Me and Jyen at Peter Tan Organisation (PTO®) dinner and Dance

My career came to an end when I got retrenched in December 2008 due to the financial crisis. I did not expect it to be so depressing. I lost my normal life of going to office, I faced depression and felt the world is going against me. I never knew it could do so much harm emotionally. It coupled with a best friend passing away in January.

Finding a job was equally depressing. I wanted to find a job that gives me good income and that allows me to travel. But given the current situation, I can’t find any! I dwelled for 3 months.

Unemployed as usual, I advertised on my MSN that I need a job. So, there came a call and her signature recognition was her high pitched voice! Carey called. Carey said: “Halo Xen, Jyen told me you need a job, can I introduced to our insurance company?”

Xen: “Insurance? NO! I don’t want, thanks. I rejected many people already.”

As usual, Carey had her way of convincing me to at least listening to her. I met Carey, listened. Slightly convinced. Other insurance company approached me as well. In the end, I was convinced to join the industry, but it’s only a matter of which company and which agency. For months while I was taking my financial exam, I was convinced to join a competitor company and

I told Carey at least 5 times I do not want to join Peter Tan Organisation (PTO®) when I met her. Her determination drew me out again. She made me go to the Peter Tan Organisation (PTO®) Dinner and Dance to feel the culture and meet Ern Ern for the last wave of persuasion. I spoke to Jyen at least 6 – 8 times about it! Eventually, I gave it and is convinced to join the top organisation which will nurture me under the care of such great managers and organisation culture. I knew from that day onwards, I will not have to wait for pay increment, fear job retrenchment and be stuck with job that doesn’t allow me to travel.

Honestly, if it hasn’t been for Carey and Jyen, I wouldn’t have been in Peter Tan Organisation (PTO®) and enjoying the vibrant working culture and learning faster than I could.

Working in Peter Tan Organisation (PTO®) is vibrant and very much team-work fashioned. I was so surprise we had to recite a company pledge and it wowed me! There are so many activities and working together with a team of people is comfortable and makes work extra meaningful. Everyday is packed with activities and I am glad that I have a great leader who is willing to coach me, motivate me and nurture me in any circumstance. Many people work so much harder than me and that spurred my motivation to move on. Sometimes when I get too depressed when I did not close case, I have team mates to encourage me and work back-to-back with me till late just to make sure they help me close a case.

I am sure I am not able to find this in my previous organisations which I have worked for and honestly speaking, how many organisation or colleagues are able to do that? Thus, I am doubly sure that this is a conducive place to work for. Visit me @ petertan.com.sg

Xen Ho