The 2023 Guide to Fresh Grads’ Pre-Employment Requirements

Congratulations, Batch 2023! You have now reached another significant milestone in your life. As you embark on the journey from school life to the professional world, you’ll encounter exciting opportunities and, of course, some essential pre-employment requirements.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the crucial steps and documents you need to prepare for a successful transition into the job hunting journey. From obtaining the needed Government ID to choosing the right interview attire, we got you in your job search journey! 

Know more about Government IDs

Applying and obtaining these Government IDs is a crucial step in your job search journey. All companies in the Philippines look for these as a requirement when applying for a job in their company. 

1. Birth Certificate – Your Philippine Statistics Birth or PSA Certificate is the official document that contains your identity, nationality, and lineage. You can easily get your own PSA birth certificate by either going to the nearest PSA Outlet or by ordering through the PSA Help Line website and have it delivered to your home address. 
2. Social Security System (SSS) Number – The SSS ID is a form of identification that employers use to submit their employees’ contributions to the Social Security System. In order to get your own SSS number, accomplish the needed documents seen in the www.sss.gov.ph site and once done, print everything and go to the nearest SSS branch to submit your requirements. 
3. Tax Identification Number (TIN) – The Tax Identification Number or TIN ID is the proof that you are already registered as a taxpayer with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Head on to BIR’s website to know more about the requirements and how you can apply for a TIN ID. 
4. Philhealth Number –  By being a PhilHealth member, you are applying to get universal health insurance coverage for all your medical needs. You first have to fill up needed requirements through the PhilHealth website and submit the needed requirements to a PhilHealth office near you to fix your application. 
5. Pag-IBIG Fund Number – A Pag-IBIG membership ID or MID is important to have in order to access housing loans and ensures that all your transactions with Pag-IBIG are processed smoothly. Be a member and register here to get your permanent Pag-IBIG MID number. 

School Requirements

For fresh graduates, a certification that you were able to finish your studies is a must for companies. Providing these documents plus additional supporting ones may be required by the company you are applying for. 

Companies usually look for Official Transcripts of Records and your Diploma during the job search. These documents are proof that you graduated from either high school, college, or from your masters and/or doctorate degree. This is also to certify that you completed the degree program that you included in your resume or CV. Often, a photocopy of your records along with the official school stamp of the institution you graduated from is enough proof to be submitted. 

Go-to Interview Attire

Interviews are nerve-wracking and thinking of the perfect outfit to wear can be an added stress. Dressing up for a job interview is important because it creates a positive first impression, demonstrates professionalism and respect for the opportunity, and reflects the candidate’s commitment to the position and company. That is why it is important to pick a go-to interview outfit that’s stylish, yet comfortable and makes you feel confident because that will help you carry yourself better. 

Find the right style that works for you and build on that kind of attire wherever you go for job interviews. Wearing something that you are comfortable with allows you to feel more at ease during the actual interview proper. 

What should I wear? 

• Smart Casual – When you dress smart casual, this combines elements of both formal and casual wear. It typically involves a neat and polished look while allowing for a more relaxed and comfortable style. 

For Men: dress pants or chinos paired with a button-up shirt, a blazer or a sport coat, and dress shoes or loafers

For Women: tailored pants or a skirt, a blouse or a nice top, a cardigan or a blazer, and closed-toe shoes or stylish flats

• Business Casual – This is a dress code that strikes a balance between formal business wear and casual clothing. It is commonly appropriate for professional settings that do not require full formal suits but still maintain a level of polished and put-together appearance.

For Men: includes dress slacks or chinos, a button-up dress shirt (with or without a tie), a blazer, and dress shoes or loafers

For Women: dress slacks, a skirt or a dress paired with a blouse or a sweater, and closed-toe shoes or stylish flats

• Business Formal – Also known as business professional or corporate attire, is the most formal dress code in a professional setting. It is typically reserved for important business events, formal meetings, conferences, and interviews in conservative industries.

For Men: dark-colored, well-tailored, and conservative business suit (navy, charcoal, or black), dress shirt in a solid color or subtle pattern, a tie (optional but recommended), dress shoes in black or brown, typically with leather soles, and dark dress socks

For Women: tailored business suit in a neutral color (navy, black, or charcoal) or a conservative dress with a blazer, blouse or button-up shirt, and closed-toe dress shoes with a moderate heel (no open-toe or sandals)

Remember that your attire may significantly impact how you are perceived by the interviewer and can influence their initial judgment of your suitability for the role and the company culture. So make sure to dress for success!

A great CV or Resume 

Your CV or Resume is the first thing that your future employer/s will see about you. It creates the initial impression of you as a candidate. A well-crafted CV or Resume can immediately capture the attention of hiring managers and make them interested in learning more about you. A strong CV or Resume highlights your skills, qualifications, work experience, and achievements. It serves as a marketing tool to showcase your relevant abilities and accomplishments, making you stand out among other applicants.

Make Your Resume Stand Out with this Helpful Tip from Google

Remember these dos and don’ts when making your CV or Resume so you can stand out! 

Do:

• List all your achievements and work experiences
  Make sure to list your work experiences in reverse chronological order, including company names, job titles, employment dates, roles, and responsibilities. Highlight notable achievements and accomplishments, such as significant projects completed or received awards.
• Make sure to emphasize your impact by including numbers and percentages
  When mentioning your achievements and experiences, try to quantify your work using numbers and percentages. For example, instead of saying you “increased sales,” mention that you “increased sales by 20% in the first quarter.” This helps potential employers understand the scope of your contributions and the value you brought to your previous roles.
• Highlight your skills and capabilities on one short document
  When making your document, dedicate a section for your skills and capabilities. List both technical and soft skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Be concise and specific in describing your skills. For technical skills, mention specific tools, software, or technologies you are proficient in. For soft skills, provide brief examples of how you’ve demonstrated those skills in a professional setting.

Don’t:

• Include your photo or address
  It is not recommended to include your photo or address on your CV. Including a photo may lead to potential bias based on appearance. Moreover, sharing your full address can raise privacy concerns. It’s best to focus on professional information, such as your contact details (email and phone number) and your profile on job hiring platforms. 
• Be vague with your experience
  Your CV or Resume should provide clear and detailed information about your work experiences. Provide specific job titles, company names, employment dates, roles, and responsibilities. Highlighting your achievements and contributions with concrete examples and quantifiable results adds credibility to your CV or Resume.

• Include references without your contact’s consent
  Putting references on your CV without obtaining consent from those individuals is not considered appropriate. References should only be provided when requested by the employer, and you should always seek permission from your contacts before sharing their names and contact details with potential employers. 

Remember that it’s important to be mindful of what you include in your CV. Focus on relevant and accurate information, avoid potentially sensitive details, and always respect the privacy and consent of others when providing references.

We hope that this 2023 Guide to Fresh Grads’ Pre-Employment Requirements gave you a glimpse on what you will be needing. In case you haven’t started the job search yet, check out job opportunities on Kalibrr!

CMG Retail Group – Marketing Assistant

JoyRide PH – Customer Service Representative

Kalibrr – Lead Acquisition Associate

Congratulations again, Batch 2023! May you have the best of luck in your job search journey, and may your professional endeavors be rewarding! 

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Kalibrr is a recruitment technology company that aims to transform how candidates find jobs and how companies hire talent. Placing the candidate experience at the center of everything it does, we continue to attract the best talent from all over, with more than 6 million professionals and counting. Kalibrr ultimately connects these talents to companies in search of their next generation of leaders.

The only end-to-end recruitment solutions provider in Southeast Asia, Kalibrr is headquartered in Makati, Philippines, with offices in San Francisco, California, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Established in 2012, it has served over 18,000 clients and is backed by some of the world’s most powerful start-up incubators and venture capitalists. These include Y Combinator, Omidyar Network, Patamar Capital, Wavemaker Partners, and Kickstart Ventures.

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