check that your phone number and email address are accurate and up-to-date. Include your full name, contact number, professional-sounding email, and maybe your LinkedIn profile URL.
Solution: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL (if applicable) at the top of your resumé. Double-check the accuracy of your contact information. Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional. Respond promptly to any calls or emails from potential employers. Make sure that the link to your LinkedIn profile is working and leads to the correct page.
Overused Buzzwords and Jargon: Sounding Unoriginal
While it’s important to tailor your resumé to match the job description, overusing buzzwords and jargon can make you sound unoriginal and insincere. Recruiters are often wary of candidates who rely heavily on clichés and empty phrases without providing concrete examples. In the Philippines, where authenticity and genuine communication are valued, overusing buzzwords can be seen as trying too hard.
Example: Avoid overused phrases like “think outside the box,” “synergy,” “results-oriented,” or “team player” without providing specific examples to support your claims. Instead, say “Developed a new marketing strategy that increased brand awareness by 20% in the target demographic,” which shows your thinking outside the box in quantifiable terms.
Solution: Use buzzwords and jargon sparingly and only when they are relevant to the specific job and industry. Back up your claims with concrete examples and quantifiable achievements. Focus on using clear and concise language that demonstrates your skills and experience in a genuine and authentic way. Show, don’t just tell.
Unprofessional Social Media Presence: A Hidden Resumé
In the digital age, recruiters often check candidates’ social media profiles as part of the screening process. An unprofessional social media presence, including inappropriate posts, offensive language, or controversial opinions, can negatively impact your job prospects. In the Philippines, where social media usage is high, recruiters are particularly mindful of candidates’ online behavior.
Example: Ensure your public social media profiles are professional and reflect positively on your personal brand. You can refer to resources like Buffer’s guide on Social Media Etiquette.
Solution: Review your social media profiles and remove any content that could be considered unprofessional or offensive. Set your privacy settings to control who can see your posts. Consider creating a separate professional social media profile for networking and job searching. Maintain a positive and professional online presence. Be mindful of the content you share and the comments you make.
Poor Resumé Summary or Objective: Failing to Capture Attention
The resumé summary or objective is your chance to make a strong first impression. A poorly written summary or objective that is generic, vague, or uninspiring can fail to capture the recruiter’s attention. Recruiters are looking for a clear and concise overview of your skills, experience, and career goals. In the Philippines, where competition for jobs is high, a compelling summary or objective is essential to stand out from the crowd.
Example: Instead of a generic objective like “To obtain a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience,” try “Highly motivated marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in developing and executing successful digital marketing campaigns, seeking a challenging role at to leverage expertise in SEO, social media marketing, and content creation to drive brand awareness and lead generation.”
Solution: Craft a compelling resumé summary or objective that highlights your key skills, experience, and career goals. Tailor your summary or objective to match the specific job you’re applying for. Use strong action verbs and quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your value. Keep your summary or objective concise and relevant to the job requirements. Focus on what you can offer the employer rather than what you’re looking for.
FAQ Section: Answers to Common Resumé Questions
What is the ideal length for a resumé in the Philippines? Ideally, aim for a one-page resumé, especially if you have less than ten years of experience. If you have extensive experience and numerous accomplishments, a two-page resumé may be acceptable. However, prioritize brevity and relevance, ensuring that every piece of information adds value to your application.
Should I include a photo on my resumé in the Philippines? Including a professional headshot on your resumé is generally accepted, and even encouraged in the Philippines, particularly in customer-facing roles. However, ensure the photo is professional, well-lit, and recent. Avoid using casual snapshots or selfies. If you’re unsure, research industry norms or the company’s culture.
What font style and size should I use for my resumé? Use a professional and easily readable font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. A font size of 11 or 12 points is generally recommended. Maintain consistency in font style and size throughout your resumé.
Should I include references on my resumé? It’s generally not necessary to include references directly on your resumé. Instead, you can state “References available upon request” at the bottom of your resumé. Be prepared to provide a list of references when requested by the employer. Ensure your references are aware that you’re applying for jobs and have their permission to share their contact information.
How often should I update my resumé? It’s a good practice to review and update your resumé regularly, even if you’re not actively job seeking. Add new skills, experiences, and accomplishments as they occur. Tailor your resumé to each job application to ensure it’s relevant and targeted.
Is it okay to use a resumé template? Absolutely! Using a professional resumé template can save you time and effort. Many free and paid resumé templates are available online. Choose a template that is clean, professional, and easy to read. Ensure the template is ATS-friendly and allows you to customize the content to match your skills and experience. Resources like Resume.com offer a wide array of templates.
How do I tailor my resumé for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? To make sure your resumé is ATS-friendly, use keywords from the job description, avoid tables and graphics, use a simple format, and save your resumé as a .doc or .docx file, depending on employer instructions. Learn more about applicant tracking systems with resources such as Jobscan.
References List
CareerBuilder. “58% of Resumes Contain Typos, Says CareerBuilder Survey.”
Buffer. “Social Media Etiquette: 20+ Simple Rules To Know.”
Canva
Resume.com
Jobscan
Ready to land your dream job in the Philippines? Don’t let these resumé red flags sink your chances. Take the time to carefully review and revise your resumé, focusing on accuracy, relevance, and professionalism. Customize your resumé for each application, quantify your achievements, and maintain a positive online presence. Remember, your resumé is your first impression – make it count! Start crafting a compelling resumé today and take the next step toward your career goals.
