My First Interviews

I've had few mock interviews before when I was in university. But like the name, it's only a mock!

Well..this all started when I was scrambling for companies to do my practicum training

Of course, the first company in mind: MATRADE. Why so? Well initially, I've been influenced by newspaper reports and people's blogs saying the company sends intern students overseas for intern. So then I started day-dreaming that I'd be one of them. HAH! *slaps face gently to wake self up* I realized I'm straying afar. Anyway, I started doing some research about MATRADE, and well...I liked it. Being able to learn its operations into globalization will be beneficial for me. So I applied the position in April.

A month went by, and still no feedback from MATRADE. Good thing I played back-ups. So yeah, during the period, I managed to go through 2 phone interviews. First, a 50-minute phone interview from an online car dealer company located in Petaling Jaya (Carlist.my). The interview was basically about me telling about myself (talked more on educational life, experience and interests), me asking questions about the company, and the last slot was an IQ test. They intentionally did so to see how I think and make decisions. The question was really a brain-teaser..so I ended up telling the interviewer "I don't mean to give up, but for now, I cannot answer your question'. Heh heh. A week later, they called. I passed the interview and they wanted me to go for internship there. Woohoo!

Second phone interview came from a business consultant group from Technology Park Malaysia (HCL Axon). This one's a lot shorter. Only took 20 minutes of interview. Basically, again, about me telling about myself (education, experience and interests), and me asking questions about the company. They even asked my level of English. Cuz if I meet their specs, they would want to put me in a department where I'll be doing a lot of documentation, writing letters, checking grammars etc etc etc. So I told them about my English results in school, MUET exam and the English Assessment test in Jobstreet I took. Few days later, they called. Said that if I were free, they'd want me to come over for a face-to-face interview. Date set, June 26.

DHL is in Axis Tower, PJ

Later, gotten a call from DHL, Petaling Jaya. They wanted to conduct a face-to-face interview with me. Date set, June 27.

After weeks of waiting (and almost losing hope), on one magical fine day, gotten an e-mail from MATRADE!!! Said they wanted to have a face-to-face interview!! Gahh..I must be dreaming. *rubs eyes*. So yeah, date set, June 27. Same day with DHL interview. Only DHL's in the morning and MATRADE noon.

Considering I didn't have a car to drive to Bukit Jalil, I cancelled the interview with HCL Axon. It was a risky decision, but I went with my heart. Hoping to pass the DHL and MATRADE interview (which were my priority now).

Woke up fresh on the day of the interview, June 27. Car-pooled my cousin to Petaling Jaya for my FIRST ever interview! Arrived half an hour early at Axis Tower, went to Level 11, reported myself to the security, sat and waited calmly at the waiting area. 10mins after the scheduled time interview, a lady assisted me into a small room. Here goes. Gave my resume, documents and certificates for her to see. Seems pleased I assumed. (Thank God *feet shaking*). Asked me to tell her about myself (again, education, experience and interest backgrounds). Then me asking questions about DHL in operations, initiatives and programs etc. (Good thing I studied the company before I came). I even told her about the thesis topic I plan to study during intern, so she talked about their GoGreen initiative program, which I knew of (thanks to studying). The interview went for 30mins. Escorted me to the lift, thanked each other, and went off. To occupy another 3 hours before MATRADE interview, I (accompanied by my bro) had brunch at The Mall. One hour later, then... *Back in Time music* heard. My phone! "Hello?" "Hi Nabila? This is M***** from DHL. Just want to let you know that we would want you to have your intern here in DHL" (Me, mouth-opened). "Wow, that was quick." "So, we'd like you to come some time to sign a few documents and agreement". Due to time constraint, I told her to set another further date. Set.

1.50pm. Took a taxi from The Mall to MATRADE. Chitter-chattered with the driver. Told him I had an interview. And he asked, "You asked for an interview? Or THEY called for an interview?" So I said, THEY called. And he said, Wow! My eyebrows *up and down in curiousity*. Arrived half an hour early. Gotten lost a bit in the building. Found the right lift! Went in with another interview candidate from UiTM Puncak Alam (International Business student). We were the first to arrive. Soon, four other candidates joined in. 3 International Business students from UiTM Melaka and 1 Marketing student from UiTM Johor. I was the only Operations Management student from UiTM Terengganu.

We were divided into two groups of 3. The first group entered the interview room. Whist waiting for our turn, my team discussed on current issues, name of ministers, and important people etc. 30mins of waiting, our turn. Got in with 3 panel interviewers. *heart throbs*. First, we were told to introduce ourselves, but of nothing mentioned in our resume. So blablabla... education, experience, interest, families etc.The interviewers too introduced themselves and from which department they were from. Then they asked us to give reasons why we chose MATRADE and why we should be selected among others. I raised my hand first. (Tried to sell myself a bit). After 30mins, we were to combine all candidates (6 of us altogether) for the next session. We were to imagine we were at a coffee house and make spontaneous chats on a given topic (watched by interviewers): Facebook! (Thank God...nothing related to some topic I don't know of). Again, I tried to outshine myself. (I really wanted this so bad). Practically after 15mins, we ended our 'chat'. So then, the interviewers made some reviews (said "Oh, they're selling themselves".. "you guys talk a lot"..etc.), T&C of working in MATRADE etc etc etc. That last moment before we headed out the interview room, one interviewer suddenly called my name, "Nabila! (Me, looks sharply in her eyes..shocked), I'm watching you! *finger points eye to eye*". So I said, "Sure, you may" (indicating somewhat like Pick Me!). Know why she did that? "I was also a student of UiTM Tganu once upon a time....TY was my lecturer. Send my regards to him." Goshh..*mini heart attack*. So then, headed back home. All went well. Syukur. 

5 days later, gotten an e-mail from MATRADE. "Congratulations, your application......is Accepted!"

Alhamdulillah, those interviews I've gone through were very smooth. Never did I expect I'd be going through ALL those interviews well. But ALL went well. Syukur is all I can express of. What I've learnt during those interviews, importance of English command, communication ability, confidence, ability to shine out, and most importantly, Being Myself. No use being a hypocrite during interviews, and trapping yourself with guilt. My advice, Your weakness SHOULD NOT stand out more than your strengths. Speak full English with as much confidence as you can. Be participative. Be active (not passive). Smile. Properly attired. Most importantly, Bismillah and Doa'. 

Thanks Mama, Papa, Wan, and everyone for the Doa'. I hope that one day, I'll be able to pay back for all the deeds that you have given me, and if ever I don't have that chance, I pray that Allah will bless your lives for eternity. Amin.