Many Filipino resume templates still open with a 2x2 photo, then age, birth date, civil status, religion, height and weight. Many job seekers wonder whether leaving these out will hurt them. For most jobs today, it will not.
This post is general information, not legal advice.
Why these show up on PH resumes
The personal data sheet, or "biodata", was the standard way to apply for decades. Many schools still teach it, and older templates copy it. Some employers also ask for these details on their own application forms.
A modern resume has a different job. It shows what you can do for this role. Everything on it should help a recruiter decide whether to interview you.
Age and birth date
You generally do not need to put your age or birth date on your resume.
Republic Act No. 10911, the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act, prohibits employers from requiring applicants to declare their age or birth date during recruitment. You can leave them out, and an employer should not reject you for doing so.
Your graduation year and work dates still give a rough idea of your career stage, and that is fine. They are there because they are useful, not to reveal your age.
Photo
For most private-sector jobs, including BPO, IT, office and many healthcare roles, a photo is not needed. Leaving it out has practical benefits:
- the file stays smaller and easier to upload,
- the page has more room for your experience,
- the recruiter focuses on what you have done.
Some postings, especially for front-of-house, hospitality and some overseas roles, ask for a photo. When a posting asks, follow it. Use a recent, plain-background photo in professional clothes.
Civil status, religion, height and weight
Leave these out unless the posting specifically asks for them. They do not show whether you can do the job, and they take space from details that do.
The same goes for:
- your parents' names and occupations,
- your full street address (your city is enough),
- your SSS, PhilHealth, TIN or Pag-IBIG numbers.
Government ID numbers are sensitive. You will give them to your employer after you are hired, through their onboarding forms. They do not belong on a resume you send to many companies.
When a posting asks anyway
Some employers will still ask for a photo, your age or your civil status. You have a few options:
- Follow the post if you are comfortable, and keep the details short, in one line near your contact information.
- Use their form. If the company has its own application form, give the details there and keep your resume clean.
- Ask if you are unsure whether it is required, especially for age.
Whatever you choose, keep the focus of the page on your experience, skills and results. That is what gets you the interview.
Check the rest of your resume
Once the personal details are sorted, check your resume against a real job post to see which skills and sections the post expects.