First round interview at SPH

The interview at SPH was ironically and painstakingly....easy!

So much so that I literally struggled at the simple questions because I was so prepared for grueling, intense questions such as: "What do you think of the current state of journalism in SG?" and "What qualities should a journalist possess?" Instead, I was asked very general questions and what made things worse was that I wasn't even given a chance to speak! For a good 15 mins out of a total of 25 mins, the editor was speaking non-stop about the different portals, la-di-da...like I don't know already! I did my research you know.

This is bad because I wasn't given much time to sell myself and when I did, I started stuttering and my nerves took over. God damn it. I was taken aback by their lackadaisical approach to interviewing candidates because the two candidates before me only took about 15 mins each. And halfway through the interview, one of the editors even walked out to pick up a call. Not only did he do that, he was restless throughout the entire 25 minutes and his body language told me he couldn't wait for it to end. Yes, I guess for interactive journalists, they don't require one to be so formal and serious about it but I didn't expect such a laissez-faire attitude either. They didn't even ask me what my strengths and weaknesses are. :( I feel undervalued!

Anyway, I'm not sure when they'll get back to me because after asking them some questions and from the feedback they gave, they don't seem to value this position or regard it highly as the candidates do. So I'll just wait to see if they'll call me or if they'll mail me the dreaded letter instead.