Being a (Jobhunter) Foreigner in a Foreign Country | An Honest Recount of Life's Experience

It's been a while since I blog last and voila! I am here already typing on the crispy keys of my lappy. Anyway, this post has something to do on what it's like job hunting in a foreign country.

To be honest, Singapore is my dream workplace when I was still in primary school. It was my Ninong (godfather) who introduced me to how lovely the place is. Every single time my teacher asked me where is the destination of my future self, I was not hesitant to answer Singapore in a jiffy.

The first time I set foot in Singapore was July of 2014 when my choral group competed in School of the Arts bagging Silver medals on the categories we joined. It was nostalgic! It made me become even more frustrated to work here when I saw schools and centres catering children and the places I thought I will never have the chance to experience. Of course, the first thing someone will ask you to prove that you really have been in Singapore is (tada!) MERLION. Years have passed and I still hunger to work in Singapore (although I went job hunting in Brunei but my heart still clang for Singapore) maybe because there are a lot of opportunities not only meant for an educator like me but also for other professions.

I left my job in the Philippines as a College Instructor and Senior High School adviser hoping that a greener pasture awaits me here, and I was not wrong. My ex-person and his relatives helped me to be able to survive a month of job hunting. I am telling you! Before you go to your path as a worker, you should have printed, photocopied, collated all your files to avoid any hustle and yes my friend that is tip no. 1!

Next, it is necessary to get to know the country first by searching on the etiquette there so you will not have culture shock just because you have no idea what is going on. 

Then, you might experience racial discrimination just because you are a foreigner (Filipino) looking for a job. I experienced that when I called a company I saw in a job hunting website from a street (LOL) looking for an English teacher whose qualifications I fit in (modesty aside). I was so confident that I will make it to the company but when they found out I was a Filipino, they told me they don't hire Filipinos as they only accept Westerns to avoid any type of inconvenience.

Then, trust your charm. Trust your instincts. If you have an end in mind that you will have a job, and that is your aura every single day, that positivity will actually be reflected and you will attract that one fine job you won't regret. Have faith. Sooner or later your 100+ resumés will have a callback, it might be delayeed for a little while but it will not be denied. Don't be afraid to explore places you have never been. Appreciate the stopovers. The long trips and setbacks are your motivating guide to go further. 

Lastly, try not to lose hope. Babe, you are a work in progress. Things will go crazy just before you realize that you only have a few (legit) days left based from your social visit pass which will expire after 30 days. You will really feel frustrated for the companies you have called but only say they have no quota for foreigners. Don't feel bad about it.

There is always a reason why God put you there. There is a reason why God put me where I am now. There may be chapters in your life that has passed and that has hurt you so much you thought it was unbearable, however, you are still there standing up, that's more than enough. 

Never stop praying for the job whether you have it or you will still have it (Eyes on the prize, dahling!). Praying for it will improve your way of life; do not be afraid of waiting. Being patient calls for a strong spirit that whatever happens, you have done your best. 

Redeem yourself. Have that perspective that you are fit for the job. Have the guts to be firm with your objectives and qualifications from your CV, and please...tell the truth. Eventually, they will find out whether you are lying to them or not based from your performance on the company when you're hired. The HQ will not waste time if they are truly interested on you so try to be honest and settle the matter square. 

If, for example, you failed having the job you've been praying for the longest time, God has prepared something better, bigger, something you, yourself, would be surprised. The comeback is always better than the setback. Never quit achieving your endeavours because you are the author of your own life. Don't be too harsh on yourself if you did not get the job in an instant; it will take time but it will be worth it. Basically, when your prayer is answered, pray for it harder. Never stop aiming for greatness but never self-absorbed.

Always,

Jhara

xoxo 

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