Self-Learning Module for Senior High School
JOB SEARCH
Introduction
Everyone has to start somewhere.
Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, started as a weatherman in a local news station. Michael
Corbat, CEO of CitiGroup, was a salesman in one of its banks. And you know how Mary T. Barra, the first
female CEO of General Motors, first learned about cars? Her first job with the company was to inspect
the hoods and fenders in the assembly line.
Many of the world’s most successful executives did not have “natural skills and talents” or powerful
connections. They did not immediately get their dream jobs or know what they wanted to do with their career.
They just took one step forward and started. Along the way, they learned the skills, gained experience,
earned their promotions, and realized their passion.
In this module, you will learn how to start your job search: making a resume, preparing for interviews, and
tips for adjusting to your new workplace. To help your learning, look out for these icons:
TRY THIS!
Activities that will you help you apply what you have learned
REMEMBER THIS!
Important terms and definitions
LET’S REVIEW!
Check what you remember and understand
LEARN MORE!
Additional information or resources to deepen your knowledge
But unlike some subjects like Math which has formulas and specific steps, looking for the “right job” is
more of a journey. You may not know everything at the beginning, but you will discover more with each
step you take.
Good luck with your job hunt!
table of contents
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7
9
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Lesson
Lesson
Lesson
Lesson
1 Preparing your Resume
2 Looking for Job Openings
3 Preparing for Job Interviews
4 Your First Job
lesson 1:
PREPARING YOUR
RESUME
The first major step in your career is writing your first resume.
A resume (sometimes called a CV or curriculum vitae) summarizes your work experience, education,
skills, and accomplishments.
There are many different kind of resume formats, and you can even find resume templates on the Internet
where you just fill in your personal information. But in general, all resumes will have these different parts.
NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Put your full name, mobile number, and email. Make sure you create an email address that is based
on your name. It will sound more professional, is easier for employers to remember, and allows you to
separate your work and personal emails.
SUMMARY OR OBJECTIVE
A good resume summary has 1 or 2 sentences that highlights your biggest
achievements, and includes some of your top skills. Here are some things
to remember:
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Skip buzzwords like “hardworking” or “team player”. These are too
vague, overused, and is actually expected of anyone who
is working
Include a hard skill like knowledge in a software
Include a soft skill such as ability to multi-task or
organize, especially if you see those words in the
employer’s job description. If possible, mention an
activity or position where you proved that skill
Mention your career passions, and why you are applying
for this position
Make the summary/
objective AFTER you
have made the rest
of your resume.
Here is an example of a good resume Summary or Objective:
“Computer Science graduate passionate about data
engineering and machine learning. Highly-capable leader,
having led multiple Senior class projects to completion.
Proficient in a range of modern technologies including
Python, Java and Scala.”
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WORK EXPERIENCE
Companies understand that fresh graduates do not have a lot of formal job experience. So, they will
accept other activities that show your skills and work ethic.
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Part-time jobs, including informal work you did for a family business
Internships or apprenticeships
Volunteer work
Extra-curricular activities like clubs and sports
TRY THIS
Write down some jobs or activities that you can include in this section.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
If you feel you do not have enough experience, brainstorm on some ways you can get work experience while looking for a
full-time job. Can you volunteer for a community project, find an online freelancing job, get a part-time job, or apply for an
internship in a company?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
SKILLS
Companies look for a combination of hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are specific knowledge or
abilities related to a task. Soft skills are personal qualities that can help you do well in the workplace.
For example, an advertising agency that is hiring a graphic designer will look for hard skills like
knowledge of layout and video editing programs. But since advertising is a fast-paced environment, they
will also look for relevant soft skills like time management and ability to communicate and collaborate
with others.
So, when you make your list of hard skills and soft skills, ask yourself: “What do I know how to do?” (hard
skills) and “What traits do I have that will help me do the job well?” (soft skills).
TRY THIS
If you’re not sure what kind of skills you have, use this list to begin your brainstorming process.
I know how to…
I am good with…
I know a lot about…
Use computer software
Numbers and computation
History
Create and edit videos
Thinking of concepts and creative ideas
Science
Make a website or program
Planning projects or activities
Entertainment trends (film, music, pop
culture)
Write (creative or academic)
Handling money and budgets
Beauty trends
Draw or design
Anticipating, analyzing and solving
problems
Fashion trends
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I know how to…
I am good with…
I know a lot about…
Speak another language
Explaining/teaching other people
Computer and digital trends
Do crafts, carpentry or other skills that
use my hands
Motivating and persuading people
Food trends
Cook/bake
Listening to people
Pets or animals
Sing / act / play an instrument
Coordinating with other people
Gardening
Take care of children/elderly
Anticipating what people need or will
feel
Games, apps and software
Do hair, makeup or other beauty
treatments
Organizing things, ideas, information,
files
Sports and fitness trends
Play a sport well
Gathering data and research
Health and wellness trends
EDUCATION
List your most recently-completed education first, and then work backwards. Include the name of the
school, years attended, and any honors received or positions held. For example:
ABC University, 2016 – 2021
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Cum Laude
Merit scholar
XYZ High School, 2012 – 2016
Honors section, final class average of 91.5
Class representative, Student Council
If you are a working student, you can include any education that is still in progress, and when you expect
to graduate. You can also mention completed courses that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
For example, a Marketing undergraduate who is applying for a part-time sales job can put:
123 University, 2019 – present
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing | Diploma expected 2023
Completed Coursework: Accounting, Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior
Education can also include certification courses and vocational classes. These are generally grouped
together in one section, such as “Additional Training” or “Professional Development.” Put the name of the
course, the name of the event, organization or speakers, and the date attended. For example:
Social Media for Lead Generation Seminar
Digital Marketing Summit | March 2019
REFERENCES
These are people who can provide a company with an insight on your job performance, personality, work
style, or other information that isn’t easily captured in a resume.
You can already name them in the resume, or add a line that says “References available upon request.”
Some employers do not need them, or only ask for them after they have conducted a face-to-face
interview with you.
Either way, it’s better to prepare a list of people who can serve as your job references, and ask their
permission beforehand.
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TRY THIS!
Think of 3 people who may be good job references. Ask for their permission and get their full
name, company name and official position/title, and contact details (email or mobile).
Name
Position/Company Contact details
______________________
_______________
_____________
______________________
_______________
_____________
______________________
_______________
_____________
FORMATTING YOUR RESUME
Your resume should look professional, neat and easy to read. Here are some important things to remember.
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Use a simple and classic font
Use clear headings, bullet points and short paragraphs. Make it easy for the people who read it to find
the most important information
Double-check spelling and grammar
You can find many free resume templates on the Internet. You can find them in free design programs like
Canva, and websites dedicated to career development and resume building.
LEARN MORE!
In the digital world, many companies search for candidates through the Internet. Aside from posting openings on websites,
they may also look at people’s online profiles.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform. You can use it to post your online resume, or connect with
people in your industry. Industry leaders and companies also share work-related articles on LinkedIn, so you can follow their
accounts and find out more about the field you’re interested in.
You can open a free account on LinkedIn.com
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lesson 2:
LOOKING FOR
JOB OPENINGS
In this chapter, we’ll talk about how to find job openings, and how to prepare yourself for the application
and interview process.
JOB HUNTING WEBSITES
It was much harder to find job opportunities before the Internet. People had to buy newspapers to find job
openings, attend job fairs, or rely on personal referrals from people they know. Today, there are many job
hunting websites (also called job portals) that let you search by industry, location or job level.
Here are some of the biggest job portals in the Philippines. You can also find
many more just by doing an internet search.
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JobStreet.com.ph Jobstreet is the largest online employment company
in Southeast Asia, and there are localized website for each country. You
can search jobs by company, location, field or specialization. They also
have special filters for “fresh graduates” or “jobs abroad.”
Kalibrr.com You can use either the website or the app to find jobs
according to industry or preferred location.
Workabroad.ph You can find overseas jobs, which you can sort through
by specialization, country, and minimum qualifications. You can also
find agencies that are under the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA). Most jobs are from the food, service, and
healthcare industries.
Upwork.com This is a good place to find online freelancing jobs that
you can do from home. Jobs include web development, programming,
writing, design, virtual assistants, transcription and translation, customer
service and more. Pay is in dollars, and many employers are open to
hiring fresh graduates or part-time students.
OnlineJobs.ph Similar to Upwork, but with a stronger focus on virtual
assistants.
LinkedIn. A professional social networking platform, where you create
your profile, and then connect to people you know. People can add
testimonials to your profile, or “star” any hard or soft skills you’ve
listed (a star means that they confirm that you are good at that). Many
jobhunters will actively search LinkedIn for candidates, and invite you to
apply if they think you’re a good fit.
REMEMBER THIS
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Research to make
sure that the job is
legitimate. Some signs
are that it is registered
with the DTI or SEC
and issues official
receipts. Look at their
company history to
know long they have
been operating, and
do an online search
to find more about its
reputation or reviews.
If you are getting
online freelancing
jobs, always clarify
payment methods.
Established sites like
Upwork will have
features like Payment
Protection, and keeps
all communication and
transactions on the
platform so they can
help you if there is a
dispute.
JOB FAIRS
A job fair (also called job expo or career fair) is an event where employers, agencies, and recruiters gather
in one place. Each company will have a booth, where you can find out more about openings and submit
your application.
These events are usually announced in newspapers, but you can regularly do an Internet search to find out
if there are any fairs scheduled in the year in your area.
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RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
Recruitment agencies or job placement agencies
can help you find either part-time or full-time jobs,
either in the Philippines or abroad.
Always ask about the terms of the contract, and
whether they will charge fees and commissions.
REMEMBER THIS
Always check the recruitment agency’s status at the
POEA website. Go to www.poea.gov.ph and see if the
name of your agency has a “good standing” status. You
can also ask for the status of an agency by calling the
POEA hotline.
REFERRALS
Networking is one of the best ways to find a new job. Many employers prefer receiving a referral from a
trusted employee, and will often fill job openings from internal referrals before they advertise it on a job portal.
Remember this as you go through your career. Take time to build your network. Grab the opportunity to
work with people from different departments in your company. Volunteer for projects where you can take a
more active, visible role.
Most of all, never burn bridges. Even when you leave a job, keep good relationships with everyone. You
never know how these will open doors in the future.
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lesson 3:
Preparing for
Job Interviews
The next step in the job application process is interviews. The interviews are usually with the person who
is most likely to be your direct superior, such as the head of a project or a department. In some cases,
you may also be interviewed by the Human Resources manager.
Even experienced professionals can feel a little nervous before a job interview. However, preparation (and
some positive pep-talk!) can help you feel more confident.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Someone calls or messages you to inform you of the interview schedule. Here’s what you need to do:
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Get the details. Confirm the time, place and the person to look for. Thank the person for his/her help.
Prepare a print out of your resume. Depending on the nature of the job you’re applying for, you may
need to bring a portfolio or samples of your work.
Research on the company. Try to find out as much as you can about the products and services and
history. Look at their social media and/or their ad campaigns. Companies appreciate it when applicants
seem familiar with their business – it shows that you really want the job!
INTERVIEW ATTIRE
You do not have to wear expensive clothes. The
most important thing is that your clothes are neat
and follow business dress code.
For men, options include:
• A long-sleeved collared shirt
• Polo barong
• Slacks
• Jacket and tie not required, unless you are
applying for a company with a formal dress code
• Leather shoes
For women, options include:
• A long-sleeved collared shirt with slacks or
knee-length skirt
• Office-appropriate dresses
• Jacket not required, unless you are applying for
a company with a formal dress code
• Light, natural-looking makeup
• If you wear nail polish, use neutral colors
• Leather shoes
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WHAT TO DO ON THE BIG DAY
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Bring a printed copy of your resume, an ID and a ballpen.
Aim to arrive at the interview location at least 15 minutes before your time slot. This will give you time
to check yourself in the mirror, settle down, and get in the right mindset.
Mind your posture and body language. Your interview “starts” the minute you walk into the office. Sit
properly, be polite and professional, and if you need to take a phone call keep your voice low so you
don’t disturb others.
Turn your phone on silent mode. You don’t want a call or notifications to interrupt your interview!
Get into the right mindset. As you wait for the interview to start, try to calm down, relax and clear
your head. Your mood will show in your body language, so do what you can to feel more confident and
positive – whether it’s praying, reading positive quotes or affirmations, or listening to music.
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
The purpose of the interview is to find out more about your skills, prior experience, and personality.
To get this information, interviewers will either ask about your background or how you will respond to
hypothetical scenarios.
Here are some of the most common interview questions, and how to prepare your answer.
Tell me about yourself.
Many interviews start with this open-ended question. It’s just not an ice breaker: interviewees are looking
for clues of your personality and whether you’ll fit into the company culture. Once you gain more work
experiences, your answers should highlight your skills and area of expertise. But as a fresh graduate, you
want to highlight your values.
So while you can share something personal, you don’t want to bore the interviewer or reveal too much
information. So give stick to one or two key points, and keep it to 1 to 2 minutes.
You can:
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Use the Past-Present-Future formula. Mention previous experience, how it led you to where you are
now, and what you want to do next.
Example: “I have always loved computers, and as early as 10 years old my parents would ask me for
help if they had a problem with a software or app. When I was in high school, I read the biography of
Steve Jobs and was inspired by his quote, ‘Design isn’t just what it looks like. Design is how it works.’ I
want to create programs that are easy for everyone to use—even people who aren’t tech savvy.”
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Share a turning point that reveals something about your character or values.
Example: “I was a working student. While I had a scholarship, I had to take part-time jobs for my living
expenses and books. Juggling work with my studies taught me time management and multi-tasking.
It also made me realize that with hard work and persistence, anything is possible.”
Why do you want this job?
You can share a personal experience that led you to choose a particular career. If possible, you can talk
about why you admire a company or feel like you will thrive in it.
Example: “I was a student council volunteer. When my community was badly hit by a typhoon, I was part
of the team that raised funds for the families that lost their homes. My job was to make social media
posts and write letters to companies, and eventually we raised almost P100,000. That’s when I realized
the power of communication and community relations, and want to find work as a PR and marketing
assistant.”
Example: “When I was an Education major, I became interested in the progressive approach, multiple
intelligence, and child-centered learning. Your school is known for this kind of curriculum, and I read so
many positive stories from parents and graduates on your social media page. I would love to be part of
this kind of teaching environment.”
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What are your strengths and weaknesses.
Everyone will say “I work hard” or “I am good with people.” Pick a more specific soft skill that can help
you stand out among other candidates.
I know how to…
I am good with…
I know a lot about…
Use computer software
Numbers and computation
History
Create and edit videos
Thinking of concepts and creative ideas
Science
Make a website or program
Planning projects or activities
Entertainment trends (film, music, pop
culture)
Write (creative or academic)
Handling money and budgets
Beauty trends
Draw or design
Anticipating, analyzing and solving
problems
Fashion trends
Speak another language
Explaining/teaching other people
Computer and digital trends
Do crafts, carpentry or other skills that
use my hands
Motivating and persuading people
Food trends
Cook/bake
Listening to people
Pets or animals
Sing / act / play an instrument
Coordinating with other people
Gardening
Take care of children/elderly
Anticipating what people need or will feel
Games, apps and software
Do hair, makeup or other beauty
treatments
Organizing things, ideas, information, files
Sports and fitness trends
Play a sport well
Gathering data and research
Health and wellness trends
When describing your weakness, focus on what you are doing to overcome that weakness and improve
yourself. “I have a tendency to focus on the details, but I’m learning to ask myself, ‘Is this detail
necessary? Am I delaying completion of this task unnecessarily?’”
TRY THIS
Write a two-paragraph answer to each interview question. (This is equivalent to about 1 minute of talking time.)
Tell me about yourself.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Why do you want this job?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Practice answering these questions in front of the mirror, without looking at your notes. This can help you feel less
flustered when you are asked during the actual interview.
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REMEMBER THIS
Most interview questions can be answered by sharing a relevant
anecdote, and citing a relevant hard skill or soft skill.
Think of 2 or 3 personal experiences or accomplishments, and the
hard skills and soft skills you want to highlight. Practice applying it to
different possible interview questions:
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What can you bring to the company?
Out of all the people applying for this job, why should we hire you?
Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced, and how you
dealt with it.
Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
TIPS FOR ONLINE INTERVIEWS
Some employers may want to conduct the job interview online. Make a good impression by following these
tips:
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Test-run your computer and the online meeting tool. Know what online meeting tool (e.g., Zoom,
Google Meet, Skype) your interviewer plans to use. Days before the actual interview, make sure that
your computer has the necessary components to use it. Familiarize yourself with the tool’s different
functions, as well as its audio and video settings.
Prepare your environment. Pick a spot in your house that is conducive for an online meeting. It should
have good lighting so that your interviewer can see you clearly, and good ventilation so that you can
feel comfortable during the interview. Minimize background noise and make sure that the space behind
you (i.e., what the interviewer can see) is clean and organized.
Dress appropriately. Even if the interviewer will mostly see your face and shoulders, dress as you
would if you were going to the interview in person.
Log on early. Just as you would show up at a face-to-face interview before your scheduled time, log on
a few minutes early.
Mind your posture. During the interview, mind your posture, sit straight, speak clearly, and directly face
the camera. It is best to have the computer’s camera at eye-level.
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lesson 4:
Your First Job
Congratulations, you got the job! This is the first step in the exciting journey of building your career. You
will learn many things along the way, and acquire the experience and skills to reach your goals.
This chapter will help you get used to your first month at work. However, there are many other “teachers”
around you: your colleagues and direct supervisor, books and other career development resources, or
even the adults around you who all have years of work experience and can give their advice.
HAVE A CLEAR JOB CONTRACT
A legitimate company will always have a clear job contract or memorandum of agreement. It should have
your job position, salary and benefits, and employment terms (full-time / part-time / contractual).
If your employer says that you will “try things out” for a few months—like an internship or job probation—
you need to know how long this trial period will be before your employment terms are reviewed.
UNDERSTAND ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS
Find out about more about your daily tasks and responsibilities. The Human Resources manager or your
direct supervisor may give you a formal job orientation. If not, ask! Communication is important, and asking
questions can be a sign of initiative and a sense of responsibility.
OBSERVE, RESEARCH AND LEARN
In the workplace, you will not always be “spoon-fed” the information you need. Be observant: take note of
what co-workers do, what your supervisor frequently asks for, and the usual office routines and processes.
You may be asked to do something unfamiliar. You can ask questions, but take the initiative to research on
your own! For example, if your supervisor asks you to use a software, watch a video tutorial on the Internet.
AVOID OFFICE POLITICS
Do not join or spread office gossip, or complain about people behind their backs. At this stage in your
career, you need to build a good professional reputation and create good relationships. You never know
when you need to work with someone again in the future.
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SET CAREER GOALS
Some people know what they want right away, but for most, the career path only becomes clear after
holding several jobs.
However, you can create short-term career goals that are based on the kind of skills or experiences. So
instead of mapping out a “Big Career Plan”, you are looking for ways to improve yourself and your resume.
Some examples of short-term career goals are:
• Learn a new software or program
• Hit a certain job target (like “earn P100,000 in sales”)
• Take a certificate course
• Take the leadership role in a work project
TRY THIS
These questions can help set some concrete, short-term career goals.
1.
What are 3 skills that you want to develop in your first job? What can help you develop them?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2.
Look at the job description of senior positions in your industry (for example, “Marketing manager”) or a senior
position in a company you’d really like to work in (for example, “Game Designer, Nintendo”).
Write down their job requirements
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Think of what you can do to develop those skills or abilities to “qualify” for your dream job.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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