‘Write to get hired, not to tell your life story’: Associate Professor Banggawan reminds iKalinga job seekers to highlight skills, qualifications

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — First-time iKalinga job seekers were reminded to keep their resumes focused, relevant and tailored to the positions they are applying for, rather than treating them as a complete account of their personal lives.

Kalinga State University (KSU) Associate Professor I Lailani C. Banggawan gave the reminder during the Career Opportunity Fair held on September 18 at the Kalinga Sports Center in Bulanao as part of GANDAng HR: The Kalinga Public Service Convergence, in celebration of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA).

Banggawan said one of the common mistakes she observes among first-time job seekers is including too much personal information in their resumes, particularly details that are not relevant to the position they are seeking.

“Eto yung common error na napapansin ko sa mga resumes. Your resumes are not a list of everything, it's not your autobiography. Yung mga job seekers natin na first time gumawa ng resumes nila, they include their height and even weight, bakit?” she said.

She emphasized that applicants should be selective about the information they include, ensuring that every detail serves a purpose in presenting their qualifications for the position.

“It means to say, there are only a few things that you should put in your resume, and you will not be putting all the things about you kasi hindi siya autobiography. It's not your life summary, so your resume should align with what you're applying for,” she added.

Banggawan advised applicants to prioritize information that demonstrates their suitability for the job, including relevant education, work experience, skills, accomplishments and other qualifications related to the position.

She also stressed that resumes should be prepared with the employer in mind. Instead of simply listing duties or describing themselves using general adjectives, applicants should provide concrete evidence of their skills and accomplishments through clear and action-oriented descriptions.

Among her other reminders were to prioritize relevance over length, use action verbs, quantify achievements when accurate, tailor resumes to specific job openings, maintain a readable design, proofread carefully, and never lie or exaggerate qualifications.

Banggawan also clarified that a resume is intended to help an applicant secure an interview and should not be viewed as a guarantee of employment. A targeted and well-prepared resume allows employers to quickly identify an applicant's qualifications that match the requirements of the position.

Career opportunities for iKalinga job seekers

The Career Opportunity Fair brought together job seekers, employers and service providers through a range of activities, including a Job and Skills Fair, PRC Mobile Services, Professional Headshot Studio, Career Development Support Program and TESDA Skills Fair.

The Career Development Support Program also featured sessions on licensure examination requirements, career readiness and employment coaching, labor market information and employment trends, and pre-employment orientation, providing participants with practical guidance as they prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce.

The activity formed part of the province's PCSA celebration, providing iKalinga job seekers with opportunities to improve their employability, connect with potential employers and better prepare for the workplace.