Today, I open my heart once more to share my job search struggles the past year.
Oct 2011 - I left my position in an MNC due to personal reasons (actually wanted to elaborate more here but since my ID has been compromised, I cannot do so professionally). Anyway, fyi, till today they have not (managed) to find a replacement. I believe in the first place they need not / could ill afford this resource. But I'm happy I helped them out during that busiest period of office moves and trade launches and made a few friends in the process. Not all is bad.
Nov 2011 - KG topped, I was happily shifting over and doing up the place and enjoying the year end. No serious job search but a few MNCs (local MNCs) interviews came up before the end of the year. Went but did not get past first round.
Jan-May 2012 - Most of the time was spent doing really nothing much, I was also at the same time cutting out lots of stuff from my life and trying to improve my deteriorating health with diet and exercise. I also quitted smoking cold turkey without any bad effects. In my spare time I was going through all the Final Fantasy series on the PS3 and then some favorites I missed like Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger, PE1 and 2 (absolutely loved these), Silent Hill etc. It was like I was living in lalaland... with no emotional up and down, no stress no mess... but the invisible stress is actually building up. In the midst of it, I also ended a relationship of 4+ yrs.
Feb 2012 - IRAS send me a bomb letter. The rest is history as from this forum, and how it perpetrated my 'disappearance' (rather, transformation into another unstable element) from this forum. I did however truly appreciate all the advices given on my case. It truly helped me move on despite all the (self inflicted I guess, and circumstantial) bad luck.
Mar-Jun 2012 - There was a few interviews as well, one of which the headhunter even revealed that the hiring manager almost chose me, but decided on the other candidate instead. I took it as she was being nice.
Jun 2012 - I finally awoken and decided to do something more constructive about my life. So I moved in with relatives and put up KG for rent. It served me well to provide good income. I also started to seriously apply for jobs.
Jul 2012 - Heater problem with one of my other unit. Developer was kind to rectify and FOC on 'goodwill basis' despite beyond DLP. That was how close I had gotten to that particular developer. I didn't realise myself.
Sep 2012 - There was some problems with my KG unit, due to tenant not allowing access when contractor wanted to rectify, the problem escalated to the extent tenant had to break lease after just a few months. Developer was actually nice enough to offer to put up the tenant at hotel for a few days while doing the rectification. But tenant rejected.
Nov 2012 - I planned for my reappearance here.
Dec 2012 - I finished my community service here and look forward to 21 Dec reappearance as myself. However... (rest is history as you know it). I still owe price an answer. That, I will do so as promised on 21 Dec. In private, of course.
So my last interview was sometime in August I think. I applied for over 50 jobs (all levels junior to senior, mostly during past 6 months) and I counted about 7-8 interviews. Mine is a rather niche segment so I guess this is expected. In the past, I was lucky to get a job upon 2 rounds of interview with the company. Notwithstanding the fact that those times I was holding on to a job while searching, actually the process from first look to eventually jumping ship also took more than 6 months to a year each time.
Therefore, I console myself, and to other jobless and actively searching bros out there, things will look up. Leave no stone unturned, explore every job site and company website, work with capable headhunters who have your interests at heart (not those who just merely trying to hit quota or anyhow keyword match despite knowing nuts about your domain), and network.
2013 will be a better year for us all.
Now, I just can't wait for it to end.