redirecting

This is the word I always see whenever I log in to gmail to check my account. And now I realized what this word means to me. After several applications for abroad last year, It finally dawned on me where I should really go.  It took me several clicks on the workabroad page for updates before I finally saw the opportunity that is waiting for me. Out of the few opening for the positions that I’ve been applying for, there staring back at me is the post that I should have carried on from the very start. So according to my internet survey and stats, the medical field is the most stable carreer in the years to come.

So since It’s obviously glaring at me to move, I decided to ask around from friends who are already savoring the fruit of their long wait and sacrifices. I’m still having second thoughts but the desire to try is firing up plus the interest is in my heart.  I know i have to decide sooner and i’m already slowly taking a few advance steps.

It’s my turn now and I pray that I may succeed in going back to my real calling.

fancy jade’s wrong call

I was in a homeowner’s meeting when fancy Jade called for an interview. I thought it was a different agency coz the girl was rambling on the details without introducing herself. She mentioned that the need is urgent and scheduled to leave first week of december. I informed her that the basic pay they are offerring is already close to my current pay and i’m really applying for Singapore not Malaysia. I think they do not check their database before calling. Oh well, I’m already decided that no more Malaysia this time.

For now, I’ll be waiting for the new set of credited leaves so just in case the need is urgent i’ll be able to use it for my 30 days notification. So that means I still get to spend christmas with my kids and family. Looking forward to a merry christmas!!!

Servicon’s Service

I got both a call, an email and a text message from this agency informing me that they got my resume online. They requested me to call them asap. I did. I learned that the job is a face to face customer service post not the call center type that i’m applying for. Working hours is 10 hours per day for 6 days. Basic pay is flat SG1800, no incentives, no allowances. Placement fee is one month basic pay exclusive of the 1 and a half month basic pay for SG’s receiving agency. Airfare is free, house and food by our own. Get ready in 1 -2 weeks to fly in SG.

Thoughts to ponder:

1. Customer one on one takes a lot of patience. I mean a LOT.

2. I have a pending job interview with Statue of Liberty requiring working hours of 8 hours per day for 6 days.

3. Statue of Liberty offers basic pay range depending on experience with food allowance.

4. Statue of Liberty Placement fee is one month basic pay, no receiving agency from SG meaning less cash trouble.

5. Statue of Liberty Airfare is free, they have condo for rent available.

6. Expect not to spend Christmas at home this year.

Conclusion: In as much as I would like to have tried the interview, practicality hits me this time. Offer is incomparable and I’m currently busy this week with other stuffs. I passed on this one praying a better offer comes soon- Liberty perhaps?

magic wandy no more

Sigh…

That’s all i can say after my final interview with the client. It was a webcam interview. A little chitchat about my previous job experiences and some questions that caught me off guard- again! In the end, i don’t feel good about it… but i’m still hoping that my resume will back me up for good.

I’m not sure, but I think I have that much luck when the interviewer is a female. With guys, I’m always done with flying colors.

I know I have already told myself what to say with switching from outbound to inbound. That was a long time ago though. I was able to mention some related good points like getting a 94% rating for insurance licensure, having my own business and part time direct selling.  I just wasn’t able to fully explain why i have stayed too long in inbound. That hurts, really. I know it’s not safe to mention “comfort zone” but that’s the truth.

I had a little difficulty in selling the painting that she wanted me to sell as an example. It’s not really difficult per se, but her accent and soft voice made me ask her twice to repeat what she’s saying. My rebuttals are also lacking in persuation. I lack practice really.

The only hope i had today was knowing that out of the 62 shortlisted applicants in the first interview, we were only 21 selected for the webcam and final interview. So sad if half the number again will be the only ones to fly in SG.

I went home brokenhearted. I nearly went over North station where i’m supposed to ride MRT going home. I even got lost in Gateway Cubao. Maybe because I was teary eyed when i read my sister’s text: ” Don’t worry, Nanay have watched over you, she knows you did your best and I believe in you. There will be more opportunities that will come, If JC plans it for you, He will give it to you. If not, He has better plans.”

It’s going to be a miracle if i passed that interview. I believe in miracles. I hope it believes in me too.

Wandy’s web cam

I’m expecting a result today from Magic Wandy. It was before 12 noon when they congratulated me that I made it to the web cam and final interview. So there, a sigh of relief but not much nervousness was lifted off. Oh well, I think it become worst. I’m more nervous now. Maybe. I wanted to relax just like last week. I know it’s all in the mind and besides it’s just a webcam. Thursday slot was already full so I was scheduled early Friday morning. I hope we made it to my company’s Trick or Treat in the afternoon. I need to calm down and relax my mind. I can do it I know. I have enough self confidence. I have done that before and I can convince people. I do selling, it’s a part of me. My mom have financed our tuition fees by selling so what am i afraid of? I have done numerous sales in the past, I even closed a catering contract. I’m a top seller in my previous company. Sigh… Lord, help me!

Statue of Liberty

I received a text message last Saturday to report for an initial interview. I checked in my workabroad account if it’s one of the jobs i’ve applied to and yes it’s the ever famous logistic account. I’m caught between going and not because:

1. i’ll be coming from ny sunday shift which ends mon at 8:30am which means sleepy day.

2. I’m felt optimistic with magic wandy.

3. i just felt too lazy to go.

I just reminded myself that I promised to not proscrastinate and do my best to attend every interview I’m invited to because I don’t want to miss any opportunity to go out of this country and be able to earn more for my family. Good thing I have my dear sister to accompany me. I’ve been showing her how to travel around Manila even I myself is not sure where we are going. My kuya once said that as long as I know how to read I won’t get lost. I believe him plus it doesn’t hurt to ask around.

Liberty have an impressive office with all employees well dressed and polite. I was just a bit dissapointed because the text message did not inform me to bring photocopies of my documents so I have to go down just to produce the copies. Added to that was when we were asked to go back after lunch.

Lunch was fun though. I met 3 other applicants who are both nice and funny. They are both pretty but comic. We spent the whole hour just making fun of what we are doing for that day.  Well, you cannot really have everything but at least we’re pretty, hahaha- i so included myself!!!

I’m glad that Anne asked a lot of questions which she then shared with us. Working hours is 8 hours per day for 6 days. Accomodation is not provided but can be arranged. There is a meal allowance which is SG$120 which according to Bessy is already enough. Plane is paid by the employer. I had a serious question though. Since it is a logistic account, will there be a training? The answer is plain NO. Oh well, looks like it’s time to read.

The interview was like a meet and greet. The Recruiter says hello, asks a few job experience and health conditions, then he proceed with the arrangement. I was informed it was a rush job order giving you the expectation that Christmas will be away from home. I was counting the days because of the 30 days notification from my current work and my pending Cebu trip with Ichiro this first week of December. They don’t have financial assistance but suggested a bank with low interest rate. He said they will provide documents for it to be approved but my dilemna was that same bank have declined my loan months ago so the chance was slim for the placement fee.

In as much as I would like to grab the opportunity of leaving asap, my means does not allow me to do so. Ditse will be a perfect fit though but her heart is somewhere else. She cannot fix her goal as of now-culprit? BF. Oh well…

Magic Wandy Round 2

After my resume was shortlisted in Singapore last week from Magic Wandy, I was called for client interview. It was last Thursday when I had the interview.

 

The recruiter did not disclose much about the company we will be working for. She just mentioned the basic salary which is the base rate for all call centers in SG. There are incentives and commisions for it is an outbound account. I thought it is a customer service post but turned out to be sales. Not that I have a problem with that. I was just thinking of Ditse who really doesn’t want to do selling. Oh well… The questions of the applicants were clearly addressed by the recruiter and I think these people are okay. One of the applicant’s friend was already sent by them in SG so doubts are somewhat lessened plus the staff are friendly and nice. The only turn off is their office is too small we have to do interview by phone but with everyone inside the same room. So it’s like listening to each other’s interview. Actually, there are three lines for interview. So funny coz we were divided into groups. At first, I was included to the group who will answer in the lobby and i was so frustrated coz it’s not comfortable at all. I was relieved when I was called upstairs but the setting was the same only less distraction. Now the fun part was when the client start calling out for interview, the firsts in line were directed to every corner of the room. I don’t know if being in the pantry side would be distracting but thank goodness I was called near the manager’s table during my turn.

 

This must be the most satisfying interview I had. I was able to highlight my strong points early on the interview and was able to make the client chuckle a bit. I was able to hook him on my examples and good points. I don’t know but I think being too honest is really one of my waterloo. Or maybe I lack redirecting interviews sometimes. Well, actually I was caught off guard when I was asked about how I feel to be a single mom. What I’m really prepared of was the question on how will my kids affect my work now that I will be leaving them. With that question I really am prepared reality wise. My answer is that I have delegated well enough and trained my trusted people. And with the new technologies and internet I don’t think it will be a problem. And it’s the truth. It’s fun actually and for the coming weeks we will be simulating it with me being the invisible Mama.

 

The recruiter mentioned financial assistance, a one month salary for the placement fee, company expense for the selling license, pocket money, and training assitance plus agency assistance with their tie ups in SG.

 

I’m happy after that and have hopes that I will be chosen for the webcam interview. But we do not know. Only God knows where to put me.

 

Magic Wandy

Next week is gonna be a super busy week. I have a scheduled interview this thursday along with Ditse. I’m looking forward to it. I hope it turn out okay.

 

I found this agency at my usual job search site. I first submitted online and even called them. I was advised to go personally or send resume via courrier. I decided to send our resume and waited for update. Being the impatient me, i decided to call. I was informed that our resume was sent to SG for shortlisting and if we qualify we are going to be scheduled for interview. So there, after several days we received a text message congratulating us for we have been shortlisted. We were asked to call and confirm our attendance for the interview next week. I was expecting interviews during the weekdays that’s why i accepted a switch on my rest days. Good thing it was approved.

 

I have to prepare for this interview. I remember the previous ones were like a joke. I hope this one i’ll be able to really discuss my work experience and be picked. Pray for me. 

follow up calls?

I promised myself no more Jade Saga so I just declined the final interview notification sent to me. I wanted to make sure my day is not wasted so I have to decide wisely. My job hunting activity for the week mainly revolved online. Applying online is sure the most efficient way for it saves time on travel, expenses and energy. I was able to read some reviews on agencies and got loads on information about processing and authenticating of papers. There are a few job posting for this week but i was able to apply to some of it online. Good thing there are several websites who provides update.

There will be an interview this 20th i’m just not sure of the location. The job posting was the same as from another agency I went to. I wonder if the employer is allowed to change agency. Btw, that agency informed me that the employer is still not setting a date for the final interview and that’s the reason why they haven’t called yet.  So my to do list tomorrow includes calling that agency. I hope this works.

Fancy Jade

So let me just call this agency fancy just like the earrings we could easily buy on the sidewalks. This isn’t the first agency i walked into. This is actually the second interview and i was directly interviewed by the employer.

So the agency called me up thursday late afternoon if i could make it the next day because it’s the employer’s last day here for interview and the need was urgent. I’m undecided to go on SL to rest but I’d rather fish more info on the agency and the job i’ve applied for and the only way to do it is to report for work to get an internet access. I found out that they were looking for telemarketers but it’s okay. So I started to google about Malaysia and asked my buddy brother in Singapore for some tidbits. So here:

1. 1 Malaysian Ringgit is equal to P13.7027.
2. Basic pay ranges from 40K below in pesos unless it’s a trainer post.
3. Malaysia is like Manila which means  you cannot be sure to be safe on the streets.
4. The good part is, Cost of living is inexpensive.

So after 2 hours of powernap in the break room, my bessie woke me up for breakfast. My sister then arrived around 9am. I put on some make up in Trinoma mall(1st time, btw) then just changed into semi formal clothes in the agency’s building. The bus ride was like forever and the place was like in the middle of nowhere.

I was the only applicant. The other one left already for work. The employer arrived late and they were a bunch of Indians. There was an HR manager who recorded the interview and an old lady who looked like the owner who keeps saying i shouldn’t get nervous to which i’m not. And here is the catch:
1. After selection, you will pay training fee for P40K. This will be in Manila before you leave just to neutralize some accent.
2. Placement is one month salary which is in accordance to the law. They have in-house financing to assist the placement fee and payment is thru salary deduction.
3. Basic pay is P30K- just a few bucks away from my basic pay here in the Philippines.

I know they are not gonna question my accent. I do well on that part during interviews. They are going to have a problem with my basic pay coz it’s incomparative with my current salary considering it is an overseas job. I heard the HR manager mentioned to the lady after my interview that the employer wanted an agent who is in early 20′s. The last time I checked the job posting it says any age.

Points learned:
1. I don’t have a life other than my family. All I can answer when asked about “tell me about yourself” was: I’m a single mom with two kids whose life revolves around work and home, home and work.

2. Do not look for jobs in Malaysia. That is only for me with limited job experience.

3. Do not settle for less than P60k. The last time I check my budget impossible, (this i refer to my kids and home expenses for them when i leave) this is the minimum pay i can accept in return for the sacrifice of not being with my family and give them a good life.

4. I think my age is going to be an excuse if employer can’t meet my expected salary. My opportunities are getting limited so I have to move fast now.

So there. The Jade experience.
Not all that shines bright is a gem.
heh!