You love your country, but with what’s happening, you can’t help but consider working overseas. After all, you need money to ensure and secure your family’s future. With the amount of money you are earning today, it won’t be enough to cover all the necessary expenses, including your own house, car, education, savings, and investment.
Apparently, someone told you that applying abroad can be overwhelming. There are a lot of documentation involved before you can even get a slot for interview.
The truth is applying overseas is similar to applying for a job here. Yes, there are additional documents you need to submit, but these documents are not hard to fulfill.
Below is a checklist of documents you need to prepare if you want to work abroad:
1. Updated Resume or CV – This is important. In fact, this is the first document you need to prepare when applying for a job overseas. Your resume or CV should contain your educational attainment, previous work experience/s, relevant trainings related to the job you are applying for, and references. You can check this post to help you write your resume and how to make it stand out.
2. Valid Passport – Surprisingly, there are many aspiring OFWs who are having trouble with this. Some were unaware that their passports are about to expire, thereby preventing them from applying overseas. If you want to work abroad, then make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. If it’s less than six months, then schedule a passport renewal immediately so you can start with the work application process.
3. Birth Certificate – Yes, this is necessary. The agency and your future employer need to know that the person before them is one and the same person; hence the submission of birth certificate. Take note that the birth certificate you will submit must be issued / authenticated by NSO, otherwise, it won’t be accepted.
4. School Credentials – Similar to applying for a job in the Philippines, you need to provide your school credentials such as transcript of record and diploma authenticated by the DepEd or CHED. Employers need to know how you were and school and use your school credentials as a gauge on whether or not you are qualified for the job. Keep in mind that foreign employers are not aware of the educational system in the Philippines, so provide as much information as you can.
5. Training Certificates – What did you do after school? Did you continue improving your skills by enrolling in classes or underwent training? If yes, make sure you include that in your file. Providing certificates from trainings or seminars attended leaves a good impression on foreign employers because it signifies that you are willing to improve yourself. Plus, not all companies have enough funds to train employees and showing them that you had the necessary trainings could seal the deal.
6. Employment Certificates – This is applicable if you have previous employment. This should include the company you worked for, the position held as well as job description, salary, and duration of employment among others. This gives future foreign employers a glimpse of how you were at work.
Other documents to be provided are:
- NBI, Police, or Barangay Clearance
- Marriage contract for female applicants
- National Commission of Muslim Filipinos for Filipino applicants
Are your documents complete?