What it does: Makati Development Corporation engages in commercial, industrial, and residential real estate development in the Philippines.
Best known for: being the construction arm of Ayala Land
Staff stats: more than 5,000 employees
The good bits: Young new hires start their careers by being exposed to world-class construction methods, solutions, and techniques.
The not-so-good bits: Insiders claim that job security isn’t guaranteed at MDC, as many of them work as contractors. It might be difficult for fresh grads to become regularized employees.
MDC started in 1950 as Ayala Corporation’s construction unit. The company became an integral reason for Makati City’s development as the country’s key financial district.
By 1974, MDC became an independent company that engaged in subdivision development and highway construction projects for the government. MDC has expanded in the construction sector by being involved in:
MDC achieved the status as the first and only construction company to gain simultaneous ISO Integrated Management System certification.
As one of the largest construction companies in the Philippines, new hires should expect a busy workplace at MDC. The hectic schedules often cause a challenging work-life balance for many employees.
Some of them may even follow an irregular work week. For example, the company may require certain employees to work from Tuesday to Saturday. Insiders also said that it’s possible to work for up to 10 hours per day.
Not all employees, however, have to deal with prolonged working hours. Most office-based employees work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MDC’s biggest competitors include Aboitiz Construction, DATEM, D.M. Consunji, and Megawide Construction Corporation.
In 2020, MDC helped with the partial conversion of the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The project involved temporary fit-outs to turn the building into a temporary COVID-19 facility.
The company gathered approximately 300 volunteer workers for retrofits across 9,700 square meters of space.
MDC also won a Gold Stevie award in 2021 as the Materials and Construction Company of the Year. The 18th Annual International Business Awards recognized the company for being a source of local employment among many Filipinos.
MDC seems to be an excellent choice for a solid start to a career in architecture, engineering, or construction. Fresh grads should anticipate a demanding work environment that compels them to be fit—both in body and mind.
Fresh grads need to be patient when they apply for jobs at MDC. The company may take at least three weeks to process applications. In general, the hiring process may involve up to five steps:
Previous applicants said that they spent up to three hours for interviews and pre-employment exams on their appointment date. Candidates should prepare for panel interviews with the hiring manager and senior employees.
Common interview questions:
MDC may contact selected candidates one week after they finish the interview stage. Some applicants may wait for two weeks based on previous candidates’ experience.
Former interns claim that they didn’t attend an interview. Instead, they submitted the required documents for an internship. The situation may have changed, so it’s wise to prepare for an interview and skills-based test.
MDC’s salary bracket for entry-level employees may range from Php13,000 and Php20,000 per month. A fresh grad’s actual salary will depend on their academic background, role, and skills.
The company’s employment benefits include allowances, dental and medical coverage, loans, paid training, and yearly salary appraisal.
MDC tends to hire experienced professionals for most entry-level jobs. Fresh grads can still join the company as cadet engineers or landscape specialists.
Cadet engineers at the company either finished a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering or an equivalent degree. They must obtain a professional license to qualify for the job. MDC may require some cadet engineers to work in Taguig City.
Fresh grads also need a professional license before they can join as landscape specialists. Most employees finished a Bachelor’s in Agriculture, Aquaculture, Civil Engineering, or Forestry.
There’s also a chance that new hires may not become regularized employees. Insiders claim that it’s difficult for many of them to transition from contract-based workers into regular employees.