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I was on a job hunt. Anywhere. There are no jobs in America. Zero. Published unemployment numbers in the US, is about 16 million. That number is wrong. It’s actually, 16 million and one. So, I started sending resumes to Seoul, Tokyo, Hongkong, Singapore, Jakarta, the Middle East and Manila. Nah! I’m not kidding. I did hehe! I really did! The closer it is to the Philippines, the better. That’s my goal. If I could find a job in Manila, even better. So, I started getting responses and calls. I was interviewed for a job in Seoul, South Korea. Another one in Hongkong. And then this one from Doha, Qatar.
Dear Reynz,
How are you doing? I tried to reach you at your mobile, but failed, regarding the position of Manager Finance Projects with [company deleted], based in Doha, Qatar ( I believe you shared with me last time that you have no problem in getting relocated to Qatar for a permanent position, right?). Would you please kindly send me your latest version of CV?. And also please share with me,
1.) which number I can reach you
2.) what time is good for us to have a talk over the phone,
3.) how much you are expecting,
4.) how long is your notice periodBR
Luke
No clue about Doha. I would start researching about the city. I’ve never been to the Middle East. I don’t know if I would go there. Maybe? Maybe not. Depending on whatever it is on the table. So, I responded to the inquiry and he would answer back.
Dear Reynz,
Thanks a lot for the email back. So there is no problem for your getting relocated into Qatar, right? Our time is GSM + 3, which is 11 hours ahead of yours if i am not mistaken. So it will be pretty hard to reach you at your day time. Can i know how much you are expecting if you are to work in Qatar, including basic salary, and housing allowance, or can you share with me your current package?
Thanks..
BR
LUKE
We exchanged several more emails and finally, the interview. I have to wake up at around 2:30 am EST, Philadelphia time to wait for their call.
Dear Reynz,
We can call both. I will try to call you first. If I fail to reach you again, please call me back at the number below. As for your package, I believe the [xxx] per year is before tax. How much is that after tax? Here comes a website where you can find some information on the rental of the housing.
www.qatarliving.com
BR
Luke Lu
The 1st interview was basic, getting to know stuff and all that. After a half an hour of conversation, I was told that they will call back for the next interview if I was shortlisted. And I was! He would schedule me at the same time the following morning. And so I set my alarm to wake up around that time.
Q: Are you American?
Me: Yes, I am.
Q: What’s your citizenship.
Me: American.
Q: What’s your nationality?
Me: American.
There was a bit of a silence and I was beginning to be curious with the questions. I figured, well, this is the Middle East, so they must (just) be trying to be careful in hiring Americans as Americans are always wary about Middle Easterners, right?
Q: Where were you born?
Me: The Philippines
Q: But you said you are American.
At this point, I think I have already figured out where the bottleneck was.
Me: Your question seemed to be on the “nationality” issue, correct?
Q: Not really, I mean… I…
I responded…. and proceeded with what I was saying…
Me: I am an American national but I think what you’re interested to find out, is my ethnicity, which is Filipino. Right?
Q: Sort of…
I just realized that he was probably looking for a “white american guy” and not a Filipino-American. So I ended the conversation. I was totally annoyed. Bloody angry. He could have just asked for a copy of my good-looking, uberly-droolingly-handsome picture or I could be transformed in any nationality, instead of going through the stooopid nationality exercise. Totally pissed me off. The following morning, I would get this email.
Dear Reynz,
I was told this afternoon that there is some change with our org. in Finance and they plan to put this position on hold. Sorry about that. I will come back to you once it is re-opened again…
BR
LUKE
Whatever.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Nationality, like Religion, is a CHOICE–people don’t seem to get that.
But funnier still, among Pinoys, is our attitude on these issues.
It seems to be okay to leave the Catholic Church to be a Protestant or even an Atheist.
But when a Pinoy leaves the Philippines for America or Australia, they call you traitor. Galit pa sila sa iyo. Bakit ganun? Sour grapes ba sila?
See you at Starbucks
[Reply]
reynz Reply:
December 13th, 2009 at 4:53 am
“they call you a traitor”? hmmm… sino nagsabi???
.-= reynz´s last blog ..Ang mga warlords and murderers, rebels daw yun. Result? Rebellion. Kaya martial law. =-.
[Reply]
sigh! next interviewer pls.
.-= lee´s last blog ..Rocker style ng mga insik =-.
[Reply]
coming soon lee… hehe!
.-= reynz´s last blog ..Traditional Pasko sa Amerika =-.
[Reply]
This reaction is kind of late but I can’t help but comment. Since most OFWs in the Middle East are lower rank employees, the general consensus is that Filipinos are not good managers, especially in the area of Finance. The fight is an eye for an eye to be recognized as one. I’ve met a lot of finance managers and those self proclaimed audit guru kuno of other nationalities (western, europeans, arabs and other asians) and man, they can’t even make a chart of accounts. I believe that you’re a finance whiz Reynz, keep on looking, there will be one who will believe in you (aside from me
).
[Reply]