How do you land your 1st job in a new city when you are sick at the interview, you don’t have any connections, and it’s the holiday season?
Here’s my story with God.
1995. I made the decision to move from Canada to live with my family in Sydney, Australia after graduating. I seriously wondered what God had for me in the ‘land down-under’. I had no connections and no friends besides my immediate family.
December arrived. The Christmas season and decorations adorned the shopping malls in Sydney. After spending 3 lazy months at home catching up with the family, I felt it was time to look for work. I’m sure my family felt relieved because I was eating into their space during the day and getting on their nerves! From the beginning of December, I started poring over the classifieds and started looking for a job. I recall having 5 distinct interviews with various recruitment agencies without making much progress.
Thursday, December 21. Christmas was around the corner. Generally speaking, people would be heading off for vacation. On that day, I had a bad runny nose and a bout of flu. I managed to secure my 6th interview with a recruitment agency in downtown Sydney that day. I thought to myself, “If I didn’t get a job, that would be it for the rest of the year. I would have to start looking for a job in January because most people are on holidays”.
The interview took place in the afternoon. I recall meeting my interviewer who seemed to be in a hurry. I felt physically drained throughout the rapid fire 30-minute interview. I couldn’t concentrate as I was trying to manage my nose from leaking throughout the interview. I walked out of the interview feeling discouraged. I felt I didn’t do a good job convincing the recruiter in that short chat. I mean, 30 minutes was all he gave me! The previous five other interviewers spent close to an hour interviewing me! That interview felt short. I took the train home feeling discouraged.
To my surprise, I got a call shortly after I got home. The recruiter spoke over the phone and said:
“Mr. Chan. We have managed to secure an interview for you at a bank tomorrow morning, on the 22nd of December. Would you be available to go for the interview tomorrow? If not, there won’t be an opportunity for the bank to interview you until after the New year”.
I was totally astounded at the speed and arrangement for the interview, and responded gratefully, “Yes. I would be glad to do the interview tomorrow”. After getting the details, I hung up the phone and was stunned. Wow, what felt like an unsuccessful interview turned out otherwise.
The very next morning, I went for the interview with the bank. The hiring manager greeted me and after the formalities and going through the interview, I was offered the job! I began work on Monday, 8 January 1996 at the bank as a Programmer Analyst.
With hindsight, I marveled how God led me to land this job. It is by God’s grace to receive God’s blessing, especially if the odds are stacked against you. If you are looking for your 1st job, or any job, remember that God wants to help you. Commit your ways to God and He will help you. Pray this simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I ask for your help in my job situation. Work things out for me according to your plan. In Jesus name, amen”.
It is good to know that God has your back. I’ve seen the supernatural hand of God help me to get a job when I was in need. Scriptures in Proverbs 19:21 teaches us that, “many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails”. We can prepare ourselves all we can, but I also note in Proverbs 21:31 that “the horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD”.
