My first job offer abroad was for a digital marketing agency in Kuala Lumpur.
Despite having only two years of experience in the field, I was hired as the Head of SEO, my first leadership role.
After a couple of video calls, I quit my job, took a pay cut of over 50%, and packed my bags.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur was a fresh start for me. No one knew who I was, so I could be whoever I wanted to be.
I brought one suitcase and a laptop, and that was it.
My first day at the “office” (which was really a couple of converted hotel rooms) was full of surprises.
One of the surprises was that another person had just been hired as the Head of SEO—the exact title on my contract!
Rather than start the Hunger Games the company seemed to set up for us, we decided to lead the team together.
Unfortunately, the company’s plan worked; it motivated me to push harder and go the extra mile wherever I could.
I had come for the leadership position and was determined to keep it.
Over the coming months, the SEO team was split between ‘On-Page SEO’ (which I would lead) and ‘Link Building & Outreach’ (which the other person would lead).
A few months later, they let the other person go.
I helped them find a new job and we remained friends.
The moral of the story? I wasn’t sure when I began writing this.
It wasn’t fair of the company to pit us against each other, but we both had left home for this opportunity. We had no choice but to play the game.
However, we chose to play it clean, where we could have played it dirty.
So, I guess the moral is: When presented with an opportunity, fight for it—but don’t let it compromise your values.
