Ever heard of shortlisting? For employers, this means whittling away at the unwanted candidates to get to the more desirable. This usually happens after the preliminary interview. If there are 20 candidates, for example, and the employer has interviewed them all, they should have an idea which ones they wish to call back, usually for a second interview (with the HR head, the General Manager, the Boss, etc.). This shorter list of candidates is called… well, a shortlist. This is also the list from which the person who gets hired will be chosen. Ever wondered what qualities and qualifications you should have to join this list? Read on.

Good academic training and background
Don’t get me wrong. Employers don’t necessarily prefer geniuses or Honor Society members only. However, they want to see good grades. Why? Good or fair grades are often reflective of someone who works hard at school, which means you have ambition and discipline. Make sure to mention those scholarships and commendations you’ve received in your resume.

Grades in certain school subjects also matter for specific jobs. If you’re applying for a position as a biologist, for example, the hiring officer will wonder if you’re the right person for the job if your grades show you flunked the mid-terms in your Biology electives.

I once interviewed for a position in a bank and the general manager grilled me about my low grades in Algebra and Business Math. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job.

If you don’t have the fine grades that employers find desirable, at least make up for it in your extra-curricular activities. Sure, membership in the dance troupe means you’re ready for a big part in your office Christmas party but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a highly desirable hire.

Highlight memberships in socio-civic organizations or if you’ve done volunteer work before, add this to your resume. Employers want employees who can socialize and make relevant contributions beyond school and if everything goes well, maybe even work. Let them know there’s more to you beneath the surface.

Hired by a reputable company
Having worked with an established and reputable company tells the employer that you are an asset and will be a valuable acquisition. Reputable companies are known for being choosy about their hires so if you’ve ever worked for one or several, add one point to your score.

strong>Got promoted from the ranks
Add another point to your score if most of the movements you’ve experienced with your previous employers were the result of promotions instead of just transfers or salary increases. You’ll also be more attractive as a hiree if you once started from rank and file and then rose from there. This shows your prospective employer that you are capable of improving.

You have no ‘tipaklong’ mentalityApplicants who change employers the way they would channels on cable TV raise a red flag to employers. This shows a lack of stability, loyalty and persistence – qualities most employers value in their would-be employees. If for some reason you’ve worked with 8 employers for the past two years, you better have a good reason for it.

Highly recommended by your past employers
Employers will want to know what you were like as an employee to other companies. If you come with high (or at least good) recommendations, you could get that second call.

No past troubles or criminal record
Your employers just want to hire someone for the job and would rather not deal with a future liability. This is why they ask you to get your police and NBI clearances.

Not a leader of the union
Yup, it matters to employers if you’ve been a member of the union in your past employments. It’s even worse if you’ve been a union leader before. This is true especially if the company you’re eyeing as your next employer is already unionized. Imagine what you would look like to a non-unionized company.

Most employers are wary of union members and leaders. Although this may seem discriminatory, this is a fact of employment. Many of the unions started in once non-unionized companies were initiated by new employees who were union members before.

Most employers don’t appreciate this ‘infiltration’ and would rather hire someone who won’t ‘rock the boat’, so to speak. It’s not the end of the road for you if you were part of a union in the past but just so you know, it could take a few points off your high marks.

Did you work overseas?
If you have experience working abroad, it’s a good indication of your employability if you completed your contract without any problems.

Must show good to excellent contribution as an employee
So what did you do in your past job? When employers ask you this, they don’t just want to hear about your job description – they also want to know how well you did your job and what you’ve done to make your department more efficient and cost-effective.

So do you think you can make it to the shortlist? If you have low marks right now, don’t worry. Work smarter on the job you have now to improve your future employability. If you’re still a student, work harder. Work is not a destination – it’s your investment for your future. Start today.

First impressions do count in the job market. In many situations, it’s your resume that will matter the most. One view of your resume is usually the only chance you’ll ever get to get noticed as a candidate for the job. Your resume speaks volumes about you. Believe it or not, one to two sheets of paper can make or break your career. Learn the ways you can market yourself effectively by learning how to write a resume that will get you the job.

Create a resume, not a bio-data.
A resume is not the same as a bio-data, so don’t try to be funny and use them alternately. A resume is a comprehensive description of your job and accomplishments during the years you have worked.

A bio-data is simply a basic form of information about you and does not often require you to include your job description. A bio-data often comes in a pre-printed form that you merely have to fill out. The HR department usually attaches this to your resume and/application letter. The bio-data is also used as a quick reference for your 201 Personnel file should you get hired.

Do you need the opening objective?
The job objective was a big thing in the late 80s and 90s and it’s actually still being used today. However, if you take a look at other resumes with opening objectives, you will find that they are almost generic and don’t really sell the skills of the individual.

A better alternative would be a description of your skills and capabilities. Instead of saying,

‘Seeking a job that fulfills my career aspirations while providing a challenging work environment.’

Say instead,

‘Proven capability in sales and marketing, with solid background in advertising and copywriting’ or something to that effect.

The last statement informs the employer about what you can do and not so much about what you want, which the first statement reveals.

Provide an overview of your job description but only the most salient points.
Really – does your future employer need to know that you’re adept at photocopying training materials or that you write memos to your staff as part of your job? Too much info is no info. Instead, include the most important aspects of your job – the ones that define you as a valuable asset, the ones that showcase your skills.

Tell them about your capabilities.
Prospective employers want to know what you have done in your past employment that would want them to want you. So what if you talked to customers as a Customer Service Representative? They want to know how you improved the system and how many customer service problems per week you have resolved.

Tell your employers what you have accomplished in measurable terms.
Stuff like, ‘increased department sales by 210% within a four-month period’ or ’saved the department approximately P200,000 in production expenses’ are gems that companies want to find on your resume.

Don’t be too self-important.
State your accomplishments objectively but don’t overdo it. If you come off as too arrogant or narcissistic, you could drive employers in the opposite direction.

Should you offer personal attributes?
Okay, this is the tricky part. Commonly used info such as birthdate, birthplace, age, weight, height and religion may be useful but only to a certain extent. If you’re applying for a job where these attributes are irrelevant, don’t include them. Say you’re vying for a job as an ad copywriter or production manager – standing at just 4′11″ tall or being a Roman Catholic or a Mormon has nothing to do with your qualifications.

However, if the job calls for certain physical specifications, such as those required of models and actors or other jobs where your physical attributes play a part (if you will be operating a machine built for people 5′5″ in height and taller, you might think twice about applying if you stand only at 5′1″), then by all means, include the stats.

And please… enough of the hobbies and interests. E ano naman kung hilig mo mag-badminton on weekends? Will that make you a good hire? Save the info for interviews, IF your employer asks.

Your references
In resumes, complete details about references are not included. But you will have to state that they will be available upon request. If the employer asks, then give at least three.

Write clearly and avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
The higher your educational attainment is, the more people expect from you. When you’re done with your resume, run a SpellCheck to spot errors and make the necessary corrections. Proofread AT LEAST twice, then have someone review it for you. Someone who knows correct grammar, ha?

If all else fails, ask a trusted friend to write your resume for you but make sure you provide the complete information. You could pay someone to write your resume as well, although be prepared to spend. Good help is expensive.

What to do with work history gaps?
There are a number of reasons why people have gaps in their work history – failure to get a job, personal time off, went on prolonged vacation, tried self-employment, etc. If the gap is just a few months long, there’s probably no need to explain yourself. After all, if you lost your job, it could take a while to find a new one. Do not write too personal details such as, ‘Went on my honeymoon’ or ‘Spent 3 months in jail for this and that charge’. Best leave the gap alone and just include the time period when you began working again.

However, if you left your job or if the gap is at least 12 months, be ready to explain yourself during the interview.

NEVER use false information.
Don’t say you completed a college education if you dropped out during your senior year. Don’t lay claim on someone else’s work if you did nothing on the project. It’s dishonest, pathetic and reveals a shady side of your character – one that cannot and should not be trusted. Once information leaks out about your little lie, you could get in trouble.

Above all, be professional.
Frills, colored paper, flowing fonts and that weird e-mail address your Friendster friends loved so much might show your very light, colorful personality but it’s not something employers are looking to see.

A pink, marbled sheet of paper, an Edwardian Script font and an e-mail add that says: ’sexyme,myself&i@yahoo.com’ is great if you’re sending the application to a pimp but won’t work very well if you’re trying to get that corporate job. And yes, if you’re still employed and are using your company’s e-mail add, please stop. Go open an account and sign up using your own.

Writing an effective resume means providing the means for employers to contact you but it doesn’t mean abusing the trust your present employer is giving you. Konting delicadeza won’t hurt.