Jeremiah 29:11

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For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer 29:11)

My entire working career has been a testimony of the faithfulness of God as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.

It started when I graduated from the university in 1995. Concerned about landing the first job, I really had no idea where I should go. So I followed my classmates in applying for jobs in various multinational companies. I did not have the impressive grades some of them had, neither am I the hardcore "engineering type" who could answer complex technical questions at job interviews. I remembered telling my interviewer then not to ask me technical questions, but that if they are willing to take me, I believe I could learn quickly on the job. Guess what? I got the job, instead of some of my friends who had far superior jobs. God's provision? Most definitely.

So began my 5 years in a wafer fab. The start was difficult, but by God's grace, I did well, and was widely acknowledged to be one of the top performers among my peers. Promotions came, and by the end of the fourth year, I was leading a group of engineers. By then, I was married, my wife was pregnant, and work was getting too busy, and out of hand. Almost everyday, I got to work while it was still dark and never left the office till it was dark. And with rising financial commitments, I needed a better paying job too.

It was at that time that Ps YC was leaving his managerial job in his company, so he helped circulate my resume to his colleagues. It was not long before I was offered a better paying job there. God's favour once again. Not to mention that my old company offered me a promotion and a 4-figure salary increment to tempt me to stay. It was tempting...but realising that the new job was God's provision, I left anyway. And how did I know it was the right decision? Consider this...one week before I reported for work in the new company, a new bus service was started and it links my house to the doorstep of my new office. Uncanny? Nah...just God's provision and perfect timing.

So I have been in here since. Almost 8 years, and I have changed internal jobs 3 times, each time for the better. And everytime, it was NEVER initiated by me. Somehow, God's faithfulness is always at work, ensuring that I do well and as a result gained favour with the management. So whenever job rotation opportunities arise, I was approached by management to take up the job.

My current job is again is a testimony of that. It was a rare opening from our HQ in USA to run a critical portion of the worldwide business process. It was never before opened to non-US folks. I was initially hesitant, as expections were high, and I was kinda risk adverse, being comfortable where I was. But management persisted in trying to persuade me, and after also sensing God's call to increase my "influence" in my job, I took it up. That was 2 years ago. It was the most difficult, complicated and demanding job so far. Again by grace, I did well, and I became known to many people in the company in both the regional and worldwide offices. It also helped me build a skill-set that expanded my scope and horizon, making me able to take up jobs beyond technical roles.

That is to prove instrumental in God's next step of career development for me. A few months back, My worldwide division underwent a massive re-structuring and re-organisation. Many senior managers did not survive the reorganisation. My job was safe, but with the massive structural change, the relevance and value of my role takes a massive hit, and with that, advancement prospects are no longer as good.

It was a little worrying...and I did ponder how I should respond to that...should I start looking for other jobs within the company? I had hardly surrendered the matter to God when my office phone rang. It was a call from the regional office. One of their staff holding an important position had just been transferred to another division and they are inviting me to apply for her vacant position!

Wow...talk about immaculate timing. I prayed and I just knew this was God's open door. I could almost recognize his fingerprints on this opportunity. With His grace and favour, I aced the interviews this week and was just informed last Friday that I have landed the job, with very realistic potential of moving on to my next job grade if I do well in this new appointment.

What can I say? God is faithful, and no one is better at planning my career development than He is. May all glory, honour and thanks be unto Him!
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