How to Land Your Dream Job with a Winning Resume

Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced applicant, the hiring process always starts with submitting an essential document—a resume. While job interviews get you hired, a resume determines the success of your job hunting from the get-go.

Leading online job portal JobStreet by SEEK believes that crafting a winning resume will give you an edge in landing your next big career move. Especially with the graduation season around the corner, fresh graduates have to step up and present themselves to the best of their abilities.

According to a study by JobStreet, an average HR person takes only 30 seconds to browse each resume, and about 70% of these do not even reach hiring managers. 

In line with this, JobStreet fortifies its dedication to empowering jobseekers through its recent webinar entitled Creating a Winning Resume featuring thought leaders—Jheric Delos Angeles, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience at BUKAS; Myke Celis, Multi-awarded Global Master Coach, and International Best-selling Author; and Kim Viray, Head of Marketing at JobStreet Philippines.

Resume is a storytelling document

There’s no real formula for creating a very good resume. Although it has the same parts and structure, each one is unique depending on personal experiences and background, and this is where your advantage comes in. To get hired with a standout resume, take the time to ponder and ask yourself: What makes you unique? What makes you you? Instead of listing your daily tasks, include the details that will allow the reader to get at least a glimpse of what you have contributed to your previous employer. On the other hand, fresh graduates may include extra-curricular activities and volunteer work.

“Finding a company that matches your values starts with storytelling. When you allow them to get to know you and see where you’re coming from, you will finally get hired,” said Jheric Delos Angeles.

Tailor your resume to the job

While trying to convey your story, ensure that all added information is relevant to the role and the company you are applying for. Substance over form, quality over quantity. A hiring manager is always looking for people who can add value to the company, which is why it is necessary to do your research, know their preferences, and customize your resume and cover letter accordingly.

As much as necessary, highlight your experience and skills that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. It pays to leave an impression that your job application is a conscious decision and that you are well aware of the role. Lastly, avoid mass sending similar copies.

“What could get you hired is how you think - how you think about the entire process, this application, yourself, your strategy, what you are doing to make yourself the most hirable candidate, your attitude, and how you face acceptance and defeat. That is what would get you hired. The resume is just the beginning,” Myke Celis shared.

Keep your resume professional

A resume, being the first thing a hirer would see from you, is critical. Therefore, be cautious and pay attention to every detail. Professionalism is a big factor in the corporate world, as it shows reliability and credibility, which are basic requirements in all companies. Use a formal photograph, avoid code names in email addresses by using your first and last name, check grammar and spelling, use a neat font, and be consistent and factual.

“Just like creating a winning resume, this is just the beginning of success. We have lined up a series of events for the rest of the year to fulfill our team’s mission which is to provide support and jobs to every Filipino," said Kim Viray, JobStreet Philippines Head of Marketing.

“We will ensure that there will be less friction when it comes to your overall job search process in the JobStreet platform,” he added. For more insights and career advice, visit jobstreet.com.ph.

Book Feature: Dreaming of the Sea + Exclusive Interview with Author Raissa Claire R. Falgui

Dreaming of the Sea is a collection of stories set by sea, evoking its power and mystery, with themes mainly romantic and speculative fiction. 

This was written by Raissa Claire R. Falgui, a writer with a wide variety of interests which are reflected in her fiction. Her historical novel Woman in a Frame was shortlisted for the Philippine National Book Awards in 2015. Her collection of science fiction Virtual Centre and other Science Fiction Stories was published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. Several of her speculative fiction stories have been published in Alternative Alamat, in the literary journal Likhaan, and in the international anthology Of Words and Water 2014. 

Today, we are blessed with this opportunity to have this exclusive interview with her.  

1. Can you share with us something about the book that isn't in the blurb?

I conceived this book as a beach read, and I think it is in a not-so-typical way. There are several romances, a couple with ghostly elements, and several others with mythical elements-- stories to resonate with a variety of moods you might have while relaxing in a beach setting.

2. What inspired the idea for your latest book?

I noticed I had written several stories set by the sea, most of them while working on my MA. I'd written one for Alternative Alamat and one for the YA anthology Friend Zones as well. I even had two sci-fi stories where people ended up living on islands in the middle of the sea. Since I was so drawn to the sea (ironically, since I've rarely been to beaches in my adult life), I thought of completing a sea-themed collection.

3. How long did it take you to complete the book?

One of the stories is based on one I wrote as a college freshman, a few others were written while I was doing my MA in 2011-2014, the others, which are the romantic ones, were mainly started in 2019-2020 and completed during the lockdown.

4. What part of the book was most challenging to write and why?

Occasionally, I plunge into writing a story without a clear plot or ending in mind. Then I get stuck on how to end it! This was the problem with "The Last of the Mermaids." It was based on a speech assignment I had as a college freshman. So it didn't really have a plot: it was just a mermaid rambling over issues she had observed and experienced as the last of her kind. I submitted it to the UP Writers' Workshop and of course, I got comments on the ending not really making much of an impact. The final, strong ending came to me as I was doing research about issues affecting the ocean while writing a book on climate change. I was feeling angry over the issues and lack of action on them, and that inspired me to have the mermaid take drastic action.

5. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

I hope they end up dreaming of the sea in various ways--as the backdrop of romance, as a well of mystery, or in whatever way that suits them. I also hope they'll gain more appreciation for the sea as the inspiration for myths through the ages as well as an essential resource for our planet.

6. If you’re planning a sequel or writing the next book, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

I'm completing a collection of stories based on Philippine myths, which I completed the first draft of during the last NaNoWriMo mostly on my keyboardless tablet--as my laptop conked out on the second day! I really have a fondness for myth-based stories which began when I read Pop Stories for Groovy Kids as well, a kid. That's my book closest to completion, though I can't say for sure if it will be the next one to come out.

7. Where can they buy your books or find out more about you?

Dreaming of the Sea may be purchased from 8Letters online https://www.8lettersbooks.com/product-tag/dreaming-of-the-sea/ 

or via Shopee at https://shope.ee/6fBrg6G82A

You may also follow me on my Facebook and Goodreads account.

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Thank you, Author Raissa, for agreeing to this interview. We are happy to learn more about you and your book and we are looking forward to more stories from you. 

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Here's how: https://www.mymetrolifestyle.com/p/do-you-want-to-promote-your-book.html

Woman Farmer Leader Sparks Hope in Agriculture

Bernadeth Carandang is the farmer leader at the Magallanes-Samahang Magsasaka ng Kay-apas at Medina Agriculture Cooperative (MAG-SAMAKAME) in Cavite. Growing up in a farming family, she understood the difficulties faced by farmers.

“Utang, benta, at bayad kami noon. Uutang para sa kapital, magbebenta ng ani, at ipambabayad sa utang yung kita. Tapos uulit lang. Halos wala nang naiiwan sa amin (Borrow money, sell, and pay off debts was our practice. We would loan our capital, sell our harvest, and pay off debts with our earnings. It was a cycle. We almost had nothing left),” she said.

Bernadeth and her fellow farmers wondered how they could increase their income since farming is the only livelihood they knew.

Becoming agro-entrepreneurs

In 2018, the local government unit (LGU) of Magallanes joined Jollibee Group Foundation’s (JGF) Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which helps farmers increase their income by directly supplying institutional markets.

Through the partnership, MAG-SAMAKAME was trained on the eight-step Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach, which culminates in their delivery to Jollibee Group as an accredited supplier. Bernadeth also participated in the course “Agro-entrepreneurship for Inclusive Value Chains,” where she further honed her business and leadership skills. The course was co-developed by the Jollibee Group Foundation with Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.

In 2022, MAG-SAMAKAME started its regular deliveries of tomato to Jollibee Group. Bernadeth recalled she was very anxious during their first delivery to the depot, thinking something might go wrong. It was not until she held the delivery receipt that she messaged the farmers who were eagerly waiting from their homes, “This is it!”

“’Yung isa sa kanila napapikit talaga at sabi, ‘Ang sarap sa pakiramdam!’ (One of them closed his eyes and said, ‘This feels so good!’,” Bernadeth shared.

Since then, they have delivered a monthly average of 2,500 kgs of fresh tomatoes, which are used in Jollibee’s Champ burgers.

A woman farmer leader

As cooperative secretary, Bernadeth is also a leader who empowers farmers, especially women. MAG-SAMAKAME was formed in 2003 with 16 pioneering members. It has since grown fivefold to 84, wherein 57% or 48 members are females.

“Sabi nila kapag magsasaka, dapat lalaki. Ngayon, dumarami na rin ang mga babae (They said that farmers should be males. Now, we’re seeing that more women are becoming farmers), observed Bernadeth.

As a woman, Bernadeth finds her greatest strength is patience, which she uses not only in tending to her crops, but also in encouraging farmer members to join the cluster that supplies to Jollibee. “Dati ayaw nila sumali, hindi daw nila kaya magcommit. Sabi ko ‘wag tayong matakot sumubok (Before, the farmers refused to join, saying they can’t commit. I told them to not be afraid to try),” she said.

By teaching them how to think and act like entrepreneurs, Bernadeth found that the farmers have become more cooperative. Now, they are already thinking of how to grow their business further by planting other vegetables like bell pepper and seeking other institutional buyers.

“We aim to expand our vegetable deliveries so that we can also help other farmers in Magallanes, through our coordination with the LGU,” Bernadeth said in Filipino.

Sowing seeds of hope

With her unending passion for learning, Bernadeth took up Education while remaining committed to farming. She passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers in 2022 and now teaches Technology and Livelihood Education to secondary students.

“Tinanong ko ang students ko kung anong gusto nilang maging. Walang may gustong magsaka. Ituturo ko sa kanila na farming is a business, at ang kaalaman ko sa agriculture at agro-enterprise. (I asked my students what they want to be in the future. Nobody wants to farm. I will teach them that farming is a business, as well as my knowledge in agriculture and agro-enterprise),” she said. “After all, farming is a profession of hope.”

Live Psychic Readings to Connect with the Deceased

To quote Shakespeare: "There are more things on heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." This famous remark from Hamlet to his companion simply means that the world always will contain mysteries that some people refuse to acknowledge. For example, many people believe the wall between life and death is absolute. Others, though, such as mediums, take the view that communication can take place between this world and the next.

You can experience this possibility through a deceased loved ones psychic readings live.  A medium will guide you through the process, which involves communicating with the energy vibrations of a deceased soul or spirit. The principle behind the process comes down to the fact that everything in the universe has an energy that vibrates at a specific frequency. Your medium or channeling psychic seeks to align living frequencies with the person who has departed this world.

Direct Contact With Loved Ones

Sometimes known as a seance, this experience seeks to bring you into contact with someone you knew before death took him or her away. Your session could result in a close encounter that provides you with important answers and a palpable closeness to this spirit. Other times, you might only gain a faint sense of the feelings or thoughts of the deceased person. Each session is different and depends upon such factors as where in the afterlife your loved one resides or even on the spirit's willingness to communicate with you. 

It is important to understand that you should always expect the straightforward truth with trusted psychics online. This remains the case whether you search for answers from dream analysis, Tarot card readings, numerology, astrology, or other fields of knowledge and perception. Every time you connect online with a psychic you should anticipate the following:

•         Honesty

•         Compassion

•         Patience

•         Kindness

•         Humor

•         Empathy

While straightforward psychics tell it like it is they still seek to give you the best advice possible. Many times, you can act on their recommendations to achieve important life goals. This might pertain to such things as your career or your love life, or it could center around your search for deeper answers. Compassionate and inspirational psychics also provide valuable services.

Finding Closure

When a loved one passes away, you do not always get the chance to say everything you wanted. You might have an unsettled business that requires closure. Only the abilities of a talented psychic can give you an opportunity to reopen the lines of communication. A successful session could allow you to speak the words you need to say to achieve peace of mind and move on with your life.

Other options exist to improve your life through psychic readings. You can connect with pet & animal psychics online to achieve harmony with a non-human companion. While your vet can help with some issues, sometimes you need special intuition to solve concerns such as separation anxiety or nervousness.

Psychic readings are all about forming extraordinary connections. Reach out today and improve your life.