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Monday, September 03, 2007

Opportunity Knocks Only Once? Nah!

I’ve been so busy, my schedule has been so hectic lately and I can hardly blog. I used to stay home say, 4 to 5 consecutive days but this time, I can’t remember staying in bed in front of my Macbook for a whole day. *guffaw* Maybe it’s one for the reasons why I got sick. Nothing serious though, just a running nose, sore throat, headache and some dizziness. I don’t like feeling unwell.

So, what’s keeping this bum lady busy? *heehee*

A couple of days back or so, I had an interview for a post I wasn’t aware of. *hahaha* I like the company though. It’s a consumer industry (multi-national company) known for its cosmetics. I’ve been wanting to shift from I.T. to consumer industry for the longest time already but I always end up being in I.T. which is still fine with me. I wanted to think that this might be a big break for me.

So here’s what happened…pardon me, for my long narration.

My appointment with Ms. Manager was at 11am, I was there 10:45am. I waited, and waited some more. I glanced at my watch, 12noon and I was still in the sofa (lobby) waiting! I wanted to go down the building and just leave. *See, I don’t have the patience to wait.* However, this Mr. Senior asked me to go inside for a “preliminary” interview *whatsoever* It was so ghastly! I was turned off.

How on earth will this “multi-national” company allow this Mr. Senior to talk to me or any candidate for that matter empty handed and unaware of the reason why I was there? *stupid eh?* He wasn’t ready at all. Argh! What’s even worst, he asked me to go back after lunch for the next interview (with Ms. Manager). What a waste of time! Honestly, I told Xave I don’t wanna go back anymore. But he insisted that I have to finish the scheduled interview and I have to be professional.

Que horror! My next interview was at quarter to seven and ran for like 15 minutes only. *Imagine how long I waited. Unbelievable.* Anyway, I cut the interview short. Why?

First, she likes me already. I am getting the job however, I strongly feel the post is not for me. My heart and mind was actually debating. (1) should I tell her that I prefer something else or (2) just let the meeting end and ignore the succeeding calls. Me being an outspoken person, (as expected by everyone) I blurted out my thoughts.

I’d be more effective if I’d be handling/managing a product, (colors, fragrance or skincare are my choices). I’m a people person (I love to interact with different people), I’m creative, imaginative, analytical and it’s my passion to do marketing in all aspects (specially making programs/promotions). To be “behind the scene” and doing the “leg work” are not my thing. I’ve done forecasting/demand planning in Samsung. It’s very tedious. Oftentimes, I had to go to the office on weekends just to encode the figures in our system before it closes. Torture. Been there, done that. I barely have time for myself or even pay a visit to my derma and to the salon.

I can do the job, and I know I would do well but it’s just not my forte. Accepting the job is like getting a hammer to hit my head. I’m a type of person that I have to love or at least like what I am doing for me to make time for it. I know myself very well.

Second, usually in interviews like this it is not only the interviewer that observes the applicant. The candidate scrutinizes the interviewer as well like what I did. Ms. Manager making me wait for that long (almost 6 hours) reflected her being not able to manage her time very well. I had an appointment and yet, she was engrossed with what she was doing that time. I did some interviews to applicants as well. Some were even walk-ins and I never made them wait even for 10mins. I never asked them to come back some other time because I have a meeting. I do step out of the meeting to talk to these people. *it won’t take much of my time anyway* I’m sensitive on how others may feel. I know how applicants prepare for their interviews. The effort of going to the venue is enough for me to make time for them, right? Tsk, I just can’t understand why some people are so insensitive. From there, I know Ms. Manager will not make a good boss. Furthermore, I can’t imagine myself working harmoniously with her. I knew I had to let this pass.

Leaving the building made me feel good because I know I did the right thing. I said my piece. I was courageous enough to speak my mind and that gave me peace of mind.

In my next job, my priority is to have work-life balance. They say, "opportunity knocks only once". For me, it depends. If you know what you want certainly, better opportunities will come your way and you'd know if the one in front of you is "the one".

At the end of that day, it's still your choice.

It's past 3am, I need a shut eye.

Ciao!


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