Connections

Have you ever worked in a company wherein you do not need to go through the hassle of applying and all those long process of screening? Can I also apply? Just kidding. LOL.

With all the companies that I have worked with, I am proud to say that I made it without any connections except for 1. My dad knows the owner of the restaurant and I have known about it ever since I graduated. I asked him many times if he can help me work in one of his acquaintance's many chain of restaurants but it seems like my dad was not listening to everything that I said. So I looked for a job on my own.

My dad saw that I kept on resigning and resigning and it was when he was already retired when he told me to apply at his acquaintance's company. He said that he already told him about me and so I went to the head office with my resume and applied as a normal applicant. I had connections but I still went through the process of screening and exams. When I applied I did not mention the owner's name so there was no special treatment. It was only during the panel interview that they knew about me because of my surname. The interview was conducted by 6 area managers and they did not tell me whether I passed or failed and they just said that they will just give me a call.

Months have passed and I did not receive any call. I did got a call but it was from a different restaurant and so I grabbed it. But when I was already starting at that restaurant, the call that I have been waiting for has called me and told me to report to the head office. It was a tough decision for me because I was already starting at a company with a nice compensation package but of course I chose the restaurant where my dad has a connection.

Actually when I reported to the head office, they wanted me to complete the list of pre-employment requirements and we had orientation a week after. But even if we were all called for the orientation, we started working a month after as the store was still under renovation.

I was assigned in a franchised store but even if my area manager knew that I am connected with the owner, she still treated me as a normal supervisor. Again there was no special treatment and that is what I like about that company. Then when I was assigned to a company owned store, all the more that there was no special treatment. Not only was I assigned to a company owned store but they even made me handle 5 stores. I was totally ok with it because I was enjoying until my new area manager wanted me to stay for 2 weeks in a store that was far away from my home and that is when I wanted to use my connection. I told my dad about it and he talked to the owner. Sadly, the owner cannot interfere with the operations and because of that I immediately tendered my resignation.

As much as I wanted to work with the company, I had to resign. I may be really picky with work locations but I do not want to tire myself everyday. I have tried working around Makati area before and I was always tired. Imagine it was a total of 4 hours of travel time everyday plus a 12 hour operational shift. I think it would have been ok if I would just sit around and do nothing. But working in a food industry is tiring already.

It was the only time that I requested not to be assigned in a far location and yet I was denied. During those times I was thinking about what good does it do to have some connections at work. For me I realized that there was nothing good about it. Yes, I know that I did not want the special treatment and requesting not to be assigned in one location is already considered as one. However they said that it was for me to prepare myself because I will also be assigned in provincial stores as I will be part of the opening team. No thanks! I am really not up for the challenge.

Having connections at work is not a good thing for me because you have a career or a reputation to keep. Well even if we do not have a connection, we should still have that good work ethics within us. I am not the type of person who slacks at work nor am I the type of person who has problems with absences and tardiness. I also respect the upper management but of course I would say what I have to say. I also have a good relationship towards my workmates. In short I was a good employee. "Buhat ng sariling bangko" (Filipino idiom of praising oneself). LOL. But seriously I was really a good employee but of course I do bend some rules but in terms of work, I can get the job done really well.

I found out from my first area manager that the owner was asking for me from time to time. He asked if I was adjusting at work or if there was a problem with me and my stores. Then my area manager would say that I only need little to no supervision since I have been a manager in my previous work.

When I found out that the owner was asking for me, I realized that he might also say it to my dad on how I was at work. Got no problem with that since I have really enjoyed working with the company. Although when I end ties with the company, that is where I felt that there might be a problem or a conflict between my dad and his acquaintance. Thankfully there aren't any but still I feel sad because it was the first time that my dad had requested something for me. I thought that I was going to grow with the company but I failed my dad time and time again. My dad said that if I only my course was not on food and if I have the civil service exam, he would have ask for another request but this time in a government office. It would have been a lot more challenging don't you think? I guess I am better working in a company where I do not know anyone not even my friend but I do not know when that time will come. Having connections is really a big help especially if you can have a work right away but of course it is better if we will still start at the bottom.

P.S. lead image was the franchised store where I was assigned.