A few years ago, I declared myself a “masochist” to a panel of interviewers during a job interview for a communications role at a local school in Singapore.
It was in response to a question about my career trajectory in the media industry, and why I wanted to make the switch from a more dynamic, creative environment, to a decidedly more bureaucratic one.
Unsurprisingly, I did not get the job.
“Real smart decision-making there,” remarked my colleague. She could barely hold back an eye roll when I recounted my gaffe. I can’t explain why I said what I said: It might have been an attempt to defuse a stressful situation with an extremely dry sense of humour. But it certainly boils down to the fact that I’m rather fond of speaking plainly.
Admittedly, when your first instinct is to shoot from the hip,
