Dear Nanay,
I am an unemployed 53-year-old father and family head who used to be a manager in a large multinational company. It has been months since I lost my job and it is quite difficult to get one. It is not the serious economic crisis that’s the biggest issue for me, but companies’ age discrimination in hiring employees. In the Philippines, the usual cut-off age is about 35 to 40. Based on my work experience I know that I am qualified for certain managerial positions.
Kindly advise me on what else I can do to get a job. I have sent my resume to a number of headhunters and friends who are company executives. Thank you.
Desperate Dad
Dear Desperate Dad,
It sounds like you are doing everything correctly. The only other thing I can suggest is to maybe answer some advertisements in newspapers’classified ads and upload your resume on the Internet.
You are correct that the trend today is to get young people to get new views and ideas. Maybe most employers feel that older people for the most part have older principles while younger people are more dynamic and energized.
I also think that the economic crisis is a very real problem. Employers may not admit it, but perhaps companies are also looking for younger people because, as a rule, their salaries are lower.
I also do not know what kind of job you are looking for, but maybe you should not be so choosy. If you really need a job, then take the first decent offer that comes your way and then work your way up again. There is no shame in starting again. If you can show them what you can do, then certainly you will be recognized and the company will immediately realize your worth.
Of course, the other option you may want to consider is to be an entrepreneur and start your own business. With your many experiences, I am sure you will be successful at it.
Keep trying and don’t give up.
Sincerely,
Nanay
* * *
Tips For A Board Examinee
Dear Nanay,
I just graduated with honors from the nursing school of a prestigious university in Manila. I will be taking the board exams soon and I want to make sure I pass because I am the first one in my family to finish college and I know the hardships and sacrifices that my parents went through just to send me to school.
Do you have any suggestions on how to best prepare for the exams? Where should I review? What classes do I take? I want to make sure I make my parents proud.
JGM
Dear JGM,
First of all, congratulations for graduating with honors and perhaps more importantly, congratulations for being the first to finish college in your family. That is always a big accomplishment and more than enough to make any parent proud.
You have worked hard these past years, you are preparing for the exams early and it certainly sounds like you have the drive and motivation to do well. I think you are well on your way to passing the board exams.
My only suggestion would be to pace yourself and make sure you do not over-study and burn out before the exams. This is a marathon race and not a sprint. Baka pagdating ng exam, sobra ka naman pagod hindi mo na kayang tapusin yung exam or wala kang maalala (What might happen is that during the exam you will be too exhausted to finish it or not remember all that you reviewed for). So pace yourself and do not put too much pressure on yourself.
You might also want to ask people in the nursing profession if they took review classes in the past. Ask them where they took the classes and what they thought. Get recommendations from your peers and those who have gone before you. Otherwise baka naman sayang lang pera at oras mo kung mahina yung mapasukan mong review class (your money and time might be wasted if the review class is not that good).
Ask them also for whatever advice they can offer you because they have been through the experience already. Pakinggan mo sila (listen to them) and try to take their advice into consideration. Napagdaanan na nila iyang pinagdadaanan mo kaya kung maaari, matuto ka sa mga experiences nila (they have gone through what you are going through now, so learn from their experiences). Why commit the same mistakes that they did?
Otherwise, just study hard, keep it up and it sounds like you are well on your way to a successful career.
Sincerely,
Nanay
* * *
If you have a question, e-mail us at asknanay@nationalbookstore.com.ph or just drop your letter at drop boxes in all National Book Store branches nationwide.