Let’s Work Overseas in Cebu

Thursday, June 14, 2012 Unknown 7 Comments

Many Filipinos dream of greener pastures in other countries such as the United States, Australia, and Europe or in the Middle East. For most of us, setting foot in another country promises the start of a better life.

Many have judged the country hopeless. Several Filipinos think that the ultimate way to provide for the needs and wants of their families or to solve all financial problems is by working abroad.

In one recent article of The Sauce, overseas jobs are the main preference of Filipinos—especially IT and engineering professionals—seeking gainful employment. These professionals are also in demand in Business Processing Outsourcing companies; however, the option comes second to working overseas.

According to Yoda Buyco, marketing director of regional job portal Jobstreet.com, IT and engineering are still the top jobs available in the Philippines and Asean region. He said the four key areas of IT—hardware, software, networking, and administration—continue to rack up the most number of job postings registered on the site.

The high demand for IT experts and engineers abroad is one of the major factors that contribute to the high attrition rates of these professionals here in Cebu.

Cebu, despite being titled by foreign investors as one of the most preferred locations for outsourcing, is still alarmed by the high percentage of employee turnover.

The IT-BPO (information technology and business process outsourcing) industry—both local and abroad—is in constant need of increasing the number of its skilled employees to make it continuously functional and productive.

Working abroad or in a local BPO company each has its pros and cons. Assessing the factors can help professionals determine which path can be most fruitful for their careers.

The following are common factors involved in working for the IT-BPO industry locally or abroad:

1. Job Description and Compensation

Clarifying the basic tasks or responsibilities of the job is a must; the focus should not be limited to an offer of a competitive salary.

For many professionals who have gone abroad, disregarding this factor has made them come back to the Philippines sooner than planned. A specific example is the case of IT experts who were assigned to the hardware sector, when their expertise lie on the software sector; this then leads to the expert being tagged is incompetent for the job and thus ordered to go back home.

Should a case like this take place in a local BPO company, resolutions are promptly underway. A simple report to the management can resolve the problem, that is, reassigning the employee or providing training so as to widen the scope of his/her expertise.

2. Employer Profile

Studying the background or track record of an employer is key to having a satisfactory employer-employee relationship. Taking note of achievements, means of handling the company, or even complaints against the employer can make a difference between lasting in a job or quitting at the drop of a hat.

Apparently, professionals who hastily went abroad and failed to consider this factor have found themselves returning to the Philippines with much disappointment, if not regret.

In finding employment in the local IT-BPO industry, a simple face-to-face interview can help an applicant find out the facts (or fiction) about an employer's profile. The IT-BPO industry abroad, on the other hand, will allow one to come to grips with "harsh realities" only upon getting there; in turn, means of getting out of the situation may hardly be at one's disposal.

3. Support Groups

As to what kind of support group is needed by a professional depends on the location of the industry—local or abroad. A professional working abroad needs a support group that can give psychological or emotional support, curb feelings of homesickness or loneliness, and basically fill the hours (or days or weeks or months) of solitude.

For a professional working in the local IT-BPO industry, on the other hand, the support group present is one that functions to increase the professional's expertise and proficiency. This kind of support group is readily formed by many BPO companies in the Philippines.

Fortunately, the local IT-BPO industry has made itself more favorable to IT and computer engineering professionals. In fact, specifically Cebu and its outsourcing industry in general has become an option more viable than working abroad.

The Cebu outsourcing industry has been an economic growth driver since 2010. It presently employs 50,000 workers and has an estimated monthly payroll of at least Php 2 billion. In 2011, the Cebu outsourcing industry accounted for 40 percent of the positions posted in a job listing site. Also, it has recorded a 20 percent growth for 2011.

With these numbers in tow, the Cebu outsourcing industry has positioned itself as a more ideal provider of jobs for professionals not only in the field of IT and engineering but also in other knowledge-based areas.

Many Cebuano professionals fail to maximize the opportunities Cebu outsourcing companies offer because of having fixed their eyes on better-paying overseas jobs. Many fail to recognize the local jobs that offer good benefits (not only for the professionals but also for their family) and sufficient compensation.

A second look at Cebu's growing economy can change its professionals' idea of a better or more promising location or situation, envisioning Cebu to be the place of greener pastures.

About the Author

---

Publish on 06/14/2012
Jane is a freelance copywriter, with majority of her work focusing on the outsourcing industry.

• A Round Table Discussion of the IT - BPO Industry in the Philippines
• Making Cebu a Venue for Growth
• Let The Queen Do The Job