My First Job-Hunting Experience
I never thought looking for a job could be so tiring, challenging and demanding at the same time. It is tiring because corporations and institutions would require you to come back to their offices almost every day for different tests and interviews. Challenging because you have to prove to them that you are worthy of the position among all the other applicants. Lastly, it is also demanding because it requires you to invest your time, money and knowledge in all the requirements needed to get the job. Receiving a call from an institution who is highly respected and also known as one of the leading business schools in the metro is such an honor for a fresh graduate like me. I applied for a job vacancy in that institution a week before my graduation with a very distinct job from my language and literature background. Since I really want to work there, I tried my luck and luckily they considered me in their short listed applicants. I received their call in the afternoon a day before my graduation for the exam and interview schedule. So the following week after my graduation was really booked for the exams and job interviews. I woke up very early that Monday morning for the scheduled exam and interview. I was nervous and excited at the same time since this is now for real. When I got there I was the first applicant to arrive and I felt good for that since I considered that as an advantage among the other applicants. It was very cold in that office, good thing I wore comfortable clothes that suited the coldness and the corporate atmosphere in that office though it is really an educational institution. The exam took for three hours; it was like answering an entrance exam for college with the essay questions, diagnostic type of tests and the allotted time for each part of the test. The coldness of the office left my fingers numb after finishing the exam. I was scheduled for the interview the next day. I was a bit relieved for that since I don’t want to have my first job interview with an empty stomach, drained brain and tired fingers. The next day was pretty much the same, it was like an interview described to me by my friend who is studying in that institution except that it was for a job position. After my first interview they told me that they would call me if I would have another interview with the department that I applied for or the other way around. I was quite nervous after that since that could mean a job found or a job lost. But I also felt very thankful that I took up English Studies in the University of the Philippines since I was able to finish my first job interview pretty well with the mindfulness of a language major in avoiding code switching as much as possible in the whole part of the interview and I think I was able to do that. Two days after that interview I received their call again but they told me that I was not accepted by the department that I applied for since my educational background was very distinct from the nature of the job. I was a bit sad but before I nearly lost hope in working for that institution they also told me that they referred me to another position that is associated to my field and scheduled me for another interview in that college. After my second job interview, I was instructed to come back for another interview with the head of the college in that institution. And as I expected that was my last interview for that position, I guess everything went well since after that they already gave me the pre-employment requirements. I felt impassive that day may be because I can’t believe that I was actually hired and I am no longer a student but a-soon-to-be-wage earner. Sometimes I really have late reactions with the things that happen to me whether they are good or bad. I was like this since my dad passed away because honestly up to now I still can’t believe that he’s actually gone. But don’t get me wrong, I know that he’s gone and happy wherever he is right now, it’s just that I feel sad that he was not able to see these progress in his only daughter’s life. But I’m also happy that my mom, grandmas and uncles are all here for me, witnessing and supporting me in all these with a similar piece of advice to not think of getting married yet. Going back with the pre-employment requirements, answering all those forms and having my medical check-up really made me realize that I am a grown-up now, no longer the old spoiled kid that I was before. Since after graduation, my mom wanted me to be on my own and to establish myself from what I have after graduation except that I still live with them and should still strictly follow the house rules. Two days after the medical check-up, I was asked to repeat one of the tests for me to be considered physically able for the position. I was worried because I had no idea of what went wrong plus the fact that the last medical check-up I had was before I entered college. So I had that test repeated and they told me that they will call me again for the result and feedback. It’s almost a week since I had that repeated test; I was starting to lose hope of getting that job since they normally call me two days after any interview or medical tests. Luckily, I received their call this morning asking me if I could start on Monday. Of course I said yes and told the good news to my mom, grandma, uncles and house helper. I hope this could be a good start. Thanks to God, my parents and relatives, and most especially to UP and all my professors. Thank you so much.
05-14-05 2:52PM
