I'm really gung-ho on finding a job. As far as work is concern my search is limited to around 30 mins drive from home. You all know we live in the country an hour away from the big city. I have blogged before how I was so disappointed to not even get a job interview from the other community college around here all I got were five thank you letters for the five positions I tried applying for.
Finally, around fist week of December I got a call from another community college for an interview set two days later. It was a panel interview and as soon as I took my seat the Controller explained to me the college's mission, the job requirements plus the duties and resposibilities. They have a set of questionnaire and I noticed that no one asked me about any personal information about me. The interview went smoothly but once I stepped out of the building I assessed myself and as always I got this naggging feeling that I blew it and could have said this or that would have been a better answer rather than what I gave them.
As we drove home I told my husband my gut feel is it's 60% positive I'l get call again for the final interview. I wanted the job so much that the anticipation of waiting and waiting and waiting for another call left me with little stress. I couldn't sleep for two nights I don't know my husband has time and again reminded me to just leave it to the Lord if I'l get the job it's really meant to be if not take it positively.
After two days I got the call for another interview the next day. I was told that it will be the final selection process and there would only be two of us. The interview went smoothly tho' I had a hint it was a 50/50 chance because the VP was hinting that it was an entry level position it seems I am well over qualified. Of course I tried to sell myself and counter her concern I almost wanted to beg her to just give me the job. I think I left them a good impression of me they both said that I was really good and can articulate myself especially when they grilled me with my Accounting experience.
To sum it all, two days later I got the "dreaded" call. The HR Manager explained to me that it was really a hard decision for them it was like 50/50 but eventually the favor went to the other applicant. Tho' I didn't get the job I was happy that I was treated professionally, fairly, and I did it on my own without politics or favor. It has also lifted up my sagging spirit that I'l never find job anywhere around here.
To top it all I was given the assurance that if I could just wait they'll have an Asst. Controller position created and they'll hire me in a heartbeat. I don't know if they're just trying to appease me but they all sound very sincere with what they promised. Anyway, eventhough the job wasn't meant for me it was an experienced of a lifetime as my mother always tell me charge it to experience. I know the window of opportunity has been opened up for me because my job search has just begun.
Showing posts with label job politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job politics. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2008
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Politics, Prejudiced or Plain Ignorance!
I've been trying to find work for the last four months after I got my greencard. Going through the whole immigration process is crazy enough but what's more stressful I realized is finding a job and proving your worth around here.
At the beginning, my husband and I were confident that with my big city credentials and work experience it will be easy for me to find job around here. We're thinking that the community college or the country would be an ideal work for me since it is alot nearer for me than the city which requires an hour or more of driving.
Two weeks ago I got my fifth rejection letter from the community college. When I saw the envelope from the community college I knew it's going to be the "thank you for applying letter". Right then and there my tears just rolled down. I immediately called Jacque (my filipina friend) cried my heart out we ended up crying together.
What made me cry? It was out of frustration because the position is for Accountant and the requirement and the skills they need perfectly match mine even though they only need someone with an Associate Degree. What made it worst is that we heard from the grapevine the one hired was previously a co-worker of the boss. Of course we have a "mole" inside. The college website gave emphasis on equal opportunity employment so when I applied I was banking on that premise. It was an over-statement.
I had the same experience with the county too. I applied one time for Tax Assessor but since I have no experience here my application process stopped at the first level and wasn't able to get to the next step. A lady at the gym once told me that the county plays politics, she said by the time they call you for an interview they already have someone in mind for that certain position and everything is just plain "procedure". That is my problem around here. How can I compete with people who has all the right connections? Or how to win my prospective employer their trust that I can do the job. Trouble is they don't even know where the Philippines is. Now, I believe even educated Americans need lessons on geography.
Last week, my husband and I sent another application at the county this time the HR lady advised me to be patient and just keep sending resumes. She also articulated that they usually hire someone whose presently working even if it's just small jobs but not labor intensive fastfood thing. I wanted to refute her at the same moment but I restraint myself for fear that she might throw my resume on the bin. I have not mentioned it to my husband but my hunch is I'm doomed and I'll never get a call again. She's just tacky. I felt she's prejudiced and doesn't value hard work. I don't know.
I've also learned from visa journey.com (my support group) that first time immigrants will always have a hard time jump starting their careers. It takes time to be assimmilated into the whole immigration process and live like everyone else. I should also accept the fact that I am not alone in my predicament, countless others are on the same boat like me.
My job hunting experiences should be a poignant reminder to myself that as an immigrants I am like an extra-ordinary fish swimming in the shark infested ocean, it will be always tough to stay a float. I know that corporate world is a dog eat dog domain but I never knew that the state or government world is far worst.
Anyway I think the Lord has other plans for me, all I need is to trust him to lead me to the best job for me. As always I just need to sit still while he works magically on something thas is best for me no matter how elusive it may looks to me.
At the beginning, my husband and I were confident that with my big city credentials and work experience it will be easy for me to find job around here. We're thinking that the community college or the country would be an ideal work for me since it is alot nearer for me than the city which requires an hour or more of driving.
Two weeks ago I got my fifth rejection letter from the community college. When I saw the envelope from the community college I knew it's going to be the "thank you for applying letter". Right then and there my tears just rolled down. I immediately called Jacque (my filipina friend) cried my heart out we ended up crying together.
What made me cry? It was out of frustration because the position is for Accountant and the requirement and the skills they need perfectly match mine even though they only need someone with an Associate Degree. What made it worst is that we heard from the grapevine the one hired was previously a co-worker of the boss. Of course we have a "mole" inside. The college website gave emphasis on equal opportunity employment so when I applied I was banking on that premise. It was an over-statement.
I had the same experience with the county too. I applied one time for Tax Assessor but since I have no experience here my application process stopped at the first level and wasn't able to get to the next step. A lady at the gym once told me that the county plays politics, she said by the time they call you for an interview they already have someone in mind for that certain position and everything is just plain "procedure". That is my problem around here. How can I compete with people who has all the right connections? Or how to win my prospective employer their trust that I can do the job. Trouble is they don't even know where the Philippines is. Now, I believe even educated Americans need lessons on geography.
Last week, my husband and I sent another application at the county this time the HR lady advised me to be patient and just keep sending resumes. She also articulated that they usually hire someone whose presently working even if it's just small jobs but not labor intensive fastfood thing. I wanted to refute her at the same moment but I restraint myself for fear that she might throw my resume on the bin. I have not mentioned it to my husband but my hunch is I'm doomed and I'll never get a call again. She's just tacky. I felt she's prejudiced and doesn't value hard work. I don't know.
I've also learned from visa journey.com (my support group) that first time immigrants will always have a hard time jump starting their careers. It takes time to be assimmilated into the whole immigration process and live like everyone else. I should also accept the fact that I am not alone in my predicament, countless others are on the same boat like me.
My job hunting experiences should be a poignant reminder to myself that as an immigrants I am like an extra-ordinary fish swimming in the shark infested ocean, it will be always tough to stay a float. I know that corporate world is a dog eat dog domain but I never knew that the state or government world is far worst.
Anyway I think the Lord has other plans for me, all I need is to trust him to lead me to the best job for me. As always I just need to sit still while he works magically on something thas is best for me no matter how elusive it may looks to me.
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