An Ontario-based Interview

It's a bit strange to me that many recruiting agencies intend to find candidates for their clients outside of the province they are located in. I was directed to talk to a person in Ontario for a position in Alberta, by a friend. I had applied for that position earlier, later I found out but it was a difficult one and my resume was not good enough. I boosted it up and sent it to the recruiter.

The guy called me eventually a few days ago and asked questions for almost 30 minutes. I had not been interviewed, to that level, by a non-technical person and I did not know how to answer the questions to be considered satisfactory. I didn't have much hope but tried my best. I received no response after the interview, even after I sent him a follow-up note. It's obvious that the recruiters don't want to ruin their reputation by sending a unqualified candidate to their client but that job description was too demanding and I don't think there're many people who can cover all those requirements fully. I think I have to move on.

(Photo: Niagara Falls in Ontario is one of the main tourist attractions of Canada but I haven't been there! I've been to Toronto and Ottawa but nowhere else. I didn't think any other photo would be appropriate here!)

The CWB Level I Inspector Certificate Story

I received an e-mail from CWB, a few days ago, indicating that I eventually(!) have passed all of the required examinations and have gotten my CWB Level I Inspector certificate. I know it's not something to brag about but it really was a pain to go through the material and study, with all the mistakes and contradictions! It has been years since I wanted to do that and there was always something between me and the certificate! Once I did the practical exam without reading the provided instruction! I had passed it previously though but you have to pass all the three main exams within a specified time-frame. Other times I was busy with other exams and certificates! I did 2 courses and one certificate in 2023 and 3 certificates in 2024 and I know it's considered an excuse by many but believe me there were times that I'd go crazy by simply reading the textbooks! This is one of my many(!) issues that if I don't understand something, I can barely move on. It keeps bothering me. Now it's over! 
It's not expected from a national technical organization which administrates many major national standards in the country, in the welding industry, such as CSA W47.1, CSA W47.2, CSA W59, CSA W48, CSA W178.2 and CSA W178.1 to have major mistakes and spelling errors in their textbooks! I wrote to the organization and despite the fact that they responded to me a few times, on many occasions they were not willing to accept their mistakes and correct them! 
What can you do? There have been many positions that I simply was turned down or I didn't even apply in the first place because I didn't have the certificate but my general opinion is having a certificate or degree means nothing and I strongly insist on that. This shall be combined with understanding and experience. One Quality Inspector who worked as part of my team had a CWB Level I Inspector certificate with AMSE B31.3 endorsement but he barely was able to complete a simple Weld Visual Inspection Report! The Mumbling Guy, despite all his expertise in resume building and convincing recruiters(!), cannot do any design, I'm sure of it, although he has a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering because he has no experience in that field and has never worked under the supervision of an experience designer. In general if we say someone is an expert, simply because they have a certificate or degree, it means we say that everyone is capable of driving well simply because they have obtained an Operator's Licence! I used this analogy for the sheep(!) I used to work with them, several times, but it didn't seem to get through their rotten heads! 
The funny thing is when I was talking to The Mumbling Guy the other day, he said he would help me to get my CWB Level II Inspector certificate, if I joined the company he works for! I was not sure, despite being positive, that I would have the certificate but I thanked him for that! Now if I join, I can get the certificate easily after two years, if not earlier. I also will aim for the ABSA Weld Examiner certificate as I was turned down last year by them! They told me that I simply don't have the qualifications! I will show them what qualifications mean! Now I'm also happy that I haven't turned The Mumbling Guy down! After all it was him who signed my application! 

Here are a few useful tips for someone who wants to apply for this certificate:

1) If you are an experienced welder, aiming for Welding Inspector is much easier and possible but remember this: Welders make much more than welding inspectors! I'm not an experienced welder but I have done TIG welding and I've done lots of studies and inspection which helped me.

2) Good understanding and deep Knowledge of welding consumables is very important. It's not just memorizing the codes.

3) Get comfortable using different tools and if you can afford them, buy a few. CWB sells a pack of tools for a reasonable price (CAN $250). If you don't want to spend that much, purchase the main ones. CWB allows you to use them during your practical exam. I only have a Telescopic Mirror and Bridge Cam Gauge and I haven't paid even a Penny for them! I used the ones provided by the CWB because I've used several different types of tools and I'm comfortable using them. I got 80%. I think I know what my mistake has been. 

4) Take your time and go through the questions of the closed-book exam calmly. You have plenty of time to answer all and that's the good thing about this exam. I had extra time at the end and I got only 83%. You need 70% to pass every CWB exam. 

I'm going to start studying for Level II and I have a long way to go! 

(Photo: UT or Ultrasonic Test is considered a very sophisticated non-destructive test which requires a very skilled operator. I just know the basics of it. This picture was taken many years ago when I visited a supplier in British Columbia. I won't reveal any name or other details but this was a n skilled and very nice elderly UT operator from Acuren who patiently answered my questions)

The Beautiful Spring of Alberta

Snowing and extreme cold is not unusual in April and even May in Alberta but Global Warming has had a significant effect on that. There haven't been many cold days any more and by " a cold day " I mean a day when the temperature is bellow -15 ℃ (5 ℉) because any temperature above that it's not considered, or perhaps I should say, it was not considered, a cold day.
With that in mind when it snowed nearly 5 cm (nearly 2") the other day I was both happy and sad! I was happy that perhaps this would help to avoid drought and was happy that I didn't have to drive in that condition but I was sad that the temperature was nearly 0 ℃ (32 ℉) which means the snow will melt quickly and we will soon be deprived of the beautiful scenery! 

(Photo: The heavy night snowfall of the last week in a nearby neighbourhood. I stopped to take this picture)

A Phone Interview Courtesy of The M. G.

I was wasting my time(!) on the computer yesterday morning and the telephone rang. It was a lady who introduced herself as an HR person with the company that The Mumbling Guy works for. I thought she might call but didn't expect a call so early. Here's what happened:
I found a position a couple of weeks ago and was going to apply but the product of the company suggest that it was the same that The Mumbling Guy had told me that they were manufacturing. So I thought I should ask him before applying and I did. He said: Don't! I was a bit upset but I didn't because I know he would be the one who evaluates the candidates. His reasoning was someone from the floor had been selected and would start soon, someone who is a relative of one of the managers. 
Nearly a week passed and one they he called and said: Apply for the position in the company I work for! He is the type of the guy who NEVER calls unless there's something really important! So I wondered what had happened. He said that the selected fella would be going to another province for a high pay job. Good for me!
So I applied for the job through the web and also sent my resume to their HR as he had instructed me. The HR person called me just one day after sending the resume, very unexpectedly, as I wrote and sort of asked many questions, some that I had never head in any of the many interviews that I had attended. Here are some:

1) Did you get year-end bonus?(!)

2) How was your vacations or How many days off did you get?(!)

3) How do you deal with issues?(!)

4) Did you have insurance coverage?(!)

I think I've listed the main wired ones!
Then later I received an e-mail and was invited to an couple of interviews(!) at their office. I sent a thank you e-mail and confirmed. The Mumbling Guy though, argued why I had not asked for enough money?! I was going to say that I'm not sure whether I would be hired. Why would I be ruin an interview with a number which most likely not be given to me? He bullshitted for a little while and that was it. Now I have to prepare myself for the interview.

(Photo: I thought I shall use a picture of one of the products of the potential employer but privacy is very important. So I used the line of Natural Gas Pressure Regulator that one of the companies that I worked for as a trainee, many years ago in the old country, manufactured) 

The Second Application

You know how frustrating it is to wait for an interview for days and weeks and then when you're invited to one, you realize that's the same person who interviewed you a little more than 3 years ago! That's what happened to me last week! 

I remember this guy and I remember that I wore a suit and tie (it was probably a very big mistake for a low-level job like that!) and went to this little building while wearing a mask because it was still Corona time and was interviewed. The other details are in the above link, which many might not even bother going there and it's fine by me, but I don't know if the company has its name changed or what. When I first saw the position I didn't realize that I had applied for a job there and had been interviewed because I couldn't remember it. When I checked the address then, I learnt that I had been there!
The guy, this time, wanted to have a phone screening, first! One can imagine why! They call you to interview when it's a pandemic and they screen you over the phone when everything is normal!  

So he called and talked for a short while and I always have my stories set! When he asked me why I was looking for a new job, as I have indicated in my resume that I still work there(!), I told him that I need to be with my family. He also asked about my salary expectations and I know it would be as cheap as the last time, probably a little more, but because I hate staying at home, I'm going to take this job, if I can and then move on. He said that he would like to interview me and would send the address, which I already know(!) and everything. Again, fine by me.

On the day of the interview I'm there two minutes early and he keeps me waiting for about 5 minutes! The funny thing is that the guy recognizes me immediately when I'm shaking hands with him and I deny it, respectfully! I don't deny it actually. I play dumb! I apologize to him and I tell him I do not have a good memory but I also add that I'm more experienced now which indicates that I would be a good candidate for the position! He says that the company has been obtained by another company and that is why, probably, I didn't realize it was the same with a different name! 

He sounds more mature now and this time he offers me a better compensation but I make up so much that at times I think he doesn't believe me because he's looking directly into my eyes without blinking! He never called me after the interview although I sent him a thank you note. I guess I missed this one as well.

(Photo: Phone screening gets rid of a portion of candidates)

Religulous

 This documentary is an amazing one that I don't think you can show it anywhere: It's called Religulous! The word Religulous is amalgamation of the words Religious and Ridiculous! This is a documentary by Bill Maher about different religions and how nonsense they all are! However he reviews the three main religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The other thing is that the film was made in 2008 where the social media was not even introduced and there was not this much religious tension in the world. 

What can I say about it as I don't want to ruin it for you. You have to see it but if you're a Muslim or Jew and even a Christian, you'd most like not like it and some would even be offended. I'm an atheist and I like films like that but I have to conceal it at times because you can get hurt even in Canada!

I remember when I came back, failed from CFLRS, I was sent to this toilet company, a big warehouse and in there a House N - - (!) and I got in to a sort of discussion and he said something to me like God does this or says that and I told him that I didn't believe in God! He didn't like it and was about to preach but I don't remember what happened exactly because it was 2017 but what happened next and I'm not sure if this was the direct result of that or not but maybe it has some impact, I was asked not to go back to work! I said: F- - it! I got a better job just a few months after that. Anyway if you're not religious or have doubts make sure you watch this documentary. 

(Photo: Maher in Vatican where he questions Catholicism!)