I joined RareJob almost 10 years ago. Initially, my goal was just to find a job near home, whether it was for the short term or long term. Nearly a decade later, I’m still with RareJob, though my home now is far and opposite to where the office is located. This is all thanks to our fantastic work-from-home set-up.

I currently serve as the Finance Assistant Manager, where I oversee the company’s accounting and finance operations, as well as its government compliance requirements.

RareJob began as an office-based company. I remember the free home cooked lunch by the Ates of RareJob, and the simplicity of face-to-face interactions across departments back then. I could easily stop by my officemates’ desks – wearing our comfiest casual outfits – for discussions about work and personal matters. Now, we’ve transitioned to a remote setup, relying on chats and virtual meetings, but we continue to nurture team spirit through online events and limited face-to-face activities.

The work-from-home transition in our department was anything but easy in its early stages. We were not fully prepared for this set-up, and back then, only supervisors and up had laptops. That led us to work as a one-man team, from data encoding, payroll distribution, and report preparation. Fortunately, management was able to supply laptops within a few days, which significantly improved our situation. I remember the initial awkwardness of virtual meetings, coupled with internet lags. My most challenging experience was achieving work-life balance at home, especially since my children were young and often couldn’t distinguish between work time and playtime.

Finance Department Year-End Celebration 2019

Looking back at those times, I am forever grateful to RJPH for understanding everyone’s situation and for providing us with the necessary resources and generous benefits. This support allowed us to adapt smoothly and adjust our processes. Effective time management, setting boundaries, and maintaining virtual presence have been my key takeaways during this period. Additionally, I am grateful to be surrounded by exceptionally competent, understanding, and kind leader and colleagues within my department. I am proud to be part of a department where psychological safety is present.

RareJob not only ensured that we were comfortable with our current setup, but the company also consistently evaluated all aspects that were compromised or required improvement due to the new arrangement. This proactive approach led us managers to hold weekly meetings to address risks and propose solutions. One of the proposed initiatives was the one-day face-to face training for all program, designed to improve both employee engagement and staff development, effectively achieving two objectives simultaneously.

Finance Department Virtual Team Building 2020

As the company marks its 16th year, I’m proud of how it has overcome various challenges over the years. The shift to remote work has fostered a culture of flexibility, valuing results, and productivity over physical presence, and strengthened the trust between the management and the teams.

Indeed, life will not pause for anyone – you must keep moving and find ways to carry on. My advice to the new employees is to stay adaptable and open-minded. The ability to adapt and grow is crucial in our fast-paced environment. Embrace change as an opportunity to grow. Be proactive, manage your time well, and seek feedback. Most importantly, balance work with life.