SMC named top firm desired by Filipino jobseekers

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) emerged as the top company in the country that Filipino job seekers desire to be employed in, according to a survey by online job portal Jobstreet by SEEK.

Results of the recent Employee Job Happiness Index 2024 survey revealed that SMC is the most sought-after private company by Filipino jobseekers, followed by Accenture and Ayala Corp.

Other companies such as Google, JP Morgan Chase & Co., SM Development Corp.  Nestle, Globe, P&G, Aboitiz, Amazon, BDO Unionbank and Emapta were also included on the list of sought-after private companies by candidates.

On the other hand, the Asian Development Bank was voted as the most sought-after government agency or non-government organization (NGO) to work for by Filipino jobseekers. This was followed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of Education.

Included on the list of government agencies and NGOs as well are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the United Nations, the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Government Service Insurance System, Department of Agriculture, the US Embassy, Commission on Audit, Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Finance, among others.

Jobseekers ranked work schedule or location, company reputation, and company values as the top traits they are looking for in their search for a new company or organization to work with, according to Jobstreet.

It added that they also considered the work culture, monetary and non-monetary benefits, and job security, among others.

The online job portal emphasized that 38 percent of Filipino job seekers also identified media, which covers social media, news, and printed/online articles, as the main platforms they use to learn more about the companies they want to join.

In addition, 17 percent cited the company’s website, while 14 percent said they learned about the companies through word of mouth.

“Therefore, hirers are advised to make their company initiatives more visible on these channels as well as in professional job platforms to attract potential employees,” Jobstreet said.

In terms of retaining talent, survey results showed that salary increases (39 percent), better working hours/time flexibility (13 percent), getting a promotion (13 percent), and holiday/vacation leaves (12 percent) are the main needle-movers in boosting employee morale within a company, with employees saying that they would be happier in the next six months if they are to receive these benefits.

“Hirers may consider these benefits as drivers toward employee retention, as keeping morale within an organization helps preserve job satisfaction and in turn, employee retention,” Jobstreet said.

It added that these benefits may also attract future job seekers in the long run, as employees may be inspired to share their positive experiences with people around them.

“We at Jobstreet by SEEK believe that hirers may reach a whole new pool of potential talent to their organizations by considering new approaches to hiring and promoting open positions,” Jobstreet by SEEK managing director for the Philippines Dannah Majarocon said.

“We also continue to provide hirers tips and guidance on how to promote their companies in various platforms, while also providing jobseekers some key skills in promoting their talent,” she added.