Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Things are getting interesting

Now things are really heating up, and getting interesting... Remember earlier I said that Morgan Stanley are willing to take me in for a 3 month contract, well they were supposed to call me in the afternoon to confirm the appointment, but I waited and waited and waited, and no one called (except for a company called UK prime land, which told me that I won a piece of land in Scotland.... rite...). Just when I was feeling a littel bewildered, Aunt Susan called and told me something.... She said that Morgan Stanley has actually already accepted my application, the only thing now is that they are trying to convert my position to a permanent one instead of a temporary one. I was like "huh!!!". Now one of the larger financial firm is offering to sign me on as a permanent staff after a 10 minute interview. So it seems that they have filed for my conversion, and now its only pending approval from the heads. Wow! .... And this puts me in a dilemma, now I have a job with this super big finance company, and if I do really well inside I can earn big bucks in the future. However, I do know that initially the job that I am required to do is very boring and mundane, and that there might not be many opportunities to shine. On the other hand, the other company is offering to send my to Shanghai for 6 months to train, and promises of abundent learning opportunities and loads of work. I am still waiting for this company to reply, I am really attracted to the idea of being able to work in Shanghai (or anywhere overseas) but the temptation of working for a large global company like Morgan Stanley is really very attractive... So really do not know what to choose now. Remember initially I said that whichever comes first will be my choice, and I didn't expect that both deals will come together at the same time. OMG what am I going to do now!!! Dilemma.... Hmpt

Options

Woke up early this morning, yup, I know its not a common thing among people who do not have a job... But this morning I went for an interview with Morgan Stanley. Yup, one of those large financial services providers in the world. Meet the guys at 10 am in their office, and the entire interview only lasted 10 mins. Damn! Well its because they only need a person to fill the position for 3 months to help clear some back log, and after 3 months, depending on whether there are any openings and also on the indiviauals performance, they may consider signing you on permanently. This job is recommended by Aunt Susan, her ex-colleague is working there, so I got a little help to get this interview. And from what I hear, I already got the job, hahaha. Aunt Susan's ex-colleague called her to tell her about it already. So I'm waiting for them to get back to me to let me know when I can start the job. In the mean time, I'm still waiting for the reply from the Shanghai work thingy. Yup, They have yet to reply me, and so I'm just taking the wait-and-see tactic. Anyway I was told that at any time that I manage to find a job elsewhere, I can quit Morgan Stanley anytime. So I'll see how it goes. Hmmm....

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Am I going Shanghai??

Yesterday I blogged about the opportunity to go Shanghai again for a 6 month training course in this new job. I've yet to accept the terms, mainly because, I have no idea what the terms are in the first place. The information given by the company is pretty vague, so I've emailed them today to ask them to clarify some issues about the job and the training. So, now I'm back to the process of waiting for replies again, sianz~~. Anyway aunt Susan called earlier to ask if I want to work in Morgan Stanley (woot, big company!!!). Her friend is inside and they need someone urgently. BUT the catch is that it is only a temp job, they only need the person for 3 months. But of course, I'm sure if you perform well enough, there is an opportunity for an extension of your contract after the 3 months. So now I'm in a small dilemma, should I go for a temp job in a big company or should I choose a full time job in a local small company? Hmmm, sometimes I really hate to make decisions... I know that I will have to make some important decisions in life and also in my future job, but let try to keep it to a minimum, hahaha... new motto is "slack for life"..... wahahaha

Monday, August 25, 2008

Latest update

Here's the latest news: I just got a job!!!! Oh my god.... And this is like the first interview that I went to after I came back from Europe. Remember the one I said that I have to go back to Shanghai to work if I get in, and that I'll have to undertake almost everything (aka cover mountain cover sea).... I haven't accepted the offer though, still thinking about it. I still have some queries about the job and also the pay thingy.... Yup, so I'm now a step closer to becoming employed.... wahahaha....

Gotta also clear up some employment issues with my mum first, so I'll probably email them tomorrow to confirm the stuff.... good luck!!!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Graduation

Well many people should by now know that I've graduated this year, in fact, I've graduated since May... The convocation was is July and we did take some photos during the convo... So let me just share a few of the convo pics here =) Yah, I know its a little late already, I'm was just too lazy to upload earlier... Enjoy!

Year 1 gang, erm excluding the top student Zhao long



My best buds in NTU
My Papa & Mama



Friends in NTU



Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Financial Planner

Okie, all thanks to my greatest dad now I'm stuck in this predicament. When our resident financial planner aka insurance agent came over to my place to give some papers to my dad for signing, my dearest dad actually told him to talk to me about financial planning. And ask if I wanna joinhim in this financial world. Now, he keeps calling me to ask me to go to his office to try it out. Thanks dad for finding me such a great job. Hmpt! Okie, let me first say that I have nothing against insurance and financial planning. Many of my friends and people I know are into this business, BUT it is not really my cup of tea. I would not discount it as a job I will never do in my life (who knows what will happen in the future), but right now, I really hope that I do not have to get into this business. I still want to go out and try to make it in the other sectors. I've never thought that I'll end up in insurance, I've always hated these insurance agents who keep calling, and I just cannot stand it if someone keeps trying to persuade me to buy these finanacial stuff. I do not discredit them, because I know its their job and that at some point of time in my life, I will need to buy these financial stuff for my own and my family's security. But you do not come to a point where I get so turn-off, and just don't want to pick up your call. Once again, thanks dad for the recommendation...... haiz

Sunday, August 17, 2008

What a day

Had such an exciting day today... This morning I woke up and my mum asked me to drive her to the temple to pray to my grandma, so I went with her, everything was as normal, just like any other normal weekends. Then I was supposed to meet cy and gang at Suntec for the career fair, BUT it closes at 7pm. I reached there like 6.45, and they told me there was no point in going in because they're closing already, damn. Then, we went over to Mind's cafe for games, its been such a long while since so many of us made it for an outing (there was like more than 10 of us). It was a great games session I must say. Had loads of fun and laughter there. We tried many different types of games that we had never played before. Of course the stupid animal sound game is the most classic there, haha. Think we stayed there for like 3-4 hours (or maybe more than that). After the games session, we wanted to go for supper at Geylang, and that was when it all happened! It just had to happen at this time. My CAR COULDN'T START!!!!

For those who know, the car could not start like a few days back in my bro's company, so we got the tow truck to bring it to the workshop to fix it. After I went all the way to Jurong to get the car, the moment I got into the car, I felt something was amiss. The car still doesn't feel right. But ok, at least it was moving fine. So I drove the car back home. The next morning I needed to help Beng move his bed to his bro's place, and the car already could not start properly. I had to crank it a few times before the engine could work, and I knew at that instant that the car is not going to last. I told me dad about it, and that he should tell the mechanic that the car had not been fixed, there was still a problem with the car, the sound of the engine just is not right. So just 2-3 days after we got back the car (aka tonight), the car totally could not start again. I cranked and cranked and cranked, and it still could not start. Luckily I had good friends (who had already reached Geylang), they turned back to help me with the car. Before they came, I had pushed the car into a parking lot, because my dad told me to just get it into a lot, and ask the tow to come. So my friends came over to see if they could help. It was really kind of them, and I was at that moment quite touched. Because I was only expecting one car to come back with reinforcement, but noooo. All of them came back, all 4 cars drove back to help. I was really touched by their gesture, considering that it was pretty late at night (it was like 4am already). Haa, some of them were really amazed how I managed to singlehandedly push and guide the car into the lot, because my car was parked behind 101 building, which was quite a distance from the lots. But they tried their best and it still could not start. They even got a jump start to try and even resort to pushing my super dirty car to help but no luck. So left the car at the parking lot and took William's car home.

Well, its really these times when you can really true good friends. Many say that great friendship is largely found in the secondary school days and during NS, but for me I must say that majority of them are in Uni. Not saying that my friends in Sec school and NS are not as great, but the really close ones are only countable. Also I feel that during those days, I wasn't the true me. In Uni, I reveal a side of me that is very different than what I was in Sec school and NS; and I feel this is a much truer me. And to have found these friends who accept me for who I am, and offer such help when I am in need is really a fortune. I thank god for them. Well if any of them finds their way to this blog, I just like to say a big thank you, I owe you guys one!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

GIP

Its been a long time since most of the GIP peeps gathered... so it was a great feeling to see everyone again. And surprisingly, the turnout was pretty good; and everyone had a great time. It was all about catching up and getting to know how everyone has been. Ever since we came back from Shanghai a year ago, we haven't had a lot of chances of gathering together like we did in Shanghai. So this really brings back the memories of the good old times. Well majority of them have found jobs already, companies big and small, at least they are working and earing some dough now, I'm like the minority who is still slacking at home, idling my time away, waiting for replies from companies.

It seems that a lot of them will be traveling out of SG too. Zhiyu is going to UK for a year and a half, for training. Some EDB program thingy which I think is the same as the one my brother went for. Eddie is going to Bombay for training for 2 months. Agnes is on Jurong Island everyday. Heard that there's a possibility that Yuliang might have to go abroad for his work as well... So people are moving around. Well today I went for my first interview since I came back from my Grad trip. The interview was ok (at least I thought it was ok), so if they do recruit me into their company, I'll have to make a return to Shanghai for training for 6-9 months. But I'll see how it goes, now I'm just taking things in my stride, absorbing everything one at a time. I am confident of myself for the interview, but you really do not know what the interviewers think, or if there is another candidate better than yourself. So I always give myself a buffer not to put too much hope in any application, always be confident but keep some leeway for rejection to enter. Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed. They told me that it will be 1-2 weeks before I know the outcome of the interview. Good luck to me, and also to all my friends in their work regardless whether its here in SG or abroad!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Finally there is some response

Wahahaha, finally after countless sending of resumes and looking through job search websites and newspapers, I get some response from the employers. Well I have sent so many applications out that I cannot remember all the companies that I've sent to, or even the jbo scopes that I applied for, but this comes as a relief. At least I can say that my application is being looked into, hahaha. Well its not that I've already been offered the job, but just the response from the company is already giving me a great feeling. I'm already quite sian from having to apply to so many companies and not getting any indication if my application is being processed. So this really just gives me a great feeling. Anyway the company only asked if I will have any problem relocating to Shanghai if given the job, so thats a very good first step. Well I'll see where this goes, for now I'll just read up on the company to at least give me an idea what I'm getting myself into. Hahaha.... More to come (I hope).

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Being at home

Haiz, its been like a month since I came back from Europe, and till now, I have yet to go for even a single interview. Thats pretty bad. Been staying at home literally everyday, playing my Wii and watching TVB serials. Some people tell me to take my time and get the job thats most suitable for myself, and enjoy the free time you have now. BUT its soooo boring. Every morning I wake up I log on to my emails to check if there are any new jobs available, I send out a few resumes, and then I wait. I will wait, and wait and wait and wait ... And wait some more, for people to reply, But noooo.... No one replies. The only group of people that constantly recognises my talents are manulife and prudential. These 2 are the only ones that keep telling me that I was picked on careful selection to go for the interview. Hmpt. To date I've probably sent out more than 30 resumes since I returned, but still no news from any of them, sianz. Well I can only wait now.

And then there the thing about gifts. I still have gifts for my friends that I haven't given to them. Can you all please meet me, so that I can pass you guys the gifts. Kaoz, want to give others presents also so difficult. Now I got so much time you don't get from me, later I start working liao, then no time to meet you all le (but I don't know when that day will come). Well its back to the old drawing board, recruitment papers here I come.