Buhay Bangkok

I await with much anticipation the results of two job applications that I have made recently. I have already undergone panel interviews in both, so the next time the phone rings (or an e-mail or snail from either arrives) would only mean I’m either hired or not.

I have been applying right and left for the past six months or so, always on the lookout for a more satisfying job, a greener pasture. So far, these two are the most promising.

The first is with a major UN agency here in Bangkok. The position: Information officer. The pay is almost as high as what I’m getting now, but the chance of working for the UN excites me. It can open doors of opportunities for me to work in other UN postings abroad (which would mean much better pay and more perks; I’m applying on a ‘locally-hired’ status, hence lower rates and not much privileges compared to overseas applicants) and would be a big boost to my resume should I return and work again in the Philippines. Another come-on to the job is the real possibility of travel. The officials who interviewed me said the choices are limited to Southeast Asia and some places that are out of the usual tourist itinerary like Kazakhstan , but travel is travel. The pay may not be as high as I had expected, but the agency’s director told me that it’s tax-free. I will also be issued UN papers (no need for a work permit as UN requirements supersede those of the host country’s); my dependents, too.

On the other hand, the downsides include: no medical insurance (this really came as a surprise to me) since, as the officials explained to me, the rate was such that every expenses are assumed to have been incorporated in it.; and old office building (not as vibrant and new as All Seasons Place).

The second prospect involves a multinational bookstore chain. The job is head of the book merchandising section (English). What’s fun about this company is that I will get to work from 9:30 am to 6:45 pm as I will be working in its Siam Paragon flagship branch (which opens shortly before the shopping mall does). This would mean no more tardiness issues for me. It would be nice to work in the mall too, I supposed. A 15-minute walk among the shops would do wonders to boost morale and banish boredom. The job is also challenging: How to find out the prevailing demand for books by category (fiction or non-fiction), by market (gender, social status, etc.), by sales (bestsellers vs. slow-movers), etc. and use such data in ordering the right amount of book stocks. I would also be involved in conceptualizing marketing campaigns and editing the newsletter sent out to regular customers of the bookstore.

Although the officials kept mum on how much is the exact pay, the HRD manager assured me that—as she looked at my current salary rate—it won’t be a problem. Hhmm…Another come-on is that employees can have substantial discounts to book purchases. Now that’s interesting!