HOW I CHOOSE TO WORK FROM HOME AND BECOME AN INCULPABLE FREELANCER
Sometime in 2011, I was applying as a CSR in one of the top BPO companies in Makati. I was on my final interview when I heard from one of the candidates about his wife who is working from home. To my curiosity, I approached the guy and asked how his wife works from home. He didn’t hesitate to answer “ search mo Remotestaff, yan yung site ng asawa ko kung san siya work (search for Remotestaff that is the site where she works)”. So when I went home, I searched for Remotestaff right away then signed up and waited for the confirmation from them . That time, I didn’t take it seriously because I did not receive any response from them . Going back to my BPO story, I accepted the offer and undergo training for two months. Then suddenly, I received an email saying “Welcome to Remotestaff.” That email was followed by series of Skype interviews and online exams as well and after two months of waiting, I was finally hired as a Data Entry Specialist. It wasn’t easy because I am still connected with my company that time. (But honestly, I just can’t hide the feeling of excitement because I got hired and will work from home soon! )But I decided to leave the company to take the risk of working from home. That decision is very tough. Why? Because working at home wasn’t that easy as looking for a CSR job around the metro. I left the stable opportunities the corporate world could offer me. I left the chances of stable pay every 15 th & 30th, the regularization after 6 months, team building , amenities of the office (gym,pantry, free coffee,tea etc.), paid leaves, vacations, even my statutory benefits such as my SSS, Philhealth and Pag-Ibig and my healthcard insurance, and I will also miss my wet market weekend routine. What makes it harder is I left security and stability for self-fulfillment and comfortability.
And yes, I’ve accepted the offer. My schedule is midshift and its full time and at the same time, I am also earning the same pay that I am receiving as a CSR from my former company. It is a copy and paste job. I will simply copy vital information from a site then post it on Excel. As simple as that. At first, I feel so fulfilled, I think I made the best decision a careerwoman has ever made. I got a very easy job and I stay at home. I don’t need to worry for my budget for food and transportation and for our leisure allowance every single day, I didn’t experience “petsa-de-peligro" (not having enough money to survive until the next payday), I have more time with my 2 yr. old kid and I can cook regularly. I’m a certified housewife! I thought I have everything I need until one day my client says “Thank you.” And I am pretty shocked because I thought she’s just acknowledging my work but it’s the other way around. I lost my job that only lasted for one month. That time, I still don’t know what project-based means. It means that you will only work for a very short period of time or until the project is done.I just knew it was only a project-based job. After that, I have to wait for another project that they’ll be offering me. Two weeks of waiting isn’t bad. I got a new job with the same task- copy and paste. Unfortunately, after six months, I lost that job again. I asked them why? They just informed me that my client is looking for an expert SEO. Oh! What is that? I just heard it from the very first time. I guess, my knowledge wasn’t enough for the project.
And that’s the time I decided to search for new job from a new site. Before, I only know few sites- Elance (now Upwork), Odesk and Freelancer only. It was never easy searching for a legit online job. I literally into giving up. I don’t have enough savings for my family needs and for my medications. Though I always have a choice to go back and work in a BPO company again. But that didn’t stop me of reaching my goal to become an effective freelancer. I’ve challenged myself. I think of a solution on how I can conquer the industry. So, I was browsing on an online group in Facebook and I found Filipino Virtual Assistance where they offer extensive trainings in Freelancing at a very low cost. I took the chance of studying what is VA all about, SEO, SMM, Content Writing and Marketing, Blogging,Digital Marketing and so on. And from there, I know I can be the freelancer they’ll need for their business to grow as I always wanted to be part of their success. I believe in the saying that goes “Where there is a will, There is a way.”
Here’s my piece of advice for people who wanted to have a successful career shift and for freelancers who are still struggling hard to look for a job:
1. Every struggle counts.
2. That you should be physically ,mentally ,emotionally & spiritually ready to stay at home and work as a freelancer;
3. That you shouldn’t expect that working from home is an easy job.
4. That you won’t stop learning. The more you equip yourself, the more you have big chances on landing on your chosen profession. You could be a VA, an SEO, Content Writer, Social Media Manager and so on;
5. That it takes a lot of time, effort, patience and knowledge to land on your desired job;
6. That you must be persistent, flexible, determined , mastered time management and self-discipline and you must have a very good communication skills ;
7. And lastly, to become a freelancer, you must believe in yourself and trust your skills and abilities as working at home is a fulfilling job for you and your family.
To my fellow freelancers and wannabes, do you think you got what it takes to be an inculpable freelancer? Let me know your thoughts by sharing this article on Facebook or leave your comments below!
