Anyone who has spent at least a few months in the Philippines hiring and rejecting applicants knows that Filipinos are among the most talented and hardworking people in the world. That said, there are a few common threads between many hires and rejections that anyone looking for a job in the Philippines should be aware of.
Here are some of the things local recruiters and HR managers look for when they find and hire job applicants:
1.) Verbal communications skills
It’s one thing to write a resume — or have someone else write it. Talking to someone in person, over the phone, or through a video call app can rapidly expose a job applicant that lacks the communications skills necessary to perform a wide range of important jobs. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just BPO and customer service positions where verbal communication skills are important. It’s extremely critical for anyone looking to advance in any management, teaching, or supervisory role.
2.) IT Literacy
While no one expects everyone they hire to be a computer or tech wizard, having a basic knowledge of how computers work and how popular applications are used is non-negotiable. Technology is increasingly becoming more and more a part of our daily lives. Even today, some blue-collar workers are expected to have basic levels of IT literacy so that they can operate new machinery or learn new techniques through eLearning modules. This trend is only going to accelerate as the Philippines continues to modernize.
3.) Critical reasoning skills
Blind obedience can get you places, though usually nowhere good. Today, more Filipino businesses are realizing the importance of having critical-minded people on their team. Critical employees are more likely to see if something is off and they can rectify mistakes before they become serious. Critical thinking prevents miscommunication, improves workplace safety, and helps productivity. In many contexts, it is also important for preventing serious accidents on job sites.
4.) Leadership qualities
As the average size of teams and workplaces continues to shrink due to advances in technology and automation as well as new management practices, more employees are now taking leadership roles that would have been unthinkable a few generations ago. Today, even entry-level employees are expected to have some grasp of leadership, due to a growing trend towards “flat organizations”.
It’s now common for employees in non-management roles to take the lead on different projects and otherwise do tasks that were once generally regarded as management-level work. Employees with leadership qualities are also potentially valuable if an organization is seeking growth, as they can form the nucleus of their future management team. For these reasons, hiring managers are likely to favor candidates with some leadership experience, if all other things are equal.
5.) Works well with others
Not only are new hires these days expected to have leadership qualities, but they are also expected to know how to be led as well. All enterprises are ultimately a team effort. There’s now a widespread realization that organizations that are are “top-heavy” tend to be less efficient, which has made them less desired in the Philippine context. Job applicants that can show that they have shined in support roles will often have better chances of getting the job.
6.) Empathy
Regardless of one’s education, experience, and skills, a lack of empathy can quickly reduce an applicant’s desirability for any position. Empathy is important for leadership and customer-facing roles as well as for interacting with others within an organization. Many business leaders would even put empathy as the single most important business skill, as it helps in negotiations, gives insight into what customers need, and allows critical compromises to be made.
While it’s not always easy to demonstrate empathy in the context of a job hunt, there are a few ways recruiters and hiring managers can get a sense of empathetic you are. For instance, skipping or showing up late to an interview, ignoring messages, and asking insensitive or irrelevant questions can reveal a lack of empathy. Unnecessarily interrupting or talking over others is another sign of lacking empathy, not to mention a huge turn-off in its own right.
Unfortunately, empathy is not something that could be learned overnight. But if you realize that you do have a problem, you can start taking steps to improve it. By improving your sense of empathy, you’re not just maximizing your chance of getting the position you want, you also set yourself up for continued success throughout the rest of your career.
Conclusion
Recruiters and hiring managers in the Philippines aren’t just looking at your experience and certifications. They aren’t even necessarily looking at the school you went to or the type of degree you earned. But you can be sure that they’re taking note of most of the things on this list. By taking the time to learn about the subtle things job recruiters are looking out for, you can be better prepared when you embark on the next part of your professional journey. Good luck on your next job hunt!
