My 5th Job in 4.5 Years

After 3 long years of working at night, Im now a normal person, as what they say. I was just surprised that going to work in broad daylight also means an everyday struggle.

my 5th job - morning shift

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As of July 18 of this year, I transferred to another company, again. In the span of 4.5 years, this is already my 5th job. And no, Im not very proud of it, really.

The day after I went home from my SG-Bali trip, I went back to my previous employer and arranged my graceful exit.
June 1 - flew back to Manila
June 2 - I resigned
June 3-8 - Im a stressed bummer (this was the period where all the media people wanted to interview me, re. the Bali trip)
June 9 - start of my job HUNTING! (oh yes, I resigned without a new job that's waiting for me.)


Now you know why all my tv interviews are face-less/unexposed.

I dont want and I cant be famous for that incident, specially when im job hunting!

Hindi ko ikakayaman yan!

Unlike most people who'll turn to jobsdb and jobstreet to look for a job, I asked my friends first if they could refer me to their respective companies. Sayang ang referral bonus! ^_^


Company 1 - the largest foreign bank in the Philippines
Referral Fee: P10,000 (oo, factor to!)
Exam: None
1st Interview: Team Manager
He kept mentioning about the working hours that I might need to render if in case another member in the team calls in sick. Hhmm..
2nd Interview: Regional Director
A Singaporean. I hate phone interviews. Mahina kasi ang pandinig ko! And it's the first time I spoke with a SG'ean. He sounded so monotonous to me. I almost thought I didn't pass the interview.
Background Check: 1 week of waiting for the result
Credit Card Check: go ahead, wala akong credit card! =)
Job Offer: Just right. Basic salary + great benefits are better than my previous company.


Company 2 - an R&D, software+hardware multinational company
Referral Fee: P20,000 on the 6th month + P20,000 on the 1st year (can this afford some cheap Canaries holidays?)
Exam: None For the record, I reviewed the Software Devt Life Cycle and basic Electronics.

1st Interview: Team Manager
Someone entered the room. I thought he was just someone who'll guide me to my interviewer. But I was wrong, he was the manager slash my interviewer. Toinks!
What I remembered most: he said he doesn't believe in exams. The abilities wont be tested in the papers alone. I smiled. So true, kinakalawang na ang utak ko about schematic diagrams. Good thing he didn't make me solve a circuit. Shet, kahit fuse hindi ko na alam ang symbol!

Then he asked me why I did resign without a new job yet. He said jobless people have the slightest chance to negotiate a job offer. Tumaas ng half inch ang kilay ko, but still I smiled. I knew very well that my being jobless wont make me less skilled and less fit for the job.

Most important thing I noticed: this manager also assessed my personality and attitude. He wanted to know if I can fit the team. Aylavet!

2nd Interview: Operations Manager
First thing he asked me was "Tell me something that's not written in your resume." That's tough. I just mentioned that Im a blogger and Im fond of traveling. I knew this isn't work related but this was really the 1st thing I thought of. This conversation went well.
Next, he then said he gives the same points for candidates WITHOUT license and certifications. Im unlicensed btw. He said that those are just 1-time-big-time exams only. Knowledge on the job itself is way better than knowledge by the books. I smiled and agreed.

Another thing I treasured was his treatment to the applicants. He said not all candidates will be considered, not because of the lack of skills, but because he's not just fit and he may not like the job. Very true, it's a waste of time for both ends if that happens.

3rd Interview: Global Manager
I was really surprised to make it to the final stage. He has the final say so I really needed to market myself to him. Hehe Good thing, it turned out well. He said he was very happy with the interview, but I still needed to wait as I was being compared to other applicants.

Job Offer: Above my asking rate. Benefits, not much but as long as it has bonggang life and accident insurance, and HMO for my parents - happy na ko.



Obviously, I selected the 2nd company. Not just because of the salary and job description (im somehow back to hardware field again, woohoo!) but because of the people who I will work with. The 3 interviewers are accomplished, smart, and successful people yet they were all very humble. It's one of the lessons I learned in my past: that it's easy to find a job, but finding good teammates is not. In short, swertihan. I know I'll be spending more time with my workmates than my family, so I really need to make sure I'll be comfortable with the people I'll work with. Im very confident that the interviewers I met had hired the best people with nice attitudes too.

with the pioneers of Hardware team
inuman agad sa Friday? ^_^

So far so good. Hirap na hirap na hirap lang ako talaga sa morning shift. Riding the LRT + MRT is an everyday struggle. Survival of the fittest! =)

..last year ko pa goal tong new job. finally, nacross out ko na sya sa To-Do-List!