In the current state of hazy affairs where PSI peaks at 371, the highest in the history of Singapore, the rush to purchase masks for daily wearing became the priority of most Singaporeans.

Gas masks would be the best, seconded by the popular-during-SARS-period N95 by 3M. Desperados who can't get any settle for the least useful, surgical masks. As citizens rush to the clinics, pharmacies, TCMs to get masks, Singapore and Indonesian government get into their snail-like pace to come to a resolution to the haze problem.

Tonight, as I sat behind my keyboard, wearing a mask in my own enclosed room, I was "on-duty" as web master for a political party.

While I was safely behind the protection provided for by my windows, door and masks, a handful of my fellow political buddies brazed the haze to give out free surgical masks to residents of the estate.

It's a political move, yes. It is also a human move.

And yet, as I take on the safest duty tonight to post updates on the Facebook wall, I see the appreciative sides of Singaporeans.

Unfortunately, I also see the ugly side.

Comments like "Useless", "Waste of time" and "No Use" peppered the comments, all because the free masks that were given out were not N95.

I felt nothing but disappointment for my fellow countrymen.

These comments are addressed to Singaporeans walking in the haze, giving out masks for free.

Since when is it a useless act to give out free items? I see Singaporeans braving heat, braving rain, braving insanely long queues to collect the commonplace tissue packs, toothpaste, mouthwash at Raffles Place.

I see Singaporeans braving this very haze to queue for a cat plushie.

And yet to the fellow Singaporeans who walk around estates in the haze giving out free masks (that were sold out in pharmacies, clinics islandwide), it was deemed by some as a useless act.

What happened to the society that cultivated such cynicism within the citizens of this garden city. What was more appalling was that this cynicism was directed to our own people.

These cynical comments are from Singaporeans, to Singaporeans.

Was it the haze that got to them?

Was it the fact this was done by a small political party with limited resources and outreach?

Or had cynicism become a tumour of the society. Have Singapore developed a society where receiving help or giving help should be met with snide remarks.

I'm a newbie in politics, having only been in a party for 2 years. But I've learnt quickly, not to let any of these get to me on a personal level. Heaven knows how much weird and insane stuff I've faced from candidates in my usual day job.

Tonight, however, it did. As much as I tried to let it not affect me, it did. 

It's one of those nights where being in politics weigh me down.

One of those nights.


From the hazy Desk of a Recruiter

Following the MDA's most recent legislation for news websites, one couldn't help but be cynical on the motivation behind this enforcement.

To quote our Minister for Communication & Information, Yaacob Ibrahim: 

"... it is regularizing what is already happening on the Internet and making sure that they are on par with our mainstream media"

This statement, if read as-is, seemed to be brimming with the usual traits of this "democratic" government:

Confidence fueled by arrogance fueled by ignorance.

To sincerely believe that the publications (about Singapore) on the Internet should be "on par" with the local media implied much confidence in the standards of our mainstream media.

It seemed to be a belief by the people behind wardrobes that our mainstream media is an ideal representation of how news publication should be. Perhaps it will be an ideal representation... in North Korea.


The confidence in which how, and what, news websites should publish is fueled by ignorance, that is fueled by arrogance.

To believe that they can regulate the Internet is arrogant. It is as though a small kid telling an adult that he should conform to the former's expectations.

To believe they can enforce what other news websites (besides the 9 obvious state-controlled sites) can publish about Singapore is ignorance. These people don't seem to realize how the world sees our so-called "media". Our media is state-controlled; this is so open that every foreign news website reporting on this new legislation had described our media as "state-controlled media".


The Minister thinks Singaporeans are criticizing on the move as a method to control the media. No. We're not the only one. The whole world thinks so, and is criticizing it with a variety of vocabulary. Only ignorant the less critical, will think that this legislation is not a backhanded way to control the news content.

Welcome to Singapore; one day, we will all need to pay for a license to speak in this country. 

There were days where I receive resumes in bright red font colors. That was in the past though.

But then, there will be days where I receive email cover letters with rather interesting choice of colors for their fonts.

(Note: Email Cover Letters = Cover Letters that were written in the email body rather than in a separate document)

Example:

I suppose I can use the Outlook's feature "Edit Message" to view this cover letter. Which was what I was doing while taking the screenshot. Nonetheless, the color combination amused me.

Dear Jobseeker, 

Thank you for your resume, your contact number and your contact email. 

Now... what is your name? 


From the Desk of a Recruiter

*~*~*

Time to time I came across "interesting" resumes. On top of the other interesting ones previously blogged about, this particular resume came in several weeks back.

Interestingly enough, there was no name anywhere.

And I mean anywhere. There was no name in the email address except a jumble of selected alphabets; there was no name in the email body; there was no name in the resume file name (it was named as "resume.docx"); there was no name in the resume document itself.

I can't even find a godforsaken surname/last name I can address this person by.

There was, however, what I assumed to be his initials:

A.K

Ah yes. That is very helpful when you're looking for a job. Many companies would be thrilled to hire somebody they couldn't even identify properly.

 *rolls eyes*

Yes, I'm having a minor bitch moment there.

December is a tiring month for a recruiter.



Signing off
"A.C"
From the Desk of a Recruiter

The Amy Cheong incident is truly enlightening at how fragile racial tolerance is in Singapore. While the most majority of Singaporeans tolerated each other, once every so often, incidents of such bigots randomly rambling on Facebook became the top news of everyone’s News Feeds.

We often thought that racial harmony is “given”, seeing we “grew up in Singapore”.

And yet, we have this Miss Amy Cheong who steps forward with questionable intelligence and reminds us that racial harmony is not to be taken granted for.

Insert Picard’s double facepalm picture here please.

Her comments on the local Malay custom of having void deck marriages showcased not only her insensitivity to her fellow countrymen, but also the hint of self-centered elitism.

It’s rather shocking at how she is able to declare that “expensive” weddings results long-lasting wedding. Was she a wedding planner or a wedding counselor? 

Actually, no. She's just a membership consultant. 

Spending tens of thousands on a wedding dinner does not equate to a happy marriage. More often than not, an expensive wedding dinner banquet added onto the financial and mental stress of the newly-wed couple.

Which, according to some of my friends and acquaintances, also explains why wedding lunches are on the rising trend.

As she cursed, and swore with vulgarities on our Malays’ wedding customs, she seemed to have forgotten that Chinese do utilize void decks in our own custom and culture – in funeral wakes.

In retrospect, I wondered if she would curse and swear if her family held a funeral wake that lasted any number between 3-7 days, with chanting/choir singing every other night.

The saddest part of it all, in my opinion, was that she seemed to think her comments were “silly”.

I wondered which part of her Facebook comments qualified as “silly”.

The “How can society allow pple to get married for 50 bucks?” part?

Or the “…maybe then the divorce rate wont be so high!” part?

Or the “Not to mention as u happily start ur new journey, there will be hundreds cursing u to death, me included” part?

For someone who is educated enough to hold the assistant director rank with NTUC, she is sadly lacking in the department of EQ.

As of this moment of this blog post, Amy Cheong has been sacked from her employer. (insert Today’s report)

To: Miss Amy Cheong, for all the declarations and apologies that you had Ctrl C + Ctrl V into your Twitter posts, you seemed to be missing the key reason why the nation was outraged.

 Your post was appallingly racist.

No, it is far from being “silly”.

And I doubt many will believe that you “didn’t mean it”.

For one to be cursing/swearing openly and repeatedly on the social network, it only shows how much sincerity and earnestness she placed in those “silly” words.

May this be a lesson to you.

Signing off

Adeline

From the Desk of a Recruiter

Things has been kinda sluggish, particularly as we enter the final quarter and what is often known as the "bonus" period.

There were fewer and fewer anecdotes encountered lately. Or perhaps my sense of humor disappeared along with my sales. But no anecdotes doesn't mean I don't encounter notable incidents in the workplace.

As a recruiter, I am responsible to both my candidates and my clients.

I am responsible in placing my candidates to the right clients; at the same time, I am also responsible for identifying candidates with the right experience/attitude for my clients.

So yes, I do reject candidates base on their attitude.


Case 1 - The Case of the Grumpy Candidate

Me: Hello, may I speak with XXX? 

Candidate: WHAT?! 

Me: *stun* I am calling in regards to the application that you submitted for one of our positions.

Candidate: What position is that?! 

Me: The Software Analyst role. 

Candidate: Call me later! *hangs up*



Needless to say, I never called the person back. I was appalled at his phone etiquette (or lack there-of), that I left a note in the central database - that this person has a very rude attitude.

There are some candidates shows recruiters the negative aspects of their attitude, with arrogance topping the list. These candidates seemed to think only HRs are worth their time and courtesy.

It probably never occurred to them that recruiters (sometimes) are their access routes to several HRs.

One might argue that the candidate might be busy. Or the candidate might be in a bad mood. Those who knows me personally would know I am more than capable of yelling at CSRs when they step on my tail.

But my response is and will always be:

What if the person is your user?

What if the person on the other line is your boss?

Or, in case of job seeking, what if the other person is a potential hiring manager, doing a phone interview?

There is nothing wrong in yelling at people over the phone. But I suppose it's not much to ask to at least answer the phone with a neutral tone. Should the caller deserve a couple of minutes of yelling, we can always start in the next sentence.



Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of a Recruiter

This happened to me at around 7pm one fine day....:

Call in applicant: "I saw a job advert on the net. I'd like to talk to your HR Manager about this."

Me: "We're a recruitment consultancy here. Maybe I can help you with that."

Call in applicant: "I'd like to talk to someone about job opportunity"

Me: "What is it regarding? Maybe I can help you with that."

Call in applicant: "No, I'd like to talk to someone about the job."

Me: "............. Yes, you can talk to me. What is it regarding?"

Call in applicant: "No. I'd like to talk to someone about the job. Can you get someone to call me back about the job?"

*Me facepalming*

Me: "Okay... What is your number?"

Call in applicant: "+971 XXXXXXX"

Me: "Sorry, we can only accept candidates currently residing in Singapore."

Call in applicant: "Fine." *hangs up*

*~*~*

My only reaction at the end of the conversation:

WHAT JOB LAH! 


All in a day's work.




*Takes deep breath*


Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of the Recruiter

Picard does it best at facepalms. 

Signing off

Adeline

From the Desk of a Recruiter

Recruitment 101

Lesson 3:


Never take it for granted that cover letters are professional documents. It may contain other information, such as a summary of the childhood memories of the job applicant had of his/her deceased father, 3 siblings and family teachings. 


*~*~*

Let it now be said. In a cover letter:

We DO NOT need to know:

1) Who raised you
2) The age your father passed away
3) The number of siblings you have and/or have to take care of
4) How your family's teaching has influenced you to be who you are.
5) How your ex-employer has mistreat you
6) How your wife thinks you should get a new job
7) How the arrival newborn child is motivating you to get a better paying job


We. Are. Not. Matchmakers. Or. Family. Counsellors


What we DO like to see:

1) Written descriptive of your educational qualification
2) 2-3 paragraphs of your professional experiences
3) How your experience can value-add to the listed vacancies
4) Your contact details



Resumes and Cover letters are professional representation of one's self. 

Leave personal history, your ah-gong/ah-ma/ah-pa/mummy/hubby/wife's teachings to gossip or chit-chat-sessions with your friends.


Yes, it's been a long Monday.



Signing off,
Adeline
From the Desk of a Recruiter

Dear Jobseeker, 

Read your resume carefully before sending it out. 


"Preventive Maintenance" and "Preventive Masturbation" are worlds apart. 

From the Desk of a Recruiter

*~*~*

I am an avid surfer of FMyLife.com. For those of you out there thinking today is the worst day of your lives, please drop by the website. It's therapeutic.


This anecdote pops up on one of my daily views on the FML website.

Today, I found out that my resume contained the word "masturbation" in the skills section, courtesy of a practical joke by my best friend. I have been using this CV unsuccessfully for over two months. FML

Finding it utterly amusing, I forwarded this little anecdote to my fellow colleagues. After a good laugh to chase away the office blues, one of them decided to do a keyword search, to see if the word "masturbation" truly exists in the massive load of resumes we received.

And... yes, it did... on the employment history of an engineer

"Preventive masturbation of machinery...." 

Needless to say, we had another laugh.

Over time, I came to develop a mental list of "Top Weirdest Resumes".

Some of them were weird because of strange resume photos; others due to strange typography.

THIS particular hilarious gem, however, wins the new #1 spot on my rather disorganized list, all with a simple word.


Advice from the Desk:
Always, always, always read your resume two times before clicking the send button. Spending an extra 5 minutes won't kill your eyes.

Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of the Recruiter

An incident shared:

Colleague: Any particular reason why you're looking to leave? 


Jobseeker: I'd like to move onto a bigger firm. The current one I'm in is too small. 


 Colleague: I have an opportunity with XXX (established property development company). Would you be interested? 


Jobseeker: Oh. That company is too big. I don't think I will be interested. 


Colleague: ...


*~*~*

Following last year's blog post on how I can't seem to understand job-seekers' mindset, here is yet another case that truly puzzled us on the mentality behind job-seekers.

 As one of my friends have responded:

Not too big, not too small, but juuuuuuuuust right 

Uh huh... Coming to you soon:

Goldilocks Staffing Consultancy 
 - Dedicated to finding opportunities that are juuuuuuuuuuuuust right. 

Rant aside, some jobseekers want bigger company, with bigger package, bigger basic salary, bigger responsibilities, we give them one.

Instead, they'd like to take the bigger package, bigger basic salary, but not the bigger company and/or bigger responsibilities.

On certain days in this job, I feel like I'm working in a food-stall.

"Aunty ah! I wan one wanton mee, extra wantons, got discount?"

"Alo ah! I wan one job, extra money, little responsibility!"

I'm not sure if I should feel sad/depressed that this is a growing mentality among job-seekers, particularly those who wants lovely bank-like paycheck, but not the heat that comes with that money.

And one would think the concept of 'no free lunch' should be instilled in all of us.

Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of the Recruiter

Recruitment 101

Lesson 2:


Never take it for granted that application emails contains resumes. It may contain something else... a 439-page documentation developed for a school assignment, for example


Or, it may contain something more interesting. Like, blood-test results.


*~*~*

Often, I wonder what is going through the mind of job-seekers when they select documents to be attached in an application email.

I'm comforted by the fact that 98% of the emails I received from job-seekers do contain the relevant attachments, such as cover letter, passport-size photos, resumes/CVs, transcripts, etc...

The remaining 2% however, contains the weirdest attachments I've seen. More recently, I came across one who attached a 439 page documentation for a programming language. This attachment was accompanied by another 120 page documentation for goodness-knows-what, resulting in the application email to be a whopping 17MB, of which 69KB was relevant - his resume.

At least Mr 439-Page-Documentation submitted his resume. Just the other day, I received an application email with only one document - blood test result.

Well, Mr Blood-Test-Results, I am happy you were tested negative for Hepatitis A, B or C. But I still have no idea how your blood test is able to justify you were suitable for an IT Engineer role.






Signing off,
Adeline
From the Desk of a Recruiter

Just for fun. =D Cheers!




Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of a Recruiter

This has been on my mind for the past 24 days and 3 months and 4 years, and I suppose will continue to be on my mind. 


When the world of recruitment runs on a try-luck mentality, it starts to move away from being a proper service and to a world of gambling. With the induction of online job portals, the only risk for jobseekers in mass-sending resumes is that mild ache in the mouse-finger.


"Just try lah. No harm mah!" 


I've received fresh IT graduate applying for a Global Head in Information System Architecture. 


I've received fresh Business Administrative graduate applying for a Business Objects Consultant.


I've received an Admin Executive applying for SQL 2008 Architect


I've received Physical Education graduate and current basketball coach applying for Oracle Database Administrator. (No kidding)


Sometimes, I reply these people, asking them to elaborate on their relevant experience in the field. 


The most common answer I've heard, in a nutshell: 


"I've used this software before. I am sure I can do this job." 


I know how to use a fridge. Does that mean I can build a fridge on my own?


When does looking for a career became an action of "just try, no harm"? 


I'm not really sure if jobseekers will appreciate it if employers just try them out for a few days. Just try luck and see. No harm, right?


Or, would jobseekers enjoy it if recruiters send them out to any available position, regardless of what they are qualified for. 


Just try luck and see, no harm anyway. Do I have to care if you are a 2nd class Honors graduate in IT and I recommend you for an Admin Assistant job?


Some (keyword: some) of the job seekers have the most questionable attitude when they apply for everything that contains the words "IT" or "Computer" and expect a full-time permanent employment with career progression with an attractive paycheck. 


The only logic I see similar exists in the casinos. Of course, at the casinos, you do not have the luxury of throwing your chips to every game without any cost. 


No matter how many times you declare in your cover letter/resume how "meticulous and takes work with pride" you are, sending your resume to 100 job advertisements a day only shows how little time/effort you spend in understanding a simple piece of information. 


Of course, there's always two sides to a coin. I'll post up the other side of the coin in the next update. 






Signing off
Adeline
From the desk of a Recruiter

Dear Jobseeker, 

The name of this country is Singapore, or S'pore if you're really lazy. It is not Spore. 
We are not the reproductive structure of a plant. 

From the Desk of a Recruiter

*~*~*

... 

I'm not exactly sure why job applicants can be in such a rush to send out an email, that they overlooked the aprostaphes.

Not exactly the best way to impress an employer or a recruiter of those "excellent English communication skills" of yours when you can't even compose an email using standard English, (never mind business standards)

I do take solace that these mistakes were never made by local Singaporeans. That would have been a truly facepalm moment.

Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of the Recruiter

It doesn't exist.

More often than not, I have requests from friends asking me for advise on resume writing. Other times, they simply ask me for THE template. I usually give them the template I use for myself.

Having said that, I update my resume regularly with the strictest expectations. My friends do not get the fresh-out-of-poly-blur-like-sotong version of my resume.

I remember writing on this blog once:

A perfect resume is like a perfect woman. It doesn't exist.

A resume, or a curriculum vitae, has only one purpose. To sell your abilities and experience to a prospective employer/recruitment consultant. As long as it achieved that purpose for you, it is your perfect resume.

However, it would be nice if you follow to certain norms expected of a resume, or any professional document for that matter.

1) Professional-looking photos, for goodness' sake

Photos are a part of the standard resume template. Google "resume template" and I am pretty sure more than 50% of templates you see includes a space for a passport photo of yourself.

I have received some weird photos in my time as a recruiter and most of my peers would have had similar experiences with eccentric resume photos. Let it be said that HR Managers and/or Recruiters do not really care how your wedding dress/prom dress looks like, so please choose an appropriate photo.

Just a gentle guideline on choosing the photo you wish to put in your resume.

- A plain white background. (We do not need to see cubicle doors)
- Just you, and you alone. (If a friend decides to hug you/kiss you while you are taking the photo, please ask to re-take)

2) Standard fonts will do.

Arial is a common favourite. Times New Roman being a close second. Other fonts resulting in a delightful resume includes Calibri, Verdana and Garamond.

So, please, dear jobseekers. Lucida Handwriting and Comic Sans MS are not suitable fonts for a resume. If you really have to use the above two fonts for any document, please ensure the document is not in anyway tied to a professional representation of yourself.

3) Standard font size will do 


This topic is a personal favourite ever since I received an extremely impressionable font-size-35-resume , I couldn't repeat any more often about the importance of font size in a resume.

Standard sizes of 10, 11, 12, or even 13 works well for a resume. Anything above 16 and below 20 should be used only as headers.

There is absolutely no reason why a resume would require the font size 35. I still don't get that.

Neither are there any reasons why a resume should be written in font sizes 5-8. I mean, you do want someone to read the words in your resume, don't you?

4) Standard font color will do 


Black on white goes together well. Very, very, very well. So please exploit that color combination to the best you can.

And avoid bright red in your resume whenever you can. You are writing a resume, not emulating a Facebook notification.

Having said that, avoid any variations of bright colors too. My eyes will thank you.

5) Avoid too many attachments. 


It is almost a daily occurrence for recruiters to receive resumes of a whopping 10MB. In case you don't realize, 10MB is almost the size of 2 (maybe 3) MP3 files.

Often, these resumes comes from zealous fresh graduates who attached their lifelong certificates, right down to their PSLE certifications. My record so far was receiving a job application with 15 attachments. Excluding the resume.

Yes, 15 attachments.

Note to the fresh graduates:

- Attach the appropriate certifications. If you are applying for an IT job, we do not need to receive Certificate of Participation for Basic Accounting I, II. and III.

- Resize the picture files if you have to.

- There is a wonderful software called "WinRar"


And with the above 5 points, I conclude this first entry of the year 2012. May everyone find their ideal jobs soon.

Signing off
Adeline
From the Desk of a Recruiter

Having sat behind a computer reading resumes for coming 4^th year now, I know the pains of hiring locals, and hiring foreigners alike. For the first two years of my recruitment experience, hardly a day goes by without moments where I have to do a facepalm, or starts cursing at my trusty Compaq. (For more details, please feel free to explore my archives)

GE2011 was over for almost half a year now. The newly elected MPs had taken their oaths and already the highlights of the Parliamentary debates were yesterday’s news. But yet, it seemed like the feelings of “anti-foreigner-ism” remained as fresh as it were in May.

In light of an interesting debate that took away an hour of my sleep last night, I feel compelled to write this blog entry.

For those who’d care less to read through all 70 comments, here’s the summary.

A popular online media site shared a link commenting how a local company placed an advertisement seeking specifically Filipino personnel for RPG/AS400 development.

Note: RPG/AS400 is an IT technology that is over 50 and 20 years old respectively. Essentially, it is the great-great-grandpa of the languages we learn in Polys and Unis.

Within 10 minutes of the posting, comments like the following appeared:

“Our Gov prefer the FT than the Singaporean ... That's why there's NO LAW to protect Singaporean.”

Me, having had a memorable experience in hiring AS400 people, simply could not resist posting up the fact that how aged this technology was.

To my surprise, the comments that followed were… “interesting”, to say the least.

“Adeline,the job ad shouldnt specify pinoys.period.”

“Such adverts amount to racism and discrimination. The company could simply advertise "Requiring RPG /AS400 Programmers and Developers". Imposing Race and Nationality requirements in Singapore Job Advertisements need to be dealt with. Meritocracy means Hire on merit. Not race, not nationality.”

“At least this company is honest enough to not waste the time of a job seeking Singaporean. Maybe websites like JobsDB should have a section or marker for us locals, indicating "Singaporeans and Dogs need not apply".

“Adeline you're blind.”

“Adeline Chan ....Maybe you are Pinoy or One of the brainless 60% ...”

Erm, no, the last time I check, my nationality is stated as Singapore, my brain is sitting happily in my skull and I’m only short-sighted.

And wow. “Meritocracy”, “Discrimination”. Big, fancy words arrive. *drum roll please*.

The irony of the situation slapped me in the face like a smelly sock that has not been washed for years.

So, these “true-blue” Singaporeans are upset that:

1)      An advertisement posted “Filipinos needed”.

2)      Companies are looking for foreigners for a technology that is so old, even our parents might not have learnt it when they are in school.

For all the fairness that was obligated in the recruitment industry, I only see bitching, cursing about job advertisements with a tag that says “<Insert Foreign Country> needed” or “Singapore PRs welcomed” or basically, any job advertisement that contains the word “Foreigners”.

What about job postings that declares “Only Singaporeans need to apply”? There’re a dime a dozen out there in the Internet, and I see no media bitching and commenting about how “un-Meritocratic” it is to place a job vacancy that likewise, also only specify which nationals need to apply.

How is that not “Meritocratic” or not “Discriminatory”, Singaporeans? Or is recruitment fairness only applicable to Singaporeans?

It is even more so ironic how Singaporeans are being so righteous about a job vacancy not being available to Singaporeans when this is a technology so old, Singaporeans ROFL when presented with this opportunity.

Would they rather Singaporeans learn a technology that is the same age as their parents/grandparents?

Would they rather Singaporeans take up a job that has no career advancement opportunities?

Or would they rather Singaporeans to stay 20 years out-dated while foreigners out there move into the new decade ahead of Singapore with Microsoft, Oracle and SAP?

If that is how “true blue” Singaporeans should think, then this post-GE2011 “assumed-nobility” of Singaporean blood is truly ridiculous.

Yup, these people are “true blue” alright. But it probably will soon mean “truly blue-blooded”.

Be “true-hearted”, Singaporeans, not “blue-blooded”. It will only result in a further degeneration of our country.  

We don’t have to love foreigners either. But neither do we need be xenophobic or extremist.

A very micro-view of this foreigner-issue, but it is pretty clear to me that reiterating macro-views to these true-blue Singaporeans will only mean I am physically and/or mentally handicapped.

Signing off

Adeline

From the Desk of a Recruiter

Regarding Foreigners

(Note: Long entry ahead)

The General Elections 2011 was over for just about 2 months, but even now, we could feel the impact to society.

I have kept silent on the foreigners issue since the beginning of my involvement into politics, because I stand neutral in this matter. But I guess through recent events, there was only that much silence I could maintain.

In my line of work as a recruiter, I deal with foreigners on a daily basis. Hell, I was even responsible in doing what was condemned in GE2011, placing foreigners into jobs Singaporeans are capable of doing.

That being said, as a very typical Singaporean, I curse and swear about some of the grief I had to endure with this group of foreigners. But let it also be known that I have had the pleasure of dealing with some really awesome foreigners as well.

Anyway, Singaporeans give me equal (and sometimes more) amounts of grief to curse and swear about.

But that’ll be an entry for another time.

As I read from social media, internet news sources or even comments from people I know, I noticed a pattern slowly emerging.

Foreigners (as a total entity) had been a very convenient excuse for anything and everything that happened to Singapore.

Increase findings of corpses? Cos of foreigners lah!

Increased social issues? Cos of foreigners lah!

Packed train stations at peak hours? Cos of foreigners lah!

Lousy service? Cos of foreigners lah!

Lack of jobs, university opportunities, housing for Singaporeans? Cos of foreigners lah!

And the list goes merrily on.

While I do agree with some of the comments, seriously though, enough should be enough. Foreigners may have started a butterfly effect that played a part in all the issues that had happened (or will happen), but it is getting too easy to use them as The Reason for all our suffering.

Foreigners will probably be the next synonym for Sauron from Lord of the Rings, aka the Root of all Evil at this rate.

While I do not agree with the current policies allowing unrestricted entry of foreigners into the workforce, they should not be the ones to carry the brunt of the people who decided and agreed upon these policies.

Say a restaurant offers buffet promotions without conditions. And as you’re eating there, helping yourself to perhaps the N-th serving of the most expensive food item, the restaurant managements grumbles loudly about how the customers are taking advantage of them.

Yes, it is a terrible analogy, but I hope this made my point across.

During the past two weeks, I was involved in a unique situation. It was this situation and the repercussions of it that prompted me to write this blog entry to share my thoughts.

The Story of Mr Foreigner, SME ABC and the Work Pass.

Mr Foreigner was a graduate from a local tertiary institute. While in the past, foreign students are given PR invitation letters upon graduation, it wasn’t the case for him due to the recent changes in immigration policies.

He tried unsuccessfully to get a job for a quarter of a year. Finally, he was offered a job from SME ABC. It wasn’t a job that offered the path for his ideal career, but hey, a job is a job. He accepted the job through verbal agreement and did the necessary procedures for his work passes. He was awarded the work passes, even though he never formally signed any contract agreement with SME ABC.

It just so happened that a week after his work passes with SME-ABC was approved, Mr Foreigner had the was eventually offered an entry level into the exact career path he dreamed to have from MNC XYZ.

Mr Foreigner was no dodo. He had lived in this city-island for three years and through that three years he had heard enough of MNC XYZ to know it was one of the most attractive places a fresh graduate could enter.

What would any fresh graduate (locals or foreigners alike) have selected?

He accepted the MNC XYZ offer and proceeded to complete the paperwork. But MNC XYZ hits a problem. Mr Foreigner already had a valid work passes with SME ABC. Unless SME ABC cancels the work passes, MNC XYZ will not be able to apply the work passes for Mr Foreigner.

He requested SME ABC to cancel the pass. They replied by saying they will do it after the weekend.

After the weekend, and some weekdays, flew past, SME ABC told him the person who does the work passes was overseas and will complete the cancellation after he returns. There was nothing else they could do.

A few days after he returned from overseas, SME ABC told him the cancellation system was on a scheduled 18 hour maintenance hence there was nothing they could do.

A week after the system was up, SME ABC stopped answering his calls or replying his SMSes. When they eventually did answer, they reprimanded him for lack of work ethics and having them incur the extra $30 for the medical checkup. They then continued to ignore and avoid his calls.

It became quite clear to Mr Foreigner that this lack of action was done deliberately.

At wit’s end, Mr Foreigner sought help from the governance of all manpower problems. The governance advised him to send an email to SME ABC formally resigning from his post and requesting their action to cancel the work visa. If SME ABC should ignore his email, the governance would then be able to take action.

Two days after Mr Foreigner sent the email, SME ABC continued maintaining their silence. The email was forwarded to the governance and then…

Silence.

In the days that followed, Mr Foreigner went to seek more advice and help from the governance, hoping someone would be able to provide some concrete help in his situation. The time is ticking and he knew, using his common sense, that MNC XYZ will not have the patience to wait for a fresh graduate for two weeks.

Governance Officer A told him, there was nothing they could do. He has to make a trip to SME ABC to have them cancel the work pass or he has to wait till the work pass expires… after 6 months. Otherwise, he has to wait till the governance has an update.

Governance Officer B was more helpful. He pressed some buttons on a device known as a desk phone and attempted to contact SME ABC. SME ABC continues ignoring calls. After one afternoon of calling, Officer B told him there was nothing else they could do since SME ABC continues to ignore their calls.

Mr Foreigner knew he could not find another job until SME ABC decides to cancel his work pass. But by the time SME ABC decides to cancel, it might have already been too late.

This is not a fairy tale. This is Singapore. There were no happy endings to this story.

The story ended with the worst case scenario.

(To anyone and everyone who had had the patience to read thus far, the tips of my fingers thank you.)

I’d just like to ask a question.

Is this Mr Foreigner’s fault?

Perhaps some reactions would be, “Yes! He asked for it. Who ask him to reject SME ABC? Got job still want to choose! Serves him right lah!”

To those who would like to respond with this answer (or similar variations), with all due respect, you deserve a smack to the back of the head.

A job is a job, that I agree.

But given a choice between a prominent MNC and a SME, the preference for most fresh graduates would be obvious; the MNC. This isn’t the issue of pickiness. It is just human nature.

If Google offers you, the reader, a job opportunity after you’ve accepted a job offer with a company you never knew existed before, would you have done the same thing?

Would you have liked it to lose the offer with Google because this company decides to punish you for making them do extra paperwork?

Would you have liked it if you were not legally allowed to seek for another job for 6 months, ANY job for the same reason?

For whatever reason why SME ABC chooses to take such an action (or lack thereof) is up to anyone’s imagination.

The unfortunate fact is, Mr Foreigner faced helplessness in the country he stayed in three years, believing in prospects in his future was brighter here than his sub-rural hometown upon graduation from a local institute. Not only from the companies, but from the mother of all manpower issues as well. And for someone who could only sit in the sidelines and listen to him over the phone, I find myself unable to be apathetic to his predicament.

Yet it is just plain sad that I have to tell him these dreaded words:

“There’s nothing else I could do.”

An honest, but sad reply. There was nothing I could do, except to advice and direct him to where he could seek help.

So what if he’s a foreigner, seriously.

Every other day in my line, I deal with people rejecting the clients I have to offer. Even if the clients I offer to candidates are big and prominent names in the industry, there could still be an endless assortment of reasons from candidates on why they’d rather not consider these clients.

“Too much politics.”

“Too much turnover.”

“I hear from my friend ah, inside not good.”

“I don’t want to work this kind of projects. Only want big banks now.”

“Too far.”

“Not central? I prefer CBD area leh.”

“Just don’t want this company lah.”

“I only looking for minimum 25% increment. Not negotiable. If your client cannot afford me than is ok.”

And this list goes rapidly longer and ridiculous with each passing year I stay on as a recruiter. Trust me, I get more of these reasons from locals than foreigners.

This is a single case. Perhaps it is a localized case, just one of its kind. It’s just the case of one foreigner who had gotten bullied by this country, as compared to the millions others enjoying their stay here.

But it’s time we stop using foreigners as the reason for all the negativity happening in Singapore. Not everything is their fault. Not everything is done by them.

I am a Singaporean.

I am pro-opposition because I agree with what these parties are saying.

But I am not anti-foreigner.

Before Singapore reaches a state of xenophobia, I’d just like this to be shared.

These are the thoughts of one average recruiter, who sees the life of an average foreigner from a slightly different angle.

Signing off,

Adeline

From the Desk of a Recruiter

Recruitment 101

Lesson 1:


Never take it for granted that CVs contains contact number or email address.


*~*~*

Despite the existence of common sense in most people, in my line of work reviewing CVs everyday, I do come across resumes with beautifully written and impressive career history, career aspirations and credentials.

Except contact details.

Hence, dear students, please remember. Recruiters are not Jean Grey or Professor X with telepathic abilities. We can't contact you with our minds. >_^

Signing off,
Adeline
From the Desk of a Recruiter

Having not written anything for almost 2 months, due to work, school, personal rollercoasters, writer's block and a wee bit of laziness, I hit a sudden brainwave while in the midst of work to do this "Recruitment 101" series.

What is this about? Well, you gotta read it to get it. ;)

So here you go. Watch out for Lesson #1, coming up soon. =)