Getting your documents attested in the Qatar Embassy

Where is the Philippine Qatar Embassy located? 

If you're planning to go to Qatar, it is a requirement that you have your documents authenticated or attested in their embassy here in the Philippines. Just recently, the embassy has changed location; they can now be found at #4 Santiago street lot 6, Paseo De Magallanes, Magallanes village Makati city.  A lot of applicants are still going to the old building which is located in Mckinley hill, Fort Bonifacio, only to find out that the embassy has transferred location. 

In front of the Qatar Embassy 

( Note: The embassy entertains your visa stamping and document attestation concerns at the back of their building.)

So, how do we get there from the province like Tarlac, Baguio, Nueva Ecija and the like?

People from the province are sometimes having a hard time locating the embassy. It is not easy to travel 3 to 8 hours just to get there in time. As for me whose from Tarlac, I rode a bus bound for Pasay at 4:00 in the morning just to arrive in Cubao at around 6:00. You wouldn't want to get in a heavy traffic so it's better to wait for 3 more hours for the embassy to open. You can tell the conductor to drop you off in evangelista st., from there you will notice an overpass that will lead you to the Paseo De Magallanes village. 

What's the best time to go?

If you're asking what will be the best time to go there, it will be around 7:00 am. It's okay to arrive around 8:00 am but you'll surely be listed on the 35th onward and that would be a little risky since there is a cut off on the 50th person (this may depend on their mood).

What are the requirements that you should bring to avoid going back?

Processing your documents in the Qatari embassy isn't that hard; unless you don't follow instructions which they are very strict of. It is better to come prepared than to go home again and fix your requirements. Below are some of the requirements that may help you save time:

(Just read and check carefully the requirements shown on the pictures. I didn't get the chance to capture them properly because when we went there it's raining.)

Attestation requirements for Diploma and OTR:

1. Original copy of your CHED and DFA Authenticated (red ribbon) diploma/otr.
2. Prepare two copies each in an a4 size coupon bond. 
3. No need to photocopy the front page (blue cover) because they will only get the photocopied otr and diploma.
4. Bring your credit or debit card with MASTER & VISA LOGO. I repeat, bring only credit or debit card with MASTER & VISA LOGO. The embassy is not accepting cash payments nor card payments that doesn't have master/visa logo. They are very strict about this. In the past few years I think they allow riding in with other applicants to pay your attestation fee; but now, only first degree relative can let the applicant to use their card (Father/Mother, Daughter/Son).
5. If you're using your father's card, he should also be present and have with him at least 2 valid ID's. 
6. Don't forget to bring also your valid ID's just in case they look for it.
7. If you're not the applicant, you should bring an authorization letter bearing his/her signature. Bring with you at least 2 valid ID's of the applicant and of course your own ID's.

After you paid for the attestation fee, they will advise you to come back after 3 days from the day of filing. Again, don't forget to bring valid ID's and authorization letter (if you're not the applicant). Bring with you the receipt they gave you in the cashier. Filing of documents are only entertained in the morning, getting of attested documents are scheduled in the afternoon. 

A sample of visa and mastercard logo that should be found in your card for the embassy to accept it
(photo credit: http://www.picturesnew.com/media/images/0e3db50375.jpg)

There is also a nearby East West bank where you can apply for a card but take note, it takes 24hours to activate that card.

You should see this at the back of your document; this means that your papers are already attested/authenticated by the Qatar embassy.

Check out: Getting an NBI clearance

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How to get an NBI clearance

Applying for a job can be tough at times. Aside from the pressure of getting hired, securing the company’s requirements is stressful. Most of the time, NBI or Police clearances are the most sought after. This is for the company to check if your background is clean, especially when you’re applying abroad.

What are the requirements in getting an NBI clearance?

You should not go there until you have a complete list of requirements on hand. First of all, it is stressful to fall in line and be ignored because you are not bringing the right sets of requirements. I am telling you, a lot of people are eager to find work and all of the company they are applying for requires an NBI clearance whether it is local hiring or abroad, so be ready to face a very long line of people waiting for their turn. If you are in manila, it is much better if you go to the National Bureau of Investigation as early as 5:00 AM (that’s not exaggerating). You can check on the branches nearest you online; as for my case, I got my NBI clearance here in Baguio City. I am fortunate to have it in a smooth processing.  Below are the things that you may bring to get an NBI clearance:

I.D’s

Postal I.D,

School I.D.,

Driver’s License,

Voter’s I.D.,

Voter’s Certificate,

Passport,

Birth certificate (NSO copy)

PRC license

SSS I.D.,

Senior citizen I.D.

or any kind of I.D. issued by the government. Bring at least two.

Pen- You wouldn't want other people get annoyed of you borrowing pens from them because they also have forms to fill up.

Envelope- No one knows if it is to rain, so be ready to have something to put your documents with. It is also better if your documents are arrange in such a way that it will not be crumpled or folded.

Money- Nothing in this world is free. You will be paying 115 Php for the printing and other services.

Patience- Bring a lot of patience!

When the office finally opens, people who already have their forms filled up are already allowed to enter the premises. If you still don’t have a form, ask the attendant for one and state your purpose. NBI clearance for abroad is different from the NBI clearance used for getting hired locally. Fill up all the information needed in the form.

Tips:

Heights should be in centimeters, so if you don’t want to panic computing on the spot prepare your height in cm ahead.

1 foot = 30.48 cm

Weights should be in Kg,

1 pound = 0.45 kg

After filling up the information needed in the form, you will be guided to the encoding area where the information listed on your form will be encoded in their computers. Double check all the information you wrote in the form, you wouldn't want to have a problem on misspelled names and other data. After this, the attendant will ask you to proceed in the bio-metrics area. Again, you will be ask to check on the information you gave; your finger prints will be later on scanned. Right after scanning, the computer will tell if you are cleared or not.

Most of the times, getting NBI clearance are stressful because of the common names. If your name is identical with other people who have bad records, you will have to wait for days to get your clearance. However, if you’re fortunate enough to have a unique identification, you can get your printed NBI clearance within that day.



NOTE: If you're planning to go to Qatar Embassy, this might be helpful.

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Online Job Application

The year 2000 marks a different kind of setup in the human world. Technologies arise leading to a more virtual activity. It did not even cross our minds that there can be virtual hugs and kisses but yeah, there are already a lot of virtual activities that can happen over the virtual world of internet; including job applications.

It is already known to us that most of the companies in different parts of the world are now hiring online. They just get to post job vacancies in some websites that cater this kind of need and the job hunters patiently searching for jobs that they may qualify. 

Is online job application proven and tested?

When it comes to the feasibility of applying for a job vacancy online, yes it is indeed possible. First of all, there are already a lot of job application sites over the internet where everyone can search and apply; below are some websites that you can visit for job hunting:

1. Bayt.com
2. Indeed.com
3. Jobrapido.com
4. Gulftalent.com
5. Workabroad.ph

These websites features job listing posted by companies that are in need of staff in different kind of fields whether it be medical, engineering, architectural, management, etc. All you need to do is visit them and check if you're qualified of the job. Some requirements by the company are already posted, so you can send them your resumes directly or through the sites they used.

Bayt.com for instance is a site where companies can post job vacancies. When you register, the site will provide you a space for displaying your skills, talents, and attainments that can serve as a prepared resume whenever companies visit your profile. Aside from the online resume, the site provides you the freedom to attach your own resume in pdf format. In this way you can give the hiring managers an overview of your detailed capabilities and certificates. If you are a designer or is working in the field of art, you will need to provide a portfolio of your previous works; this is a plus when applying for a job. Portfolios can be made online too if the job site does not provide the job hunters to attach their portfolio file. You can try different sites that offers a space for you to showcase your skills. I am a designer so I tried using different sites to serve as my portfolio; but I later settled with Behance. It is actually another job hunting site where the companies are mostly based in the US. I use this kind of sites to show the hiring managers what they can expect from me and the kind of work I can provide them.

Just a reminder, you are not the sole job applicant in their job vacancy, so just like any other regular application you should be patient in waiting for your application result; but nonetheless, it is possible. You just have to try to send resumes to companies that you think qualifies you. Based on my experience, it is better to check possible vacancies regularly and send resumes patiently; it’s just plain competency and luck. If the company likes your work and skills, they will surely call you.

In my case, I waited for months trying to apply online. Just when I thought that what I am doing is helpless, I received a call from a company that I can’t even remember I applied for (apparently because I send resumes to almost all of the job vacancies that I think fits me). One thing leads to another, the HR informed me that I will be having an online interview with the manager. After the interview, they sent me a written and a drawing test to see my capabilities. Later that week, I received a congratulatory email informing that I passed the tests. So to all job hunters out there, there’s nothing wrong trying your luck applying online!

Tips:

1. Update your resumes regularly- You would want your résumé to contain all the works and achievements you've done from the previous months; this can be added to your job experience.
2. Don’t forget to write a cover letter- It will be a polite move to start your application with a cover letter stating your objectives and skills. This serves as a brief summary about yourself. 
3. List down all your skills and talents- You may want to elevate yourself over the other candidates. You can do this by giving the hiring manager an overview of the skills you have; if possible, back this up with a certificate.
4. Let them know what you can do for the company- These companies are looking for competent people where they can have a beneficial relationship with. Clearly, they prefer someone who can do anything for the company, someone they can call as jack of all trades. 
5. If possible, include certificates and other achievements significant to the job posting

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