MANILA, Philippines - While the sun simmered yesterday in the metro, Trinoma the Activity Center was thick with people who had CVs, IDs and other documents in hand.
The air buzzed with excitement as more than 5,000 turned up at the two-day Philippine STAR Career Guide job fair.
Snaking around the venue in hopes of landing their dream jobs, hopeful applicants queued at the mall as early as 9 a.m. to scour for opportunities among the 30 or so companies that had openings for them.
It’s a familiar scene as far as Philippine STAR Career Guide job fairs go.
“We already have quite a following because companies know that we get quality applicants, while the jobseekers trust that the openings offered are attractive,” says Bimbo Andrade, STAR marketing manager.
It was the usual mix of participants: call centers, IT companies, restaurant groups, retailers and real estate.
The Philippine STAR job fair is expanding, with other industries such as local manpower companies and hotel groups signing up to join the action.
“Of course, call centers continue to be the majority,” Andrade says.
The business processing outsourcing (BPO) industry, he explains, is growing. Its continued rise fuels the availability of job opportunities for the country’s labor force.
In fact, for a multitude of jobseekers, call centers are undeniably lifesavers.
Patrick Joseph Lapus, 29, now enjoys a career as an in-bound telecollector with Wealthlink.
Hired by VenturesLink at a previous Philippine STAR Career Guide job fair, the former TV dancer says, “My life has really changed and I truly enjoy this job. I am fortunate to have very kind bosses and co-workers.”
Another successful applicant echoes these thoughts.
Edward Jacinto, who also works for VenturesLink, acknowledges: “My life is now better because I can expect a steady income, which I can use to buy personal necessities and some things that I have always wanted to buy, like sneakers.”
Only 21 years old and still single, Jacinto saves enough money to be able to open a time deposit account.
“In the future, I plan to invest in stocks. I want my money to grow,” he says.
With the many lives call centers have changed, the benefits are mutual.
West Contact Services has been partners with The Philippine STAR, posting ads regularly in the Career Guide section on Sundays.
“Since we joined Philippine STAR, the applicant flow on a daily basis has gotten better. I would say that 20 to 30 percent of our hires come from Philippine STAR’s job fairs. That’s a good number,” says Lui Florizel Sarabuno, HR recruiter for the company.
Sitel is another happy customer of The Philippine STAR’s Career Guide job fairs.
“For a few years now, Sitel’s efforts have been very successful, yielding lots of hires. I’d estimate around 30 to 40 hires at every Philippine STAR job fair event,” quips John Mendoza, sourcing supervisor for Sitel.
“It’s a party for candidates,” Mendoza describes the job-hiring events.
“We get all kinds of applicants, with or without work experience, and from different industries. We get fresh graduates, and ones that are looking for new careers. It’s a place for people to discover new things,” he adds.
According to Sarabuno and Mendoza, new hires always approach them to thank them for the opportunity to get a job.
“They thank us all the time. They have been able to bring food to the table, or care for a sick mother, or even send their relatives to school,” says Mendoza.
“We have certainly changed lives. It’s a good feeling,” he adds.
For Sarabuno, fulfillment comes from “giving opportunities to people who don’t have any idea about the application process. We can actually train people and employ them. That way, we are helping their families.”
Amid the sea of bodies at the event, a couple of applicants were eager to share their thoughts.
Jonalyn Pelobello is a fresh Mass Communications graduate from New Era University. After applying with TV stations and never getting a call back, Pelobello decided to attend The Philippine STAR Career Guide Job Fair to try her hand at a call center.
“I think customer service is where I fit. I am friendly, and I like talking to people,” the bubbly 19-year-old says.
Applicant Glynis Gopez finished Tourism in PATTS College of Aeronautics. A first-timer at a job fair, the 20-year-old admits to becoming more positive about landing a job at the event.
“Applying for a job is more exciting in a job fair. I can see all the other people looking for jobs in earnest, and I feel that I become as driven as they are. It’s a positive feeling,” says Gopez.
“I really recommend this event. I got here at 8:30 a.m. from Muntinlupa, and I texted my friends to come to the event, so they will be here tomorrow,” she adds.
The job fair exposes applicants to a wide range of industries, as well as presents a variety of jobs available.
“Companies know that our job fairs offer a better selection of applicants that provide them a better fit,” Andrade explains.
Next on the job fair tour is SM Megamall in June where The Philippine STAR expects a huge attendance because of the venue.
Catch the last of the two-day job fair at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. Joining Philippine STAR are IBM, Accenture and Anchor Land Holdings Inc. as major sponsors.