Working in the Philippines - British Citizen

[Valenti]

Hello. I am a hotel worker, non-filipino and UK born. I wanted to go and work in the Philippines for between 6 months to a year in a hotel. The position and wages aren't an issue, it's purely for experience to benefit my career, and as it will be an entirely new culture and climate, it would make a welcome change. I know that recently it's become difficult for Filipino hotel workers to apply for positions in the UK, but how hard is it for an experienced hotel worker to apply for a position in the Philippines? What is the likelihood that I would successfully obtain a work visa and be considered for a job in a hotel? I am 24, fit and healthy, and have no criminal convictions.

Warmest regards

[Florge]

Well, to be honest... it is unlikely that you'll get employed unless you apply for a general manager position, or a chef. we have a lot of graduates of hotel and restaurant management who are currently unemployed as there are no vacancies in hotels... but then, i may be wrong...

[Valenti]

There are loads of positions online for jobs in hotels, but whether they are open to non-filipino I don't know...

[Valenti]

You're probably right though. It's impossible. I've tried for positions in Egypt, Norway, Fiji, Spain, Aus, US, with no chance, but everyone wants to come to the UK to work, but unemployment rates from many places are better or very similar to the UK, yet I have no chance outside of the UK, the doors are closed practically everywhere.

[Mrs.JMajor]

You're probably right though. It's impossible. I've tried for positions in Egypt, Norway, Fiji, Spain, Aus, US, with no chance, but everyone wants to come to the UK to work, but unemployment rates from many places are better or very similar to the UK, yet I have no chance outside of the UK, the doors are closed practically everywhere.

You can try, I think you will have it, as management are more likely to giggle with white (foreigner) employee and your experience in the field is a big factor, give it a try (who knows) but make sure to apply a working visa

Good luck!!!
Hey, welcome to the forum ah

[Tawi2]

Paul O'Grady got a job as a waiter in Manila but that was a long time ago,I never met anyone white doing that sort of Job,have you considered Thailand?I met a few guys in Pattaya doing a variety of jobs,most westerners whorking in Pinas I met were either on ex-pat packages,had gone there and set up a company themselves,or were Bar managers.If you get a bog standard hotel job your going to take a massive drop in salary,can you survive for a year on a pinoy wage?Either way good luck in your endeavours

[Mrs.JMajor]

The position and wages aren't an issue, it's purely for experience

Warmest regards

Alright, he said position and wages are not an issue,

Paul O'Grady got a job as a waiter in Manila but that was a long time ago,If you get a bog standard hotel job your going to take a massive drop in salary,can you survive for a year on a pinoy wage?Either way good luck in your endeavours

[Tawi2]

Can I make a suggestion?You want to experience the culture and the climate?Enrill on a course,catering,resto management whatever in pinas,it gives you a chance to experience the country,make contacts,get your feet under the table maybe?Courses are cheap,I am actually considering a microlight course over there,while your enrolled on your course network,put the feelers out?You can do something similar in Thailand,worth a thought right?

[Valenti]

Paul O'Grady got a job as a waiter in Manila but that was a long time ago,I never met anyone white doing that sort of Job,have you considered Thailand?I met a few guys in Pattaya doing a variety of jobs,most westerners whorking in Pinas I met were either on ex-pat packages,had gone there and set up a company themselves,or were Bar managers.If you get a bog standard hotel job your going to take a massive drop in salary,can you survive for a year on a pinoy wage?Either way good luck in your endeavours

Well if Filipino can survive, how could I not? Besides which, many resort hotels provide staff accommodation, so that might be one less thing to worry about. It is not to earn money, if that was the purpose it would be a waste of time. It's just for experience and I would do it practically for pennies if I got meals and accommodation. Here hotel below senior management jobs are low paid, of course it's a lot more than the philippines, but the cost of living is so high you still end up with next to nothing after a few good nights out.

[Mrs.JMajor]

I thought you are loyalist of Philippines, now you keep saying Thailand only joking friend

[Florge]

good suggestion Tawi... and well, if you apply for a bellboy or a doorman... mmmm... i don't know... you may get a giggle like what MrsMajor said.. but that giggle would most probably mean what the heck you're doing here...

Just had a chat with my friend who is a front office manager in one of the 5-star hotels here... she said that they're retrenching... and they don't hire foreigners unless they're already here in the Phils. or are hotel managers and chefs.. they wouldn't like to spend for the work visa i guess...

[Florge]

good suggestion Tawi... and well, if you apply for a bellboy or a doorman... mmmm... i don't know... you may get a giggle like what MrsMajor said.. but that giggle would most probably mean what the heck you're doing here...

Just had a chat with my friend who is a front office manager in one of the 5-star hotels here... she said that they're retrenching... and they don't hire foreigners unless they're already here in the Phils. or are hotel managers and chefs.. they wouldn't like to spend for the work visa i guess...

[Tawi2]

I thought you are loyalist of Philippines, now you keep saying Thailand only joking friend

Its not that Mrs M,its just I have met wayyyyyyy more westerners working in Thailand than I have in pinas,theres even a lot of pinays working in Thailand nowadays,quite a number actually,my friends wife in Oxford used to have a shop in Victoria Plaza in Davao,she regularly flew to thailand to meet garmenters,merchandisers etc,just lots of opportunities in Thailand.

[Tawi2]

In pinas normally its not what you know,its WHO you know,nepotism is the name of the game,if he does a course he has a chance to intermingle,make friends,establish contacts,thats what its all about,I think doing a course also gets him in at ground level,what better way to learn about a culture and its people

[aromulus]

Well if Filipino can survive, how could I not? Besides which, many resort hotels provide staff accommodation, so that might be one less thing to worry about. It is not to earn money, if that was the purpose it would be a waste of time. It's just for experience and I would do it practically for pennies if I got meals and accommodation. Here hotel below senior management jobs are low paid, of course it's a lot more than the philippines, but the cost of living is so high you still end up with next to nothing after a few good nights out.

I doubt very much you will like the conditions there.

Even if money is no object, you will be wasting your time fullscale, as with a bit of luck you may earn the princely sum of about £60 monthly....
So having to rely on your savings to live as you are accustomed to, will put a terrible strain on your resources.

And as for workers accomodation.........
I Don't want to go there....

[Tawi2]

Two years ago there was a kid working in Burger-Junction in Larena on the island of siquijor,she worked 12 hours a day,every day,cooking burgers,frying eggs etc,she earned..........................2000 pesos a month Forget minimum wage,that doesnt exist once your outside manila,or Glorias utopia,its Hobsons choice,do you want the job or not?Your right Valenti of course,Philippinos "Survive" as you put it,you want to know why?Because they dont have the luxury of choice,take it or leave it,you could also survive,sure you could,but the monotony of the diet would cause you to lose weight,and there would be no cash ;eft for nights out,you couldnt and wouldnt be able to afford it,I gave you the best advice I think?Enroll on a course,your going to have to pay but you are going to get a taste of the culture and the life