Jobhunting, Pinoy Style 3: What to expect when you’re expecting (another crappy interview)

Interviews are officially a bitch.

I know this only from having gone through some just from a couple of companies.

I am informed that I will have another interview in San Fernando, La Union.

I sigh.

I piss and moan.

I rant and rave.

I try to force myself out of bed to catch a Partas bus, which I conveniently miss, so I have to settle for those buses in Bayanihan, near Burnham, which look like they need to be laid to rest, and which are usually driven by maniacs who drive like there is no tomorrow. Plus, they are ordinary buses, a code for “not-air-conditioned”.

I expect another tedious interview. This is the third interview, and I am unhappy, as it is the same institution and the interviews are just so…tedious.

To my surprise though, the interview goes well. They seemed to have saved the big guns for last. Or at least the best for last.

The interviewer is the director of one of the departments. Unlike the previous interviewers, he exudes confidence, cosmopolitanness, an aura that says I am from around here, but I’ve been everywhere, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy being here.

Consider this: grew up in the US, educated in the US, worked in the US, gave up all that to work here, despite frustrations about the Philippine culture and system. I perk up. This is exactly what I need: somebody who knows what it’s like,  who’s been there, and has come back and is surviving and making a difference.

More than this, the interview process changes: he does something out of the ordinary. He asks us to do impromptu material and presentation. It is, at least to me, different and interesting.

I do it. So does my competition. Who is younger, inexperienced and full of self-doubt.

I feel like maybe I have done a good job.

But this remains to be seen.

There is hope for the Philippines afterall.