Sad fact of life --- getting employed mostly because of influence.

Hi, LAI, So, it happens in your place, too. I think that is really the sad fact that other unlucky applicants have to contend with. It is sad for others who are really deserving but who have no friends. Yes, most of the Philippine nurses work outside the country because of surplus of their profession here and more because of the pay. They need to work locally, though, for at least 2 years to be able to qualify for work abroad. And ... it really entails a lot of money for placement fees, travel and other incidental expenses in successfully landing a job there. Nurses consider the pay, living and work conditions, the perceived racial discrimination of countries, etc. in their choice of place to work. Some because of dire need, just "close their eyes and take the dive".

Hiya MMT, Have to admit you are right what you say about the Nurses conditions of Work specially abroad. Here in Spain if they take on Private Work they can get to be exploited but I think in the Hospitals themselves they could get lucky. As for the "other" problem again I can´t verify this as it´s the sort of thing that never comes out but it´s always there I guess. If you come from the Canary Islands for example you are never treated the same as if you are really Spanish which actually you are. The conditions in Canary Islands is quite bad employment wise and everything wise. Also when anyone from the Canary Islands is on the Television they always talk about the Canary Islands as if it was somewhere on Jupiter and that goes also for Tenerife. But the Islands themselves are really beautiful I really would almost believe they are envious of People being able to live on these wonderful Islands it´s the way they treat these People. Fortunately most Spanish People are not like this at all I think Spanish Television are living in the Cavemans times when it comes to knowing how to treat all People properly some must think that General Franco is still alive. An example is the New Year that´s transmitted as always just to bore us completely out of our minds from Madrid and as the Canary Islands are an hour behind us and also Tenerife they never bother to transmit their celebration although they should you always have to look for it on another Channel. So we are lucky we have two New Years to celebrate in one (grin) and me three because I´m from Great Britain and they are also an hour behind another grin. Well that´s the way things go and as for the it´s you can get a Job if you know someone important that´s primordial here will it ever die out this stoneage system I think not.

Hi, LAI. I always welcome your comments with glee as I have new learnings for the day. It is always good to know how things are in your part of the globe. It is sad that it has to be that way ... this has become life for people and they just have to drift with the tide. And yes, there might be some truth to being envious to the beautiful places other people live. I have been hearing about how sadly and poorly some people live in rich and progressive places of the world which are in recession. I can humbly say that no matter how most of us are wanting in material things and in finances, we are still very lucky that we did not come to that point of being driven away from our homes because we cannot afford to pay monthly amortizations or rent. As I saw a delayed telecast of one of Oprah Winfrey's shows, I felt sad how couples had to resort to divorce as a result of the husband having had no work for a year and depressed. I don't understand why it has to go that way. I can say we are still lucky to have our poor couples support each other in love and suffering and staying together for better or for worse, as they vowed before God and society. Do you know that the Philippines was under the Spanish rule for 333 years? I know we get a lot of Spanish influence in our attitude and way of life.

Hi Sudiptacallingu. I am glad that you can relate to the topic as it is also happening in your place. The supply of workers is great but the demand of workers from companies is low. Because of this, prospective workers try to "outsmart" other applicants by seeking favors from people of importance in the companies. Worse is, they bribe in order to be accepted for jobs. You are right... the quality of service is compromised because not a thorough screening of applicants was done. It would be different, though, if the recommendee is really qualifed for the job.

Hi Alvaro, Through this forum, lots of things are learned and known. Now, I know that this thing is happening in other parts of the globe, too. Almost always, the quality of service is compromised. But, we have to admit that in some cases this is not true. There are those who are really qualified and who dedicate themselves to hard work and efficiency, even with being backed up by influential people. - MMT

Hi sudipt callingu:It's sad to know these news from the rest of the world, I live in south America and it's the same story here. When a person got the job not because of his/ her abilities but the influential help of someone else in general the quality of the service he / she has to do will be worse because in many case these persons are not enough prepare for asuming what they need to do. Thanks for your answer. Hope you are having a nice day. Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays. Take Care. -Alvaro.

Hi Gabs, Yes, it is not fair and proper and really frustrating for the good and deserving ones. They are not given equal chance for the opportunity and the chance to prove their worth. I notice you are in another different part of the globe and it is really happening globally. Well, to those who got the jobs through the works of the mighty hands of their "backers", they should meet the challenge placed on their shoulders. They should prove to the company that they are qualified and fit for the position.

Yes I know how one feels about these things. I am happy to know how concerned you are about others. Hope something positive will come out of this discussion.

Hi, Meapas. It can't be helped getting favors especially at a time when job is really hard to find. Every one finds his way to "get in" the company. Being placed at work because of favors from influential people should not be put into abuse by these recommendees. Instead, they should strive to do work with dedication, efficiency and devotion so as not to put the patrons in embarrassment. Doing work with these qualities will not only "gratify" the patrons but it will surely be part of the personal experience which will inherently become his of the job holder.

It is sad because intelligent and knowledgeable applicants who are poor have lesser or no chance at all to be accepted than the less intelligent but rich ones (or friends who are influential). It must have something to do with the rise in the number of professionals and the low demand for them locally. That is why most of our workers seek work in other countries.

Hi Starsailover, I know how frustrating it is. We go to good schools, make good in our studies and some even top board exams. But, there are always people who do not have as striking qualifications as some have that find good positions and get work easily than more qualified ones. This reminds me of a former bank manager who was not as qualified as we thought him to be. Then, later when he worked with us, we learned that he was not as "good" as his predecessor or others in the same position. Having come from a competitor international bank, we thought he was something to "watch for" with his brilliance and expertise. But he failed us. We later learned that he had an influential "backer" in the bank's top management. Frustrating and sad it may be, but that is the fact and how life is now.

Hi Triplejazzm51, That is very rampant especially in government positions. It is a waste of money and time having to employ people who are not qualified. You are correct --- good if they really are qualified but almost always, these recommendees are not. Some even abuse at work. If I were lucky to have an influential "backer", I would do my best to prove that I am fit for it. I don't want my "backer" to be embarrassed. It is really a sad thing. Just last month, a local hospital was hiring nurses. I heard that they are getting 80 new nurses but then more than triple that number have applied. It is sadder to note that those who were hired were recommended by influential people or people who hold high ranking positions in that hospital. The more qualified ones who do not have their backers never get the chance.

Hi, Uath. That is what usually happens when the company hires people who are unqualified. At lot are in our office now, too. And you know what, when these people commit errors, they management are easy to accept and just ignore it. But when other people happen to do the same, they get memos to explain about the circumstances and, sometimes, given reprimand letters. Errors committed in an office setting may not likely cause bigger damage while in your case, errors may be disastrous physically and financially to the company. Sad to think, isn't it ... but that has become part of human and work life.

Hi, Ladym. That is right especially at these hard times. A lot are either out of work or have just graduated and everyone is looking for jobs. Yes, the new hires have their training (for fresh graduates) and some have brought their previous experience to their new jobs. Getting promoted because of say, office politics or favoritism, is surely a bad thing to happen. It creates intrigue and bad climate in an office. It happens in our office, too. It is just disappointing for people who have worked hard and their efforts are disregarded in favor of the ones who don't deserve but "know how to play along".

Hi Happy, Yes, that is how it is going on. It no longer takes into consideration the good grades, good credentials, certificates, diplomas and the experience that one has. It is now on whom you know. This is so rampant in government service. You are just surprised why somebody unqualified and less experienced than you are, gets the job. And, yes, it makes you wonder the job is up again for filling up in such a short time. Very sad for those who don't know anybody influential in the company. I hear people bribing their way to jobs, too. This is sadder.

Hi Junmae, I know how it is to apply as nurse in a local hospital. I know it because of nephews and nieces who are nurses, too. With the high supply of registered nurses (plus a lot of graduates every year), surely only very few can answer to the low demand by hospitals. That is why lots of nurses (and some other professionals, too) are employed in other fields such as call centers and or in pharmaceutical companies. That is the sad fact there. Some applicants who are more deserving and/or experienced loose the chance of working because the vacancies are filled by workers who are relatives or friends of people of influence inside the companies.

Hi, Fulltank. Webster says "nepotism is favoritism shown to a relative (as in the distribution of political offices)". I think it is more applied to relatives. I don't know what it is called about friends. It may aptly apply to it, too ... I don't know. It is true that there is a great possibility of hiring lesser qualified people for the job. It behooves upon these recommendees to be diligent in the performance of their jobs bearing in mind the scarcity and difficulty of vacancies and the "good chance" they had by being recommended by influence. It also behooves upon them to prove to their "patrons" that they are worth. If would be a bad thing if recommendees embarrass their patrons by not doing good at work or not coming up to the expectations of the company and everyone.

Hi Terrile, Each person is unique. Every other person has different values in life; others may have this, still others have that. Diligence, hard work, dedication, drive to excel at work may not be there for one recommendee compared to the other. It is inherent upon the person himself to have these qualities, which you surely possess. If only to be grateful for the "patron", I personally think a recommendee should not embarrass the former by being a liability to the company. Proving one's worth despite being given the job thru influential connections is the most gratifying thing you can "pay back" the favor by the patron. I should need to prove that they got the right guy for the job. Continue with the good work that you do!

Hi Joseline, Good for you and the company that you have worked for. I think screening was done thoroughly and the really qualified ones got accepted. We cannot help but observe how companies "give in" to requests or favors sought by important and influential people. Most of the favors come from politicians and officials of the government and prospective employers find it difficult to deny. Because of this, the quality of work, dedication, hard work and efficiency are compromised most of the times.

Hi, Lotofsaint, Glad to hear that we are not alone in this thing. It also happens to your country and most in the world. This is especially so in smaller companies and most, in our public offices here. That is really sad but that is the fact and as you say, has to go on for long. Even people who are placed in the recruitment department of these companies feel that sometimes they are inept in their jobs having to accept applicants as the owners or big bosses choose. This, in a way, has become a sad part of life.