More Job Hunt Updates

I had my 3rd interview at Company O2. This one seemed like more of an information session about a certain opportunity that they have. It isn't Java though. So I guess they're trying to determine if I could do the work and if I'm willing. And I definitely am. Besides, I can get back to Java eventually. And it's always good to try something new.

Also, company W, who interviewed me yesterday, called and informed me that they've shortlisted me and would want my references.

Oh and another non-IT company with an IT group called to schedule an interview for March 6. Let's called them Company W2. It's a pretty big company (they also have their own building) and seems to be a great place to work.

I'm pretty nervous of the situation where I receive an offer from all of them. Or if I get an offer from a company, but I prefer the another. Let's not get carried away though.

So there, good news all around in the job hunting front. GIVE ME A JOB!!!

Still Jobless, Still Hopeful

A non-IT company with openings in their IT group I applied to just called and have scheduled an interview for Feb 27. Let's call them Company W. It's a term position but the job description seems to fit me well (Java Web Development). So that's good news.

I also had my 2nd interview at Company O2. It's a technical interview. The interviewer was a senior Java web developer. I did a bit of research before the interview, and he's pretty much were I'd like to be in a couple of years knowledge-wise. It was a very laid back interview again. He just wanted to get a feel of what my level/experience was. He didn't give me a knowledge exam or anything. So I didn't get a feeling that I did good or bad. It's more like I hope they think I'm a good fit. Oh and he mentioned that the interview process is normally long, with 5 interviews being a good estimate. Gonna wait for that phone call again I guess.

Thank God it's over!

After about 3 weeks of -30 to -40 temperature, it's finally gone to higher than -20. And according to weather forecasts, it's gonna remain (relatively) warm for at least this week. I'm really starting to look forward to finding out what the city looks like without all the white stuff.

Nice office

I had an interview today. It's an IT consulting company. Let's call them Company O2. Actually Sarab got me this interview. She had contacts there. I recall sending a resume thru e-mail but never got a response. I guess referrals is the way to go here.

When I got there, the first thing I noticed was the interior of the office. It's hard to explain, but the exposed wooden structures and stone walls gave it a homey, sort of outdoor feel (if that made sense). The interview was with the HR manager and it was very laid back. It was like a normal conversation where we would talk about life in the Philippines, adjusting to Canada and, naturally, the weather. Of course, we also went through my background/experience. Thankfully, no dreaded behavioral questions here. Looks like a nice place to work (although most of the time, work is out at the client site). She informs me that she'll be calling again for a technical interview. I hope so as my last interview was a couple of weeks ago and this is pretty much all I've got.

Pancit Canton

I ate some Lucky Me Instant Pancit Canton today. I remember eating a lot (maybe too much) of these in my Prime Global and Point East days (2001-2005). It's funny how you miss simple things like this. Thank God for Filipino/Asian stores.

Hire me already!

I'm still jobless. It's getting depressing. Especially since I've had interviews so I know my resume's doing its job. Interviews seemed to be going ok too. Past few days have been dry though. Might have to get that survival job. It's days like this that I wish I took summer jobs in High School or College in fast food. Or I wish I were more physically fit so I could do physically demanding jobs. Or that I didn't hate phones so much so I could work at call centers. I seem to be the worst kind of person to be an immigrant. I hope that a few weeks from now, I'll just laugh at this post.

40 below

The temperature is at minus 40 C. This is one day I consider myself lucky for not having a job, I don't have to go out as often. I should have a car before the next winter.

Let's do this

So I'd like to start my blog now. I've tried a few times in the past but all I ended up with were test posts and pictures. I also wanted to start this as soon as I arrived in Canada but I kept putting it off for one reason or another.

So what I'll do is post what's been going on with me ever since I left (December 25, 2006). I'll keep at this until I finally catch up with the present time. I'll post entries as if I had posted them on the day itself.

This blog really won't have much focus. Sometimes I'll post some information about life here. Some of this could be useful for Pinoys wanting to move to Winnipeg. Sometimes I'll post stuff from my younger days (Well, the days before I started this blog). Maybe some stuff about my work in I.T. I'm a programmer by the way. Well trying to be one here, that is.

So there you go. Let's see how far this goes. (And if anyone cares hehehe)

I Want a Pet!

We went to Polo Park today. And as usual, I wanted to pass by the pet store. Petland is the name of the place. I was surprised to find a pet store with actual pets in them. (If that sounded stupid to you, read about "Puppy Mills") They don't seem to be your typical "puppy mill" pet store though since this store only sells mixed breeds or purebreds without papers. Anyway, visit their website and you be the judge.

One of the attendants let us hold one of the puppies (mixed poodle I think). It was nice to hold a dog again. This was only the 2nd time since I left the Philippines. It was still sad though. Our current situation won't allow us to have pets. When we move out, we'll probably move into an apartment which doesn't allow pets. It's probably going to be a long time before I have a house and lot of my own. So little experiences like this are gonna have to do in the meantime.

Nice coincidence

Had 2 interviews today. I kinda had a feeling with the first one that I wouldn't get it. The other one meanwhile seemed quite interested. Interestingly, the addresses of these companies were St. Mary's Avenue and St Mary's Road respectively.

As I got off the bus downtown coming from the interviews, I saw my wife exiting Winnipeg Square on the way to Tim Horton's (coffee shop). That was a nice coincidence.