Struggle with a machine
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Today, my boss passed me 4 large stacks of documents to be photocopied. Photocopying is easy job, but I didn't expect the photocopier to experience an error after removing the papers caught in a jam. The photocopier is considered one of the most important machines in the office, since everyone has to print numerous letters addressed to the clients and agents. So imagine me sitting at my desk, typing and feeling ever so guilty for the next 2 hours because the staff can no longer print any letters. I felt worse when the perm staff started teasing me about docking my pay to compensate for the repairs. Though I know they're teasing, I truly indeed felt sorry even though I swore that I did nothing to cause the jam. I finally heaved a sign of relieve when the technician (my saviour!) came in. Phew! After lunch, I continued with the photocopying. Unluckily enough, the same error surfaced again. For one moment, my heart sank to the end of the bottom pit. Thankfully, the error was resolved this time within 5 minutes. Let's just say, the photocopier had managed to 'make my day'.
--Mary HAD a little lamb--
8:06 pm
Vacation job
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This is my 3rd week at work and already, I'm beginning to feel the dreadfulness of office life. It is getting mundane; I'm always doing similar tasks that are required of me because the claims that are coming in are never-ending. Just when you thought that the pile of documents on your table is finally gone, a new stack appears via the route of post / fax on the very same day. Nevertheless, there are at least a few things that I can take great joy from and that include making a new friend. She is also a temp in my department and we became good buddies in the office. Lunchtime is our favourite pastime as we sought out tasty food from the nearest hawker centre (Hong Lim) before making our way further into the CBD district for prominent cafes. Nowadays, sourcing out for appetizing food has been top interest. Second is that I've learned a lot more about the facts of insurance policies, and you never know when they will ever come in handy. The rest of colleagues are very jovial and friendly. They're always willing to teach me new things and never once had they taken a strict tone with me whenever I had made a mistake. Believe me, my mistakes are quite regular. Haha.
I've never had a good opinion of the insurance industry and always thought of them being 'money-minded'. It's like the agents are just interested to lure you into buying their expensive policies for the sake of commission. Well, truth is insurance is more than that. The industry is actually very dynamic, challenging and fast-growing. It is a possible path for future career prospects. I've learned tips from the perm staff on how to manoeuvre your argument so that the insurance company has no alternative but to pay you. It's pretty cool to realise that the claims can be easily accepted if one can just bother to think of better explanations. Many of times, it is the clients' lack of expressions that result in the rejection of their claims. Of course, that will always be clients that are so stingy that incessant phone calls and uncouth language have become part of their tactics. I'm just thankful that I’m not on the receiving end. Pity the perm staff whenever one such client emerges.
--Mary HAD a little lamb--
10:24 pm
