Before working with Yemen LNG

After graduation I have joined many jobs as a volunteer as I have no idea how to get a job. To say the truth I did not know that there is any other job than a doctor or a police officer or a journalist or a presenter, or of course teacher; these are the things that I could ever thought of; or my environment lead me to.

So I started teaching English at my sister's school, and then got hired with a fair salary as I had no experience. Although many people of my age would work with more than 50$ at that time. I guess I wanted to start from the 0 and 0 what I got.

It is a matter of what you think, I always thought that I would work with less and the money will come after me running later on as I know myself. Actually this is what happened. I started as teacher with 10000 YR in 2001, then followed by another job with 25000, and in every field I was unexperienced until I joined Nabors Drilling in 2003. It was a turning point despite the fact I was a front office or what we call in big companies receptionist. My previous title was Student Counselor/ Marketing Coordinator at an IT and solution company where I held so many responsibilities, like consulting students and marketing for the courses and all other details that attached to it. However, the in come was too little in front of the immense effort I was doing, for me was unfair, for my boss was the goose that deliver golden eggs. I did not like it and I did not speak up as I thought that requesting a raise is so humiliating. In Nabors Drilling I was working little and getting 4 times what I got in my previous job. Seriously, I did not feel hurt and did not care at all of being a receptionest. During the time working for Nabors I was reading Newspapers and look for jobs that fulfill my competencies and financial needs. I found many actually and had many interviews; however, there was always a doubt of something fishy. I wanted a good job and big money, but also I want to feel safe, I never felt safe or confident about any place that I was short listed in for example US Embassy, UN, or US Amel project, or Al-Ahmar group of companies.

After 18 months of searching while in Nabors, I found an add for Yemen LNG and it was still new, and they were hiring. A friend of mine told me that Yemen LNG will be the baggiest company in Yemen. I started searching read some articles about it and felt safe and happy for this opportunity just from reading about it.

I applied and forgot about it like many other jobs. Suddenly I felt disappointed as I applied in so many places but there was no returns to my request. So, I decided to change my mobile number to forget about all the applications and restart all over again and stop waiting. I got busy and did not settle my mobile bill and I had to buy another SIM card; however; I lost my Personal ID and I had to pay the bill of my current SIM card to receive a call he was a man, speaking in Sana'ani accent blaming me applying and not having and active phone number and called me unprofessional. To be honest I had some doubts about this company but still curious to see what it is. He asked me to come for an interview ASAP?! this is new, I have never been called in this haste never, oh never.

The next day I received a call from UN office for an interview, actually I really don't remember which position I have applied for as I did so many times and this was the third time to be called! I got the song "its raining men Hallayouya". I cant describe to you the feeling at that time, having two interview requests as a matter of urgency from two big organizations.

Actually I was on the road back home when I received those calls. I remember that I told mom that I have two interviews at the same day. Every time I tell mom about an interview she feels scares that I leave a good job and then regret. Mom also wanted me to feel safe or Secure.

First in the morning was the interview of UNDP, and the job was Admin Assistant. compared to "Senior HR Secretary" the first was weak job. I entered and the entrance was horrifying due to security measures there was lots of complications which made me uncomfortable. Finally I reached to the office where applicants were setting in dark room, it was freezing like hell and at the same time I was worried and thirsty. the meeting was at 9; however, I got in at 10:30 and they did not even bother to apologize for the delay. I thought they are rude at this stage what would happen later. After a long time I got in and theres was a committee of 4 people interviewing me from a higher state; they were up and I was down literally. I swear I did so many interviews with high ranked people and did not shiver like in that interview ever. Every time I remember this interview my heart beats and my feet gets cold. Any way at some time they asked me if I am nervous and I said frankly hell yea very much and if you could please get me some water as I feel dehydrated, they thankfully did and I answered all of their questions honestly and never made up any story as I had 3 years of working hard at the computer company which I am so THANKFUL to. I got out of this interview and feel that I did my best and whether there is a chance or not I won't accept working with them as the vibes was too much.

Later Yemen LNG Interview was at 3 pm:

I was received at the big gate by group 4 people who they had my name and looks like there were waiting for this star called Noor. In Arabic we say in such situation my heart has been planted in that situation and I felt JOY. Later on at the reception area I was received by a Scottish gentle man who introduce himself to me very nicely as Phill Campbel HR Manager. I fall in love with this company just from the introduction. the interview was of two parts; part one Office programs competencies and translation text English - Arabic and vice versa. which I have passed, and the second was an interview in the HR Manager office. To my surprise I was seated in the HR Manager chair and both Mr. Phill and Mr. Abdulla Al-Wadee were seating in the two chairs in front of me as I was the manager and they were my staff "WOW". You know what happen? we had fun and got the job immediately. and that moment was the happiest moment in my life and I am so thankful to Allah to find a big company like Yemen LNG that treats candidates they way I was treated.

After one week I started working with Yemen LNG and at the first day I got an offer from UNDP which I had to refuse with respect. You know what happen the biggest person in the office called me personally to question why I refuse working them. Do you know why? Big smile.