Preparing To Exit ...

Today is the last working day for me in my current workplace. I am really going to miss this place, especially the people here. So far of all the places I have worked at, this is the place with the best working environment and one of the nicest bosses. The only trade off is the prospect may not be as good, but there is no perfect combination.

In a short while, I will be having my exit interview and clearance. Wonder what kind of questions I will be asked? If asking about the company, shall I speak the truth? Hmmm... I always wonder what is the purpose of exit interviews when I do not even know if they accept people's feedback and improve the structure after that!

So for now, another phase of my life has gone, and I will soon be starting a new phase. I hope the new company will be even better, in terms of the people and environment!

My Farewell Lunch

I cannot believe this is my last week, or rather, last few days in this company! Culture wise, this is the best I have been in. The people are friendly, there are hardly any politics, and the co-workers are fun to be around. The thing I will miss the most is the colleagues I have grew rather close to. Hopefully this time round we can really keep in touch and not just lip service anymore like always.

Today a group of them gave me a farewell lunch. I am so touched! This is the first time in my life I actually have a farewell lunch, or rather, the only time that I feel I would actually be missed! The only other time was in another company where my boss gave me a farewell lunch, but two other colleagues followed. Another time was with those colleagues in another company I was close to, but that was only a few. As for the other places, well, I was just so hated that people rejoiced more when I left, hence no one gave me a farewell lunch.

Tomorrow I will be lunching with my boss. He specially asked to lunch with me. Again, I am fortunate that I have a good boss in this company, which is why makes it even harder for me to leave. But sometimes good opportunities come but only once in a lifetime, and if I am to miss that, goodness knows how long more I need to wait again, if there ever will be another one!

Hopefully my next company will be better, in terms of culture, people and environment!

A "Lost" Opportunity?

Just when I am moving, another headhunter called me, this time with a very exciting opportunity on a sole legal role in a listed company. That company is in the property development business and it develops beach resorts around. The role is a direct counsel role, so I do not even need to be at associate level anymore, and I am basically my own boss and own assistant.

The best perk is that I get to go to the beach resorts for meetings and travel and enjoy for free! Wow.. that sounds so great! Why must this come just after I have accepted the other great offer? Some people may want to retract the appointment, but I have already signed the letter of offer, plus gone for the medical checkup and whatnot. I cannot just retract like that, especially since the headhunter who got me the job has been so nice to me all along.

Sometimes opportunities do come at the wrong time, but since we have made a choice, we should just stick with it, is it not? The world does not revolve around me alone, and since other people are involved, I should not play them out like that, even though goodness knows how many times people have played me out.

Maybe it is just meant, or not meant, to be. Lost opportunities will come back one day as something even better, as from what I have already experienced so far in my relatively short life.

Final Clearance!

Finally... after the week of sorting out, categorising and scanning, all the major documentation is done! All that is left is the minor ones which I can actually take a break from and continue again when I am back from my vacation.

I feel so accomplished that I can actually finish this earlier than the deadline imposed! I am so proud of myself actually! Simple and small things like that make me feel so fulfilled! At least now I can thoroughly enjoy my break in peace!

Turning "Invisible"

I think I should start being invisible. Due to the clearance of stuff, I am always at the photocopier lately scanning all the documents, or whatever documents that are still missing. I think people keep seeing me there so some started joking that I should just shift my work station there, and the rest automatically went to the photocopier to look for me instead of going to my desk.

Makes me wonder am I that prominent? I thought no one knew I existed? Wish I can have some cloak of invisibility so I can block others from seeing me and "disturbing" me and I can do my work in peace!

Pre-Employment Checkup

I just returned from a pre-employment checkup for my new company. Come to think of it, for the past few jobs I had, I never had to go for any pre-employment checkup, except for this current one. I thought a medical checkup is a prerequisite of any job? But I never had to go until this job where a satisfactory report is a requirement of being employed, and if there is any condition or the report is deemed not satisfactory, the employment can be terminated without notice.

I was asked to go for the medical checkup ever since I signed the appointment letter. However, the letter requesting me to go for the medical checkup did not arrive until Tuesday. And since the checkup is to be done in the hospital opposite my office, I went there earlier in the morning to do it.

Luckily I went early, as there was not that many people there. Hence I was in and out of the place around an hour the most. The checkup included eye test (for the first time in my life, I had a perfect six vision, but they did not question if I was wearing lenses!), colour blindness, urine analysis, blood pressure, x-ray and a consultation by the doctor.

First I had to go into a room and do the eye test, colour blindness and blood pressure tests. After that I had to deposit the urine sample into a box for them to do an analysis, followed by the x-ray. Then I had to wait until the doctor called me.

When I entered the doctor's office, the first question she asked was if I had been coughing. So I said yes. My cough since months back had been recurring, and going on and off. Each time I thought it was gone, it came back again once in a while. I hate this dratted cough but what am I to do about it? It is not serious enough to warrant a doctor's medication, yet lozenges do not seem to help too.

In any case, the doctor said there is some white nodules in my right lung, which is an accumulation of phlegm or mucus. By right that should not be the case, but since I had been coughing, then that is a normal sight. She would tell the radiologist to make a report but should not be any problem. Other than that, everything else is normal, thank goodness!

Now I only hope the other side accepts the medical report and deems me normal enough to start work! If my pre-employment is terminated before I even started work, I will be in real serious trouble since I am now serving notice!

Start Of Clearance ...

Now that I am officially serving notice, I have to see what I can do to ensure a proper handover. One thing about this place is that because my immediate boss is so busy, I am left alone most of the time. Actually he has been very nice to me, because he offloads all the legal work to me while he does other stuff, and he does not bother me much unless he has things for me. The colleagues also know to look for me and not him. So in a way, I am the only person doing the legal work so need to work independently. 

I like this kind of environment because I have the autonomy to do the work the way I like, and people here actually do give me the kind of respect which I never have in previous places. In previous places because I am just more of an assistant or associate, I got pushed around by various people because some feel I am not high ranking enough to do certain stuff, but others feel I need to take the initiative to do more stuff.

Here because I am the only one doing this, there is no politics. Furthermore, my boss really does not bother me as it is my prerogative to look for him if I have any queries or need to discuss something. Hence in a way, this role requires someone who is initiative, independent and knows how to ask the right questions. I cannot proclaim that I am all that, I still had to learn and adjust along the way, and even now I think I still need to improve and could have done a better job, but all I am saying is that anyone who needs to be spoon fed or to be told specifically what to do may not be suitable for this role because of the working style.

In any case, I discovered that there are a lot of documentation that has not been backed up. There are lots of hardcopies but not many softcopies. This will pose a problem when people need to look for documents or the auditors need to check. So I took it upon myself to look through all those files that have hardcopies but no softcopies, and started scanning and saving them since yesterday.

I have only just started, so it looks like I will need to be stuck at the copier for quite some time the next few days ...

Transition ...

Yesterday, I took a deep breath, went into my boss' room, and told him the news - that I have had a better offer, and that I did not mean to leave and I was not looking, but the opportunity just came along and the offer is just too attractive to turn down. I even apologised for moving on so fast and thanked him for the opportunity he gave me to work here.

He was pretty cool about it. He just asked me when I would be starting work, and what kind of company and work I would be doing at my new place. He then said to write in to him formally. He said these things happen and that staff move on, and thanked me for telling him in advance.

So today I printed out my resignation letter and passed it to him. In light of my upcoming vacation, I would stay for about another week to have a proper transition. Today I will be starting to clear stuff and update all the things that are still outstanding, not from me, but from previous staff. Hopefully when I leave, everything will be updated and the next person will not cuss me for giving so much backlog. :-)

This is it! Now there is no turning back! Whatever will be, will be! Hopefully the other company does not pull out otherwise I will be in a troublesome situation!

Receptionist For An Hour

I had to help out at the reception counter today. The receptionist is sick and the other two Personal Assistants who had to rotate and cover the receptionist had to attend a meeting. It would be a disaster if no one was manning the reception counter, hence I was asked to help out.

I do not mind helping out of course, but I think I am not qualified enough to be a receptionist. Afterall, being at the counter must be someone who is pretty and dainty, who smiles a lot and looks sweet and nice enough to be a good ambassador to the company. But I am none of these.

Furthermore, this is the first time in my life doing reception duty. I have never been a receptionist anywhere I have worked. What am I to do? Entertain guests, answer the phone, transfer calls?

Luckily during the one hour or more stint, there were no guests. Only employees going in and out. But there were quite a few calls, including external calls which I had no idea how to transfer the switchboard over, and had to call one of the assistants out of the meeting to help me. So embarrassing!

Overall, it was pretty good fun manning the reception counter. Think if the companies are willing to pay me what I am getting for a receptionist, I sure do not mind taking the job!

Another Regional Opportunity

When I first started this job last July, I intended to just stay on and not move, since I have moved quite a bit in previous years. In fact, before this job, I thought my career would be carved out in my previous job, but alas, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to exit, hence ended up in my current workplace.

My current job is fine. I am pretty satisfied here. The working environment is pleasant, colleagues are nice and jolly, and my immediate superior is good. I like working with him because he gave me back my confidence and entrusted me with more tasks without needing to check with him how to do. So I did have the intention to stay on for a while.

Few weeks back, a headhunter approached me, about a job opportunity in a European multinational corporation. I turned her down initially because I thought since I was not moving, would not even want to waste my time checking out.

However, a few weeks later, she approached me again for the same role. Apparently, that company had been rather selective over their candidates, so have not been able to find a suitable person. She asked if I was willing to explore. Since she asked me again, I thought why not? Just go explore, no strings attached.

So she set up an interview with me which I went on Monday. It was a panel of three Caucasians, I had a chat with them, and then I had to do a written test on contract drafting. I thought that was that, and felt I did not do a good job with the written test anyway.

Imagine to my surprise when my headhunter called me yesterday, saying they were willing to offer me! Not only that, I would be given a fifteen percent uplift from my current remuneration package, with good variable bonus, and generous medical and dental benefits and days of annual leave.

It is really a very attractive offer! I was in two minds over whether to accept or not. If I accept, then I would be moving on again considering I have only been in this company for just slightly less than a year. And who is to say the new company would necessary be better?

However, in terms of career prospects and learning ground, definitely the multinational corporation can give me a much better deal. I will be exposed to regional work, and the kind of work I will be doing will definitely let me learn much more, because the current company I am working in now is a local small medium enterprise in a niche market, so after a while, there is nothing much to learn and no further prospect.

My headhunter said the company would prefer an answer today, so I told her I will be willing to accept the offer. Taking in view my vacation time next month for my trip, they are allowing me to start end of June. The offer letter will come in next week, and if all goes well, I can submit my resignation letter.

Hopefully this time round things will really turn out well and I can stay on so will not keep moving! I am keeping my fingers crossed that the working environment is good and pleasant so I can stay on for a while at least.

Back To Ribbon Interface ...

Last week my office system was in the midst of upgrading. So we migrated from Lotus Notes to a web-based email system, which was making everyone's lives difficult, because the web-based email somehow does not work as well as a normal email program.

Today my laptop got "confiscated", to be upgraded. From the web-based email system, it was upgraded to the Microsoft Office 2013, which includes Outlook, Lync, Word and the other Office programs. Hence, I am back to using Microsoft Outlook for my office emails, which is the program I am most familiar with.

Having a system upgrade also means the Office programs like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, et al, will show the ribbon interface, instead of the tabs. I am never used to the ribbon interface. I always find it a chore trying to look for the correct icon. At least with the tabs everything is displayed out properly.

I think I am really getting old, because now I find it so difficult to learn new programs! Not like when during my school days when computers were a luxury instead of a necessity, and each time a program was being updated, I would be the first to read the manual and learn how to use the program excitedly! I remember I installed the whole internet system, upgraded my software, installed the printers, and even separated my harddiscs into two in my home computer!

Not only that, I even helped my friends who could not be bothered to learn how to use the computer, install their softwares and whatnot! So I used to be the "go-to" person for a quick computer fix. Yet now, I cannot even be receptive enough to new softwares and upgrades anymore! I guess age is really catching up. Sooner or later, I have to find a teenager to help me out for a quick computer fix!

The Day I Forgot My Pass

I changed bag today, to a more corporate looking Kate Spade which I also bought recently.

I like this because it is suitable for office use, and there are compartments to put in documents, keys, mobile, purse, a few books and even an iPad for those who have one! So I decided to start using this bag to work.

 

Unfortunately, because I changed bag, I totally forgot my office pass! Normally I was the first to reach the office, so today I was stranded outside at the main door for a while before someone from the other side opened the door for me. But he was not able to open my main office door, so I had to sit around in the reception area until my colleague came in and opened the door for me.

 

I was told when I first joined this company that I must carry my office pass with me at all times, because when we tagged in and out is when the system will record when we go in and out of the office. So if we tagged in at half past nine, it is deemed that we only came in at that time.

 

Since I did not bring my pass today, it would be deemed that I was not at work today. I had to call our receptionist and told her I forgot to bring my pass today, so she would at least know I was around, otherwise on record it would be as if I did not go to work!

 

Wonder why I was so careless? At least it is a lesson learnt never to forget something as important as an office pass henceforth!

Feeling Gleeful ...

I am feeling gleeful. And why not? My boss just praised me! He asked me to draft a document from scratch, which was what I did, and guess what? He said my work is perfect! And the other pieces I gave him, he said I do not need to consult him, as long as I feel the documents are fine, I make the decision on my own.

 

That is why I am feeling gleeful, because after all the "fighting" with my previous boss whom I slaved away for more than a year, only to have him keep putting me down and taking all the work I did to credit himself, this is really a good change. I hope I do not disappoint and make my work even better!

Transcribing ...

Recently I have been taking on some freelance work as a transcriber. What I need to do is that I was given an audio recording of a focus group discussion, then I had to transcribe verbatim, word for word, what was being said and discussed.

 

It sounds like an easy job, but it is not. Firstly, the audio recording is quite muffled, and certain parts are hard to catch. Secondly, because the people involved in the focus group discussion were randomly chosen, so they have their own way of speaking and accents. Thirdly, in many cases, everyone started talking together, so it is hard to catch what everyone was saying. And lastly, they were mostly speaking in local lingo, so it could be a real pain to listen and hear.

 

Still, it was pretty interesting with regards to the discussion going on. I learnt a lot from the audio recording too, and even though it was a painful process trancribing every word exactly the way it was being said, I had a great sense of achievement when I was done!

 

So far I have been given two transcripts. Not sure if I did a good enough job to warrant more assignments though. Hopefully I can then I can earn a bit more cash at the same time.

The Funny Antics People Do ...

I just received an email on some work query from my colleague. It is a very simple question that can be answered in two words. It is no big deal, except she is seated directly opposite me and facing me! In that case, why can she not just raise her head and ask the question directly instead of emailing back and forth?!

 

I really do not understand human beings sometimes ...

Confirm Confirmed!

I have received my letter of confirmation today, and with it, a notice of my increment, including a final paragraph, wishing me success and fulfilment and a rewarding career with the company. So I am confirmed confirmed at last!

Approval For Confirmation

I just came out of my boss' room, and guess what? He has approved for me to be confirmed! He gave me a form which he filled in, and asked me to read, give comments (if any), and sign off. While I was reading his comments, I cannot believe he graded me overall good in everything! Wow... That is really a big boost to my confidence and capability after the dramatic fiasco with my previous place.

 

I am also in awe that not only am I going to be confirmed, I am also getting an increment, which gives me an overall uplift of five percent from my previous package in my previous company! I cannot believe it!

 

At least this is a big relief to me, that perhaps I can finally stay for some time and not hop around again!

Company Trip To Malacca

I will be having a company trip to Malacca next weekend. By right, it would be a long weekend if people take off on that Monday, as the following day is a public holiday. However, due to this company team-building / social / leisure trip, we were told that we would not be able to take any form of leave, be it medical or annual, the day before the trip and the day after. That means we would leave immediately after work on Friday and return back on Sunday night, and back to work again on Monday.

I did not know about this trip until yesterday, so I was like a last minute addition. Since the rooms in the hotel that the company booked have already been settled, and I was given a choice whether I joined in or book my own accommodation, I decided to do the latter, as I have always wanted to try out this hotel which a fellow blogger recommended.

So I went to book my own accommodation. Luckily there was still rooms available despite me booking at such late notice, but I am only able to get the superior room that costs more instead of the deluxe room that cost less. But I suppose the location makes up for it. Besides accommodation, I would be joining the rest of my colleagues in everything else, and we even had some free time on Sunday morning to do as we please, before taking the coach back in the evening.

The last time I went to Malacca was a disaster. I guess because it was a day trip, and besides Malacca, we were brought to other parts of Malaysia, so in the end we could only spend an hour or so in Malacca before going back. This time round, since it is a weekend, perhaps the trip would be better? I sure hope so!

Nice View No More ...

Just a couple of months of a nice view next to my office window, the grass have been removed and the ground levelled. Construction works is now going on in that empty piece of land which separates my office building to the twin towers opposite.

 

Soon a building is going to sprout out which may or may not block the view. When that happens, no longer can I look out and see the twin towers, with the highway and Flyer in the background. No longer will I see green grass and blue skies with white clouds.

 

What a pity. I thought I would be able to enjoy the view for a long time …

A Teeny Weeny Bit Of Good News

I had a teeny weeny bit of good news at work today. After our usual weekly departmental meeting, my boss asked to speak with me, regarding the upcoming departmental conference in May. He said by right because I am still not confirmed, they normally do not allow those still on probation to go, but since they feel I have shown improvement and have a positive attitude, they are letting me go for the conference.

Yeah! This is so exciting! However, can I not be told earlier? Today was the deadline to confirm the air tickets, and if I was not allowed to go, then what? I would have to cancel everything - the tickets, the accommodation, the registration. But luckily everything turned out well.

Finally, after about four months in the company, my efforts seem to have paid off and I am at least getting a bit of recognition for my work done instead of put-downs! Hopefully after this I can be confirmed, but on the other hand, if this is the case, why not just confirm me earlier? I guess I cannot hope for much now, just have to take one step at a time!