Page 66 of The Fallacy of True Love
Cam
There should be a rule about giving job applicants a specific turnaround time for feedback on their application status. I’d sent my files to Tritech last Saturday. It was now Friday. How long did it take to read a couple of docs?
The not knowing wreaked hell on my nerves, so I typed a follow-up to their last email. If I didn’t pass their screening, I’d rather find out sooner rather than prolong the waiting period.
I was checking my drafted message when an email notification appeared.
We’re happy to inform you that you have passed our initial screening. For the final part of the application process, we would like to invite you to our five-day in-person boot camp?—
My eyes bulged out at the words in person. I didn’t need to continue reading to know what that meant, because there was one place in the Philippines where majority of work events happened.
Manila.
I glared at my screen, wishing I could change the message’s contents with the force of my eyes. What did they need an in-person thing for? They were an American company with remote employees. And a boot camp? Wasn’t that why we had to submit our portfolios and testimonials, so they could gauge our abilities? Were they flying in all their applicants for that? What about those who had full-time jobs and couldn’t afford to take that many days off?
As I read on, the email answered my questions one by one:
To assess culture fit and encourage connections…
To test applicants’ problem-solving skills and capacity to adapt to business needs…
This is a pilot program created to ensure a mutually successful partnership between the company and its potential employees…
Of all the times I could have applied, it had to be when I’d be part of the guinea pig squad.
I wanted to say thanks but no thanks, but the next sentence silenced me.
We know this entails time away from your current work, so we are happy to extend an allowance of twelve thousand pesos in addition to the meals that will be provided on all five days.
If I budgeted correctly, that money could cover my costs for the trip and then some.
It was just one week. If I took the earliest bus on Monday and the last one on Friday, that meant five days. I could tolerate five days in Manila in exchange for a remote job.
Needing a sounding board, I hit my speed dial.
“What’s up?” Nikki said.
“I need to go to fucking Manila.”
“What? You need to go fuck Manila?” she asked, deliberately mishearing my words. “I knew it!”
“Funny. I need to go to Manila. The city.” The one I’d promised myself to never return to unless absolutely necessary.
As much as I wanted to deny it, this was one such time.
“I like my version better.”
“Of course you do,” I muttered. Any chance of her quitting her Lonzo campaign died after he pulled through for me.
“What’s happening in Manila?” Nikki asked.
“Apparently, the company I’m applying for has this boot camp thing to—get this—ensure my success at the company. For a week.”
“What? What if you have work? Are you supposed to go on leave when you’re not even sure you’ll get the gig?”
“They’re giving an allowance.”
“Still—if you don’t go, that’s it? You lose your chance?”
