Beth or “BJ” to family and friends, carried her umbrella on a tricycle, the jeepney, and the train as she commuted for two hours to her old job in Metro Manila, trying to avoid getting soaked before clocking in.
“Most of us, we chose to work in Metro Manila because the salary there is higher than working in the rural areas,” she said.
But the commute was getting her down. BJ left her subdivision in Cavite each day on a tricycle, then took a jeepney to the train station and sometimes caught a jeepney to the office at a call center.
“It was so exhausting,” she said. “Four hours total (roundtrip)…Maybe 20 percent of my salary goes to transportation fares.”
But those hard trips are over for BJ thanks to her employment with HireSmart Virtual Employees, where she serves as an online office worker for a property management client in California. Now she “commutes” to work via the kitchen, where she prepares her coffee. Instead of dealing with hours of travel, she plays with her “fur baby” named “Sky.”
“Before I go to work, I’ll take my breakfast,” she said. “No need to have a bath, just have my coffee and then clock in and check in with my boss to see if there are any specific tasks she wants me to do or to prioritize.”
Beth said the money is much better now.
“During that time (working for the call center) was a struggle,” she said. “I was earning around 15,000 to 20,000 pesos per month, like $250 to $350. Ninety percent of my income goes to pay my monthly bills, and I couldn’t even afford to buy something fancy for myself.”
BJ saw a job posting for work with HireSmart and applied. She went through the exam, and interview process, then five days of training.
“I really enjoyed the training,” she said. “It was a bit challenging. But it is extremely helpful. It helps us to understand more, especially about real estate in the United States. And I felt more confident after that training. That was the best part. I was sure I was well prepared when I first started working with my client.”
She said her client is “awesome.”
“I really like my client or my boss, my direct manager,” said BJ. “I have two teammates, and she helps us understand property management and real estate in the United States.”
BJ and other HireSmart Virtual Employees are provided with health and dental benefits through the company.
“I don’t want to use them, but I am glad we have these benefits for emergency purposes,” she said.
When BJ isn’t working, she likes to watch Netflix and shows like “Friends.” She enjoys Korean television as well and likes to travel as well. Her job with HireSmart gives her more freedom in this way.
She encourages others to consider working with HireSmart.
“I’m really hoping they will find their way here,” said BJ. “They just need to focus on their goal, never stop trying. I know once they find HireSmart, they will love the team, especially the management, the clients, the salary, and the benefits. Because HireSmart will take care of them. I can assure them of that. It’s their time to shine. I’m really hoping they’ll find their way here. This is the best job I’ve had.”
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