English and Me.

How to write this.

Okay. Guess I just write whatever that pops into my head.

*sleepy*

I think my English writing skills are getting worst. Not only writing skills but my speaking skills as well. In this new team I stutter a lot, stumbled upon my own word and it turns out ridiculous when I speak with them, sometimes it took so long for me to finish one whole sentences and they’ll just nodding, smiling and continuing work without me finishing it. Sad! I wanted to have conversation, sharing some jokes but with my weaknesses, I am not able to do so - without feeling awkward. I keep on checking my grammar and sentences as I am writing this – to ensure that I get the benefits of practicing my writing skills and improving my grammar. 

I love English since I was a child, for me it’s a beautiful language. My mom bought us a lot of Fairytales, encyclopedia in English (kisah-kisah Nabi dan Rasul pun ada juga). English is the only subject besides Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah and Pendidikan Agama Islam that I can excel. Maths? Not my specialty. Add maths?  A BIG NO NO. I started to talk in English during my school years but end up being called “poyo” and other kinds of insults. My mom, sister, teacher and aunt is the best supporter. They told me not to give up and keep on practicing English. 

During primary school my English teacher made us sang "Wednesday is English day" every Wednesday of course, and we will have a spelling test and some other fun activities. 

My sister and I – we share the same reading passion, we exchange books with each other, borrowing from school library because we can’t afford to buy our own (or going to MPH just to read books for free). Then I met one special friend who wanted to speak English, her English is very good (she reads a LOT of Harry Potter and some other good stuff), she encouraged me to speak English. I learnt a lot from her. We speak English in school despite of all the “ejek-ejek”, in UITM the courses are all in English + presentations (except CTU/TITAS) plus having internship at IBM requires me to speak English most of the time, and Alhamdulillah my English is getting better day by day.

But that was 2-3 years ago. My skills has turned rusty. I need to improve back my English. So I’ll try to make some time to write (any topics) and published it in my blog.

Why English matters?

Despite my love for English (I would love to learn other languages too!) I strongly believe English is important if you want to excel in your studies and work life. In most companies (especially multinational companies -MNC), candidates with good English skills normally gets the spotlight, even though their scores are average. This is based on my experience – true life experience. 

For those who wanted to learn and speak English, don't wait. Do it. Start! Every big change starts with a small step. Pedulikan segala ejek-ejek orang, they are just jelly plus lack of love maybe? 

Until then.

Interview Experience-Internship and Hello IBM! :)

Assalamualaikum.

Ohh internship. Practical training. Lepas dah hantar resume banyak-banyak sampai tak ingat tu, adela few companies yang bagi feedback. Attend interview, takpun on-call interview.

My interview experience. Hmm. Lets start with the first - DIGI. The interviewer was a female, chinese, nampak garang tapi baik. Ok je :) First she ask me to introduce myself, the next questions were about my family, my activities in uni, what is my role- an active student or passive, pernah jadi project manager ke tak, what kind of sport I'm good at, what did I learn, my favourite subject, explain why and fav sub during school times, why choose digi, why choose telecommunication industry, compare telecommunication industry with other industry..etc etc. The rest she do the talking- explaining about the company, HR in digi, and about telecommunication industry. Office digi hq cantik! Elaun 500/month. Tapi sebab jauh sgt dari rumah plus mcm susah nak sewa rumah kat area situ, bila dikira balik transportation cost... tak jadi praktikal kat sini. 

Next company is OCBC Bank. Elaun 40/day, tapi job description takde kaitan dengan HR. Sesuai untuk student finance. Ni lah first time masa interview I need to complete personality test. Banyak jugak. Then I didn't bring my certificates sbb ingatkan untuk internship bawak resume dengan mini transkrip dah cukup. Rupa-rupanya kena jugak bawak sijil aktiviti kat uni, time sekolah dulu dengan result spm. Firstly, macam biasa, introduce yourself sampai dah takde modal nak cakap apa. The interviewer said "that's it??" and I reply "why don't you ask me question. I'll answer." Berkerut muka interviewer tu. Ada 2 orang, both female, a malay and a chinese. The next question is "why u still attend this interview although u know that the job description got nothing to do with HR?" Aku cakap, sbb nak challenge. Yes, because I really want to challenge myself. Nak experience attend interview jugak sebenarnya. Then discuss about schedule since aku perlukan masa untuk jumpa advisor regarding to my project paper. One of the interviewer said this is the first time intern candidate mintak masa untuk project paper sebab sebelum ni takde sorang pun intern kat ocbc bank kena buat project paper. UiTM je kot. Ntahla. Tapi kalau betul, alahaii bestla uni lain korang takde kena buat project paper time internship.

Then on-call interview from Taylor's Group by Mr Keith. Hoii nasibla masa tu aku tak tidur petang. Time dia call pun suara fresh je takdela memberi gambaran negatif kat interviewer "eh tak senonoh budak ni tidur petang." Basic questions, tp yang ni best sebab mr keith pun friendly and it is an on-call interview which senang, tak payah travel. Nak travel pakai duit ye. Masa lagi, nak pegi sana sini. Elaun Taylor's Group 1000, kat sunway. One of the question he ask me was am I an introvert or an extrovert? Boleh pulak masa tu lupa sekejap extrovert apa sampai bukak dictionary. 

Last interview was with IBM. Haaa...! ni yang paling best walaupun aku sampai lambat. IBM kat Cyberjaya rupa-rupanya ada dua tempat. Mula-mula tersalah tempat. Lepastu lewat dalam 10 minit, and interviewer pun dah pergi lunch dulu. Rasa cuak dah sebab macam bagi bad impression kat interviewer. Tapi so far ok je.. A female interviewer, chinese dan sangat friendly. Warm, selalu senyum. Interview tu macam sesi berborak dengan member, less formal. Kita rasa selesa :) Basic question, tapi takdelah suruh introduce yourself ke. Dia semak resume, terus tanya pasal aktiviti kat universiti, your role and participation, family, pointer, etc. Then she explains about IBM and HR function in IBM. Allowance 800/month. I choose IBM since it is more HR related plus I'm staying with my auntie. Senang, dah ada accommodation. 

A little addition about IBM. Masa apply IBM firstly kena jawab online test. IBM's CAT. Jenuhlaa jawab soalan test, dengan tak ada scientific calculator lagi. Pakai calculator kat fon je. Mana yang tak tau aku hentam dengan pasrah. Dahla memang lemah math, soalan banyak math. Lepastu lama pulak tunggu, takde feedback. Aku apply IBM around bulan 9 2012, tapi betul confirm dengan IBM, pegi interview bulan 1 2013. Menunggu dengan penuh kesabaran nampaknya. Di saat nak berputus asa tiba-tiba dapat ilham untuk email resume sekali lagi. Lepastu dapat call suruh ambik test CAT ni. Memang takla aku nak amik lagi... Then pihak IBM check, dorang cakap ok, panggil untuk interview kat Cyberjaya. Alhamdulillah interview ok, and I've been offered internship placement with them. Hopefully semua ok. Takutt. Cabaran ni! So.. hello IBM! :)

So far based on my experience, I can conclude that:
1. English is IMPORTANT.
2. Be active. Get involved with activities kat uni, sebab itu yang interviewer akan highlight before they ask about your pointer.
3. Your CGPA. Usahakan 3 pointer ke atas.
4. Be confident. Walaupun pelik-pelik je soalan ditanya tapi jawab dengan penuh confident walaupun korang tak sure betul ke tak.
5. Senyum. :)


So that's all I think. Hope it helps.
Semoga berjaya. :)





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