So this month, you graduated with a degree and proud of yourself thinking that you can find that dream job, going to have a dream car and that dream house that you've been wanting for a long time; and after that happily ever after — a common practice and mindset by graduates who finished their education in the Philippines who belongs to lower income level. So, the first thing you do is too look for a job especially today, you can go online and look for a list of job opening from different companies.
If you are going to look on job openings which are available from job-posting sites, you will see companies used strong words that encourage graduates, young applicants, or so called "newbies" that their companies is the right choice and they will provide you growth in terms of promotions and upgrading skillsets to go up to the corporate ladder; and at the end, you will be frustrated because that is not the job that you signed for in the first place.
Be aware that the so called "corporate ladder" setup is already extinct, especially companies are relying heavily in outsourcing and getting workers from agencies.
In my observation, the following strong words that are commonly used by the job-recruiters from Banking, Information Technology, and Business Processing Outsource industry whether it is a multi-national companies or locally operated, especially in the Philippines, where it is already a culture.
So I'll post some of the strong words that are commonly practice by companies in the Philippines that are quite misleading, so be careful on what you are going to sign on their contract or job offer.
"Must be a TEAM PLAYER"
When you go to job posting sites, this term is very common to Business Process Outsource, Information Technology, local banking, and local industry in the Philippines especially on the managment level without proper training and education.
Definition: Looking for individuals willing to shut-up and listen to the ideas of people who like to talk more than think.
"Energetic applicant or enthusiastic individual"
A very sad reality about this, it is a common practice on some local industry in the Philippines, one example is one local bank which discrimination is apparent.
Definition: No one over 30 years old needs to apply. An exemption though is the industry of Business Process Outsource where even over 30's and even high-school graduate are offered a job opportunity.
"Innovative environment and good working environment"
Just be careful on this term, thought that the workplace is the coolest place on the world, think again.
Definition: A dimly lit cubicles -- or, "We create half-baked solutions on a shoestring and expect you to be the one who sweats the small stuff.” a very common scene in the Business Processing Outsource and Information Technology industry; and some local industry.
"Identify strategic opportunities"
Definition: "Show us how to make additional profits (which will we not pass along to you)" -- or, “We’re out of ideas here. Got any?”; a very common scenario on Retailing, Marketing, and Sales whether local or foreign who are in higher management, regardless of the industry; otherwise you'll be terminated or out of their company.
"Problem-solver" or "On-your-feet problem-solving skills required"
Definition: "You'd better know what to do when everything crashes (which will happen at least once a week)." A very common on small scale Business Processing Outsource companies and local companies who doesn't have any budget or do not have plans of upgrading their IT framework for better operation. My advice, don't take the offer if the salary is way below the industry, trust me you'll just be frustrated and resign on that company.
"On time and on budget" or "Be able to achieve project objectives on time and on budget"
Definition: "Be able to make stuff happen immediately with little to no budget".
A very sad reality among the local companies in the Philippines especially on the higher management position in Marketing department; especially in food and consumer goods retailing, companies wants results at a little resources and time; and given the task to the freshly graduate employees which have a limited exposure and no skills, and was hired because of their school's name.
"Long-term opportunity" or "Long-term, career-making opportunity"
Definition: "If you kiss the right years, you might get a minor promotion in 10 years". I think this is a culture in all companies in the Philippines ever since from, whether private or Government, working hard and doing right still underpaid and no promotion.
Guess loyalty has a whole new meaning.
"Dynamic 24/7 environment"
Definition: "You will be expected to work nights and weekends with little to no extra incentive"
The same goes for "Can’t sleep until a problem is solved" and "Overtime and after-hours support as needed." Oh, and hope you don't value your free time too much: You'll be expected to answer support calls and test new technologies from home, too (that's what it means to be "passionate" about your profession, you know).
It is a culture in Business Processing Outsource and some local industry like logistics and banking.
"Ability to communicate" and "Ability to communicate technical issues to nontechnical people"
Definition: "You're going to get endless requests from rude ignorami -- and you'd better know how to handle them with a smile on your face".
A very common in Business Processing Outsource especially in Call-Center environment.
"Detailed reports" or "Experience preparing and writing detailed reports based on analysis"
Details: "You will waste hours upon hours preparing long, pointless documents that we will shelve because we believe only our own gut instincts". Very common for office clerk.
"Very little supervision"
Definition: "You will never see your superiors except when they need something from you" -- or, "You will be our entire IT department"
It is an open-door policy; just don't expect the open door to result in much more than a blank stare and fresh pile of busy work.
Be aware when you are looking for a job and try to check on the words that they are using.
