27 March 2014, Thursday
Its my fourth day at work and work is already starting to pile up. Have been scheduled for training for the past few days and training only ends tomorrow. But we have so much to do that we're behind the training schedule. We haven't met three of our trainers and tomorrow is Friday already. I'm guessing we're gonna have even more to do in the weeks to come.
I was feeling a little more energetic today and tried doing hands on for eClub voucher redemption and I hope I got the steps right. I made Kanchana very stressed and myself too. I was trying to input the details into the preset template but the alignment keeps going off. After like 30mins I finally completed it and tried to do trail test printing first on blank papers and my dear printer didn't want to work so I had to use the further one. I walked up and down at least 10 times just to print one voucher. Once I was done I closed the file without saving, only to my horror to find out I needed a second copy of the voucher. DIE DIE DIE just kill me. At that very moment I just felt like turning off my computer and walk home or something. But of course not, I didn't. I survived today.
Really thankful to Kanchana who teaches me so patiently and honestly speaking I am quite worried when Kanchana goes on leave. Silvia (Director of Sales) spoke to us today also about our training with Kanchana and we realised we are only left with 6 days with Kanchana before she goes! I guess they're gonna arrange something.
Was really stressed today and now I know why people go home so tired. Because they use too much brain cells and energy while at work. It was never the case when I worked in F&B because, well, who needs brains? Haha. I mean, not that much.
And, I spotted my name in the telephone directory!! I didn't expect them to update so quickly but I have something to admit... I am not a Sales Executive. That's Nadine. I'm just a sales coordinator but I guess there's some typo. Doesn't really matter to me anyway.
On a side note, I wasn't feeling good because my ex-boss was like chatting with my manager and totally ignoring me. I feel neglected. I miss working with him. Gonna see him tomorrow for training so I hope he is not avoiding me on purpose. May tomorrow be a better day. TGIF!!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Day 3 at work; Nadine's last day
26 March 2014, Wednesday
Nadine is a Sales Executive and she is the one doing the handover to me. Ironic isn't it, an executive handing over to a coordinator haha. I have no idea why too.
Well, I've only seen her on Monday and today is her last day already. We didn't know each other for very long but there were still some emotions attached and I felt kinda sad to see her go. She's off to further her studies at Kaplan so I wish her all the best.
Kanchana's her best buddy and she's leaving soon too. Kanchana's currently handing over to Aswin, the other Sales Coordinator for Corporate who's working with me. She's leaving I think end of March and she's going on leave for a week in March too. That leaves us three weeks with her and we're on our own.
Its my third day already and I am excited because since today is Nadine's last day I'm gonna get my own table tomorrow! Already planning to bring all my stuff and food to my desk haha. I was taught a lot during these three days but I question myself as to what have I absorbed. Guess I need more hands on. I'm only like very confident of doing one task currently.
Kanchana brought me for "walks" today, to the bell desk and to the concierge to settle some stuff for our clients. I love to walk through the hotel though. First, I can catch a breath from the quiet and suffocating office; second, I can see guests and thirdly, I'm doing my job too. Walking around the hotel (confidently) was something I was never able to accomplish while I was working in F&B outlets. Maybe during the times when I was GRO/hostess. What you wear plays a big part in boosting your confidence, I feel. Being well-dressed in formal attire and black stockings and heels, I feel that I have enough "face" to walk out into the lobby and do everything else. I like that feeling,
There're so many people who are unaware that I joined sales and are very shocked when they see me. Some thought I was promoted to manager, while others still thought I am doing part-time. I guess it came as a surprise to many, and I heard another surprise out of the blue that wasn't really pleasant: Yeehong is resigning.
I have known her since three years ago when I first joined The Line. She was a bartender and very fierce towards casual labour. She left after giving birth and came back recently as an assistant manager in Waterfall Cafe first then The Line. Its sad to see her go although her bark is always stronger than her bite. I asked her why she was leaving and she told me, "Because you join sales and you don't want to help me." Hahaha. Gonna miss her. Wishing her all the best too.
Back to work stuff. Since it was Nadine's last day, our Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM) Christopher Kang asked Stacey (coordinator) to order delivery and have a farewell party thrown for Nadine. It was an impromptu one, and we were all asked to stay back for it. When Silvia thanked her and everyone else started making speeches and thanking her, tears started flowing. I guess emotions are the hardest to let go. Its my third day and I'm sending people off. Oh gosh.
Anyways looking forward to mastering my duties because I wanna do a good job for my managers and not cause them trouble. Elisabeth is a very nice and sweet lady who has a sweet voice too. She explains her accounts to me very carefully and I guess she's patient too. Sue is a very flexible person, where she gives me leeway when it comes to small matters by letting me make the decision. Whereas on the other hand, Marcus is the one that is very meticulous. He wants to personally do everything himself, especially when it is matters relating to the client. Its good in one way that he's responsible for his actions, and also allocate me less work, but I sure hope I can help him along the way so he doesn't have to do so much.
Left work at about 6.30pm because I wanted to finish up my half-completed work first and Emily walked to Shang to meet me. We arranged for Starbucks at Delfi Orchard and we coincidentally met Brandon and Dave who were studying for their exams tomorrow! Good luck for those who still have papers and congrats to those friends of mine who unofficially graduated!!!
May I still be blessed at work because I don't want to make mistakes. During morning meeting, Sue was scolded by Silvia in front of everyone and it was kinda awkward. I definitely don't want it to happen to me.
I see my F&B boss walk in and out the whole day too yet I have no reasons to talk to him so I'm feeling sad. But its okay; he still smiles at me. That's enough to make my day.
Nadine is a Sales Executive and she is the one doing the handover to me. Ironic isn't it, an executive handing over to a coordinator haha. I have no idea why too.
Well, I've only seen her on Monday and today is her last day already. We didn't know each other for very long but there were still some emotions attached and I felt kinda sad to see her go. She's off to further her studies at Kaplan so I wish her all the best.
Kanchana's her best buddy and she's leaving soon too. Kanchana's currently handing over to Aswin, the other Sales Coordinator for Corporate who's working with me. She's leaving I think end of March and she's going on leave for a week in March too. That leaves us three weeks with her and we're on our own.
Its my third day already and I am excited because since today is Nadine's last day I'm gonna get my own table tomorrow! Already planning to bring all my stuff and food to my desk haha. I was taught a lot during these three days but I question myself as to what have I absorbed. Guess I need more hands on. I'm only like very confident of doing one task currently.
Kanchana brought me for "walks" today, to the bell desk and to the concierge to settle some stuff for our clients. I love to walk through the hotel though. First, I can catch a breath from the quiet and suffocating office; second, I can see guests and thirdly, I'm doing my job too. Walking around the hotel (confidently) was something I was never able to accomplish while I was working in F&B outlets. Maybe during the times when I was GRO/hostess. What you wear plays a big part in boosting your confidence, I feel. Being well-dressed in formal attire and black stockings and heels, I feel that I have enough "face" to walk out into the lobby and do everything else. I like that feeling,
There're so many people who are unaware that I joined sales and are very shocked when they see me. Some thought I was promoted to manager, while others still thought I am doing part-time. I guess it came as a surprise to many, and I heard another surprise out of the blue that wasn't really pleasant: Yeehong is resigning.
I have known her since three years ago when I first joined The Line. She was a bartender and very fierce towards casual labour. She left after giving birth and came back recently as an assistant manager in Waterfall Cafe first then The Line. Its sad to see her go although her bark is always stronger than her bite. I asked her why she was leaving and she told me, "Because you join sales and you don't want to help me." Hahaha. Gonna miss her. Wishing her all the best too.
Back to work stuff. Since it was Nadine's last day, our Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM) Christopher Kang asked Stacey (coordinator) to order delivery and have a farewell party thrown for Nadine. It was an impromptu one, and we were all asked to stay back for it. When Silvia thanked her and everyone else started making speeches and thanking her, tears started flowing. I guess emotions are the hardest to let go. Its my third day and I'm sending people off. Oh gosh.
Anyways looking forward to mastering my duties because I wanna do a good job for my managers and not cause them trouble. Elisabeth is a very nice and sweet lady who has a sweet voice too. She explains her accounts to me very carefully and I guess she's patient too. Sue is a very flexible person, where she gives me leeway when it comes to small matters by letting me make the decision. Whereas on the other hand, Marcus is the one that is very meticulous. He wants to personally do everything himself, especially when it is matters relating to the client. Its good in one way that he's responsible for his actions, and also allocate me less work, but I sure hope I can help him along the way so he doesn't have to do so much.
Left work at about 6.30pm because I wanted to finish up my half-completed work first and Emily walked to Shang to meet me. We arranged for Starbucks at Delfi Orchard and we coincidentally met Brandon and Dave who were studying for their exams tomorrow! Good luck for those who still have papers and congrats to those friends of mine who unofficially graduated!!!
May I still be blessed at work because I don't want to make mistakes. During morning meeting, Sue was scolded by Silvia in front of everyone and it was kinda awkward. I definitely don't want it to happen to me.
I see my F&B boss walk in and out the whole day too yet I have no reasons to talk to him so I'm feeling sad. But its okay; he still smiles at me. That's enough to make my day.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
The Big Leap: from F&B to Sales
24 February 2014, Monday
Today is the day I step out of my teenage part-time work life, and into the working world as a full-time working adult. Three years of part-time working experience in Shangri-la Singapore has been a memorable one. I've seen people come and go, and learnt a lot through my mistakes and wrongdoings. However, it has always been the place where I could find joy in working and also, make new friends. Working in the hotel/service industry has always been something I've wanted to do. My passion never seems to die out, and sometimes even I question myself. At the end of each day, even though it may have been a long and tiring day, I seemed to be more than satisfied with myself for surviving the day and making others' day as well. Three years, and I have not found a single reason to leave this place. Things may not have been smooth for three whole years, but only through these obstacles do we learn to pick ourselves up and prepare for the next fight isn't it?
I'm proud of my job; proud of myself too. Three years in the hotel, I'm pretty much sure no other part-timers has accomplished as much as I did in the hotel in three years. Being so versatile and exploring through various departments of the hotel, I'm glad that I had the chance to learn and be exposed to many areas in which others may not have the chance to.
I'm thankful to the people I've befriended over the years, and people who've guided me along, including those who are no longer with us. Thankful to the colleagues who work together as a team and accomplish tasks together, pull through the hard times together and enjoy the good times together. It does feel like family; where we help each other and take care of each other, not forgetting having fun.
The people whom I am most grateful to, are people who gave me opportunities along the way. Many opportunities. My bosses. My managers. They are the ones who recognize my effort, my capability, my passion, and give me the opportunities to develop my potential and reach greater heights. If not for them, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish so much in three years, just as a part-timer. It was all their effort. Words cannot express my gratitude to them for appreciating me so much, from giving me leeway to offering me special positions and even full-time jobs. Its a blessing to have you guys.
Future seemed bleak to me when I returned to Singapore from my four months of exchange programme in South Korea. Nonetheless it was a really great experience too. Life-changing, I would say. I got to learn to be independent and to face up to many cold hard truths. It definitely made me a better person and I was ready to continue with my life back in my home country as a whole new person. But I was lost. I felt detached from Singapore after being away for some time. I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do, what I could do. Furthermore, there wasn't anyone who could guide me or advice me. The only decision I made was to go back to Shangri-la and continue as a part-timer while I take time to think through the important things in life.
Things were the same. Nothing changed. I still enjoyed my job, and I still had my wonderful bosses who make my day everytime they see me. I feel that its an honour for the big bosses to know myself, because some of them don't even know the full-timers. I'm blessed to have them still accepting me and welcoming me back despite having been gone for so long. I am glad that I wasn't forgotten.
Job offers and opportunities came along all the same since my return, and I had to make a decision as to what I want. Being in the F&B industry for three years, I told myself I never want it as a full-time job because its gonna be really tiring. I studied business in school, so I told myself I wanna do something more relevant. At least, something office-bound.
I got the offer for Sales Coordinator under Sales and Marketing and I gladly accepted it. Well, initially it wasn't an offer. I merely went for the interview to see if I qualify. And no, I didn't have any special advantages for having previous experience in the hotel. I was just fighting for the vacancy just like any other applicants.
Things didn't work out like how I expected. In fact, it turned out better because I got the job offer sooner than ever. Through four rounds of interviews and after meeting Director of Sales and Hotel Manager, I took up the offer and signed the letter of appointment on the 19th February, Wednesday. There and then, I made the decision to bid farewell to my bosses in the F&B sector which I hope I won't regret.
Office politics was eminent in offices, and Sales & Marketing wasn't an exception. Through the way everyone speak and the way they do things, I could tell that they were not straightforward people like F&B. They are straightforward, only when they want their thoughts to be put across the table. Apart from that, they are just behind a mask.
I've heard lots about Sales & Marketing before I joined and there were positive and negative comments. Judging from my decision, its obvious I chose to believe the former instead of the latter. Or else, I wouldn't even be here today.
Day One at work wasn't too bad. There's just a lot of shuffling of coordinators and I came to realise that I have to do a lot of things. I'm actually looking forward to an office job because I get to sit down and have my own desk but I'm also not that sure. After all, it was my first office job.
Training and orientation went on, and during lunchtime I was already missing my colleagues already. I wonder if I'm just not used to it or its that I don't like the job? I hope its not the latter.
Its only Day One and we were released late. I wonder what happens in future?
Nonetheless it was a good first day. Looking forward to future partnerships with Aswin, a UNLV graduate, the other sales coordinator who works with me. We get along well, so I hope things only get better in future. Things will get better.
Today is the day I step out of my teenage part-time work life, and into the working world as a full-time working adult. Three years of part-time working experience in Shangri-la Singapore has been a memorable one. I've seen people come and go, and learnt a lot through my mistakes and wrongdoings. However, it has always been the place where I could find joy in working and also, make new friends. Working in the hotel/service industry has always been something I've wanted to do. My passion never seems to die out, and sometimes even I question myself. At the end of each day, even though it may have been a long and tiring day, I seemed to be more than satisfied with myself for surviving the day and making others' day as well. Three years, and I have not found a single reason to leave this place. Things may not have been smooth for three whole years, but only through these obstacles do we learn to pick ourselves up and prepare for the next fight isn't it?
I'm proud of my job; proud of myself too. Three years in the hotel, I'm pretty much sure no other part-timers has accomplished as much as I did in the hotel in three years. Being so versatile and exploring through various departments of the hotel, I'm glad that I had the chance to learn and be exposed to many areas in which others may not have the chance to.
I'm thankful to the people I've befriended over the years, and people who've guided me along, including those who are no longer with us. Thankful to the colleagues who work together as a team and accomplish tasks together, pull through the hard times together and enjoy the good times together. It does feel like family; where we help each other and take care of each other, not forgetting having fun.
The people whom I am most grateful to, are people who gave me opportunities along the way. Many opportunities. My bosses. My managers. They are the ones who recognize my effort, my capability, my passion, and give me the opportunities to develop my potential and reach greater heights. If not for them, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish so much in three years, just as a part-timer. It was all their effort. Words cannot express my gratitude to them for appreciating me so much, from giving me leeway to offering me special positions and even full-time jobs. Its a blessing to have you guys.
Future seemed bleak to me when I returned to Singapore from my four months of exchange programme in South Korea. Nonetheless it was a really great experience too. Life-changing, I would say. I got to learn to be independent and to face up to many cold hard truths. It definitely made me a better person and I was ready to continue with my life back in my home country as a whole new person. But I was lost. I felt detached from Singapore after being away for some time. I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do, what I could do. Furthermore, there wasn't anyone who could guide me or advice me. The only decision I made was to go back to Shangri-la and continue as a part-timer while I take time to think through the important things in life.
Things were the same. Nothing changed. I still enjoyed my job, and I still had my wonderful bosses who make my day everytime they see me. I feel that its an honour for the big bosses to know myself, because some of them don't even know the full-timers. I'm blessed to have them still accepting me and welcoming me back despite having been gone for so long. I am glad that I wasn't forgotten.
Job offers and opportunities came along all the same since my return, and I had to make a decision as to what I want. Being in the F&B industry for three years, I told myself I never want it as a full-time job because its gonna be really tiring. I studied business in school, so I told myself I wanna do something more relevant. At least, something office-bound.
I got the offer for Sales Coordinator under Sales and Marketing and I gladly accepted it. Well, initially it wasn't an offer. I merely went for the interview to see if I qualify. And no, I didn't have any special advantages for having previous experience in the hotel. I was just fighting for the vacancy just like any other applicants.
Things didn't work out like how I expected. In fact, it turned out better because I got the job offer sooner than ever. Through four rounds of interviews and after meeting Director of Sales and Hotel Manager, I took up the offer and signed the letter of appointment on the 19th February, Wednesday. There and then, I made the decision to bid farewell to my bosses in the F&B sector which I hope I won't regret.
Office politics was eminent in offices, and Sales & Marketing wasn't an exception. Through the way everyone speak and the way they do things, I could tell that they were not straightforward people like F&B. They are straightforward, only when they want their thoughts to be put across the table. Apart from that, they are just behind a mask.
I've heard lots about Sales & Marketing before I joined and there were positive and negative comments. Judging from my decision, its obvious I chose to believe the former instead of the latter. Or else, I wouldn't even be here today.
Day One at work wasn't too bad. There's just a lot of shuffling of coordinators and I came to realise that I have to do a lot of things. I'm actually looking forward to an office job because I get to sit down and have my own desk but I'm also not that sure. After all, it was my first office job.
Training and orientation went on, and during lunchtime I was already missing my colleagues already. I wonder if I'm just not used to it or its that I don't like the job? I hope its not the latter.
Its only Day One and we were released late. I wonder what happens in future?
Nonetheless it was a good first day. Looking forward to future partnerships with Aswin, a UNLV graduate, the other sales coordinator who works with me. We get along well, so I hope things only get better in future. Things will get better.
Greetings!!
23 February 2014, Sunday
It has been almost six months since I've started blogging and I must say I may have been addicted to blogging. Although some people may find that daily blogging is a chore (it sometimes is) and also unnecessarily revealing private and personal information to others, I on the other hand, enjoy sharing what I do everyday with others. It doesn't matter whether anyone even reads it; because I read back my blog posts sometimes and I am glad that I have documented the wonderful and hard times I've been through all this while. Moving on from my previous blog (click here) which traces my footsteps in South Korea for four months, here I begin a new journey, a new chapter of my life. May I invite you to reminisce the laughter and joy of my life as I turn the pages over and experience the life of a 20-year-old girl.
It has been almost six months since I've started blogging and I must say I may have been addicted to blogging. Although some people may find that daily blogging is a chore (it sometimes is) and also unnecessarily revealing private and personal information to others, I on the other hand, enjoy sharing what I do everyday with others. It doesn't matter whether anyone even reads it; because I read back my blog posts sometimes and I am glad that I have documented the wonderful and hard times I've been through all this while. Moving on from my previous blog (click here) which traces my footsteps in South Korea for four months, here I begin a new journey, a new chapter of my life. May I invite you to reminisce the laughter and joy of my life as I turn the pages over and experience the life of a 20-year-old girl.
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