When did you start working in RareJob Philippines, Inc?

I started working for RareJob Philippines, Inc. in April of this year.

What made you choose RareJob as your company?

Initially, I was drawn to the fact that RareJob believed in my potential to grow. The moment I had my interviews with various RareJob staff, I knew that this was a company that believes in its people, as it was evident then that the interviewers were well taken care of and happy with what they were doing.

When you joined the Operations Support Team, what were your initial expectations about the typical workday? How have those expectations aligned with or differed from the actual experience?

When I joined, my initial expectations about the typical workday at RareJob were that I would handle tasks assigned to me alone, and go about my day like a regular office job. However, those expectations differed from the experience because it was more of a collective effort from the team. I can say that every employee is warm and welcoming. For example, when doing a certain task, I am confident that there will always be someone who has my back, and that I can always rely on my teammates to lend me a hand when I need it.

As a fresh graduate starting your first job, what are the most significant changes in your daily routine when you started working, and how did you adjust to those changes?

As a fresh graduate, starting something new has always been so daunting to me. That’s why when I first started this job, many things changed. The most noticeable change was in my responsibilities and how I approach them. Before, I was a carefree person who loved playing video games and would play nonstop every day until I passed out from exhaustion. But now that I have been given this wonderful opportunity, I feel that something has changed within me. Don’t get me wrong, I still love video games, but my priorities have shifted, and I’ve become more responsible with my time. I no longer stay up late just to play video games; instead, I spend more time with the people I love. My responsibilities have changed in ways such as prioritizing what’s important to me and focusing less on things that hinder my growth.

What was your most challenging moment in the first few months of working, and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part of starting my first job in the first few months was managing my time effectively. The first hurdle I encountered was figuring out how to balance my time between my personal life and career. This was a battle I fought during the initial months because I realized I had less time to hang out with friends and loved ones. A book that RareJob provided helped me cope with this challenge because, after reading it, I understood that relationships go both ways. It became clear that it’s also my responsibility to check in on my friends and loved ones, so I rearranged my priorities and spent time with them whenever I could.

What strategies did you use to connect with your new colleagues, and how do you think these helped you in establishing good relationships with co-workers?

Connecting with my peers has been very easy for me because, as I have previously mentioned, they have always been warm and welcoming toward me. Even though initially I was a bit scared of being ostracized because I was new, that never happened. My colleagues consistently made me feel included and welcomed. I think being respectful also helped in connecting with them, as respect always goes both ways.

Now that you are working, how do you set healthy boundaries and maintain a good work life balance to prevent burnout?

To avoid burnout, I usually spend my free time outside of work hanging out with my friends and family. For example, on Friday nights, I play mobile games with my siblings; on Saturdays, I spend time with friends playing computer games; my Sundays are typically spent with my partner. Aside from these, after work, I often crochet, which is one of my hobbies besides gaming. These activities help me maintain a good work-life balance without sacrificing the things I love.

Thinking about your journey so far, what advice would you offer other fresh graduates on how to not just survive, but truly thrive in their first job?

Although I haven’t had much experience, based on what I’ve learned so far from my colleagues and peers, the biggest advice I can give to other fresh graduates is do not be afraid to try. I believe that the biggest failure I could make is the failure to try. If you become afraid of trying and are led by fear, you will miss out on many opportunities, getting to know yourself, and discovering your capabilities and full potential. That is something I have learned along my journey so far.