For many Filipinos, history is probably the most boring subject in school.
After all, it’s just remembering somebody who did this or said that in the past. Why bother learning about those when it won’t help us find jobs?
…or can it?
Although the way it’s traditionally taught doesn’t give it justice, Philippine history is filled with useful lessons we can apply in so many aspects of our lives – even in job hunting.
In celebration of our Independence Day, here are some job-hunting lessons from Philippine History that apply to hunting for remote jobs.
Never EVER Give Up
Philippine history is replete with setbacks and failures on the road to independence.
There are the various failed uprisings in different provinces against the Spaniards before the Philippine Revolution.
Fast forward to the First Philippine Republic, where we lost to the Americans during the Philippine-American War. Then there’s the fall of Bataan and the subsequent three years of Japanese occupation.
Did we give up after experiencing these setbacks? Of course not. We picked ourselves up and tried again.
So if you’re down about not getting hired, one of the most important job-hunting lessons you can learn from Philippine history is never, EVER, quit.
If you failed to get a job, think about what you did wrong so you’ll have a better chance of getting hired next time.
Double-check your resume, practice interview questions with your friend, or expand your network so you can find better work opportunities.
Continuously Hone and Expand Your Skills and Knowledge
Change is the only constant thing in this world.
To remain competitive in today’s constantly evolving remote landscape, you must continuously upgrade your skills and learn new ones.
Doing so improves your chances of getting hired in your chosen field and opens up new opportunities in others.
When it comes to being an expert in multiple fields, there’s no better Filipino example than our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Aside from being a physician, Rizal also wrote the Noli me tangere and El filibusterismo, two novels exposing the abuses of Spanish rule in the Philippines.
He also took on the role of schoolteacher and even worked as an engineer during his exile in Dapitan. Talk about a multi-hyphenate.
Always Read the Fine Print
With so many Filipinos hunting for remote jobs, it’s unsurprising that scammers are taking advantage of this.
Thus, when searching for work from home jobs, always read the job offer thoroughly and be wary of red flags like vague job descriptions or little to no information about the company.
Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Just take a look at our history, particularly when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was led to believe that the US supported Philippine independence.
In reality, Spain already sold the country to the US, so the latter didn’t even recognize the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.
Be Proud of Who You Are
Despite all the mistakes we’ve made in the past, there are many reasons to be proud of being a Filipino.
First, we were the first Asian country to become independent from a foreign power. Second, the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution helped inspire other countries to call for changes in their governments via peaceful means rather than bloodshed.
Similarly, you should also take pride in your skills and achievements when looking for work from home jobs.
Highlight all your related skills and achievements relevant to the position you’re applying for in your resume so your potential employer can easily see why they should hire you.
When asked about your weaknesses, be honest but focus on one that won’t disqualify you as a candidate. Additionally, you should talk about your plans for resolving this weakness as well.
Pinoy Pride!
There’s a saying in Tagalog: “Ang di lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa patutunguhan.” (“Those who don’t look back on where they came from, won’t reach their destination.”)
Our country’s rich and colorful history has many lessons to teach us, if we only take time to learn them. Just take a look at the four job-hunting lessons we can learn from Philippine history above.
By following these lessons, you can free yourself from financial worries this coming Independence Day.
Don’t know where to start looking for jobs offering an online work from home setup? Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list contains plenty of positions to choose from, ranging from online transcription jobs to online design jobs.
Ready to start your online career? Click here. Good luck!