- A new challenge starting at age 40 Vol.9 - Hesitation about changing jobs

Introduction

At the end of my last article, I promised to write about how I decided to change jobs to a company in Bangkok as the signs of a pandemic crept in.
Looking back now, however, behind that decision was not only clear "doubt," but also a "quiet sense of discomfort" and "a glimmer of hope" that continued to support me.

This time, I would like to try to put into words the fluctuations within me

A heart tired of human relationships

The main reason I considered changing jobs was because I was tired of interpersonal relationships

My workplace in Malaysia was a stimulating and fun environment, with colleagues of different nationalities and cultures. However, I still felt a sense of suffocation in my relationships with my Japanese colleagues.
Even though I had been promoted to a managerial position, my salary had not increased significantly, and I began to feel a quiet sense of unease that "if I continue working this way, my future may not change."

Why I returned to the field from being a trainer

When stress was building up and my motivation as a trainer was declining, I decided to take the plunge and tell my boss that I wanted to return to the field

My boss was a Malay-Indian man, and for better or worse, he was a straightforward person. After listening to what I had to say seriously, he agreed to let me return to the workplace, albeit with a demotion

As a result, I was greatly relieved.
My days were spent simply processing cases and replying to emails. There were no major achievements or recognition, but it was peaceful.
My colleagues around me may have wondered, "What's wrong with Nkamura?" But I think that quiet time was necessary for me to think about my next step.

The day you started job hunting

What prompted me to start looking for a new job was a slight sense of crisis that things couldn't continue like this

There are many Japanese job sites in Southeast Asia, and I mainly gathered information from "Seagull Asia Career Change" and "Overseas JOB." I spent my
days repeatedly applying for jobs and having online interviews with companies in various countries. Among them, there were some that were lucky enough to be accepted but then declined, some that were rejected during the interview, and some that I lost contact with.

The most memorable applications are as follows:

• for a Japanese call center in Malaysia
  → I had doubts and declined
• Japanese company in Malaysia (photographer position, Singapore office)
  - application documents accepted, but rejected after online interview
• Recruit Group company in Beijing, China,
  but was rejected after online interview
• a furniture design company in Tagaytay, Philippines
  → No word back
• for a Japanese e-commerce site operator in Bangkok, Thailand
  → Hired after one online interview

Looking back, I realize that the accumulation of "unsuccessful experiences" made the final company feel more real and something to be grateful for

Why did you choose Bangkok?

The reason I ultimately decided to go to Bangkok was very simple

, "You only live once"
and if there is a place that needs me, then I should go there.

I was hired for a managerial position
to fill a vacancy caused by the retirement of my predecessor, I was happy to be needed.

My salary was nearly twice what I was receiving in Malaysia at the time
, and just knowing I had a stable life helped to greatly reduce the mental burden.

What was said in the online interview

During the interview, I honestly talked about my failures in Malaysia and what I learned from them

・First, understand the other person's values.
・"Empathy" strengthens the team.

This wasn't idealism, but a reality I had learned through my own pain. I think the other person accepted my sincerity

Were you in any doubt?

To be honest, I had very little hesitation

Since I had already worked overseas once, I felt like I was just following the same path again. My
first mistake in Malaysia - struggling to find a place to live - was something I eventually overcame on my own. That experience became a small source of self-affirmation for me.

YouTube also played a big role.
TJ Channel gave me a detailed explanation of what life in Bangkok was like.
I remember watching TJ Channel almost every day after I was hired.

The date you received the job offer

I still remember clearly how I felt the moment I was selected

"Really? Am I really entitled to such a high salary?"

It was a mixture of surprise and excitement.
My horizons suddenly opened up, and the time I spent searching for condominiums in Bangkok felt like a preview of the future.

And the pandemic looms

I started looking for a new job in December, and received a job offer that same month.
However, from January of the following year, news of the COVID-19 outbreak began to spread in Southeast Asia.

The first thing I heard was news of infected people in Singapore.
"What will happen to the world from now on?"
I wondered with anxiety, but I continued to prepare to head to Bangkok.

Next episode: The reason for the decision made during the pandemic

In the next issue, Vol. 10,

"How did I manage to change jobs from Malaysia to Thailand during a pandemic?"

I would like to write in detail about what goes on behind the scenes