Friday, November 24, 2006
Ever browsed through the newspaper in hope of finding yourself a reasonable paying job? It's quite disappointing when you see a column that reads:
*$7 per hour
*Office hours
*Bilingual
*Many vacancies available
*Call 6******* to fix appointment
Now, if you're indian and you decide to pick up the phone to dial the number stated, don't. Being bilingual is the ability to speak more than one language. Here it simply means being able to speak english and chinese.
I was looking through the newspaper hoping I can hit at least one solid appointment. Every single advertisement they placed wanted a chinese speaking person. There was one which I saw that didn't mention any form of bilingualism and I immediately picked up the phone to start dialling the number. This is how the conversation went.
Woman: Hello. Good morning. Cheena Piang Pvt. Ltd. How may I help you?
Me: Hi. Good morning. I'm calling in correspondence to your ad placed in the papers? Would like to know if there are any more vacancies left.
Woman: We have one more slot left. Can you come down for an appointment?
Me: Yea sure.
Woman: Your name and contact number please?
Me: Brabakaran. 6*******.
Women: Ok we will call you back shortly.
All this while, I was telling myself what a polite lady she was. Fluent english and very soft spoken. That impression didn't last long enough though. Few minutes later, I received a call from the same women and this is how it went:
Woman: May I speak to Braaaaaabaaakalan?
Me: You can call me Praba.
Woman: Are you chinese?
Me: *Pissed* Does praba sound like a chinese name?
Women: I'm so sorry sir, but we're looking for someone who can speak in both english and chinese.
Me: What for? I bet you already have enough people in your company who can speak in chinese what.
Woman: This is the criteria stated here. I cannot do anything about it.
Me: *With overwhelming anger* Then next time please state that you don't want anyone other than chinese la. Easier for people like me rite? *hanged up*
Labels: Job Interview
