Darica Paula, 2014

Journey To The Dream

posted on Saturday, January 11, 2014 @ 11:03 AM

DISCLAIMER: This post's written without the end result coming to life yet. Everything was written through hope and faith that it will happen eventually.

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Miracles happen everyday. Sometimes, you see it; oftentimes, you don't.

I'm inspired and blessed enough to take down, as detailed as possible, my journey to my dream company, Unilever Philippines.

July 12, 2012 - I followed up my application status at Monde Nissin Corporation and found out that my application is still active (meaning, can be considered by any department provided that I fit into the qualifications). However, the department that I was aiming at considered another applicant who is more fit for the position. I was surprised how I reacted to the misfortune. Instead of crying over it, I just felt sad yet happy that I was strong enough to accept and let it go.

Hours later, my friend, Jordan, who is currently working with Unilever gave me a random personal message.

I checked it out and immediately had my resume to Unilever. Low hopes this time, but the dream has never grown less intense. You know, waiting is the hardest, most specially when you are uncertain if you're still waiting for anything or none at all.

July 15, 2012 - I started composing my pre-written interview answers (exclusively for Unilever) even if I haven't had a call from them yet. I just know I'll be using them soon.

July 20, 2012 - It has been a week since I submitted my resume. No calls yet. I just let it be. Let it go.

July 26, 2012 - I was in a bank, opening an account for my online shop when my phone rang. I supposed it was Megaworld again, who's very diligent in calling me. But I figured, it was a different number. So I pressed the green keys, placed my phone toward my ear and said, "Hello." Then the lady at the end of the line started to talk: "Hi, I am looking for Ms. Darica Paula." "Yes, it's me." "Hi! I'm *insert name here* from Unilever...." And then my hearing just shut down and "Unilever" sounded to be on loop. It was an 8-minute worth of call and phone interview. She ended the conversation by telling me, "I'll get back to you as soon as the department heads approve your resume."

She wasn't that kind of someone who's very intimidating, knowing she is from Unilever. Ang gaan niya kausap and that she even laughed on some things I said. She also told me that she got curious about me being a layout artist that she asked me more about it. And I felt great! After my boyfriend called me, I walked straight to the church, poured my tears out and said my utmost gratitude. It is a different kind of feeling. Beyond words. Beyond tears. Beyond bliss. Beyond measure.

When I got back home, I finally received a message from them:

July 30, 2012 - I was in my best corporate attire ever. Painted my face with the interview-appropriate makeup and fixed my hair with love and faith. I was basically in my best-est form I could ever be. My interview was at 2:30pm but I wanted to be early to give Unilever a good impression of me. I was so happy and excited that I arrived there an hour earlier than the time I should be there. I texted someone from HR, and let her know that I was already there. I waited for like 45 minutes doing nothing but telling myself that this was place where I truly belong. No one could ever separate me and Unilever at that time. Then, a person from HR picked me up at the lobby. I was really confident and very positive that the position was mine to fill.

Then, we went to the room where my interviewers were sitting. The HR person gave me a signal that I can go inside the room and start with my interview. There's this guy and girl in front of me, looking so young and competitive. Then, they started talking by giving me a quick introduction of themselves, letting me know that the guy was the boss and the girl was under him. They talked to me very casually and speaking both Tagalog and English, which gave me the best relief I could ever wish during interviews. Then, I also spoke Taglish to be able to answer their questions as clearly and completely as possible. I think, I don't need to put all the details of the interview here.

After the interview, the HR person asked me, "how were they?" I said, "they're easy to talk to, actually." She said, "yeah, they hate complications." And then, we started talking about how the results would be deliver to me and all the things that were related to it.

August 1, 2012 - I was upstairs in our room fixing the clothes that I would be wearing when I start working with Unilever. There were no results yet but I was pretty much confident that I would get it. But, I was expecting the result to be out by August 10, the latest. Having watched the television and texted my boyfriend, my phone rang. I don't know who the caller was but I thought, I had a slight idea on who it was. When I answered the call, I found out I was right. It was the HR person from Unilever. She extended me the GOOD NEWS that I got in! I couldn't be happier that moment. I even couldn't thank God enough for this! Beyond priceless.

..and then the rest followed.

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On a more profound note, it's okay to dream big that sometimes it scares you. In fact, I must encourage you to dream all the impossibles. After all, dreams don't come that can't be won. I can't deny I had times when I felt giving up was a lot easier than holding onto my dreams. But I threw myself back a question, "what's the sense of dreaming if I'm not going to faithfully fight for it?" Yes, it takes time.. so much time, but dreaming doesn't end at waiting empty-handedly.

My tip to the dreamers out there: Just be faithful on your dreams, you'll never know where your faith will bring you!