How do you navigate working for a senior leader who was an absolute prodigy in his field? He rose to senior management in record time. He was promoted 4 times in three years in a career trajectory that took his peers in senior management probably 15 to 20 years.

On one hand, learning from him is incredible. He is technically brilliant, exceptionally articulate, writes with precision, can really cut through complexity. Nakakatawa pa, when the team presented presentation slides in preparation for a meeting, he casually caught a mathematical error in a long table while just glancing at it (mali ang sub-total sa 3rd column can you revisit?). He has prodigious memory and never forgets even casual instructions he gave in a meeting from last month.

His team leads value the catch-ups with him because he spends a lot of time coaching and never says mean things, and provides objective, fair feedback. But the pressure is intense. Matching his tempo is super exhausting. He is rarely satisfied and though he doesn't explicitly say it sometimes signals quiet disappointment.

How can employees protect their peace under a senior leader who operates at this level? Is it really unacceptable to say that he is simply exceptional and people can't match his pace? Sometimes, even his peers in senior management seem in awe of him in ExCo meetings.

Personal rant ahead

Has anyone ever complained about how common underpaid jobs are in the Philippines? for context, I'm from the province.

I'm 20 (F) and couldn't go to college due to financial reasons, ever since, I've been looking for jobs. All of the jobs I worked for have paid me below the minimum wage, it usually ranges between ₱250-₱300. I've been applying and applying to make ends meet however I've had no luck.

For 6 months, I worked 2 jobs. One, a remote job in the morning that pays ₱300 a day (8am to 5pm) and two, a job as a waitress at a bar that pays ₱250 per night (6pm to 2am). For those past 6 months I've only ever been able to sleep 4 hours a day, sometimes less.

I've quit the job at the bar due to the work environment. Not only are you being harassed by strangers every night but finding a ride home alone has become so hard that it usually takes me an hour to get home. Before quitting, I was expected to stay there til 4am despite my boss knowing I had work at 8am in the morning.

Balancing both jobs has taken a toll on my health. Even though I quit the job at the bar, I've been looking for a replacement as the ₱300 daily isn't enough to sustain me and my mom. It's so hard to find one, even simple jobs like being a cashier require you to have a degree. Everything else, like being a waitress at a café or even working as a receptionist, will only get you paid (₱250-₱300) despite usually working more than 8 hours a day.

Recently, I've gotten my hours cut off and now I'm only getting ₱150 a day. I've started feeling hopeless.

I can't help but feel that I'm wasting my life here, I envy my peers that have already gone through their 3rd year of college.

Even if I'm handed the opportunity to study again, I would still have to decline because of having to put bread on the table for me and my mom. Not being able to afford a laptop or moving somewhere else has also held me back from more job opportunities.

It's so so much more draining to live in the Philippines when you're already poor enough as is.

As the title says, I finally got a job after almost 2 months of being unemployed. I am genuinely grateful to have landed one, especially knowing how tough the job market is right now and how rare it is for companies to hire near the end of the year.

At the same time, I'm feeling really anxious about what lies ahead. My previous job left me with some emotional scars. Just remembering how I was treated makes my heart race with anxiety and 'what ifs.' What if my next job is worse? What if superiors lash out, even when I'm just following orders? What if I mess up?

I have to admit I'm not feeling that bright-eyed excitement about starting work again, but I also can't afford to stay home and let guilt eat away at me. I'm just hoping I can gently ease back into a working environment. If you've been here before, I'm all ears.

Kind request: I'm still carrying work anxiety right now, so please spare me any harsh critiques or dismissive comments. I'm just looking for a safe space and any gentle advice on how to navigate this transition.

Hi everyone! I’d appreciate some advice, especially from those who have made career shifts or had to choose between career growth and financial stability.

For context, I have around 8 years of experience in HR and Organization Development (OD). I also have a master’s degree in Social Psychology, which helped me build a stronger foundation in understanding human behavior and organizations.

Last year, I made a career shift within my current company, moving from HR/OD to a commercial, client-facing role in banking.

Why? Two main reasons:

I wanted to understand the business side firsthand so that, if I return to HR/OD, I can develop more practical and business-aligned people strategies.

My family runs a small business, and I wanted to learn more about commercial lending and how businesses operate financially.

The transition has been challenging. I’m still learning the ropes, and honestly, I struggle with detail-heavy work. My background has always been more focused on strategy, organizational development, and big-picture thinking.
Despite the challenges, I genuinely enjoy my current job and the learning experience. I’ve also gained visibility among senior leaders, and my former HR leaders have expressed interest in having me return to the function after gaining more commercial experience.

Now, here’s my dilemma.

A former boss recently invited me to apply for an OD-related position at another company in the consumer finance/fintech industry. The opportunity offers approximately 83% higher monthly base pay than my current salary, along with a hybrid work arrangement.
My current employer, on the other hand, offers excellent benefits, job stability, and the opportunity to continue building commercial banking experience. However, I work fully onsite, so the prospect of hybrid work is appealing.

To summarize the trade-offs:

My current role:
Established universal bank with excellent benefits.
Opportunity to deepen my commercial banking and lending expertise.
Growing professional network and visibility among senior leaders.
A challenging learning curve, with a lot of detail-oriented work.
100% onsite work arrangement.

The potential role:
Return to a field where I already have around 8 years of experience.
Approximately 83% higher monthly base salary.
Hybrid work arrangement and potentially better work-life balance.
Opportunity to build on my existing HR/OD expertise.
A new organization, which means adjusting to a different culture and evaluating the actual benefits and career prospects.

I’m not necessarily unhappy in my current role. In fact, I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I don’t want to leave just because another company is offering more money.
At the same time, I’m thinking about my financial goals, quality of life, and whether I really need to spend more years in a commercial role to achieve what I originally intended.

Would you stay for another 1–2 years to deepen your commercial experience, or take the opportunity to return to HR/OD now?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who have:
Shifted careers and eventually returned to their original field.
Left a stable company for a significantly higher-paying opportunity.
Worked in both traditional banking and fintech/consumer lending.
Had to decide whether additional experience was worth delaying a better salary and work arrangement.

Would leaving now mean wasting the professional capital I’ve built, or is the experience I’ve already gained enough to make the transition worthwhile?

I’d appreciate honest opinions, including perspectives I might be overlooking. Thanks!

For context, I am a fresh BSIT graduate (as a Cum Laude) and I'm having a hard time deciding between two to three opportunities.

I recently got hired as a NOC Technician (half day process and hired immediately) at a company in a city which is approximately 2 hours away of commute. It's directly related to my degree and could help me build a career in networking and IT. My only problem is that the salary is only ₱13k/month, and I still have to consider renting a boarding house and cover food, transportation, and other expenses since I live around two hours away from home. And they want me to start this coming Monday.

I also applied at a BPO company for a CSR sales account. I luckily passed the initial interview and proceeded to the next validation stage. The recruiter discussed a compensation package of around ₱22k, with an estimated take-home pay of ₱19k after deductions, plus possible sales incentives. The location is in the same city, 2 hours of commute time from my hometown where I'm more familiar with the area and boarding houses. However, sales isn't really related to my degree or the career I've been preparing for.

There's also an IT Officer position in Manila that I've completed the initial and final interviews for. I've submitted my portfolio and still waiting for their decision which they made clear could take a week, regarding the salary I gave them a rough estimate of 25-30k/month. Problem is relocating to Manila would be difficult financially.

So I am really torn between taking the NOC role for the relevant experience or prioritizing the higher-paying sales job, saving money, and continuing to learn IT on the side. I know the long-term career paths are different, but I'm also worried about accepting a job that barely leaves me anything after expenses.

For those who've been in a similar situation, especially in IT or the BPO industry in the Philippines, what would you choose? Is taking the lower salary worth it for the experience while barely making expenses and savings, or would you prioritize financial stability at this stage?

I'd appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who've actually experienced either path.

Paulit-ulit akong sumusubok gumawa ng routine o system para maging mas productive at ma-improve ang sarili ko, pero hirap talaga akong maging consistent.

Nasubukan ko na rin gumamit ng habit trackers. Sa umpisa, ganado ako at nasusunod ko naman, pero after a few weeks, unti-unti akong tumitigil hanggang sa tuluyan ko nang makalimutan. Tapos susubukan kong magsimula ulit, pero nauulit lang yung cycle.

Alam ko namang hindi araw-araw motivated o productive, pero gusto kong matutunan kung paano magpatuloy kahit wala na yung excitement sa simula.

Sa mga nakahanap ng system na gumagana para sa kanila:

• Ano yung nakatulong sa inyong maging consistent?
• Paano ninyo binabalikan yung habits kapag ilang araw o linggo kayong natigil?
• Paano kayo nagse-set ng goals na kayang panindigan kahit busy o pagod?

Baka may practical advice kayo, lalo na mula sa mga dating hirap din sa consistency. Gusto ko talagang makaalis sa paulit-ulit na “simula ulit sa Monday.” Salamat!

Hi everyone! I’m an Electrical Engineer with 3 years of experience working for a small construction company in the Philippines.

Mostly office work yung ginagawa ko, pero may experience din ako sa site. My usual work cycle involves everything from pre-bid activities, site inspections, and pre-construction meetings to preparing BOQs for electrical materials, ordering materials, checking FCDs, requesting RFIs, preparing as-built plans, processing variation orders, and handling other tasks until the project is completed.

I also handle multiple projects simultaneously, and honestly, nakakapagod na yung ganitong work cycle. I feel like I want to try something different and transition to a work-from-home setup.

I’m interested in focusing on electrical design or exploring other electrical engineering-related jobs that are in demand for remote work, especially opportunities with international clients or companies.

The problem is, I don’t know where to start. I’m not sure if my current experience is enough to qualify for WFH jobs or if I need to gain more experience first.

For those who are already working remotely as Electrical Engineers or in related fields, especially those working with international clients:

1. What career paths would you recommend exploring?
   
2. Is my current experience enough to start applying for remote jobs?
   
3. What skills or software should I prioritize learning? (AutoCAD, Revit MEP, BIM, etc.)
   
4. What should I learn or improve before applying?
   
5. How difficult is it to land a remote job as an Electrical Engineer in the Philippines?

I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who have made a similar career transition. I want to make a realistic plan and focus on the skills that will actually help me land a remote job.

Thank you!

My current role is a engineer for a MNC. The pay and benefits are not as great however they are very structured, well ordered company. You can really see the maturity of the company since its almost 100 years old with multiple plants in the world. Compare this to a local FMCG manufacturing in the Philippines. They are willing to pay 30% higher than my current role. The environment is less structured and orderly but the pay is good. It will be more difficult because I will be handling people instead of just technical.

I think its time to move on and step up my career. But on the other hand, a 50M safe man-hours versus 150,000 safe man-hours is concerning. It is a window of the culture of the organization

Current role:
41,000 incl allowances
No HMO, no bonus
Handling 2 people
Very structured and organized.
Old with long history MNC
50,000,000 safe man-hours 5,000 plant personnel

New role:
55,000 excl allowances
with HMO, midyear bonus
Transportation allowance 10,000/mo
Communication allowance 2,000/mo
Profit sharing
FMCG employee discount
Will handle people (20+)
Local FMCG. Volatile. Less structured and organized. 150,000 safe man-hours for 1,500 plant personnel

I need your help in deciding which one holds more weight for my career and my current position in life.

Context & Goals:
• I’m a graduating BSBA Financial Management student (grad is set for mid-November)

• I’m hoping to land a job as soon as possible to start helping with the family finances and have a source of income for myself.

• My current goal is career growth, and my long-term goal is to eventually work abroad. Because of this, gaining some experience at an internationally recognized brand is a huge plus for me.

Here are the two options I’m torn between:

Option 1: Wait until January 2027 for a job opportunity that I’m already shortlisted for

I was shortlisted for a position at a 5-star hotel’s finance department where I worked as an intern for 6 months, so I’m already accustomed to the company culture and am partially trained for the position I’m applying for. My supervisors during my internship were the one who told me to apply for it since they’re confident that I’m a good fit, the pay is decent for a fresh grad, and it’s an international company.

Unfortunately, they informed me yesterday that the company is freezing its hiring program until January 2027, not exactly sure why. They assured me that I would still be up for consideration once it reopens, but I have no formal guarantee or written job offer.

My main concern with this is that I will wait for 1.5 months, unsure of what to do within that time since I haven’t had any opportunities for side jobs in a while now.

Option 2: Seek for a job ASAP

I have a strong desire to secure a job as soon as I can so that I can help with my family’s finances and have some sort of income for myself.

This means that I’ll be applying to different companies aggressively for lower-paying roles or a position that my degree is not totally aligned with, or a company that does not offer the same prestige or career growth potential.

My Main Dilemmas:
1. Is waiting 1.5 - 2 months worth the possible return of an international 5-star brand for my resume, or is relying on the shortlist too risky?

2. How can I productively make use of the time until January if ever I do decide to wait it out?

I would love to hear your thoughts, especially from those in Finance, HR, or the Hospitality industry. Thanks so much!

Hello! I'm a psych grad and I realized na parang mas gusto ko i-pursue yung career path as a marketer instead of HR. I read na yung marketing kasi is dynamic and that's the kind of work that I want. However, my internship experience was on human resources and I have no idea how marketing works in the workplace. I have some experiences naman in making publication materials in college and I did some research for online content and wrote captions for my college org. However, hindi naman sila ganun karami.

Right now, I'm planning to take courses about consumer psychology and related ones sa marketing. I'm also starting to learn editing, writing blog/feature articles and copywriting to build my portfolio. In short, I want to utilize and improve my creativity as I like to write, do research, and create art.

Are these enough to bolster my credentials if I apply for some marketing roles? Where to start po if I want to pursue marketing kahit na hindi directly aligned yung college degree ko? Also, can I still apply for a marketing role in case my first job would be in HR (recruiter, hr generalist)?

Thank you po!!

Ten years ago, I decided to leave college and start working instead. I took on a couple of jobs that had nothing to do with my field of study, and for the past seven years, I’ve been working remotely for US-based clients.

The job has been good to me. The pay is great, and it has allowed me to afford a house and two cars. I have also been able to travel a lot over the past couple of years. Honestly, it’s hard to complain about a job that has given me this kind of stability. However, it’s becoming more and more obvious that this isn’t going to last because my current job will soon be taken over by AI. So earlier this year, I decided to go back to school and finish the remaining year of my bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.

I enrolled this first sem, and everything is going fine. I’m enjoying it while still working full-time. In fact, I’ve never enjoyed studying before, but now I genuinely do. Nagto-top ako sa mga exams sa class despite learning some concepts from scratch since I’ve been away for almost a decade. I am also on track to get a 1.0 grade sa dalawang subjects ko. (It will be my very first uno!) Hopefully, I will be graduating next year, around May or June. But of course, I would still have to work on preparing for my board exams.

So my question is, how hard is it going to be for me to enter a new field, especially na ang mga magiging competition ko sa industry ay mga fresh grads versus me na may experience somehow pero walang experience sa industry? I already expect na mas mababa ang magiging sweldo ko, but I’m trying to find a way na pagsabayin yung current job ko and an entry-level engineering job, if possible. Also, I have the full support of my wife in this endeavor.

Hi! Gusto ko lang sana humingi ng advice or opinions from people who might have experienced the same thing.

Currently working in tech, and medyo torn ako kung mag-stay ba ako sa current company ko or maghanap na ng ibang opportunity.

For context, may time before na I was at risk of being terminated/layoff. I was told na kailangan kong mag-upskill and take on additional responsibilities, so I agreed. Part of the arrangement was a promised salary increase, pero ilang months na ang lumipas and wala pa rin. I’ve already followed up, pero wala pa ring clear update.

To be fair, maraming magandang perks sa current company ko. May allowances and separate incentives, hybrid setup, access to lots of AI tools, and generally chill naman yung work environment. Hindi rin toxic, which is one of the reasons kung bakit ang hirap iwanan.

Pero lately, feeling ko stagnant na ako. Nadagdagan nga yung responsibilities ko, pero hindi ko sure kung nag-i-improve ba talaga yung skills ko or basta nagagawa ko lang yung tasks.

Most of the time, AI na yung tumutulong sa tasks ko, to the point na minsan feeling ko parang prompt engineer na lang ako hahaha. Don’t get me wrong, malaking tulong yung AI, especially sa mga tasks na hindi ko forte. Pero napapaisip ako kung may natututunan ba talaga ako or masyado na akong dependent sa AI.

I want to explore other companies sana where I can focus more on the skills and career path na originally kong pinasukan. Gusto ko rin ma-improve yung actual skills ko and gain more experience.

Kaso ayun nga, ang hirap din iwanan ng current company kasi maganda naman yung benefits, flexible yung setup, and chill yung environment. Hindi rin guaranteed na makakahanap ako ng company na same or better yung perks and work-life balance.

If kayo yung nasa situation ko, would you stay or start looking for another job?

Would you give the company more time, or would you start exploring other opportunities habang employed pa?

Curious ako sa thoughts and experiences ninyo, especially sa mga nasa tech industry. Thanks!

Hi fresh board passer here hoping to get some advice. After my boards, I cold emailed companies that I could realistically work for, considering my location and financial situation. Eventually, one company got back to me, told me I was hired, and asked me to complete my employment requirements.

At that point, I genuinely thought my job hunt was over and I was focused on completing all my requirements on time. I even turned down interviews from other companies because I thought I already had a job lined up. But now, the company that "hired" me has completely ghosted me and Im feeling really depressed about it. I know I probably shouldn’t have assumed everything was finalized without me signing anything but I was so focused on getting all my requirements done before my supposed start date. I already spent my last savings just to complete those requirements 🥹 What makes me more sad is that I turned down several interview opportunities because of it.

Do you think it would be okay to reach out to those companies again and ask if their positions are still open? I basically told them I was withdrawing my applications so I’m worried it might be rude or awkward to contact them again after turning them down. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’d really appreciate some advice.

For context, I started working at a new company for about a week now. I accepted the offer out of practicality because I really needed to start earning again. My bills are piling up, and I can’t afford to keep taking out loans just to get by.

The thing is, the salary was way below my expectations and even lower than what I was earning in my previous job. While I’m grateful to have work again, I don’t see this as a sustainable long-term arrangement, especially with my financial responsibilities.
I still want to explore other opportunities that are more aligned with my salary expectations and long-term career goals.

My question is, **should I proactively disclose to companies I’m applying to that I’ve already started working somewhere, but am still open to other opportunities?** Or should I just continue applying and bring it up if I reach the interview stage or if they ask about my current employment?

I don’t want to give the impression that I’m not serious about my applications or that I’m someone who leaves a job immediately. At the same time, I don’t want to miss out on better opportunities just because I accepted a job out of financial necessity.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you handle it, and how did recruiters respond?

Hi! Badly need your insights.

I recently received two job offers, but I’m having a hard time deciding because both have their own risks, and I’m scared of making the wrong decision.

Here’s the breakdown:

🏦 OPTION 1: BANKING & FINANCE

Salary: ₱43,000/month (₱38k basic + ₱5k allowance)

Work Setup: Onsite during training, then hybrid

Start Date: November 20, 2026

Employment: Long-term/regular position

Nature of Work:

* Customer service for banking concerns

* Mostly inbound calls

✅ Pros:

* Higher salary (₱3k more than Option 2)

* Opportunity to explore the banking and finance industry

* Established company with better potential for long-term career stability

* Mas mataas ang basic salary, which I think is also beneficial in the long run.

⚠️ Hesitations:

* November 20 pa ang start date, so most likely November 30 pa ang first salary.

* My biggest concern is the background check. Since banking and finance industry ito, I’m worried that my unsettled financial obligations might affect my employment.

For transparency, I have delinquent credit card and loan accounts here in the Philippines.

I transferred to a different company in December 2024, where I accepted a lower salary.

Unfortunately, my financial situation became difficult, and by January 2025, I started reaching out to my creditors to explain that I couldn’t keep up with my payments and to ask for possible repayment arrangements.

However, things didn’t work out as planned because I was really struggling financially and living paycheck to paycheck.

Eventually, some of my accounts became delinquent.

Fast forward to today, I’ve started receiving discounted settlement offers from collection agencies.

I genuinely want to settle these obligations and rebuild my financial standing. I’m currently trying to negotiate more manageable payment arrangements, and once I start working again and have a stable source of income, I plan to prioritize clearing these debts.

I’ve been reading posts about background checks in the banking industry, and mixed talaga ang experiences.

Some say they were simply asked to explain their financial situation and provide a repayment plan tas tuloy parin ang employment, while others say that having delinquent accounts can be a reason for disqualification because of the financial risks involved.

⸻

🏥 OPTION 2: HEALTHCARE

Position: Associate III

Salary: ₱40,000/month (₱33k basic + ₱7k allowance)

Work Setup: Onsite during training, then WFH

Start Date: November 3, 2026

Employment: Fixed-term contract until June 1, 2027

Nature of Work:

* Mostly nonvoice/back-office tasks

* Outbound calls only when necessary

✅ Pros:

* Earlier start date, so I can start earning sooner.

* Healthcare industry, where I already have relevant experience.

* I feel more confident about the background check, l

⚠️ Hesitations:

* FIXED-TERM CONTRACT ONLY UNTIL JUNE 1, 2027.

* According to the recruiter, there’s a high possibility of being absorbed as a regular/full-time employee, but this isn’t guaranteed.

* Regularization will depend on business needs, available headcount, and performance.

* If hindi ako ma-absorb, I’ll have to start job hunting again by June 2027.

⸻

BIGGEST DILEMMA

IF I CHOOSE B&F

- November 3 na kasi ang start date ng Healthcare, while November 20 pa sa Banking & Finance.

- What if I let go of the Healthcare opportunity, only to find out later that I won’t be cleared for employment in Banking & Finance because of my delinquent accounts?

- What if i-rescind nila yung job offer after the background check?

- By that time, nakapag-start na yung Healthcare company, so most likely hindi ko na rin mababalikan yung opportunity.

IF I CHOOSE HC

- What if piliin ko naman yung Healthcare because it’s the more practical option for now?

- Biggest concern: JOB SECURITY. Fixed-term contract lang siya until June 1, 2027. Although there’s a possibility of being absorbed, what if hindi ako hindi ma absorb? Edi by June 2027, kailangan ko na namang maghanap ng trabaho.

⸻

I would really appreciate your insights, especially from those who have firsthand experience with a similar situation.

What do you think would be the best way to move forward?

Sorry long post, thank you so much for reading!

I am currently working in an RPO company for an Australian client. I am doing everything from end to end, even roster management for one of our biggest clients (which is my main responsibility) and back and forth communication with our end clients for anything roster related, just except phone screen interviewing.

I am reflecting on my career now. This is my first job and nakaka isang taon na ko. I am contemplating whether I want to continue with the RPO path or be in local HR.

For context, my client is really nice - as in super bait. I've never seen my Australian manager get mad, they are always appreciative of my efforts, they respect my time asking me to take my lunch break seriously whenever they see me working on the side during my lunch, talagang work-life balance. Anything past my shift, nothing work related bothers me. I always make sure to be nice in a way that helps them - I take over anything I can work in our inbox, may it be payroll concerns, schedules, applications, etc. I always ask for guidance and ask them to teach me something that I can handle while they are away, and they've given me so much trust that they let me communicate with our end clients.

Now I want to move on from the RPO company due to low pay and career growth. The thing is, I don't see a career growth in this field. I can see more growth in the local HR.

For those who experienced both local HR and be in the RPO field, which of the two would you recommend in terms of salary and growth in the long run?

Hi everyone, I have over 2 years of experience at TCS, but my current project is not related to the pharmaceutical industry. I'm now being released from my current project and have the option to move into either Clinical Data Management (CDM) or Pharmacovigilance (PV) within TCS.

The CDM role I'm being offered involves:

• Discrepancy management

• Manual review of clinical trial datasets

• Study setup activities

• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

• Working with Medidata Rave EDC

My plan is to gain relevant experience in the chosen domain and eventually switch to another company.

I'd appreciate advice on the following:

Salary growth: Which field generally offers better salary progression in India over the next 5–10 years?

Switching companies: Which domain offers better opportunities when moving from a service-based company like TCS to a CRO or pharmaceutical company?

AI and automation: Which field is more vulnerable to automation, particularly at the entry level?

Career progression: Which offers better opportunities to move into specialised, technical or managerial roles?

I'd especially appreciate insights from people currently working in CDM or PV, or those who have switched companies or moved abroad.

Thank you!😊

I’ve been working in an MNC for 7 years now. And i have a friend who i met in my previous job who happened to work also in this MNC. She’s 3 years now in the company. But in terms of work experience we’re about the same number of years.

I can say i do well in my job. In fact i often go above and beyond. My annual evaluation ratings are really good. I was even nominated for a company award. I am also lined up for promotion.

I have a good working relationship with my manager. And during one of our conversations, i found out that our boss seems to favor my friend. This is to the point that my friend got almost prioritized more than me if weren’t for my manager who stepped in for me. In terms of tenure, i know i am ahead and in terms of performance, i know that if not the same, i am a better performer than her.But my manager said it may have something to do with my friend “knowing how to kiss as$” with the boss.

I don’t wanna compare and I don’t want to think badly of my friend. But I really feel bad because even if I go beyond, my efforts do not get recognized . Those people who know how to kiss a$s seem to get first in line.

Now my manager is resigning (for the same reason that we think we are not recognized enough for all the work we do). I want to leave too but i need the money :( and i dont want to be a kiss a&s.

Anyone had a similar experience? What did you do?

Long post ahead.

Hello, I just had to get these stuff out of my chest. Maybe to vent out, maybe to ask for advice. I do hope that you guys won't judge me for this.

I am 23 F who recently graduated this year 2026. I landed a corporate contractual job while waiting for my graduation. The moment I was done with my academic responsibilities, I went straight to the workforce to start my career. I didn't even pause and took a break for myself, I just always had this feeling like I was running out of time and that I don't deserve to breathe.

I was so excited to start working but I didn't know how toxic my boss was going to be. I can't delve so much in the details because my previous co workers might know this is me haha.

But yeah, that boss was horrible. I'm talking 'covering up workplace sexual assault' kind of horrible. The type of person that doesn't have any emotional intelligence whatsoever and only cared about the company. During my time there, I was working so much for so little money. Some of my overtime hours aren't even paid.

That job was killing me, my body and my mental health. I have a history of depression and anxiety in the past and boy, ever since I started working there, my mental illnesses went back.

I knew by then that I wouldn't want to continue working there if ever that I get offered a full time position. So when the day that my contract ended, I refused the offer they gave me.

It's been a month since my contract ended.

I've been through multiple interviews and sent over 200+ applications online but hasn't had any luck with job hunting yet. I know that I am capable enough and I have skills to offer but no one seems to be interested in hiring a fresh graduate anymore.

I also got into an incident where I got robbed in a transportation vehicle while on my way to an interview so I was not able to attend it and I lost the contacts of my recruiters as well. My laptop is broken and I am now using a 6-year old phone with a cracked screen because I can't afford to buy a new phone yet. My family seems to be needing some help financially but they're not pressuring me in my job hunting whatsoever.

But ever since that incident, it made me so demotivated from everything and I think I spiraled down to depression again.

This uncertainty of getting a job, financial security, and the trauma that went along with getting your stuff stolen... all of it is making me feel hopeless.

With the current job market right now and so many fresh graduates looking for a job, it's like I have to compete with hundreds of others for limited slots just to make a living.

Does it get any better?

As of now, I'm really having a hard time seeing the bright side of things. It's just been one bad thing after another.

It may seem dramatic but I really don't feel well enough to live right now. Some days I have a hard time getting out of bed and I get these nightmares where people are criticizing me for not doing enough and not achieving anything in life.

Family and friends told me that I should be taking this time off of work as an opportunity to unwind and to get back the time that I lost from my family during my employment but I've been miserable all this time. After so much toxicity in the work place and not a moment for me to breathe after university, I should be happy for staying at home right now.

They say life is not a race but I have this feeling like I can't afford to walk.

It's like I'm falling way behind.

I don't know what to do.

Sometimes I think back if I really made the right decision in turning down that offer.

That maybe I should've toughed it out just so I can say that I have a job.

Any thoughts?

Badly need an advice :(

I've been in the financial corporate for almost 8 years now and i am currently on my third bpo company. I was doing okay before but right now, recent changes in the company is draining me. Nabu-burn out na ko with everyday overtime and toxic bosses. Gusto ko na sana lumipat ng work pero di ko masimulan due to lack of time kasi even saturdays nakakain sa OTs and sunday nalang rest day ko which is para pa sa family ko. Gusto ko na mag resign kasi nauubos na ko physically and mentally pero di ako makahanap ng time to apply and review.

For disclosure, I had a 7 month gap between may 2nd and 3rd job before dahil nahirapan ako makahanap ng replacement. I am thinking na magresign nalang ako to focus on job hunting pero okay lang ba yun na magka emplohment gap nanaman ako? Also, I am worried kasi pa end na ang taon at baka pahirapan sa hiring ngayon.

Appreaciate the POV of recruiters or hiring managers as well..

I just started job hunting but I realize I have a hard time phrasing my "work" experience in family businesses. We have a main business and a handful of minor rental ones. Anyway, can someone help clear my confusion?

- Some companies ask for my previous salary. I'm not even listed in the family payroll, I just get my allowance. Do I need supporting papers for that? Is it legit to just state my allowance?

- Is it an advantage to say I worked for my family or will they think I was a nepo-hire with no independent experience?

- I don't state that the businesses are family-related on my resume, but will future employers look into that?

- I'm listed as self-employed on my sss, like a freelancer. Is that okay?

Basically I've been feeling like being my family's assistant lacks legitimacy. I do (and i've taught myself) whatever needs to be done; data entry, social media management, graphic design on adobe, customer service, even construction logistics!! some admin(?) work too. I don't feel like I can fit in a niche. I don't know if I'm at an advantage or not. My other work experiences were internships. Please let me know what you think!

Hi everyone! I’m originally from Kenya, but I’ve lived in the Philippines since I was a kid. I recently graduated with a BSN, and I’m currently trying to find a job so I can support myself and my family. I’ve been searching on LinkedIn, Indeed, and JobStreet, but I haven’t found anything so far. Ideally, I’m looking for a remote or hybrid position, although I’m flexible. I previously had a student visa, but I had to downgrade it to a tourist visa. Although I have a nursing degree, I’m also open to non-clinical roles, such as VA, admin, medical documentation, customer support, or other entry-level remote positions. I’m honestly feeling a little lost about where to start. I really need to find a way to earn an income, but I’m not sure which career paths are realistic for someone in my situation. I’d really appreciate any advice, recommendations, or personal experiences. Thanks!

A year ago, meron isang company na nireject ko job offer kase medyo naturn off ako sa environment during my interview. Medyo pilisopo yung seniors tas may naririnig akong sinisigawan nung boss habang andun ako sa office nila. Also, naoff din ako dahil kinukulit ako ng HR na magsign agad sa job offer, not giving me kahit a few hours or a day man lang to think about it.

That said, I pursued a different company for my first job. However, last April nagresign ako to focus on the board exams. I passed the boards this July, and since August naghahanap na ulit ako ng bagong work.

Nakita ko kase hiring ulit yung isang company na nireject ko dati. Tbh, sobrang convenient nya samin about 15 mins away tas isang sakay lang. Maganda ren ang offer and benefits compared to other companies in manila. Kadalasan kase ng ganitong offers, sa Makati/BGC ko na nakikita which is malayo samin. Kung hindi lang dahil sa pagka-off ko during the hiring process, baka dito nako nag go noon.

Sa sobrang hirap ng job market now and dahil ber months na, medyo nappressure nako dahil ilang buwan naren ako bakante :< Do you think it's okay na magapply ulit sakanila a year after rejecting their offer? hahahah idek if they'll remember me.