“everyone’s replaceable”

I enrolled in newsletters and job opportunities for one of the banks when I was looking for an internship. I received an email this morning for a summer analyst programme, I guess they keep on sending regardless of how many years has it been, without filter - or perhaps, to get a referral?

I went through more than 300 applications and got rejected for every single one and only had callbacks from close to 10 applications, in which close to 8, neither the HR/Recruiter did understand the job or the descriptions rather, invited me for an interview with VP/Managing Directors, only to find out that I am a fresh grad after I had my intro section.

Finally, I managed to secure a job in an MNC, wherein my perspective, they hired me as of my communications skills. And was a let go due to company restructure, well, a lot of people similar to my role were part of the let go. And then, I secured a similar role, with a competitor on a contractual role. But then, the team wasn't healthy for me, as I decided to be a straight tree, and of course, being in corporate culture, being honest may lead to not just the growing branches but you as the tree, will be chopped from embarking.

I decided, that of all the lessons I learned through unhealthy management, and team members who do not have the best of intentions, and only after their personal incentives, it is, therefore, I would be the one to choose my career & team, especially my manager, and not the other way round.

Every interview I went through, whether phone or face to face, I would evaluate the manager. TBH, all the managers I spoke with are pretty well experienced and some even, again, VPs.

I had great offers, monetary wise, and career scopes. Some hiring manager's loved the idea that I was doing senior relevant descriptions, although needed some brush-up, somehow some were not convinced to extend an offer. I was too overqualified for the junior roles (although I am a junior, at that time).

And, prior to my contract ending, through all the offers I rejected, (3 offers), I chose a role, with a manager, who had the vibe of a friend, rather than a supervisor.

He had the emotional intelligence I was hoping for, besides from his side, I also set my expectations of what do I want in my career, right in my first call with him.

It has been more than a year, and I have never felt anywhere close to bored. The only time I ever felt that, was on weekends, where I know shouldn’t be working, but hey, I love my job.

The opportunities that you may seek (or maybe you’re just reading this out of random on your feed), are never the motivation you should reply on ONLY. You should, besides self-development in all levels, consider to the team and manager you are choosing.

They are having your whole resume to consider for a role to help the business, you should also have that opportunity to get to know who you would be working closely with.

If you are shortlisted for an interview, ask for the panel's LinkedIn profile, for example - This way you are not only knowing their experience, yet the added value is the connection your are building. What is the added value you ask? the brand, the team, the career path you foresee, the relationship you will carry in your portfolio, employee learning and developments. not just your basic salary. EVERYTHING matters.

How's that for seeking a company's EVP? (Employee Value Proposition)*winks

End of the day, you should be the one to choose the job, and not vice versa.

“everyone’s replaceable” – my ex-boss

source of image: indeed