Instead of going back to my shitty work, I've decided to revive this blog and write something.

A friend wrote in her journal that it has already been 9 months since graduation, and yet, she's still lost. She wants to try everything that sparks interest in her. The "wise" ones say she shouldn't quit; it’s “stupid” to ride whatever comes her way. The indecisive say it is normal, given that she has just graduated and nothing is set yet. She's facing a world full of possibilities and opportunities. Who wouldn't get lost in such a grand situation?

Obviously, I can relate. I wouldn't be writing here if I wasn't. But I feel like I'm already past that lost,-what-will-I-do stage. I've looked in my heart and reflected for weeks and months, and found out a simple truth (that we all know already): it's not about what you think you want and what you know, but what makes you happy. If you feel like work is drudgery, then resign. Don't look back. Having the chance to taste a glamorous job with a ridiculous salary this early in my career made me realize that it's not about ego-boosting job titles or short-term financial gain. If you feel that your life is wasting away in a cubicle, then it's just not worth it.

When faced with these new and difficult challenges, we all feel the urgency to just quit – to move on to the next place and start anew. Yet, what's hindering us from doing so is the fear of losing security along with that incessant nagging that we shouldn't disappoint the people we love the most. The thing is, it's okay to quit. Now.

You're probably thinking, "hey I'm still young, it's okay to stick it out first; maybe things would eventually change and I'd end up liking whatever I have right now." That kind of mindset is just plain wrong. That means you're ready to settle. And the sad thing is, yes, there's a 92% chance that you'd end up liking your current state, but only out of habit.

What you don't realize this early is that, as you go further in the journey of life, your choices will slowly start to dwindle. As each responsibility comes along, like a wife, a kid or an ailing parent, the doors to your real passion creak to a close. Before you know it, you're 40 and still lugging yourself to your cubicle or maybe to your grand office now. There you are, busy as hell, a ton of papers on your desk, thinking and evaluating your life - or the lack of it. And then the regret comes, "what if I had chosen to quit 18 years ago?"

Don't be scared. Quit early and find what makes you happy.

Yet, in that search, never had it occurred to me that employment also meant losing yourself. I thought it would give meaning and significance to my life. I assumed that I would finally find my genuine worth beyond classrooms, Calculus and lectures - out of the unreal.

I was wrong.

People who have shifted (or plans to shift) into entrepreneurship are right. In a multinational company, being a mere foot soldier is tantamount to being a "cog," an insignificant (and replaceable) part of a well-oiled gargantuan machine.

The HR department, the managers, the GMs and the CEOs constantly remind employees that they matter, that a corporation cannot function without them.

But that's just a load of bullshit to hide the truth, to temporary lift the morale of people in order to keep them working. The "encouraging" words, the money and incentives they offer are modern-day whips used to force workers into following their "vision."

To some extent, little things do matter. You cannot accumulate a billion dollars without one mere dollar. Bolts, bricks and cement make up and form skyscrapers and conglomerates.  But, really, do these minute parts actually feel their worth beyond what is expected of them?

No, they don't.

We don't my fellow slave.

We are part of an inverted networking pyramid scheme, where the builders and the pioneers gain the most wealth and fulfilment, while the last in line, the ignorant and the gullible – us – get virtually nothing.

Only the "visionaries," builders, and architects believe that we matter, because, ultimately, we are just instruments to their success.

goodbyewonderwal

I just want to give an update to all the anonymous fans I have scattered all over the internet (as if...hehe).

So I've finally stepped up my job hunt. So far, it hasn't bore fruit - meaning, I still don't have a stable, permanent job. :( But, I've gone through a multitude of tests and interviews already. Each one was a learning experience, and has helped me improve my interpersonal and interviewee skills.

Here are the companies that I'm targeting: (I will no longer disclose the others, since I have no plans of working there anyway. They've served their purpose. Hehe.)

P&G
A lot of people have been saying bad things about P&G - the stress, the negative competition, and the "elitista" and arrogant nature of the employees working there. On the flip side, the compensation packages and training initiatives are great. Working in P&G no doubt could help you build your career, and prepare you for bigger things in other companies.

I applied in the Sales department. I have no significant knowledge in this area, but I found out that they have a shortage of employees in this department so I have a big chance of getting in. If I do get in, then I'll be ready for whatever obstacle I have to go through - the politics, the hard work, and all the other barriers. I'm sure I'll be able to handle it, and besides, once I get out, I'll only be stronger and far better.

Nestle
Nestle really takes care of its employees. I heard that aside from offering very, very good compensation packages that are at par with the likes of Unilever and P&G, they also give their workers' families chances to reap similar benefits. So the love extends to the children, the grandparents, etc. For example, when an Nestle employee wants to take a vacation in Japan or the U.S., he or she can bring his family along. Imagine that?

Also, Nestle's products are growing everywhere. If you go inside a supermarket and investigate the different brands in the aisles, you will most likely see at least a couple of Nestle products - from Milo, to Coco Crunch, to KitKat, to L'Oreal (YES!)... even ALPO!

I applied as a Management Trainee, but I haven't received word from them yet. I'm hoping they'd just get my file and save it in their database for future pirating ;).

Globe
I told everyone that I wanted to be part of a telecommunications company because of the industry's high growth potential and stability. Globe was my main target. It offers very high salaries and top notch benefits, like 18-20 months pay. Also, its IT Management Trainees get to go through rigorous training that would enable them to pick up high quality certifications along the way.

Well, I did get shortlisted for one of the positions available in Globe. However, due to unfortunate circumstances (that I will no longer share), my application got terminated :(. Maybe in the future, Globe! You know where to find me! :)

Kraft
Kraft is also a bona fide FMCG multinational company in the Philippines, albeit low key, and relatively smaller than the big 4 (Nestle, P&G, Unilever, J&J). The compensation packages are naturally not as attractive, but great nonetheless. There are also opportunities to travel and get hired in its other subsidiaries all over the world. But the most important thing is that: there is less competition. It would be much, much, MUCH easier to go up the ranks in this company. I'm not sure how they train their employees, but gaining and working on more responsibilities at a much faster rate (compared to other MNCs), would be good training by itself.

I'm already in the last stage of the recruitment process, and I'm really crossing my fingers. I have a good chance of getting in and being part of the Trainee Program. This is a career move - one that I believe, could benefit me in the long run. Pls. pray for me.

The job hunt has been frustrating and tiring at the same time, but I must say, I'm loving the "anticipation" of finally getting that lucrative job offer, and best possible position. Soon, I will get answers. I just hope they would be what I'd dreamed/hoped them to be.