It has always been my plan to go back to a full time job someday but I was unsure when it will be. Since I was upset with the current management, I was excited when I received a call from a recruiter asking me to try for an a HR role. Oh sure!

This might just be my chance to go back into banking! Oooh Lala. They are offering more than my last drawn. I am definitely going for it.

Try first and decide later has always been my motto in terms of job hunting.

First round came and went.

Second round came and went.

Third round came and went.

Then nothing… I was ghosted by the recruitment company even though I was told that I was the only one that made it to the last round.

By then I already shared with my current employer that I may be leaving and go back to a full time job. Silly me. I counted my eggs before they hatch.

This is a practice in MNCs in Singapore which I did not think would happen to me.

Scenario 1: I am found to be unsuitable after three gruelling rounds with the hiring manager, the head of departments and team (as per interview order).

Scenario 2: Budget was reallocated and role is gone as the hire did not happen fast enough.

Scenario 3: When an internal candidate is already identified for a job, the resourcing manager will still contact external recruiters to advertise and source for a “suitable” candidate. Companies needed to prove and justify that they have fair employment practices by advertising the role out to the market.

Scenario 4: An internal candidate is already identified and happens to be a non citizen (SC) or permanent resident (SPR). The role has to be advertised on My Careers Future as each role has a unique ID. To proof that they have fair employment practices and are giving Singaporeans a chance, they have to show proof that they interviewed locals (SC & SPR) but candidates are unsuitable. With these proof, they can apply for an employment pass with the unique ID after 28 days the role was advertised for the said internal candidate who is a foreigner.

To put it simply, the third and fourth are loopholes and a bloody waste of people’s time.

I know this as the two financial institutions I used to work for practised this. There might be more scenarios but I think four is enough to share for now. I have since removed “SG Citizen” in my resume against the Career Coach’s advice. I never needed to use this in the past and I don’t think it will serve any advantage in the future as well.

Maybe I was really unsuitable. Maybe I appeared to be a job hopper. Maybe I was not experienced enough.

I would and urge anyone reading this to think twice and be aware of year end roles.