I need to tell you all something............................ I GOT THE JOB!
The very first job that I ever applied for in Australia and I got it. Wow, that's fast considering the fact that I just got my Spouse Visa a month ago. Things happened so quickly.
And the best part is, I will be working in the SAME company and SAME building as my dear husband (pssst....just different department). Yippee!!!
Thanks to my hubby for sending me that job advert. And also, finally I can use my Finance degree to good use.
Anyway, here's a lowdown of what actually happened:
Day & Time Check: 18 April 2007, 5.30pm
After a week of procrastination, I finally finished updating my work resume. I went through the bank job openings that Kirk had sent me via email. I found a position that I liked and found the courage to apply for the position online.
Day & Time Check: 19 April 2007, 11.40am
As always, I was busy clearing Motorola emails from my home office. The phone rang and I told myself, “Must be Kirk trying to find out what I’m doing,” I said Hello and heard an unfamiliar female voice, with an Australian accent. My second thought was, “Oh, the property agent”. But as I continued to listen I realized that it’s neither Kirk nor the property agent. It’s a lady from the bank informing me that they have received my resume and would like to do a phone interview with me the next day.
I tried my best to handle the call as calm as possible. I honestly didn’t expect a callback SO SOON. After the call, I frantically prepared for my interview, which includes me researching abt the bank and talking to myself for hours on end. Kirk thought I was freaking out for no reason but I refused to listen. I am especially hard on myself when it comes to interviews and I want to be prepared.
Day & Time Check: 20 April 2007, 10.00am
Its time for the phone interview! The interview was only 30 mins long but it seemed forever. The questions were tough and at the end of it, I didn’t think I did well at all. The lady told me that she will call me back a bit later to inform me whether I am successful to go through to the next round of interviews.
Day & Time Check: 20 April 2007, 10.40am
The phone rang. I answered it and almost wanted to cry out in excitement. I was selected to take part in the next round of assessment, which was scheduled for 24 April 2007 at 9.00am. I was told that the assessment session will be 4 hrs long and includes:
1) Team-based activity
2) Role-play activity
3) Behavioural Interviews
4) Aptitude testing (i.e. numerical and literacy testing plus computer-based assessments)
The thought of the 4-hour long assessment made me panic! But thank god, I have a few days to kickback and prepare bit by bit.
Day & Time Check: 24 April 2007, 08.20am to 12.30pm
Since I am new to the city, I decided to leave the house early. Reached the office tower earlier than expected. Waited…waited…and 6 other applicants joined me in the waiting room. There were 4 males and 3 females (including myself). Out of the lot, only 3 of us were Asians. It was really intimidating to see so many others who are vying for the same position. And being in a totally different country didn’t help either.
I have to keep reminding myself that all of us will be assessed the minute we enter the assessment centre. So I talked and talked…like I knew these people for ages.
So what did we do?
1) Team-based activity
All of us had to work as a team to solve a murder. It was a long 30 minutes and we didn’t manage to agree on who the main murder suspect is. Bummer!
2) Role-play activity
We had to do one on one role-playing over the phone (like in a Call Centre). We were given a scenario and had to answer 2 calls (i.e. 1 enquiry and 1 complaint). Scary!!!
3) Behavioural Interviews
This is a one on one interview with the team leaders. My favourite part of the assessment session!!!
4) Aptitude testing (i.e. numerical and literacy testing plus computer-based assessments)
Just loads of questions to answer in such a short period of time. Dang!
And I forgot to mention, prior to the assessment, all of us had to do an 80-question personality test online. DANG!
Day & Time Check: 24 April 2007, 2.00pm
Received a call from Suncorp. I was chosen as the top performer for the assessment session! Hurray!! Seriously didn’t expect it. Was told that they would like to proceed with the next stage of assessments: Referral and police checks. So I called 2 of my past supervisors, whom I have nominated as my referees, to inform them that someone will be calling them soon.
Day & Time Check: 27 April 2007, 1.49pm
Got an email from Suncorp. Bad news though…..saying that I didn’t get the job. Almost wanted to cry and called hubby. I told him how surprised I am cos a few days back the lady told me that I am the top performer for the assessment. Unsatisfied, I replied to the email, thanking them etc… all the flowery flowery correspondence words.
Minutes later, I got a reply to my email. Ok, this is the thing. Apparently, they sent me the last email in error due to a name mix-up. After 5 mins, the lady called just to straighten things out. They are still processing my application. PHEW…..A sigh of relief!
Day & Time Check: 01 May 2007, 11.00am
Got a call informing me that they are offering me the job. HURRRRAH!!! Starting on 21 May...which happens to be the day after my 1-year wedding anniversary. How nice!
No comments:
Post a Comment