It's been more than 13 years since my first interview back in September 2011.
Looking back now, I can't help but say, "Jauhnya perjalanan hidup ini.". I've went to multiple interviews after my first interview but I always remember my first interview. It feels like a lifetime ago, but I still vividly remember that moment—it was one of the most important events in my life. It marked the beginning of my adult journey.
My first interview was quite an adventure. Here's my story.
I came across an ad on JobStreet for a walk-in interview at SONY EMCS (M) Sdn Bhd. At the time, I was a fresh graduate and unemployed, so I decided to give it a shot. I asked my cousin, Amy, to drive me there because I don't how to driving and I don't even know where is the location. I am not familiar at all.
We arrived at the interview site, but I didn't realize SONY had two locations in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. Unfortunately, I went to the wrong one. In a panic, I rushed to the correct location and almost missed the interview. Thankfully, I made it!
As I sat down, trying to collect myself, an HR staff member approached me and asked, “Software or hardware?” Without thinking much, I blurted out, “Software,” without fully understanding the question. 😄
Meeting My Japanese Boss
After choosing “Software,” I was directed to another section of the room, where I met my Japanese boss, Mr. Tomohiro (or Mr. Tom, as we called him). At the table, there were two other candidates whose resumes I managed to glimpse. They were graduates from Universiti Malaya with impressive GPAs above 3.5. My GPA wasn’t even close to that, so I thought, "Habislah, tak dapat kerja ni."
Mr. Tom explained there were three departments under software, one of which was Quality Assurance (QA). Curious, I asked, “What does the Quality Assurance department do?”
Hearing my question, Mr. Tom called over Mrs. Paw, who would later become my first boss. She immediately invited me to their interview table, where she and my senior colleague, Ms. Maggie, explained the department’s role. Their explanation sparked my interest.
When it was my turn to speak, I shared about my Final Year Project (FYP), but they didn’t seem too focused on it. Then came the questions, and I distinctly remember my boss asking, “Do you have a boyfriend?” I answered honestly, “Yes.” Surprisingly, that was the only major question they asked!
A Surprising Outcome
What happened next was beyond my expectations. Mrs. Paw called the HR staff and said, “I want her to join my team.” The HR staff reminded her that I needed to take a test first, but Mrs. Paw insisted, “She can do the test after joining.” And just like that, I got the job! Praise the LORD!
After receiving my onboarding email and offer letter in early September, I even negotiated with HR to start on October 4, 2011, because I had my convocation and wanted to spend time with family visiting from Sarawak. Thankfully, they agreed! Praised the LORD!
Lessons from My First Interview
Looking back, here are the lessons I learned from my first job interview:
Know How to Prepare for an Interview
Research how to navigate an interview—there’s plenty of guidance available online.Be Confident in Yourself
You’ll meet candidates who seem more qualified, but confidence can make all the difference. Believe in yourself!Be Passionate
Show genuine interest in the role and the company. Enthusiasm is contagious and memorable.
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