This isn’t a sign that you should neglect your resume, but it does indicate that there’s a lot more to getting a job than just a piece of paper.
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It’s almost funny to think that a sheet of paper, whether printed out or in digital form, is what stands between you and your dream job. Yes, your resume is the first impression you’ll make with recruiters, a one-page report on what you have to offer to the job and company. But getting that coveted “yes” and signing a contract is more than just whether or not the HR representative liked your resume. There also lies the importance of coming into the process with the right attitude and mindset. You should still take your resume seriously, but diving into the career you want for yourself involves a lot more than that.
A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
One thing that school doesn’t teach you about the job hunt is that your resume is not the end-all-be-all of whether or not you get the job. It can get your foot in the door, but that’s just step one. The real test is whether or not your heart is into it, something Farrah Abello, a Talent Attraction and Experience Specialist at SN Aboitiz Power Group and one of our speakers at the UA&P stop of NYLON Manila Career Fair 2025, looks for in applicants.
“I’d also like to somehow gauge the candidate’s interest in really joining the organization, because once they apply for it, and then during the interview, them asking questions about those things would actually mean that they did their assignment,” she tells NYLON Manila. After all, once you get the job, your co-workers aren’t going to really care about what’s on your resume more than your attitude and willingness to learn and grow.
A well-made resume tailored to the job opening that effectively communicates how you can contribute to the role can open doors. But if you really want to make the most of your career, be ready to put in the work. As Farrah sees it, “I wish fresh grads knew that it’s not just about what’s written on their resume, but more on how they carry themselves and how they show their attitude when it comes to interacting with other people.”
Read our full interview with Farrah Abello below as she shares her insights on navigating the job hunt, getting experience even in a college setting, and more.
In your opinion, what do you think is the one thing about the job hunt that fresh graduates get wrong?
I think that’s applying to whatever they see online. With their job searching, there’s the urge to really get the job right away, so they just apply to whatever they see online, any job posting they see online, without understanding if that position really fits their interests, if it’s something that would fit their skills. They don’t check the job posting. They don’t fully understand the job posting before applying for it. So after that, kasi dun yung parang sunod-sunod na even if they get an interview for that specific position, even if they get hired for that specific position, if it’s not something they really want to pursue, they won’t last that long.
What do you look for in resumes that would get your attention?
As a recruiter, I don’t judge the candidates through their resume. I would be looking for specific keywords, but that won’t stop me from scheduling for an interview with that specific candidate. For example, I see someone, once I see great potential in a resume, so that would speak so much about that candidate. I guess a resume is one thing, but the interview is another.
Speaking of the interview, some may not realize that asking questions during a job interview is important. So, what are questions that you think applicants should ask in a job interview?
No specific questions but I’d like to actually see from the candidate that they’re interested in the position. They know what they’re applying for. They also know what we do in the company. I’d also like to somehow gauge the candidate’s interest in really joining the organization, because once they apply for it, and then during the interview, them asking questions about those things would actually mean that they did their assignment. They did their homework, research about the company. They’re interested. They want to fully merge themselves in that specific company.
Talks and negotiations regarding paycheck and pay range can be tricky for a lot of fresh graduates. From your perspective, how do you think fresh graduates can navigate that?
So fresh graduates, when it comes to their asking rate, they can be realistic and they shouldn’t also lowball themselves at the same time. But when asked that question, they can be honest. Para they can also add, “I’d be open to negotiation, depending on what the budget is for this role.”
Kasi, each role naman has a budget and recruiters don’t typically process candidates if they feel like they’re out of the budget. So being in the interview means, initially, before ka pa ma-schedule for an interview, you’re within the budget that they have set for that role. So you can be open to negotiation. You can be honest with your asking rate, but you can also be open to negotiation depending on the budget for this role, as well as the responsibilities or what would be expected of you.
What advice would you give to first-time job applicants who are feeling nervous about their job interview?
Well, it’s normal. Them feeling nervous about the interview actually means they want it, they want the job. They just need to allow themselves to feel that nervousness and at the same time, focus on their whys. If they’re confident enough, they know what they’re getting into, they’d be able to answer all the questions.
What tips would you give to students on how to craft a resume given that many may only have school-related experience so far?
So school projects or org works, all of those. Even if they have personal initiatives, they can put them down. Those things that they put in their resume actually speaks of how they can be proactive in their society, in school, and how they work with a team. Those are the things that employers usually look at fresh graduates. It’s already given, they don’t have much of the corporate world experience yet. They don’t have the technical skills yet.
But then again, the employers should really look at how this fresh graduate would navigate through the job, even without those experiences. So even if it’s not an internship, as long as you did something you feel like that was an achievement, it’s okay to put it in your resume.
As a recruiter, does educational background factor into the hiring process in a sense that the degree of the applicant should match the job they are applying for?
Traditional recruiters would do that. But I’m not very specific with the educational background of the applicants. It’s more on, would the job responsibilities be one of their interests despite it not being their theoretical background. Were there times that they were able to do things related to the job, be it org work or any personal initiative or projects in the society or in their community. So not really specific, but it would also help if they somehow try to sharpen their skills on those aspects outside their course.
From your perspective, do you have a preference for internships or school org experience, or does it even matter?
You can do both. If you have a lot of time, if you feel like you can do it, go for it. Internships or org works, they’re all good exposure. It may not be as real as it can be like, it’s very different out there. It’s very different once you graduate. But then those exposure would really help you.
What is one thing about the job hunt that you wish more fresh graduates knew?
I wish fresh grads knew that it’s not just about what’s written on their resume, but more on how they carry themselves and how they show their attitude when it comes to interacting with other people. So aside from all the experiences that you’ll get from internship, org works, or different projects, once a recruiter sees that you’re actually easy to work with, you’re someone who’s willing to learn, you’re someone who’s eager for growing, and that’s what would get you hired.
Interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photos by Kieran Punay.
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