Background Information
In June 2019, I left my corporate job of three years and started a floristry business. For the first six months, business was growing steadily until the pandemic strikes in January 2020.
In 2020, I struggled as a new entrepreneur managing a startup amid an unprecedented pandemic (I will leave the story to another post).
After a year, in January 2021, I decided to let the business take a back seat due to personal reasons and the weak economic outlook.
I was actively searching for a job between February to May 2021. The four months of job search were challenging and emotionally draining.
Intense Competition
Sandwiched between a big pool of fresh graduates and experienced professionals, I found it hard to position myself in the labour market. The pandemic has seen a rise in retrenchments and a reduction in companies’ headcount. As a friend bluntly puts it, “Job seekers are at the companies’ beck and call.”
Like many job seekers, I submitted my resume for numerous job applications in the public and private sectors, approximately 300. And out of a hundred applications, about ten would contact me for interviews. I am thankful for the ten-percent response rate (I have heard worse).
Unpleasant Interview and Recruitment Procedures
The interview experiences I had were less pleasant in comparison to five years ago when I applied for jobs as a fresh graduate. Maybe I was just unlucky this time. I remember vividly that an interviewer conducted the zoom interview while she was on the train. In a separate encounter, the interviewer switched to WhatsApp call abruptly after the company’s in-house platform failed. Another interviewer did not turn on his camera but requested me to do so. Many interviewers were late, some very late.
Technical glitches are unavoidable since some companies are new to online interviews. However, the overall vibes I got were not pleasant, and some slightly distasteful. The HRs were also less responsive in general.
Takeaways from the Job Search
Eventually, I accepted the third job offer. The first company offered a compensation package that is way below my expectations. The second company revealed additional job responsibilities which I am not inclined to perform only during the offer stage. I felt 'cheated'.
After countless rounds of interviews, my takeaway is to not settle for a job or company that makes you feel unappreciated. It can be through the conversations you had with the interviewers, the compensation packages, or any aspects that you feel uncomfortable about. If you detect the signs even before joining the company, you know it is not healthy for your emotional and mental well-being in the long run.
Of course, this is not applicable if you have other commitments and need a job to tide you through the pandemic. It may seem that you are picky and not willing to put aside your ego. However, I have learned that there is nothing wrong with being honest with yourself and your future employer.
Job search is emotionally draining, and rejections are part and parcel of the process. Do not let that affect your self-confidence. Turn to your family, friends, and mentors for support and advice. On this note, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to:
My family for their unwavering love, support, and understanding
My referees: Prof Ho (university professor), Wee How (internship mentor), and Don (former supervisor) for taking the time to write me kind testimonials and referral letters
My friends for their encouragement, listening ears, help to review my resume, referral, and career advice
Most importantly, my faithful God for seeing me through this. At my lowest, I chanced upon the sermon: The God of New Beginnings, and it spoke to my heart. Deeply touched by God's words, I was weeping by the end of the sermon. I began to study the book of 1 Samuel, and from His word, I found peace, assurance, and my worth. I am glad that the job search experience has brought me closer to God and renewed my faith and trust in Him.
This sermon lifted me from my dark moments. I hope it brings you comfort as it did for me.
Love,
Janelle
Comentarios