Another Step Further

12 September 2015 // Saturday

So... Fate has decided that I should fly with Silkair.

Of course I'm disappointed but actually not that much, because I know I still can fall back on my Silkair plan. (I know I sound damn mean putting Silkair as back up but hey)

Well anyway, just a brief write up on the interview process for those interested.

So prior to this cabin crew recruitment for SIA, I read up a lot from forums and websites and tried my best to learn from others' lessons before. My first job interview was when I applied for my current position at Shangri-La Hotel, and to be honest, it was a very easy interview, probably because I've already been with the company (part-time) for three years and also, they urgently needed a replacement to fill up the vacancy.

So put aside that interview. When I was preparing to go for Silkair's interview, I read up a lot about the company background, thought of the possible questions interviewers would throw at me and how would I answer. I did put in my best effort and I guess it worked out well for me.

Comparing Silkair and SIA, of course I put in a tad more effort in my preparation, and I figured out I couldn't use my "snobbish" attitude for the SIA interview (I was a little too confident at the Silkair interview, gotta admit).

I went to research on SIA's company background and read forums and blogs on interview tips. Although the walk-in officially starts at 8.30am, forums mentioned that candidates will always reach way before the designated time. I guess its just the Singaporean "kiasu" attitude haha.

So no harm going early, I reached Suntec at 8am and registered myself in Group 13 (which means there's about 120 people in front of me because it is 10 person per group). I was fourth in the group (not as lucky as during Silkair's interview where I was the last candidate in the group).

I was lucky that the girls in front and behind me were friendlier than I thought, and were almost of the same age as me. It was all our first time, though this guy Kenny said it was his fifth already.

The whole process was pretty quick, a lot of movement and waiting here and there. After registration (which took about 2mins checking IC and collecting your application form), we were asked to take a seat in the waiting room in our groups. In less than 5mins a lady ushered us back outside to wait for our turn to enter Round 1.

Once we were inside the room, we were asked to introduce ourselves and explain why we would like to join SIA. This was basically an introductory round and I really believe the answers don't really matter as much. 

I was very lucky and passed Round 1 though I didn't think I did well (I was a tad nervous). But nonetheless 6 of us went through Round 1 and were ushered to wait for Round 2 - the debate session.

I have read on forums that some debate questions are pretty tough, and because it was too wide a topic to revise, I just prayed for an easy topic. 

Six of us were seated in the room and we were given 1min to know your partner and introduce him/her. This was followed by the debate, where I was asked to agree that money can buy happiness and discuss with 2 other teammates. Not too difficult a topic, but sadly I didn't make it through. 

Time check: 9.54am. Yeaps I was done for the day. 

Silkair here I come!!! 

P.s this post is way overdue because I was occupied with other commitments. Should check out my next post for more :)

Sentimental Emotions

01 September 2015 // Tuesday

Had dinner with Amanda yesterday and I told her how sad I was feeling having to leave my workplace. After all, friends who know me know that I am a very sentimental person.

Throughout this one year or so, apart from the girls in DJ 冬菇 who made me so much happier at work with our silly jokes, I believe Marcus is next in line whom I will miss dearly.

I was afraid of him when I first joined, as I often heard about how fierce he was when he yelled at others. He was very meticulous with his work, thus setting his high standards apart from others.

I got reprimanded by him multiple times when I first joined. He might not have been the best manager around, but he sure taught and guided me a lot along the way.

A year into my job, I noticed he slowly opened up to me and we started getting closer like friends. Though he always called me names and talked to me rudely, I always rebutted and I think he didn't know what to do with me either. He often commented that I made his blood boil. Hahaha.

But then, now that I'm about to leave all these memories come back and I'm sure I will miss him. I always believe that a coordinator is doing his/her job well if he/she thoroughly knows the temper/character of her boss.

I recall the other day when he stood beside me instructing me to check something for him, when I casually asked if he changed his cigarettes. I used to buy him cigarettes in the morning whenever he ran out of it because there's no convenience store near his new house. Hence I'm aware of the brand he usually smokes. He was so shocked by my question that he started telling others how his coordinator was able to detect this slight change. I guess seeing someone everyday does make a difference in noticing their daily habits.

And the other day, he texted me on his off day, "I might be going to Taka... You want anything?" I questioned his text because he wouldn't be popping into office anyway, but he replied, "no la... If you want bubble tea then I pop by lor" which caught me by surprise. Marcus has never been this kind of considerate person, haha.

He bought us Koi in the end (ya he went to Lucky Plaza) and when passing the drinks to me he gave me another box of pastries and told me very hurriedly, "this one for you only ah!" and drove off in his Peugeot. I couldn't help but feel so much love from my usual cold and aloof manager.

When my colleagues from Reservations heard that I'm leaving, a few of them actually asked in exclamation what is Marcus gonna do without me. Hahaha, I know he can survive without me. After all he's changed 7 coordinators in his 7 years here. Its just that they tell me I'm probably the only one who could get along so well with him by far.

I joked to him about how I will tell my replacement of his needs and preferences, such as his favorite flavor (matcha), and his chocolate preference (non-pure) and his choice of bubble tea at Koi (which he doesn't even know himself lol).

Sometimes its wonderful to have HTHTs with him while on our way to meet clients, and I'm glad how he gives me advice in my future endeavors like my senior. He always feels old with me but I feel otherwise. I admire his maturity but he can sometimes really get on my nerves too.

I told him once that I'd invite him to my 21st birthday. He told Theresa that he wouldn't come, but would buy me a a big gift, in which Theresa told him, I wouldn't want his present I'd want his presence. Hahaha. I'll miss him so dearly.

He's flying off to Middle East for his business trip this Saturday and won't be back before my last day.

He treated me to lunch yesterday with Theresa and wished me all the best. This sounds like a confession post for him but nah, there'll be more to come for others.

#16moredays