In the Philippines it really can be a case of who you know rather than what you know. That said, there are a wealth of resources to help you find a job or placement.
It’s highly recommended you make the most of any contacts you have in the country already, search local newspapers, and make full use of Internet job sites. In this section we have compiled a list of useful resources and advice which should help you on your way to landing that perfect job.
There are many job sites dedicated to jobs in the Philippines where you can upload your CV or apply directly to the positions that interest you. The sites are all available in English, but rarely in other languages. Here are some of the most popular:
www.trabaho.com/ - It’s free to sign up and create your profile. You can also search for jobs without registering. Many sectors are covered from advertising, IT, to teaching. The site can be a little complicated and the search tool isn’t very user friendly but they do have a great range of job postings. The site also has a ‘career guide’ which has lots of articles offering tips on the job search, application and interviews.
www.bestjobs.ph/ - Job-seekers can upload their resume and search thousands of jobs online. You can also research big employers in the Philippines. There is a good search engine whereby you can look for jobs by sector or location.
Once you’re in the Philippines you can easily get an idea of the job market, what’s in demand and typical salaries by looking at the classifieds. Most of the country’s popular newspapers have a classified section. Hotels, western style cafes and bars almost always have a newspaper or two free for customers. Some of the most popular ones are: ‘Manila Bulletin’, ‘Philippine Daily Enquirer’, ‘The Daily Tribune’ and ‘The Manila Times’. It is also a good idea to check these newspapers’ websites for positions that don’t appear in the print versions.
It is often the case that jobs in the Philippines are obtained through business contacts, family or friends. With this in mind it is a good idea to try and make some contacts in the Philippines before you arrive. Join some online forums specifically for expats and make contacts that way. Another method is to attend the various job fairs and events that are run throughout the country. Admission is usually free and you can network while finding information on a wide range of employers. The website www.trabaho.com/ has a list of nationwide events.