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

I started working at RareJob in February 2021.

What made you choose RareJob as your company?

I didn’t have work for the past nine months because of the pandemic. It was really hard to find a job at that time because people cannot go outside. RareJob gave me an opportunity because every process in the interview was digital. When I checked the job description, it matched my experience, and it only took less than a week to get the job. I’m really happy that I work here at RareJob because it really gives me a work-life balance, a good work culture, and more time to do other things with the current work-from-home setup.

How has you experience been so far as a Systems Engineer?

I started here in RareJob as a project-based employee. At first, it really overwhelmed me because it’s my first time working in a corporate setup, but my teammates guided me, and it’s really easy to ask for help. As a result, I accepted the offer to become a full-time employee.

Share with us how your day usually goes in the Development Team.

I start my day by checking chats, emails, tasks, and my calendar if there will be meetings during the day. After that, I will start doing my tasks, collaborate with the team, and update the team on my progress during our daily stand-up meeting.

Sometimes, I also meet with other teammates to discuss some concerns, check if we are aligned with our work, and help each other. This way, we can get our tasks done faster and easier.

I usually end my day by doing light work, such as updating documents and doing other tasks that are not related to our projects

Starting out as a project-based employee, what were the adjustments that you had to make as you became a full-time staff?

As a project-based I have fewer tasks compared to a full-time employee, and by the time I became a full-time employee, I needed to learn many things. It overwhelmed me at first, but I’ve overcome it with the guidance of my colleagues.

For the daily routine, I manage to adapt to it fast because I have an idea of what the daily routine of a full-time employee is based on my previous observations.

What interests you most in being a Systems Engineer, and what do you think is the most important aspect of your job?

Being a problem solver is what I’m interested in. It’s very satisfying when I can solve a difficult task. For me, the most important aspect of the job of a systems engineer is ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of systems. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration with the team are necessary to ensure the successful implementation of projects.

What techniques do you employ to ensure that you are able to meet your deadlines, and overall, be efficient at work?

To meet my deadlines, I identify the most critical tasks and prioritize them based on urgency and importance. I minimize distractions by turning off notifications and setting up specific times for checking messages. I also take some short breaks to recharge and avoid burnout.

What do you think are the pros and cons of working from home, especially with the nature of your work?

For the pros, eliminating the daily commute reduces stress and saves time to do other things, like hobbies. I think that working from home offers greater flexibility in managing schedules.

As for the cons, I think distractions are one of the challenges of working from home. Sometimes, these are uncontrollable, such as noise made by family members or neighbors, and disrupts concentration and productivity. Remote work can also be challenging in terms of communication and collaboration, especially when we experience power outage or slow internet connection.

How were you able to adapt to the team’s dynamics after joining them as a full-time employee?

They assigned me to a different team after being a full-time employee. There is no noticeable difference between the new and old teammates. I was able to adapt quickly because my new teammates are also very friendly and easy to collaborate with.

What hobbies and activities do you do to relax and destress from work?

My hobbies are watching anime, playing games with friends, and playing some idle or arcade-type games. I also go for a jog every morning. I joined a marathon for the first time this year last March 3, 2024, and the second one will be on June 2, 2024, here in Nueva Ecija.

With the increasing interest in the field of Web Development, what advice can you give to our readers who aspire to build a career in the field?

Practice coding regularly, and work on projects that challenge and expand your skills. Keep up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in web development. The field is constantly evolving, so staying informed about new tools, frameworks, and industry standards is essential for staying competitive in the job market. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement.