First Job Requirements in the Philippines: A Checklist

What you need to apply and what comes later

You do not need every document on day one. To apply, most employers only need your resume, and sometimes a cover letter or school records. The rest are usually pre-employment requirements, collected after you accept an offer.

Requirements differ from one company to another. Treat the list below as the common set, not an official one, and always follow the list your employer gives you.

This guide does not cover fees, processing times or application steps, because government agencies change them. Check each agency's official website for the current process before you go.

Documents about you

Resume

This is the one document every application needs. Keep it to one page as a first-time job seeker, and lead with your education, internship, projects and skills. See how to write a resume with no experience or start from the fresh graduate resume example.

Valid ID

Employers use a government-issued ID to confirm your identity, and you will need one to apply for most of the other documents here. Which IDs are accepted depends on the employer or agency, so bring more than one if you can.

PSA birth certificate

A copy of your birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) proves your name, date of birth and citizenship. Check that the spelling of your name matches your school records and IDs. If it does not, ask the PSA or your local civil registrar how to correct it, and do this early.

School records

• Transcript of records (TOR): shows the subjects you took and your grades.
• Diploma: proves you finished the course.
• Certificate of graduation or enrollment: often accepted while your diploma or TOR is still being released.

Request these from your school's registrar. Ask for more than one copy if the school allows it, and keep the originals. Employers usually need a photocopy and only want to see the original.

Clearances

NBI clearance

Issued by the National Bureau of Investigation, this shows whether you have a criminal record on file. It is one of the most commonly requested pre-employment documents. Clearances are valid for a limited period, so check with your employer how recent it has to be.

Police clearance and barangay clearance

Some employers ask for one or both in addition to the NBI clearance. A police clearance comes from the police, and a barangay clearance comes from the barangay where you live and confirms that you are a resident in good standing. Not every employer requires them, so wait for HR's list before you apply for these.

Government numbers

Employers need these four numbers to register you, pay contributions for you and withhold tax from your salary.

• SSS number: from the Social Security System, which covers private-sector employees.
• PhilHealth number: for the national health insurance program.
• Pag-IBIG MID number: for the Pag-IBIG Fund, the national savings and housing fund.
• TIN: your Tax Identification Number from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Each number is meant to be yours for life. If you think you already have one, perhaps from a previous part-time job, verify it with the agency before applying again.

Ask HR before you apply for a TIN on your own. Some employers help new hires with registration, and the process for employees can differ from the one for self-employed people.

Medical exam

Many employers require a pre-employment medical exam to confirm you are fit for the work. The employer normally tells you what the exam covers and where to have it done, so do not book one on your own before you get instructions.

The First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act

Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, exists to waive certain government fees for documents that first-time job seekers need. Coverage and conditions apply. Ask your barangay how to avail of it and which documents are covered before you pay for anything.

How to prepare your documents

1. Start with a valid ID and your PSA birth certificate, because other applications depend on them.
2. Check that your name is spelled the same way on every document.
3. Request your school records early. Registrars can be busy after graduation.
4. Apply for clearances once you are actively applying, so they are still valid when you need them.
5. Scan every document and save it as a clearly named PDF.
6. Keep the originals in one folder and bring photocopies to interviews.

Once you have an offer, ask for the official list in writing so you do not miss anything.

While you wait for documents, keep applying. Our guides on how to email a resume and common interview questions cover the next steps.