From BPO to Long Term Career:
A 15-Year Journey in Support and Recruitment
Some of you may know me, some of you not. So here’s a quick intro. I’m Anne. EA to Ez (Founder) & Operations Manager here at Hume Scope.
I started working in 2008. The day after I graduated, I was already in a BPO role.
Like many in the Philippines, my days were built around calls, targets, and long commutes. Around four hours a day just getting to and from work. Two hours each way, sometimes more.
In 2009, during Typhoon Ondoy, I got stuck and couldn’t get home to my family. That moment stayed with me. It made me realise how much we sacrifice just to keep going.
BPO life taught me a lot. Discipline, resilience, how to communicate with all kinds of people. But it also showed me the limits. The pressure was constant, the pay didn’t always match the effort, and even when you were unwell or dealing with family matters, you were still expected to show up.
In 2011, I moved into a remote Executive Assistant role.
No commute. More time with family. More control over my day.
But it wasn’t perfect. I worked through holidays, including Christmas and New Year. If you didn’t work, you didn’t get paid. And like many working through agencies, I knew there was a gap between what clients paid and what we received.
Still, it was progress.
Over time, I grew beyond admin tasks. I wasn’t just managing calendars and emails. I became a partner to the people I supported.
I worked across real estate, legal, e-commerce, and operations. From scheduling and CRM management to social media, property coordination, and research. I learned to take ownership, solve problems, and think ahead.
After 15 years, one thing is clear.
This role is not just admin.
It’s trust. It’s problem solving. It’s being the person others rely on when things need to get done.
In July 2025, I moved into a direct role with an Australian business.
For the first time in my career, I felt secure.
Since then, my role has grown. Alongside working as an Executive Assistant to Ez, I now support as an Operations Manager. I help oversee processes, support decision-making, and keep the business running smoothly.
That growth didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of learning, stepping up, and being willing to take on more.
What made the biggest difference was the environment. Leadership that invests time, provides structure, and treats you as a long-term part of the business, not just support.
Recently, I found myself in Melbourne, supporting a live event with the team. Standing there, I realised how far things had come.
From long commutes and night shifts
To meaningful work and global opportunities.
While my path was as an Executive Assistant, I see the same journey in many recruitment professionals across the Philippines.
You build strong skills. You learn how to manage people, handle pressure, and deliver consistently. But the right opportunity, one that gives you structure, stability, and real progression, can take time to find.
If you’re early in your career or still figuring things out, here are a few things that matter.
Your role is more than admin or resourcing
You are a key part of how businesses grow and operate
Learn everything you can
Systems, sourcing, communication, operations. The more you understand, the more valuable you become
Protect your time and energy
Burnout is real. The right environment makes a difference
Growth takes time
Every role builds something. Even the difficult ones
The right opportunity changes everything
When you find it, you’ll feel the difference straight away
If you’re on that path, keep going. The right opportunity might be closer than you think.
Please feel free to recah out if you have any questions! I’m always happy to have a chat.
Anne Felix – anne@humescope.com.au
We hire talented recruitment professionals based in the Philippines to work offshore for our Australian recruitment agency clients. If you want real career progression, proper pay and benefits, and the chance to work with good employers in Australia, this is for you.
