Coming home after working abroad can feel like a fresh start. But what’s next? Don’t let your valuable experience go to waste! Let’s explore how to use your OFW journey to level up your career back home in the Philippines.
Understanding the Landscape: What Have You Gained?
First, really think about everything you’ve learned and experienced as an OFW. It’s not just about the money you earned (though that’s important!). Think about these areas:
Hard Skills: What specific skills did you use in your job? Maybe you’re a master electrician now after wiring buildings in Saudi Arabia, or a top-notch caregiver after years in Canada. List them all!
Soft Skills: These are super important and often overlooked. Did you learn teamwork? Communication? Problem-solving under pressure? Working far from home makes you tough and adaptable—those are gold to employers.
Cultural Understanding: Working and living with people from different backgrounds broadens your perspective. You can now understand and relate to people from all walks of life, a skill often valuable in diverse workplaces.
Financial Literacy: Managing your hard-earned money, sending remittances, and saving for the future are skills you developed. This financial discipline and understanding is incredibly valuable, both personally and professionally.
Network: Think about all the people you met! Workmates, bosses, people in your community abroad. You never know when a connection could lead to a job or opportunity.
For example, Maria worked as a cleaner in Singapore for five years. Beyond cleaning, she learned to manage her time efficiently, handle demanding clients, and even picked up some basic conversational Mandarin. She realized these skills made her a great candidate for a supervisor role in a local cleaning company back home, where Chinese clients were frequently served.
Assessing Your Options: What Do You Want to Do?
Now, let’s think about your goals. Do you want to:
Find a Job: Get a similar job to what you did abroad, but here in the Philippines? Or something totally new?
Start a Business: Use your savings and experience to be your own boss?
Invest: Grow your money by investing in stocks, real estate, or other ventures?
Improve Your Skills: Go back to school, take courses, or get certifications?
Be honest with yourself. Don’t just jump into the first thing that comes along. Take some time to research the job market in the Philippines. What industries are growing? What skills are in demand? Sites like JobStreet, LinkedIn, and Kalibrr can give you a good idea.
Also, consider your personal interests. What are you passionate about? If you love cooking, maybe starting a small food business is a good fit. If you’re good with computers, maybe IT work is your calling. Combining your OFW experience with your interests is a recipe for success.
Job Hunting Strategies: Showcasing Your OFW Advantage
Applying for jobs as an OFW returnee requires a slightly different approach. Highlight your unique strengths! Here’s how:
Resume Makeover: Don’t just list your jobs abroad. Describe your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs (managed, led, implemented, achieved). Quantify your results whenever possible. For example, instead of saying “Worked as a cashier,” say “Managed cash transactions for an average of 100 customers daily, maintaining a 99% accuracy rate.” Include all relevant skills, both hard and soft. Make sure to mention your cultural understanding and adaptability.
Specifically, avoid these common resume pitfalls:
Grammatical Errors: Proofread meticulously. Even minor errors can create a poor impression. Consider using online grammar check tools.
Lack of Specifics: General statements are easily ignored. Instead of “Good at customer service,” write “Resolved customer inquiries resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores.”
Irrelevant Information: Focus only what makes you a great candidate. Leave out old high school achievements if they prove nothing.
Poor Formatting: Keep its layout easy to read. Use clear headings and consistent formatting. A messy resume suggests disorganization.
Missing Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with these to show what you did or accomplished.
Overselling: Don’t exaggerate skills.
Cover Letter: Customize your cover letter for each job application. Explain why you’re interested in the company and how your OFW experience makes you the ideal candidate. Show them how your experiences align with their needs. Share a compelling story about a challenge you overcame while working abroad and what you learned from it. Also, in some cases, you can show your enthusiasm for the specific job title, company, or mission aligned with the company.
Interview Skills: Practice answering common interview questions. Be prepared to talk about your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals. Showcase your soft skills, and highlight any accomplishments you contributed to the company. Dress professionally, arrive on time, and be enthusiastic. Researching the company’s products, services, and competitors can help you standout.
Networking: Tell your friends, family, and former colleagues that you’re looking for a job. Attend industry events and job fairs. Join online communities and connect with professionals in your field on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead.
Don’t disregard these lesser-known networking strategies:
Alumni Associations: Engage to connect with potential mentors or employers.
Industry Conferences: Attend and hand out your business cards. Follow up with anyone you click with.
Volunteer Work: It connects you with other people and organizations.
Lastly, remember the power of a thank-you email following an interview. It is a polite way to reaffirm your interest in the position given.
For example, consider Leo, returned from ten years working in construction in Dubai. He initially struggled to find work back home. His resume only listed his job titles. After a resume makeover, he highlighted his experience in managing construction projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring safety compliance. He also emphasized his experience working with diverse cultural workers. With these changes, he landed a job as a project manager for a large infrastructure project.
Starting Your Own Business: Turning Dreams into Reality
Many OFWs dream of becoming entrepreneurs. Your time abroad can provide you with the capital, skills, and knowledge to start your own business.
Identify a Need: What products or services are lacking in your community? What problems can you solve? Is there a demand for your skills?
Develop a Business Plan: Outline your business goals, target market, products or services, marketing strategy, and financial projections. A solid business plan is essential for success and for securing funding. According to the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), many Filipinos who started businesses did not start with a solid business plan, contributing to failure.
Secure Funding: You can use your savings, apply for loans, or seek investors. There are also government programs that offer financial assistance to OFWs.
Get Legal: Register your business and obtain the necessary permits and licenses. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provides guidance on how to register a business in the Philippines.
Market Your Business: Promote your business through social media, online advertising, and local events. Provide excellent customer service to build a loyal customer base.
For example, consider Anna, who worked as a chef in Italy. She realized there was a demand for authentic Italian food in her hometown. Using her savings, she opened a small pasta shop that quickly became popular. She also offered cooking classes to share her love of Italian cuisine.
Investing Your Savings: Building a Secure Future
Investing your savings wisely is crucial for securing your financial future. Here are some investment options in the Philippines:
Real Estate: Invest in properties for rental income or for future appreciation. Real estate can provide a stable source of income and can be a good hedge against inflation.
Stocks: Invest in stocks for long-term growth. Stocks can offer higher returns than traditional savings accounts, but also come with higher risk. Many investment firms in the Philippines offer courses and services to help small investors get started.
Mutual Funds: Invest in mutual funds for diversification and professional management. Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a variety of assets, reducing risk.
Bonds: Invest in bonds for a more conservative investment option. Bonds offer fixed interest income and are generally less risky than stocks.
Small Businesses: Invest in existing small businesses or start your own. This can provide a high return on investment, but also requires more effort and management.
Treasury Bills: Short-term government debt instruments that are considered low-risk investments. They offer fixed returns over terms from 91 days to 1 year.
Before investing, consult with a financial advisor to determine the best options for your needs and risk tolerance. Diversify your investments to reduce risk. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Improving Your Skills: Staying Relevant in the Job Market
The job market is constantly evolving. To stay relevant, it’s important to continuously improve your skills. Consider these options:
Online Courses: Take online courses to learn new skills in your field or to explore new areas of interest. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and EdX offer a wide range of courses, often at affordable prices.
Vocational Training: Enroll in vocational training programs to acquire practical skills in a specific trade. TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) offers a variety of training programs in the Philippines.
Higher Education: Pursue a college degree or postgraduate studies to enhance your knowledge and career prospects.
Certifications: Obtain certifications to demonstrate your expertise in a particular area. Certifications can increase your credibility and make you more competitive in the job market.
Workshops and Seminars: Attend workshops and seminars to learn from experts and network with other professionals.
For example, consider Ben, who worked as a carpenter in Germany. He realized that modern construction techniques require knowledge of CAD (computer-aided design) software. He took an online course in AutoCAD and was able to land a job as a design draftsman for a construction firm.
Mental Health and Well-being: Taking Care of Yourself
Returning home after working abroad can be emotionally challenging. You may experience feelings of homesickness, culture shock, and difficulty adjusting to life back in the Philippines. Additionally, financial pressures can add stress. It is just as vital to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are some tips:
Connect with loved ones: Spend time with family and friends. Share your experiences and feelings.
Join support groups: Connect with other OFWs and share experiences. You’re not alone.
Seek professional help: If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor.
Take care of your physical health: Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
Engage in hobbies and activities you enjoy: This will help you relax and de-stress.
Set realistic goals: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to succeed immediately.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides resources and support services to OFWs, including mental health counseling. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
Success after working abroad isn’t static. The world changes, and you need to change with it. Embrace lifelong learning. Continue developing skills, stay updated on industry trends, and be open to new opportunities. Be adaptable and resilient. The challenges you’ve overcome as an OFW have prepared you for anything!
FAQ Section
What are the most in-demand skills in the Philippines right now?
The most in-demand skills vary by industry, but generally, skills in IT (software development, cybersecurity, data analytics), healthcare (nursing, caregiving), construction (engineering, project management), and customer service are highly sought after. It’s important to research the specific demands in your field of interest.
How can I validate my work experience abroad for employers in the Philippines?
Provide official documents such as employment contracts, certificates of employment, and pay slips. You can also ask your previous employers to provide letters of recommendation. If possible, have your credentials evaluated by a recognized credentialing body.
Are there government programs that specifically assist returning OFWs in finding jobs or starting businesses?
Yes. OWWA offers various programs, including reintegration programs, skills training, and financial assistance. The DTI also provides support for OFWs who want to start businesses. Check their official websites or visit their local offices for more information.
What are the common mistakes OFWs make when returning home, and how can I avoid them?
Common mistakes include: not having a clear plan, spending savings too quickly, not adapting to the local job market, and not taking care of your mental health. To avoid these, create a plan, manage your finances wisely, research the job market, and seek support if needed.
How important is networking for OFWs returning to the Philippines?
Networking is extremely important. Your connections can provide you with valuable leads, advice, and support. Attend industry events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and tell your friends and family that you’re looking for opportunities.
References
Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), common reasons why small businesses fail.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), how to register a business in the Philippines.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), programs and services for OFWs.
Ready to take the next step? Don’t let your OFW experience fade away. Use it as a springboard to a brighter future. Start planning your next chapter today! Research your options, update your resume, connect with your network, and believe in yourself. The world is waiting to see what you can do!
