Jobs in Davao: How to Find IT, BPO and Government Work
Looking for jobs in Davao? Here's where to find IT, BPO, government and agribusiness work, which portals and job fairs to use, and how to stand out.
In this article
- Davao Job Market at a Glance
- IT Jobs in Davao
- BPO and Call Centre Jobs
- Government Jobs
- Agriculture and Agribusiness
- Best Job Portals and Services
- Davao City PESO and Job Fairs
- Documents You'll Usually Need
- How to Avoid Job Scams
- Tips to Get Hired Faster
- Remote and Freelance Work From Davao
- Cost of Living Considerations
The fastest way to find jobs in Davao is to combine online portals such as JobStreet, LinkedIn and PhilJobNet with the job fairs and referral services of the Davao City Public Employment Service Office (PESO). The city's biggest employers include business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, IT and software firms, retail and hospitality, government offices and the agribusiness sector across the Davao Region. This guide explains where the openings are and how to land one.
Davao Job Market at a Glance
| Sector | Typical roles | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| BPO and call centres | Customer service, tech support, back office | Company career pages, JobStreet, LinkedIn |
| IT and software | Developers, QA, IT support, data roles | LinkedIn, company sites, tech meetups |
| Government | Administrative, technical, health, education | CSC job portal, agency websites |
| Agribusiness | Farm supervisors, logistics, quality control | Company sites, PESO, provincial job fairs |
| Retail, hospitality, food | Sales, cashiers, cooks, hotel staff | Malls, walk-ins, Facebook pages, PESO |
| Healthcare | Nurses, medical technologists, caregivers | Hospital HR offices, JobStreet |
IT Jobs in Davao
Davao has grown into an important IT and digital hub in Mindanao. Software development companies, IT outsourcing firms and startups hire developers, QA testers, designers and support staff, and many tech roles are now remote or hybrid.
Tips for IT job seekers:
- Build a portfolio. A GitHub profile or sample projects matter more than a long CV for developer roles.
- Join local tech communities. Meetups, hackathons and online groups are great for referrals.
- Look beyond Davao. Many Manila and overseas companies hire remote workers based in Davao.
- Check your internet. Remote work needs a reliable connection; compare providers in our Cebu and Davao internet guide.
BPO and Call Centre Jobs
BPO companies are among the largest private employers in Davao, with offices in business districts and IT parks around the city. Entry-level roles often accept senior high school or college graduates with good English skills.
What recruiters usually look for:
- Clear spoken and written English
- Basic computer and typing skills
- Willingness to work night shifts or rotating schedules
- A positive, customer-friendly attitude
If you're also considering Cebu, our list of call centres in Cebu gives an idea of how the industry works in the Visayas.
Government Jobs
National agencies, regional offices and the Davao City government regularly post vacancies. Government jobs often require civil service eligibility, so check the requirements carefully.
Where to look:
- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) job portal, at csc.gov.ph
- Official websites and Facebook pages of agencies and the city government
- Bulletin boards in government offices
Agriculture and Agribusiness
The Davao Region is one of the country's top agricultural areas, known for bananas, durian, cacao, coconut and other crops. Agribusiness companies, plantations, cooperatives and exporters hire for farm operations, packing, logistics, quality control and administrative roles. Many of these jobs are outside the city, in the surrounding provinces.
Best Job Portals and Services
| Portal or service | What it's good for |
|---|---|
| JobStreet | Wide range of private-sector jobs |
| Professional, IT and remote roles | |
| PhilJobNet | Government-run job matching by DOLE |
| Indeed | Aggregated listings from many sources |
| Company career pages | Direct applications to big employers |
| Facebook job groups | Local small business openings (verify carefully) |
PhilJobNet is run by the Department of Labor and Employment; visit philjobnet.gov.ph to create a profile.
Davao City PESO and Job Fairs
The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Davao City helps match job seekers with employers, offers referral services and organises job fairs. Large job fairs are commonly held around Labor Day (May 1) and Independence Day (June 12), often in partnership with DOLE.
Documents You'll Usually Need
- Updated resume or CV
- Valid government ID, such as the PhilSys National ID
- NBI clearance and police or barangay clearance
- Birth certificate from the PSA
- Diploma and transcript of records
- SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN numbers (or be ready to register)
How to Avoid Job Scams
Unfortunately, job scams are common online. Watch out for:
- Employers asking you to pay "processing" or "training" fees
- Jobs promising very high pay for little work
- Interviews conducted only through chat apps with no company details
- Requests for bank logins, OTPs or e-wallet PINs
Verify companies through their official websites and, for overseas jobs, check with the Department of Migrant Workers. Our guide on spotting fake news and scams has more red flags to watch for.
Tips to Get Hired Faster
- Tailor your resume to each job.
- Keep your LinkedIn and JobStreet profiles complete and updated.
- Practise answering common interview questions in English and Filipino.
- Follow up politely after interviews.
- Learn new skills through free online courses, especially for IT roles.
Remote and Freelance Work From Davao
More Davao residents now work remotely for companies in Manila or overseas, as virtual assistants, writers, designers, developers and customer support agents. Freelance platforms and remote job boards can be a good start, but competition is strong, so a clear portfolio and reliable internet make a big difference. Remember that freelancers are responsible for their own tax registration and government contributions.
Our digital nomad guide to Cebu and Davao covers co-working spaces and practical tips for remote workers.
Cost of Living Considerations
Davao is generally considered more affordable than Manila and often cheaper than Cebu for housing. Compare salaries with your expected expenses using our cost of living in Cebu vs Davao guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most in-demand jobs in Davao?
BPO customer service, IT and software roles, healthcare, retail and hospitality, and agribusiness jobs are among the most common openings in Davao.
Where can I find IT jobs in Davao?
Look on LinkedIn, JobStreet and company career pages, and join local tech communities for referrals. Many remote IT jobs also accept Davao-based workers.
What is PESO Davao?
PESO is the Public Employment Service Office of Davao City. It offers job matching, referrals and job fairs for local job seekers.
Do I need civil service eligibility for government jobs?
Most permanent government positions require civil service eligibility. Check each vacancy's qualification standards on the CSC portal or agency website.
How do I know if a job offer is a scam?
Be wary of offers that ask for fees, promise unrealistic pay or avoid giving company details. Verify the employer through official websites before sharing personal information.
