Looking for a better employer
The year of 2018 was a year full of realizations, changes, and adjustments. In my last entry, I said that I shall do a better job next audit season. But that has changed and here's what happened.
Every year, or as often as I can, I take long vacations. But the vacation that has changed the direction of my life was when I took a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia for eleven (11) days. My friend and I entered Vietnam from Manila and exited Singapore to Manila. It was a long and dramatic trip but the details will be disclosed in another blog dedicated to travelling. I went back to work with mixed feelings and a little bit unsure of how I manage my life.
There were a two factors that made me feel that way, one I am financially unsecured. My current job will not be able to support the lifestyle I want. Two, I have no work motivation at all. I still did my job, a decent job, but I just couldn't feel like I was excited to do the job. I couldn't feel my heartbeat racing whenever I am chasing deadlines. I have become too comfortable with my job, and that my friends, has become a problem.
I must admit, there were plenty of times since I started working that I did look for other job openings. The reason that I was not able to send an updated CV was because I was too lazy to write the application letter. But you know what, I did it. I updated my CV and researched on how to write an effective application letter. Now, here comes job application.
I know what I wanted. I know that I still want to work for BDO. I know the methodology, the use of APT, Caseware and I am confident that I have the edge over new-hires in other countries. I applied for NZ, AUS, CND, UK, and the a lot more. There were plenty of openings, but I was mostly rejected because I do not have the right visa in order to work for the country I applied for. Then I got a message. A previous senior in the firm sent me a screenshot which showed that the firm she is working for is currently hiring for a senior associate. Frankly speaking, I never thought of applying at the firm she's working for or going to its country location. I never ever imagined or wanted to follow her.
I checked the website and the instructions were to download the application form. I found it a bit inconvenient on my part but was also worried that my application might be rejected if I did not follow the instructions. But what the hell, if it's for me then it is for me, I thought. Friday of that week, before the end of office hours, I emailed my CV and application letter to Grant Thornton Antigua and Barbuda. Saturday morning, I got an email requesting for an interview via Skype, 08:00 PM Tuesday of the following week.
The day of the interview came. During the day, I played Pokemon Go with an office mate while having snacks at the back of our office building. I was so chill and not even seriously working that day. At about 07:30 PM, there I felt my heart beating fast. I haven't check my Skype connection and had not even practiced for the interview questions. Luckily for me, I have a friend named Mec, was online on Skype, and was really good at throwing practice questions on me.
She asked, "Tell us about yourself?"...
What? What should I answer? Tell you about me, like I like tea, cooking, gardening, etc. She explained that whenever you are asked that question in a job interview, tell the interviewers about how you are on your job, or anything related to what you are currently employed for. Fortunately, I was able to practice with Mec and she did a great job! She always does.
So at 07:55 PM I was ready and waiting, not sure if I was really ready, but that was it. At exactly 08:00 PM my phone rang and I saw two people in the room. They introduced themselves as managers of Grant Thornton and that the partner will arrive in a few minutes. I haven't really picked up their names, but I do remember the partner's name and that I could understand her well, and that the lady manager was pretty.
The interview went smoothly and I was grateful that I did a quick practice with Mec. The questions were more or less the same as what she had asked me. It was an 18 minute conversation and when the interview was about to end, they asked me "Tell us about Cristina". I don't know what came over me, but I just burst into tears.
The interview made me reminisce the life I had when I just started audit. In my previous posts, you can tell that I did not like the job. I guess, in the long run, I can't say as of writing this that I love my job, but I have tolerated it to a point that I am still here, working as an auditor. Cristina was one of the people who molded me into who I am today as an auditor. She was a great mentor, kind and understanding towards her staff and a patient teacher. She never gets mad without any logical reason, and based from my own experience, she must have been mad once or twice only - that I couldn't even confirm because it may not have happened. She might have been my senior, but most of all, she was a good friend which made me like (tolerate) the work. She left the firm (BDO) January 2018 and transferred to Grant Thornton Antigua. When she left, I never ever thought that a chance will come that I could work again with her. "The thought that I might just be able to work with her again is overwhelming."
So the interview was concluded.
After the interview, I called Cristina right away, hoping that she would answer it though it was office hours her time. We were both crying when I was telling her the story. So much drama at this point of time.
The next morning came and I received a message from her. The partner had talked to her, told her (Cristina) her version of the interview and that they liked me. Results will be known Friday of that week, and guess what, I got accepted. I got the offer!
The day of the interview came. During the day, I played Pokemon Go with an office mate while having snacks at the back of our office building. I was so chill and not even seriously working that day. At about 07:30 PM, there I felt my heart beating fast. I haven't check my Skype connection and had not even practiced for the interview questions. Luckily for me, I have a friend named Mec, was online on Skype, and was really good at throwing practice questions on me.
She asked, "Tell us about yourself?"...
What? What should I answer? Tell you about me, like I like tea, cooking, gardening, etc. She explained that whenever you are asked that question in a job interview, tell the interviewers about how you are on your job, or anything related to what you are currently employed for. Fortunately, I was able to practice with Mec and she did a great job! She always does.
So at 07:55 PM I was ready and waiting, not sure if I was really ready, but that was it. At exactly 08:00 PM my phone rang and I saw two people in the room. They introduced themselves as managers of Grant Thornton and that the partner will arrive in a few minutes. I haven't really picked up their names, but I do remember the partner's name and that I could understand her well, and that the lady manager was pretty.
The interview went smoothly and I was grateful that I did a quick practice with Mec. The questions were more or less the same as what she had asked me. It was an 18 minute conversation and when the interview was about to end, they asked me "Tell us about Cristina". I don't know what came over me, but I just burst into tears.
The interview made me reminisce the life I had when I just started audit. In my previous posts, you can tell that I did not like the job. I guess, in the long run, I can't say as of writing this that I love my job, but I have tolerated it to a point that I am still here, working as an auditor. Cristina was one of the people who molded me into who I am today as an auditor. She was a great mentor, kind and understanding towards her staff and a patient teacher. She never gets mad without any logical reason, and based from my own experience, she must have been mad once or twice only - that I couldn't even confirm because it may not have happened. She might have been my senior, but most of all, she was a good friend which made me like (tolerate) the work. She left the firm (BDO) January 2018 and transferred to Grant Thornton Antigua. When she left, I never ever thought that a chance will come that I could work again with her. "The thought that I might just be able to work with her again is overwhelming."
So the interview was concluded.
After the interview, I called Cristina right away, hoping that she would answer it though it was office hours her time. We were both crying when I was telling her the story. So much drama at this point of time.
The next morning came and I received a message from her. The partner had talked to her, told her (Cristina) her version of the interview and that they liked me. Results will be known Friday of that week, and guess what, I got accepted. I got the offer!
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