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

I’ve been in RareJob since 2016, this being my fifth year. I initially started out as a Business Analyst, but since my background was more on Project Management, and during that time our department was starting to focus on it, I became the first IT Project Manager in the team. Right now, I am very happy because I was given the chance to lead the Project Management Team as their supervisor.

What made you choose RareJob as your company?

I remember it clearly that when I was looking for a job, I was very particular when it came to finding one that would give me a work-life balance and a joyful environment, which RareJob evidently offers. At the same time, the company vision, chances for everyone, everywhere, solidified It for me that I will enjoy working in RareJob, while savoring all the opportunities and chances the company provides.

As the team supervisor, how has the experience been so far?

It has been an overwhelming and challenging experience, but I must admit being a team supervisor brings out the best in me and I am very happy with that because I got the chance to prove and improve myself more.

Recalling our work-from-office setup, what are the pros and cons compared to our current work-from-home setup in terms of your tasks?

To be honest, when we started the WFH set up, adjustments had to be made left and right due to collaboration and communication concerns, among others. We really needed to make it work since most of our tasks in Project Management require regular communication.

But when we started to see the bigger picture, we thought and tried new ways to collaborate and communicate. I must say we were able to manage everything, one day at a time. Pre-pandemic tasks and activities like meetings, consultations, and touch bases were effectively done through online and virtual platforms, and of course the willingness of the members to make it work helped a lot.

Share with us what a typical day is like in Project Management.

We usually start the day with asking each other “How are you?” or “How was your day yesterday?” After that, we proceed with our daily meetings, consultations, and tasks. Every day, we make it a point to communicate: we talk about our projects, the concerns of our members, and also share best practices that we can apply in managing our projects. We also give updates regarding our personal plans or activities outside of work.

As someone working with both the project teams and the stakeholders, what are the most important things to remember to ensure that you accomplish your role effectively?

When I started working in RareJob, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a book that’s often discussed in the company, interested me. What stuck with me the most are these three habits: Habit 3: Put First Things First, Habit 4: Think  Win-Win, and Habit 5: Seek first to understand then to be understood. I think these habits apply to me as a Project Manager, and from them I’ve learned to connect, communicate, and compromise, which led me to foster good working relationships not only with my team, but also with our clients and stakeholders.

While we work remotely, how do you encourage collaboration and teamwork?

The first thing to do is prioritize communication. We cannot collaborate if we don’t communicate. Next, we must learn to trust. We need to be open and be able to embrace improvements.

As the saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” For us to have a successful project, we need to build a good team. To be able to build a good team, we need good team players. Through teamwork, we continue to strive to achieve our goals and finish our projects successfully.

With professionals in the IT and tech fields finding interest in project management, what tips can you give those who are currently starting out as project managers, or those who are considering this career path?

As we pursue the path of Project Management, always remember the role of a Project Manager, as stated in the PMBOK 2008, IT Project Management 5^th Edition:

“We are not supposed to build the house, but use our skills to organize others.  97% of successful projects were led by experienced project managers, who can often help influence success factors.”

For me, the Project Management field can provide many opportunities and connections, and it will really help aspirants grow not only as IT or tech professionals, but also as individuals.