原来 interview 那么伤，比想象中还难。。。

2 weeks ago, I was shortlisted for a pre-interview briefing session at a civil sector organisation "DBE". There were about 14 people (8 girls 4 guys) at the briefing where we were given more details about the organisation & the job scope. The DBE officers there are rather friendly and open (unlike the stern look on mass media). We had a private 15/30 mins or so with an assigned DBE officer who talked to us about his/her experience in DBE & address any queries we had. Then we had to write 2 essays, one was about our knowledge of the organisation & the job scope, the other one was about our expectations & aspirations. Earlier, we were told that only successful candidates would be selected for an interview, but the highest ranking officer in the room recommended that all of us be interview the following week so that they can know more about everyone of us.

My interview was at 2.30, but waited until like 3 plus. (I was the first to be interviewed) At the waiting area, I met 3 others whose appointment is at 3 and 3.30 respeectively. Among them was a fellow econs fresh grad 'Huixian' (She looked a bit like that gal from CSS2 when she smiles) who also faced difficulties finding a job. (Is it a universal problem or just MY problem?) She mentioned that her other econs grad friends are mostly into contract-based jobs (about 6 month term)

There were 6 people chairing the interview, but only the 3 higher -ranking officers spoken. (The manpower head seems familiar, I kept wondering where I saw him before during the interview) The questions were very direct and "in your face", like "your past job applications didnt succeed, dont you think there's something wrong with you?" "You only got a 'good' in conduct during NS, which was not so good a grade, do you think its justifiable?" "Did you ask them why you got such a rating?" I felt that my replies to the last 2 questions are the best among all the other questions, which says a lot about my performance in the interview.

From what 'Huixian' told me, hers isnt much better. She got questions like "Jiafeigou and you have the same qualifications. Who do you think we should pick for this job?" She was also persistently questioned (or rather, suspected) about her suitability & capability for this job (me too!)( The key word is 'persistently')

The co-ordinator (sorry, I dont recognise his rank, but it looks like 2 diamonds) overheard our conversation & told us that its the norm. The interviewers want to know how we would react to such (wierd) questions to better evaluate us. Perhaps to them, this is the best way to reduce assymetric information. I agree. No one can prepare themselves adequately to these type of questions, which would (inevitably) disclose more about our personality and character than those 'normal' questions.

To further reduce assymetric information, two character referees is a must. (I feel this adds to the assymetric information though) "Huixian" got her friends, me too. Really thanx a lot to 'JQ' and 'rubbish bin' for bailing me out. ( I really hope DBE wouldnt call them) I didnt want to ask "上手san" despite the the fact that I took her modules for 2 years consecutively. Why? I used to like her, but after what happened during the last module, I began to have doubts on her teaching methods & her 'carefully-crafted statements'. And I believe both 'JQ' and 'rubbish bin' are able to give a more accurate & reflective description / opinion of me than her. At the very least, I am sure they would not be so honne / tatemae to the extent of saying that I am good in my spoken Japanese (unlike someone)....

My bum is hurting....

It has been like 3 months since I last went down to East Coast Park. Used to cycle when I am there, but this time a strange though entered my head- why not try rollerblading?
I figured I might need at most 15 minutes to familiarise myself with those wheels, based on the fact that I had done it before when I am in secondary school. (on flat ground, not humps or slopes) Sometimes (or rather most of the time), reality is vastly different from past experiences. I struggled and struggled, fell and fell....Not that my 'coach' isnt good (I only remember his 'v shape' and the fact that the steps and movements are 'natural'), not that being a saturday the human traffic flow is more busy (its just more 'obstacles'), the main reason is that whenever I think I am going to fall / will fall, I always fall. It doesnt help that the blades keep moving outwards (my 'coach cant explain why it happened)
This episode reminds me of the time "princess" leant riding a bike. The 'trauma' and 'panicking' are comparable, but she had two (good) coaches. (erm..maybe not...I think I also keep emphasising that its natural too) But at least in the end, she managed to overcome the difficulties with her mental strength and could cycle quite well. Me leh? I saw so many young kids learning to blade but despite falling down many times, they never gave up. (or rather, I didnt witness them giving up) This is where I think I should learn from them....

JLPT 2....Here I come!!....

Registered for the JLPT 2 exam last week. $30, plus a dollar for the application form. I was so blur that I forgot to write my chinese name on both the application form and on the test voucher (at least its consistent). Its inconsequential though, since only my english name will be on the certificate (thats assuming that I pass). "Strawberry" and "instant mee" are quite skeptical of passing the exam, especially since by the time of the exam, we would be have been detached from Japanese classes by a full 7 months. I am quite confident of passing though, and I believe that as long as we revise our jap 5 notes & the white & green books, its pass-able.
There were 2 ladies manning the reception. One was quite friendly and consumer-oriented, the other was..ahem..(just as "Miss Tan" puts it, typical Singaporean customer service)(Note: Its singaporean, not singapore) There's no prep course for JLPT 1 & when I asked her about the advance classes (there are 3 degree of advance courses), she replied with a cold 'all full' I wanted to know in the event I got JLPT 2, which class I should register for next year. She gave a vague & nonchalent reply, which was barely audible. Forget it la, she doesnt seem to have much interest & knowledge in her 'products', which greatly puts me off. She had just turned away a potential customer...

好朋友

Met up with "gambler" for dinner last night. Sometimes, I dont really understand the defition of " good friends" and " friends". Good friends can mean anything from 暧昧to the "we are good friends" in a common rejection statement. To me, good friends are friends whom I am not only close (an ambiguous term) to, but also someone who understands me, and most importantly, we must be comfortable with each other be it talking on the phone or meeting up for a chat or meal.
I remembered very clearly on one occasion which was the saddest day of my life. I had an argument with someone whom really matters a lot to me and I wanted to talk to a close friend who understands "the situation". "Strawberry" was out with her friends and I only managed to talk to her after midnight. She makes me feel a lot better and even though she is tired, she still made sure I am alright before hanging uo. She is a true good friend indeed.
Compare it to this scenario. You saw a "friend". "Hey! Havent seen you for quite some time. How are you?" "Fine. And you?" "I am fine too". Then, there's a bit of awkward silence. "Sorry, I am in a rush, chat with you some other time". You may most probably never meet that "friend" again, and even if you do, the situation repeats itself. Hamster labelled them "Hi bye friends".
Back in my NUS days (it seems like centuries ago), I have great difficulty in finding lunch kakis. Its not just me, social butterfly like "Miss Tan" and "Hamster" are also forced to eat alone at times. Maybe its hard to find a common lunchtime which we are free to meet. I feels it more of a "want to meet" rather than "can meet". Take me & "Hamster" for an example. Even though we are in Arts, our major & timetable & modules are completely different. We have our own share of project meetings, make-up lectures or whatever interruptions that could arise. But (surprisingly) we always manage to meet for a chat & lunch no matter how "busy" we are. Perhaps this is an exception rather than the norm.
To me, being "busy" is a very invalid excuse. Be it handling in assignments late to not being attached, "busy" is an over-used & convenient excuse. It really depends on how one manage their time. Yes, yes, I know some people are busy to the extent of having no time for meals & lack of sleep. But if you were to tell me that you cannot spare even 3 minutes or so replying to me SMS, or during the vacation period you cant even spare at most 3 hours to meet this "friend" of yours for a meal, it really says volume. I really dont want to lose friends due to "busy-ness", especially those whom I really cherish their friendship. "Capuccino" & "instant mee", I am really starting to feel we are drifting apart, apart & apart.....

Steamboat

Organised a steamboat gathering with the people in the Jap 5 Class. Its such a nice feeling to meet up with them and chat with them. The people in the Class can be seen as the ingredients in a steamboat, all of us so different in character and mentality, only to be bonded together by a common theme. (is that a very apt description???) Thats why i feel very happy and glad that we can gel together and they took the effort to come for this outing.kokoro kara kansha shimasu!....especially to "baggy pants" and "capuccino" whose reply makes me feel very appreciated..Some thoughts and words I would like to say to some friends, but i lack the opportunity and conversation-starter to do so..

Bittergould...I was (not am) rather disappointed that you changed your mind about coming. I really feel that with you around, our conversations will be much more interesting and exciting. You told me that you had something on, but according to "rubbish bin" u told him u decided not to come because ' u are not close to the people coming'. The same people who went for a similar one 3 months back, with the exception of "princess"..I really thought u got along quite well with "baggy pants", "rubbish bin" and maybe me..maybe i am wrong.. Perhaps u were (are) upset that we (I) didnt attend the outing that u organised and hence feel discouraged....

"Strawberry"...Thanx a lot for the advice u had given me...especially the one telling me to be more patient in dealing with matters (esp in r/s matters).... Hope you made a right choice in going into teaching... Can I call u 'Mrs Ang' soon...hehe..

"Capuccino"... First and foremost I would like to apologise to u for some wierd and nonsenical sms i sent to u..got misled(a safer word would be 'told') by someone that you have a bf..SORRY!...But I do hope u get a bf soon..so that u can experience the joy and happiness of having someone beloved to love u and care for u...

I am not ALONE in this predicament

I used to wonder if I am taking too long to get a job ( I am STILL unemployed)...especially since "instant mee" and "strawberry" have got theirs. But after what I saw/heard/felt yesterday, I think its the NORM to be STILL unemployed, hence no cause for worries ("instant mee" has been reasurring me that I confirm will be able to get a job I like soon..Thanx a lot!I appreciate it)
This is what I found out yesterday. I was short-listed for a briefing cum discussion by a Japanese Bank for their graduate training programme. The HR personnel told us that we are among the 60 selected out of near 900 applicants (I have serious doubts that the '900' figure is inflated)..I saw one guy who had a certificate stating he was on the dean's list. It seems that those shortlisted are from the 3 universities and are majoring in finance, accounting or economics. Chatted with some people, and realised that everyone is facing the same problem of not being able to get a job. Actually, I dont understand why the bank short-listed me, when everyone there obviously have better qualifications than me (Maybe i am the cut-off point)( I only have 5 certificates, others file theirs in clear-folders). Perhaps to some extent, my JLPT certificate helps.

An interesting observation

Went for another interview this morning. Its chaired by the Executive Director and 2 other personnel, which seems more formal. I think I "performed" much better than the first interview. The questions they asked are not really that easy, and they keep emphasising on excellent spoken and written english which I think I do not possess. But I am very glad and happy at the way I answered their questions. It showed something : I can think during interviews.
I saw 2 girls over there who are applying for the same job as me. One was an E-lang & E-Lit graduate. She seems to fit the bill of having excellent communication skills. The other one was a gentle, sweet-looking gal. Do looks matter when applying for jobs? I think so, to some extent.
I was asked one particular question which struck me deeply. He asked me why I did not apply for a job in a bank, given that I major in economics, and choose something which is related to social work (I didnt prepare at all for this question). I answered that I no doubt like working in a bank, but I prefer the experience of interacting with the heartlanders and people of all level rather than solely with corporations and institutions. Furthermore, I would like to do my part for the society (its true!) and this job provides me with the opportunity to do so. (Then why on earth did I choose to major in Econs than in Social Work??)
Another thing was that I told him that I rate my English as 'good', not 'excellent'. This might prove to be a real disadvantage. Imagine my horror when I heard the following statement by a graduate "I want to get something that shows that I am a graduate"....