With lockdown in place, I find more time on my hands to explore new blogs and boy, am I glad to stumble upon this post written by an Indonesian Female Engineer who loves traveling and is working now in Denmark.

Her post is inspiring and beaming with positivity. I hope by sharing this, brings in motivation to those who wants to change their jobs or currently unemployed and searching for a job.

If you enjoy reading this, do drop by her blog to say “Hi!”

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It sounds crazy to change job in the middle of the pandemic, but when opportunity knocks on the door, what can you do?

I didn’t have the intention to change job at start, but I did feel that I was stuck in my old job. Don’t get me wrong, I liked my old job a lot, the colleagues, the commute (the office is in downtown Copenhagen), it felt like I was a part of the community, but I didn’t feel challenged anymore. I felt like I was stuck doing the same thing on repeat. I realise that maybe it was time to move on.

…and as if it was destiny, a job ad looking for someone exactly like me showed up. I decided to try to apply for it (I nearly forgot how to make a cover letter, considering I got the previous job via headhunter). At first I didn’t expect anything from this one, somehow I had my eyes on another company, but they remained radio silent, so I thought if I didn’t get this one, I would definitely take a shot at that company.

I got an email invitation for an interview (they did try to call me) while ScandiGuy and I were doing tour-de-Sønderjylland last summer and agreed for an online interview! Yes, it had to be done online in the time of pandemic. How funny and awkward at the same time, because we couldn’t see each other gestures and body languages.

…and a week later I got an offer for the job. It was there if I wanted and I decided to say yes, mainly because I felt stuck in my old job although saying goodbye to my colleagues were probably the hardest thing I had ever done in that job.

So here I am, 3 months later, halfway settled into the new job.

I must say they’ve done very well to take good care of me. The onboarding experience had been very smooth, I got a “buddy” at work who explained most of the things to me. I got my own projects but still on the process of learning how things are done and to get to know people and create my own network. It’s not easy when half of the office are working from home and all social activities are cancelled due to covid-19 but I feel luckier most than others that most of the people from department are still at work most of the time and they’re so sweet (I must admit I had a bit of prejudice of this place that the people were cold and arrogant, but that’s so not true)

I’m still as busy as I was in my old job and although most of the time I’m happy with my new job, sometimes I feel frustrated about many things as well (there’s more bureaucracy here than in the previous job, I guess due to the size of the company) but I remind myself sometimes that I’m still in this place for 3 months, and still in the process of settling down and learning the system.

The commute isn’t that bad, it’s slightly less than my old commute because the office is actually located at the same part of the town where I live, but still 5.5 km away from home. The biking is just easier because I don’t have to bike through downtown and navigate the bike path with all those crazies in the city.

The best part of the job? The canteen! Haha, but it’s true. The canteen is run by one of the famous food company here in Copenhagen, the same company that runs the canteen at the parliament and they also have bakeries and restaurants around in Denmark (and also a bakery at Grand Central station in New York City!). The food is SO GOOD! and they always provide vegan alternative so I can always choose what I want to eat everyday.

What’s surreal is that you’ll find the canteen service pushing a cart offering smoothies, ginger shot, or just coffee (with syrup, if you want) around the office from day to day. Sometimes even with a couple of small chocolates, or waffles, or just small cookies. It really cheers up your day (and make me fat!!)

and today I received a bottle of champagne from work – it’s a token from the leaders to celebrate the company’s 75th birthday, and a little message saying “Thank you for your efforts”. I guess they are trying to show that despite being an international company with complicated bureaucracy and hierarchy (sometimes!) they still appreciate us on personal level.

I’m all for getting champagnes or chocolates now and then, but a ginger shot on Monday morning? That’s one thing that I appreciate a lot 😊

How about you? Do you like being where you are? Have your jobs been affected by Covid-19?

For more of the carefully curated guest posts, check out these pieces:
Guest Post: Adventures in job hunting: I got an actual apology!
Guest Post: On a Career of Two Halves
Guest Post: What To Do In College To Get A Job After Graduation

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