You're Hired!

Today was interview day for 3 Volunteer Assistant (VA) Jobs. Corine, Debbie and I are all in new districts and desperately need permanent assistants/translators to help us to do our jobs. It was quite a long day with a very full-on agenda. There were 7 applicants and although Debbie's had been decided already, the poor girl had to endure the whole interview day as well.

The job of a VA is a tough one. They obviously need to be able to speak/read/write/type really good English and Khmer as well as have an ounce or two of initiative and a big bundle of personality. I feel like its also really important to have a certain connection with your VA as you need to be able to trust that they are saying what you want them to say and tell you what you want them to tell you. It sounds so obvious but we have heard nightmare stories of some VAs having their own agendas and not translating accurately to higher powers, thus giving a very different slant on what the Volunteer might be saying.

Another obstacle is initiative. At school, Cambodians aren't generally encouraged to think for themselves or to question things. It is all very 'text book' learning and learning by rote. However, this is slowly changing and the younger applicants, although less experienced, tend to be more keen to express their opinions and are more enthusiastic about learning differently. They also want the experience of working for an NGO and improving their English so to have VSO on their CVs would be a great opportunity for their futures.

The interviews took place at the Teacher Training College in Sisaphon and consisted of introductions, a group task, a computer task, translating written English and Khmer and then an oral interview and role play. Poor things! It became apparent during the course of the day that only 2 applicants were applying for the job in Phnom Srok (my district) and when I enquired why this was so I found out that the job hadn't been advertised. These 2 men had applied on the off chance that I might need an assistant! And guess who were the absolute worst applicants? Just my luck!

However, the 2 strongest candidates (both quite young and inexperienced but full of enthusiasm, life and initiative and both with very good English) lived in Sisaphon but were willing to travel or move to our districts so were hired! Mine is called Sy Sareng and I'll post a photo as soon as I get one! Both Corine and I had big smiles on our faces by the end of the day! Phew! My only worry now is when I next meet the original Phnom Srok applicants in the district over breakfast or in the market!