When you try to make a living in a country whose guts practically half of Europe hates and have no choice but to suck up to because it keeps them from collapsing - 90 out of a 100 times you will find yourself in Germany looking for a job opening. Also, being an international student in a country that doesn't necessarily have a predominantly English speaking business culture and voila, you have yourself a nice soup Rindersuppe.
The job applications began with all the 'wise-men' lecturing me every few days on (and I'm paraphrasing) Why I couldn't be like others and simply take up campus placements like normal people but had to go to some foreign land where people use paper to clean their hind. Amid all these advices began my hunt for a job.
The first step involved the preparation of a CV and a cover letter which was a whole different ballgame in itself bereft with abbreviated descriptions of the numerous comedies that had been a part of my experience since school, college and during my masters. I cannot not help but stifle a smile which when let loose would inevitably develop into a fit of uncontrollable laughter when I look at the last few lines of any online application portal - I hereby declare that all that I have stated and achieved so far to the best of my ability, knowledge and memory is true.
The next step involved scouting company career sites to see what they had on offer and surprise surprise most German companies had a line in their long list of requirements which more or less said - English skills necessary albeit in German. I began spraying my application in all conceivable coordinates - Polar, Cartesian, Cylindrical and Imaginary as well, if you will.
The most taxing and frustrating part of the process came next - The Wait. So I waited and waited and waited some more and there was no response despite having sent out enough and more feelers.
I got a call one evening asking for a Herr Bandit(!). You have to believe me when I say that that is what the person referred to me initially, that's when it struck me that he was calling for me after having gone through the application I had sent for the position he had advertised for. Suffice to say the telephone interview went in a blitz and was completely in German after which I was invited to a personal interview which was also more or less completely in German and the rest as they say is history.
Well done Bandit! :D
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thank you, mJ!
DeleteThose 'wise men' advising against is almost confirmation that you in fact are doing the right thing :)
ReplyDeleteAnother enjoyable post from you!
Exactly the parameter I use, it encourages me all the more ;)
DeleteGlad you are enjoying this second coming of sorts (after the almost-year-long hiatus)
congrts well done !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood to see your comment, Angad. Thanks!
DeleteWelcome to the working world Rohan! :)
ReplyDeleteI faced some similar speculation when I was to leave for UK for post-graduation. Some notions told about the country were more imaginary than Harry Potter! :D
Not completely new to working world, the difference this time being that it's out of India. And yes, I exactly understand what you are saying here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting the blog and commenting, Gargi :)