{"id":13337,"date":"2016-01-22T15:45:16","date_gmt":"2016-01-22T15:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keblog.demoapp.xyz\/?p=13337"},"modified":"2022-10-19T04:56:17","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T04:56:17","slug":"working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline","title":{"rendered":"Working In The Government: Stories From the Frontline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Working in the government is not an easy task. Listen to the stories of these dedicated civil service employees (and the success story of one government worker hired through <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kalibrr.com\/advice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kalibrr<\/a><\/strong>) and be inspired by what drove these people to dedicated a significant part of their lives to serving the public.<\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_26 counter-hierarchy\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">TOPICS<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><label for=\"item\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline\/#Heeding_the_Call\" title=\"Heeding the Call\">Heeding the Call<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline\/#Accessible_Government_Jobs\" title=\"Accessible Government Jobs\">Accessible Government Jobs<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline\/#Fortunate_Fall\" title=\"Fortunate Fall\">Fortunate Fall<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline\/#Giving_Back\" title=\"Giving Back\">Giving Back<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline\/#To_read_more_about_what_its_like_to_work_for_the_government_read_more_stories_of_working_in_civil_service_at_Bagumbayani_Initiative\" title=\"To read more about what it&#8217;s like to work for the government, read more stories of working in civil service at Bagumbayani Initiative.\">To read more about what it&#8217;s like to work for the government, read more stories of working in civil service at Bagumbayani Initiative.<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/working-in-the-government-stories-from-the-frontline\/#Subscribe_to_our_weekly_newsletter_and_get_Kalibrr_Career_Advice_straight_from_your_inbox_You_can_also_follow_us_on_Facebook_Twitter_and_Instagram_or_join_Kalibrrs_Viber_public_chat_for_answers_to_your_questions_about_growing_in_your_career\" title=\"Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get Kalibrr Career Advice straight from your inbox! You can also follow us on\u00a0Facebook,\u00a0Twitter, and\u00a0Instagram, or join\u00a0Kalibrr\u2019s Viber public chat\u00a0for answers to your questions about growing in your career.\">Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get Kalibrr Career Advice straight from your inbox! You can also follow us on\u00a0Facebook,\u00a0Twitter, and\u00a0Instagram, or join\u00a0Kalibrr\u2019s Viber public chat\u00a0for answers to your questions about growing in your career.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heeding_the_Call\"><\/span>Heeding the Call<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13346\" src=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Reg-Onglao.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Reg-Onglao.png 519w, https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Reg-Onglao-222x300.png 222w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When I first entered college, I never imagined myself to choose government as a career option right after graduation. It started with something as human as soul searching\u2014a desire to find my vocation, my calling, my home. What guided my search during the last few months before graduation day was an article shared by our Theology professor during senior year, aptly called \u201c<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.frederickbuechner.com\/content\/calling-voices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Calling of Voices<\/a><\/strong>\u201d by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frederick_Buechner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Frederick Buechner<\/a><\/strong>. It spoke of the reality that throughout life, we would all be overwhelmed by a multitude of voices\u2014made even more pronounced today by the rise of social media and advances in information and communications technology\u2014each pulling us into different directions. But to cut through all the noise, one needs the endurance to listen, the resolve to discern, and the courage to decide on which voice to follow.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>My decision to work in the government was based on a personal discernment that this would be the place where I can help the most and yet learn the most. I have been blessed with a loving family, supportive friends, and a holistic education focused on my passion for mathematics and philosophy. But I also acknowledge that I lack grounding in the deep social realities that our country faces, and that there is also a need for passionate workers in the government in spite of\u2014but more importantly, because of\u2014widespread prejudices regarding its inefficiency and corruption. After about two years in government, I realized that I have gained more than I have given. I\u2019ve learned about public service from my colleagues who have ingrained that in their lifestyles through volunteering in orphanages and homes for the aged even outside work hours.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve learned of the tenacity of field implementers who, despite being overworked, still find the time and the strength to volunteer during disaster relief and response operations. I\u2019ve learned about real hope from program participants who, despite their crippling situation and poverty, have striven to change for the better for their family. I hope that you permit yourself to be still, listen, and discern which voice you will follow\u2014whether to work in the government, to start your own business, to join a non-profit organization, to teach in a public school, among others\u2014for there is much yet to be done. But there is much more to learn and be joyful about, if you allow yourself to follow that voice which may not be the loudest one, but is perhaps that faint whisper that leads you to the place where your deep gladness and the world\u2019s deep hunger meet.<\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accessible_Government_Jobs\"><\/span>Accessible Government Jobs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13340\" src=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Michelle-Gaurino.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Michelle-Gaurino.png 519w, https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Michelle-Gaurino-222x300.png 222w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"fbPhotoSnowliftCaption\" class=\"fbPhotosPhotoCaption\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\"><span class=\"hasCaption\">It was in 2014 when I decided to join government. After I got my civil service eligibility, I submitted applications to the few government agencies that I knew of. This was around February. I left my job in the BPO industry to review for my comprehensive exams in grad school and was in between jobs while waiting for updates on my previous applications and also searching for other government jobs <span class=\"text_exposed_show\">online. Unfortunately, online platforms at that point only had a few posts under public\/civil jobs. I finally got hired in August as a project assistant under contract of service status in a government attached agency. While I was happy in my first government job, I still hoped to have a permanent appointment and have a lasting career in government.<\/span><\/span><\/span> One day my colleague reposted the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gov.ph\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 Facebook post on 3,320 government job vacancies. That\u2019s when I learned of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Kalibrr\/\" data-hovercard=\"\/ajax\/hovercard\/page.php?id=232973156763544&amp;extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kalibrr<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I tried to know more about the site and read related Rappler articles. I created a Kalibrr account and applied to Administrative Officer jobs in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=2&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwim-cGJzLzKAhWjxqYKHbIWBPcQFggjMAE&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dbm.gov.ph%2F&amp;usg=AFQjCNEjft-F7Fv3YYuN_lSbPC0occUjhw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Department of Budget and Management<\/strong><\/a> on May 17th. I got a call from DBM HR for an interview on June 30th and got a job offer on July 14th. At least in my case, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalibrr.com\/discover\/industry\/govph\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kalibrr-DBM partnership<\/strong><\/a> shortened the time from application to job offer, from five months to two months. The process was easier and hassle-free. I did not have to be absent from work just to submit my application. I saved time, money, and commute effort. And it did not matter that I had no connections inside DBM.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I am proud to say that I was hired based on my qualifications and competencies, not any backer. I am now part of HR and help ensure that the hiring and promotion of employees are based on merit and fitness. I\u2019m glad that more government agencies are partnering with Kalibrr. This makes civil service jobs more accessible to the public. Had the <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bagumbayani.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bagumbayani Initiative<\/a><\/strong> and Kalibrr existed ten years ago, I probably would have joined the civil service earlier. I\u2019m hopeful that more young people will be interested in joining government.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/kalibrr-partners-with-government-to-provide-3320-jobs\">RELATED: KALIBRR PARTNERS WITH GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE 3,320 JOBS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fortunate_Fall\"><\/span>Fortunate Fall<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13342\" src=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Elsa-Agustin.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Elsa-Agustin.png 519w, https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Elsa-Agustin-222x300.png 222w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Right after college, I, too, joined the more popular route into labor force, and marched towards the streets of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalibrr.com\/discover\/city\/makati\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Makati<\/a><\/strong> to look for a job at the wealthy corporations whose offices lined up Ayala Avenue.\u00a0 It was blessing in disguise that the rich businesses did not find me interesting because I ended up in a much better place. I never had the chance to work for mere corporate profits. At the Department of Finance, my main responsibility is to formulate tax policies and provide technical advice to <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dof.gov.ph\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Finance<\/a><\/strong> officials and to represent the DOF during congressional public hearings and inter-agency meetings on tax-related matters.\u00a0 I love the challenge that comes with my job. Now, I consider myself part of the elite group that moved the economy. It is most rewarding, hand on my heart, that I can contribute to society while, at the same time, earn a living. My job inevitably requires continued learning to keep abreast with advances in tax policy and administration. The DOF never fails to provide me the best capacity-building programs available both here and abroad. I had my Masters in Economics, under a full-time study leave arrangement, and I was sent to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=13&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwidz-CEzLzKAhWCq6YKHV0OAcQQFghTMAw&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imf.org%2F&amp;usg=AFQjCNHT99wHepeVZNcaOBWw9mXSyBkzEA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Monetary Fund<\/a><\/strong> in Washington D.C. to see, up close and personal, how a multinational organization works and gives policy advice to its member countries. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity that had a lifetime impact on me as a policy advisor.\u00a0 It honed not only my capabilities but raised as well my self-confidence. And finally, government, with its flaw and misgivings gives the better pension benefits. What\u2019s not to like?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/why-this-young-filipino-left-the-corporate-life-for-government\"><strong>RELATED: WHY THIS YOUNG FILIPINO LEFT THE CORPORATE LIFE FOR GOVERNMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Giving_Back\"><\/span>Giving Back<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13344\" src=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Aaron-Letaba.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Aaron-Letaba.png 519w, https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Aaron-Letaba-222x300.png 222w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"fbPhotoSnowliftCaption\" class=\"fbPhotosPhotoCaption\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\"><span class=\"hasCaption\">It is commonly assumed that people laboring in the bureaucracy and serving the country and its people through government are making such an unnecessary sacrifice, and as some others would view it: an actual waste of time and talent.<\/span><\/span> <span id=\"fbPhotoSnowliftCaption\" class=\"fbPhotosPhotoCaption\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\"><span class=\"hasCaption\">Of course, I can&#8217;t blame people who have this perception because there is a legitimate basis for this frustration <span class=\"text_exposed_show\">after alI. However, I wouldn&#8217;t automatically accept this perspective. As I see it, to work in government, to pursue the interest of our Motherland, and to concretely build and aspire for a better life for our countrymen is a beautiful privilege.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"fbPhotoSnowliftCaption\" class=\"fbPhotosPhotoCaption\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\"><span class=\"hasCaption\"><span class=\"text_exposed_show\"> I find it difficult to believe how a person can immediately regret or dismiss such genuine effort to meaningfully contribute to our country&#8217;s developing narrative of progress.<\/span><\/span><\/span> Yes, it is and will be burdensome; it will be difficult and at multiple times, disappointing but when has anything easy ever been worth it? Your Iskolar ng Bayan is now your Lingkod-Bayan. It&#8217;s now my turn to return the favor. #GobyerYES!<\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"To_read_more_about_what_its_like_to_work_for_the_government_read_more_stories_of_working_in_civil_service_at_Bagumbayani_Initiative\"><\/span><em>To read more about what it&#8217;s like to work for the government, read more stories of working in civil service at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bagumbayani\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bagumbayani Initiative<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Subscribe_to_our_weekly_newsletter_and_get_Kalibrr_Career_Advice_straight_from_your_inbox_You_can_also_follow_us_on_Facebook_Twitter_and_Instagram_or_join_Kalibrrs_Viber_public_chat_for_answers_to_your_questions_about_growing_in_your_career\"><\/span><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/confirmsubscription.com\/h\/i\/77238488FF110D6D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe<\/a><\/strong> to our weekly newsletter and get Kalibrr Career Advice straight from your inbox! You can also follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Kalibrr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kalibrr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/kalibrr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, or join\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/chats.viber.com\/careeradvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kalibrr\u2019s Viber public chat<\/a>\u00a0for answers to your questions about growing in your career.<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Working in the government is not an easy task. Listen to the stories of these dedicated civil service employees (and the success story of one government worker hired through Kalibrr) and be inspired by what drove these people to dedicated a significant part of their lives to serving the public. TOPICS Heeding the CallAccessible Government [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":13338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13337"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13337"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13337\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neo-blog.kalibrr.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}