Goodbye professors, hello recruiters! After closing a major chapter in your life, it’s time to embark on the next big, daunting, but wonderfully intricate world of post-college reality: job hunting. While you have probably attended 1 or 2 required seminars on “how to win your dream job” (which, if you will be truly honest, brought you more anxiety than enlightenment), it doesn’t hurt to start a checklist to equip yourself for the battle ahead. After all, when you don’t have much experience yet and there’s a competitive job market to face, the only way to succeed is to come prepared. So, to our brave little graduate, get busy and:

1. Build a stellar CV and a concise but convincing cover letter

This is the opportune (and socially acceptable) time to unleash every bit of humblebrag in you. Remember that seminar you took on your freshman year about Photoshop? If you got to use what you learned, include it. Highlight any awards or leadership activities you took part in and quantify your achievements (e.g. increased organization membership by 50%) with strong action-oriented words. Don’t make the mistake of cluttering your CV with too many details though – you wouldn’t want the recruiter to just skim over your CV but instead see the best things you can offer for their company. It pays to fine-tune every CV and cover letter you submit, because every job opening requires a different version of your best.

2. Open a LinkedIn Profile and build your network

Classmates, mentors, professors, titos, and titas – they all know someone you don’t whom you can learn from. Sometimes, referrals are even the key to finding your dream job. There are many ways for you to supercharge your LinkedIn to find the right opportunities faster. Just make sure you don’t overuse it for stalking (because yes, they can see you viewed their profile). Likewise, plug in your resume details in other similar jobsites such as Jobstreet, JobsDB, Monster, and Kalibrr.

3. Request for extra copies of your university documents

During your first interviews, you’ll most likely be asked for a copy of your Transcript of Records, and possibly even your diploma, awards, and certificates. While you’re at it, make a couple of Xerox copies so you don’t have to rush to a print shop prior to an important interview. You wouldn’t want to risk losing your poise looking like you just ran a marathon!

4. Have a handful of ID’s and personal documents ready

Get a haircut and practice your smiling and non-smiling angles, because it’s time to start collecting – ID’s! While the bare minimum is typically 2 ID’s, it’s best to be ready and start signing up for your University Alumni ID, Driver’s License, PRC, Voter’s ID, among many others. Drop by the nearest business service center as well and request for a few copies of your official NSO Birth Certificate, and drop by your City Hall for the annual Community Tax Certificate (or cedula). Lastly, be prepared and get a lot of 1×1 and 2×2 ID pictures.

5. Process your UMID (SSS, Philhealth, PAG-IBIG)

The Unified Multi-Purpose ID card or UMID is a one-stop shop ID that covers your SSS, Philhealth, and PAG-IBIG accounts. If you are applying in the private sector, you first need to apply for an SSS account at the branch nearest you, and conversely, with GSIS if you are vying for the public sector following these guidelines. For SSS applicants, fret not because the SSS-E1 form is downloadable online so you can save time by filling it in at home. Once you are hired, the HR team can typically assist you in applying for your Philhealth and PAG-IBIG accounts, but if you’re feeling eager now, you can check out their websites and e-register.

6. Process your NBI Clearance

Gone are the days when you have to queue up for hours just to prove your non-criminal past at one of NBI’s satellite offices. They’ve even prepared a step-by-step tutorial here on how to apply for an NBI Clearance online. In case you have a fairly common name, best to apply for this one early, because complications tend to arise when you share your name with a couple of other Filipinos.

7. Process your TIN

Ahh, the government requirement that we love to hate the most – taxes! For this one, it’s best to wait for HR’s assistance once you land your first job, because your application depends on the location of your company. In case you already have a TIN number though, make sure to read BIR’s guidelines and have the BIR 1905 form on standby, especially if your original place of registration is different from your would-be job.

8. Open a savings account

What would all this painstaking preparation be for if not for the moolahs? To make sure that you don’t go all out on your future paydays on booze, fancy food, and outrageous shopping, it’s wise to open a savings account immediately so you can allocate a part of your salary to this account. Just make sure you won’t be grabbing your ATM card once you see the elusive words “50% off.”

Finally, on this daunting job hunting task ahead – keep an open and optimistic mind, manage your expectations, practice for interviews, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Got any more tips? Share them with us below!