4 years & 4 months

I had a strange experience in job hunting. In fact the very first job interview that I went to, I didn’t make it to the interview. I failed on their preliminary test right before the interview. Only my close friends knew about this. It was miserable to learn that I was the only candidate who failed the test that day. It was a recruitment session by Khazanah.

My second job interview was like a movie. It was held in New Jersey. They paid for my flight ticket and accommodation at Homewood Suites by Hilton. It was my first time being picked up at the airport by a handsome guy wearing a suite holding my name spelled on a card. He drove a black Mercedes and I sat at the back. It was a one-full-day assessment at Unilever HQ. I didn’t get the job.

(In July) By surprise, I won Graduan Apprentice Challenge 2013 during their career fair in KLCC. Somehow I took it literally and thought that I was going to be Celcom CEO's apprentice. Guest what I did? I did not submit any resume to any other companies that day. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the moment. It was not until 2 weeks later than I found out that the shadowing session was only for 2 days and Celcom did not secure me a job. I had to start all over again. I learned my biggest lesson.

These 3 incidents made up my perception on job hunting. It was definitely not easy, full of surprises. But nothing is impossible.

Me winning Graduan Apprecntice Challenge

When I graduated on May 2013, I didn't know what I wanted to do. But I know for sure, if I had the chance to do other things than Actuarial Science, I would do it. So I started holding on to my sister’s advise. LET YOUR RESUME BE ALL OVER THE PLACE!

I sent my resume to every single position that looked interesting to me at Jobstreet. I went to tons of company’s websites. I didn't restrict my applications to Actuarial Science or Finance. When I got back to Malaysia, among the first thing I noticed was the fact that many big companies had this, what they called as Management/Graduate Trainee Program (GTP). Briefly, the program was designed to groom top talents and prepare them for high level managerial position in the future. I was so excited to learn more about it. Some of them were very specific and technical, but I looked for the less technical. Well honestly I applied them all.

I have been through quite a number of selection processes from companies of various fields. Nestle, Maybank, Nielsen, Pemandu, Aeon Credit Service, Celcom and Maxis, to name a few. They were a lot more that never replied to my email applications. I failed quite a few in Online Assessment Test, and some in Case Study Presentation. If I were to classify selection process into 2 categories, It would be Structured vs Non-Structured.

1. STRUCTURED PROCESS: They are more rigorous and selective. They typically consist of phone interview, online assessment test, in-house-assessments (group assessment or case study). Most companies have their own specific program (like GTP) for those who were hired. They are looking for around 10 candidates per year for their program out of all who applied. I assume they already have specific criteria of what they are looking for. It differs from one company to another. I have a friend (she-who-must-not-be-named) who didn't pass assessment test by Maybank and Sime Darby, but scored the first in another company assessment test(out of I don’t know, maybe hundreds candidates?). From what I know, companies nowadays are really smart. They are not looking for candidates with the highest CGPA nor are they looking for the most knowledgeable. They are looking for candidates that can fit the job the most (for example in an interview, they will say this company need people who is blablabla, please give an example of what you did in the past that reflect this blablabla quality). The tests/assessments are mapped into criteria needed for a person to do well for a particular position or for a person to actually fit in a company or an industry. So my advice is BE PREPARED, FOCUS AND DO WELL, BUT NEVER THINK THAT IF YOU WERE TO FAIL A TEST, YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. REMEMBER IT’S A LEARNING PROCESS. Look at it positively. You don’t want a high paying job that will not bring you anywhere in 10 years' time right? You want a satisfying job that will allow you to perform at your very best. We all want a job that fit us and the companies are actually helping us to do so (well at least that’s one way to look at it :P)

2. NON-STRUCTURED: I may be wrong but from my observation, this kind of selection process is more geared towards vacancy where they need someone to fill up the position ASAP. The interview will be more casual in a way that potential employer can ask whatever they want. Of course they will ask standard questions (like why you choose this company? What makes you think that you will stay for a long time with this company etc). My advice for this type of selection process is this: LEAVE A GOOD IMPRESSION, BE PREPARED AND SURPRISE THEM WITH YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT THE COMPANY OR THE INDUSTRY. TELL THEM HOW YOU CAN ADD VALUE TO THEM.

I don’t plan on telling/revealing everything with regards to interview tips. Google (or you can read Lowyat Forum) and you can find all you need. For those who are still in the process or will be in the near future, you will learn as you go. But there are things that you can actually figure out if you care to think a little bit beyond. For example, if you were to do case study presentation for Nielsen Company, don’t go by the book and follow every word given in the instruction. You have to be creative. If you were to take an online assessment test from Maybank, don’t do it while you are lying in bed with kain pelekat in front of the laptop. One tip I found to be very useful. PREPARE 5 GOOD STORIES THAT WELL REFLECT YOUR EXPERIENCES/SKILLS, bring it in an interview. You can actually use this to answer multiple questions. 

If you already know what specific job/industry you are looking for, that is great. If not, you do not need to worry so much. Focus on getting your mind ready for the entire process. Remember it will be a learning process.

At SC GRP1000 launching.

For those who are still studying, DON’T LIMIT YOURSELF WITHIN CLASSROOM LEARNING ONLY. Learning process happens everywhere and at anytime. It is also continuous.  Get involves and earn as many experiences/skills/knowledge as you can. But don’t forget to have fun. As Vivian Greene beautifully put it “Life is not about waiting the storms to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

I personally won’t survive job hunting process only with my degree/knowledge in Actuarial Science. I have all of my experiences that I had in college (tight deadline with assignments, exams, club activities, teamwork, research, projects, performing at graduation dinner, failing a class, going for a trip, internship, playing tennis, dealing with your buddies during ups and down, buying a 2000cc bike, driving a truck, playing snowboard, difficult times etc) and all of my friends and family to thank for.

For the record: It took me 4 years to complete my degree and 4 months to find a job.

I wish you all the best! :)