Five tips in Looking for a Job
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According to the National Economic Development Authority, the Philippine unemployment rate is now at 8%. This means that out of the 3.47 million Filipinos who are able to work, there are 2.9 million who do not have jobs. What does this mean for us?
It’s harder to seek for a job nowadays. The competition for jobs is stiffer because businesses are being scared away by the high price of operations. If you are a fresh graduate or even if you have been working for several years now, you need to carefully assess yourself, what you have to offer. Here are five tips in looking for a job.
1. Take a look at your qualifications and what you have to offer. What is your bachelor’s degree? Although this is not the biggest basis of landing a job in the Philippines, at least you know the trainings you’ve had and the knowledge that you possess. It would be better if you enumerate your skills and your abilities. If there were also a means to assess your level of proficiency in these areas, that would be much better.
2. Establish your career goals. When you look for a job, don’t just consider the short term. Yes, we all need jobs. But you should consider the one that offers you greatest long-term gain and security. With the job you’re thinking of, where will you be in two years’ time? How about after five years? Maintain the mentality that you are looking for a career and not just a job. This way you will care more for your job and avoid being a professional job hunter.
3. Do some research. Grab a Sunday edition of your favorite newspaper. The Classified Ads sections of the Manila Bulletin or the Philippine Daily Inquirer are amazing sources of jobs. When you do your research, you should always take into account your qualifications and your career goals. Get a pair of scissors or a notebook and list down the kinds of jobs that interest you. Compile these jobs. Study their requirements and the qualifications being looked for. Compare these requirements with your own qualifications and your career goals. Based on your list, you can then establish a set of preferred jobs.
4. Prepare your resume / curriculum vitae. Your resume presents a summary of who you are, your educational attainment, and the skills and abilities that you have. Present your resume professionally without the cutesy cutesy undertones of your high school slumbook. You can find a number of samples in the Internet if you simply Google it.
5. Let the hunt begin! In this time and age of the internet, job hunting is a tad easier than yesteryears. Send your resume and cover letter first and then wait for their calls. But if the job ads call for a personal appearance right away, then go get your most professional-looking outfit, shine those leather shoes, and off you go to their office. Be careful though lest you look like an encyclopedia salesperson.
Just some additional tips, the most popular jobs in the Philippines right now are those at the services sector. This includes most positions at Philippine call centers, online English tutorial for Chinese and Europeans, as well as other Business Process Outsourcing companies.
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