I find it really odd to say this… but I really like my job. (As an update, I am out of sales and am now in a new dept)
For so many years, actually two only (felt like a really long time), i’ve been slaving away in Consumer banking as a Relationship Manager. I’d have to say I didn’t quite fully enjoy every moment of it. Though I do know that in all jobs there are the up moments and down moments.. but when you face ethical issues everyday and struggling to meet the targets set, its just tough. It’s just not me.
Well that chapter’s closed now. I’m glad. I’m where I feel most comfortable. I’m always the one in the sales team where folks looked to for market updates and analysis. And where I was, I devoured lots of market news. It was natural for me, but the banks do not appreciate knowledge, just the bottomline when it comes to sales.
Just finished my third week in the treasury dept of the bank. And I’m so thankful to God for placing me here. I feel at home. No more sales target. I get to read the newsfeed LIVE!!! I get to update people interested in market movements and I’m learning learning learning lots of new stuff!! Though I’m still adjusting to school and work and ministry at the same time. I’d say its been just fabulous!
Looking back at the recent episode I went through from End May till late July, the journey was really a journey of faith. It can never a case of coincidence. I can only point it to the sovereign hand of God. Meticulous, designed, coordinated grace. Thank You Lord Jesus!
Now I’m really excited at what lies ahead. I found out that I would be on Saturday duty for twice a month until the end of the year. Initially, I felt a little disappointed. But yesterday, it struck me that this is an another of God’s provision and answer to prayer! I wanted to have a chance to talk to my new colleagues about God and about my faith. Now for the next few saturdays, I’ll get a chance to speak to them one on one. (You see, I will be attached to one (only one!!) different person each saturday! And for that few hours, we’d probably be chatting. I am sure there’ll be a chance to talk about God. (People always ask “what do you do on Sundays?” HAHAHA!!) So I’m excited! Pray with me on this, I’d really like to see God at work (both as a noun and a verb!!)
Ah… Thank You Lord!!
Hello brother, Have been feeling burned out lately too. Do excuse the tardy comment on your blog. Will pray for you, and certainly if we ask for divine appointments we shall receive.
In his grace,
Michelle.
Comment by Michelle — September 19, 2005 @ 9:03 pm
Hey! I just chanced upon this blog entry and I’m curious to know more abt your job in the bank. That’s cos I’m on the lookout for one actually. I’m currently holding a job in the govt sector. I don’t have a business/finance/banking degree so I need some advice from you on the recruitment policy of banks in general. Any idea/lobang in getting a non-sales job in banks? Thanks!
Comment by Jennifer — October 9, 2005 @ 8:39 pm
Hi Jennifer,
There’s plenty of bank jobs available, and the scope of work varies, you’ve got marketing and sales and operations, treasury, audit, compliance, legal, basically almost anything. Depending on your degree and experience(current job) you’d have a better chance getting into the banks if you apply according to your background. Like all industries, they still look at relevant experience(unless there’s job boom). Sales job of course, require little relevant experience, but its one way to put your foot through the door. But gotta warn you, once in banking sales, it can be quite hard to transfer dept.
Comment by ahchoo — October 11, 2005 @ 11:45 pm
Thanks for the advice
I’m currently doing operations work, so I guess the closest I can get to is OPs in the bank :p
Heard from a friend that Stand Chart might be recruiting pple with Six Sigma knowledge (some ISO equivalent) for an OPs dept, so looks like I’ll have to quickly take courses (while still in the govt service) before I hop over :p
By the way, what is treasury all about? Does one need any financial backgrd/knowledge to do such work? I’ve a fren who’s doing sales w a foreign bank. She’s getting eye bags from working OT and meeting targets. It’s really tough indeed. I’ve also heard that some depts in the banks can be very political.
Comment by Jennifer — October 13, 2005 @ 10:20 pm
Hi Jennifer,
Banks do recruit people from all walks, for me I did not have a Finance or any relevant background at all. Like all science A level folks I followed the crowd and did Engineering, only to find that it wasn’t really what I wanted. I chanced upon Finance when I picked up a book on Personal Finance and my interest grew from there. Thereafter, I started in a sales job in a local bank.
I think for you, the most important thing is to find what really interests you, coz I believe if you move from Ops in Civil Service to Ops in banks, there might not be much change in environment. Politics-wise its everywhere. Believe me, I’ve experienced hardcore political backstabbing in one of the most unexpected places..and its not in the bank.
One thing though, Banks are the first to hire and the first to fire too. You know times are turning for the worse when banks begin retrenching. And vice versa. So that’s one consideration in moving to private sector.
Sales is definitely tough, I enjoyed interacting with clients, but not the sale targets and the pressure placed on you to perform. Many I know sell products unethically because of the pressure (or the money). So you see the ugly side of the industry.
Treasury is at the heart of banking, thats where the banks manage the deposits they recieve, and also where the banks do Forex, trading, blah blah. And treasury is increasingly become more developed and complex. However its not easy getting in. It was quite hard for me to get here, and I had to take somewhat a paycut. But in all, I’m still glad to be here.
Hope this helps
Comment by ahchoo — October 16, 2005 @ 9:05 pm
Hey thanks for the insight. =)
I’ve an interest in personal finance as well. I think engin grads stand a slightly better chance of being recruited by banks cos they’re gd in Maths.
Actually I’m pretty new to my job - just 6 mths. It’s also my first full-time job. Unfortunately, I’m beginning to feel that it’s a wrong job fit. Don’t think I shd reveal too much here (in case my bosses read it). Anyway, an adult church member was telling me that 6 months is abt the right length of time for one to discover the job fit. My former dept head in a stat board where I used to temp at also told me the same thing - to get out early if it’s not the right job. What do you think? Cos I’m concerned abt damaging my career history if I were to job hop too soon. And I also do know that a perfect job doesn’t exist on this side of eternity.
Comment by Jennifer — October 16, 2005 @ 10:04 pm
Hi,
Actually banks do recruit people from all walks, engin or not. I know OCBC does mid career recruitment drives frequently. So they take engineers, lawyers, civil servants, teachers etc in. Of course you can expect very high number of pple applying for those jobs. But one does not have to wait for those times. Go check out bank’s websites for jobs. Should have quite a few, or go to agencies. Hudson has some good banking jobs.
Regarding wrong job fit, yah, it happens. To feel that its a wrong job fit sorta implies you have an idea what your skills, gifts, talents and abilities. So perhaps look back at your school days, Uni days, ministry involvement and find out what you did that gives you satisfaction, what did you do that “gave you more energy”. That should help.
I think most pple who start working will go thru your stage of asking “why do I do what i do?” and “Do I want to do this the rest of my life?” Yours is a lot earlier, which is good. (Quarter life crisis). At least you start finding meaning in work.
Job change wise, I don’t think I want to truncate your spiritual growth in decision making by telling its ok or not. You’ve prob got to seek God regarding the next step. Can only say that its a process you’ll have to go thru by seeking God. And process does not end at the point of having made the decision, but also trusting Him thru the decision. And always remember that work on this side of eternity is redeemed, in Christ, through you. Up to you to make it happen. So in essence, your work is constantly going thru sanctification.
Hope this helps!
Comment by ahchoo — October 18, 2005 @ 6:11 pm
Thanks ahchoo, for imparting some really sound advice.
Proverbs 16:9 - “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” I think this verse aptly describes our lives at some point in time. So even when we do make mistakes, God ultimately directs our paths! Heh. Of course it shdn’t be an excuse for not seeking Him. But strangely, I find some comfort in knowing that God has a hand in everything! :p
Comment by Jennifer — October 19, 2005 @ 9:57 pm