TRUE ENOUGH, FILIPINOS are known for spending significant time daily on Facebook, TikTok and others, but that doesn’t mean we believe everything that is posted on social media.
For one, social media platforms are basically for “social purposes” as it connects people from all walks of life in cyberspace.
But not for Metro Manila job hunters who have had enough of scammers flooding the social media with click bait in the guise of recruitment for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
Even the BPO industry based in Metro Manila is aware that “all’s not well in a platform where anything goes.”
MARKED SHIFT
A marked shift is underway in the country’s BPO sector, as hiring for thousands of monthly openings across Makati, Quezon City, BGC, Pasig, and Alabang increasingly moves from informal social media channels to verified digital job platforms.
Citing the need for efficiency and applicant demand for clarity, large BPO employers with major Manila hubs—including industry leaders like “Teleperformance, Concentrix, EXL, Foundever, Alorica, and Accenture”—are increasingly visible on structured hiring channels.
The trend comes in response to widespread applicant fatigue with the opacity of community Facebook groups and the inefficiency of walk-in systems, challenges echoed by recruitment professionals across the sector.
DECLINING TRUST
For years, Facebook groups brimming with unvetted job posts defined the BPO application process. Job seekers now report significant friction: duplicate or outdated posts, uncertainty over recruiter legitimacy, and a lack of application status updates.
“The noise on social media groups became counterproductive,” noted a Manila-based recruitment lead for a major BPO firm. “We saw qualified applicants missing genuine posts amid the clutter.”
To manage scale, employers are utilizing dedicated BPO hiring platforms offering employer-verified posts and centralized communication. MyGlit, a Philippines-focused portal, exemplifies this shift.
TALENT SEARCH
Internal pilot data from a Manila employer’s recruitment team indicated a reduction in median time-to-offer of approximately 40 percent for applications sourced through a structured portal versus traditional methods.
The Methodology—Internal analysis of a participating Manila BPO employer’s hiring data, Q4 2023. Trend analysis is based on recruitment practices observed across the sector.
“When applicants come through a coordinated platform, the entire process is more predictable,” said a Talent Acquisition Manager at First Source Philippines. “It allows our teams to focus on interviewing, which improves the experience for everyone.”
NOTHING TO HIDE
For candidates, the appeal is straightforward. Clear information on the employer and a trackable process outweigh the sheer volume of social media options.
“I spent weeks applying through Facebook, never sure if my application was seen,” shared Miguel R., recently hired for a Quezon City-based role. “The portal I used showed the exact company and sent updates. It took the anxiety out.”
In many documented instances, recruitment on social media has turned nasty. Some applicants were either conned, or ended up as human trafficking victims — flown to neighboring countries to work as scammers.
HIRING MATURITY
This convergence shows maturity of Metro Manila’s BPO hiring landscape. As regulatory attention grows, the pivot to auditable digital channels appears poised to accelerate.
“The scale of hiring in the National Capital Region demands tools that bring order,” observed an independent analyst covering the Philippine outsourcing sector. “Platforms that verify employers are becoming essential infrastructure.”
