Job Offer..

The past 3 weeks have been spent figuring out what is it that I really want to do for the rest of my life. With an economics degree, one would automatically link it to a banking job. I did apply for them but the only reason was that banks offer a high pay. But seriously, I can't imagine myself selling financial products or slogging long hours in the office doing something that I've absolute no interest in.

I've always thought that I would enjoy administrative work as I'm no extrovert and I can survive doing paper work and not facing anyone for the whole day. Afterall, I'm a meticulous person who remembers even the most minute detail. But after going for an interview with a certain ex- statutory board, I realise that I may enjoy the work for perhaps a few months but certainly not the rest of my life. Do I really want to be supervising the cleaners in washing the toilets every 3 hours? Or ensuring that the office does not run out of printing paper? I don't think I would attain any job satistaction in doing such stuff. When I asked about the job prospects, I was really appreciative of the interviewer's frank answer. He showed me a chart showing the various positions above me. Sitting way on top of the chart was the interviewer himself. Sandwiched in between the position that I applied for and him was approximately a few thousand people. Moreover, that was only one deparment. It's not that I belittle my own abilities but seriously, what are the chances of gaining promotion? And I have no qualms that the higher managerial positions would be left for their own scholars.

Next job, insurance agent, or more nicely put, financial planner. I got called up by a certain job agency offering the position of Management Trainee. When I asked her for the company name, she reluctantly told me that it was for Prudential. I probed her further whether it has something to do with selling insurance, she refused to divulge any more information and told me that the manager would explain more when I came down for the interview. So I decided to go for it. The interviewer must have been thinking that the person sitting in front of her was insane. The first thing I told her was that I've no interest in selling insurance and that I do not really enjoy talking to strangers. I'm not the kind of outgoing person that the company wants. It's against my conscience to be persuading someone to take up some form of insurance/financial investment which I myself am totally cynical about. After 20 minutes, she finally realised that I was not suited for the job. I told her that career prospects is very important to me, and of course, I care about money. I almost wanted to laugh when she asked me how many siblings I have and whether my family was reliant on me for financial support. I felt that she was so shallow. Hello, not only the less well-off cares about money. I wouldn't want to be earning some stagnant and meagre sum of money for the rest of my life. Anyway, it wasn't really a wasted trip as she told me she would pass my resume to another department which suited my personality.

Music teacher. The music audition that I went for was a complete disaster which took me a few days to get over. In fact, I haven't touched the piano yet since that fateful day. I felt totally humiliated there. Why do you want to teach music? Coz I like music, I want to inspire children to pick up music. How? Get them interested in pop songs. Play the piano for them and get them to sing. I knew I was doomed the moment I answered that. Seriously, I didn't expect it to be an interview. I thought it was just an audition as stated in the letter. Anyway, it didn't help that the rest of the interviewees know so much about classical music while I absolutely remember nothing about it. Seriously, what's the use of classical music? It's only learnt by approximately 10% of the population, out of which only half of them are really interested. Even MM Lee has admitted his mistake in underestimating the powers of pop culture. Don't try to act high class when you are not. Just go to the 'the durian' and have a look. How many locals actually go there to listen to 'Symphony XXX'? Even if they do, it's most probably sponsored by their companies and not paid out from their own wallets. Anyway, do I really care what kind of musical instruments a certain race use to produce their so called music?

Whatever it is, the job hunt is really a an exciting but tiring chore. Looking out for jobs in the newspaper and internet, sending in resumes, changing cover letters, preparing for interviews, going for interviews etc. I've not been doing all those for the past few days as I've gotten a job offer already. I was initially disappointed that I wasn't offered a permanent position but after thinking through, I found it to be a blessing in disguise. Uptil now, I know my first interest has never been teaching. Yes, I do enjoy making a difference in the lives of children and I get a sense of satisfaction when my students are able to understand and apply the concepts that I've taught. But if given a choice, I would rather work in a sports related job and I'm even willing to take a lower pay than what I've been offered now. Between interest and pay, I would definitely choose the former. However, if I've no alternative but to accept a job that I've no interest in, it had better be of a reasonable pay. Right now, I'm waiting for a call that I suspect would never come. I know my chances are diminishing as the days slip by. Perhaps my resume has already been dumped into the thrash box. Hiaz. Ironically, those that you are really seriously interested in working for never calls, but those that you applied to maximize your chances or those that you didn't even apply for call. That's the real agony of the job hunt.