A Second Chance

10 July 2015 // Friday

I took leave in preparation for today again. Guess it goes to show how determined I am this time.

Well, not that prepared actually. I didn't have time to take new ID photos with my contacts. So I had a very bad plan... To take the ID photos before heading to Changi Airport.

I grabbed my documents and my erhu (because I had class that evening) and headed to the MRT station where the photo booth is located. I resorted to the photo booth in recent years because I actually get to see how I look before snapping the photos, which makes a huge difference.

Once I was done I took Bus 858 straight to Changi Airport and arrived just before 11.30am. I no longer needed the map because I already knew my way. As I was walking nearer and nearer my heart sank further and further. I told myself to hang in there and kept reassuring myself that I could do it.

I prayed hard that I will be the last candidate again and alas, my prayers were answered! I was candidate #10 again but this time in Group 3. The interviewer at the registration table read my application form and noticed I indicated that I had applied before. She asked me when and which round did I passed. "June 26, to be specific, until the final interview," I replied with my brightest smile ever. She took note and once again led all of us into the other room.

I couldn't help but observe the other candidates before we started on the interview (because I had lots of time from walking and waiting for the others to measure their height). There were five guys and five girls this time, much to my surprise. I felt comfortable and less nervous, probably because I already knew what to expect.

Needless to say I passed the height test and took my seat as candidate #10. This time there were three interviewers, all different from my previous interview and all of us were seated at a square table. One of them spoke and had us to introduce ourselves and explain why do we want to be a cabin crew. You'd be surprised at the answers, really.

*pardon my description of the candidates again please*

The first guy was Rasheed, he was Malay and really buff. His speech was really short though, like less than 2 minutes. But he sure was confident.

The second guy was Amir, and he works in SATS, so he actually know the interviewers. He looked like he was in his 40s, but I may be wrong.

The third guy works in SIA's KrisFlyer lounge where they take care of passengers flying First Class before they board the plane, He was pretty eloquent and confident, but he probably spoke too much (more on that later).

Then followed by Teresa, a NTU graduate in EEE. Then there was Jazreel from RP's IEM, together with Nabilah (they're friends duh).

Another guy Junyang who didn't look prepared at all because (1) he wasn't wearing a tie and (2) he was peeling his nails when talking. Big no no to fidget while talking.

There was another girl by the name of Chua Linn, but I totally have no impression of her, Prolly because we didn't talk much.

The guy right before me was Melvin, and he was from Jetstar. Because he was the only one already flying, he had an engaging talk with the interviewers with technical phrases and words which none of us understood of course.

We had a little longer wait outside the room this time and I spent this time trying to figure out who will get pass Round 1 while secretly hoping I'm one of them. The results were shocking: they called my name first though I was #10; the SIA guy didn't get in, neither did the Jetstar guy. Needless to say, Junyang didn't make it through too. Which also meant that seven of us passed! Whopping seven haha.

Time for the skin check and the Malay interviewer from last time apparently recognized me and she allowed me to skip the skin check since I already passed this round. I waited anxiously while everyone went to the private room for the 1-on-1 interview. What was more shocking was that everyone came out, invited to the final interview! Every single one except Chua Linn.

When it came to my turn (yeah I was last again) but this time it was a Chinese interviewer who looks just past my age. Amir (see before) who succeeded in the 1-on-1 interview reminded us to smile more during the interview.

And there I was trying my best to smile at her despite her pulling a straight face. She asked a few more questions and repeated the same scenario question from the last time. 

Ref: "What would you do to if one of the passengers is worried about taking the place as it is his first time onboard and he is even more concerned withe the recent flight accidents?"

When she asked me to tell her more about Silkair, I thought to myself, here's my chance; my efforts did not go to waste! I flooded her with all the info I had read online. She looked stunned and calmly replied, "I guess you did your homework..." I gave her an awkward smile haha.

"Okay, so I will give you this letter as a formal invitation to the final interview."

I got through!!! Although its not official but its another step closer!

While filing up more application forms for the final round in the holding area I chatted with the three other girls (Teresa, Jazreel & Nabilah) who got in together as well and decided we'd grab lunch together before heading back for the final interview in about two hours' time.

We had a great lunch and a wonderful sharing session and it really amazes me how we managed to click well in such a short time! (I know it may be too early to say so)

During these 2 hours, I started having second thoughts about the job. I realize I probably couldn't bear with all the sacrifices I had to make in exchange for this job. I was ready to skip those special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving, even ready to sacrifice my 21st birthday celebration! But the thought of leaving my colleagues and missing CO practices just made me think twice...

Thanks to Amanda who managed to persuade me to go for the final interview since I came so far and I must say I did not regret my choice!

The final interview was conducted in the registration room, but the setup was now 11 chairs in an arc facing three interviewers. Which also means that from all the candidates only 11 of us were selected! What an honour :)

And so… we were interviewed by the Flight Manager, VP of Operations & Director of HR. The VP of Operations was kinda the main person doing the talking, and he sure was a funny guy which helped relieve the tension in the room.

The final interview lasted about an hour with each of us speaking for about 5 minutes each. The VP likes to crack informal jokes that are beyond the purpose of the interview. But nonetheless it was an enjoyable hour and that was all for the day.

I can’t wait to know if I would be in but during the interview the VP said things like “I hope to see all of you soon, which I believe we will see each other for sure” which makes it sound like we were all gonna pass the interview.

May the odds be ever in my favour.

Voyage Wanderlust #VA112

Introducing my 4th blog in 4 years: Voyage Wanderlust.

All it took was just a moment for me to decide to work on this again.

21.06.15 // Sunday

"Amanda sent you an image"

I opened up her text on Whatsapp and found that she sent me a shot of Silkair's recruitment ad on the papers.

I decided to give it a shot. I marked my calendar and prepared all the necessary documentations. I was prepared to give my best shot again.

Back in 2012, Amanda and I had tried for the recruitment for SIA when it came to our school during the career fair. But unfortunately I didn't even get through Round 1, lest to say the countless interviews to pass before officially being recruited.

In 2013, I submitted my application online to try for JAL when they had a recruitment exercise for Singapore. And neither did I get any response.

I think it is almost everyone's dream to be a cabin crew because who doesn't love a job where you can travel at the same time?

These two failures brought my hope of being a cabin crew further down because I knew where I stood amongst everyone. I wasn't the prettiest girl in school, neither was I blessed with flawless skin or perfect eyesight.

But God is fair. He gave me a slim figure and an ideal height standing at 5" 6. I couldn't ask for more.

Friends and families have always praised me for having a model-like figure and always urged me to either be a model or cabin crew, but it never grew on them that it doesn't take just good height and figure to be either. It takes much more than that.

I don't know where I found the courage to try the recruitment again. I just wanted to prove myself once more. But I wasn't bolstering high hopes.

26.06.15 // Friday

I applied for leave 2 days prior and that simply meant I had set my mind on this. I wasn't exactly ready to quit my job, but I just knew that something was bugging me to leave and aim for more.

I kept it simple with just a black flare dress and my mandatory heels from Charles & Keith. I grabbed my educational certificates and the documentations and set off after a hearty breakfast. After all, a good meal was necessary to start the day well.

I arrived at Changi Airport around noon after a 40 minutes bus ride from my home. I found my way to the head office with the help of the map I printed from their website.

When I arrived in the registration room, I was greeted by nine other candidates seated in rows facing two other interviewers at the registration table. One of the candidate came right before me (I believe) and she was still at the registration desk, so the other interviewer got me to take a seat first.

Shortly after, the interviewer at the registration desk invited me over to assist me with the registration. She checked through my educational certificates, my application form and advised that I am in Group 5.

Immediately after, she asked everyone to follow her to another room. I was the last candidate in Group 5 and I was secretly feeling good about it because I knew how much of an advantage I had for being the last candidate.

We were brought into the interview room and there were 10 chairs placed in a arc facing the interviewers. We were asked to remove our shoes to verify our heights as stated in our application forms before taking a seat. We were also asked to stretch both hands and try to reach a masking tape on the wall, which I believe is their minimum requirement to reach the overhead compartments in the aircraft. I of course, had no issue with that part.

We took our seats according to our numbers (I was #10) and we were asked to introduce ourselves while standing at our own seats.

*pardon my description of the candidates please*

The first candidate was a Malay girl who works in Jetstar and he job is to print boarding passes. The second candidate was a Malay guy who also works in Jetstar and he is responsible for "tearing" the boarding passes (quoting from him). Needless to say, they're friends and came for the interview together.

When he was asked to say more about the history of Silkair, he could only quote generic statements like "Silkair is a very big company", which obviously proved that he didn't do his homework. Well, at least I did mine.

Then there was Francis in his 40s, working as a casino dealer in MBS. His command of English was not very proficient, but I guess he was pretty enthusiastic about the interview. he even joked about how he wouldn't start a mini casino onboard which ended in awkward silence.

Another Indian girl started by saying she was with Qatar for 5 years. When asked why the switch in airlines she simply said she wanted to relocate back to Singapore, which of course is a valid reason I suppose. However, when asked "Why Silkair" she replied after a short pause, "I love Sikair," which in return, got her questioned by the interviewers "why".

Guess her answer? "I really wanna join Silkair."

Damn she's not answering the question at all. The interviewers exchanged glances and thanked her for her time. I wonder if she understood the question at all.

Then was another girl who kept going on about how she loved traveling and telling everyone which countries she's been to. The interviewers obviously had no interest in the food you had in Bintan and the beach in Phuket. And as expected, she expressed her interest of joining as cabin crew because of her love for traveling.

Another lady by the name of May was from Sikair before but left to be a full-time mother. Now that she wants to join back, she kept sharing how much passion and love she has for the company. No comments on that.

In short, I got pretty confident as I listened to the other candidates' responses because it was ridiculous. Six of them actually quoted "Being a cabin crew is my dream because I love traveling." This girl who majored in Chinese Studies in NTU even said, "I watched the HK drama Truimph in the Skies and I want to fly like them." Can't believe anyone actually used that as a reason for the interview.

Nonetheless, I reminded myself not to be conceited although to be honest, this is by far the first interview I've been through so comfortably.

Then came my turn, and I quoted what everyone else said and turned the tables around.

"Who doesn't love traveling if we had money? Of course the traveling is an attractive perk but to me, a job is a job and since I get to learn more than a 9-5 job, why not?"

Thanks to my NYP lecturers who taught me that ending your speech with a question is definitely an opportunity boost. The interviewers invited us to step out of the room while they decide who to pass the round. And guess what? I got through!

I was so excited and tried to make friends with this other girl in the shipping industry because we exchanged glances earlier while waiting for the results.

We were brought to another room with tables and chairs and two closed rooms. We were asked to put on the uniform for the skin check. They checked my forearms up to the elbow, checked my forehead and neck, followed by a casual walk.

Subsequently, each one of us were led into the private room for the 1-on-1 interview.

It was nerve-wrecking because we didn't know what to expect, but after the first candidate came out we dug info from her and felt much more relieved.

And did I not mention that the girl who kept going on about her trips got through as well?

However, she did not pass Round 2. All the other three candidates were asked to step out of the room after the 1-on-1 interview ended to wait for the results. And all of them received the same result: "That's all for today, thank you for your time." One of the other girl still verified with the interviewer if that meant that she is not selected.

All three of the other candidates left eventually and wished me good luck for my Round 2.

So I was left alone after the three of them left and the silence isn't really helping to calm my nerves.

The interviewer was a very nice Malay lady who asked me to tell her more about myself, and asked me few other questions such as "Why cabin crew" and "Why Sikair". Of course. I answered well enough, because I had prepared for all these questions prior to the interview day.

She asked me to name a few destinations that Silkair flew but I only read up about countries, so I kinda failed that one quite badly. To my surprise, after I stepped out, the interviewer sat down in front of me and this was what she first said: "I only have one concern."

I was so surprised because I was expecting the same result as the previous three candidates! The interviewer told me that her concern was with my eyesight as it is a little too high. Furthermore I haven't tried contacts before, hence she told me to come back again with my contacts. I was quite disappointed because it meant I had to go through from Round 1 again.

I found it such a pity but thanked the interviewer anyway. I wasn't feeling any regrets because I know I tried my best. Just as I stepped out of the room, I did a quick turn back into the room to check on the next walk-in recruitment date. She told me 10 July and I nodded in acknowledgement.

10 July 2015; here I come.