New year, new career. It’s a mantra we’ve embraced in helping the Right People find the right roles with the right companies for a quarter-century. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, navigating the job-search landscape is an ever-changing experience, and we’ve gathered a lineup of expert ECLARO recruiters to share their best tips—from perfecting your résumé and prepping for interviews to presenting your skills and making the right decision on a job offer—to help give you a competitive edge.
Now, let’s dive in and set you on the path to career success!
Before You Hit That “Apply” Button…
Update Your Personal Profiles
Remember, it’s not only your friends who are intrigued by your online presence—recruiters and hiring managers are, too. They spend plenty of time on LinkedIn and elsewhere in search of candidates for job openings. An outdated profile might make you miss out on opportunities simply because your profile doesn’t reflect your latest skills and experiences.
“Ensure your LinkedIn and other professional profiles are current, and do not forget to highlight your key skills and experiences. This makes a recruiter’s job easier,” says ECLARO recruiter Jhunnel Magtangob.
In some cases, recruiters may check social media profiles to see how a candidate’s personal brand aligns with a company’s values. Tailoring your profiles to match your professional goals can boost your opportunities.
Analyze the Job Description Thoroughly
It's important that you know what you're getting into. Before applying, make sure you understand the job description—scrutinize each requirement and reflect on how you line up. “Put emphasis on relevant experience, achievements and key skills that align with the role,” says ECLARO recruiter Marianne Bitara.
Understanding the role’s demands and opportunities, and ensuring that these align with your abilities and career goals, are key to a successful application.
Craft a Strong Value Proposition
Make yourself a more attractive candidate to potential employers by showcasing your uniqueness and what you can really offer. ECLARO recruiter Clarke Ignacio suggests crafting an irresistible value proposition so you can stand out from the crowd.
“Create a captivating offer that highlights your unique blend of skills and experiences,” Ignacio says. “This engaging narrative will resonate with potential employers and compel them to see how you can drive success in their organization.”
Now, To Your Résumé …
Tailor Your Résumé to Your Target Job
The next step in selling yourself is your résumé, and one size does not fit all.
“Customize your résumé for each application by emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences,” ECLARO recruiter Jenalyn Coquilla advises. Make sure your credentials speak directly to the job, and use the right keywords so your credentials better match up with what a job description is asking for.
Check for Errors…Then Check Again
If you aren’t going to take the time and care to make sure your own details are correct, how are you going to perform with precision at the actual job? A thorough proofreading can prevent your résumé from quickly being relegated to the “no” folder.
Believe it or not, we’ve actually met candidates who spelled their own names incorrectly on a résumé!
“A simple typo or grammatical mistake can hurt your chances,” notes ECLARO recruiter Audrei Cortez. “Carefully proofread your résumé and correct any errors before submitting it. Mistakes can give the impression of carelessness or a lack of attention to detail, which may raise doubts about your professionalism.”
Be Concise and Precise
Recruiters go through countless documents every day, so you want your résumé to be one that sticks out in a good way. Be thorough and descriptive, but remember that a straight-to-the-point, seamlessly written résumé highlighting your key achievements as they pertain to the job at hand can help recruiters better assess your qualifications and determine if you’re a potential fit.
“This helps us answer the ‘Why should we hire you?’ question,” reveals ECLARO Recruiter Gian Waga. “Be precise when listing down your key achievements and ensure to highlight your strengths in your CV.”
For fresh graduates / first-time applicants, Waga adds, “enlisting their academic achievements or what they have learned during their internship can help.”
Craft a Clear, Well-Structured Résumé
Your résumé communicates your qualifications and your brand to the job market, helping you stand out amongst a sea of applicants.
“Make sure your résumé is presentable by highlighting your responsibilities, tools and programs you’ve used, and skills you’ve developed over the years,” advises ECLARO recruiter Anica de Ocampo, adding that a well-structured résumé makes it easier for recruiters to quickly assess your qualifications.
Organize Your Résumé Flow
Your résumé is your story, and every good story should flow in a way that gives it the most impact.
“Organize your résumé with relevant technical skills, qualifications and work history in reverse chronological order to improve your chances of passing the initial screening,” says ECLARO recruiter Maeh Mangao, emphasizing that the structure dictates the résumé’s overall narrative.
Be Honest About Your Skills and Experience
Recruiters and hiring managers are trained to scrutinize every detail in a job application, verifying résumé authenticity and identifying inconsistencies. Misrepresenting your skills or experience can lead to issues later in the hiring process. Credibility is key—no one wants to hire someone who isn't honest.
“Avoid exaggerating your qualifications. Being honest helps build trust with the interviewer and ensures the job is a good fit for both parties,” says ECLARO recruiter Chantal Alcantar.
And When You Get That Call for an Interview…
Research the Company in Advance
Knowing everything you can about the company shows professionalism and genuine interest. With most companies having an online presence on multiple platforms, it's easy to research their values, mission and any recent news about them and their entire industry.
“Understanding the company’s overall brand tailors your responses to match the company culture,” says ECLARO’s Joyce Eleazar. This clear understanding can positively influence the interview.
Leverage Informational Interviews
ECLARO recruiter Clarke Ignacio believes that informational interviews are still a thing. These remain a great way to learn more and gain advice from someone with experience in a specific skill, job, career path or industry that interests you.
“Connect with professionals in your field to gather insights about their career paths and the industry,” he adds. “This can provide valuable networking opportunities.”
Refresh Your Memory on Your Résumé Before the Interview
Interviewers do not really expect that you know your résumé by heart—memorizing dates and certification bodies and training titles could be a tricky thing, after all. But they will likely refer to your résumé and use it to craft their interview questions. Reviewing it beforehand ensures you’re ready to elaborate on your experience and achievements.
“Revisit the résumé you provided to the hiring manager,” says ECLARO’s Rose Abayan. “Refreshing your memory ensures you won’t be caught off-guard by something the interviewer references.”
Prepare Thoughtful Questions for the Interview
“Asking insightful questions shows interest. This not only provides valuable information but also leaves a positive impression,” says ECLARO recruiter Mica Navidad.
Interviewers appreciate applicants who ask relevant questions. And, more often than not, they’ll ask if you have anything you want know about the role and/or the company. Such opportunity is a thing you don’t want to waste. It’s both a chance to continue to prove yourself and to find out whether a position is the right fit for you.
Take a Beat Before Answering Every Interview Question
Pausing for a few seconds before answering a question makes you appear attentive and confident. It also gives you time to fully understand and digest the question, creating an air of composure.
“It’s best practice to pause and count ‘1-2-3’ before answering every question,” says ECLARO recruiter Denver Pacayra. Indeed, that pause can help you craft a more thoughtful response.
Practice Eye Contact
Making effective eye contact during a job interview indicates you’re focused and engaged. It signals that you're a good listener, which is a trait employers and hiring managers look for. If eye contact feels uncomfortable, try focusing on the interviewer's forehead or between their eyes to maintain engagement without discomfort.
“This is a simple and efficient way to address your comfortability in an interview and to be able to express your thoughts freely without having to look directly in the recruiter’s eye,” says ECLARO’s John Bristol, adding that it “enables you to engage effectively, respond thoughtfully and leave a positive impression during the interview.”
For virtual meetings, positioning your mouse cursor near the interviewer’s forehead can do the trick. “This creates an illusion of as if you’re looking at the interviewer’s eyes when you’re talking.”
Present Soft Skills with Real-Life Examples
Beyond your résumé are the intangible and unquantifiable details only you can showcase. Recruiters often look for how job candidates display and explain their soft skills.
“We appreciate it when soft skills like problem-solving, adaptability and teamwork are presented. You can try demonstrating these skills through real-life examples by sharing how you were able to use [those] in a situation,” shares ECLARO recruiter Hannah Salinas.
Be Honest About What You Don’t Know
There’s nothing wrong with not knowing a specific skill, industry term or market buzzword. Employers would rather work with a learning-focused candidate than someone trying to be all-knowing.
“If you don’t know the answer,” says ECLARO recruiter Sheila See, “be honest and avoid over-explaining or justifying your lack of specific qualifications. Focus on your strengths and what you know, rather than being defensive about your weaknesses.”
Practice Makes Almost-Perfect
Practicing in front of the mirror or a camera before your interview allows for real-time visualization, thinking and adjusting to what you want to convey.
“Whether for interviews or public speaking, practice is essential for enhancing your ability to communicate effectively,” shares ECLARO recruiter Audrei Cortez. “You become more aware of your body language, speech patterns and the importance of eye contact. With consistent practice, you’ll gradually build confidence, improve your articulation and become more adept at handling conversations and interviews, ultimately boosting your chances of success.”
Use the STAR Method in Interviews
For anyone but especially for first-time applicants, having a mental guide can bring order to the interview. Many successful candidates use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to frame responses with clear, structured examples of their accomplishments.
“This method helps you answer questions clearly and effectively, showing the interviewer how you handle challenges,” says ECLARO recruiter Jenalyn Coquilla. “It’s a great way to tell compelling stories that highlight your strengths.”
Provide Detailed Answers
Don’t just give short answers. Expound on your experiences with examples that showcase your expertise and how you can contribute to the role.
“A ‘short but cute’ motto is not going to cut you some slack,” says ECLARO recruiter John Bristol. “In the recruitment world, explaining and giving more examples show that you know that job like the back of your hand.”
Highlight Tools and Applications You’ve Used
When you have the specific technical skills and knowledge that a job requires, make sure it stands out. Disclosing specific platform and software proficiency helps recruiters gauge your capability to perform a specific job from a technical standpoint.
“Companies and clients are often specific about software expertise,” says ECLARO’s Sheila See, “so listing the tools and applications you have utilized throughout your career will make your profile more visible when recruiters use filters to source candidates.”
Remember the Interview Is a Conversation
An interview is a two-way conversation. It is important for every job seeker to listen and engage.
“Listening carefully and asking relevant questions enables you to engage effectively, respond thoughtfully and leave a positive impression during the interview,” adds ECLARO recruiter Jefferson Cuaresma.
Never hesitate to ask more questions during an interview. This not only shows your interest but also helps you determine if the job is the right fit for you. Inquire about labor-related matters such as base pay, benefits, team dynamics and company culture. Don’t forget to ask about the initial training period and opportunities for growth. These questions can provide valuable insights and demonstrate your proactive approach.
Finally Got a Job Offer? Great…
Request a Realistic Job Preview
Before accepting a job offer, always ask for a realistic job preview.
“This is to understand the role, company culture, work environment and responsibilities,” says ECLARO recruiter Anica de Ocampo, “as it sets proper expectations about the position, helps you understand your future responsibilities and gets you insights into how you might work with new people in a different environment.”
Follow Up and Learn More
When a verbal offer is made after an interview, it's important to remember that there are still additional steps you may have to take to earn the job. If the hiring manager doesn't reach out in an email or send you an employment contract to sign, it's perfectly acceptable to send a follow-up email. This not only confirms your employment but also helps you in learning additional information about the position.
Breathe and Think Before You Accept
It’s perfectly acceptable to take your time before accepting a job offer, to pause and request a day or two to consider it before signing the acceptance letter. Hiring managers understand this and will respect your decision. Taking this time ensures you make a well-informed choice that aligns with your career goals and personal values.
Always remember that preparation, persistence and a positive attitude are your best allies. Of course, ECLARO’s recruiters are dedicated to finding the Right People for every role, and are always happy to connect with you for one-on-one consultations. Every job search requires many steps, and you’ve just taken a big one! Here’s to a new year and new career!