When I get my first job, I didn’t even know that actually
the process of getting a job is so tough and complicated. Now I recall back on
how to get it. Well, I got that job thru the intro by a senior of mine which
she landed the job earlier than me but from different division. I go thru the
interview session quite smoothly, as I do not know what to ask since it is my
first job after I completed my degree. Even though I actually got 2 interviews
process, but still is more to the basic info regarding the job scope. Maybe too
naïve or lazy go to apply another job, I actually accept it when they offer me
even though I have to agree to get bonded with the company for 2 years. The reason
is they will provide the training during my tenure with the company.
When I start my work with this company, I realize the so
called training is not sufficient to equip me for the starting point. Then, is
all from the OJT (on job training) or experience I get thru the process of
work. After much disappointed with the decision of the management and certain
issues, I decide to make a move after I completed my bond with the company to
look for better opportunity and exposure. Even though, I served my notice for 2
months, I did not apply any job during the period due of the commitment and hardly
to get an emergency leave for interview. So, I thought I may take some days off
to ‘stabilize’ my feeling.
However, I feel good during the serve notice as I actually
getting an offer from a former colleague in his present company to work with
him. The interview process more informal compare my first job which we conduct
it during our meal period. The job scope more a less than my previous job and
most important is because he believe in me that I can do the job as he heard
some good comments about me from my another ex-colleague. I struggle and think
lots before verbally agree to take the offer from him. However, I decline it
when he not able to process my application due the document is incomplete. Another
reason is I would like to go to overseas to broaden my knowledge and skills.
Here my stories come.
Though I resign during mid September but when I stable to
get a real job is on January where I have no need to do any transition or
thinking of another career. I keep sending my resume out and no response.
However, what I got the job is mainly is a contract type. I did go to one but I
do not like the idea of 24x7 hours environment. I decline. Another one is more
on PC level support. I was thinking even though I not certified but I believe
with my knowledge, how can I not landed in a SA or perm job.
When agencies call me regarding the job preferences, I told
them to get me permanent job instead of contract. Why I have this requirement
is because I gone thru the bond period. I know the feeling of being tied up for
something you might not like it but you have to due of the mutual agreement
between employee and employer. I don’t want to be like that even though I might
not get one that I like most. This kind of feeling won’t bring your performance
up to the standard. But still, agreeable to something which saying you might
not like the job but the salary you wanted most.
I recall one of my bad experiences with one of the agencies
found my resume in the job portal, saying the job can offer you 1xxx, working 24x7,
no others allowance provided. When I try to ask for the salary adjustment, she
just abrupt to tell me that you have no local experience and the conversion of
the salary is much higher compare my previous salary. I hardly to accept it as I
mention I don’t see a need to make the conversion as I live in here and not
back to my home country.
Slowly, I have some feeling that I will be hardly to get a
job due of few reasons. First, as a foreigner, I hardly to make my place over
here as the government won’t be subsidize on foreigner worker’s entitlement, like
the fund of training, etc. Secondly, no local experience. I was wonder is that
related. Unless I going to another industry, that’s still make sense. But I try
to looking for the same industry I work before, still called no experience. I
wonder is it because the local and overseas have some different cultures or
perception in doing something. Does it related when I apply for executive
level. I wonder if I looking for a janitor work, does it applies to this job
too. Third, problem lies in expectation of salary. I have adjusted based on the
country wage and even put the negotiation remarks. Still no news is heard. I
believe the main reason is still the first reason. When they saw your nationality,
they may put you under OUT in their paper tray without hesitate to look for
another view.
As time goes by, I have to downgrade myself. Any agencies
call me I will say, ‘OK’, ‘Comfortable’ as long as I will be offer. Even the
thing I hate like contract or 24x7, I still have to agree with it. This is
because if I don’t downgrade, not matter how hard or how long I waited, all
goes in vain. Is hardly to get any possibilities to get one I wish to get for.
Last week, I have 2 interviews suddenly. All I believe is
luck. Even the Saturday interview, is most unexpected as I got the call from
agency on Friday while going to my interview with another company. The hiring
manager shortlisted me for the interview once saw my resume. I think my luck is
change. Though the place in central but still need to take around 1 hour to get
to the place. Both interviews go quite smoothly I shall say. Is also another
new experience where I actually tested for the technical issues that I handled
before or some is common technical questions. Well, I do hope the Saturday one
will get me the offer till on Monday, I did received a call from the agency
that the hiring manager is quite comfort with me and decide to take me in. I was
so happy and jolted. Well, it not last long as I still waiting for the packages
that he will give me. The painful waiting experience just ended by yesterday.
Below are the conversation between agency and me.
Me: Hello
Agency: Hello and good morning, XXX. XXX here.
Me: Yes
Agency: Today I have to bring a bad news for you. Just now I
try to contact the hiring manager and he said the director not approve your
application. This is because you are not local as they hardly to get the
subsidize from the government when they send your for training. I’m very sorry.
But, I will try to look another job for you. Blah.. blah.. blah…
Me:<Speechless>
I was so disappointed and angry for the reason and explanation
given. How can just give this type of reason, after the verbally offer is
given. According to my brother-in-law, this is called unexpected circumstances.
When another agency ask me for reason not being hired, I actually without hesitation
to tell her that I’m a foreigner and just related this story on how discrimination
towards foreigners looking for job opportunity in overseas country. I will not
say 100% of the employer is like that but still if got choices, they still
prefer to look for local people as not much of the paperwork need to be
handled. This is the reality when working in others people’s country.
So, my situation is more likely a beggar can’t be a chooser.
(Remarks: Not a company name or country name is mention in
here and please do not ask in the comment as I believe I do not wish to sabotage anything but just
to give out my opinion as a job seeker in overseas country.)
The word sound familiar rite.. bout the currently earthquake happen in sichuan in china.. sharron stone was asked by press bout her opinion.. suddenly she pop out the word of karma.. which of course, led her to a serious case.. she indeed make a wrong move especially she is a celebrities, she not suppose to say so.. that's y all the press in china quite upset with her and hardly to forgive even though she aplogized and promise to help the victim by going there to become a volunteer..
actually i wan to say in here is different from the story above.. after a talked with frens last time when i went to kl for wesak holiday.. i found that i wat occur in my life just a pillar for some sort of ppl.. in my context, i think pillar is strong, hard and will not able to fall so easily unless have a big earthquake lar.. but i would like to ask you all.. did we all gratitude to our pillar for supporting to us for all this while..
i keep thinking and yet rethink the whole story for many times.. i hardly to forgive myself being a mr nice guy and also the ppl who used me either with purpose or not.. sometimes, i just feel like i was an idiot or a fool.. no matter how i try or how i work, the result still the same.. i alwiz being label rebelious, no co-operative, angryman, not supportive, and all those same goes to a old man behaviour.. however, i dun agree all.. first i not rebelious.. second i quite co-operative unless some make me feel upset.. third, angryman quite a bit.. cos too influencial by the horoscope.. or maybe i just born as a youngest children in the family.. fourth, not supportive.. depends wat the situation and case..
watever i did alwiz is a background work.. not ppl will noe wat is my job is.. i not formally introduce and yet my hardwork not neccesary be saluted.. as wat i done not greater than any oscar or hk film awards.. people like to see the actor and actress.. you act well, you will alwiz get a big hand from ppl and yet you will be famous and well known.. no matter wat you did wrong, you alwiz get the forgiven.. is just like when you with them, they feel assured and will very to accept your help.. even you say no, ppl will agree with you..
but for me, not matter how good or how hard i try to be, i alwiz get the look of you are the troublemaker.. the world look so good and nice without your existing.. when they need help, i alwiz the one will be targeted.. i not sure whether i been look high or watever.. i just have to help.. when i said no, i will being called so many unkind word.. when the whole thing is finish, i just get aside without being acknowledged.. sometimes, i rethink why i need to be suffer like this, i alwiz tell myself, i shud not be so calculative.. past is past.. but lately, i found that i not able to do so.. cos i also human.. need to give some encouraging or compliment.. like the singapore movie '小孩不笨2'.. karma guar. mayb in my past life, i like to use ppl or torture ppl guar, therefore i get paid on it in this life..
am i look negative.. yes, i do.. or maybe things happen lots lately.. i just feel ntg for me to go on.. when i recalled how many fren i have, i was laugh at myself.. even though in my msn list or friendster list got so many, but how many did i reli call or chat.. or just say frenship got lots but real frens just fews..
dear frens, when you read till here, you might feel y you being treated all these while (some of you lar.. ) or y not able to know it while i there.. mayb i just din have the pleasant look, good attitude or sweet mouth.. or i too narrow to myself until i not even able to notice the surrounding me.. i feel terrible sorry over the mess i made.. ntg able to change it rite now.. or i shud say i good in ntg but to be a troublemaker.. to bring unpleasant memories to you guys.. if so, i just wish i never been here anymore..
