The Verdict

• By Jimmy Hoffman
• 3 August, 2013
• 1 Comment

Victory or defeat.

Stay here in Singapore or go home.

Well before we get there let’s rewind to day 67.  On day 67 I was invited for a final interview for the company that was my number one (and really only) pick to work for.  They called me the day prior and setup the time and told me to be prepared for a panel interview.  I underlined, bolded and italicized the words “panel interview” in my mind.  I thought the first interview was a panel interview when I interviewed in front of 3 interviewees.  They didn’t tell me to be prepared for a panel interview then.  What was I getting myself into!?

I knew going in to this second and final interview I was qualified for the job and I left a good impression from the first interview.  Otherwise they would never have called me in for the final interview.  With that knowledge I went into the interview feeling confident.  The panel consisted of the 3 interviewees from the first interview and 3 additional members.  All 6 people consisted of the team I would work with if I got the position.  The interview lasted about 30 minutes and was basically a getting to know me type Q and A.  After a brief pause at the end of the interview I was informed that I was selected for the position.

I was in shock!  The last thing I thought would happen would be for them to offer me the position right then and there.  Well it did happen and after the shock wore off I was very excited!  They gave me the details on their offer and I was told I would be contacted by their HR Department to complete forms for the Work Pass.  After that I took the hour MRT ride home, which I barely remember in my excitement.  Before I got too elated I had to give myself a reality check.  I didn’t want to celebrate too much because who knows what could happen.  I didn’t even submit the documents for the Work Pass yet.

Three days later (day 70) I went back to the company and handed in my completed forms for the Ministry of Manpower who would either approve or deny my Work Pass.  My future here in Singapore was now in the hands of complete strangers.  I was very nervous of the outcome.

After 6 longgg days I received the verdict.

After 334 applications and 76 days of living in Singapore my work pass was approved.  My new company told me to expect my first day to be the 12^th of August.

Victory!*  (The asterisk is not a typo.  Keep reading.)

Finally!  I overcame what seemed to be insurmountable odds.  Climbed to the summit of my Mount Everest.  It was finally time I could relax a bit and celebrate!

A celebration short lived!  I received a phone call from my new company this afternoon (Day 77). Unfortunately, they informed me that they had to cancel my Work Pass.  Apparently they only had one foreign Work Pass left on their quota, which I took when the MOM approved me.  They received word from their UK office that they needed to give priority to another person who has been with the company for several years.

Back to being in shock!  All this excitement and sense of accomplishment to be right back where I started 77 days ago.

After I received the phone call I sent a nice follow up email to the company, thanking them for their time and efforts.  I do understand that sometimes things happen that are out of our control.  My email was followed by a reply.  I was thanked for my understanding and informed that I am the next one on their priority list to hire if and when a spot becomes open.

With all that being said its back to square one!  I have to stay positive and be proud that I was able to accomplish my goal of obtaining a work pass in 90 days (*even if it was only for 1 day).  Hopefully with everything I have learned I can pull it off again in a more timely manor.  It won’t be easy!

Bottom line is it sucks!  And to top it off I lost 2 weeks of job-hunting while this whole MOM approval process was ongoing.  Feeling sorry for myself won’t get me anywhere though.  I have to go back out there on Monday swinging! Make one final push to obtain a job here.

My final verdict:  Anyone can be cynical.  Dare to be an optimist!