Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs in the Philippines for 2020
The thing about the job market is that it is ever-changing – what may have been an in-demand job last year, may no longer be in-demand this year. A major factor for these changes is the trends in the industry. In the Philippines, the trend for the past two decades has mostly seen a rise in the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry. The BPO industry in the country continues to boost the Philippine economy, with BPO companies employing over 1 million Filipinos.
Aside from industry trends, the current situation also plays a factor in changing the job market. Thanks to CoVID, employers are beginning to shift to remote work arrangements amidst growing health concerns.
These developments led to a digital shift wherein services are moved online. This means that there is now a growing demand for jobs associated with digital marketing, information technology (IT), finance, and accounting.
Whether you are just starting out on the job market as a fresh graduate or seeking your passions elsewhere, it is important to understand the job market to set your expectations about job-hunting. This will help you to prepare accordingly and develop the skills needed to get hired.
This article compiles a list of the Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs in the Philippines for 2020, based on LinkedIn’s report on the 10 Most Hired Occupations on LinkedIn.
- Sales Professional
The common misconception about sales professionals is that their task simply involves hard-selling products and services to clients. While this is part of their job description, this is not all that they do. They are also responsible for assessing the effectiveness of current strategies, identifying market trends and customer leads, and monitoring competition.
Skills you need:
Persuasiveness, Negotiation, Communication, Management, Customer Retention, Client Relationships
- Software Developer
A software developer is a highly technical position. It involves designing and implementing software programs, developing quality assurance procedures, and maintaining and upgrading systems.
People think that software developers only sit in front of the computer all day, but this is not true at all. Chances are, they are working with a team which means that communication skills are also required to effectively work with other developers, UX designers, and analysts.
Skills you need:
Java, C#, .Net, C, Oracle, Other programming languages, Communication Skills
- Customer Service Specialist
A customer service specialist is responsible for resolving customer concerns, giving out solutions, and informing customers about the features of a certain product or service. They are important to establishing the reputation of a company by providing excellent customer support, both during and after the sales.
Skills you need:
Persuasiveness, Negotiation, Communication, Management, Customer Retention, Client Relationships, Help Desk Software, CRM Systems
- Marketing Specialist
Marketing specialists conduct market research and analyze customer behavior trends to come up with marketing strategies. They coordinate with other departments and external stakeholders to increase brand awareness and boost the reputation of the company. They do this through different channels, including social media, email, TV advertisements, and even event partnerships.
Skills you need:
Project Management, Market Research, Communication, Event Planning, Analytics, Sales
- Administration Manager
An administration manager is responsible for supervising the daily support operations within the company and overseeing the administrative procedures across different departments. They cover a wide range of jobs: from managing schedules and overseeing office facilities and supplies to streamlining processes and ensuring an efficient flow of communication within the organization.
Skills you need:
Organizational Skills, Communication, Management, Procurement, Administrative Skills, Scheduling and Planning
- Recruiter
A recruiter deals with almost everything related to hiring employees and interns. They set the requirements for hiring, identify job descriptions, look for candidates from different sources (school recruitments, company talks, social media, etc.), and conduct interviews. They ensure that the people that are hired are placed in the position that they are best qualified for and even identify future hiring needs of the organization.
Recruiters deal with a lot of people, so strong people skills are needed if they wish to excel.
Skills you need:
Communication Skills, Marketing and Networking, Relationship Building Skills, Organizational Skills, Interviewing Skills, HR
- IT Support Specialist
An IT Support Specialist is responsible for managing the computer systems of the organization and offers support for the users. They make sure that the current systems are running smoothly through constant maintenance and upgrades. They also respond to any issues related to equipment.
Skills you need:
IT and Systems Knowledge, Problem-solving and Analytical Skills, Software and Hardware Maintenance
- HR Professional
HR professionals and recruiters are often mixed up because their functions sometimes overlap, but there are a few differences. Recruiters focus on getting employees into the company. Once they are accepted into the company, HR professionals are now the ones to handle them. HR professionals handle employee payroll, benefits, and training. They handle disputes between employees to maintain good relations. They also come up with strategies to manage the productivity of employees.
Skills you need:
Employee Relations, Performance Management, Scheduling, HRIS Knowledge, Recruitment and Selection, HRM Knowledge and Expertise
- IT Consultant
IT consultants are also known as technology consultants. Unlike IT support specialists, IT consultants work with clients outside of the organization. Their clients include software companies, utility companies and financial organizations.
IT consultants analyze the organization’s data and requirements so that they can adequately address their concerns. They install and design new systems, and fix any issues as well. Aside from their technical skills, they should also be comfortable in dealing with people and making presentations to clients.
Skills you need:
Analytical and Technical Skills, IT and Systems Knowledge, Technical Writing Skills, Communication and Presentation
- Accountant
Generally, accountants need to be licensed before they can be hired because it is a highly technical job. Any mistakes in accounting can lead to massive financial losses for the organization or even legal consequences for major mishaps.
Accountants are in charge of providing financial information to the organization. They handle audits, financial documents, bank statements, tax payments, and returns. Because they deal with a lot of numbers, they must have keen attention to detail.
Skills you need:
Accountancy, Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills, Critical Thinking, Systems Analysis, Mathematical and Deductive Reasoning