Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) continues to demonstrate its contribution to human resource development through the active involvement of its lecturers at the national level. Meriam Esterina, M.Psi., Psi., a lecturer from the Psychology Study Program, Faculty of Psychology, Law, and Social Sciences (FPHIS) UMPWR, was invited as a speaker in a seminar entitled “Strategies to Pass Job Selection in a Competitive Era”, organized by Widya Husada University Semarang on Friday (June 19), conducted online via Zoom.
The seminar was attended by final-year students and prospective graduates preparing to enter the workforce. The event aimed to equip participants with practical insights and strategies to face increasingly competitive and dynamic recruitment processes.
During the session, Meriam delivered a presentation titled “Build Up Your CV and Be a STAR.” The material emphasized the importance of thorough preparation before entering the job selection process, starting from understanding company expectations to building a strong personal image as a potential candidate.
According to Meriam, many job applicants actually possess strong capabilities but often struggle to present their potential effectively to recruiters. Therefore, a CV should not be seen merely as an administrative document, but as an initial representation of one’s professional quality and value.
“A CV is like a house that we build and show to others. From that first impression, recruiters decide whether our ‘house’ is interesting enough for them to step inside and learn more,” she explained.
She further highlighted several key aspects that job seekers need to pay attention to, including understanding the needs of the company and the position being applied for, creating an attractive CV and LinkedIn profile, mastering job interview and psychological test strategies, and building authentic personal branding with clear added value.
Meriam also stressed that in today’s competitive era, securing a job is no longer determined solely by academic performance. Communication skills, self-confidence, mental readiness, and the ability to demonstrate one’s unique strengths have become equally important factors in the recruitment process.
Through this activity, UMPWR once again reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the development of young talents, not only within the university but also through collaboration with various educational institutions. The participation of UMPWR lecturers as speakers in external academic forums also reflects the growing recognition and trust in the expertise of UMPWR’s academics.
This seminar is expected to broaden participants’ perspectives and strengthen their readiness to enter the professional world, enabling them to become more confident and stand out as highly competitive candidates in the global job market.
