So. It's now official - I'm gonna have my very first day of work tomorrow!!!
It's gonna be a sales position in a consulting firm. And I must say the story of how I got this job was rather interesting. But first, I'm just gonna give some brief background on the company.
I don't want to name the company publicly like this, so I'm just going to call it 'The Company'. The Company is a Malaysian-based, small consulting firm with only about 17 staff. It has associates and consultants based in New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. Its main business activities are providing Training and Corporate Social Responsibility.
To start from the beginning - I consulted my dad, did a bit of self-searching during my internship at his company, and decided that I want to base my career on management consultancy with a focus on CSR. So, I googled "CSR Consulting company Malaysia". Found a few companies through this technique and checked out their websites. Then I did the mass emailing accordingly to each company expressing my interest in the field and enquiring whether they had any vacancies or not. The Company, obviously, was one of them.
I got a reply from The Company, stating that they felt my passion through my initial email and was interested in meeting me in person. We went through several Q&A email sessions and I finally was invited for a first interview. Yay!!! The first interview was with a senior staff, who was really friendly and just super easy to talk to. The interview with her was so different compared to the others I did, in the sense that the entire session really did feel like we were getting to know each other (me and The Company) rather than me being assessed.
Then, a second interview was scheduled with one of the two founders of The Company. However, it ended up with me being interviewed by BOTH the founders and of course, I was thoroughly grilled. I got rather flustered at one point actually but luckily didn't screw anything up. To the end of the interview, I was then informed that they were actually overstaffed at the moment. DUN DUN DUN. I was thinking, "SERIOUSLY? Then why waste each other's time? Sighhh.." But then, they said that their way of running their business is such that they have high respect for employees who they deem trustworthy and dedicated. It was only because I was recommended by that particular senior staff, they agreed to meet me. Then, they explained their company culture with it being a less hierarchal-based organization, and that they have strived to create a family-community-feel in their working environment. In short, it really did appeal to me and further strengthened my hopes of joining their company.
I was told to wait for a few moments while they discuss whether or not to take me in. And I must say, that was the most excruciating five minutes of my life. Of course, they said yes - they said that it was because they intend to grow the company internationally and to do that, they needed core competent staff which will take time to nurture and train. Seems like I may fit the bill and so they were willing to take me in. I was undoubtedly flattered of course!!!! Then, it was on to drafting the contract of employment. I am to start in a sales position but was also informed that they customarily do not keep employees stagnant on one job role and that I will have to be flexible and willing to do other work as well - which was what I really wanted anyway. To have the opportunity to learn anything and everything!!! So I must say, it really did feel like a fairytale ending to my job seeking efforts.
BUT, the story doesn't end here. The Company had blurry rules about staff compensation in the sense of work-related cost, and I would have to provide my own laptop as they do not provide any to staff. My current one is literally breaking apart at the sides and honestly will not hold up long for everyday use especially with having to carry it everywhere. To not provide staff with tools for the trade felt a off to me but I am willing to overlook it as long as they are willing to compensate me if I were able to perform. Also, the initial contract of employment included a certain clause which I was extremely uncomfortable with and would not have accepted that job with it in. I raised the issue to the two bosses, and was sort of ping-ponged between the two of them but with promises that they are willing to look into it. It was nearing the CNY holiday then and everything was just going crazy. But long story short, they agreed to remove that particular clause entirely and modify the contract.
I was so grateful for their time and willingness to accommodate me!! The effort placed into amending the contract was rather intense, especially due to the many other commitments everyone involved had due to the CNY holiday coming up and deadlines flying all about. So, I was mightily heartened by how accommodating and considerate they were to my requests. I think that this shows that they are really rather keen on wanting me in the company even though beingoverstaffed!!
So, here I am. Going in for my first day of work tomorrow. Hoping that things will work out and I may find it to be my dream job after all. Wish me luck!!!
It's gonna be a sales position in a consulting firm. And I must say the story of how I got this job was rather interesting. But first, I'm just gonna give some brief background on the company.
I don't want to name the company publicly like this, so I'm just going to call it 'The Company'. The Company is a Malaysian-based, small consulting firm with only about 17 staff. It has associates and consultants based in New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. Its main business activities are providing Training and Corporate Social Responsibility.
To start from the beginning - I consulted my dad, did a bit of self-searching during my internship at his company, and decided that I want to base my career on management consultancy with a focus on CSR. So, I googled "CSR Consulting company Malaysia". Found a few companies through this technique and checked out their websites. Then I did the mass emailing accordingly to each company expressing my interest in the field and enquiring whether they had any vacancies or not. The Company, obviously, was one of them.
I got a reply from The Company, stating that they felt my passion through my initial email and was interested in meeting me in person. We went through several Q&A email sessions and I finally was invited for a first interview. Yay!!! The first interview was with a senior staff, who was really friendly and just super easy to talk to. The interview with her was so different compared to the others I did, in the sense that the entire session really did feel like we were getting to know each other (me and The Company) rather than me being assessed.
Then, a second interview was scheduled with one of the two founders of The Company. However, it ended up with me being interviewed by BOTH the founders and of course, I was thoroughly grilled. I got rather flustered at one point actually but luckily didn't screw anything up. To the end of the interview, I was then informed that they were actually overstaffed at the moment. DUN DUN DUN. I was thinking, "SERIOUSLY? Then why waste each other's time? Sighhh.." But then, they said that their way of running their business is such that they have high respect for employees who they deem trustworthy and dedicated. It was only because I was recommended by that particular senior staff, they agreed to meet me. Then, they explained their company culture with it being a less hierarchal-based organization, and that they have strived to create a family-community-feel in their working environment. In short, it really did appeal to me and further strengthened my hopes of joining their company.
I was told to wait for a few moments while they discuss whether or not to take me in. And I must say, that was the most excruciating five minutes of my life. Of course, they said yes - they said that it was because they intend to grow the company internationally and to do that, they needed core competent staff which will take time to nurture and train. Seems like I may fit the bill and so they were willing to take me in. I was undoubtedly flattered of course!!!! Then, it was on to drafting the contract of employment. I am to start in a sales position but was also informed that they customarily do not keep employees stagnant on one job role and that I will have to be flexible and willing to do other work as well - which was what I really wanted anyway. To have the opportunity to learn anything and everything!!! So I must say, it really did feel like a fairytale ending to my job seeking efforts.
BUT, the story doesn't end here. The Company had blurry rules about staff compensation in the sense of work-related cost, and I would have to provide my own laptop as they do not provide any to staff. My current one is literally breaking apart at the sides and honestly will not hold up long for everyday use especially with having to carry it everywhere. To not provide staff with tools for the trade felt a off to me but I am willing to overlook it as long as they are willing to compensate me if I were able to perform. Also, the initial contract of employment included a certain clause which I was extremely uncomfortable with and would not have accepted that job with it in. I raised the issue to the two bosses, and was sort of ping-ponged between the two of them but with promises that they are willing to look into it. It was nearing the CNY holiday then and everything was just going crazy. But long story short, they agreed to remove that particular clause entirely and modify the contract.
I was so grateful for their time and willingness to accommodate me!! The effort placed into amending the contract was rather intense, especially due to the many other commitments everyone involved had due to the CNY holiday coming up and deadlines flying all about. So, I was mightily heartened by how accommodating and considerate they were to my requests. I think that this shows that they are really rather keen on wanting me in the company even though beingoverstaffed!!
So, here I am. Going in for my first day of work tomorrow. Hoping that things will work out and I may find it to be my dream job after all. Wish me luck!!!
