This is not my “expertise”, but why did they hire me?

After seven months working as communications officer of De La Salle Philippines, I moved out to a Filipino company in Makati.

The day when I resigned from my work last May 14, I tried my luck in Eon Stakeholders Relations Firm. Mau, the company’s employee engagement officer, asked me if I know something about blogging. That same week, we were scheduled to give a talk on the relevance of blogging in education. I told Mau about our Baguio talk.

With bulging eyes, Mau was curious to know about the content of my talk. He told me to return next week for an interview with Eon employees.

This is not my expertise

When I presented my case to Junie del Mundo, the general director of Eon (I don’t know why he isn’t called a CEO), and to other Eon employees, I discussed the relevance of corporate blogging and internet marketing.

Connect the dots. Last February 2007, I was invited by Eon to participate in a focused group discussion on social media, which involves blogging and internet marketing. Now, I returned to the company to present an idea I learned from them – with a more knowledgeable background I guess.

That day, I was immediately hired. God truly works in mysterious ways. Buti nalang hindi nakita ang Transcript of Record ko. Kung makilatis man nila, may relasyon ba ang mga engineering at mathematics subject ko sa gagawin ko?

I am not an “expert” on corporate blogging or digital marketing. If I am an expert, that’s just a “level 1″ rating.

My understanding of the field only deepened when I incorporated it in our journalism talks. I only know the theoretical side. During the interview, I exemplified to them that I am passionate and willing to learn this field. Basically, I was assigned to develop a product for online conversation audit or – in other words – implement activities that will make brands popular in the online community. Call it “word-of-mouth” marketing. Sounds challenging?

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand this online marketing. (More details about my job in my future blogs).

This blog thread may be taken against me. Hehe.

Here’s a tip: For those who are looking for a job, make sure that you do not just express yourself. Be passionate about the job description. Make them feel that you are fit for the position. Make them realize that you are an expert.

Of coarse, you have to ensure that you can deliver tasks that you are asked to deliver.

What about the engineering degree?

Though I told Jay of DLSP that I am already venturing into an engineering firm, I sensed that God is still leading me to a different career track and I believe this is much interesting than the hard core engineering.

Although I agree that the only engineering part that I do is the discipline of research and, perhaps, the review on alternative energy, what is more important is that I am learning skills in marketing, public relations, basic project management, and online communications in one good position. I hope they will give me environmental related issues.

Take the case of Dr. Manuel Belino, the present dean of MIT Mechanical Engineering (MEE) and former chair of DLSU MEE. Though he is an engineer by profession, Dr. Belino has a heart for theology. That’s why he finished his doctorate degree in religious studies in Harvard University. He always encourages me to engage in research and communications – something that will beef up my engineering profession (Want to hear more justifications, refer to this blog).

Baptism of fire

My first week immediately immersed me to the pressures and rigors of corporate life, marketplace, workforce industry – whatever you want to call it. The Friday last week was a D-Day. I have to finish two reports and a research work, a draft of work plan, and answer dozens of email transactions.

Junie also called me to attend a meeting with a client. When Junie asked me how the client can become a buzzword in the online community, I shared we have to open Youtube account for videos, upload photos showing their rehearsals, and blog more about their services…I hope that will be substantial.

On a Saturday, I had to render an overtime to perform a simple research for a special project. I was late for two hours because I have to report by 11am. Hope first impression doesn’t last.

As of the moment, I will read books on marketing, PR, and communications. Of course, I have to learn from the real “experts” too.

But I love to face pressures, solve problems, and calculate risks. Time to embrace the corporate world.