Job Search Day

Went for my 1st permanent job interview. Despite the time restraints and uncertainty, I still forked out enough time to make superficial preparations like making copies of my credentials. haha… I even had to go back Punggol to pick up my originals ok?

My interview is at Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, which is at a part of Woodlands/Kranji/Marsiling more ulu than Punggol. While I took a cab in (I was late), the walk out was… 15 minutes. But the facility was large, considering the scale of the company in the world bah.

The ‘entry’ to ‘Ulu’ Industrial Park. 

I had to register myself at this corner in the lobby, where my picture was also taken and printed onto a sticker as my ‘visitor pass’. Thing is, I am not used to taking pictures using webcams, so I ended up with a bad pic! ah… The security took the sticker back before I left, so I can’t have anything to show.

The questions they asked were standard, though I didn’t prepare them beforehand. But those were the questions which I wouldn’t even prepare well beforehand. Stuff like ‘why choose here?’, ‘why semiconductor’ are silly questions. It’s just like gals asking their bf ‘why love me?’.

I also felt SUPER awkward regurgitating everything I saw on their website (or whatever I remember of). I also felt stupid recounting the different ways to lithography (thank goodness I was working on the project this morning), cos well, they are the EXPERTS. I know, it’s a way of testing how well and how passionate I am about the topic. But I have no experience of flaunting my knowledge of in front of people who knows more than me.

But still, while continuing my project just now, I found out that there was a major fact that I got wrong. Oh man! But even without that blip, I still didn’t think I could make it.

I mean, the scenario tests they posed to me were killing me. With no facts, I had to crap my way through. They were testing me, I know. But I wonder if they were testing my reflexes or how good my solutions can be.

The facility was behind the stretch of buildings, a road across. Yup, no public transport from where I took the photo to the facility… 

There was also the question of whistleblowing which I was praying hard they would not ask. For immoral people like me, I was dying to reply, “Who cares? Just as long as it doesn’t cost my job.”. But no. I went through some politically-correct answers, like: I will whistle blow if the company’s reputation and integrity is at stake. Else, I would drag the boss to a corner, voice my concerns and ask that the matter be detracted, or referred to another person more worthy of the work.

oh ya, speaking of corners , they were asking me how I handle difficult colleagues, especially colleagues who are aggressive. It was then I brought up my theory of bringing people to a secluded corner to have a nice talk to iron things out. It ended up that for a lot of scenarios, I will drag that person to the corner to talk.

oh ya… that’s all for the interview. I think if I am accepted, the only reason that will keep me from taking the job is… well… the location. I took 1 hour to get to city wor (not including the 15-min walk to civilization)! This will just mean I will begin to loiter around Woodlands after work to chill out and relax and get detached from the rest of the world. ha… ya… I really didn’t mind the work days which will sacrifice one weekend, or the late hours. Which job doesn’t have its sacrifices? Just hand me the cash and I’ll work like a cow!

Sorry, but my BIG RED HEAD just keeps blocking that signage… 

Then, I went down to Suntec tomeet giam and carrotlet to go to the job fair. haha… Turned out the job fair was targeted more at people with experience, and people without degrees. So we just lingered around. And just before we stepped out of the place, giam started talking to a police officer. Or rather, he started talking away about his life as a police. haha… giam was obviously interested! For me, well… government jobs are a no-no. Uniformed/disciplined jobs are bleah! Police? I’m not that upright a person lol

Today, I too lazy to write a conclusion. So… SAYONARA! It’s House Time!!