Anita P. Millares – General Virtual Assistant

My name is Anita P. Millares, but I prefer to be called Kittie. I am a single mom and I have a pet name Kuro, a black male Persian. I was raised by my grandparents when my parents decided to have a separate ways when I was 7. My dad decided to work abroad that’s why at a younger age, I grew up alone and learned to do everything by myself. My friends call me “BBB”, just send me a private message to know what this is stands for. 😀 . But for some who don’t know me, they find me intimidating, strict and serious type of person. But not that they know, I am a complete opposite of it.

I’m into extreme sports like boxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, free diving, and airsoft gun. I owned 2 kinds of unit that I use whenever we played in a 30 hectares jungle. One of my bucket list is to join in a Military simulation or what they call “Mil Sim. I am also a “gym rat” and a fitness enthusiast. I work out 4-5x a week and I used to create my own Meal Plan. I posted my workouts on my Tiktok account to help others. I also do running sometimes with my best friend. I am also into tattoos and body piercing. Isn’t it obvious? 😀 I do love cooking too! You can find this posted on my IG account.

I am an undergrad of Computer Engineering and a former scholar in TIP Manila on my first year in college. I decided to apply in the BPO industry year 2010, but never got the chance to pass any of the interviews that time. But I didn’t let that failure get into my way. I watched English movies and read English articles that will help me improve my English vocabulary. Even learned from my failed interviews.

Year 2012, I got hired in a project based contract. It was an international account and got three contracts from the same company but two different accounts. After that, it’s not hard for me to pass the assessment if I wanted to transfer to another company. I can even get promoted right away.

Year 2018, I feel like I needed more and find myself seeking to improve more in terms of my career and knowledge. I decided to study Spanish language, and yes, it’ll give me a high pay rate if I finish at least an A1 level. I studied for a total of 11 days focusing on BPO set up so I can use them right away once done studying. Yes, you needed to invest on this type of learnings. I used my savings coming from being a breeder of cats and dogs on that time. I try to apply at a company that night, same day of my graduation, a company who has a Spanish financial account. Fortunately I got hired!

Speaking of me being a breeder. Yes, I am some kind of “Dr. Do Little”. Through experience I’ve learn how to understand them just looking at their eyes and reading their body language. I’m the one who helped my pregnant pets whenever it’s time for them to give birth. Can’t count how many times I did that to my cats and dogs. From preparing the sterilized equipment, cutting the babies cord up to making sure that they will be fed by their mom.

Going back to my work experience…..

Unfortunately, I needed to leave the company after 2 years. and 8 months of working with them. Due to the pandemic I decided to look for a company that has a work-at-home setup. I was so fortunate to find one and got hired in the same month that I left my old company.

I started at this new company as a bilingual agent. After 3 weeks of taking calls, I got promoted to SME/Team Leader. And I had a great experience with them because this is where I learned to handle people with different behaviors due to culture. I handled people from Guatemala, Egypt, India, and the Philippines. My team used to handle Voice and Chat LOB. I also got an opportunity to be part of special projects in which you will be given 5–10 agents from other countries, which focus on their QA scores. I can brag about a 0% monthly average. I tend to help these people reach the target goal of 90% on a monthly basis.

But unfortunately, our account was sold out to another company, and every one of us, including our director, was retrenched after almost 3 years. of working with them. I applied to another company with the same position as supervisor/ops team leader. I stayed with the company for 6 months only because they were starting to transfer the account to another location. which they will have their own building located in Antipolo. And staying with them is not really practical for me. Antipolo is way too far from where I live.

The BPO industry taught me how to be a good leader. How to be more understanding with people around me. Learn not to lose your integrity and be honest all the time, whatever happens. Because most people do, especially those who have a higher position. I’ve learned a lot from them. From the most negative experience to the best one, I’ve also learned here that you are not everyone’s cup of tea. But as long as someone believes in you, Don’t let these negative thoughts get into you.

It’s been 12 years. in the BPO industry. I think it’s time to be upgraded and get out of my comfort zone. Seeking more knowledge in the VA industry. I’m researching and attending webinars that might help me be equipped for the journey on which I’m focusing now. And I believe all of the experience that I’ve learned from my previous industry can definitely be applied here. And I highly believed that “skill set is acquired and trainable.”.

So here I am confidently saying that I am ready for my new journey.

For a copy of Anita’s resume please click here.