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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 20, 2005 - 07:14 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Question on current situation, advice would be appreciated |
Hi there,
I'm new here and I couldn't find a similar topic on my question so here goes.
I applied for a job in Shanghai somewhere in July. Had two very good interviews with two directors and they told me to contact them again in September as they expected a job opening somewhere in October. So I did and one of those directors confirmed that they still want to continue hiring me. He would discuss it with the CEO and would come back to me again soon.
That message was dated 31-08-2005. It's now 20-09-2005. I sent an e-mail on 15-08-2005, asking him if he was too busy and if he would have more information for me about my situation. His assistant read it, no reply yet. So I'm really doing absolutely nothing, sitting at home and waiting and literally thinking about possible outcomes of this, driving myself nuts. I'm considering calling this guy at the end of this week. I am afraid though that he will not appreciate this (he is Chinese btw), but on the other hand, he might apreciate it because I show that I really want the job and he told me during our interview that he really likes my attitude and that I am exactly what they would like to add to their current squad of employees. I'm so confused about this and was wondering what you guys think of this situation. Thanks very much for reading it. |
Last edited by Tori_Jan on Sep 20, 2005 - 09:43 PM; edited 1 time in total |
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jenming
FooJay
Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline
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Sep 20, 2005 - 07:37 PM |
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If the company is that flakey toward you, i'd question whether or not it's a good idea to work there at all. I know NOTHING about the company, but if it's that hard to get them to reply to you, your paycheck might be even worse. |
_________________
unzip;strip;touch;finger;mount;fsck;more;yes;unmount;sleep |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 20, 2005 - 07:46 PM |
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Hi jenming,
the thing is that I could make an appointment with them instantly and got the interview as well. They are a subsidiary of a very big European/American company. They can't afford themselves to be flakey. I can't give away too much info on the company, hope you understand, but they can be put into the category Shell, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, IBM, size wise, not the industries. But it remains a subsidiary, a JV.
I still think (and hope) that guy is just busy or doing something for me. But I don't like this insecure feeling, am posting on this website because of this and am considering calling him at the end of this week! I'm just looking for suggestions, how you guys would handle this situation. Thanks again. |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 21, 2005 - 02:21 PM |
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An update:
I got an e-mail back today from the other director, he's actually leaving the company at the end of this month after I contacted him by e-mail. He told me that they are and have been very busy because of several events, those events will end this Sunday and that this week is the last week before the holidays in October holidays and he hopes that the other director will contact me after this week and he advised me to send him an e-mail this Sunday. He (the other guy) hasn't been at the office this week because of that. I was actually reading to phone him today, now I don't know what to do.
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Magnolia
Board Biatch
Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31091
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Sep 21, 2005 - 02:52 PM |
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that would make sense to me... if the man had decided to leave then he may be quite busy and not looking to hire anyone new since he won't be there. if it was me, i would thank the man who contacted you for the update and wish him well. i would then wait until next week to see if the other man contacts you. if he doesn't, perhaps send an email to him introducing yourself and the situation (in a positive light, no strings attached way). |
_________________
BOYCOTT BENSON SALON |
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imafan2
Barker
Joined: Aug 18, 2005
Posts: 157
Status: Offline
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Sep 21, 2005 - 02:59 PM |
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Jan:
It would be unfair to expect them to call you until after the holidays. But that's ok....it gives you time to plan your move when they are back. Here's what I suggest...a classic one-two punch....
i) Go ahead and send him the email this Sunday...explain to him that you've waited a while, that you've really not looked elsewhere because you are keen on working for him, that you understand his busy schedule and the rigors behind an offer...yada yada yada.....but all the same you'd like some closure to this thing....Wish him a good time for the October holidays and tell him you hope to talk to him very soon.
ii) If he hasn't called you back before the October holidays, send him another email (forward the same email with a note saying you'd like to talk to him) soon after he's back from the holidays...and follow it up with a call.
I am quite certain you will be hired. Three months for an offer is not unheard of. Given that these guys are directors, and given the myriad uncertainties of the JV business model....let's give them the benefit of the doubt.
In the meanwhile, don't worry too much about this....with the holiday season and all...go out there and have a nice time. Something tells me, you'll be busy as heck when you're back!
Good luck to you,
PSX |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 21, 2005 - 03:19 PM |
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Thanks Magnolia. Both guys know who I am, I have met them both during an interview and they were both very excited about me (not in that way). And they 'promised' me that there would be a job opening in October, I sent out an e-mail in August and the director who isn't leaving told me he still wanted to hire me, that seemed very rare to me and gave me a lot of confidence about this situation. But because of their slow response, this confidence is totally gone. And I agree, it sounds very very reasonable, he hasn't been at the office much, but I don't have a job right now, I sleep, read and study (Chinese) a bit in my free time, I'm free all day!!! and I'm fed up with that. Patience.....I know.
imafan2, thank you for the cheering words and advice! I am not so sure about me being hired, but I guess I have to wait and let my unpatient character wait a bit, quite a test for myself. They are indeed very busy, one is leaving the company at the end of this month, so he's busy, the other one has to do most of the work, and they are directors, so you are quite right. It's just that I don't have any back up, I really want this job, Shanghai is part of my future. Thanks again. Reading different perspectives is so refreshing. |
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knockknock_ca
PopStar
Joined: Nov 27, 2003
Posts: 1069
Status: Offline
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Sep 21, 2005 - 07:30 PM |
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I won't just sit and wait for a job. I will look for other jobs while waiting. In case it's just an empty promise, I won't waste my time. And if they really think that you are the perfect match for their position, I am sure they will still hire you. |
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mantis.killer
Reacher
Joined: June 27, 2005
Posts: 309
Status: Offline
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Sep 21, 2005 - 08:37 PM |
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If its European company then you should consider that Europe shutsdown the month of August for the summer break (its mor or less like the Spring festival) so even the period end july and early september are low activity period.
Give them time and I am sure they will reconsider. Call them to remind them of your job application. In the meanwhile keep looking around. Options are always important to compare and see which position or company suits you better.
Good Luck!
Ciao  |
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a posse ad esse |
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DeeLphiC
Low Seater
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 3333
Status: Offline
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Sep 21, 2005 - 08:57 PM |
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maybe send a follow-up letter if you have not done so yet.
emails are getting a bit casual, almost like phone calls. if one doesn't have good work habbit or if one's got really tight schedule, it's easily forgotten.
letter would be better choice if you want to remind someone something. stamp it as "confidential"/"personal" on envolope so it would not get screened out by their secretaries. if you know his secretary, call after yo post it and make sure the letter will be put into his "in" tray.
just my two jiaos. |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 21, 2005 - 10:26 PM |
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Thanks for the responses knockknock_ca, mantis.killer and DeeLphiC.
knockknock_ca, I already mailed another company here, unfortunately not in Shanghai and told them I want to apply and if they have any job openings, I know the recruiter of this company. I am not going to wait and bet on more options instead of ending up empty handed by focusing too much on one option.
mantis.killer, its a JV, so its partly Chinese and European. I know they need me for a big events coming up this February/March and April. That's what we talked about, we even talked about promotion after 6 months.
DeeLphiC, a letter surely would help but I don't think it would add any value in this stage of the process. You are right about the busy part and the forgetting part, he hasn't been at the office last week, I got a read receipt from his secretary, which means he can't even read his own e-mails. Thats why I will mail him Sunday and tell him I will follow up this e-mail with a phonecall on Monday. I hope that will force him to at least e-mail me back.
I'm really straight forward, if I like someone I talk to him/her. If I want to hire someone, I hire that person. But I guess its not that easy as I put it. They have other things on their mind as well.
Thanks again for your input guys, really appreciate it. |
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littlefox
Fire-eater
Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 2773
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Sep 21, 2005 - 11:06 PM |
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Is that possible for you to contact the CEO? Assuming the director had already mentioned this to him before he left?
Good luck! |
_________________
Ah, the ubiquitous idiots... |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 21, 2005 - 11:47 PM |
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Hi littlefox, it is possible to contact the CEO, I have his e-mail. The director mailed me and cc'ed the e-mail to him and his HR Manager. I was thinking of that as well but not sure yet because the director has to make the move and not the CEO. So I don't know. Thanks. |
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dundee
Squeeker
Joined: Nov 17, 2004
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
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Sep 22, 2005 - 02:25 AM |
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i say just call the guy (the other director). tell him the other director recommended that you make the call since he was leacving. you have nothing to lose this way. and be persistent! |
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dundee
Squeeker
Joined: Nov 17, 2004
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
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Sep 22, 2005 - 02:29 AM |
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i say just call the guy (the other director). tell him the other director recommended that you make the call since he was leacving. you have nothing to lose this way. and be persistent! |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 22, 2005 - 07:29 PM |
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So your basically asking me to lie? |
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PaulM
Barker
Joined: July 26, 2005
Posts: 139
Status: Offline
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Sep 22, 2005 - 08:49 PM |
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Don't lie. It just takes one phonecall for that not to work! I'd do what the other director says. Send another email and see what happens. In the meantime I'd be out there chasing every other opportunity in front of me, what have you got to lose? Just don't lose hope. I really do think it's plausible that if they have been very busy (and let's face it most multinationals work 24/7 especially in this time zone) that your application may just be towards the bottom of their pile - but don't let that knock you back. Get out their and impress the next bunch of people - and good luck!! |
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PaulM
Barker
Joined: July 26, 2005
Posts: 139
Status: Offline
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Sep 22, 2005 - 08:51 PM |
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ps - getting a job is a bit like buying a house. You get emotionally attached sometimes just walking around the place - but until those keys are in your hands it's not yours - so keep looking! |
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frenchlover1999
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 18, 2004
Posts: 8730
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Sep 22, 2005 - 09:09 PM |
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Calls are always better than email. If you are more confortable with it, send an email first, but always follow up with a call, maximum 3-4 days later if you did not get an email reply. |
_________________
That was no shark. That was my personal submarine. But enough of this polite conversation. What is the purpose of your visit? |
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bougie
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 20, 2004
Posts: 13424
Location: Wuhan Hubei China
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Sep 22, 2005 - 09:23 PM |
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Agree with frenchlover. Send a quick, pretty much to the point email as directors and ceo's won't want to read a long email. Then think or prepare a bit for s short phone call.
But you should seem upbeat, and to the point not making them feel uncomfortable. Need a bit of body chemistry, although on the phone. You don't not want to sound over anxious or desperate but rather pretty direct while professional |
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dundee
Squeeker
Joined: Nov 17, 2004
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
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Sep 23, 2005 - 01:57 AM |
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OK, guess i did not read it very carefully.
i agree. don't lie. but you can always say the other director recommended that you get in touch with him... |
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dundee
Squeeker
Joined: Nov 17, 2004
Posts: 14
Status: Offline
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Sep 23, 2005 - 02:13 AM |
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and by the way, i think you are way too uptight. it is not going to be the end of the world if you don't get this job.
life is a box of Chocolate, you never know what you gonna get. and there will always be a better job. |
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zaq123
Reacher
Joined: July 19, 2005
Posts: 222
Status: Offline
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Sep 23, 2005 - 10:19 AM |
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I had to wait 5 months, and go through several rounds of interviews, and half a day at an assessment centre before my first company offered me a contract. I would suggest some gentle, positive prodding to demonstrate you are eager, but not desperate. Employers don't like to be pushed, so don't send out some bad vibes.
At the same time they should understand you are without a job right now and that it is reasonable to expect them to make up their minds ASAP. So you could ask about their procedures and how long it usually takes to hire somebody. This is a reasonable thing to ask as you're not working right now. You could even hint that you have other irons in the fire, true or not (ideally true). Employers like people who are desirable. At the same time, I would also look around for other opportunities. You never know what will happen, and there may be better options out there. |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 23, 2005 - 07:25 PM |
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Thanks PaulM, frenchlover, bougie, dundee and zaq.
I am a but uptight, I admit it, because when I want something really bad I just go for it and don't let go. Maybe thats not good...
And you are right about other options, there's always better options, but I just have the feeling I am wasting my time right now waiting at home. I did start a search for other jobs and sent out some e-mails. And you are right about the pushy part, I have to come across professional yet they have to feel that I need an answer asap.
Their procedure...normally all job applications go via the HR Manager but my application is being handled by the two directors and obviously they have other things to do besides hr issues. One director told me the only thing he needs to do before I can be hired is to talk to the CEO. This CEO is new, he just arrived in Shanghai and the director is busy because the other director will leave the company at the end of this month. So he's just busy, I understand, but he needs to understand that I just want closure on this situation, whether its a positive or a negative one, but I'll work for a positive one.
Thanks again. |
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Tori_Jan
Seeker
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 61
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Sep 24, 2005 - 10:00 AM |
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So what do you think of this?
| Quote: |
Dear mister x,
I know you have been quite busy lately and therefore could not handle my job request.
I would like to know if you have talked to mister x and if you could inform me on the outcome of this conversation.
I have to be honest, I have one job offer waiting for me, which needs my confirmation before the 10th of October, but my preference is really to work for you.
I would appreciate it if you could contact me and I will try to call you at the office this Tuesday.
Thanks for your effort.
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What I want to make clear is that:
A. Has he spoken to the ceo and if so, what is the outcome of it.
B. I need a quick response, thats why I mention the other job offer (not in Shanghai, and it's true). |
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