Wishing...and Hoping..

Back to work it is! Glum glum glum...

The interview yesterday blessedly went brilliantly. I met 2 very nice gentlemen, Jan (vice provost and another Chinese man who I am abashed to admit I forgot his name). I was 15minutes late for the interview and I was not too excited to be doing a written test "...your greatest achievements in your career in the last 2 years...

I must thank my lucky stars that I pulled myself together to complete a decent piece of essay. Jan, one of the interviewers, said he liked what I wrote. Thank god! I admit the writing might appear a little informal to some but I decided to take a gamble and risk it. I expected it would evoke a love it or hate it reaction. Fortunately it was the former. I must accredit my recent re-born love for reading that made a huge difference, I couldnt have written so well otherwise.

Unfortunately that's not all. There is another round of interview to go, which I would be informed in 2 weeks' time if I am selected for the next round. I would bashfully admit I think I stand a good chance of a second interview. The 2 guys were great, they were straight to the point and didnt waste them asking difficult questions to put me in the spot. I love such interviews! However that doesnt quite make my chances any higher.

Whether I receive an offer, or not, depends ultimately on the next interviewer who is going to be my boss if I get the job. Fortunately I already know who the interviewer will be... Dr Lee Sing Kong, the head of NIE no less! He's spearheading this new initiative that created my job. I must do my best to research around more. Hopefully Regina and Bee Lian would have returned before my second interview! *praying hard*

I am excited because a) this is my meal ticket out of ELIS, my best (and only) hope so far, b) sounds likely that NTU benefits are going to be quite alright, and c) the timing of the interview at this time means I can still safely have my year-end bonus before I tender.

It will be an exciting new start and I expect no less than a demanding and challenging job. There will be no hand-holding and very minimal guidance working for such a high profile boss. I will have to fight hard for his time and attention to discuss work matters and work as efficiently and cleverly as I possibly can. Looking on the bright side, it would be an honour to work directly under such a distinguished man (few get the chance) and if I do well in this job, it will be a great personal satisfaction which will not go unnoticed I believe.

All in all, wish me luck!! I really want this! I dont know how I am gonna survive the next 2 weeks till I get the call! sigh...