My Personal Rebranding Journey

Personal Rebranding Journey

When one loses her footing in the human race called life, the most pragmatic solution is to get up and just keep going. But what if the tools available to continue your life's marathon are insufficient? Career-wise, what if there are limited options, yet you need to contribute and earn? How does one reinvent oneself in today’s digital landscape? How does one prepare to seek employment in a place like the Philippines, where not only has the economy plunged into record-breaking unemployment, underemployment, and inflation but mobility suffered impeded by the dismal government response to the pandemic?

Most people are afraid to go out the vaccination is moving with 30% of the total population inoculated. Most, like my family, fear the physical strain that accompanies the virus and the crippling financial cost that the recuperation will entail.? Last September, 5 out of 7 family members got infected and the cost of home confinement and medication blew our tuition budget. People struggling to find jobs still contend with health risks, especially since hospitals have been filled to capacity.? Imagine the irony; one goes out seeking work to feed their family, and while doing so, they risk their health and open themselves to more expenses if hospitalized. Meanwhile, our government is preparing for a national election and it polarized the citizens over voting choices instead of focusing on an urgent public agenda.

Regardless of the condition, we find ourselves in. The question remains: when jobs are scarce and your skills are not up to par, how does one proceed??

There are no easy answers, and most hypotheses raise new questions, but in my soliloquy, I discovered:

1. Start with a grateful heart. As cliched as it may sound, anger and frustration will not make your quest easier. Be thankful for the realization that giving up is not an option, and your journey starts now.?
2. Make an inventory of your skills. Are you into arts and crafts, cooking, or literary pursuits? Better yet, digital design, video editing, or did you hit the jackpot with standard coding skills? Whatever is in your arsenal, write it down. Documenting it brings clarity and a sharper focus on what you enjoy doing. If your skillset is anything like mine, you might see that what you want to do,? might not be parallel to what the industry values. Work is extremely difficult for the technologically challenged. Strong communication skills are a solid foundation, but the tower requires so many other bricks to build a formidable structure, so prepare to study if you want to succeed.
3. Take stock of your environment and other resources. The truth is, it makes more fiscal sense to use what you have around you. Remember, the point is to make money, so spending should not be part of the equation unless it is a calculated expense. Do you have an extra computer? Instead of selling it outright, consider how it can generate income. Like a large refrigerator and freezer, selling ice candy or homemade ice cream is an option. With Christmas around the corner, my FB page will feature simple food gifts like pasta, chicken, and pastries.
4. Examine what interests you the most. Traditional administrative functions have morphed into virtual assistance. This industry is indeed growing, but to create value, applicants need experience and expertise. The meritocracy system in the online environment is very pronounced; clients rarely trust newbies. Prepare a portfolio and testimonies from previous clients.
5. If you have the digital hardware (laptop or desktop), explore a work from home wfh (work from home) set up. It is definitely safer from a health perspective.
6. Consider becoming certified as an investment in yourself. Clients are more likely to believe candidates with a track record than those with claims of knowledge. Consider paid mentorship programs. Their guidance will fast-track results, and it will most likely bring you access to a professional network.
7. Study what is popular in your field and acquire new skills if you can. Current trends include social media marketing, e-commerce, plants, and food products.
8. Prepare an excellent resume and always customize your cover letter according to the clients’ needs. Ahem, there are writing services that can help craft a compelling resume and cover letter. Seek help .
9. Lastly, there is strength in solidarity. Online Chat groups may provide guidance and encouragement on how to navigate wfh setup. Join a group that is aligned with your values.???????????????????????????????????????????????

?My new career search has officially begun. It is difficult to compete in the sea of young tech-equipped applicants. The feeling of mediocrity amidst the competing bodies is daunting. But necessity knows no bounds, and sometimes, when one has enough will, the universe might just conspire to work in your favor. Being a mother of three college-aged kids has its challenges. I did not anticipate financial difficulties as part of it as I thought I had created enough insulation. But the pandemic is a beast like no other. ? We thought we had been cash prudent, yet we find ourselves embroiled in a cash-strapped situation. Fortunately, my kids are reasonable young adults, but the toll of maintaining the standard of living they have been accustomed to while reeling from the pandemic is indeed the crux of the problem. Expenses have been stripped to a minimum.? What we need is additional income akin to a vaccine cash shot. We have dipped into our savings to tie us over. Although this mother has been out of traditional office work for years, I have no other recourse but to try my luck in the virtual world. I now have one client.? I provide all kinds of written support. I am on a quest to get more clients or perhaps land a paid writing assignment. Soon, I will enroll in a seminar to enrich my skills and possibly land a second client. As the proverbial saying goes, necessity is the mother of all inventions. It is so apt. I need to reinvent myself to survive the Philippine pandemic experience. Fellow job seekers with clenched fists, let us forge on and hope our reckoning will come sooner than 2022.?

To Filipino friends who understand the symbolism, despite the challenges, PINK gives me hope I can and with enough conviction, WE can come May 2022.