Well, I’ve been looking for a job for almost 2 weeks now. And I really feel exhausted.

First reason, I wore a high heel closed shoe yesterday that I just recently bought from Novo. I like their shoes a lot, nice design, got 2 pairs in half price, I tried them on a short walk and liked it instantly. When I had the schedule for interview, I know it’ll not be a perfect time to break the shoe in but I don’t have a choice or else I’ll borrow Chel’s boots that is half size short. So I wore it the entire day, now I got blisters and swelling big toe. My feet is aching, my toes are excruciatingly painful when touched and the pain is mounting to my head. I will never ever wear that shoes again! My fault was that I did not bring comfy shoes to wear while walking and searching for the place where my interview is. I saw others who are wearing a suit or formal office attire with rubber shoes or havianas and changing shoes before they get off the train. Brilliant idea! Why I haven’t thought that!

Second reason, I am soo exhausted with all the techie questions dumped on me during interviews. Why do they have to be so meticulous? They are assessing applicant’s skills seriously! Gosh, good luck na lang sa kin.

Usually, after submitting application to agencies online, they will call and ask you to come to their office to discuss about the role and your experience. There are some who finds you suitable for the position and discuss about it right away on the phone, asks your permission to represent you to their Client and advised not to engaged with any other agencies if they are representing you to the same Client.

Honestly, when these agencies are inquiring about my skills and experience on the phone or during face to face interview, after they done that, I feel like they suck out all my energies. All of them are asking about my efficiency on J2EE technologies. Since they are not technical persons, when they saw J2EE in my resume they line me up for J2EE developer position that requires 3-5 years of solid experience. Fair enough because the job ad indicates Java/J2EE and I have 5 yrs Java experience.

There are also agencies that require applicants to undergo online Java and J2EE exams, they’ll give you the link. At hinde ako makahinga after taking that exams that took me more than 3 hours to finish.

The first few days, I’ve been entertaining all J2EE developer positions. There is one time, I have a technical interview for this position and it is my first time so I am really nervous and I am 15-min late because I took the wrong train! When I reached the venue, I looked for the interviewer and the receptionist asked “Are you his wife?” I said “Huh…no I have a schedule for interview” and she was laughing at herself embarrassingly sorry. She asked me to sit down first, still laughing, and me too.

While waiting, my agent called on my mobile asking why I am late and she told me to explain the reason to the interviewer. Punctuality is really important to them so when the interviewer came, I reasoned out why I am late and I noticed he was holding 2 papers. After introducing himself and little chat about the company and the project, he said that he has a few technical questions, printed on papers that he was holding. And he asked if we can go through them one by one…this is really freaking me out, seryoso ito. Questions on the first page are Java questions the second one are J2EE questions.

There are questions that I answered correctly. But most of them especially J2EE questions he had to explain to me the correct answers or reasons, and I am not offended. How am I feeling at that moment…? Shrinking, flashed, embarassed, he is lecturing me. He is kind and patient, he resembles Sir Eric of Enterworks, but I am so ashamed because I am endorsed as a Java/J2EE experienced developer, I only guessed most of my answers but I really tried my best.

After this incident, I removed all J2EE references in my resume. Ayoko na! Hinde na mauulit! Nakakahiya!

Reality check, I am not a techie person, not a hard-core programmer, I’m outdated! And why am I always asked with different sets of questions that I haven’t prepared for! As in always! Lintik!