OCBC Graduate Talent Programme 2019 (Previously Young Banker)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You should think twice about operations... operations in local bank are among the most boring, routine and manual jobs out there. Do it long enough and you will be stuck, because the job requires no real skill. Back office jobs are also unprestigious... not something you will be proud of telling your relatives this cny.

Relative: Ah boy ar, whoa so fast you working already, where you work ar....
You: In a bank
Relative: Ah what bank, heard bank pay very well, JPmorgan citibank Credit suisse?
You: OCBC
Relative: oh local bank ah... still not bad la, what job you do?
You: operations
Relative: Oh.

I guess it's still better than being jobless

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I haven't got call for panel interviews yet. I applied for GLRC.

What role? I applied for GLRC as well

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You should think twice about operations... operations in local bank are among the most boring, routine and manual jobs out there. Do it long enough and you will be stuck, because the job requires no real skill. Back office jobs are also unprestigious... not something you will be proud of telling your relatives this cny.

Relative: Ah boy ar, whoa so fast you working already, where you work ar....
You: In a bank
Relative: Ah what bank, heard bank pay very well, JPmorgan citibank Credit suisse?
You: OCBC
Relative: oh local bank ah... still not bad la, what job you do?
You: operations
Relative: Oh.

BO roles still pay pretty decent (if compared to the average fresh grad job across the board) Like what the post above said, better than being jobless.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What role? I applied for GLRC as well

They nvr specific a role, u went for panel interview alr? If u went, when was it?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

BO roles still pay pretty decent (if compared to the average fresh grad job across the board) Like what the post above said, better than being jobless.

I don't deny that BO roles pay decently. In fact, OCBC GTP and most other bank fresh grad programmes don't pay less just because it's a BO role. So the problem is not so much starting pay rather than future pay (and progression). Your FO and MO peers would be earning more than you in 3-5 years' time I can guarantee you that. Reason is because BO roles are simple, so labour supply is high. In ops, as a local uni grad, you'll be competing with private uni grads, 3rd tier overseas uni grads and experienced aunties and uncles. In tech, you'll be competing with CECA Indians. Last I checked, there are over a billion of them. SG banks' tech divisions are 80% Indians, I kid you not. They are simply unable to attract local talent, because much of the work involves archaic IT systems that no local CS grad worth their salt would want to do. The local grads they attract almost all come from non-tech related courses looking to kickstart a lucrative career in tech. Most will end up disappointed, as not only are the systems and programming languages so dated that they are used by few other companies, "digital transformation" is more marketing phrase than reality. Lastly, I heard that progression in ops and tech in OCBC GTP is slower than in other divisions as well, especially from Manager to AVP rank.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You should think twice about operations... operations in local bank are among the most boring, routine and manual jobs out there. Do it long enough and you will be stuck, because the job requires no real skill. Back office jobs are also unprestigious... not something you will be proud of telling your relatives this cny.

Relative: Ah boy ar, whoa so fast you working already, where you work ar....
You: In a bank
Relative: Ah what bank, heard bank pay very well, JPmorgan citibank Credit suisse?
You: OCBC
Relative: oh local bank ah... still not bad la, what job you do?
You: operations
Relative: Oh.

Seconded. Local bank BO is dead end job with very stale career advancement prospects. Dont be fooled by the above average starting pay because you can be damn sure even a Big4 audit associate with 3k starting will earn more than you in 5 years.

Look further ahead guys, dont just tunnel vision the 3.8k starting pay.

Hi guys, I have just been shortlisted for a first round online interview for GTP 2021 with the HR and hiring manager. Can I just check what kind of questions do they usually ask for the first round? Is it more fit or technical based? Thanks! Also, is the starting salary really only 3.8k?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi guys, I have just been shortlisted for a first round online interview for GTP 2021 with the HR and hiring manager. Can I just check what kind of questions do they usually ask for the first round? Is it more fit or technical based? Thanks! Also, is the starting salary really only 3.8k?

Local banks don't pay well, but make up for it with stability and job security. So 3.8k sounds just about right. Won't be surprised if it's slightly lower.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi guys, I have just been shortlisted for a first round online interview for GTP 2021 with the HR and hiring manager. Can I just check what kind of questions do they usually ask for the first round? Is it more fit or technical based? Thanks! Also, is the starting salary really only 3.8k?

What division did u apply for?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Seconded. Local bank BO is dead end job with very stale career advancement prospects. Dont be fooled by the above average starting pay because you can be damn sure even a Big4 audit associate with 3k starting will earn more than you in 5 years.

Look further ahead guys, dont just tunnel vision the 3.8k starting pay.

In audit, they get their industry certification after 3 years, after which if they decide to jump, they can expect a good increment. If they want worklife balance instead, they can switch to do internal audit at a normal company. Basically, there's a skill ladder to climb.

In BO, there is no such thing as industry certification, because no one gets a cert for doing data entry and processing well. Even if you're in so-called project teams, you will be spending more time getting approvals and convincing stakeholders to implement your proposed changes than on actually coming up with ideas and implementing them. FYI, local bank ops are filled with boomers who want nothing more than to do the same thing day in day out till the day they retire. So long as your proposal affects their workflow, you will have better luck squeezing blood out of wood than getting them onboard, efficiency be damned.