Interview plus Shooting Incident at Outram Park

Well since Dustin is so interested at how the interview turned out, in a nutshell both the interviewer and I had a mutual agreement that there is a mismatch between the opportunities I'm looking for and the job they're offering.

When the lady from the HR called me up inviting me for an interview, she told me to come at 2pm. However when I got there, I had a glimpse at the sheet of paper at the receptionist counter that I was scheduled for an interview at 2:30pm. So in essence, I arrived like, recommended 15 minutes buffer + 30 minutes more due to miscommunication, earlier than the appointed time. Meanwhile they had me fill up an official application form too. I sat at the reception area for the remaining time and browsed through their corporate newsletter. The lady who received me apologized because my interviewer was still in a meeting so I have to wait for a bit more. But it's okay. I am glad and proud of myself for being calm, collected, and confident, and not the nervous wreck that I thought I would be.

Finally the lady led me one floor up to the interview room, and she told me I would be interviewed by the vice-president of their civil and transportation engineering department. I told her that I am applying for a position in the facilities management subsidiary (I wrote it in my application form and told them on the phone I am seeking for a non-technical position) and asked if that's okay (that the person interviewing me is from another department). She said just proceed with the interview and just indicate my interest.

My interviewer was still not there when I entered the room. He arrived about 2 minutes later, then of course I had to stand up, shake his hand and be nice and all like what those interview books told me how to behave. He wasn't at all intimidating. I guess what I was wearing helped me a lot in the confidence department because I really took the effort to dress the part (business pants, pin-stripped shirt with a black blazer over it, HEELS - complete with a black leather-like portfolio which contained all my important interview arsenal).

We spoke for only, what, 5 minutes???? Hahaha. Maybe 10.

We even didn't reach the part where he would ask "Tell me about yourself", or "Why do you want to work for this company?", or "What is your greatest strength" and stuff like that.

I was looking for a management trainee position in facilities management, but they were offering hardcore design work at the civil engineering department. He said all fresh graduate recruits would have to go through that first, even the ones in facilities management. When he mentioned designing buildings, bridges, deciding what type of concrete to use and how much reinforcement to put, it made me very certain that I would not take this job even if hired on the spot. I am about to close the hardcore engineering chapter of my life (and I'm really happy to), and I wouldn't want to look back anymore. 4 years of studying it is enough. It's just not for me. (Of course these things are all just kept inside my head and related my message in a more appropriate manner).

So anyway, we discussed in a very relaxed atmosphere. Smiling and having a positive disposition helped a lot.

I did not get the job that I did not want in the first place, but I gained an interview experience to speak of. My interview preparations were not wasted because I can always use the things I've learned for the next one. I am not upset, I do not feel I've lost, and in fact I'm happy I went through it despite my initial fears.

***

Anyhoo, on the way back home, I had to pass by Outram Park interchange. As I was getting out of the North-East line train, I saw many police officers and media personnel with their cameras flashing and they were speaking to their walkie-talkies. An area was also cordoned off, and the MRT staff were ushering people towards the exit and not be kaypoh (busybodies).
I learned that somebody got shot and died, and I could still see the body there sprawled on the floor covered in white tarpaulin I guess.

I read from ChannelNewsAsia website that the man got shot by the police at close range at the MRT station after he fought them. He stabbed and killed somebody else earlier in the afternoon. Haizzzz.

As always I'm really impressed by how Singapore manages incidents like this so as not to alarm the public. Always very efficient and organized.

Oh well but Mas Selamat is still at large.

***

I'm really thankful that all my loved ones are okay as far as I know. Thank you Lord.