Ask A Headhunter!

[lchungwe]

Because you are not a 100% fit, or even close to a 80% fit for the role, (in terms of technical skills and probably in terms of personality and "fit" to the team)

I was told i was put on KIV after 1st interview which lasted 2 hours with the hiring mgr.

Then the hh mentioned that my 2nd interview were last only 30 min with the co-colleagues.

I received news that I was taken off the KIV list after they had a team meeting to finalise the selection. (I did not make it for the role)

 

[reavervon]

Hi HH,

Im interested to move to the finance sector. However, im holding an engineering degree and worked in manufacturing for about 2 year, im only 28 years old this year.

Is there any ways that I could break into the finance sector?

Thanks!

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi Headhunter,

I will like to find out as I am currently looking to make a move in my career:

Currently this is my payscale:

$3,600 (basic) + $800 transport + $80 hp allowance

Doing Defense security sales

Commission is almost impossible to get

Environment – Coy going through re-org but otherwise comfortable with office environment, also near from home (about 10mins drive)


New Job offer is in different industry

$3,400 (basic) + $1,200 transport + $100 hp allowance

Doing furnishing sales

Environment – Listed company but working under female boss + female collicks, only male in dept if I accept (about 30-40mins drive)


Should I make the jump? Please advise.

You just have to balance on whether the long term (more than 2 years) benefits are worth it or not.

There is no right or wrong answer.

But since you said it is impossible to get commission it doesn't sound very good.

Hi HH, I interviewed last week at a GLC. The HR partner who was at the interview called me on Tues to tell me I was successful and ask for payslip so they can put together a salary offer.

Sent them my payslip the next day (wed). But till today no news yet. Should I be concerned or is it a norm to wait more than a few days?

Thx in advance!

It is the norm to wait long for offer, because very often, there are many levels they have to go thru to get multiple senior managers to sign off before they can hire anyone. This is also common in many MNC's.

It can even take longer than 2 weeks.

Do taking up related IT courses/certification within a timeframe push up the technical competence in the case for IT in Banking sector?

You must properly define what is IT banking.

Do you mean doing IT in a bank, working with technologies which are not in core banking? (Like cisco networking, wintel, desktop support, etc)

Or do you mean working with core banking technologies like Temenos, Odyssey Triple A?

If it is the former, then certificates will help, but if it is the latter, then not much you can do because working experience > certificates. (Unless you are going for project management, which means you might possibly benefit from taking PMP)

Hi HH,

Im interested to move to the finance sector. However, im holding an engineering degree and worked in manufacturing for about 2 year, im only 28 years old this year.

Is there any ways that I could break into the finance sector?

Thanks!

The absolute easiest way for someone to enter the financial sector with no experience is

1) Be a relationship manager
2) Be willing to work within operations, for either a local bank, or a foreign bank with not very strict requirements like a Japanese bank.

 

[Verghez]

Hi HH,

I would like to ask for your opinion on the following:-

Current job: 5k a month
Job Offer A: 6k a month (Introduced by Headhunter)
Job Offer B: 6k a month (Self-sourced + recommendation from employee, final round interview yet to pass)

I prefer job offer A, but can I use job offer B to bounce off the headhunter to help me negotiate for a higher offer for job offer A?

If so, or if not, could you share any tips on how to push job offer A to a higher base salary?

It is not a good comparison to use my current job base salary as a gauge (altho it is a given that any prospective employer will use it as a benchmark), cos there would be a drop in a few other things like allowances, bonuses and the new work hours are much longer.

 

[reavervon]

The absolute easiest way for someone to enter the financial sector with no experience is

1) Be a relationship manager
2) Be willing to work within operations, for either a local bank, or a foreign bank with not very strict requirements like a Japanese bank.

HI HH,

What about analysts such as fund analysts in banks?

Are they strict on the requirements on analyst jobs?


Thanks!

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

HI HH,

What about analysts such as fund analysts in banks?

Are they strict on the requirements on analyst jobs?


Thanks!

Depends on what kind of fund analysts. But typically they want people with some sort of business or accountancy kind of qualification.

Hi HH,

I would like to ask for your opinion on the following:-

Current job: 5k a month
Job Offer A: 6k a month (Introduced by Headhunter)
Job Offer B: 6k a month (Self-sourced + recommendation from employee, final round interview yet to pass)

I prefer job offer A, but can I use job offer B to bounce off the headhunter to help me negotiate for a higher offer for job offer A?

If so, or if not, could you share any tips on how to push job offer A to a higher base salary?

It is not a good comparison to use my current job base salary as a gauge (altho it is a given that any prospective employer will use it as a benchmark), cos there would be a drop in a few other things like allowances, bonuses and the new work hours are much longer.

In general, it is never good to use one company's offer to negotiate for a higher offer from another company, regardless of whether it is thru a HH or direct apply.

This is because, when a company decides to offer you the role, you do not know who they rejected (or not rejected), you also don't know the reason why they offered you.

They might also possibly think that, after you sign with them, if your current company counter offers you, you will choose to stay with them (for monetary reasons)

It might possibly be a case where they decided to pull the offer, and give the offer to another candidate (whom they have not yet rejected).

You must remember, one possible reason why a company is possibly willing to offer you in the first place is because your salary is lower than others (relative to the experience you have)

If you think that it is a risk worth taking, then go for it, but don't be disappointed if both companies pull the offer and give it to another candidate (it has happened before)

 

[Verghez]

In general, it is never good to use one company's offer to negotiate for a higher offer from another company, regardless of whether it is thru a HH or direct apply.

This is because, when a company decides to offer you the role, you do not know who they rejected (or not rejected), you also don't know the reason why they offered you.

They might also possibly think that, after you sign with them, if your current company counter offers you, you will choose to stay with them (for monetary reasons)

It might possibly be a case where they decided to pull the offer, and give the offer to another candidate (whom they have not yet rejected).

You must remember, one possible reason why a company is possibly willing to offer you in the first place is because your salary is lower than others (relative to the experience you have)

If you think that it is a risk worth taking, then go for it, but don't be disappointed if both companies pull the offer and give it to another candidate (it has happened before)

thank you for taking the time to reply me. Would you have any advice on how to ask for a higher pay package for job offer A without using job offer B as a chip?

An extra note of information is that I have done my market research and know that generally people with similar experience and industry can garner 500 dollars more per month. (in terms of annual pay package)

I am also aware that they like me and shouldn't have too much of a problem increasing it by a bit. However, my headhunter had already previously indicated that 6000 would be the expected pay. (although I indicated to my headhunter that I am looking for min 6k, but target 7k)

On a separate topic, I am also worried about accepting job offer A and how to tactfully reject job offer B without jeopardising future opportunities with them. Any tips on that?

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

thank you for taking the time to reply me. Would you have any advice on how to ask for a higher pay package for job offer A without using job offer B as a chip?

Tell the HH that if they offer you 6k you will reject the offer

An extra note of information is that I have done my market research and know that generally people with similar experience and industry can garner 500 dollars more per month. (in terms of annual pay package)

There is no such thing as "market rate", this is because a lot of things are very subjective, including how often you job hop.


I am also aware that they like me and shouldn't have too much of a problem increasing it by a bit. However, my headhunter had already previously indicated that 6000 would be the expected pay. (although I indicated to my headhunter that I am looking for min 6k, but target 7k)

How do you know they don't like the other candidate as much as you? But the reason why you are offered is because 1) Your salary is lower, 2) your notice period is shorter, 3) Any other reason?

On a separate topic, I am also worried about accepting job offer A and how to tactfully reject job offer B without jeopardising future opportunities with them. Any tips on that?

Just tell them that you have received another job offer and you will not be pursueing the role with them

 

[Verghez]

It's actually cos this industry is quite niche and for the experience, I am a perfect fit for their needs. Generally, other candidates won't have the same kind of exposure as I have, but they may partially fulfil their criteria.

They told me as much that it was hard to find a candidate with the right experience and the direct managers are looking forward to working with me.

Of course, I understand every candidate is different and it is really hard to get a 'market rate', hence i use it quite generally and with a pinch of salt. I will speak to the HH to help me push for something higher, as I may not wish to move if the package is not that attractive, especially since my current company values me a lot.

On that note, i know from the HH that the closest candidate before me was from a BB investment bank who was willing to take a paycut, but still is in a range much higher than mine. He might not have been hired due to pay requested. However, I feel that 500 increment is still much 'cheaper' than that candidate in particular at least.

Thanks for the tips

 

[reavervon]

Depends on what kind of fund analysts. But typically they want people with some sort of business or accountancy kind of qualification.

Hi HH,

Appreciate the reply.

Does it help to have a CFA despite having an engineering degree?


Thanks!

 

[SiaoNgeow369]

any chance for someone who is doing policy and planning work in public sector to get headhunted for some pvt sector position?

 

[lchungwe]

You must properly define what is IT banking.

Do you mean doing IT in a bank, working with technologies which are not in core banking? (Like cisco networking, wintel, desktop support, etc)

Or do you mean working with core banking technologies like Temenos, Odyssey Triple A?

If it is the former, then certificates will help, but if it is the latter, then not much you can do because working experience > certificates. (Unless you are going for project management, which means you might possibly benefit from taking PMP)



The absolute easiest way for someone to enter the financial sector with no experience is

1) Be a relationship manager
2) Be willing to work within operations, for either a local bank, or a foreign bank with not very strict requirements like a Japanese bank.

What i mean that I was used to work in IT Support Engineer and had related working experience in IT Service mgt but not doing full-time IT Service mgt roles.

Planned to go to IT Service mgt roles but if I supplement with IT Service mgt certifications. (ITIL Intermediate or even ITIL expert)

Mean I just supplement experience working IT service mgt with IT Service mgt.

that mean if there is some IT Service mgt roles, I need to be ready for IT Service mgt questions during interview.


2, I mean do banks look for skillsets/education or personality or both for best fit.

The recent interview was good in the 1st round with the hiring mgr with I had endless questions for 2 hours.

Then the 2nd interview was suppose to be a panel of 2 interviewers, end up of them were on mc that day, so only 1 interviewer.

Then what the 2nd interviewer cant judge much and the 2nd interviewer only ask 30 minutes.

I heard that the hiring mgr and the 2nd interviewer together with hr to come out with a decision.

Then my option is no no .

that why I do not know what to expect in an bank interview. That why I am puzzled about why I am not selected ...

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

Appreciate the reply.

Does it help to have a CFA despite having an engineering degree?


Thanks!

Well to be honest, you don't really need a CFA to do many things within banking.

It is probably more important to have an accountancy qualification, rather than a CFA. (while it is helpful to have a CFA, it is far more important to have a accountancy qualification if you are doing a role which is related to funds such as fund accounting)

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

any chance for someone who is doing policy and planning work in public sector to get headhunted for some pvt sector position?

Well if you work in MAS, or Temasek or GIC then yes.

Or you can apply for GLC companies.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

2, I mean do banks look for skillsets/education or personality or both for best fit.

Inside a bank, got 2 types of IT positions

1) Core IT banking
2) Non core IT banking

If you don't have relevant experience working within another bank, you probably will not get a job in a core IT banking domain (unless you are lucky, or accept an entry level job)

For non core IT banking, they look at first and foremost your technical skills, then how you can work under immense pressure, then your personality (in that order)

 

[walsly]

Hi HH,

If i have worked with 3-4 ex companies, do the hr of my new employer follow up with all of em for reference checks or just the most recent ones / or the ones with the longest stint

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

If i have worked with 3-4 ex companies, do the hr of my new employer follow up with all of em for reference checks or just the most recent ones / or the ones with the longest stint

depends on how long you worked in each company, and what role in what industry you are applying for.

If your employer is working in sensitive industries like banking, or government, they will engage a professional background check company to check on your past employers.

 

[g_t2006]

Hi HH,

I attended sort of an informal interview with the regional head when he was in SG. I meet all criteria except for experience. He asked me to think about 'it' and what is it that I really want, then inform him. He will consider me for the position if I'm still keen. Is this said mainly out of politeless or there is a chance I will be considered for the position?

 

[mazdaRX]

Hi HH, I'll like to ask in accounting jobs (full sets), is accounting software exposure really one of the main criteria?? I have 3 yrs plus of General accounting exp but didn't really handle the system cos it's outsource.

 

[dravidan]

hey hh, this is true anot?

http://lifehacker.com/the-red-flags-you-should-look-out-for-during-your-job-s-1699837172