When Nazarea Mira first stepped into the world of HR, she didn’t have a degree in psychology or human resource management. What she had was over a decade of experience in operations—and a strong desire to help people find opportunities that could change their lives. But entering a new field without formal credentials meant she had to build her credibility from the ground up.
“I didn’t want to just fall into HR—I wanted to master it,” she told Financial Adviser PH in an exclusive interview.
Today, she leads JustHired as Managing Director, heading a team that believes recruitment isn’t just a function—it’s a calling. Her journey is a blueprint for anyone who’s ever pivoted careers and needed to prove that passion, purpose, and persistence can take you far—even without a traditional playbook.
From BPO Leader to Accidental Recruiter
Before JustHired, Nazarea built her career in the call center industry. Her expertise was in operations, customer experience, and team leadership—not in hiring or organizational development.
In 2018, life brought her to India, where she was offered a recruitment role in a company that bridged operations between India and the Philippines.
“I had no background in recruitment—just my leadership experience and the willingness to learn,” she recalled in her Financial Adviser PH interview.
“Every day was a crash course in people, processes, and how to get hiring right.”
Instead of faking it or hesitating, she embraced the discomfort. She learned on the job, developed her own systems, and most importantly—never lost sight of the human side of hiring.
Why She Chose to Pursue CHRP
Despite her growing success, Nazarea knew that experience alone wouldn’t be enough to lead at scale. She needed structure. Strategy. A stronger foundation that would reinforce her instincts with principles—and offer credibility in rooms where she was the only non-traditional voice.
That’s when she enrolled in the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) program in the Philippines.
“CHRP gave me the language, tools, and clarity I didn’t realize I needed,” she told Financial Adviser PH.
“It helped me connect what I had learned from experience with the frameworks that make HR strategic—not just reactive.”
Getting certified wasn’t about adding letters to her name. It was about owning her seat at the table—and helping her company grow with confidence and competence.
Applying Strategy to Build a People-First Firm
With her CHRP certification and years of hands-on learning, Nazarea now leads JustHired with intention. She mentors her team not just on how to close roles—but how to create lasting impact through values-based hiring.
“We’re not just placing candidates—we’re building futures,” she said.
“That means aligning clients with the right people, not just the available ones.”
She also teaches her recruiters to think beyond transactions. Every resume, every interview, and every hire is a chance to empower someone and elevate a business.
Her Advice to Career Shifters
For anyone starting in a new field without the typical qualifications, Nazarea offers this perspective:
“Don’t wait to be perfect—just commit to getting better. Get the experience, get the training, and never stop learning. That’s how you build real credibility,” she shared with Financial Adviser PH.
Her journey shows that it’s not how you start—it’s how much you’re willing to grow.
