Interviews

My position in the company requires me to interview and hire candidates applying for an advertised position. Throughout the years, I have interviewed no less than 50 people for various position. On the net, there is a lot of information regarding how a candidate should prepare for an interview.

Now, you guys listen to me. Direct from an employer. This is a grunt from me as an employer to all those job seekers.

1. Only apply for a job if you are INTERESTED!
   Don't waste a person's time. I shift through hundreds of resumes looking to shortlist candidates. So don't waste my time to call you and to find out that you are not interested.
   
   
2. Read the freaking job advert line by line!
   Study if you match the requirement stated. I got a candidate telling me on the phone, that he is only interested if the job is beneficial for him! In which planet are you in!? No one takes employees to only benefit on one side. There should be a balance on both party. If you don't match the job spec, don't apply!
   
   
3. Be polite on the phone. You are talking to your future employer.
   Some candidates just think they are hellavu great. Be polite and courteous. You are not the only person we are calling. After shifting through hundred of people and we think you are important enough to be called for an interview, have the respect and decency to talk politely. This kind of people usually get rejected immediately from me. So remember, the first phone call is important if you are serious about the job.
   
   
4. Make time for an interview!
   I got candidates telling me they are not free for an interview for the whole week. Why did you apply then? Negotiate politely for a best interview time. I don't care if you are busy, I am much busier than you are but yet I made time to call you. Always prepare a suitable time in case you are called for an interview.
   
   I used to conduct interview during the weekends to make those working candidate's life easier. Almost 60% did not show up for an interview. What!?
   
   
5. Show up for your interview! If you can't make it, call one day in advance.
   Some candidate don't even bother to call. Remember, someone on the other end had sacrifice his weekend is waiting for you to show up.
   
   
6. Bring all the necessary documentation, demo, source code and etc.
   Some candidates comes in for an interview with just a pen. I am not interested in your degree. Show me your project source code, demo and such. This will impress your interviewer more. And dress appropriately matching the company's attire.
   
   
7. Don't waste my time!
   There are candidate who comes in for interview just to 'test water'. I had one guy who had the cheek to tell me that. If you seriously looking for money, go sell VCD or something.
   
   
8. If you don't know the answer to a question, admit it!
   Don't try to wiggle your way out. It makes you look stupid. Don't try to correct your interviewer either. I would not be asking a question if I didn't know the answer earlier.
   
   I had candidate telling me she can't answer theoretical questions, but can perform exceptionally well if given practical work. No problem, I flip open a test paper which I have kept prepared. Do it now. Didn't do well either. Now, why do you get yourself in such a dumb situation?
   
   
9. Once you get a job offer, show up for work!
   If you have received another job offer, please inform you employer about it, ASAP. Don't make them prepare your offer letter, get a desk and PC for you, install the necessary software, waiting in anticipation for you and only to find out later through 3rd party that you got another job.
   
   This are really sick people and deserve to burn in hell. Its no joke since you got the HR, Management and Technical department all working for your arrival. Not to mention the projects that you are suppose to handle.
   
   
10. Keep your promises once you have entered your job!
    Most candidate will promises anything during the interview, but the moment they enter the workforce, things change.
    
    My gold fish needs a bath, I can't work late. I can't do this, can't do that. My pay is not enough, gossips, chatting on IMs, taking long lunch breaks, frequent MCs, surfing jobstreet in the office.
    
    You knew what you were getting into, so shut up and start working. Ask all relevant questions before signing the contract. Don't like working in the company, then leave, PLS!
    
    

In each industry, I believe its a small world. You will end up meeting the same industry people for meetings or projects. Top management tend to meet each other more often. So there is an opportunity to ask about a future candidate application. So don't screw up with any of your employers. The news will get passed around.

Take interviews seriously. "I got no time".

Fitness First Review : Manulife

Located within the ground floor of Menara Manulife (Used to be known as John Hancock). Its located in Damansara Heights area beside Menara HP.

• Easy access from the main road. There is parking at the basement and the surrounding area. But beware, getting a parking might be difficult.
• First impression, there is sure alot of equipment here. All cardio and machine lumped into one area.
• The interesting part of Manulife is you get machines which other FF centers do not equip. This must be a gym for hardcore, so I heard. Btw, this is the only FF center that I have seen which you can do DECLINE bench press. Enough said.
• Two floor, the juice bar and changing room are on the floor above. Looks like they discourage ppl to drink.
• I am seeing double again. There is a small free weight area, but each equipment seems to be doubled. 2 smith machine, 2 sets of complete barbells (amazing), 1 1\2 set of complete dumbbells, 2 leg extension, leg curl machine and etc. However the workbench looks like from the era of Muscle Beach. Really hardcore man.
• There have glutes and calf machine. Finally!
• The changing room is clean, but as you enter, the dark colored wooden lockers and flooring makes you feel that you are in some kindda dodgy spa center. They should really refurbish.
• I met a very nice PT guy. However, can't say the same about their sales ppl.

Ratings?


Check out for more reviews below
FF IOI Mall Puchong
FF Menara Axis
FF The Curve
FF DU
FF Consplant

New Year in Phuket

I celebrated my New Year in a foreign land - Phuket! This is the second country I am visiting after Singapore which was in the year 1997-1998.

Patong Beach

How was it? It was overall a good trip but could be better. Being in Phuket with a bunch of friends was an interesting event. For a person who didn't travel much, I can say the 10 most striking thing about Phuket from my point of view is :-

1. 96% population in Phuket are whites (from all over the world). The rest are Indian, Nepal, Chinese, Thai and "lain-lain".


2. Pork is served widely. Its like their national dish. You can get pork just about everywhere. Its tough for a Muslim to eat. Yes, there are Halal restaurant, but its like paying RM 20 for a meal.


3. Dogs in Phuket are mute. They don't bark. Not even the Rottweiler.


4. My trip was during the super peak season, so the prices of all items are triple than normal. But their imitation products are good!


5. I can't get used to paying in Bath. Because everything you pay, you need to add a zero behind the number you pay in Msia. Imagine paying for a mineral water, "20 bath", "what!? 20 ringgit... ohh wait a minute... RM 2.. ok...."


6. Thais can't pronounce Twenty (20). They will pronounced it as Seventy (70). I got a shock of my life while paying for my mineral bottle.


7. There is mobile advertisement van promoting Muay Thai fights all day and night long. For the first day you are there, its fine.. but it sure gets on your nerve after the first day. "Big fight! Big fight! Tonight! Tonight!". Ganee goes = "F*$% idiot! Stupid irritating! Arghghh!"


8. Beware while bargaining with Nepal girls (The salesgirls in the gift shop lah!). They may be small but feisty.


9. Somehow Thailand is famous for suits. You can make your complete business suit here for RM 500. I got one!


10. Everyone is your friend in Phuket. "My friend, come in my friend".

New Year!?

It was the best New Year ever! The entire Bangla Road (Strange.. didn't see any banglas) was in a party mood.

• Firecrackers was bursting all night long. Those CNY firecrackers bursting one after another on the roads.


• People were dancing, spraying you with some kindda party thingy. (don't know what is it).


• Watch fireworks just above you, literally I was directly under the fireworks, it was amazing.


• Watch ppl let go hundreds of lanterns by the beach. It was a beautiful sight.


• Watch ppl get drunk and stone asleep by the beach. I hope the wave didn't bring him away.


• People was amazingly nice. Even though they were drunk and partying. No fights broke out. Ppl were polite and respectful. You can't get that in KL. Not with the Mat Rempits around.


• Ppl were dressed to kill. We came with shirt and jeans. Ok what?

Other interesting things?

• Phuket this time around was full of perfect ppl. The guys were hunk and very muscular. The ladies were very pretty and overly "perfect" in certain part of their body anatomy. Kindda Utopia. Were we the outcast.


• Yes, there were topless girls in the beach, sadly old ppl.


• Yes, there were pretty "ladyboys". No I didn't approached them.


• Sleazy joints? Its there if you look hard enough.
  
• Bangla Road is the most happening place in Phuket. Its filled with rows of bars and pubs. Each outlet has its own trademark. Some provide pole dancers, both original and ladyboy.


• The best pick up line I have heard... "Mister, can I love you for one hour?". Hahahh my friend and I laughed hysterically.
  
• Take a tour to Phi Phi island. We went snorkeling at one spot. It looked like 100m deep. Although beautiful but not for the faint hearted.

Things that I missed and wished I have done:-

• FantaSea show


• Simon cabaret show


• Firing range


• Jet ski


• Visiting Karon beach (Nude beach?)


• Getting a bike/car and travel the entire island


• Getting a spa treatment


• Watching a Muay Thai fight


• Getting on a Tuk Tuk.


• Visiting the rest of the beaches. So sad....


• Walking half naked like the whites guys. But alas, I don't have 6 packs.....

My advise, visit Phuket during the New Year once in your lifetime before you reach 35.