Interview

I went for a job interview today and I think it went well. The position is a project support officer for a controversial project (alot of community debate and unhappiness). The project director was very kind and encouraging. At some points, he said my answers were good. But they are interviewing other applicants and will let me know how it goes.

I recall a conversation with my friend, Christina, about the different interview/ application styles in Singapore and Australia. I know in Singapore they reserve the right to only inform the successful applicants. So, after several weeks, you can safely assume you were not successful even though they are just tardy in their selection. In Australia, they have to acknowledge they have received your application and also inform you if you were successful or not. I'm not sure if it's legal but I think it's basic courtesy. I remember reading an ad by the Ministry of Education (Singapore) seeking teachers. And at the end of the ad, it had this line which read something like 'we reserve the right not to reveal the reasons for your selection or not'. I thought the line was really rude. The other ads from other countries' ministeries were more towards the line of "come and speak to us, discuss with us, we are happy to speak to you about this job"...and then Singapore's ad read like they called the shots. We know every employer does but couldn't they put it in a nicer way?

And in Australia, if you were unsuccessful, you have every right to call the organisation and ask why you were not selected (so you can do better next time) and understand the rationale behind their decision.

I hope Singapore will arrive at a stage where they are more polite and make the point to appreciate the applications that come in because applicants make the effort to write it.