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Ever had the need to migrate from an existing workstation to another? I’ve done so on several occasions and every time I do so, I always have this lingering paranoia that I’ve left something behind. It might be an all important file, or some software application, or some good browser bookmarks that I’ve been using for years, or even some private stuff that might be used in blackmail. To avoid these headaches, I usually follow a checklist when carrying out the migration exercise.

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Going back to work after a long break, weekend, or vacation is a pain. It is difficult get back into the groove and moving again. Kind of like trying to crank an engine which refuses to turn on a cold morning. Worse still if you left a pile of work prior to your break. The amount of work has probably doubled while you were away and your deadlines are suddenly that much closer. The prospect of returning is depressing. The feeling you get is akin to one of impending doom.

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You’re looking for a new job and a prospective employer asks you to come in for an interview. You cruise through the interview process. Then the interviewer pops you a question:

“Why are you looking to leave your current employment?” or “Why are you looking for employment?”

It is a natural question to ask and it should be expected. You should be prepared to answer the question truthfully but with tact. If it did catch you by surprise, then chances are you’re not prepared for the interview. But regardless of the situation, there are somethings that should never be said in response to this question. While it is a subjective question, there are (despite popular belief) good, bad and worst answers.

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So there are rumours that the company you’re working for is going to be taken over by a bigger fish but there’s still nothing official. The papers published a speculative article about the merger and all the signal flags start to go up. Like it or not, mergers and acquisitions happen on a daily basis. Like websites built to be sold, there are companies whose sole purpose of existence is to be taken over by a larger entity. If you ever find yourself working for such a company, being bought over may be good or bad depending on the situation. Should you panic? Or does life just go on?

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The few jobs that I’ve held to date all practice flexi hours. In principle, it means that I can start work anytime so long as I fulfil my hours and deliver on projects. In practice, you usually have to be in the office for the ‘critical’ hours. This is usually a time slice during peak office hours, somewhere between 10.00am to 4.00pm. While that is the ideal, it is rarely enforced. So basically, I’ve had a free reign over my working hours for the whole of my working life. While it is empowering to be in charge of your own time, it also has its drawbacks.

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It’s really interesting that, the higher up the ladder you go in your company, the greater the overwhelming temptation to control people to get things done. Well I can tell you this - you and your subordinates are going to have a heck of a miserable time. I’ve been there and done that, trust me.

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A week ago, I was in the office pantry minding my own business and reading notices on the bulletin board when a colleague (K) walked in. He too browsed the bulletin board, stopping to observe a list of people in the company whose birthdays were in February. We proceeded to have the following conversation:

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Most companies require their new staff to undergo a medical examination prior to confirming their hire. My current company is no different in that sense, except for the fact that I did mine after starting work. I’ve been three weeks with this company and just returned from a visit to the clinic across the street to get the formalities over and done with.

“Medical examinations are so kinky”
- gbyeow after a med checkup -

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My new job is more of the same except in a different environment. I used to work in Kuala Lumpur (KL) but now I work in Damansara Uptown (DU). Aside from the location, there are other differences in terms of logistics.

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Well, as some of you might already know, I have changed jobs. My last day with my previous employer came just before the Chinese New Year celebrations. Yesterday (06-02-2006), after a weeklong holiday that coincided with the various holidays, I began a new adventure in a new company.

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