Friday, February 09, 2007
Practising As Preached
This morning, I was arranged to attend this interview and test for a position I have applied for days earlier. I see it almost as an anomaly as folks who are closer would have been highly aware of my disdain for this particular sector which I have now applied to work for. This sector, may I add, have been put down in utter contempt by yours truly on so many occasions I have lost count now. I very much believe people who knew better would drop their jaws and scream in my face "Eat your words!" if they had realised this of my coming around.
I have to be honest, I was bought over by a particular article on the papers which I came across coincidentally one fine day. Despite many of the legendary horrors associated to this sector, the article mainly highlighted some of the organization's atypical efforts in improving staff welfare, which worked well I guess since I was pretty impressed and hence, decided to keep an open mind about the possibility of working in one.
In preparation for the interview and just to be more aware of what I'm in for, I visited the organization's website in advance and attempted to understand some basic information at the very least. Surprisingly, I read with more interest than expected as I learnt that some of the core values and missions the organization advocates are pretty much in line with my own values and priorities and that is a big plus for me. Not many people know this, but I'm really not a very good reader, the fact that the material can sustain my attention long enough for the message to be conveyed means I must be fairly interested at least.
Anyway, point was, after visiting the website, my interest in the position and desire to work in the organization was further propelled. I even psyched myself to forget the urban legends and my previous conceptions, just so that I would not limit my options.
After the English profiency test and psychometric test, I was officially declared brain dead. The test was far more difficult than expected. Ah! Deja vu! It totally felt like I was sitting for a paper I had not studied for. Following the test, we had the opportunity to meet with some of the leaders of the departments for an informal tea session.
I really can't emphasize this enough, but in retrospect, I seriously believe employers need to rethink their position in the market these days. They have to realise that gone were the days where job seekers only have a single option and while it's true that there are often many candidates to choose from for one vacancy, it is also a fact that job seekers have more choices for who they want to work for now.
Job seekers now have the luxury of choosing jobs from various resources simultaneously and more often than not, they end up having more offers than one at the same time. Essentially, employers are also in a competition for candidates but I really think many employers do not realise this still. Many recruitors still hold the misconception that it has been and will always be an employer's market.
When I met with the heads of the departments, one of whom I presume, shall be my boss should I get the job, I was rather disappointed in the manner that particular HOD presented herself to us. I went with a picture painted in my head based on the information I attained from the website but unfortunately, the picture was pretty much scratched and repainted shortly after.
As a leader of the department and a representative of the organization to outsiders like us, a mutually positive impression should be strived. Said lady not only looked disinterested right from the start of the session but her entire body language reeks of arrogance. The vibe was so negative even when she said "exciting" it sounded more like "dead". I totally forsee her to be an unapproachable boss. I honestly hope I read too much into her actions.
Is this how she should behave in an organization focusing much on quality of service? Ironically, I believe the position she holds, calls for the highest EQ requirement in the entire organization.
I totally see no point in companies over-rating their emphasis on some of the qualities which are evidently absent. Like in this instant, I was told that being a people-person is highly crucial to the job but from what I am presented with, I beg to differ.
Honestly, what for??? ¶ J poppycocked at 1:30:00 AM
This morning, I was arranged to attend this interview and test for a position I have applied for days earlier. I see it almost as an anomaly as folks who are closer would have been highly aware of my disdain for this particular sector which I have now applied to work for. This sector, may I add, have been put down in utter contempt by yours truly on so many occasions I have lost count now. I very much believe people who knew better would drop their jaws and scream in my face "Eat your words!" if they had realised this of my coming around.
I have to be honest, I was bought over by a particular article on the papers which I came across coincidentally one fine day. Despite many of the legendary horrors associated to this sector, the article mainly highlighted some of the organization's atypical efforts in improving staff welfare, which worked well I guess since I was pretty impressed and hence, decided to keep an open mind about the possibility of working in one.
In preparation for the interview and just to be more aware of what I'm in for, I visited the organization's website in advance and attempted to understand some basic information at the very least. Surprisingly, I read with more interest than expected as I learnt that some of the core values and missions the organization advocates are pretty much in line with my own values and priorities and that is a big plus for me. Not many people know this, but I'm really not a very good reader, the fact that the material can sustain my attention long enough for the message to be conveyed means I must be fairly interested at least.
Anyway, point was, after visiting the website, my interest in the position and desire to work in the organization was further propelled. I even psyched myself to forget the urban legends and my previous conceptions, just so that I would not limit my options.
After the English profiency test and psychometric test, I was officially declared brain dead. The test was far more difficult than expected. Ah! Deja vu! It totally felt like I was sitting for a paper I had not studied for. Following the test, we had the opportunity to meet with some of the leaders of the departments for an informal tea session.
I really can't emphasize this enough, but in retrospect, I seriously believe employers need to rethink their position in the market these days. They have to realise that gone were the days where job seekers only have a single option and while it's true that there are often many candidates to choose from for one vacancy, it is also a fact that job seekers have more choices for who they want to work for now.
Job seekers now have the luxury of choosing jobs from various resources simultaneously and more often than not, they end up having more offers than one at the same time. Essentially, employers are also in a competition for candidates but I really think many employers do not realise this still. Many recruitors still hold the misconception that it has been and will always be an employer's market.
When I met with the heads of the departments, one of whom I presume, shall be my boss should I get the job, I was rather disappointed in the manner that particular HOD presented herself to us. I went with a picture painted in my head based on the information I attained from the website but unfortunately, the picture was pretty much scratched and repainted shortly after.
As a leader of the department and a representative of the organization to outsiders like us, a mutually positive impression should be strived. Said lady not only looked disinterested right from the start of the session but her entire body language reeks of arrogance. The vibe was so negative even when she said "exciting" it sounded more like "dead". I totally forsee her to be an unapproachable boss. I honestly hope I read too much into her actions.
Is this how she should behave in an organization focusing much on quality of service? Ironically, I believe the position she holds, calls for the highest EQ requirement in the entire organization.
I totally see no point in companies over-rating their emphasis on some of the qualities which are evidently absent. Like in this instant, I was told that being a people-person is highly crucial to the job but from what I am presented with, I beg to differ.
Honestly, what for??? ¶ J poppycocked at 1:30:00 AM