(Re) Interview

So the interview today seemed pretty smooth. I met up with the same General Counsel who did not seem to remember me. Just as well, so I did not need to feel awkward that I turned down three job offers from her.

We chatted a bit on what the job requires. It is not that different from the last time, except this time it seems more structured. As usual, the General Counsel says will contact me if there is anything. So we shall see how that goes!

10 10

October 2010. A very special month, considering this month is 10 10. In 10 days time, it will be 101010. In another 10 days time, it will be 20102010. Just imagine how beautiful these figures are!

October will be a very eventful month. This afternoon, I am going for the second interview at the American multinational corporation, which I (re)interviewed for last week. Hopefully there will be some good news after that.

Tomorrow, my dear and I will be going for a Couples Haunting Trail organised by the Asia Paranormal Investigators. Actually, it is more like he wants to go for it and I tagged along because it needs to be signed up by a couple. I have a feeling I would just faint on the spot and then he would have to carry me home!

Come next week, it will be the CHOICE Asia Conference, which most of us have been toiling for it since last year. I have taken two days leave and would be at the Conference full-time, since I am in charge of the Secretariat functions during the Conference.

After that, we will be attending the Engaged Encounter weekend. It may be a make or break thing for us. Either we discover we are really meant for each other, or we discover we could not stand the sight of each other after all and have to face reality and move on.

Then it will be a special day - 20102010! This only comes once in a lifetime so I hope it will be a day that I can remember for the rest of my life!

Have a great October, everyone!

An Eventful Interview

I was supposed to go for another interview at an offshore fiduciary services company today, but what would have been a smooth process turned out to be so dramatic!

My interview was at 5:30pm in the evening, so I left my office at around 4:30pm, intending to take ample time to arrive at the company. I thought of taking a bus, which would take about half an hour the most, based on past experiences.

However, when I left my office, it was raining very heavily, that I was stranded. My office area consists of lots of buildings and hardly any shelter, so it was quite impossible going all the way downhill, down the stairs, go up the overhead bridge, and then reach the bus stop in the rain. I waited a while and then decided to call a cab.

However, no cabs were available despite calling for so long. I then called my headhunter and explained to her the situation. She said she would inform the company that I would be late. I waited for about half an hour, before the rain finally let up a bit at 5:20pm. So I decided to just brave it and go to the bus stop.

When I reached the bus stop, the bus I wanted to take just left. I waited about ten minutes for the next bus. I finally took the bus at 5:40pm, and called the headhunter again, telling her I was on the way, and that I would probably reach about 6:20 or thereabouts.

However, because some of the roads were still closed due to the Formula One race, plus the fact that it was still raining and the ground was still wet, I was caught in a very bad massive traffic jam, all the way from the highway to past the railway station. Vehicles were literally not moving at all! So I called my headhunter again and explained to her the situation. She said it was not a problem as the interviewer was willing to wait until 7:00pm or thereabouts.

The traffic became a bit smoother only when the bus passed the railway station and turned into the business district. Finally, I reached the bus stop at the nearest train station at the location at around 6:45pm. Because the ground was still wet and slippery and I was wearing a new pair of heels, I could not walk as fast as I wanted. I reached the company only at 7:00pm.

Luckily the interviewer was quite nice and understanding. However, the firm turned out to be a service provider (as I guessed), and not an in-house role. So even though the interviewer was nice, I did tell her my preference would be to look for an in-house role.

The whole interview wrapped up about 7:30pm. Imagine, I took more than two hours reaching that place, only to have a half an hour interview, and then it was a role which did not even interest me! It was a real experience indeed!

Back At The "Old" Interview

I went for the interview at the American multinational corporation this morning. The office looks very professional and the receptionist is very friendly. Even the security guard of the building is friendly and helpful.

I met up with the Senior Legal Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel. They seem friendly and warm. We had a chat for half an hour, then they walked me out of the door, saying would let me know.

Within half an hour after exiting the building, the headhunter called me, and said I was shortlisted for a second interview! Wow... talk about efficiency! I would be meeting the General Counsel of Asia-Pacific next Friday. But that is the same General Counsel who offered me and whom I turned down three times. Would it not be awkward if she interviews me again since I kept rejecting the last time round?

My headhunter said it would not be a problem because I did have very justifiable reason to turn down the offer that time. Oh well.. if she remembers me, I wonder if she would bear a grudge then? Maybe I should consult my mum for some advise!

An "Old" Interview

Two years ago, I was headhunted by an American multinational corporation, for a role in the Asia-Pacific Legal team, which I went for a face-to-face interview and then a telephone interview. I got the job, but in the end I turned it down as the terms of the employment contract were too risky for me to accept, since that was the beginning of the global financial downturn.

Although it was a difficult choice turning down that role because it was indeed the opportunity of a lifetime, still, I never looked back. Less than a year later, I got my current job. Even though this is not as challenging as what would have been, still, I am pretty comfortable here if not for the mundane work.

This year, a headhunter called me regarding the same role in that same American multinational corporation. It was another contract role, so I turned it down again. Today, another headhunter called me, again for the same company. But this time, it is a permanent role. Apparently, last year, the company underwent rebranding, and most of the Human Resource and Legal team have changed, hence finally, the new Human Resource Manager managed to get the headcount approval for a permanent role. Which makes me wonder, why did the previous Human Resource person keep insisting it could not be done, ie convert the role from contract to permanent?

I told the headhunter my concerns - that I was offered three times, and turned all down because the role was not a permanent role. Hence, I was worried I would have been blacklisted by the company. She said in all sensibility, I had a very justified reason to turn down the position, so she did not think it would affect my chances. In any case, we agreed to send in my current resume.

Talk about efficiency! Within an hour, the headhunter called me and said I was shortlisted for an interview! I will be going for the interview this Friday. The company is no longer at an industrial park (which was where I went the last time), but a swanky new office right in the heart of Orchard Road!

Perhaps after missing the boat, I could still have the chance to have a good opportunity, who knows? I just hope the interview on Friday goes smoothly. Finally, some good news after all my frustration earlier!

A Botched-Up Interview

I thought I did not do well for the interview I went last Friday, for the job I was recommended, that I was really surprised when I received an email, asking me to go for another interview today. Hence, before I started work this morning, I went back to that company and met with the Senior Vice President of the department.

And boy, was I grilled! I was totally massacred! I was asked every little detail of the work involved in order to test my technical and industrial knowledge. At the end, I think I just about botched up my chances to get the job.

Face it, I do not have enough qualifications, neither do I have enough experience. My experience may fit other multinational companies, but for a company that is so well-reputed and tops in the industry, why would someone like me even get considered? Thus I was really flattered I was recommended this job, but after the grilling session today, I seriously do not think I stand a chance anymore.

And the other company I went for two interviews for which I ended up using up whatever little brain juices I had to translate documents when they put me to the test, did not get back to me after all. Most likely I did not get the job in the end. Oh well, no harm done. I just have to stay where I am until further notice!

Break From Olympics

Finally I can have a break from the Youth Olympics! It was back to work full day for me yesterday and today. I am still sick, can you believe it? My medication is almost finished, and yet I am still coughing badly and my voice has yet to return. Even my mum remarked how did I get so sick this time round?

I was supposed to go for the interview yesterday, but the person called and postponed it to this morning instead. So I went there before I went to work today. I met up with the Human Resource Manager and the Head of the Secretariat. They said they would call me back for a second interview next week. Somehow I did not think I did that well. :-( And the hotel company I went for two interviews for did not get back to me after all. Oh well, maybe I need to be stuck where I am for a while.

People have been asking me why I thought of moving when I just joined this company slightly more than a year ago? Well, the economy is getting better, hence more companies are hiring again. Besides, my company is owned by a Japanese company and the culture and management is just different. Even though the structure here is quite flexible, still, I feel quite stagnated, especially now that the wages have been frozen and no bonus is given. I want to do something more challenging, and moving to a bigger company will give me the challenge and the prospects I crave for.

In any case, I know what I want and know how I am going to achieve my goals. No matter what, I am not giving up. Hopefully one day I will be where I hope to be!

Follow-Up Interview

The head of the department from the interview I went to two Fridays ago, sent me an email last week, asking me to go back for a follow-up interview today. This was not a good day, since I was coughing the whole night and woke up with a very hoarse voice. Darn this virus! Is it never going to leave my body?

In any case, I went to work as usual, then took time off early to see a doctor. I was already on half-day leave anyway. The doctor said it is a normal viral infection. Yes, except this "normal viral infection" has been going on for three weeks already! Am I never to be cured?

The doctor gave me six kinds of medication! This is the first time I needed so much medication! Four kinds to be taken in the day time, two kinds to be taken at night. Goodness me! I better recover after this!

After that, I went for the follow-up interview. As usual, I was given a text to translate. This was a more difficult task as I had kind of forgotten most of the Chinese terminology and had to rack my brains, except my brains were not functioning today! Still, I think it went smoothly. The interviewers said they would make the decision by Wednesday and let me know, so we shall see how that goes!

Today was supposed to be the second day of my shift, but I sent a message to my supervisor and told him I was on medical leave for the day and would report back tomorrow. I went back to rest after that and slept the day away. I really really hope I can be cured soon, this illness is sapping away all my energy!

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Translating An Interview

Finally another long weekend, and I have to rush an assignment that is due in a few days. But after being sick for almost a week, I need to catch up on a few overdue matters as well. Looks like it is going to be another busy weekend!

The interview yesterday seemed to have gone well. I was able to take some time off in the afternoon by leaving office early and went for the interview. The office is actually quite near mine.

The office building is situated at the newly-revamped cable car tower. The lift is made of glass and while the lift is going up, I could see a nice view of the sea and the surrounding island.

The office looks cosy and professional. The entire place has an air of professionalism, like what a hotel / hospitality company should look like. The interview room is in a boardroom that oversees a certain hill with the group of restaurants facing the window of the boardroom.

The Director and one of her Counsels interviewed me. There is another Counsel but she was away. So it will be a team of four - an all female team. I used to prefer working with men but nowadays I have no issues working with any gender as long as my work is appreciated and I get to do my work in peace.

The two ladies asked me about my experiences. Then they described the job scope, which all sound so familiar! In my previous work place, I was handling more contracts, trademarks, property, insurance, sales and marketing, corporate finance like acquisition, term loans and equity and some litigation.

In my current place, I am doing mostly corporate finance like mergers and acquisitions, amalgamation, liquidation, share transfers, quasi-equity loans, loan conversions and a bit of trademarks.

The job scope which the interviewers told me is a combination of both from my previous and current work places. Hence everything sound familiar as it is nothing I have not done or handled! Of course that is not to say there will not be new cases. I am sure every company has its own way of handling matters.

The second part of the interview was the tough part. I was given a document in English, and told to translate it into Chinese on the spot, by keying in the Chinese words. I took about twenty minutes to translate the whole one-page document, and even then, I do not think I did it well!

In any case, the Director said would revert by next week so I see how it goes!

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Headhunted Again ...

You know the economy is picking up when companies have started hiring and headhunters are calling you up. People are getting more bonus and increment this year, yet my company is not giving out any bonus nor increment. My pay is frozen until further notice. :-(

Last week, a headhunter called me for a role in an American multinational corporation, apparently the world's third leading in the foundries industry. I was sick yesterday but the Human Resource Manager of that company called me up for a brief chat. He just went through a brief overview of my experiences and said he would have to run through with the Director doing the hiring and if I am shortlisted, I would be called in for a face-to-face interview.

Today someone else called me for an interview this coming Friday. It is for a hotel company headquartered in America. The company owns several hotel and restaurant chains around the world.

To be honest, I am more looking forward to that since I have had experience in the hotel industry based on the work done in my previous company. I do not mind going back to the hotel industry again as I always find it so interesting and exciting!

Hopefully the interview goes well on Friday!

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Tendered .... With Upheavels

I finally submitted my resignation and leave application. Now I was told I could not take leave because I have "over-utilised" the leave, being pro-rated until 22nd May. How can I have utilised the leave when I have not taken much leave this year, save for time offs going for the interviews, and time off after the Phuket trip?

So I said in that case, let me take unpaid leave. And then there must be a big hoo ha saying I must show proof that I have to take leave next week. What the...? All along I have never need to show any proof of leave whatsoever! And what can I show? I cannot show the offer letter asking me to start work next week!

Even something nitty gritty like this can be blown up into such an issue. Looks like if the worst happens, I just have to forfeit a week's pay in lieu of notice. In any case, the other company is paying me more, so not too big a loss!

Having said that, this big Food and Nutrition conglomerate, whom I sent my application in two months back, asked me for an interview on Friday. They took so long just to shortlist me?! And the job scope is one which I really really like! Why does this happen only after I have accepted a new job? What a timing!

New Job Offer

On Monday, I took some time off to go for a job interview. The company interviewing me is a multi-national corporation listed in three countries, supplying information technology support systems to leading hotels around the world, including my company’s hotels and resorts. So they are kind of like our vendors.

I thought the interview was just okay, nothing impressive. So imagine my surprise when I received a call from my headhunter that the General Counsel wanted to see me today! He is based in Hong Kong, and is here for a week, so he stays at one of the hotels. Imagine my discomfort when he told me to meet him at his hotel at eight in the morning, but later clarified that he would be meeting me at the lobby instead.

So we had a nice chat over tea and breakfast. I managed to make it back to my office on time. An hour later, I received a call from my headhunter, telling me that the company is willing to offer me the job with a twenty percent increase in monthly remuneration! Wow, I can hardly believe my ears!

This could not come at a better time! The tourism and hospitality industry has been badly hit by the economic crisis around the world, coupled with the recent swine flu going around, so we are now being hit twice as badly.

Furthermore, I received a big white envelope a few days back, stating the unpaid leave scheme with effect from May. In other words, if I remain in this company, I will be having three days unpaid leave every month, but three days (equivalent to ten percent) pay deducted every month too! So it is a good time to move!

I have been given up to tomorrow to confirm the acceptance of the offer, but I think I will do so. I have dreaded going to work for the past half year, which culminates into sluggishness and a sense of frustration for the past two months. There is a difference between someone who enjoys the work and who does not.

I enjoy the work but I hate the working environment. Even then, projects have been frozen, so things are dying down, thus what I am handling now are but mundane stuff which does not challenge me anymore. In the new company, I will be one of a team of six, which means more work and more challenge! And people know I always crave for challenge!

Back To Civilisation

I got a day off today since I am only due back to work tomorrow. I should be updating more on my Japan trip, but certain things happened that caused me to be distracted. First, my best friend sent over a Rosary from Vatican City where she was honeymooning. So sweet of her! Then we were exchanging messages while I was on my way to the airport yesterday. She told me that one of our classmate's dad passed away yesterday morning, and she intended to send a wreath over. So I told her to count me in.

After that, she said she wanted to go to the funeral wake today, and asked me to join her when I am back. However, her mother-in-law is uncomfortable with her attending a funeral wake so soon after the wedding, so she is not able to go. Perhaps one may deem it silly, but I guess she is doing this out of respect for her mother-in-law so no one can fault her for that.

Now, a piece of good news. I received an email yesterday that I have been shortlisted for an interview - at Cadbury! The chocolate factory! Wow! I can hardly believe that! It will be a dream come true if I can work there! Imagine, working in a chocolate company, who knows, one of the perks may be lifetime supply of chocolates? ;-p The interview is scheduled this Thursday and it will take just fifteen minutes, so I have only fifteen minutes to impress the two counsels who will be interviewing me! Hopefully this time round I can be successful especially in this uncertain job market situation!

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No Incentives For Motivation

I am upset! After slaving for another year, putting up with all the politicking and bouncing around, everyone is going to have a pay cut next year! Alright, the company is not doing well the last two quarters, although the first two quarters more than make up for it. Due to this, the top management is foreseeing potential losses next year, thus projects have been frozen, headcount has been frozen, bonuses have been frozen (even the Annual Wage Supplement and thirteenth month), and even salaries will be cut!

What is the point of slogging so hard if we are not going to get any benefits in the end? No doubt we go to a company not for the benefits, but still, if the employees have all worked hard for the year, should they not get a bit of a reward or incentive? This would make them more motivated and do even better the following year! If people are already disillusioned with their jobs, cutting pay and freezing bonuses are not going to help!

Just now, the Human Resource Personnel from the interview I went to on Friday, called me for a short chat. She asked me questions like give her examples on what kind of things I did that I am happy about, and any example on issues which I was pro-active and took initiative for and how others reacted to that.

Now just how am I supposed to answer those? If I talk about what I did for my work et al, I may be showing off. On the other hand, if I did not say anything, then people will wonder just exactly what I have been doing at work (which is what I often wonder myself). Then she asked the reason I am moving now, whether I am happy in my company, whether I prefer a structured or less structured place. Hmmm... tricky! In any case, she said she may set up another meeting with the Chief Finance Officer if need be.

I have always wanted to go to established companies, but it is hard to get in, as they have a few interviews to go through. In the past when I was interviewing for small firms, all I needed was to go see the person in charge, had a chat, and that was it. In a bigger firm, I had to see the person in charge, then take a written test (something like the law school entrance exam) and finally see the Human Resource Personnel before getting the job.

In my current company, I had the first interview with the Human Resource Executive, then an interview with the Head of Department, then a last interview with both of them where I was put to test reading Chinese documentations. Being in Human Resource is tough indeed!

In any case, I hope to get the job, as it means a new challenge, a pioneer for that company. And since I will not be getting any bonus or increment anyway, I do not need to continue holding on for anything, so if they offer me, I can tender immediately, then start work in January, with my Japan trip as part of the notice period. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Another Interview (And Condolences)

I have clinched two interviews this week, both clinical research companies in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. I just went for one, which I think should stand a chance, as it was a lively chat with the interviewers. The post is for a Contracts Specialist, supporting the Clinical Specialist Manager, and Clinical Research Assistants in the Asia-Pacific region. If I get it, it will really be a totally different field, with new challenges, hopefully intellectually and mentally! No longer do I want just another mundane job doing the same things again!

I will be going to another one on Friday. That is the one I am more interested in, as the job scope is in line of what I am doing right now, albeit with a more Asia-Pacific perspective. What I like about it is that there is no legal team as yet as everything is outsourced, so if I go, I am starting a new team from scratch! Now that is something else altogether! It is definitely a much more exciting role!

In any case, I just heard news that our spa in Mumbai was destroyed, and two of our staff died on duty. How sad! So my company has set up a Condolence Fund and asking for donations for the family. Imagine how fragile life really is! One minute you may be enjoying yourself, the next a shell may just land on top of you!

It could have been any of my friends, especially those who travel extensively for work! Who knows, the next person may just be me, when I travel along the bus or train and something just blows up in my face. I shudder to think what will happen when that happens!

Last Interview

That day, twenty-third of October, I was running around the whole day. I went for an interview after work, at a shipping company headquartered in Norway, for the post of a Contracts Manager. And the contracts are for goods of millions, which means if one word of clause is wrong, the company stands to lose millions and whoever that signed the contract in the first place will have his / her head rolling.

However the benefits are pretty good though. There will be medical benefits for employee and family, overtime allowances for meals and transport, dental and optical benefits, laptop and mobile phones fully supplied. Much better than my current company!

Of course, the downside will be that since the employees are supposed to be mobile, they have to be on call at all times of the day or night for that matter. I guess being a company that deals with offshore firms, that cannot be helped as the time zones are different so people do have to work round the clock at times.

Having said that, another headhunter called me when I was in New Zealand, for an opening in one of the investment linked companies here. It was a position which I was highly excited about, but unfortunately, the next day I was told the company was freezing its headcount, thus the opening would be shelved for a while. Now, if that company is freezing headcount, then I really fear for myself!

Furthermore, no one from the other interviews I went to have called me yet. Oh well, perhaps I may just be stuck for a while more!

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A Day Of Interviews!

What a day it was yesterday! Got all my interviews sorted, for the day at least! I walked all over the business district, resulting in quite a number of blisters on my feet, and had to hobble when the late afternoon comes around.

The first interview was at a French Multi National Corporation in the oil and gas industry, incidentally the provider of lubricant for the Formula One's Renault team. The company's reception area looks really professional! The entire office looks professional, reeks of sophistication, yet warm and friendly, not stodgy or stuffy.

If I get offered, I will not mind working there! The top and senior management are mostly Frenchmen (and good looking ones at that too!), and the person I may be reporting to is a British guy (rather hot for a middle-aged guy!). Even some of the Asian guys I saw are good-looking! My friend said it sounds like I am there more for the guys than the job, but well, how am I to know the place is full of pleasing eye candy? :-p

Nevertheless, it seems like a good place to work for. I have been told if I get selected, there may be a stint in Paris! Wow.. a dream of a place! If someone offers me a job in Paris (despite not being able to speak French), I will pack up and go immediately!

The rest of the interviews went pretty smoothly as well. In any case, I received a call from another company - one that is involved in developing the new integrated resorts - for an interview next Friday. See how that goes as well!

A Series Of Interviews

Tomorrow I will be taking a day off to attend a series of interviews. Here I go again! Brings back those days where I was desperate for a job and went for interviews after interviews. The only difference is that this time round, I did not even apply for those jobs! Different headhunters approached me and I told them I could only take a day off so have to schedule them all within one day!

Those jobs are for regional posts in multi national corporations. They have stated their budget so a fifty percent increase is within the range. And the posts are permanent, no hassle of getting any approved headcount whatsoever! Besides, I could tell them when I wanted to go for the interviews and they acceded to my timing! There is a difference between applying for a job and the job comes looking for you!

It is rather strange that companies are looking for people right now. Or put it in another way, that people are leaving right now. Afterall, it is the year-end period, people would want to hold on for just a couple of months to get a big stipend, is it not? Even with the economic downturn and those in the banking industries are being hit the most, still, there would be some stipend, albeit not as much as before.

Or perhaps those big companies are expanding even more. There are companies who are still doing well at this time. It may be madness to go into the financial services industry now, but other industries are not affected that badly, especially those industries that have a niche of their own.

For instance, one of the companies I am going for interview is a large technology firm. This is one industry that is still booming as technology is always evolving. They need someone with intellectual property background (which is something I like and am familiar with), besides the normal legal work. And if I get in, I will get to travel too!

Another company is in the oil and gas industry, one of the providers of lubricants for the recent Formula One event. With gas prices the way they are now, it is a good industry to be in. Another company is a world leader in scientific, clinical and medical research. This is one industry that will never go out of business, no matter how the times are like. People get sick at any time, any where, and new advancements in medical and healthcare is always in demand.

Another company which I actually turned down twice, but they still insisted on meeting me, is in the financial services industry – an insurance firm to be exact. In the first place, the job scope, although legal and compliance related, is rather unfamiliar to me. Not that I mind because there are always challenges, but the job scope sounds much more mundane and boring as compared to the rest.

Why must I change a job only to end up doing more mundane work? If I am to move, besides the remuneration and permanent position part, the job must also be attractive enough. Why must I continue being stagnated and doing routine jobs? I may as well stick with my current job if that is the case! Besides, I do not feel comfortable going into the financial services industry. Nevertheless, since I have turned them down twice and they still wanted to meet me (I really wonder why?), I will just go for the interview just to see how the company is like. No harm there.

I was conversing with a friend last night when he suddenly asked me, “Do you really hate your company so much that you must absolutely leave at this time?” Erh… what a weird question! If any one else tells me he / she is going for a series of interviews, the first thing is to congratulate the person and wish him / her all the best, right?

The reason people go for interviews or look for jobs is because they feel there are no more prospects in the company, so wish to pursue something better and gain more exposure. Now that opportunities are knocking at my door, why would I turn them down? Besides, these are just interviews. There is no guarantee I may get a good offer (based on my previous experience), or that I may even get any offer in the first place!

Going for interviews do not equate that I hate my company and need to leave now! If I get an offer which I cannot refuse, it makes sense to leave, but until then, I am just exploring my options. It is not as if I have resigned or planning to resign any time soon, even without a job!

As I said, even if I do not get any offers, I will just stay in my current company doing the same thing. Right now, even though I am bored, there is still no absolute push and pull factor for me to leave. In fact, the greatest pull factor for me to stay is that I am still a full-time salaried employee, and not about, nor able to afford, to change the status anytime soon!

Negotiation At A Phone Interview

I just got off the phone interview with the company, with the Human Resource personnel this time, and I think it was not as smooth-sailing as the face-to-face interview last Friday. I had to answer questions on why am I intending to move, what kind of superiors do I prefer to work with, what are my strengths and weaknesses.

I am never the kind to "self-promote", so I was a bit stumped for words on certain parts. I always believe in being responsible to what you say. Thus if I say I am this and this, I better ensure I can pull it through. If I am not confident of pulling it through, I rather not say anything. Besides, whatever I am, others can make their own conclusions without me saying anything.

Then came the salary negotiation part. Ah.... so that was the whole purpose of this call. My headhunter was the one who pushed for the amount, and after the first phone interview, the company had no qualms with it. When I was asked to go for the face-to-face interview, my headhunter said the remuneration package was approved.

Now, I was told it is a bit high. I should have known! Which company is willing to give so much more from what one was originally earning? The thing is, if the remuneration was not approved in the first place, then should not have given me high hopes, right? Now I was told because of the market situation, things are going to go downhill, thus such a significant increase is not feasible.

So I said, if I am to move now and my remuneration is not going to be much of a difference from what I am getting, then I find it hard to convince myself to move at this time, because I will be forfeiting my bonus and incentives from my current company. The guy said he understands where I am coming from and proceeded to tell me about the exposure the company can give.

I said I am all for moving to a more global role, as I would like more international exposure. With this, I can add value to whatever work experience I have, and get to learn more things at the same time. Besides, going to a new industry spells new challenge, and I like more challenges in my work.

Finally, he told me to provide him two professional references which he can ask about my work, so I provided him the contact of my former Head and former Counsel. These are the two whom I could get along the most, more as friends than actual supervisor-supervisee roles.

He told me it is a Contract job, leading to a permanent position once the headcount is approved, as they, too, do not want someone to come in for just a few months and leave. Rather, they want someone who can be there on a long-term basis, so I said I am fine with that (keeping my fingers crossed the headcount gets approved!). He ended by saying that if they are not able to match the amount I (or rather, my headhunter) asked for, they will weave it into other fringe benefits along the way.

So I guess at the end of the day, if I get the job, I believe there will still be a bit of an increase in remuneration. Well, I shall just see where it goes from here! It is time to change to a new environment, as I really find myself stagnating already!

Interview Again!

The American Multi National Corporation called me for a face to face interview, so I went for it yesterday. I think everything seemed positive! The one interviewing me is the Asia Pacific Regional Group General Counsel, who heads the Legal, Compliance and Corporate Secretariat teams. She reports directly to the President of the local office, which happens to be the Asia Pacific Regional headquarters.

She said initially she was reluctant to call me up, as after studying my resume, she thought I would be over-qualified (So I was "over-qualified" for a job that will pay more rather than a job that is paying less?!) as she did not expect someone with my qualifications and experience to apply for the job (technically, I did not apply for it, I was headhunted and then just submitted my updated resume). However, after looking through my job scope, she felt it was similar to the kind of work they are doing, so called me in.

After the interview, I was impressed! Alright, companies will always be impressionable, and she did say do not expect a structured system where everything is orderly; in fact many a times, we have to go look for the answers ourselves. Well, my current company is something like that, so it is not too much of a difference to me!

Apparently, the legal team comprises of herself, the new incoming Deputy Group General Counsel, a Legal Counsel (who is only in charge of legal matters, what else?!) and a Group Corporate Secretariat (who is solely in charge of company and board matters), as well as a lawyer based in Greater China to oversee matters at hand.

The Asia Pacific Regional group is in charge of matters in all of Asia except Afghanistan, Myanmar and one other country that we are not allowed to have an emerging market in, and also the Australian and New Zealand regions.

So if I go on board, I will be the Assistant Deputy Group General Counsel as well as Co Corporate Secretariat, handling legal, compliance, company and board matters. Furthermore, they will sponsor me to attend the Professional Programs at the Singapore Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators to become a qualified Chartered Secretariat! Now that is really something!

At the end of the interview, the Group General Counsel said she had one more candidate to interview on Monday, but she said she feels I stand a high chance in getting the job. An hour later, my headhunter called me and said I have passed the first round, so there will be a second round on Monday, which will be a telephone interview, thus asked me to expect a call around 11:30am on Monday morning, as the Human Resource personnel will call me up.

Hmmm... let's see how it goes! As for which company it is, I shall not disclose it unless I really move over!

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