There's a sudden urge in me to blog about my job experience and job interviews. I don't have the intention to expose the good and bad about people when writing this, but just sharing some experience.
I remember my very first interview with an IT solutions company as a programmer, it was conducted in the afternoon and it lasted for almost 1.5hours. At first, I was asked to fill up a personality test. Later on, the interviewers came and asked me about my interests, what I like to do, what I didn't like to do, all sorts of personal questions, till the last 5 minutes, then I was asked about what would I do if I encounter a new language that I have never learn before.
At that time, I was rather pissed off and thinks it as a waste of time. If you think I'm not suitable, tell me straight and give me an acceptable reason to shun me off. However, now coming back to think of it, they are probably relating my characteristics to the attitude required on the work.
Through my friend's recommendation, we went for a company that says they are events company, but it wasn't true when we went there. They are more like a sales company, those who will shout "I WANT TO EARN A MILLION TODAY!" I didn't like it and didn't give my best shot at even answering any question.
We went for a freelance IT trainer job in the end. Contract lasts for 6 months. Though the job was fine, but pay doesn't come on time and company's administration is really bad. It was till later that I realize this company had a bad reputation in its industry.
While working on that, I had one interview with a recruiter who just told me frankly after just 5 minutes of talk that, "You don't know what you want." and that came out true. I was out of job for close to 6 months, ever since I graduated. Who wouldn't be eager and anxious about getting a job? At that point of time, ANY job that comes to me, I will take it. When I meant ANY, it really means ANY. Even if it is a dish washer, a cleaner, I would take it.
You may then think that then why didn't do my best at the sales company. Reason is, I don't believe in making big money in a day or in a few days without proper work. It could mean real for somebody else, but not for me who didn't even believe in sales talks, let alone sales talking to other people to buy my product. It was purely based on my negative impression for sales person.
I was glad that another recruiter called to tell me that there are 2 job interviews available for me - one at Alexander (nearer to where I lived) but an administrative role, another at Bedok (on the other side of Singapore) but is the role I am looking for. Since young, I didn't have to leave for school outside of west of Singapore. I was afraid of the distance, afraid of being late for work and got fired in 3 days, afraid of late nights back home. I knew how the work will be like to be a programmer. I wanted to still find one on it, but afraid of the distance. I gave that up, and got the job at Alexander as an administrative officer.
And that began my first career journey.
I slowly realized that my love and passion for the IT industry is not gone. I have to get back to it. Real quick. Before I lose any knowledge from my mind. Thus, I went on to my next which initially promised me a good career path but didn't turn out the way I expected. It was fine actually. This was a new role and everything has to start from scratch. It is because of this, I learnt and went through a lot that I know today. If it wasn't for the people there, I would really have stayed. There are too much things that can be done alone there. Tough but will be very satisfying if those are done.
I came to realize I didn't know how to get people to know what I'm doing, because I am performing duties from at least 4 different roles. I decided on an area to specialize in and moved on to my third company, which is the current.
It is different here, the people here are fine and nice. But the company stays stagnant in terms of technology, design, and everything. They are the typical type who are afraid of change as any change will cause them to lose that bit of profit. They are people who only focus on what they want to get now and not in long-term, and thus all these factors contribute to a high turnover rate as well.
I'm not exceptional in wanting to leave for the better too. I went for interviews, as a software engineer, IT support, web developer, QA Engineer. Applied to those that I think I would want to work on or meets what I can do.
Rejected for support position. Rejected for Software Engineer. I'm even rejected for a QA position.
It's frustrating. It's discouraging. I'm now specialized in QA now but yet when I applied for one, I got rejected. Many times, I thought why. All drills down to lack of technical skills. Now even a support stuff needs to know SQL for troubleshooting. But look at us now, as a Level 2 Support staff, I didn't even have the access to the database for troubleshooting, let alone allowing access to Level 1 Support staff, who don't even know the product they are supporting well enough.
Sometimes I do wonder, if it will help to get me more chances of interviews if I just indicate the skills that they want on my resume. Perhaps that will. But getting to the interviews, and not performing, is another issue.
It may really be my fault for that lack of knowledge, but I'm learning. And I strongly believe in hiring people who knows how to deal with problems when they are faced with it, and not just based on whether your technical skills, your educational level meets what they want. But that's only what I believe in.
My ideal situation would be, tell the interviewee the job scope, then ask if they are willing to accept it at this amount of pay. If yes, on-the-job training will be provided. 3 months probation. Regardless how old you are.
Why I think it that way? It seems say is easier than done. True. But many a times, interview is a process full of lies. Or that many people are nervous that they have no idea what to say or how should they express what they want to. So they failed at interviews. I'm not saying these in defend for myself. I just feel there are really many talented people who can work so much better than those who stay in the company for 10 years and when being asked, don't know a single thing. People are laid off for doing nothing wrong or being too hardworking or being too old, but people stay for being lazy, being knowing how to please their bosses with their sweet tooth. That's so common and yet the company can live with this situation?
If you are facing this too, I would say - It's really time to reconsider this place that you are in.
Sometimes I do wonder if I have taken a wrong decision from the very start. But sometimes I would think these experience though are not what I desire the most, still are valuable. It seems very hard for me to turn back to where I initially wanted to be now. But I will not give up and will not give in to the reality. I will keep learning. Keep fighting strong and keep finding opportunities to jump at it.
Hope everyone will find their best one too! :D
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