Where’s Alex?

Well, another week has passed.

I’ve had more positive feedbacks this week compared to the past weeks. After e-mailing my curriculum vitae to more than 50 recruitment agencies, I had TWO phone calls! TWO phone calls!

That’s a lot, to me at least. During the calls, they basically ask standard questions about my work status, where am I currently located, and whether I’m willing to relocate. At the end of it, they tell me they are going to forward my CV to the actual employers who hired them to looks for suitable candidates. One of the potential employers, the agency revealed (otherwise unknown), is Sentec (www.sentec.co.uk). Looks cool enough.

That’s hurdle number 1, getting past the recruitment agency. I’m guessing: Hurdle 2 - get selected to go for an interview, Hurdle 3 - get shortlisted after the interview, Hurdle 4 - employment. Looks like a long way to go so I’ll need plenty of prayers.

Meanwhile, I’ll be well taken care of at the restaurant until November 7th. The local library is a great place to keep myself occupied: applying for jobs (will have to figure out a whole new strategy of job hunting online next week), reading newspapers (news of unemployment, graduate under-employment and UK brain drain recently not doing any good), and borrowing comic books (to fill up time between orders at the restaurant).

Decision this weekend… which church to go to? I’ve been to 5 churches in past four Sundays. Hmm…

Well, I only have 10 minutes on the library computer so I’m not going to be able to say much.

Staying at a second cousin’s Chinese take-away restaurant with the chefs. Not for long though, they’re moving to Wales early November. A similar opportunity can be arranged with another restaurant by then if I’m not following or haven’t found a permanent job.

I’m making myself useful there by taking telephone and counter orders and accounting for the day’s collection. Had a go at distributing our menus to a local neighbourhood, with one minor dog-surprise at the door. Haven’t started delivering the orders to customers yet but I have started driving my bosses’ car around for the shop’s grocery shopping. I’ve also been blessed with £££ and a day off per week.

Not exactly living the British life yet as there’s still plenty of Chinese food at the restaurant but close enough. Here’s a taste: £5 (RM33) for washing and drying one load of laundry.

No leads on looking for engineering work yet. Finding open positions is easy enough, we’ve got the internet. I’ve been working harder to look for work online by sending my CV to about 50 over agencies (I think). Will see how it goes. But securing work is the tough part. I’m going to let happen in His time, and try not to restless.

I ‘m probably the public library’s No. 1 enemy, always using more that the allotted 1 hour per day. But whenever there are some empty ones, I’ll request for another hour.

2 minutes.

Weather is becoming unpredictable but I’m well prepared most of the time as it gets colder.

1 minute.

Almost all is well, while the remaining is in God’s hands.

Take care.

Hi, Mum, Dad, David.

Looks as though looking for an engineering job is not as easy as it sounds. There are little opportunities and there are usually 2 ‘online agencies’ between a potential employee and the employer, which usually means plenty of filtering on experience. So far, I’ve only got pass one agency for one position. It’s a Monday today so I’m waiting to see if any calls will come this week.

I’ve figured that I should look for a place to stay and see if there are any temporary work nearby, something at a restaurant or something. I’m going to be looking around at notice boards at convenience stores nearby the current hostel.

Went to church yesterday to get encouragement not to worry about work and accomodation, but to surrender them to Him. It was a refreshing time after a long week.

Until next time, take care.