Over

IT's finally over. I don't know whether it's a good thing, but for now, I am really feeling happy that I'm away from it all.

Time will tell.

Resume

Tan Chin Kee, Dillon
Tel: +65 8222 5602
Email: tandillon@gmail.com
Skype: Dillon.ck.tan

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Nanyang Technological University (2005-2009)
• 4-year degree programme in Bachelor of Communications with a major in Public Relations and Advertising
• Cumulative GPA: 4.25 / 5.00 with Second Upper Honors

Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Jan - Jul 2008)
• Global Immersion Programme (GIP)

National Cheng Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan (Feb - Jul 2007)
• International Student Exchange Programme (INSTEP)

Hwa Chong Junior College (2001-2002)
• GCE ‘A’ Levels
• Distinctions in General Paper and Higher Chinese at ‘S’ Level

The Chinese High School (1997 - 2000)
• GCE ‘O’ Level

WORK EXPERIENCE

Xtentia China, Shanghai （Jan - Jun 2008)
Undergraduate Intern (Account Servicing)
• Market Research and Media Monitoring
• Prepared proposal for crocs International Olympics Giveaway in Beijing
• Client Pitching
• Channel Management and Logistics
• Clients serviced: crocs, Logitech, Mio

Rice Communications, Singapore (May - Jul 2009)
Graduate Intern (Consultant)
• Media Pitching and Interviews
• Press Release Writing
• Media Monitoring and Clipping
• Strategic Planning and developing PR proposals
• Qualitative research in Asia-Pacific markets
• Regional clients serviced: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Mobile Marketing Association, DCNS, BoxSentry, Inmarsat, CommVault

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• Language Elective Programme - Higher Chinese (2001-2002)
• Recipient of the Outbound Immersion Award under the Temasek Foundation – NTU LEaRN Programme (Jan to June 2008)
• Recipient of the International Business Fellowship Programme (IBF) by International Enterprise, Singapore (Jan to June 2008)
• Final Year Project (Hope of India) fully funded by NTU and selected for presentation in the IAMCR Conference in Mexico and regional ICT conference in Bangkok (2008 - 2009)

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

WKWSCI Freshman Orientation Camp (Jan to July 2006)
Orientation Group leader for FOC 2006/2007
• Led a group of freshmen around for a five day orientation programme to familiarize them with the university culture
• Helped facilitate and organize activities for the camp

Communications Club (Jan to July 2006)
Social Sub committee Member
• Organized activities for club members to aid social cohesion
• Was active in events like Mid Autumn and Homecoming

COMMUNITY SERVICE

River of Hearts, Shanghai (Jan to Jun 2008)
Volunteer coordinator
• Organized Clothes collection drive for needy children in rural provinces of China like Hebei and Hunan
• Disseminated event information through various channels

Handicapped Welfare Association, Singapore (Aug to Nov 2005)
Event Planner
• Organized a community project to repaint the walls in the dilapidated facility of the Handicapped Welfare Association
• Designed flyers for the event and fundraising sales
• Conducted a two day ornaments sale in NTU to raise funds for materials

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND COMPUTER SKILLS

• Highly proficient in written and spoken English and Chinese
• Competent in the following software programmes: MS Office 2007, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign
• Fair in social media marketing platforms inc. Facebook, Twitter and weblogs

I'm missing you, bloggie...

Realized that I have left this space empty for quite some time. Hmmm, somehow this entry line seems replicated from Alexis. Hahahaha! But it truly is the case!

Life at work has been alright, and slowly but surely, I have been learning new things and tasked with new things to do. I like to work, and I like to do well at work. To quote Susie, we are all workaholics inside, and working hard makes her semi happy (it makes me too!).

Oh well, nothing's much exciting in my life, and I go about my usual routines, maybe cept the fact that I am indeed putting on some weight (the mirror and hips dun lie). Sigh! Maybe it's because of work, I have a voracious appetite, but at least I try not to eat out of my three meals a day. Let's just say stopping the Atkins Diet always make make me fatter! :(

I actually feel tired to blog. Am I losing it? Oh dear, maybe it's technology transfer - I realized that I have been on Facebook too much! I am so sorry lil bloggie, I am still here. And I will not give you up again, like I did three years back. :(

Fairmont and Singapore 2010 YOG

Third day as a YOG Coordinator at Fairmont hotel. As the team is new, there are plenty of opportunities to leverage on, and that sort of keeps me worked to the bone as well. Work has been sufficiently challenging, and I guess sorting out all the remnants and organizing them into a cohesive flow and system is of paramount importance to me right now. After all, I chose to go into this current job for the exciting portfolio. So I shouldn't be complaining, should I?

The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic One Year Countdown officially begins tomorrow! There would be a big show at the Padang with fun-filled activities. From carnival stores, sporting events, unveiling of countdown clock from Omega, unmasking of certain elements of the two YOG mascots to getting everyone hyped up, this sure is hell of an event.

As a tier one sponsor, Fairmont Singapore will be leading almost 100 of their valued colleagues to form a contingency of hospitality. This big "parade" of sorts seeks to empower employees to proud and enthusiastic ambassadors of the games. Watch out!

On Work and Singapore Idol

So the holiday has finally come to an end, and it's time to start my new phase in life. To be frank, this would be my real actual job since the previous stint at Rice was more of an internship than a full-time appointment.

Woah, it's been one month since I had the 9- 6 ++++++++++++ lifestyle and being in an office for the most part of my day. Something to look forward to? Definitely. There is, however, a weird tinge of fear in me that things might be erupting at godspeed when I'm in the job, and that I cannot meet up to the huge wedge of responsibility slapped onto my shoulders. After all, I am going to work in a world class hotel chain, on a world class event, with only one direct boss and no other colleagues. Quite intimidating for a freshie like me. Of course I will endeavour to do my best, but I just can't help feeling... a little scared. Human nature, at its peak.

And the ringing in my ear persists. I am so paranoid that it would affect my work. All I wish now is that it becomes better before I report for work tomorrow, or I would be in serious trouble since it has affected part of my hearing and has induced me to start mumbling because every voice I project seems to be refracted within my ear drums and it makes me feel like I'm shouting when I'm actually like Mr. Careless Whisper in Singapore Idol.

Speaking of which, I thought Singapore Idol was pretty entertaining, even though I realized that certain elements might have been planted to spice up the whole clip. To be frank, I thought Avril Lavinge was totally a scam, and she must have been paid loads to be featured in such a light. Lady Gaga was superb, in fact, I thought she deserved a chance. She wasn't half as bad as some high pitched screechy gay dudes whom the trio let through... Hell Gate Warrior was so lame I can't help but think he's paid too... And the horrid snippets from the audition at the back... makes me think of how they sabotaged me during Star Idol many years back to make a fool of me. It was totally taken out of context. But oh well, such is Television and such is life. If you dare to show up, be prepared to make a mockery out of yourself if you do not have what it takes. Hahaha.

The weekend was boring. I hope the new week brings with it some new excitement in life. And also, bring back all my friends who have mysteriously disappeared into different parts of Asia. :) Safely.

Overkill

I know many insist on dressing to kill, and feel that there is no qualms for overkill on the dress up when heading for an interview, but miscommunications leading to me wearing a suit to a psychometric test isn't pretty, I hope I wasn't the laughing stock of the company!

But oh well, I am seriously hoping this would be the last round of the interviews. Just received a notice that I have successfully met their requirements for the test (which happenes to be a million dollar investment by HQ to identify the suitability and capability of the candidate). I felt it was just like another Facebook Quiz though... Nothing much...

In any case, hope to be starting work soon, bumming around is no good!

Mobile Marketing Makes Waves

Super Excited. My pitch for CNBC Asia worked out pretty neat, and here's the coverage for my client.

It was a busy busy week at CommunicAsia 2009, and thankfully, the event has come to a good close. Interview quality was superb and the relevant soundbites were articulated well and skillfully.

A milestone in my work so far, and great to see my contribution working out well. But of course, Suzanne my AD is to thank for this little boost in my spirits!

A new work week beckons

Got to go back to NTU to settle some loan accounts, and had to take a few hours off work tomorrow I guess, since the opening hours are only from Monday to Friday and I don't want to be blacklisted by the school for stealing some equipment before I graduate and maybe jeopardize my convocation! Haha.

Of course, that is wildly exaggerated, but it's better to play on the safe side. :)

Anyway, a new work week begins again. Amazingly, two weeks have scooted by in Rice. The gradual adjusting of a night owl lifestyle to an early bird one has started to kick in finally. I no longer feel so drowsy in the morning, and of course a thick cup of "Kopi-Gao" and a stick or two helps.

On a backtrack, high tea at the Oriental Hotel totally sucks. The three-tier English tea was awfully "ger-lat" and two cups of latte set me on a caffeine high that went on for three hours, compromising my gym session after, inducing puke-ish intentions. It was a horrible session. I could barely complete 3/4 of my usual workout routine.

And as any other weekend, my beautiful sunday went by just like that. Caught up with Ben at the coffeeshop and went over to "poke" Dooris and Maomao, my two little god-dogs. Well, he refused to allow me ownership over them, so I had to go through unorthodox ways to "own" them, haha. And yes, Kiez, if you are reading, I purposely used the word "poke" to cheer you up a little. Hahahaa...

And Nao left me a sweet leather mousepad! OMG! I wonder why she went to such an expense for a mousepad when they give out free ones from ST801 or the likes of some movie memorabilia. Oh well, sweet. I now own another expensive mousepad, following the Razer one I got as a gift from Alan a year back. *grins*

And boy was I inspired by the "Biggest Loser". Omg, it was simply amazing. The amount of weight loss percentages, could only happen in my dreams. I wonder how I would look like if I lost 51.52 percent of my weight like one of the winners. I probably will look like some freaky skeleton from some closet. Haha. No pun intended, me ain't hiding any yeah? :)

I work at Rice, but I don't eat Rice

It's amazing how evil people can get when they realize you do not eat carbs. They start eating Cheetos, Mars bars, ice cream, Famous Amos cookies beside you and leave them beside your table for easy access. Totally evil.

Everyone's amazed at how I can survive without rice for lunch. I tell you, you simply get used to it. It only takes like 2 weeks for that to happen?

Work

I can sense work slowly piling up even on the second day as an intern. It is pretty heavyweight. Will just see how it goes.

Interview

Today's interview at Rice was a very good learning experience. I was told not to regurgitate facts and figures and prepared speeches right in the middle of the interview.

I guess I'm still pretty new to all these interviews and it is indeed a gruelling session for me each time I go, but everytime I go for an interview, I learn something I should or should not do. I am guessing by the time I complete 15 to 20 interviews, I should be well prepared and armed for any kind of interviewer that comes my way. Haha.

The interviewer today was really cool, and even though I think I failed to impress, she was very patient and tolerant with me. Here's feeling that she would and could be a good boss if the opportunity arises. Oh well, the ball is not in my court now, and I am not able to predict the outcome this time.

Well, we all learn. And we got to constantly innovate. I personally feel that the templates for interviews, how to ace at interviews, how to impress your interviewers guides online and offline are crap. I will not ever take a look at them again. It totally destroys the chance of being personal with the interviewer because of the many reservations and standard answers you are dying to spit out at any chance.

Now, who's going to read "Dillie's Idiot Guide to Successful Job Interviews"? Hahaha.

Job Frenzy

The time is now. Everyone is looking for a job, or a new job. Whoever says that the crumbling economy is making people more sensible and making them hold on to their jobs dearly? I have never seen so many of my friends wanting to switch jobs at any one point of time. Oh well. Maybe it's the forced leaves and paycuts, maybe it is the declining job morale, or increasingly high demand for quality work. Well, it all works out fine.

I have been in a huge frenzy myself. The blow was dealt when I was planning my future career with a prospective employer. I was almost that ready to plunge into the private sector and making do with the low pay for a job I truly envisioned myself to be still at in 5 years time, but reality hits, and I was not able to make the cut. It's sad, when you just gotta dill with it.

Dill with it. This phrase was once the title of my blog, simply because it so aptly fitted in. I guess you gotta have ur own perspective on things and be true to yourself.

I'm dilling with it. Are you?