Well, I went for an SIA interview on Saturday and Sunday. Yea. I
know it has nothing to do with what I studied for. I know it would definitely be a subject that SIA would pick on. Bleh. Not only them, everyone that came to know about me applying for this thought the same thing. Why? Because. Because I wanted to give it try. Because I want to see the world. Because I don't want to be stuck in a pharmacy with only old men and old women to socialise with. Because I would take it up if I was chosen, but I wasn't. *hee hee* Do you know they pay about $3000 once you finish your training? And I'm not talking Malaysian Ringgit. Of course, it's also hard work (that was what they have been drilling in that two days. While waiting for your turn, they run this video over and over again telling you a cabin crew member isn't only about looking good and getting fat cheques) - you've to be on call, you've to be away from your friends and family (to be based in Singapore).
It felt like a beauty pageant. I was an hour late for my interview and they were gracious enough to still let me go for another slot - but they lost my application form that I first sent!
Anyway, the first thing they did was measure your height and check whether what you've written on the application form is the same as what they measured. *pfft* Then they bring 10 girls into another room, one by one we're called out to talk about ourselves. Thereafter, we're taken to another room to wait for the results, on whether we made it through to the next day or not. They announce and tell the others, "Okay. Thank you for coming, you can go now." Now
that wasn't very nice.
I was taken into another room with a Mr C for a one-to-one interview (or so I thought). He mostly asked about myself, my studies and of course, why with a degree in Pharmacy, I would want to join SIA. I didn't quite like him after that short meeting because he insulted me. Well, I felt insulted by the way he asked the question and the bored look he had when I was talking.
"So, where did you graduate from?"
"The University of Strathclyde. I did a twinning programme with IMU."
"IMU? What is IMU?"
An emu, you doink.
"IMU - International Medical University."
"Oh. Medical. Do you know where this Strathclyde is?"
WHAT? What is
that suppose to mean?
"Yea. In Glasgow. I went there."
"Oh, is it? I thought you got your degree here."
"No, it's a twinning programme between IMU and Strathclyde. I was here and there."
I've never been so insulted in my whole life. I don't know if he only expects air-heads to apply for SIA (good luck if he does and if it's true!) but even if I did my entire study here, the least would be to know where the university is, right?! Even if I've not placed my feet there on UK grounds, I would at least know on the map where it is, right? What?! *fumes*
I had to answer this form they call the Psychometric test(?) and fill up yet another CV form (how many copies do they want?!).
On Sunday, I went there at 12pm. We were then told what we had to do on the 2nd interview - to talk about the special attributes or character that we have (not more than 3) that would make us a good SIA cabin crew member. Right. Another self-flattery speech. I don't know if I'm being a sour grape (partly...ok, most prolly) but seriously...some girls can't speak for nuts. You listen to them, you would roll your eyes because they'd say they are confident when you can hear their teeth chattering (and they won't say there are confident...instead, "I am a confidence person."), they say they like little children and elderly "peoples", they say they are humble (? the irony!), they say they are cheerful and have warm smiles (they weren't smiling when they said all these)...hmmm...I guess I am being a sour grape *ha ha* When the panel said they weren't only considering good looks, I say "bollocks". Really. Some of the girls really deserve it...Junaidah (I really liked her. She's the only Malay girl, really sweet and friendly. Speaks well and confident. She's Julia's younger sister - a pharmacist in the enforcement office in Seremban), Nicole, Siew Lee...but most of them are beautiful-pretty, can't string proper sentences together and put on a false accents. I was quite sure I didn't make it after my "speech". I can't. I can't say things about myself. Nice things. It feels sooooooo pretentious. I felt like a fake trying to muster up enough courage to say that I'm "considerate, committed and fit well being either a team player or a leader." It was terrible. An experience, definitely. I've never been to any interviews before - ever!
My job in the hospital only needed me to print out a form from the Internet and send it to KKM. The 2 "interviews" I went for recently (retail pharmacies) was a "sit down, have a drink and chat". So there. I've tried. I am a sore-loser. I'm never gonna try for airlines again. I've had my share of experience.
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On another note about this "failure". Most prolly you would all say I'm just trying to console myself but I choose to believe this. I believe I failed because it wasn't my place to be there. I spoke to Aunty Jo before the interview and she asked me if I wanted to give my best years to a company or to God?
I never really thought about it when I sent in the application. If I got through, I would have to be based in Singapore. I wouldn't have a set schedule. I may not get to go to Sunday services. Most importantly, I would not be stable enough in one place to be able to serve God.
I remembered I told Janice that I would join dance ministry once I finish my training in the hospital because thereafter I would have more time - having only one job instead of two. I also recently agreed to be in the ushering team and I was already given a time-table on when I was going to be ushering guests into the sanctuary. I even planned to offer myself to serve in worship - if they want me. God works in mysterious ways. He knows I want to go see the world, go places. So He lets me try - but somehow He will still pull me back, reminding me in His own way of the things that are more important. In the things that I have promised unto Him. Like His promises unto my life. I believe I will get to see the world in good time, in His style, in His way. Mission trip, maybe?
I look forward to more days with Him. Amen!
