Getting a job for myself 16 years ago was not planned. I had to find one to sustain the needs of the family right after I stopped from schooling. The day I went back to my hometown was the same day I spent hours of time looking for a job in SBMA. Luckily, a family friend mentioned that a new Company in Cubi is looking for a Purchasing Assistant so I said, I’ll give it a try.

I submitted my CV and was called for an interview. I didn’t have an idea that the person interviewing me was the General Manager himself who is a British. He asked me why I’m applying for the position. I gave him a straight answer that I needed a job badly, that I had no experience but needed to help my family. I don’t know anything but I was more than willing to learn. That time my mom was waiting for me at the lobby. I was so nervous but pretended not. If I did, I might lose the chance. So he said, we’ll let you know. I didn’t expect anything. With how I answered, I knew I was not the employee he was looking for.

At about 7pm, that same day. Our telephone rang. It was the Admin Officer asking me to report to work the next day! I was surprised yet thankful that I got the job! I was earning Php5k that time minus the deductions after each pay, so imagine how I managed those days being the breadwinner of the family. A year later, I submitted my resignation and was honest to tell my boss that I found another job who was paying more than what I was getting. He understood with no questions. A couple more followed. That time I was not even concerned about my employment record. I was after the figures of how much will I bring home each payday.  Read more »

I was approaching my 4th year in BS Industrial Engineering when my late paternal grandfather told me the message from my dad “Di ka daw muna mapapag-aral sa susunod na sem. Uuwi na si daddy mo. Wala na syang trabaho.” I was literally crying the moment I heard those words. We were at my tita’s house that time. I knew it was hard for my dad to break the bad news straight up that’s why he asked his father to do it for him.

I didn’t ask a question though because I have seen how much my dad has struggled in the past months trying to make the ends meet to support my schooling. I had a choice to continue and self support my needs but I opted not to. My family needed food and other necessities to survive. What I had in mind was “No hard feelings”. I can continue anytime I want, whenever I already can. I called my closest college friends and broke the bad news. They gladly took it the positive way which gave me hope not to continue as how it was.

Few days later, I found myself in front of a British Employer, in a job interview. Read more »