I don't remember the last time I've wanted a particular job so badly except for the Kraft one which there was never any hope =S This time around, so much hope was given to the point where I'm afraid that they were all false hope =( On top of that, I had to go and be stupid and be late for my final interview! T^T I really hope they will overlook the fact and find my fondness for Harry Potter amusing. Seeing the interviewer write 'Harry Potter again!!' on the response sheet is quite unnerving -.-''
Never have I imagined I'd be so interested in working for a beauty company when I was never one-of-those-girls (you know what I mean). But after learning so much about L'Oréal from preparing for the interviews and assessments, I've realized that maybe it is a good place to start after all =) I believe I do have a passion for Marketing, and as YSL puts it, cosmetics are easier to buy, so why not start my passion where I can learn to be more beautiful eh! ('eh' in this case refers to the Canadian context and not the Malaysian context =P)
Since my second bout of job hunting was brought on mainly by my sudden faith in my much ignored and neglected intuition, a lot of the decisions made were based on my feelings and instincts. Call me superstitious or whatever, but I've seen too many signs to believe that I've made the wrong choice.
The day before my first interview with L'Oréal, I came upon the quote at the start of this post on my
Tumblr dashboard. For those who don't know, YSL's beauty line is under the L'Oréal umbrella, so naturally I took it as an omen, for good or for bad. Stupidly naive as I was, I told the interviewer that L'Oréal was never my top choice of employer due to my indifferent attitude towards make-up and the likes (as I've mentioned, I'm really NOT one-of-those-girls). Thinking things could not have gone more wrong, he asked me one last question "What is your favorite color?" I don't know if it's what being thought at recruitment workshops and seminars, but it seems to be a popular question among interviewers =/ Color psychology at work? Anyway, I told him I like the color red (it was the color that just so happens to pop into my mind) and crapped on about why I like it. Honestly, I don't even have a favorite color because it changes all the time varying with different circumstances, so I really don't know why employers even bother to ask. All that said, maybe his favorite color was red too, so much to my surprise, I was delightedly informed I was moving on to the next round =)
As luck would have it, I went away for a nice and relaxing vacation to the middle of nowhere in far far away land before my assessment. By the time I was back, I only had a day to prepare myself. It takes a while to get back the rhythm after such a carefree holiday, thus I barely prepared anything worthwhile. Arriving at the assessment center, I was surrounded by candidates with background and experiences far exceeding my own. Feeling slightly dejected, I told myself I'd just enjoy the day as much as I can and learn whatever that can be learned. The whole process turned out to be really fun and we were even treated to Chatime during break =D The assessments were by far less taxing compared to many held by other MNCs, though still required certain knowledge and skills. Unlike other assessments centers I've been to, where they put you under massive amount of pressure, adding nerves to it and force you to perform; I found L'Oréal's approach highly amicable (no wonder they are rated one of the best employers globally). Without realizing it, I left the assessment center with a satisfied smile and a little bit more hope =D
On that same night, I received an e-mail prodding me towards the next assessment which was to be done online. Receiving it so soon, I could only assume that everyone at the assessment center that day was entitled to it as long as they did not perform terribly. I never found out how I did on those tests, but it was good enough to manage a spot in the final round of interview YAY! ^_^ The happiness did not last, there was no news after that for nearly 3 weeks, and I was starting to believe that they have found someone better and merely forgotten to inform me I no longer have to attend the interview. Holding on to the last shred of hope I've got, I shot them a desperate e-mail. Hope was returned as I was granted my final interview the following week =)
Putting a lot of faith in getting this job, I have stopped proactively applying for other jobs these past few weeks. Though doubt still had me browsing
JobStreet to keep an eye for openings, and lo and behold! I saw an ad from my previous employer looking to hire new managers O_O It could be that they are really expanding, but I have a feeling that either a few staffs are planning to leave or some ugly shit has happened after I left. Nonetheless, I'm glad I've left before all of it and I have no regrets of leaving.
Seeing as I wanted the L'Oréal job so much, I should have prepared myself better for the final interview and arrive early, but I did not and was late instead =( Anyhow what is done is done, all I can do now is wish for the best *fingers cross*
Thus, I have the following resolutions:
If I get the job, I will...
- Sponsor a World Vision child.
- Keep a pair of Marimos at the office as pets.
- Save up for an overseas trip.
- Buy myself a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator.
So, until next week when the final judgment is delivered...
(It would be rather embarrassing to not get the job after such a lengthy post *cringe*)
On a side note, I came to remember that I happened to have used
L'Oréal as a case study for one of my very first university assignments. Is it a sign or just mere coincidence?
UPDATES:
Excruciating days passed as I waited for the final reply. I woke up in the morning to a call for interview from another MNC still in hope that I would hear good news from
L'Oréal. But as life would have it, I was meant to be late that day and was never meant to get the job =( This nearly 3-months long work drought is really pushing me to my wits' end T_T
