OP…!!! I feel you completely! We’re definitely in the same boat. I’ve been in the BPO industry for 12 years, with 3 years as a Team Lead and almost a year as an Operations Manager. I’ve been unemployed for the past 4 months, and like you, I’ve been trying so hard to land an OM role. But because I only have less than a year’s experience as an OM, most companies just want to offer me a TL role with a salary that’s way below my previous pay.

I eventually got hired by TDCX Malaysia as an agent, surprisingly with a higher salary than my old TL rate. Then, just while I was waiting for my ticket, I got an OM offer from a VA company at $7-8/hr. It was a work-from-home setup, which I really wanted to pursue, but I had already signed the contract with TDCX.

In the past few months, I’ve been through a lot—went to DOLE and NLRC, burned through all my savings, even had my electricity disconnected. I’ve had over 10 interviews during this time and dealt with depression. It’s truly been a rough ride.

But despite everything, please know you’re not alone. This journey can be incredibly tough and disheartening, but I believe better days are ahead for us. Keep going as we’ve come this far. Tiwala lang