How to get a Passport in DFA SM Megamall

How to get a passport in DFA Megamall and what are the requirements? Since DFA Aseana Boulevard and other DFA offices in Manila and nearby provinces are always hectic, you can also process your passport application – new and renew at DFA SM Megamall. Passport processing here is also fast because they also have online appointment system where everyone can schedule their passport application and renewal online before going to the DFA personally. All appointments will have their own dates and time of appearance. It also makes the processing more comfortable and smooth.

In this post, I’m gonna share about the requirements you’ll need to bring at DFA at your day of appointment and the procedures of the application. We start with scheduling an appointment online because you need a valid and confirmed date before you file and process your passport.

Schedule for an Appointment Online for DFA SM Megamall

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, “confirmed appointment is required for all applicants except Senior Citizens, infants and minors below 1 year old, person with disability and OFWs. For OFWs, sufficient proof must be submitted such as a valid employment contract or OEC.”



Visit DFA SM Megamall website and schedule your desired date. Choose Individual Appointment Process if you’re alone otherwise choose Family Application Form.
Fill out the application form correctly and completely and download and print your appointment reference numbers. You’ll gonna bring them at DFA Megamall.

Getting a Passport in DFA Megamall

DFA Megamall is open from 10am to 8pm, Monday-Friday and 10am to 6pm every Saturday. It’s advisable to come early before 10am so you’ll finish early. Anyway, there won’t be big problem if you come later as long as it is really your set schedule. Check your day and time schedule on your confirmed reference form.

DFA SM Megamall Address:
7th Floor Megamall Building C
Edsa Corner, J. Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines

 Make sure you bring all the application for passport requirements together with your valid IDs, primary documents like NSO birth certificate (original and photocopy). For first time applicants, the original birth certificate will be left at DFA as file copy or reference. For renewal, they only get the photocopies of IDs and requirements. If you didn’t bring photocopies, you’ll need to fall in line to the people on queue who also needs Xerox at the Passport processing section.

1. First step is you go to the Attendance Section. The guard will lead you there after checking your application form and confirmed appointment. They will also check your requirements at this time. You’ll have to get your number from the queuing machine. Wait for your number to be flashed on the screen that says “currently servicing.”

Second step is in Processing Section. Once your number as called, go to the counter/window and the DFA staff will check your application form, mark the important details, check your requirements (if they all tally and if they are consistent), they will also check your IDs if they are valid. Usual primary documents are NSO birth certificate, 2 valid IDs and some supporting documents if needed or if you don’t have any valid ID. It would take 2-3 minutes on this section. Once you’re Okayed, you need to sign the form and choose if you want a Rush Processing or Regular Processing.

Next is your way to the Cashier to pay your chosen (regular or Rush) passport processing fee.

How much is the passport processing fee in the Philippines?

• Regular Processing Fee P950
• Rush Processing Fee P1200
• Appointment on Saturdays are charged P1200
• Additional P120 if you want your passport to be delivered

Finally, Encoding Section and Data Capture. You have to check and double check all the details encoded for your passport personal information. Make sure they are accurate and correct or else you’ll have big problems such as applying again. You will also have your photo captured at this time and your finger prints (biometrics) scanned and signature taken. By the way, don’t wear earrings.

You’re done. Make sure you have your receipt with you before you leave DFA because you need it to claim your passport on the releasing date. The date is stamped on the receipt.

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Direct Hiring Jobs in Singapore for Filipinos

If you’re looking for direct hiring jobs this 2014, Singapore is one of the most favorite of Filipinos and other people who seek jobs abroad. Not only it is close to home, starting salary in SG is around SG $1800 which would amount to 3 months of salary in the Philippines. That is why many Filipinos find employers in Singapore and leave their jobs here to earn more and give more for their families.

direct hiring jobs in singapore for filipinos

How to find jobs in Singapore?

How to get a job in Singapore? Filipinos usually find employers by going personally in Singapore and by submitting their resume online to SG’s job banks and reputable online job portals like Jobstreet SG and The Strait Times as it seems to be the most read newspaper in the Singapore. You can also find employers while in the Philippines especially if someone like a friend, colleague or relative referred you for a possible job related to your education attainment, work experience and skills. Pass your CV and resume to companies and employers at these trusted websites:

The Strait Times
JobsDB.SG
JobStreet.SG

Those sites are the most reliable and most trusted websites online where you can find direct hiring jobs in Singapore for Filipinos and find latest employers hiring. Some hardworking people also do both – job hunting in Singapore and applying online at the same time. Remember that Singapore still has priority with their citizens so it’s quite hard nowadays but never lose hope as a job will come for you if it’s really meant to be for you.

Tips to be direct hired in Singapore:

The most effective tips are: submit your resume or CV online to many job openings related to your work experiences, degree, and skills. The more you submit to companies, the more interviews you’ll attend and the more chance of getting hired easily. Some companies and employers would interview you via Skype or Google Hangout or any video calling mean they are using.

Don’t be too choosy with employers and companies. Why not grab a job offer right away? Besides, finding jobs in SG is very hard nowadays. If you have worked right away in Singapore, it means you have easy access to more job opportunities. You can just level-up your career once you’re living and working there.

Prepare all your original documents and credentials such as diploma, Transcript of Records (TOR), certificates and valid IDs. Also prepare many photocopies of them. I recommend colored-photocopies. Make sure they are genuine and are all valid.

Jobs Hiring in Singapore for Filipinos 2014

IT (Information Technology) Area
Software Engineers
Web Developers
Banking, Accounting and Finance
Business Admin. and Management
Customer Service and Technical Support
Design and Architecture
Medical, Nursing and Health
Food, Beverage and Hospitality
Applying for a Work Permit in Singapore

If you have been successfully hired by your employer in Singapore, the next step is applying for a work permit so you can legally work there as a foreign worker. This will be like your working visa in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower in SG is strict in hiring foreign workers so if your permit was approved, you must do your best and work hard not only to prove you’re worth it but also to have more chance of having that job for longer time. You might not need to leave the Philippines as your employer will be the one to process your work permit for you. If you are under the workers who receive SGD 1,800 to 2,499, your work permit is called S Pass if you’re under the SGD 2,500 and above category, your work permit is called E Pass. You may read about applying for S Pass and E Pass here:

How to get S Pass or Employment Pass Work Permit and Visa Requirements in Singapore
Registering as OFW in POEA

If your S Pass or E Pass has been approved, you’re ready to work in Singapore. I’m sure you’re so happy and smiling at this time. It’s recommended that you register yourself as an official OFW at the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) so you’ll have the benefits of being an OFW. You’ll attend PDOS (Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar) which will help you familiarize yourself about Singapore and living and working there. You also need an exit-clearance before you board your plane at the airport.

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Direct Hiring Jobs in Canada for Filipinos

How to get a job in Canada via direct hiring process? It’s so simple plus you’ll get approved easily than getting a job in the USA and other wealthy countries. The steps, procedures and requirements are discussed in this page so read on…

Canada has been one of the best countries where Filipinos love to seek greener pasture plus citizens of Canada love Filipinos too. Many find it easier to get working visas in Canada than getting one from other countries like the US, Australia, UK, Japan and other rich countries. Why is that? Simply because in Canada, there are no TNTs (tago-ng-tago in Pinoy slang). Canada is a well disciplined country. It loves its immigrant workers as much as it loves its citizens.

OFW Jobs Hiring in Canada 2013

Usual jobs for Filipinos in Canada are in the following area:

Nursing – Filipino nurses are everywhere in Canada, if you’re RN you’d definitely get a job here
Caregiver jobs – lots of Filipinos find caregiving jobs via direct hiring too as long as they have the TESDA certificate
Hotel and restaurant jobs – such as housekeeping staff, bartenders, waiter or waitresses, fast food crew, restaurant managers, cashiers and the like.
Teaching
Construction
Engineering
Accounting – CPAs, auditors
Information Technology
Architecture
How to get a job in Canada easily and successfully?

One of the great tips to get a job in Canada for Filipinos via direct hiring is to choose the jobs classified under the skilled and low-skilled jobs. Why? Because these jobs are usually hiring and have the most available vacancies. Canada hires foreign workers if and only if they find no citizens in Canada to fill those jobs. If you heard of LMO (Labor Market Opinion) – that’s one of the requirements before an employer can hire foreign workers there. No wonder why many professional workers in the Philippines such as doctors and others leave their jobs here and apply for positions related to their career and experience. Anyway, higher salaries and compensation awaits anyone who will work abroad like Canada. There are also professional positions hiring like CPA, teachers etc although majority of Filipinos apply for the skilled.


Online employer

First thing you would do is find an employer in Canada. Some employers post their jobs vacancies online. Remember to apply only to trusted job websites like the following listed below.

www.jobbank.gc.ca
www.workopolis.com
www.monster.ca

Employer agent in the Philippines for Direct Hiring

If you have a friend or relative in Canada, they could refer you for employers provided you are qualified for the position they are hiring. The more you find employers, the more chance you got of getting hired.

You can also apply to some people who conduct direct hiring in the Philippines. These people usually schedule some orientations about their job offers in Canada. These agents are affiliated with Canadian employers who directly hire OFWs. They do the same steps as local agencies do to their applicants. The good thing about them is there’s not much competition from the number of applicants than to other agencies. They will also assist you in processing your documents for the application at the Canadian embassy.

LMO and Employment Permits Processing in Canada

Once you found an employer, good thing for you because they will process the LMO and some documents needed for your employment in Canada. If your papers are ready, you can then apply for your working visa at the Embassy of Canada in Manila (currently at the RCBC Plaza, Makati) See the requirements for working visa application in Canada for Filipinos. You may also need your SSS Employee Static Information as supporting document for your visa approval.

Visa Application at the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines

Good thing about applying for a visa and work permit in Canada is that you maynot need a personal interview at the embassy if your papers are all complete and consistent, your visa will be delivered to you so soon. You can apply online or personally process your papers at the Canadian Embassy (address is listed below)

Levels 6-8, Tower 2
RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200

POEA Registration as Name Hire

After you had your visa approved, you will then have to register yourself at the POEA for Name Hire / Direct Hire to be an official OFW. You will have PDOS (Pre-departure Orientation Seminar) and process your OWWA, SSS, Pagibig, Philhealth papers too. Once you’re done, they will give you your Exit Clearance which you will use at your departure at the airport when you leave the Philippines and fly to Canada.

Now that you know the tips and the procedure for direct hiring in Canada, are you ready to apply? Gather your guts and make your dreams come true. Find an employer now and let that passport have visa stamped :)

Let’s hear your thoughts. Post your messages at the comment box below. God bless!

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Are You a Nurse Looking for Work?

If you are in nursing and looking for a new opportunity, here are a few tips and suggestions to help you in your job search.

Where Would You Like To Work?

Opportunities for nurses exist in a variety of different venues. Make a list of all possible types of organizations that might be looking for nurses. Locales to consider might be seniors' homes, nursing homes, hospitals, visiting care nurse associations, large companies, schools, etc.

Once you've narrowed down the list to where you'd like to work, start looking for these organizations in your local area.

If you are interested in working for the provincial government, or you are interested in relocating, you might also want to visit the websites of provincial governments. These governments often list nursing opportunities in their province. Some even offer education incentives if you are interested in working for the province.

Make Some Calls:

Once you've decided on the opportunities you'd like to pursue, start making some calls. If you're interested in working in a hospital setting, call the Human Resources department of the hospital and ask them about the hiring process. Is hiring done through one central system, or does each hospital hire their own staff? What is the process for unionization? Remember to ask what levels of certification they require and what their hiring trends are.

Making calls also applies to nursing homes, extended care facilities, visiting nurses associations, etc.

Nursing is a valuable career skill, but it still requires an organized job search approach.

Decide What's Important:

Do you want to work in Canada, or overseas? Do you want to relocate because the salary is higher or your potential for advancement is greater? What's important to you?

Since nursing is an in-demand career skill, some countries pay incentives and bonuses to entice nurses to relocate. This can be a great learning experience and an opportunity to travel and discover new things. You don't need to limit yourself to traditional employment venues if you have a desire to travel or try new things.

If you prefer to stay in Canada, opportunities exist across the country, with each location offering its own advantages. Researching a location is a great way to help you determine salaries, cost of living, and opportunities for enjoying life outside of work.

If you are looking for work outside your province or country, remember to verify certification requirements.

Opportunities to work in the nursing field are extensive. From working in remote locations to busy city hospitals, nurses can live and work in a wide range of locales. A researched approach to your job search will help ensure you take advantage of available nursing opportunities, whether they be in a hospital, an oilfield, a school, or aboard a cruise ship. 

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How to Write a Resume

Your resume is your marketing tool. It's a concise work history, list of accomplishments, and education that you present to a potential employer. Writing a resume takes time and attention to detail. The way you lay out your resume is really a matter of preference, but keep in mind that you want it to be as easy to read as possible, so leave a lot of white space. Usually, one starts with their contact information at the top. Make sure all your contact information is correct.


Your contact information is usually followed by a short description of your qualifications or skills that can be applied to the position you are seeking. That is usually followed by your work history, then your education and any achievements or professional associations you below to.

Here are some ways to tackle each section of your resume.

Qualifications/Objective Statement:

Here's where you get to tell the employer what you'd like to do. Whatever the type of position you are seeking, make sure it's clear. Also, include experience and skills you've attained in your past work to show how you qualify. Here's an example: Seeking a sales management position that allows me to use my skills and experience in motivating staff, generating loyal customers, and project management to achieve and exceed XYZ Company's sales projections.

Job History:

Starting with your most recent position (including the job you have now, if applicable) list the jobs you've had in descending order. Make sure you list the title and the duration and dates you were employed at the company or organization.

Describe what your role was in the job. Use point form sentences or bullets and keep the phrases short and to the point. If you are a Team Leader in a call centre, your work history might look like this:

Call Centre Accounts 
Team Leader: January 2001-May 2005
XYZ Company

Responded to escalated calls from XYZ company clients ragarding their accounts.

Expedited requests for technicians to visit clients.

Participated in in-house projects (testing of billing system and call back system.)
Responded to calls from XYZ company clients. Evaluated which calls had to be escalated.

Ensured that client database information was updated and accurate.

Selected from a choice of 15 candidates and trained for team leader position. Promoted January 2001.

Call Centre Accounts
Representative: June 1999-January 2001
XYZ Company

Education:

Your education should be listed in reverse chronological order as well, with your most recent achievements at the top. Usually, your high school education doesn't need to be listed if you have post secondary education. If however, you are just entering the work world and don't have any completed post-secondary education, it's acceptable to list your high school education.

Professional Associations, Affiliations, Skills, Achievements:

If you belong to a professional association, make sure you list that on your resume. A professional association would be a group as it pertains to your work, like the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.

Usually, participation in groups that are personal or hobbies are not listed.

Make sure you also include a list of skills, such as your level of computer skills, and additional languages you speak, First Aid certification (if it's required for the position,) etc.

Achievements you might want to include are any professional papers you've written, awards you've received, etc.

By presenting a resume that's easy to read, concise, and clear, you present yourself as a professional candidate. Remember to use a nice quality of plain paper, an easy to read font, and lots of white space on your resume.

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Five Ways to Improve Your Resume Today

Declutter Your Resume:

Avoid long descriptions of jobs and experience. Format your resume so that you have as much white space around the text as possible. This makes reading your resume easier and quicker, a plus to busy human resources professionals and recruiters. By increasing the white space on your resume, you make your content stand out more.

Use Bulleted Points:

Using bullets or point form text in your resume makes it easier to read and encourages you to only list the important points of your past employment. Be concise with your information and highlight important qualifications as they relate to this position.

Be Clear:

Clearly define what your job was using terms that are simple and easy to understand. Clarify by explaining any qualifications, spell out acronyms, and use common formats for any software you have experience with.

Check Your Spelling:

Nothing shows lack of attention to detail like spelling mistakes or typos on your resume. By using a spell checker, you eliminate some of these, but make sure you give it a complete, thorough read-through because some words aren't caught by spell-checkers.

Use an Easy to Read Font and Format:

Stick to the basics when creating your resume. Make sure the layout is broken down into appropriate sections, the font is easy to read at a glance, and that your font size isn't too large. Choose a good quality plain paper to print your resume on. 

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