At the peak of completing my project paper (read: almost zombie-like), I promised myself that after presentations were over, I would at least take a month’s break before I start looking for a job. For the last 6 weeks, I’ve been handing out resumes and going for interviews. By now, most of my classmates are employed.
To say that I don’t have the same qualification would be an understatement. It’s all about luck in job hunting. I always say to myself that it was not meant to be when the company that I want to work for never called back.
I don’t think that I’m THAT unlucky. I’ve been assured that if I apply to this one bank, they’ll make sure that I get a job there. This is no ordinary bank. It’s not one of the Top 5 banking groups in Malaysia. This is THE bank. The head honcho itself. They even say that I can choose which department that I want to go to. What more can a girl ask for right?
The thing is, I can’t imagine myself working in the building or the organization. Despite the prestige, salary and advancements, I think that I won’t be happy doing what they do there. In short, I won’t get to do the kind of work that I want to do there. “Take your time and think about it. We don’t want to pressure you into anything. Give HR a call whenever you’re ready,” that’s what one of the managers that came to see me said that day. I like him already.
Backtrack to midterm break, I had a meeting with the Appointed Actuary of one of the biggest conventional insurer in Malaysia. The whole “you’re the girl that rejected us for another insurer” incident popped up in our conversation. So he does remember me. They weren’t employing new people in the department, sadly to say. He had just wanted to see how I was doing and to see if I had the same drive as I did 2 years ago. Glad to hear that I left some sort of impression on him back then :p
Three weeks ago, I had a call from Talent Lab. They were calling candidates for their client; one of the top banks in Malaysia. We weren’t allowed to know which bank it was or asked about it at the pre-interview party at Bisou. I was skeptical but I went for it anyways. No harm in trying something new, I’d say. The bankers who came in were great. I think I had fallen for all of them that day especially Miss J (Yuyu, you would have loved her too). I also had won the challenge that day (which reminds me; anyone wants to go grab tea at Bisou with me? I have vouchers).
Apparently, I left the party with good impressions. Saiful was green because when he mentioned ‘actuarial’ and ‘UiTM’, Miss J associated them with me (I think winning the challenge was the root of it, love). It was mind boggling too when Aidil (the CEO of Talent Lab) reported that I had impressed the bankers that day. I didn’t think I did so well. I know I didn’t talk as much as Sarah (she’s so lovely that you can’t help to like her even when you want to not like her). I definitely know that I didn’t impress them by talking about the capital market like Kim and Jeremy did. I felt rather inferior whenever I find myself with them. I mean, they talked about the capital market while I talked about being a serial blood donor and ΒΌ Chinese (some of them thought that I was Chinese). I have no idea which part of that charmed the bankers ^-^
(I sound squeeky don’t I?)
The interview at Equatorial Hotel didn’t go great for me. Looking back I realized that I could’ve done better with my presentation. It wasn’t even up to my normal par (in my defense, arriving there at 7.30 a.m. my brain have yet to fully awoken 
). I actually realized that somewhere in the middle of the presentation and went into my cocoon. Bad reflects. The plus point for me that day is that I actually guessed the bank correctly thanks to Mr. A’s Google-ble name and position.
I didn’t get chosen for the final interview. It’s a bummer but again, maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Did I mention that DivaMom’s friend was among the panel of three who interview me? So I had DivaMom called her to get some feedbacks. Nothing that I haven’t figured out myself She did backed me up when Miss J refused to advanced me to the next round. Miss J firmly said NO. I’m glad that she did because I don’t want to be advanced that way (especially when I know that I didn’t do enough to deserve it).
Fast forward to this week, I had two interviews. I can safely say that I nailed one of them.
Early Monday morning saw me trudging along Jalan Bukit Bintang for an early morning interview. I had butterflies in my stomach and went completely cold before the session starts. My mind relaxed because that always means that the outcome will be good. The endorphins helped me a lot that day. In the end, my essay and presentation went well than expected. The interviewer even said that the question was too easy for me despite my lack of interest in investment (I had told him that it was not my forte).
I had my second interview yesterday. This time with one of the statutory bodies and I can affirmatively say that I will not be getting the job. Again, a friend of DivaMom interviewed me. Upon knowing it was her, I reverted back into my cocoon. I have no idea why this happens. I told DivaMom that I’m never going to go interview where there’s possibility that one of her friends will interview me again. It’s bad juju.
So yes, my hunt continues. It’s hard when what you’re good at and what you want to actually do are not aligned. I told Saiful that if I’m yet to be employed, I would love to be with Talent Lab if they would have me. I love what they do and I would like to explore it even though I’m not trained in the field.
Wish me luck people. I’m going to need some good juju.
