Job Vacancies And Jobs Search In Malaysia : Allyhunt

Yeah! I had graduated! The certificate in my hand somehow makes me feel different inside. It gives me a sense of security and the sky above suddenly looks so much bluer than I thought. Hey, I am beginning a new chapter in my life now. Dad and mom have high hopes on me and I shall prove to them that all their investments on me are worth every penny of it.

I began applying for all the positions that look relevant and decent to me. Thank God for job portals because it makes my life so much easier – I just need to click on the “apply now” button and that’s about it. The next thing to do is to wait for that call, for that email to inform me that I am short listed for an interview.

The call finally came. I went for the interview. I left the interview room. Everything happened so quickly and the next thing I knew, I was already sitting in a Putra LRT train, heading home. As I scrambled through my bag searching for this “Interview tips” book, the interview that happened half an hour ago is now unfolding before me.

Interviewer: What extra-curricular activities were you involved in?

My answer: Badminton Club, Sports Club, err…Karate Club and etc…

Interviewer: Do you hold any leadership position in any of this clubs?

My answer: No, I wasn’t elected. Is that a problem for me in applying for this job?

Interviewer: No. But, would you be able to elaborate your involvement and participation?

My answer: (I think I was very nervous at this juncture because I have difficulty recalling what I did except attending all their “stupid” meetings) Err…I play badminton – the club tried to organize weekly games. I didn’t win all the time because the games were supposed to be friendly. Is that a problem if you don’t have a winner to be part of your organization? (Now, why on earth did I say that?)

Interviewer: No, that’s not the intention of the question. Now, please tell me about your relationship with other members of the club.

My answer: (What relationship? No, I don’t think the girls are “hot”.) Err…good. We hang out together for drinks after the games. What else do you want to know?

Interviewer: I think that’s fine. Tell me, why do you like playing badminton?

My answer: (Ok…ok…I must give an intelligent answer this time) Well, badminton game is our Malaysian pride. A true Malaysian should play badminton and I aspire to play like our hero, Lee Chong Wei. And talking about him, I really think he got a good chance to take a gold medal in Beijing Olympics this year. And I also think….

I can’t continue anymore. I cannot believe that I actually went on babbling so much about badminton and what we can achieve in the Olympics. I wonder what the Interviewer must have thought of me…a badminton or sports freak? My gosh, what was I thinking? I read the book again and turned to the page, “What does the Interviewer want to hear?”

What the candidate has been doing – whatever the candidate has been doing – should show you a pattern that bears at least some passing relation to the job at hand…He chose an activity- you want to know the reasons why he made those particular choices. That will be the clearest indication of where his “real” interests lie… no matter what perfect “objective” he’s branded onto his resume…

…You’re seeking enthusiasm, confidence, energy, dependability, honesty; a problem solver; a team player; someone who’s willing to work hard to achieve difficult but worthy goals. How had everything this person done in college demonstrated her ability to become your “ideal hire”?

…Activities that show a healthy “well-roundedness.” Someone, for example, who participated in one or more sports and a cultural club and a political club and who worked part-time, not someone whose focus was solely on sport or cause, no matter how illustrious her athletic or other achievements. (excerpts from “Ask The Right Questions, Hire The Best People, by Ron Fry)

How could I miss this paragraph earlier? My head is throbbing. I must call Daniel now. “Daniel, are you free tonight? I need to sweat. Let’s play badminton, shall we?”