graceavewhite

[graceavewhite]

7 Mar 2024 - I want to record down my job hunt journey so that I don’t forget the tiniest details when I need to do this again coming 14 months.

My thoughts:

I feel like I take things for granted in Malaysia, being on the higher side of the hierarchical on job application, which employers wouldn’t complain having a Bachelor Degree and an Australian graduate with experiences working with Australians / expatriates. I got headhunted by some of the well known recruitment agencies and I am not cheap by Malaysian standard.

But it’s an entirely different landscape in Australia, particularly in Sydney. The job market is very competitive, there are so many applicants for one job ad. And when I look at the data, the other applicants educational level is on par or higher than me. On top of that, the agencies chooses someone whose skill match is very close with the needs of clients - transferable skills through industries seems highly impossible although it does happens occasionally.

And I also found out that, clients will usually go with several agencies because one agency is only going to submit 2 candidates - so finding a headhunter to represents you is not going to be an easy task unless you can wow them with other more competitive applicants.

How to wow them? Well, they will give you a screen call (via phone) to see if your skills matches to their clients, and that’s your only opportunity to move forward. If you missed the call, they sometimes don’t answer or return the call back because you missed that window and they are already focusing on other candidates.

If the call wow them, then they would want to schedule a quick teams/zoom call on the very same day with super short notice because they need to get things move very quickly, so you gotta be very prepared.

So yea, with teams/zoom call, you get pass the stage to know more about the clientele - and it didn’t stop there. Even through the teams/zoom calls, they are still evaluating if you fit the role. Specific skills set are so important due to competitiveness.

Ok, you wow the agency via teams/ zoom call, the agency will then make decision who are the 2 candidates they will submitted your profile to the client because remember, they only submitted 2 and at most 3 candidates to one client.

If you think you stood very high chance because there are only 3 candidates to go against, you’re wrong - you’re competing with candidates from other agencies. During candidate selection process, the client will see which profile they want to interview. In other words, you may not be selected for an interview and if this happens, 2 things - either the agencies will forget about you or they will drop you off for other candidates. Talk about exclusivity, no it’s all about business and money.

Let’s say you have been selected for an interview by the client, you’re going to meet their HR or someone with some decision making to see if you have the skills set by giving you lots of technical questions. They will also evaluate if you’re best fit for their culture and their CEO’s work style. This is really subjective because the way they evaluate if you’re the best fit is very varied and to be honest, it feels really unfair - well, I am saying this because I got rejected at this phrase for being too professional (the CEO has more relaxed working style).

Up till here, the agency suddenly feels so cold towards you because you’re out of the game. Fine, the whole grinding process starts again.

If you manage to pass all that tedious stage then you have the green light to meet with the CEO. During the meeting with CEO, the CEO will evaluate your interpersonal skills, how you deal with some of the challenges and the chemistry of working together. Unless you screw it up, if you are at this stage, you are very close to wrapping up the whole process.

To date, I haven’t sign anything but I got a verbal offer for 14months contractual contract (covers for maternity leave). Oh, I forget to mention about this too - there are temps, contract and permanent role. Temps are generally shorter terms and payroll sits within the agencies and you don’t get paid on public holidays / off days and such while contractual roles usually covers for someone who is already in the role but will be away for X period of time, therefore they needed someone to cover for that role. If the person decided to come back for that role, and when your contract ends, you’ll leave or some company will see how they can transfer you into a different role if they have the opening - most of the time, it doesn’t fit because it’s not what you’re doing.

Seriously, it’s a very grinding process. Imagine doing this again after 14months - headaches.

What did I learned along the way?

Resume! It’s super super important.

I only started to get calls when I changed my whole resume to fit the OZ style because if you don’t, you wouldn’t even get past the ATS that are used by larger agencies.

Also, just as I am wrapping up, learned that one of the larger agency has exclusivity- definitely want to get on their good books.

And to see it in a positive way, I started as temp, and then a contractual role, so hopefully something more secure and with growth coming along the way.

[graceavewhite]

Weeeeeee…..

Have you experienced the darkest period of your life, where the right goes wrong, the wrong goes down rabbit holes, where the worst is darker than black holes, where everything is wired beyond imagine?

2022 is the darkest moment of my life. 2023 didn’t fare much better but there are tiny lights. Even with so much negativities, I have always believe in what and why I am fighting for. To look at the brighter side, throughout the journey, I did overcome some of my fears that consumed me previously, which has now been very little to no value of fears left. I know whatever I have been through, and is still going through, although at much better state, is not to break me, but to make me version 2.0 and higher.

Against all odds, and all that happened, I still packed my bags and went down under. I am moving forward to future irregardless. It takes a lot of courage and perseverance to “reset” again. After so many years, I am still a lone fighter - which is not too bad, because after all, I get plenty of quality and peaceful “me” time.

What I truly feel blessed and appreciated is, the lights shed by Sky and Amanda - their mental supports meant so much to me that it has deeply imprinted into my heart. Many will share your high days, but how many will cry together during your low days? The friendship has touched me so deeply.

[graceavewhite]

Why almost everyone can lead a normal life except me?

I just want to sleep.

I am desperate. I been to many temples. I been to specialist doctors. I chant and pray. I go on vegetarian. I release animals. I do donations.

I am exhausted.

I really don’t see the end of tunnel.

[graceavewhite]

No news is a good news. No drama, peaceful life. It’s a bliss.

[graceavewhite]

I hate the way he use Evana and instigate her that going Au is a bad thing.

I can only be patience. What else more can I do?

If it wasn’t for Evana I would have block him from my WhatsApp.

Today I can feel leg being uncomfortable. Probably something stick again.

[graceavewhite]

5th March 2023

There’s something about Sophia Webster. 2 shoes and a bag. They will embark a new journey with me down under.

It’s easy to say migrate, but doing it is not as simple as abc.

But on the brighter side, I have SW shoe to walk a thousand miles with me and SW bag to carry the important things with me.

I’ll take Nike’s motto - just do it!

I must, I will and I can!

[graceavewhite]

Any man can speak loves but it takes a real man to take up responsibility to feed his family and take care for his family.

[graceavewhite]

となりのトトロ · My Neighbour Totoro

[graceavewhite]

Edinburgh ❤️

lovegreatbritain 🍂 instagram

[graceavewhite]

Walking this journey alone...

[graceavewhite]

EP mom

Part of me feel like giving up. I hate being a human cow. On average, every 3 hours, the machine will take 45mins to squeeze me dry, leaving crack and pain behind each time.

But when I see her, my heart melt again. And then I am strong again.

Now that I am on this journey, I will do my best.

But if given a chance, I will definitely NEVER embarke this journey again.

[graceavewhite]

Mission accomplished.

Welcome to my car collection 🥰

[graceavewhite]

Look at these rims! #newtoy #bugattichiron #lego #technic

[graceavewhite]

Claypot rice dessert @ mad hatter. Love it.

[graceavewhite]

Heart beat :)

I hear you

[graceavewhite]

May :)

May -

[graceavewhite]

“You are always not satisfied despite doing the best”

Taking it for granted, you were well protected. Your twisted words and actions speaks a thousand. I see the moment of truth with my own eyes, their eyes and all eyes. Locking the truth deep down inside my heart, sealing it with silence. Embracing it with sleepless nights, my head hurts. Disgusted with lack of respect, must not be toy by emotion; the mask I shall wear to put on an extravagant act. Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the show. Till the finale comes, let’s sit back and enjoy the play.