After spending four years of working in the corporate industry – talking about BPOs, ICTOs, business sectors or even private corporations – I came to the point of my own personal realizations about working in this type of industry. Yes, it sounds so classy to hear that you are working for these extravagantly marketed companies worldwide but all of them have their own downfalls.
Here are my top 10 things about the corporate world:
1. There is no such thing as a perfect company.
You could not really think of a perfect company to work with. All companies have their own weaknesses. It would range from compensation and company benefits; management; employees’ personal and professional growth; working environment among others. Some companies offer attractive compensation but their management is not good enough. Others are good at personal and professional growth with no good benefits offered to employees. Or it could be the other way around.
You just need to weigh things out. Think before you sign. Would you accept the big offer but it feels like the people you are going to work with are so lax? Or would you go for that company which gives you a feeling of belongingness but the offer is not that big? Think well.
2. Only few companies are truly generous.
Highfalutin marketing company campaigns are sprouting everywhere stating of how good and best their companies are. However, only few of them are true. This company that I am connected right now which is based in Australia is generous. Every first quarter of the year, the company revenue from the previous year will be shared to its employees as a 14th month pay ranging up to 20k. That is just one nice generous action. The rest, I don’t know.
3. Office politics is always present.
Most people who are in the management level got their promotions because of company politics. Only few are chosen properly. This might be your forte if you are a kiss-ass type of person. But for me, it is not. I am a very open person and I confidently speak what is on my mind. I professionally react to things which are done incorrectly and I like to work in an environment where everything is done with transparency and equality. As a consequence to office politics, incompetent people are placed in higher positions whose skills and expertise do not match the job requirements. This all boils down to mismanagement and ultimate result is people leaving.
4. You will end up getting bored with what with you’re doing.
Working in the corporate world especially in BPOs can be tiring at times. You will be doing the same routine every single day. Same repetitive kind of job awaits you in the office the moment you arrive in the office. There could be updates and new processes along the way but the bottom line is, it is still the same job at the end of the day. This will lead to employees getting bored of what they are doing. This is the primary reason why companies have engagement activities to their employees promoting work-life-balance environment. It could be a plus factor if your team lead or management is fond of outdoor activities like team building. You will surely enjoy your work and would prolong your stay. This kind of activity promotes bonding and you get the chance to know your team better.
5. People always hop.
Yes. Most people always hop in the corporate world. They hop from one company to another. Regardless of the position, you will always find them hopping everywhere. There might be a few who sticks with one company but the rest is not. If one colleague leaves your company and finds a better one, some people follow. Though this may not be applicable to all since there are really people who are very loyal and committed. Kudos to those workers who are able to sustain that commitment to retain their jobs with a single employer.
6. Most companies pirate people.
Newly opened companies pirate people from other companies. This is the most typical situation happening in the corporate world. They offer bigger compensation to those people who will be part of their pioneering batch of employees. This goes like a chain reaction where these pioneering employees entice previous officemates to apply to their newly found employer.
7. Don’t become a Rockstar on your first few days.
Most neophytes want to shine on their first few days in the job. Though not all but mostly want to give a good impression that they can outdo the job with splendid colours. Well this is true especially to those people who are competitive. So here comes a newbie, so blooming, so excited with the job – working with very keen attention to details; skipping breaks and lunch just to accommodate work; extending hours in the office to beat deadlines; accepting other out-of-scope jobs just to give a quality output to the bosses. This is really a good sign that the employee is willing to give his best on his job. However, some people from the management failed to see these wonderful efforts. They often take it for granted. People like to be recognized and be rewarded. You must remember that regardless of how and what you did to your company, if they do not like you anymore, then you are sorry. All your accomplishments are forgotten. This is what we call a reality.
8. Companies save money on people too.
Most companies find ways to limit the expense for labour. This boils down to employees with hounding workloads. Do not be deceive by what you see on the job description companies post on job portals or on their website. You are yet to discover what more is lying ahead the moment you step in the battle. Inside the organization, employees are carrying out tasks good for two positions but the pay is the same. Do not waste your time accepting other tasks from your boss. It is either you will get a promotion soon or you are just fooled. As they say, love your job but not your company because you do not know when your company stops loving you.
9. Staying on your toes as always is a must.
Some people are traitors even your management. You must be on the lookout as always. Management people may appear so welcoming when you arrive but they are not. Do not people right away. It so hard to find a real true companion. People are meeting new faces whom they consider friends but they are just surface friends. In correlation to office politics, please bear in mind that if you might get a position just because of that, anticipate that your name is part of the office gossips and rumours. It is true that you can never hide the things that you do especially if they are unrighteous.
10. The higher your pay gets the higher your expenses will become.
It feels gratifying when you got promoted. Who would not like a promotion or a pay increase? Of course, everyone. But there are some people that do not like to get any promotion at all. They are just contented with pay increase or incentives. This is because of the saying that goes: great power comes big responsibilities. Some people do not like to make their lives complicated. But if in any forms you will get one, it is normal that when your pay increases, so do is your expenses. This is what we call a directly proportional situation. Good for you if you can manage your expenses at the same level.
