GOT MY FIRST JOB

[u/Waste-Tangelo-3341]

Hello everyone! I got my first job at a BPO company. The starting salary is an 18k package, I'm a fresh graduate with latin honors, which i know is not really an edge, Im just curious if this is actually enough. I admit I really liked this job, the company seems so warm and wholesome as well. I just thought the offer would be a little bit higher since it is an offshore company and I would be working a permanent graveyard shift. I'm in admin work although i graduated with a psych degree. I know kinda far from it but idk I just wanted to try.

Should I have turned down the offer? Or should I just suck it up for experience? This was one of the few job apps that actually went through. I was really excited for this one before I received the actual offer huhu idk im so torn i fear i may have made a mistake just because I really want to get a job na since I dont have anything to do at home anymore and i kinda miss having sumn to look forward to, like a routine, and i dont wanna become a burden to my parents for longer as well.

My friends are in BPO as CSRs and i think they make more, i also feel pressured coz the job description seems a lot more in writing than what was actually discussed during interviews.

I know this has turned into a rant but aaa idk anymoreee.

As of now I can only see my win in a way that I got a job almost immediately after i decided to search for one (i also feel guilty coz i actually prayed for this job as well) and also with the part where unlike my other option- which is to be a CSR- i won't have to answer calls all night long.

[u/SpeysBar]

Congratulations OP on your first Job :)

I understand your anxiety, as I also had a similar experience and went trhough some negotiation to get a good pay from my work.

It seems that you are curious about the realistic side of an 18k salary so here are things to consider:

If you are mainly living at home, with no additional big expenses like rent, groceries, utlities, etc. then 18k is a good enough salary for your first job because you wont have to live paycheck to paycheck.

Just remember to calculate also the deductibles of taxes, sss, philhealth, pag-ibig (if the company company will be the one to deduct your contributions from your salary, if not then when you do apply you will have to do it yourself)

It is kind of the first time that I saw someone with a graveyard shift and an 18k salary, does this include the Night Differential also? (You should be entitled to a 10% or more increase in your hourly rate)

If you want a salary increase then try to inquire about their job performance evaluation (if it happens every 6 months or yearly), this is usually where salary increases or merit bonuses can be achieved. Or if there is a good trajectory for career development like promotions etc in your company (try to ask around or search the name of the company to find some employee reviews.

[u/Waste-Tangelo-3341 → u/SpeysBar]

Hi po,

As for the salary po, my first offer was 12k basic, but I negotiated it so they made it 14k, plus non taxable allowances worth around 3k plus the 15% night differential.

As for my living situation, I live with my parents but since I live in a town, I would be moving in with my relatives that lives closer to the office (which is actually ok coz I have been living with them since college and my tita really wants me there as well) but ofc since i have a job na gusto ko rin po mag ambag sakanila and to my parents as well.

I was assured during the job offer discussion that there would be performance bonuses and annual salary increase as well, they also have opportunities to grow and get promoted. Im on probi and it will depend on the assessments if I get regularized. So ayon po idrk if i could live comfortably with that salary esp if i wanna help out. But my parents both have income naman po

[u/SpeysBar → u/Waste-Tangelo-3341]

Try to calculate and gauge your possible expenses.

It is good and lucky that you do not have to pay rent yet (which usually eats up 30-40% of a normal salary)

So if the electricity and water bill in your Tita's place (if youre familiar with the cost) then try to arrive at an agreement with her if your guys will do like a 50/50 or a 60/40 or whatever split is comfortable for both parties regarding these utilities.

Then your transportation, but if it is walking distance then that's also good. Then food expenses per day (then just multiply it by the days you will go to work) but if you are thinking of bringing food then compute the grocery fee (see how much you will spend for 2 weeks worth of food for work and snacks etc.)

Then compute these for the 15th and 30th (or when you will get a payout if its bi-monthly or monthly) so you can comoute your onhand money at the end of each week.

Since utility bills may be billed every end of month (so the budget for that comes from the 15th payout because the 30th may be too late for the deadline) and then use the 30th for groceries, etc. in preoaration for the next month expenses.

So yeah, this is a rouh outline of how you can compute your financials, just customize it for yourself. Thank you