Biodata form for a job in the Philippines: what to fill in, what to leave blank, and a free Word template
Some employers in the Philippines still ask for a biodata with your application. Here's the blank form to copy or download as Word, a filled sample, and the fields you can leave blank.
What you can leave blank on a biodata
A biodata asks for more about your private life than most job papers. Here's what you can leave off, and why.
Your age and birth date
Republic Act 10911, the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 2016, says in Section 5(a) that it's unlawful for an employer to:
"Require the declaration of age or birth date during the application process"
On our reading, you can leave your age and birth date blank on a biodata you send with an application, so the samples leave them off. Section 6 lists exceptions, and HR can still ask after you're hired.
Religion, height and weight
Older biodata forms still ask for these. None of them shows an employer how you work, so the template leaves them out. Add them only if the employer's own form asks.
SSS, TIN, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG numbers
Leave them off unless the form asks. The Data Privacy Act of 2012 defines sensitive personal information, in Section 3(l), to include anything:
"Issued by government agencies peculiar to an individual which includes, but not limited to, social security numbers, previous or current health records, licenses or its denials, suspension or revocation, and tax returns"
On our reading, that covers your SSS, TIN, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG numbers, so give them when an employer needs them, not to every company you apply to.
A photo
Add a 2x2 photo only if the employer asks for one. The template marks where it goes.
Biodata or resume?
A biodata is a fixed form about you: your details, family, schooling and references. A resume is about the job: your skills and results, written for each listing. If the listing asks for a resume, send a resume. If it asks for a biodata, send this form.
This is general information, not legal advice. If an employer's form asks for something you'd rather not give, ask HR why they need it.
Replace every line in [brackets]. Delete a line that doesn't apply to you, like spouse or children.
Use the same spelling of your name, and the same dates, as on your IDs and school records.
Sign it at the bottom, over your printed name.
Then print it, or save it as a PDF if the employer takes applications by email. Download the Word file
BIODATA
Position applied for: [Job title]
Date: [Date]
Photo: [2x2 photo, only if the employer asks for one]
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: [Last name], [First name] [Middle name]
Address: [House no., street, barangay, city or municipality, province]
Mobile number: [Number]
Email: [Email]
Sex: [Male or female]
Civil status: [Single, married, widowed or separated]
Citizenship: [e.g. Filipino]
Place of birth: [City or municipality, province]
Date of birth: [You can leave this blank while you apply]
Languages: [e.g. English, Filipino, Cebuano]
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Father's name: [Full name] | Occupation: [Job]
Mother's maiden name: [Full name] | Occupation: [Job]
Spouse's name: [Full name, if married] | Occupation: [Job]
Children: [First names, if any]
EDUCATION
College: [School] | [Degree] | [Year graduated]
Senior high school: [School] | [Strand] | [Year graduated]
High school: [School] | [Year graduated]
Elementary: [School] | [Year graduated]
WORK EXPERIENCE
[Position] | [Company] | [Month Year] to [Month Year, or Present]
[Position] | [Company] | [Month Year] to [Month Year]
SKILLS
[e.g. MS Excel, typing 45 words a minute, customer service by phone and chat]
CHARACTER REFERENCES
[Full name] | [Position, company or school] | [Mobile number]
[Full name] | [Position, company or school] | [Mobile number]
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
[Full name] | [Relationship] | [Mobile number]
I certify that the information above is true and correct.
[Signature over printed name]
Biodata samples
A filled biodata for someone with work experience, and one for a fresh graduate. Pick the one closer to yours, copy it, and change the names and details.
Biodata sample with work experience
For someone with a few years of work. Newest job first, and two references who've seen you work. It leaves the date of birth off, as the notes below explain.
Example only. Kristel Anne Valdez is an invented person, and every detail is made up.
I certify that the information above is true and correct.
Ian Christopher Lagman
Questions
What is a biodata?
A one or two page form with your personal details, family background, education, work history and character references. Some employers in the Philippines still ask for one with, or instead of, a resume.
What's the difference between a biodata and a resume?
A biodata is a fixed form about you and your family. A resume is about your work: your skills and results, changed for each job. If the listing asks for a resume, send a resume. If it asks for a biodata, send this form.
Do I have to put my age or birth date on a biodata?
Republic Act 10911 makes it unlawful for an employer to "require the declaration of age or birth date during the application process". On our reading, you can leave both blank on a biodata you send with an application. The law lists exceptions, and HR can still ask after you're hired.
Do I need a photo on my biodata?
Only if the employer asks for one. If they do, attach a recent 2x2 photo where the template says Photo.
Should I sign my biodata?
Yes. End it with a line saying the details are true and correct, then sign over your printed name, as in the template.
Can I send my biodata as a PDF?
Yes, unless the employer asks for a printed copy or a Word file. Download the Word file, fill it in, then save it as a PDF.