EXIT PLAN IN PLACE!!!

I have about 2 months left here but here ya go

1. Why did you choose to work in Bermuda?
I was rather unhappy with my previous position and needed a change. A friend from my college was working at my job and put in good words for me and helped me get the position. I was going from North Dakota to Bermuda. How could I lose right? Well.....read on.

2. Was advice given about Bermuda by your recruiter/employer accurate?
Throughout this interview you won't hear me slander my job much. The main reason being that somehow my wife's former boss got wind of this site and couldn't handle the truth while using the information against my wife to fire her. The other being the fact that i really did like my job and surprisingly that was the only good thing about this stay in Bermuda. That being said I do feel that I wasn't as prepared as I couldve been. It seems the good points of Bermuda were noted and not the wealth of bad ones. I will be sure to mention this upon my exit interview with the company.

3. Was Bermuda your first overseas job?
yes

4. Did the experience live up to your expectations?
Again, the job was for the most part a success. Nothing else lived up to expectations, nothing.

5. Did you live in a pink house?
Nope it was lime green with a busted toilet, busted screen, busted closet door and salt water running through the tap. The landlord just didn't want to address these issues.

6. How long did your work permit take to be processed & how would you rate the overall service of the immigration department?
I finally got the permit in my hand upon my 4 month of employment so about 6 months overall. Wife's permit took 4 months before the process was cancelled then after reapplying for a 10 day fast track, that took 20 days. Immigration in Bermuda is beyond pathetic and every Bermudian should be embarrassed of that government operation.

7. What is your primary reason for leaving?
The list would go on forever. Biggest issue in the end was money. Unlike most expats, my job was NOT high paying, Most people said I was nuts for accepting the salary I did. With wife undeservedly fired, there was no way we could stay here on my salary alone.

8. What would you change about your job?
Again, I wish the pay was higher but then again pay in my field at my current level is not substantial anyway. Otherwise, I liked the job.

9. Do you feel any guilt at having caused high rents, traffic problems, teen pregnancies, expensive drinks and the downfall of Bermudian civilization?
Nope, not a bit. Bermuda has bitten the hand that has fed them. This government and many of their people (certainly not all) have driven away IB, tourists and expats away.

10. Did your job duties turn out to be as you expected?
For the most part. The job was rewarding.

11. Did you receive enough training to do your job effectively?
I did, The training period was 2 months but I was ready to roll after 1.

12. Speaking of bathrooms, did they have doors or were you expected to answer the call of nature while various tradespeople walked by and waved?

Haha i worked in an older building but the bathrooms were acceptable.

13. Did you receive adequate support and equipment to do your job?
Yes I had a rather professional and well educated boss.

14. Were you satisfied with this company's merit review process?
Just had my review recently and it went pretty well.

15. Do you still have road rash scars?
No, I have stayed clean but its a joke the way most ride their scooters on this Island.

16. Did this company help you to fulfil your career goals? If yes, were your career goals to be treated as an unwelcome intrusion and expected to make good the incompetence of lazy co-workers?
Although my time here was only a third of my contract time, I feel it will still boost my resume.

17. Do you have any tips to help us find your replacement?
Jobs in my field are scarce and I am sure many will apply for the position. The question is will they want to deal with the treatment most expats get in BDA.

18. What would you improve to make our workplace better?
As far as to complete the daily tasks of the job, I wouldn't change much. I do strongly feel they need to prepare expats better and perhaps provide a bit more financial support to help them get settled here. I was floored after my first few months here and totally unprepared for what unfolded.

19. Were you happy with your pay, benefits and other incentives?
Again, I wish the pay was more. I was paid double what I was paid in North Dakota but cost of living is 3-4 times that here so you can do the math. Benefits were pretty good and there was plenty of sick, lieu and vacation time to go around.

20. What was the quality of the supervision you received?
I worked with fellow employees during my training, One in particular was very lazy and pretty much just used me to do all his dirty work while he played games online. Otherwise everyone else supplied good training and supervision.

21. Could your boss claim diminished responsibility or insanity as a defence against their management style?
Haha no. I had a very good main boss.

22. Did any company policies or procedures (or any other obstacles) make your job more difficult?
Company policies were pretty fair. It's a shame the company has to operate in a country like Bermuda.

23. Would you consider working again for this company/in Bermuda in the future?
If they relocate to the US maybe. Unless the pay was substantial I would never move here again.

24. Would you recommend working for this company to your family and friends? How about that weird cousin you don’t like much?
I wouldn't even want my weird cousin to be subjected to this place.

25. Did anyone in this company discriminate against you, harass you or cause hostile working conditions?
A few employees were a tad annoying but I cant say I was ever harassed.

26. How about random strangers?
Long stories...long stories.

27. If you could travel back in time, would you still make the decision to come and work in Bermuda?
Tough choice cause this job will boost my resume, but given all of the head and heartaches my wife and I went through, we were better off where we were at. What makes me most mad is the sacrifices I made to come here. I gave up my two beloved cats and my brand new car and now am coming home with only the clothes on my back.

28. What advice would you give anyone considering working as an expat in Bermuda?
Know everything there is to know about working here. If you have thick skin and I mean very thick, maybe give it a shot. Otherwise, I suggest staying in their home country

29. Did you remember to say good morning/afternoon to every single person you encountered, every single day, even if they were strangers you happened to pass on the road when riding your moped?
I did my best.

30. Will you now return to the miserable third world country you came from, where you can?t get a decent job and earn a pittance (UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia)?
Headin back to the U.S. soon. There is a truckload of problems in the U.S. but nothing like the ones that will exists in Bermuda in a few years. I'm nervous to be moving back without a current job lined up but thrilled to get back to earth.

31. Any other comments?
I try to pull positives from this experience but there just aren't many outside the job. The rude people, especially those behind a counter, pitiful immigration services, corrupt government, fare hikes on everything, despicable and outrageous prices, the list goes on. Bermuda is like that honor student from junior high that gets to high school and gets caught up in drugs booze and sex. So much potential but such a disappointment.