Ever heard of Murphy's Law? I don't know who he is, or was, but there are times in your life when it will seem like life is working against you.
As of now, I'm still gainfully unemployed, and to support myself, I've taken to finding a plethora of part-time jobs, in a variety of professions, from assisting with photography, to writing up on events and advertisements, to manual labour. And I'm also applying for jobs.
The good thing is, I'm not having problems with cashflow, because these jobs actually pay quite well because there are quite a few of them. Obviously I can't live large, and I haven't shopped in ages because I'm just earning enough to cover my food and transport expenses, but I've finally saved up enough to take the small grad trip I never had.
It almost makes me resentful that some get to go on grad trips sponsored by their parents while I have to grind out every cent for mine, but such is life. The sooner you accept that there is no such thing as fairness in the world, the easier it gets. I worked and paid my way through school as well, so its really nothing new to me.
Of course, with the way life is, it will always happen as such that your best opportunity will come when you end up with a part-time job you cannot reject.
It all started like this. Being open for something to take up my free time, I signed up for a stocktaking job at a factory in Tuas, for a chemical company. It was a one day gig, and I thought since it was one day, it probably wouldn't affect anything much. The only catch is, being a chemical company, their jobs come with a safety briefing that cannot be skipped. My cousin recommended it to me last minute, as his friend needed urgent vacancies to fill the positions.
I attended the briefing this morning, and guess what. In the evening, I get a call for the bank job at a private bank I applied for 3 weeks ago, to go down for the initial interview. And it so happens that it's on the same day as the part-time job.
And now, I can't quit on the part-time job, because the company won't do another briefing, and because of the briefing, I can't do a one-for-one swap, which anyone in the right mind would have done. And then I get a call from my cousin's friend scolding me for being irresponsible in trying to push away the job last minute.
Offer for full-time job from a good bank vs. part time job of no consequence, I think it's pretty obvious what to choose? But because of this word called integrity, because I've given my word that I'll be present for the job, I have to give it up.
It really puts into perspective the value of this word called integrity. When you give your word to something, and on the other hand is what could turn out to be a huge pot of money and an opportunity of a lifetime, which would you choose?
Your word, or a pot of money? I'd love to say that you always take integrity because opportunities will come again, but we all know the job market is hardly that forgiving.