The organization's name sounds very appealing and makes people want to work there. The colleagues are easy to get along with.
The administrative processes are rigid (no senior managers are willing to change them);
The senior managers in the Miaoli area are self-aggrandizing, love to make grand promises, and then ignore them afterward.
After joining, you are expected to be treated as an expert even though you are clearly still a beginner. When senior managers send you a message, you had better reply immediately; if you fail to do any of the above, they will subject you to a barrage of sarcasm. They like having people work overtime on holidays.
The system is astonishing: you have to find your own funding and projects, and secure your own money and resources. If you make no contribution, get out.
Summary: Newcomers can go there to gain some experience, but experienced workers should stay away. If you apply for an administrative position, be mentally prepared to be treated like a dog (because you did not find funding and resources or make any contributions).
Phytoncides
Looking back on it now, I still feel it was hell.
Of course, there are many small units here; I’m referring to just one of them.
1. No overtime pay
2. The supervisor takes out their anger on others
3. Senior employees bully others by abusing their authority (they won’t be scolded when they make mistakes)
4. High turnover (within a year)
5. Personally, I don’t think there is much room for development
6. Don’t put too much faith in the job description
7. They treat you as a punching bag
If you really want to come for an interview, good luck—you’re on your own.
Secluded and peaceful
1. The location is remote, so applicants are advised to drive. After exchanging your identification card at the entrance, there is still a short distance to walk to the interview location.
2. The person who contacted me—I’m not sure whether they were from HR—took me to a closed-off meeting room to wait. It was over 30°C outside, and the meeting room was directly exposed to the sun, making it extremely hot and stuffy. I felt physically very uncomfortable.
3. I was then taken to another meeting room, where the interviewers were already waiting.
4. Before the interview, I had prepared a five-minute self-introduction presentation, but the interviewers said there was no need to present and started directly, which was somewhat surprising. It turned out that the supervisor had gone to a meeting, and I was interviewed by two people who may have been senior colleagues. After I finished introducing myself, the interviewers began explaining the job responsibilities and then asked whether I had any questions. After I asked a few questions, the interview ended in less than 30 minutes.
I traveled all the way from Taipei for the interview and also spent time preparing the presentation. If the supervisor was busy, I could have waited. From the reception through the interview, the dismissive attitude made for a very poor experience. It would have been better to cancel the interview and save both sides’ time.