Are MNC companies any better for contract jobs? 🤔
Hi Zesties!
As you all know from my very first post that I have found a job! And now that 6 months have ended, here is my unfiltered and honest experience and review working for a huge MNC company like Grab!
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Onboarding:
* Missed the onboarding because I was waiting blindly at the HQ’s lobby expecting the manager to fetch me up since I do not have any access pass to enter and also because I did not went to the receptionist to communicate to them that it was my first day so I was the fool here at this point 🙃
* After 2 hours of waiting after the reporting time, I decided to leave. Agent called me four times because I was missing in action. I explained the situation and told my manager as well which they requested me to head back and get my work-related items to begin working.
* Had a zoom meeting with one of the in-charge including colleagues from the PH to go through the SOPs which felt rushed since I was 3-4 hours late.
* Everyone was basically annoyed at me for going missing way past reporting time and the onboarding including the help desk I had to collect the laptop from.
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On The Job Training:
* Not much in-person on the job training during my two days of onboarding except how to do web booking…
* Coordinated with colleagues from PH via zoom meeting where I had to share my screen and they guided me along till I got familiarized with the jobscope.
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Pros:
* Understanding the backend operations
* Nearby many eateries (kopitiam, ikea and giant)
* Work near home if you stay in the east
* Interesting experience and resume booster
* One of the departments that offers higher hourly pay rate (thats why more turnover rates too..)
* Most of the part timers are generally nice and is usually around the same age too
* No bookings = more chill
* Dream job for introverts = working alone (I mean you have to report to the upper-ups when needed or coordinate with other shifts so we don’t over-post nor over-assign)
* Able to ask any doubts to your upper-ups as they would be online ‘most of the time’ during the night shift operation (even if you sound dumb, just ask!) - subjected to the time as well their PERSONAL feelings. They may feel its a hassle that you are asking similar questions or dumb questions generally 😂
* Easygoing/casual outfit, no need office wear 🤩
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Cons:
* Requires shifts work which your body would have to get used to (8am-5pm | 2pm-11pm | 11pm-8am)
* Require to work from office regardless of shift timings
* As it is not a fixed shift, the schedule will be assigned by the manager which means crazy schedule with lack of sleep (a whole 360 degrees of body clock being f up)
* If you tend to fall sick easily, this job is not for you as you can fall sick due to the messed up schedule
* No personal workspace which is quite inconvenient to bring your laptop back and forth to work and home [though they have limited locker in the office]
* Get scolded/questioned by the drivers/higher ups due to human errors, suspensions or released jobs
* Have many SOPs to follow including updating multiple tabs in an excel spreadsheet and daily updates of what happened during your shift via work-related application
* Job is listed under agency and not direct hire (which means if you were to quit before the full 6 months, agent will come at you asking you to ‘pay up’ since they are unable to find people on the spot to replace)
* Jobscope is unmatched with what you are suppose to be doing. For example, I was told that I would be helping out at the information counter to sign up new grab drivers and getting paid to go on rides to compare with competitors but I did none of them except assigning advance bookings to drivers and going to booths to help out just because I am part of ops team
* If many jobs = deal with them ONE BY ONE till you are finished. If you are lucky, driver/s accepts quickly, if not you would have to wait till someone accepts
* Sometimes higher-ups can be really blatant, so deal with it professionally
* Covering shift for your colleague who applied for last minute leaves
* Working with colleagues that are like here to just clock in for the sake of the job and money (its pretty normal since most of them are waiting for university and is earning extra income but the attitude of selective learning or because certain person is here and will do all the job for you is real 😮💨…)
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Overall Experience:
Rating /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 2.5/5 stars
📍Address: Tampines Industrial Crescent, #01 -12C Singapore 528605
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Having spent half a year working as a contract Operations Coordinator in a large multinational company, I can share some extra insights based on this unique experience. One key takeaway is that working in an MNC contract job often means managing expectations very differently compared to permanent roles. For instance, onboarding processes can be less supportive—especially for contract workers—leading to confusion like missed instructions or delayed access. This can be frustrating, but it also teaches you to take initiative, such as proactively reaching out to managers or HR to clarify procedures rather than waiting passively. Shift work, particularly irregular shifts, was one of the hardest adjustments. It disrupted my sleep pattern significantly and sometimes impacted my health. For anyone considering such a position, I recommend creating a consistent bedtime routine on off days and using aids like blackout curtains or white noise machines to improve sleep quality. Staying hydrated and maintaining balanced meals can also help your body cope with odd hours. From a social perspective, contract jobs in big companies sometimes feel isolating, especially for introverts who may prefer working alone. However, this can be an advantage if you value working without constant supervision or office politics. Also, working alongside peers in similar contract roles provides a casual community, even if motivation levels vary widely. One surprise was how the actual job tasks rarely matched the initial job description. Flexible attitude is essential here—tasks may range from administrative updates on multiple spreadsheets to unexpected last-minute shift covers. I learned the importance of adaptability and professionalism when dealing with blunt managers or colleagues who may not be fully invested. A positive that stands out is the compensation aspect; contract roles in some departments within an MNC might offer comparatively higher hourly pay to attract talent despite higher turnover. This can be a good choice for those balancing studies or side gigs. Also, the casual dress code and proximity to popular eateries improved daily work-life comfort. Lastly, agency employment rather than direct hiring means contractual obligations can be strict. Be prepared to understand your agreement thoroughly, including penalties for early termination. Overall, working in an MNC as a contract employee can be enriching for building a resume and gaining operational insights but requires strong mental resilience and self-management skills to navigate challenges effectively.
saikang warrior no career leverage just a yes man lol. waste time. won’t do this for any amount of money they paid me. waste of time.