Joy Cunanan – Administrative Assistant, Customer Service

My passion is creating, designing, editing photos and videos, producing simple yet quality visual content to communicate messages. My name is JOY and I’m a proud Mompreneur. I have a degree in Bachelor of Science Major in Psychology and I had been in the corporate world for almost 11 years before setting up my own small business.

The length of time I spent as a full-time employee in a reputable company had sharpened me to deliver excellent performance in everything I do. I started as a Customer Care Assistant in a well-structured company that provided me a solid foundation and access to a variety of resources to assist me to advance in my chosen career. Dealing with and resolving daily customer concerns helped me developed my sound judgment, critical thinking skills, and the ability to effectively meet and exceed customer expectations at any time. Through constant and proper handling of customers, I had greatly contributed to the company’s sales target by increased customer loyalty, customer acquisition, and reduce attrition.

My work experience with a local firm yields tremendous benefits – from a better understanding of workplace best practices to increased self-understanding, maturity, independence, and self-confidence. The freedom to explore possible career options in a global environment leads me to join a multinational company. This culturally diverse work environment gave me new insights and opportunities to develop work-related competencies and acquire new skills. During this period of time, I worked in Sales where I build trust and good relationships with potential and existing US clients. As a Customer Service Representative in Sales Team, I was engaged in strong determination to know the clients need and want, then persuaded them to make purchases and generated repeat business. My selling skills were honed over a period of repeated practice, honesty, and application of different selling approaches which I learned from sales mentors and top sales officers in the group.

After 2 years of being in this field and due to increasing demand in the IT industry, I was driven to pursue a different career path as a Technical Support Associate in one of the most sustainable international companies. Having a vision, strong core values, being determined, pro-active, creative and innovative, helped me excel in my professional career, as they were highly valued in this competitive culture. Because of my consistency in delivering great outputs, I was also tasked to support and mentor new hires to share my technical knowledge and properly motivate them to their maximum aptitude while adhering to a standard of compliance and dedication to clients. But the need to oversee and care for my three young children had made me decide to leave the company.

Moving forward, an opportunity came in one of the leading financial institutions in the Philippines where I held the position of Jr. Assistant Manager. Working in this field, I carry the company’s reputation thus I must be at all times consistent, reliable, and with a high degree of integrity. I manage to communicate effectively and had maintain client relationships in accordance with the Corporate norms. As a bank officer, I am responsible to ensure minimal to zero financial risks in my workload and accurately complied with the approved guidelines. Direct interaction with my clients such as being able to deal with difficult people and resolve their concerns in extreme situations, goes beyond my intellectual competencies. So having high energy, a positive attitude, and my strong set of interpersonal skills goes a long way in acquiring and keeping my clients.

Despite my fervent desire to stay in my position, I tendered my resignation because of the sudden change of event when my husband was offered employment overseas which includes the whole family. In the year 2010 when we departed the Philippines and as parents of three young children, it’s not easy for us to live in another country with a variety of cultures. We adapt to change and need to work both to sustain our everyday living. During my initial years overseas, I focused on caring for, and teaching our children life skills, learning things, and hobby for fun. I also joined and made myself involved in my children’s school’s Parent Group community, the Expatriates group, and fellow Filipino associations to gain social support network. I volunteered to help out in school activities and other group programs to meet new people and be exposed to a broader global perspective. On some occasions, I offered my services to friends and co-parents to organized party events, created templates for photo souvenirs, and edited videos for a party theme. Eventually, it leads me to start my first business- an automated and on-site photo booth rental service that creates instant and personalized photo prints as souvenirs.

The business runs for about 5 years but because of the pandemic, we stop the operation. This pandemic is changing the lives of people and had an immense impact on businesses, especially SMEs. I’m glad that we have saved enough money, invested wisely and aggressively for our future. The onset of my 2nd business arises in the midst of crisis. Trying to build your own small business was never easy, you need a lot more motivation, preparation, research, and perseverance. I was just passionate about doing the things that mattered and doing them well. I take pride in all the other roles I have in my life.

Uncertainties and rapid changes happening in the economy and workplace globally, this has encouraged me to accelerate my skills and adapt to constant changes. I hunger to learn and perform more in a challenging environment with highly-spirited individuals.

With my years of experience in the corporate world along with my entrepreneurial, I’d bring great CORE values and willingness to take on any task as one of your valuable Virtual Assistants.

I’m looking forward to being part of your amazing team.

Thank you for your time reading my story.

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