"Israel stay an eye-opener for SMU student"

Yes, that SMU student was me. I was interviewed by The Business Times last week on my international exchange in Israel, and to my surprise, the interview was printed in today's issue of the paper! It presented a largely non-biased picture of Israel and the article was very well-written. You can view the printed version of the article here. Enjoy reading! =)

JOB FOUND! No more job-hunting (for now). Yes! =D

I headed to SMU after my early morning driving lesson at BBDC this morning. On the bus ride I received a phone call from HSBC's Human Resources Department. The first sentence the HR person said to me was "I've got a piece of good news for you". Immediately my face was beaming with a bright smile, and I knew that I've just been offered the position as a Personal Banking Associate (PBA) at HSBC Singapore! I've been job-hunting since the very last month of my international exchange in Israel, and at the same time, praying constantly to the Lord and asking Him to put me at the right place where I can utilise my talents, unleash my potential, be of influence in the marketplace and earn lots of income. Since my return to Singapore I didn't get to go for too many interviews... I guess my prayer was quite specific. Heh.

I was offered (unofficially) a senior executive position at the Singapore Land Authority, but my interest in working in a statutory board just didn't pick up (even though the Singapore Government has recently announced a significant pay rise for all civil servants). Another offer I have received was to work at the top agency in Prudential Assurance Singapore, but the thought of not having any basic salary during the starting months while staying in Singapore as a foreigner without a permanent home locally made me think twice about joining the agency. The application for the PBA programme at HSBC opened in early May. I submitted my resume through my cell group leader's referral (who is also working at HSBC) and afterwards, went through an online computerised assessment test, a programme briefing, and most recently, the assessment centre with an interview and two role-plays last Saturday. I was so happy when I received the call this morning, because not only I knew that I've performed decently well throughout the selection process, but also it was a job that I wanted and like, and I knew I am able to and will perform well in HSBC and rise in its ranks.

My training will start officially on Monday, July 2, and I will get to know which HSBC branch I will be posted to by end July. I will be required to pass and receive all the necessary certifications/qualifications in the first 3 months, and after that I will become a Personal Wealth Manager and be able to start providing services and earning sales commission. I am really excited to see how my career will take off and develop beginning this July. For now, I shall enjoy my 'June holidays' (literally!). Do visit me at HSBC once I confirm my branch ya? Haha! =D

What An Awful Day... =(

It's exceptionally rare for me to blog something with such a demoralising title... Well, no choice, I caught a bad cold yesterday, and this morning I realised I had a fever too. I felt really awful, especially the fever didn't go down after I took 8 paracetamol (panadol) pills in the past 24 hours (the maximum advised)! Haiz... I ended up staying at home the whole day, couldn't go to Hougang and help my friends to shoot the public singing and dancing performances by the students in the performance arts school they are working at, couldn't join my cell group at the first-ever family day celebration organised by my church at Singapore Expo, and it looks like I won't be able to send my friends off overseas at Changi Airport the next 2 early mornings too... all thanks to my illness. Sob... O Lord, please heal me!!!!!!!