When did you start working in RareJob Philippines, Inc.?

I started working in RareJob Philippines, Inc. in October 2021. I’m currently on my eighth month as a Talent Acquisition Associate of the Human Resources Department.

I started working with RareJob Philippines, Inc. last February 2022. As a Talent Acquisition and Performance Associate, I have to assume two roles in the HR Department. I was warmly welcomed by the two teams, and was introduced and oriented regarding the tasks that I’ll be handling. I was given manuals to review the processes and policies of each team, which made me look forward to eventually doing the actual tasks on my own.

What made you choose RareJob as your company?

I came across RareJob while I was browsing different opportunities on Jobstreet. At first, I honestly didn’t know anything about RareJob, so I read through the website and browsed the Facebook page. I thought that RareJob was a company that values connections and reaching out to other people – not only within the organization, but also those who are outside. It was really enticing and interesting that the posts I have read before were informative and beneficial to everyone.

Aside from that, the company offers great benefits that really show how it values its employees.

One thing that made me excited about the opening was knowing that this was a Japanese company and as we all know, Japan is very famous for its work ethic and rich culture. Aside from that, I learned about the ESL industry back when I was in college and was initially interested in this field as I also applied for a position with a competitor before. Being here made me never regret the decision I made applying for this post as I learned about how the values of this company aligned with mine.

As professionals who have had experience dealing with recruitment and onboarding, how was being on the other side of the assessment process like?

Being on the other side of the assessment process gave me mixed feelings. I was feeling anxious (as I normally would in such situations) because I could not be entirely sure about what questions would be asked during the interview and how the recruiters would take my answers. At the same time, I somehow felt like being a recruiter would be an advantage because I know how the process generally works and what the typical questions are (and how to answer these). After the recruitment process, I think the onboarding went pretty smoothly because of my familiarity with the requirements needed.

I had already prepared myself for the assessment. Since I knew what the possible flow of the assessment process would be, I made sure that I wouldn’t miss out on any important detail about myself that I have to showcase during the screening. Taking all the tests and the interviews also made me feel anxious as a typical applicant, but I made sure that I worked my way through each question the best that I could. I am just so happy that I passed all the assessments and landed this job.

What part of the assessment process was the most unforgettable for you?

The initial screening was the most unforgettable part for me. I’m used to answering psychological tests during the recruitment process, but it was my first time to encounter and answer tests that are tailored-fit to a specific position. Although I knew what I was doing, I was just really filled with uncertainty during that time. Gladly, I passed all the steps of the assessment and got to be a part of this organization!

I think the most unforgettable part was the interview process. I’ve seen and observed how well these HR professionals were trained to ask the right questions to each candidate to measure their team fitness and the competencies needed for a specific position. It encouraged me to improve myself more and be just as good in how I present myself as an interviewer in the future.

Share with us what a typical day is like in Talent Acquisition.

At the start of the day, I check my emails for any important messages, such as applicants’ responses for initial screening, and also check my calendar for the day’s schedule. Usually, I schedule three applicants in the morning and in the afternoon. If there would be no screenings or interviews for the day, I would browse our job posting sites to search for more candidates for the vacancies that I handle and invite them for the screening. This would also make way for any administrative tasks that I need to accomplish.

I usually start the day checking my plotted schedule on Google Calendar since I like to plan my tasks ahead of time. On a regular day, we usually source our candidates from different job portals and prescreen the applicants for the open positions. We then process the initial screenings of our shortlisted candidates who confirmed their attendance as scheduled. Our typical day ends preparing for the next workday with all the scheduling of interviews and screenings.

As new members of the team, how were you able to cope with the new tasks, processes, and teammates?

Initially, I found it challenging to review the processes and documents that I needed to familiarize myself with, since it’s also my first time to work in a WFH setup. I was eventually able to adapt with the help of my supervisor and team/department-mates.

I am lucky to be a part of a team who helps me in every way possible. They listen to all my concerns, give clear instructions, and always offer support and ideas whenever I feel that I may not be doing the right thing regarding my tasks. Through their help and guidance, I was able to eventually plan and communicate with clients on my own. Currently, I am still in the learning phase and hopefully, I will be more familiar with the different processes now that I get to do all the actual tasks firsthand.

How did you and your team/department forge good working relations with each other in spite of the remote work setup?

We have weekly meetings in our team where we get to talk more about work and also personal experiences in general. We also have common interests, so there was an instant connection among us. I was also hired during the time when there were a lot of company-wide events (Anniversary celebration, Halloween event, Year-End Party, etc.) so I got the chance to engage with other colleagues more. It was a really nice experience for me.

We have regular department general assemblies where the agendas and updates of each team are discussed. Additionally, these assemblies also give us time to interact with the department members. Just recently, we had a get-together at the office where I met all of them for the first time. I think that gatherings like this every once in a while are essential to tighten the bond of the teams in the department, especially now while we are in a pandemic.

What activities do you partake in to destress, relax, and maintain your work-life balance?

The WFH setup and semi-flexible work schedule allowed me to also have time for my hobbies, including but not limited to reading books and playing online games. I even get to craft (and experiment on) my own beverages so I do not have to spend on buying coffee from cafes anymore. Sometimes, I also go to the mall or dine out after work to relax.

After the whole work week, I always ensure that I will have a whole day to relax and destress. I usually spend my weekend strolling around new places I haven’t been to, eating all the food that I like, and sleeping for long hours. During my free time, I also love watching new movies or series, listening to music, and playing my ukulele.

As professionals who sought out new opportunities while most companies were still in a work from home setup, what were the challenges you faced during the assessment and the pre-employment periods?

The only challenging part for me during that period was finding time to attend the schedules, which would not have been challenging at all if I wasn’t working with my previous company. The online assessment and processes for the pre-employment requirements were very convenient, especially during the state of pandemic in our country. It was also helpful that the recruiters were flexible and understanding regarding my schedule.

I was actually aiming to land a job that offers a work-from-home setup for the safety of my family, especially since both of my parents are in their senior years. I was lucky to find the opening for this role here at RareJob. The only struggle that I faced was the schedule since I was still employed in my previous company during the screening and assessment period.

For fellow HR professionals who are seeking opportunities in the field, what tips can you provide to help them in their search?

To HR professionals, our field allows us to explore the different facets of human resources so it’s good to go into the other areas, too. This would also enhance our skills more and open a wide variety of opportunities in the future.

For those who are interested in this field, my advice is to get out of your comfort zone! The field of HR is very extensive and you should be prepared to learn the different aspects of this discipline if you really want to consider a career here. You can start by knowing what facet you are more inclined to, and after some time when you feel you’ve gotten the hang of it, try learning another one. Through this, you will not be limited to just a specific function, but also be exposed to multiple areas in human resources.

As HR practitioners, what advise can you give candidates who are looking to start their career, either in a remote or an office-based setup?

To all jobseekers, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone – there’s always a greener pasture outside of where you are now. Don’t be afraid to try other opportunities and always believe in your capabilities. Most of the time, we’re doing better than we think.

Before applying for a job, try to research the industry that you’d like to work for. Determine all the skillsets you have that you can highlight during the screening. Take all the time you need in improving yourself to find the right career path that you are aiming for.