New job: First day

I've now been through enough jobs to have an idea of what makes a "good first day" or a "bad first day". All in all, there's no such thing as a bad first day, maybe there's memorable first days, but there's often so little expected of new joiners, as it's all internal process that dictates the first day. Despite this, I don't really have much memory of previous "first days". I want to say it's usually a mix of excitement and nerves. One job I remember not having a PC on the first day, another job I remember going out for lunch with the team.

This time around, I thought I would make of a concerted effort to break down the day. 10th of July 2023. 9 am in the foyer to meet with HR, only to find out that my onboarding application has not been entirely completed. We surmise it's probably a result of the licensing and the change in start date. As a result, there's some confusion around PC access and phone access. Initially we're told that the system profile has not been created, and will take 3-5 days before I can access my PC. Long story, cut short, I manage to access my workstation and email by mid morning. Initial observations, my email address is weird and my keyboard feels slow, will need to investigate this. 

Overall, the day is a mix of excitement and nerves, starting a new job, the commitment surrounding this and the attitude that is associated with being the 'new guy'. It feels odd walking the isles not knowing anybody. Trying to figure out the water dispenser or the coffee machine. Catching the stray look of somebody who realises that they've never seen you before. Then there's the nerves of performance/job expectations. Somebody who has been brought it to do a job, a new job, and also nerves around performance after almost 10 weeks of inactivity. The brain feels slow and gooey.

It's a different environment here, the office is larger. It's probably one of the busiest floors that I've worked on, there's a lot of faces, some that I will probably never interact with. It's a weird feeling being back in the huge corporate machine. I meet all the people on the team, some are familiar from the interview process. I find myself trying to access all the relevant systems, reaching out to all the key stakeholders. I tell myself not to get too carried away here, there's plenty of time to get set up. I just need to enjoy the first couple of days. It's been a good first day, looking forward to the rest of the week. I leave just after 6 pm, the floor is still busy.

Old job: Last day

The handling of my notice period has been fairly smooth (touch wood). I asked for a midweek, last day, giving myself 2 days back in the office with my boss after his Europe trip and the Hong Kong public holiday; he obliged. All things considered, this has worked out fairly well, worked two weeks in the office, and spent two weeks in Sydney, leaving me with 2 months. It would have been nice to have a continuous block, but I can't complain. Majority of the handover has been complete, I've checked out and have not actively been picking up work, but am still engaged with any incoming questions directed at me. 

The last couple of days have been nice, plenty of warm wishes and thank yous. I unexpectedly received touching email from the boss and a farewell card and whisky from the office. At 4:30 pm, I complete the rounds of farewells and leave to applause. I leave 28 Hennessy for the last time. 

New job: The Resignation

The 2022 compensation has hit the bank account. For some, it's a sizeable amount, for others' less so, for me, I'm grateful for it, but feel it could higher (which camp does that leave me in?). Everybody pretends to be unhappy with their number, even if it's adequate, you can never let off that you're happy. It's a strange song and dance that people play during this time of the year. It is the perceived lack of appreciation, or not feeling valued. It's tough managing employees, but the final nail in the coffin is the reduction in force (RIF) for my team members. It makes the decision, and the conversation a lot easier.

After a great weekend in Ho Chi Minh City, I'm back in Hong Kong. It's the weekend of Hong Kong Sevens and Creamfields. I opt out of both, this is the weekend I planned to hand in my resignation and notice. I'm nervous, but not as nervous as previous times.

I call my boss on the Sunday, no answer. I leave a message, it's very obvious: "Yo, how's the weekend, got a sec for a chat?". He will later admit that when he saw this message he knew what was coming. There's disappointment, perhaps this is something that needs to be displayed, there's the "is there anything we can do?" conversation. It wraps up, it feels easier than previous resignations. Now the final challenge, negotiation of my gardening leave. My start date is 10th July, my goal is to maximise time off between now and then without burning any bridges.

She's back in town, it's nice having her in Hong Kong, even nicer that she can provide HR guidance during this time, maybe that's why it has been easier.

New job: An offer

After all that, I've received an offer - not exactly what I'm after - but still negotiating. There's obvious sacrifices, but lots of opportunity, I guess these decisions aren't always clear up. The negotiation continues. It comes down to the push/pull. What's pushing me away, what's pulling me towards.

An acquisition

After multiple IPO attempts and countless rumours about acquirers, we have been sold. The initial sentiment has been a mix of speculation and disappointment. Let's start with the disappointment, the acquisition price seems to have left a few shareholders slightly disappointed, I say this as it places a value per share well below the lofty highs of yesteryear. For me, this is less of an issue, my equity stake is so minimal that the return for myself is not going to be of any material difference. 

Speculation is the main sentiment running through the organisation. What is the intention of the parent company? What will the effect on the existing business lines and personnel? What does this mean for our push for market share?

We will have a clearer picture in early 2021, starting with headcount and renumeration talks.

Working From Home

Working from home, or WFH, is my hot pick for acronym of the year (although, technically Covid19 is also an acronym, and well that basically owns that title). Work has split us into two teams, Team A and well no surprises with the second team name, Team B. What does this mean? Well, Team A members are forbidden from fraternising with Team B members. So work has arranged a rotation schedule where one team can be in the office while the other team has to work from home, or remotely.

I will say, there are benefits to working from home. My productivity on tasks is a lot more focused, probably attributable to the fact that people aren't stopping by the desk asking questions or having a general chat. The other thing is, meetings are a lot more structured and planned so the days ultimately revolve around meetings, I can segment my day in to things that need to be finished; although I should be doing this anyway. I still spend time going to the kitchen and the bathroom but given the size of my apartment these necessities barely dent the time away from the desk.

My day is usually as follows: Wake up at 7 am (same time if I needed to get to work by 8 am), Boil Water, brush teeth, meditate for 10 minutes, drink warm water with apple cider vinegar, listening to the news. However, here's where things deviate, instead of changing clothes, doing hair, packing bag and running to the bus stop. I do thirty minute of breathing exercises and light stretching, (sometimes) I will change out of my PJs. At around 7:50 am I'll log into computer. I'll scan emails, and make a breakfast smoothie before dialling in for the 8:30 am morning call.

I make an effort to get out of the apartment, either going downstairs to pick up some groceries, grab some Vitamin D (if weather permits), after work I'll either go for a run, or wander around the neighbourhood just to mark up my step count for the day. I have been enjoying cooking lunch and breakfast and these chores provide a good break from the continuity of being apartment bound for the entire day.

My setup for work isn't perfect - But, that being said, I am fortunate enough to have space and a dining table where I can setup a half decent work station. I have an extra monitor and do miss the extra real estate but humans adapt and it's become very manageable. In hindsight, moving apartments was a a genius stroke because I couldn't imagine working from home at my old apartment. I'm also aware that not every person in Hong Kong has the luxury to work from home so my setup is definitely more on the  desirable side than the non-desirable.

In other news, I finally have a sofa. However, I still haven't signed up for Netflix. I have switched from Spotify to YouTube Music, though. Currently watching a YouTube video about how to prepare Korean instant noodles.

East Coast

The annual trip out to the East Coast, I'm grateful that this year's trip is earlier in the year. I still have (traumatic) memories of last year's post-Thanksgiving trip and being severely underprepared clothing-wise. The confronting reality that I'm a thirty-something year old profession who is incapable of keeping myself warm is concerning. The already positive of this year's trip is that it is earlier in the school semester so I'm less troubled about school and missing out on assessments.

Marketing trips, on paper sound glamorous. Business Class flights, Five Star Hotels, Client Drinks and Meals. However, there is a side to the travel when you're sitting in a bar trying to keep warm waiting for the next meeting at 10 pm. I can't imagine having to do this trip solo, so I'm thankful that I get travel with one of the more senior colleagues. Who admittedly, managed to keep me sane especially during the times of attrition, late night meetings, early morning flights. Our trip this time of the year was targeted, hitting up prospects and clients mostly in New York, Virginia, Washington DC and finally Chicago. Another successful trip, multiple clients, plenty of wins as well as some quality downtime around the East Coast.

Sydney

Singapore Roadshow #2

I suspect this may be my last work trip for the year. Based on the 2019 timeline there's nothing else in my calendar. Plus, there's about to be a change in personnel in the office which means less hats, which could potentially result in less trips for some people, including me. Which works out well especially with school in the background.

The plan touches down at 7:50 pm, it's a five minute taxi to the gate and we disembark at 8 pm. The flight has been delayed by 40 minutes and I'm rushing back to the hotel to host a call at 9 pm. Not surprisingly, there's a reason why Singapore Airport is constantly voted the best airport in the world, and part of the reason has to do with how fast it is to get through customs and security. By 8:30, I have checked into my hotel room, logged into my computer with 20 minutes to spare. The call finishes at 9:40 pm and I make my way down to the Park Royal restaurant. I'm 28 hours into a water fast and need food. I look over the menu, I order the Chicken Parmigiana (I know, I should have gone for some local flair, but in all honesty, it didn't look very good). Couple of drinks at the bar with the boss and I'm in bed.

The following morning I wake up for a full day of meetings and a strange feeling in the stomach. I put it down to the late dinner and order a bircher muesli. Throughout the day I start to feel increasingly more queasy, as soon as the final meeting is done, I head back to the hotel. I have a slight fever, achy muscles and dizziness. The evening is spent on the toilet with fever and cold shivers. I wonder if I'm paying for last weekend at the Hong Kong Sevens. I eventually crawl into bed and endure an evening of fever, sweaty sheets and broken sleep. In the morning I wake, all symptoms have disappeared. That will teach me to order Western food when in Singapore.

The remainder of the trip goes without hiccup. Caught up with some friends, managed to hit the hawker centre, wrapped up the remaining meetings and like that we're back on a flight to Hong Kong. I've said it before, but I'm starting to take a shine to Singapore. If only the weather weren't so aggressively uncomfortable.

Singapore Roadshow

Taking on Singapore this time. Three days, managed to get in early and spend some time with the Singapore favourites. Some quality conversations and good catch ups. Really enjoying the time here, feels a lot more grounded than Hong Kong. Or maybe it just feels a little more like Sydney. Work-wise, good productive trip, solid meetings, lots of new business. Hopefully a sign of things to come in 2019.

Bloomberg Square Mile

New fitness tracker, morning training sessions, nutrient timing and active recovery planning. I miss having to train for something - there's focus and a a reason to do things even though you might not want to.  Kind of like studying for an exam. Admittedly, a 1 mile run through a winding circuit in the evening isn't something that warrants a serious routine, but you do have to start somewhere. Our firm submitted two teams, the "serious team" and the "not-so serious team". I was in the serious team. I say serious, in the sense that we were looking to be competitive. Historically speaking, the winning teams were stacked with middle-distance runners who have run their entire life, this was a team made up of runners who consistently ran the mile under 6 minutes (a sub six minute mile is considered respectable).

At the helm, we had an iron man, who routinely ran marathons and managed to whip us into decent shape with morning runs and training plans. Overall, we performed well coming in 10th our of a total of 124 teams, with a time of 61 minutes, 53 secs. This year's winning team ran the event in 55 minutes, 23 secs and the fastest lap clocked in at 5 minutes, 4 seconds! Blindingly quick! For me, it was 6 minutes and 20 seconds - next goal, sub six minute mile.

London

Flight back from Jeju to Hong Kong, the switch of the suitcase and straight back to Hong Kong Airport. The red eye flight into Heathrow, the black cab through the centre of Oxford Street, the swift hotel check-in in Shoreditch and a brisk walk into the office. It's a cool 7 degrees, that's cold in my language. Everything feel so foreign, the Liverpool Street area has changed, but has the same feel. It's like a new car model, familiar but different. Everything from the Old Street kebab stores to the storefronts on Bishopsgate, same same, but different. Highlights include: Dirty Chinese food with Isa, morning run along the Thames, dinner at Gauchos, visiting the London office.

There is an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, I really wish I could have spent more time here. It almost feels like not having enough time at a school reunion. Productive work trip, plenty of networking, product strategy and plans for 2019 dominance. I forgot how much fun London can be. Would I move back? Could I move back?

Currently reading "The Dark Forrest"

Recommendations required

It has been over 6 years and I don't really have anything to show for my time here in HK, other than an impending citizenship and marginal improvement on my Cantonese. It takes one weekend of under indulgence to trigger existential questioning.

I've decided, it's time to make another attempt at continued education. I contact my very first manager and my most recent manager and kindly ask for referrals.  Within 24 hours, I submit my application for a Masters in Science. Science is fun.

Currently reading: "Born Standing Up"

Study sessions

SFC licensing. 60 questions, 70% pass rate. Material, oh so dry. Currently reading, this.

First day of work

Quiet - lots of interesting projects, big data, data mining, first impressions, great culture. Welcome pack included two books. First observations, I will most likely put on weight with the open pantry and open fridge.

Train to work - quite inefficient - almost as long as Quarry bay - need to figure out a more efficient way to work. Bus? Ding Ding?

Update: Bus

Currently Reading: "Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service"

Much needed extra week

I had expected to only have a one week off between jobs. Thankfully the Visa transfer process has taken a little longer than expected with the Immigration Department requesting evidence that my previous employee has acknowledged my resignation. Having the relaxing few days in Sydney and now a couple of extra days in Hong Kong to decompress and unwind has been exactly what I needed. Lots of long sleeps, yoga, beach and running around completing apartment errands (clothes donation and installation of some black out curtains).

Visa was approved on Wednesday evening, and with Friday being the Mid Autumn Festival public holiday we have agreed to an official start day on Monday the 19th September. Which means that I've had two whole weeks off in between. Can't wait to get started, looking forward to new challenges and new learning.

Sydney

I have a break between jobs! Exactly one week worth of doing nothing. As much as I would like to spend that time in Hong Kong catching up on errands (think: going to the tailor, fixing the halogen lights in my bedroom, getting new bedsheets, buying a vacuum cleaner, buying some new kitchenware, eliminating the light pollution from my bedroom, relaxing, the list goes on ... ); my mind raced through the endless possibilities. I entertained the usual destinations: Malaysia, Thailand or Korea. With the standard agendas: eat, sleep and yoga. However a recent trip from my dad convinced me that it would be nice to return to Sydney and decompress on home soil. With the help of CX Fanfares I managed to pick up some opportune flights back to Sydney (only 4400 HKD return).

3 days in Sydney. Mom had time off due to recent eye surgery and it presented a good opportunity to hang with the family. It was exactly what I needed. Cool, early Spring weather. Great food: hotpot at home, Sydney Cafe, Butter Sydney Fried Chicken, food court Sushi and Pho An. Lots of sleep and the recalibration of my body clock. Shopping for bedding, sports equipment and kitchenware. Physical activities, walking, (double) yoga and my first float. But most importantly some quality family time.

Currently reading: "Four Hour Chef"

And so it is: Last day at work

Since my resignation two months ago, I had expected the workload to slow down. However, due to block leave and deadlines it has been quite the opposite - my days have been vigorious, working weekends and maintaining the same intensity as a employee with no end in sight. "Why are you still working so hard?" is the common mantra from friends, I honestly don't know. I guess the issue is, the work needs to be delivered and since I'm the only person around there remains an element of accountability. So I push on, not 100%, but not full time malingering.

With that being said, it has finally started to taper off during this last week. Since returning from Bali I embark on my final four days and it has finally started to taper off. My colleague has returned and the last few days have been dedicated to handovers. I leave before 7 pm and my demeanour noticeably improves up until the final day. I am still sending mails, not everybody knows that my time here is drawing to an end. I order 40 cupcakes, and write up my farewell email.

Today marks my final day with BNP Paribas - It has been an enjoyable three years punctuated by challenges, fulfilment and entertainment both professionally and personally. Thank you to the Client Management team, past and present. To the stakeholders who tried to make life easier for me. Finally, to those who always had the time for a conversation in the kitchen or lifts of Exchange Square and PCCW Tower.

There was always a risk that this would become an award’s acceptance speech, so before I drop the mic I can be contacted on all the regular channels: email, mobile, Facebook and of course Snapchat.

Regards,

Derek

There are faces of confusion, clearly my departure was not advertised and as I walk around and bid farewell to the faces on level 16 the resounding sentiment is "Congratulations". I leave the building and head back to Exchange Square for my exit interview.

Breakthrough: Job Offer (#2)!

"I'm afraid I am going to have to turn down the offer"

"I don't understand. It's only been 1 day, maybe you should take a little longer to think about it?"

"I have concerns about it being a contract role"

"Let me see if I can speak with the client"

"Also, there's another firm that I just started interviewing with and I think that's a better fit for me"

"Have they made an offer?"

"No. In actual fact, I've only had one interview"

"You realise what you're leaving on the table here?"

"Yes, sure"

"Well, as long as you understand the opportunity you're giving up"

"I don't wanna come back in a few weeks time and reneg on the offer"

"Sure, I appreciate the honesty, I'll give you the weekend in case you change your mind"

That is the conversation that took place 6 weeks ago with my recruiter. 9 interview rounds later the gamble paid off and the "another firm" has made a job offer. What a relief!

However, there is a third opportunity that has now piqued my interest. Again, no job offer. Do I tempt fate and turn down a second offer for the third role? 

Breakthrough: Job Offer!

One of my resolutions this year was just to participate in more job interviews. Not so much try to find a job, but at least become a better candidate in this tangled process for job acquisition. To date, my year has been productive based on that metric. the prospect has ultimately led to a job offer. Good firm, decent position, yet, I have declined the (contract) offer ...

Currently reading: "I am Pilgrim"