Dilemma in choosing my offer, Help!

Originally Posted by ilhappy

I believe there will be a penalty if I were to sign the contract and quit earlier. So are you suggesting that getting the perm that requires you to work during PH/start at 6.30am/work on saturday is better? Because I am slightly declined to such working hours as it will affect my other commitment. And also, once perm, i have to stay for at least 1-3 years, even after 1 year, I want to quit, it does not reflect well on my CV isnt it?

May I suggest you quickly book an appt with your university career services to seek professional advice. I believe they are better equip to advice you on your path forward. Since you are a fresh grad, you wouldnt want to make a first wrong step.

If you are not comfortable with talking to your uni, you may wish to seek advice from wda agencies, caliberlink etc.

://.wda.gov.sg/content/wdawebsite/L215-ContactUs01/L315D-ContactCareerCtr.html
://.caliberlink.gov.sg/content/cetblog/web/for-candidate/our-services/career-coaching-services.html

I'm quite surprise a 2nd upper in Economics can only land up with 2 such unattractive offers. Is it from NUS or private uni?

If from NUS it means something is wrong with the way you apply jobs, write cv or attend interviews, might want to take a closer look at it. Usually with such good results should be able to get at least a perm analyst sort of role in public sector or big local company...

Don't shortchange yourself .

If you go to ops at least join the graduate program and not some stupid contract role that are full of private uni grads.

Then again if u need the money, just take it and look around.

And do u realize what banking ops is about?

[ilhappy]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;53963]I'm quite surprise a 2nd upper in Economics can only land up with 2 such unattractive offers. Is it from NUS or private uni?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm quite surprise a 2nd upper in Economics can only land up with 2 such unattractive offers. Is it from NUS or private uni?

If from NUS it means something is wrong with the way you apply jobs, write cv or attend interviews, might want to take a closer look at it. Usually with such good results should be able to get at least a perm analyst sort of role in public sector or big local company...

I'm from nus/ntu/smu. It's not easy to enter the MA/graduate program, I have applied many jobs directly but not short listed or replies. I believe they do internal hiring/referral and hencey cv is filter out, at the same time, I'm at a disadvantage as employers prefer candidates with working experience. In additon, many companies outsource their hiring, hence outsourced recruiters will look for candidates with relevance working experience as that's the criteria stated by the employees, hence I am unable to be short listed for perm position through the recruiters agent. I have friends who have been doing contract for 1 year plus as the banks are cutting jobs and also they do not have the head count to convert contract into perm. I think that even if bank have the head count, they will give the priority to the ones whose doing contract with them rather than a nus/ntu/smu fresh grad without working experience, as that's a risk for them to take. I have spoke to agency recruiter and that's where I get my information from. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I am also surprised how difficult it is and that private sector emphasis a lot on working experience then academic. Well that's the truth I have to accept.

The 2nd offer is a perm position. I agree the 4 months contract is not a good position. But the perm? How do you define good job? Sales? Otherwise, in banks I think majority (>50%) are doing bank ops/back end+middle office.

[QUOTE=ilhappy;53972]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm quite surprise a 2nd upper in Economics can only land up with 2 such unattractive offers. Is it from NUS or private uni?


I'm from nus/ntu/smu. It's not easy to enter the MA/graduate program, I have applied many jobs directly but not short listed or replies. I believe they do internal hiring/referral and hencey cv is filter out, at the same time, I'm at a disadvantage as employers prefer candidates with working experience. In additon, many companies outsource their hiring, hence outsourced recruiters will look for candidates with relevance working experience as that's the criteria stated by the employees, hence I am unable to be short listed for perm position through the recruiters agent. I have friends who have been doing contract for 1 year plus as the banks are cutting jobs and also they do not have the head count to convert contract into perm. I think that even if bank have the head count, they will give the priority to the ones whose doing contract with them rather than a nus/ntu/smu fresh grad without working experience, as that's a risk for them to take. I have spoke to agency recruiter and that's where I get my information from. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I am also surprised how difficult it is and that private sector emphasis a lot on working experience then academic. Well that's the truth I have to accept.

The 2nd offer is a perm position. I agree the 4 months contract is not a good position. But the perm? How do you define good job? Sales? Otherwise, in banks I think majority (>50%) are doing bank ops/back end+middle office.

I think you are going about this the wrong way.

I don't know what sort of management graduate programs you have been applying, but if it's those global atas ones like P&G, Unilever, Shell, BCG, Mackenzie, IBM, Google, JPM, GS, BP etc. then I suggest you stop wasting time there, they are not interested in a 2nd class honors from a local uni.

If it's local company graduate program or smaller mnc sort of entry level executive/analyst role, I am quite surprise that you cannot secure an offer in this space as your academics are actually quite good. If you cannot even get an offer in this space, likely something is wrong in the way you write your CV or the way you conduct yourself in the interview. Might want to seek professional advice on those.

Most low level recruitment activities are outsourced to agents nowadays and that is nothing new. There will always be jobs for freshies as there are for experienced hires, your lack of success might be symptom of more deeper problem. It is not just employers only want experienced hires. Among a batch of new school leaver, probably <5% are management program type, the rest 95% is just normal hire - this does not explain your lack of success.

Also I notice you keep mentioning about banks only. Only the real ivy elites or well connected can afford to pick and choose their employers because everyone is rushing to sign them up. You are in no position to do that now. Continue down this path and all you will get is all these unwanted leftover jobs.

Don't waste your good academics for some low level banal operations job in a bank, you are just limiting your career growth by insisting on only joining a bank even if the offer sux. The sort of offers you are getting is usually taken up people with lousier results in a local uni or bought their degree from some private school.

[boongaylim]

Originally Posted by ilhappy

... are you suggesting that getting the perm that requires you to work during PH/start at 6.30am/work on saturday is better? Because I am slightly declined to such working hours as it will affect my other commitment. And also, once perm, i have to stay for at least 1-3 years, even after 1 year, I want to quit, it does not reflect well on my CV isnt it?

When starting a career, I suggest you do not be so choosy. For that matter, anytime you don't have a job, don't be so choosy.

Many people start work at 6.30, almost everyone starts by 9. What time will you be off? Will you get comp off for Saturday/PH? Take into account all these factors.

Only family is a bigger commitment than a job. And you don't even have this perm job at the moment.

Wake up and smell the coffee, bro!!!

How about thinking of opening ur own rating agency

U have a unique and interesting way of rating fi

Ur tier 1 and 2 is in terms of what? Asset size? Capital ratios? IDR? Brand name? Banking scandals and lawsuits?

For HSBC and citi to be a lower tier with Barclays/CS

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How about thinking of opening ur own rating agency

U have a unique and interesting way of rating fi

Ur tier 1 and 2 is in terms of what? Asset size? Capital ratios? IDR? Brand name? Banking scandals and lawsuits?

For HSBC and citi to be a lower tier with Barclays/CS

lol, i believe citi, BOA, UBS, barclays, CS, GS, JP, MS and DB to be in the same tier.

So what is TS's final decision?

Contract is definitely not good in terms of benefits at least. And affect CV if you earn yourself too many contracts.