Where should I work?: The difference between industries in the Philippines

No matter what job you’re looking for, there are stark differences to what job you’re actually getting depending on the industry of the company you’re applying for. The same positions in different industries could mean different workload, different required skill sets, and different work environments altogether. With this, here’s a list of common industries and the work experience in each of them:

Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

FMCG companies are filled with big name brands, which makes the entire industry enticing and exciting to work in. Jobs there are some of the most stable and almost all companies have a wide variety of departments to work in. The companies also assess based on performance and not just qualifications, making it easier to climb up the ladder in these companies. On the downside, the demand of work in these companies is huge, and because the goods are constantly produced and marketed, there are no real off-seasons for work in this industry.

Retail

When it comes to working in retail, your work experience is more notable than the benefits that come with the job. Retail jobs teach you customer service and time management skills, but it is more or less a result of the drawbacks of the job. The schedule in retail is highly volatile, and dealing with customers can be a testing task. Despite this, retail is a popular industry because it doesn’t require many special skills to start a career in retail.

Technology

The world has been changing at a rapid pace and this has led to a boom in the tech industry. Jobs in IT are extremely in demand and pay lucratively. Also, with the variety of different programming languages, developmental areas, and companies out there, the tech industry is one of the vastest in itself. This job is seen to be fulfilling as well, as the innovations in tech produce tangible results almost instantaneously. This comes with a slight drawback, as people who can’t innovate and create can’t last in this industry, even in departments such as finance and marketing in the companies.

BPO

The BPO industry has been one of the most talked about industries in the Philippines in recent years. In fact, it has also been one of the fastest growing. The attractive pay, low skill level requirement and opportunities to train are all things that make BPO careers a popular choice among young jobseekers. There is even a fair opportunity of promotion in the industry. Despite this, one instant drawback is the schedule. Most BPOs work the graveyard shift, putting both social life, family life and the health of workers at risk.

KPO

The lesser-known knowledge process outsourcing industry is actually a very wide industry that spans several other industries, such as legal, healthcare, and finance. Closely identified with consulting, KPOs usually hire skilled workers to provide services to high-level clients, resulting in a high pay and exposure to the global market. This industry is seen as a very serious industry, where formality is of utmost importance, and the pressure is also extremely high, which can lead to a very competitive work environment. Grit and wits play equally large roles in becoming a successful employee in this industry.

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