Everybody starts in green, same to me!
Below is something happened back in 2004, when I was really struggling. For
those of you who are confused or depressed, hopefully you will restore your
fighting spirits after reading this post.
After getting my master in accountancy in December 2003, I was more than
qualified to file bankruptcy. Without careful planning, I started my OPT
immediately after my graduation. With clock clicking, because of my horrible
English (both oral & verbal), I can't even get a phone interview from the
recruiter in the first couple of months after graduation! I was so depressed
then and desperately needed a can or two bud if I could afford!
Enough is enough, I decided to save myself. I applied every accounting &
finance non-manager job I can find online and dig another big hole in my
credit card so I could send a job application letters to every CPA firms in
5 nearby states. If you were harassed by me then, I give you my most
sincerely apologize. :)
Things started to turn around, occasionally I have some in-calls but the
calls got hang up quickly at first, then a short call, and then so called
conversation.
Maybe god think I deserve a chance, I got two onsite invitations from PWC
within a week, unfortunately, my luck run out and I screwed both! I'm still
impressive my then self destructiveness and worship every big 4 current
staff or alumni!
Clock kept tickling. Alcohol desperately needed but still remained not
affordable to me!
Clock kept tickling.
Finally god think I deserve a second chance and I get an onsite of a staff
accountant position with a regional medium size company. Things went
smoothly this time and an offer letter with an OK salary received.
The company arranged me to do drug test and were preparing paperwork. I was
even told to start my first permanent job in U.S within a couple of weeks!
Then suddenly I received a phone call from HR informing to rescind (this is
the first time I knew the word and had to look it up in dictionary) the
offer letter! As to the reason, I failed the drug test!
I really thought that's the end of world and didn't know what to do in the
next couple of hours!
A voice roaming in my brain again: never quit!
Started to recall what happened in the drug test: went to the lab, received
a cup, went to restroom, pee in the toilet and got in the cup some samples
from the toilet, returned the cup to the nurse, signed my name and leave.
Something must be wrong in the lab as I couldn't even afford coke (if your
English is good enough, coke in U.S means cocaine!), still less to say drug!
I knew my only chance was my recruiter, so I called him and walk him through
my drug test process. Before I started to complain the wrong doing of the
lab, the recruiter busted into tears and laughed so hard. This is the first
time I learn that I was supposed to pee in the cup in drug test! Although it
is nasty but I definitely made sure I follow this procedure in my later
tests. :)
I was really lucky, my recruiter helped me to explained the misunderstood to
the company and I wrote a strong but convincing email to CFO & controller
to fight my case!
Finally I got another drug test and joined the company shortly.
In the next few months, I was very quite and a lot times joke of the company
! But I kept practicing my broken writing and speaking!
I knew god would not gave me third chances, so I worked really hard during
that period and quietly filled the hole of a senior accounting manger while
she was on her maternity leave!
I didn't stay in the company long and leave the company within 10 months. I
had a lunch with the controller and he mentioned 2 things I still remember:
1. I'm the hardest worker he ever worked with. Although my leave caused him
a lot trouble, he was still willing to give me an outstanding reference.
2. He never see somebody had such a strong fighting spirit even I screwed up
so bad (refer to my drug test joke/drama), still less to say using such a
broken English. This is why he decided still gave me the offer after the
drama.
I was laughing so hard in my heart, I didn't have strong fighting spirit at
all! The truth is I thought my email was my last chance to take my anger out
before I forced back to China! :)
Hopefully this story can make your day a little bit better.
