My very first interview experience

20.6.14 (Fri)

On Tuesday (17/6), I went for my written road rules test (ie Undang test). We are allowed to drive with our foreign driving licence for three months. After that, we need to apply for local driving licence in order to drive legally. Our friends adviced us to do the online questions several times till we are confident enough to sit for the test. Actually, they are all pretty simple and logical questions. Both Hubby and I passed with flying colors, haha...30/30! Next, we need to go for the practical driving test. This is not easy though we already have years of driving experience. There are many detailed things that we need to take note of, for eg before turning right, other than giving the right signal, you need to do shoulder check and count at least 5 seconds before turning. And, if we fail the test, we are not allowed to drive with our foreign driving licence even though its before the 3 mths period! So, we MUST ensure we pass!!!

 

Then, after I came back from the test, Hubby ran to me with a happy face! "Hey, got opportunity! The recruiter called you just now. Quickly return call to her!" He sounded really excited, even more excited than me. Well..I just came back..and it was almost lunch hour, I need to prepare lunch for the children.

 

I called back the recruiter and was asked to go for an interview that very evening. (Earlier, I applied for 3 jobs online and this was one of them, for the position Admin Assistant) Oh wow..interview!!!!! I was quite nervous and at the same time, excited. This would be my very first interview after not working for five years. (my last interview was in year 2005!) Hubby was even more happier than me..he passed me some possible interview questions to read. I also checked their online website, to know better about the company.

 

Hubby, together with the kids, fetched me to the plaza. The interview took place in a coffee shop. The owner Mr. V personally came and met up with me. He is a Chinese, from China who came to Brisbane in year 1987, and four years later, started this company. Hence, this company has been established for more than 20yrs. And to my surprise, he chatted with me in Mandarin. He asked me lots of questions, some were quite challenging to answer. I felt a lil pressure too but tried hard to calm myself down. He explained, he was actually looking for a person who has managerial experience, other than doing all the administrative works. He had 3 concerns on me.

1. I haven't been working for five years.

2. I just came to Brisbane for one month. I may not be familiar with the country, the working style, the people here etc.

3. How am I going to balance my time between work and family, esp I have 2 young children.

 

From our 1 hr+ conversation, I found that he was a very picky person, in terms of hiring. He has very high expectation on the candidates and he wanted to make sure he hires the RIGHT person! I asked why did he shortlist me? He mentioned, he received lots of resumes and he guessed, it was because of my past working experiences as personal assistant and also my accounting background. I asked again on the salary offer..he asked me to go back, and think about what he has said, his concerns, and whether I can commit myself to this job. Then, I can call him again for further discussion.

 

I went home and discussed with my Hubby and friend. Both think that I should grabbed hold of this opportunity. To Hubby, I shouldn't think too much as in whether I can meet the job requirements. Just take the challenge. To my friend, she thinks it might be better for me to work with a Chinese company for a start, at least its a familiar working background, rather than working with the foreign company where there might be differences in terms of working patterns.

 

I guessed my fear was I haven't been working for five years and I have less experience in managerial role. I really don't know if I can take up this challenge. But since both Hubby and I told ourselves that we are prepare to accept any job opportunities given, no matter how hard it is, we need to go for it in order to survive here. So I decided to call him tomorrow and expressed my interest. (actually that morning, we received 3 boxes of our belongings (shipped on month ago), and one of the them was my clothes, including office wear. I wondered if this was a sign from God that I was given this interview opportunity.

 

Next day, I called Mr V early in the morning. Unfortunately, he was having meeting with his sales team and will return my call later. I waited till 4pm+ and he called. He would like to meet me again at 5.30pm for another round of interview. Second interview! So, there again, Hubby and the kids, came along with me. Another round of 1 hr interview. He would like to hear from me, my thoughts after what he said yesterday. Again, his concern was I didn't have any experience in managerial role and he was not sure if I am the one that he was looking for. Nonetheless, he did say he has good impression on me and would love to give me a chance. He will arrange for another round of interview, together with one of his staff (sort of his right hand man), he wanted to see what his staff think of me.

 

Then today, I went for my third interview, alone! I must said it was really tension, to meet the same interviewer for three times a week. And again, 1 hr of interview, same concerns and I was asked to "sell" myself, to convince them as to why I should be hire. I already did my best and decision was on them. I just need to pray and have faith in Him that God will provides.