Career Shifting & Taking Risks
Back in college my long-term goal was to be an HR Manager by age 30. I achieved that career goal a bit late at age 32 and instead of leading an entire HR department, I specialised in just one facet of it - Recruitment. Many say that Recruitment is the most difficult facet of all, especially when you are in the BPO sector because there is no idle time, no holidays for my team. Everyday is a deadline and we can't slow down. Fifteen years in recruitment work and I have seen the best and the worst of applicants; I have dealt with the best and the worst of vendors and government agency partners. Internally, I have dealt with the nicest and most difficult co-recruiters and Hiring Managers. In those many years, I have also let go of non-performing team member/s and have promoted those who have been exemplary and deserving of being elevated one level up. Recruiting was what gave me fulfillment for many years. I loved the thrill of sourcing and finding hard-to-find candidates and filling roles which others consider very difficult to find a good match. My personality seemed to be a perfect fit with the pressure of this work; I was such a spunk and I don't easily give up --- hence, I guess that made me last that long. About 1/2 of my lifetime was spent reviewing CVs, interviewing and talking to various people from different walks of life.
When I gave birth to my first born (and so far still my only child), it dawned to me if Recruiting was still what I wanted to do until I age to 50yo. What is it in this craft that I still do not know or still have not done? While I was already at that stage where I can mentor new and young recruiters, long term what's in it for me? Will I still grow ultimately as a person if I continue this craft or will (my team and) I just be filling roles time and again?
That craving for something new to learn and to do something much more enriching was what drove me to choose to make a slow shift and yes it was a big risk that I had to make. I was starting from square one all over again and whether I will see myself successful in this new craft as a
Financial Advisor & Financial/Investment Coach in 1yr, 3yrs or 5yrs time --- I frankly do not know. From being part-time to full time, I have survived my 1st year so far and while income was not as grand as when I was a Recruitment Manager, the experience was remarkably overwhelming and fulfilling. No day is easy, no client is less important, and no application is 100% certain to be approved. All risks. So when people tell me that I only use my "laway" and charm and it's enough to close a deal, they are so wrong!
There are so many more that I put into every client meeting; not just "laway", charm and time. The big difference now is people I meet are either considerate & responsible or completely indifferent & insensitive (like cancelling same hour after you've travelled 4hrs to arrive the meeting venue ahead of time). I am not the authority figure too this time, unlike in Recruitment where I decide and make the final sign off, this time clients can either give me an outright "Yes" or keep me waiting and hoping (some literally putting you in a perfect "paasa" situation sadly. That sometimes you wish you were Nostradamus who can predict before you even spend time and money for a cup of coffee or fancy meal).
My Sun Life adventure has just begun... I am positively looking forward to an awesome 14yrs ahead. I am ready for all the ups and downs... This will just be like any ramp hiring on a off-peak hiring season :)
For a FREE Financial Planning workshop for your employees or a one-one-one Personal Finance Management coaching session for yourself or a friend, please message me. I may also be reached at +63 933-8660335 or via email at [email protected] / [email protected].