Reflection on Job Change
So, I finally took the plunge and switched jobs. First time, folks! What a wild ride. I’m pretty sure LinkedIn? More like “Link-edOut-of-Luck.” Ghosting was the name of the game. I even emailed those “careers@” addresses on company websites. I’m convinced those emails just go straight to a server farm dedicated to crushing job seekers’ dreams. Glassdoor is better, at least I did received 1-2 replies out of 50 applications. I got so anxious, I was checking my email every 10 minutes and was convinced I’d miss the one email that would change my life while I was, you know, blinking.
Then there were the internal referrals. Ah, yes, the “please, please, pretty please” find the opportunity to get internal referrals. I hit up every single person in the wechat, even my long-lost ex-boss. And learned about so many new and exciting professions.
I started to wonder, just a job can affect life so much? as seeing some friends My friends at big-name companies quite enjoy the life, from traveling, food, to more job opportunities and promotions.
But seriously, internal referrals are where it’s at. One of my old classmates deserves a medal. He just straight-up sent his resume to everyone he knew in wechat. Just, “Hey, I need a job. Help a brother out.” I was in awe. Turns out, his method was genius. People actually rallied around him. I was taking notes, people, taking notes.
Interviews? Oh, the interviews, are fiiled with awkwardness, anxiety, and existential dread.
- First, HR. The “do you need a work visa, what’s your salary expectation, how soon can you start” round. Basically, “prove you’re worthy of our time.
- Then, the hiring manager. The person who holds your career destiny in their hands. I swear, they have a secret decoder ring for interpreting your answers.
- Finally, the CEO. The big boss. The one who always smile and looks like easy to talk with. You have to pretend you’re super impressed with their business plan, even if you secretly have no clue what they’re talking about.
The contract arrived. Dun dun DUNNN! This is where things got real, and I started questioning the very fabric of employee rights. One gem: “Your duties include but are not limited to…” and another: “Your hours may change, and you’ll work extra for free.” Could I even question this stuff? I mean, if I realized these terms were totally unfair, could I even do anything about it? Could I just casually ask them to rewrite the whole thing? And if they lay me off? Sue? Me vs. their legal team? Water pistol vs. tank.
Now I’m at my new job. And it’s… well, it’s a job. Turns out, your work experience is entirely dependent on your boss and your coworkers. It’s like a workplace lottery. Little possibility to win big and get an amazing team. In most of case, you end up in a soul-crushing cubicle farm where the only thing that thrives is your inner cynic. Big company, small company, it doesn’t matter. You’re either a cog in the machine or you’re the machine itself. And if you have a decent boss, consider yourself blessed. Seriously, go buy a lottery ticket.
How joking would be, if we are in just two stage, eager to become 牛马 or in the state of 牛马…
This whole experience has made me seriously consider freelancing. Just projects, money, and no boss drama, right? But then again, maybe dealing with clients is just a different flavor of drama. Worth doing this swapping? It’s something to think about.
