DON’T be too picky about jobs. It will get you nowhere.
This is what entrepreneur Emelito Manatad is advising fresh graduates who until now haven’t found jobs or are busy hopping from one job to another.
“Refrain from being fussy. Bloom where you are planted and who knows, after all the learnings and skills you will acquire, you’ll one day run your own company,” said Manatad.
He says the struggles he went through in life shaped his work ethic and values, qualities that helped him work his way up to become the chief executive officer and owner of EFM Staffing General Services, a 15-year-old service contractor.
A graduate of civil engineering at the University of Cebu, Manatad started from the ground up. The scarcity of civil-engineering related jobs in the past compelled him to accept whatever job opportunities that came his way, even blue-collar jobs.
Manatad grew up in a slum area in Lorega, Cebu City. His heart’s desire was to take his family out of that area and bring them to a more comfortable and peaceful community.
“My childhood dream was to get out of poverty. That was my motivation,” said Manatad, who was raised by a small trader and a housewife.
But his biggest problem back then was landing a job.
Manatad said he did not take the licensure examination for civil engineers, putting him at a disadvantage when applying for jobs.
The unavailability of a landline connection was another factor. Manatad said he had difficulty getting feedback from companies he had sent job applications to.
But because he badly needed a job, he worked as a janitor for a human resource service outsourcing company for three months.
Later on, he worked other jobs such as working as an entertainer and waiter in a comedy club. He eventually left after a year, citing the bar’s unhealthy and messy working environment.
He began looking for other sources of income, and finally settled for selling barbecue. Fortunately, he chanced upon a friend who was looking for a marketing officer for his human resource service company.
Manatad poured everything he had into growing his friend’s business. His interpersonal skills and hard work earned him loyal clients until he was pirated by another company.
Determined to grow his career, Manatad left the job and worked in another company. His relationship with his new employer eventually turned sour when he realized he was not getting the right compensation he deserved. He immediately cut ties with them.
Looking at the size of the network he was able to create and the relationships he had nurtured, Manatad took a bolder step and built his own company.
Using the P28,000 separation pay he got, Manatad single-handedly set up EFM Staffing General Services in 2004 with only two workers—himself out on the field giving out flyers and posters, and an office staffer who took care of walk-in clients and entertained phone calls.
“I grew the business from there. I was just blessed because I had clients from my previous jobs who trusted me and transferred their accounts to me,” he said.
Today, Manatad is handling over 40 clients in various industries who need janitorial, production, clerical, promodizing, housekeeping and construction services.
He also diversified his business by running a security agency and an aluminum and glass supply business.
Besides looking for clients, Manatad also invests in providing training for his workers. He wants to make sure they are equipped with the right skills for them to gain employment.
The former janitor now owns several real estate properties, including a big house where his parents live. He also hired two of his siblings to join his business.
What was your first job?
I started as a janitor. I did things that most people would never even dream of doing. But looking back, I am thankful for this job because this helped me better run the company. I started from there, so I know how employees think and what their needs are.
Who inspired you to get into business?
Life’s difficulties pushed me to work harder. I know that hard work and determination produce good results. This business is not an overnight success. This was a product of relentless effort and a spirit that never gives up.
When did you realize this was what you were meant to do?
It just happened that I was drawn into this industry. When I started working for these companies as their marketing agent, I never thought I would be able to grow my network and foster relationships with clients so I thought this fits my character and interests.
I am happy to be able to help companies in their service requirements and help people get jobs.
Why did you pick this type of business or industry?
Cebu’s economy was booming and because of this, companies were expanding operations, which meant they needed extra hands to handle other segments of their business. We are ready to assist them in their expansion plans.
Where did you get the training you needed to succeed?
My exposure as a marketing officer in manpower contractor firms has helped me run and grow the business well.
EFM Staffing General Services is also a member of the Philippine Association of Local Service Contractors (Palscon). As a member of this organization, we work together, not only to upskill our workers, but also to professionalize the service contracting industry.
Palscon is an association duly authorized under Philippine Laws, recognized both locally and internationally, in the service contracting/manpower service industry.
How many times did you fail before you succeeded?
Our attitude about failure can make all the difference. Instead of feeling bad about our economic situation, I chose to use it as my inspiration to rise up from every adversity and work harder to become better every day.