How long have you been working in RareJob Philippines, Inc.?

I started working for RareJob last August 2022. It will be my first anniversary with the company next month.

What made you choose RareJob Philippines, Inc., especially since this is your first time with an ESL company?

I decided to apply in RareJob because I heard it was a reputable company in Japan and one of the pioneers in the ESL field. Aside from that, I also have acquaintances who worked in RareJob as ESL tutors and they only have positive things to say about the company. Although I wasn’t applying to be a tutor, their feedback is one of the deciding factors for me as they meant the company takes care of their employees.

As I was researching more about RareJob, I found a few of their social media pages online and took a look at some of the recent content they have posted. I was truly impressed as they gave the impression that a lot of work, creativity, and thought were put into them. During that time, I thought to myself, “I want to be part of a company that takes its marketing and branding efforts seriously.” That is why I was really looking forward to working here.

As a Marketing Associate, how has the experience been so far?

The experience has been fulfilling so far. Despite having a degree in Marketing, this is actually my first time being part of the Marketing unit in a company. My previous jobs were mostly related to product management and supply chain management thus going into this role means a new career path for me, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.

As part of the Marketing Team, I had the opportunity of overseeing our social media ads, monitoring them regularly, and identifying the best measures to boost RareJob’s online presence. I am also involved in our team’s promotional programs for general and premium lesson applications. I also help out in the creation of social media content, in terms of copywriting, coming up with ideas and topics, scouting tutors to feature, etc.

To be a part of the Marketing Team is honestly such an honor for me. I get to exercise my creativity, hone my communication skills, and be up to date with recent marketing trends.

As the company continues on with the WFH setup, how has this affected your tasks and responsibilities?

Because I joined the team during the WFH setup, I have not actually experienced doing my tasks and responsibilities in an office setup. However, I would imagine it also has its disadvantages and advantages.

For the disadvantages, our initiatives are limited to online and digital campaigns. It’s also harder to shoot live-action content, as we need to plan ahead of time to meet with each other. We also had to adapt to a new form of online collaboration as brainstorming is not as spontaneous anymore as spit-balling ideas with the person beside you.

On the other hand, we get to have flexibility in terms of our schedule in a WFH setup. There is also a chance for better work-life balance, and individual focus and productivity. Online initiatives have also proven to be more effective compared to in-person initiatives which could be easily executed in a WFH setup.

How were you able to build rapport with your team and maintain a harmonious working relationship despite the remote setup?

I was able to build rapport with my team through our weekly break sessions. There is an assigned host per break who would come up with an activity that we would do as a team. It could be anything from playing an online game, sharing our personal experiences, to discussing our opinions about a specific topic. It’s truly a fun break time where we could know more about each other!

Apart from our online break sessions, our yearly team building is also an opportunity for us to meet each other in person and catch up with each other’s personal lives!

What do you think is the most critical aspect of your job, and which part do you enjoy the most?

For me, the most critical aspect of my job as a Marketing Associate is to be able to know my target market well. By being able to do so, I can make decisions about what information to include in my message, how to arrange that information, and what kind of supporting details will be necessary for my target market to understand it. The tone can also be adjusted in a way that the audience can easily connect with. Marketing is all about catching the attention of the target market with a certain message, which could be in the form of content, ads, and promotional campaigns. Apart from that, it’s also crucial for a marketing professional to be able to catch up and recognize new marketing trends.

With regard to what I enjoy most about my job, it is the opportunity to exercise my creative juices and hone my communication skills, whether verbal or non-verbal.

Part of staying productive and effective is to make sure that a healthy work-life balance is maintained. What do you do to prevent burn out?

I always make sure to run or walk for an hour around our neighborhood before work at least 3 times a week.  A lot of young professionals these days don’t realize the importance of regular exercise. If I haven’t exercised in a while, I could definitely see the difference in my overall productivity and mental state.

Aside from that, I also enjoy solo travelling abroad. It’s a reward for myself where I can rest for a while from work and immerse myself in a different culture. It’s something that I really enjoy and would love to continue doing once in a while.

For those who are looking into entering the marketing field, what tips and advice can you give them?

People have the presumption that you’re all set in marketing if you have good presentation skills. For me, more than presentation skills, it’s actually your ability to empathize with people. Having empathy would help you recognize the needs and demands of your target market and in turn, deliver a message that they could connect with.