[ Surrendering the floor to an old (meaning since way back, not the age) contemporary in NZ who’s been through his share of Zoom adventures, something most of us have totally embraced since the start of the lockdowns. His narration speaks for itself, thanks for reading! ]
Dear kabayan Noel
Kumusta? Hope you and your family are healthy and virus free. Haven’t kept in touch for some time, matagal tagal na rin mula nung magkasama tayo sa unang employer natin. Since then sinwerte akong makastay sa New Zealand, I heard you were blessed to be the same. But I’ve had my own ups and downs.
Having stayed with the same employer for quite some time, I haven’t applied for a job or tested the job market in nearly 15 years. Didn’t need to, and didn’t want to. But events overtook me, I’m still looking for the ideal job (if there ever was one), and like the lottery, if I didn’t buy a ticket (or be available for a job interview), never win the lottery (find an ideal job).
And in the time of the pandemic, making yourself available is as easy as finding a date. In fact, it’s almost exactly the same, with slightly different expectations and less make-up on. 🙂
Here’s how it went :
hello, how are you finding the weather there ? (turned out they mistook me for someone outside New Zealand)
It’s not as warm as the Auckland region (where I knew the interviewers were based), but it’s been quite warm here the last few days, but I’m grateful for the summer weather, almost like the Philippines where it’s a little more humid.
When they cleared up that I was originally from the Philippines and currently in New Zealand, their interest leveled up around a double and a half, as I found out later they already had four Pinoy employees all hardworking and none of them drama queens.
Oh, so you’re the Filipino candidate! Please tell me how long you’ve been with your current employer?
I’ve only been with my current employer a year plus, but 15 years with my employer before that. I only left for immigration reasons.
The two interviewers look at each other meaningfully. I later realized from the recruiter that above the usual suspects, they placed a premium on loyalty and longevity with an employer, and in the ever-changing landscape of the NZ labor market, a dozen years was as long as any they’d heard from a migrant.
Are you handy with machines? When you have a breakdown in machinery, do you first try to fix the problem yourself or do you immediately call maintenance staff?
I answer this one diplomatically. Through the years I’ve become familiar with most of the machines around me, but if it’s something I can handle without calling anyone we try to fix the problem without too much hassle, otherwise we call engineering asap to avoid wasting production time.
hope that was a common-sense answer.
how well do you get along with your workmates? have you ever had serious differences at work, for whatever reason?
i was waiting for this.
Many Filipinos get along with anybody and I’m no different. I’ve gotten along with Kiwis, Islanders, all kinds of Asians and everybody else. All comes with being part of a team.
(nods) We’ve heard of Filipinos being team players, too. why do you think this is so?
probably because English comes naturally for us, but also because we’re naturally friendly and engaging, most of all we’re just grateful to be in New Zealand.
A little more small talk, than the interview ended. Hope they like me, I like working in New Zealand.
thanks bro, God bless always!
Jay-R
