How to start at a Bank!
 

Hello everybody!
I have a passion to work in a bank, however I am having a hard time getting into one :C Despite applying through every recruitment firm I can find (RE, Adecco, Randstad, Recruitfirst, Manpower, BGC, etc.) and even applying directly (Dammit Taleo!). All the time my application just gets ignored or rejected within a few hours.

Perhaps some recruitment specialists or just anyone, could give me some tips on how to get interviews. I'd be so grateful!

Some background about myself to give a clearer picture:
-I'm single, female and 26
-Diploma in Biomedical sciences (SP), Degree in Accountancy (SIM-RMIT)
-Have worked 3.5 years in a hospital as a Med Tech & 1 year (still current job) as an Accounts Assistant in a European Logistics MNC.
-My current pay is $2845, and my application to Bank jobs would be an asking salary of $2200~$2800
-I would apply for any position on job sites (Ops, Finance, Front line, Middle or Back office) and I'll be happy to take temp/contract roles

My problem is that usually the recruitment agency will call me and tell me they will send my resume and that's the last I hear back from him/her.
Any tips or ideas would be welcomed, thanks guys/girls! :D

*Oops forgot to add
 

Forgot to add
-My notice period is 1 month but I can offset 2 weeks with leave.

Thanks again!

Need to post your picture for better assessment

To be frank, it will be quite hard because based on this forum, there are MANY people eyeing to go into banking industry, Ivy league, local uni, private uni to diploma and etc. From the way you describe, you are like throwing yourself into this industry as you say that any role also can. As an employer/recruiter especially in banks, highly likely they wont accept, since you dont have a clear goal of what you want.

whats wrong with your current job? why so obsessed with joining a bank?

Thanks for the insight!
I actually want AML but I'm unable to get even a temp role without prior experience. Thinking if I should quit my current job since most contract bank roles want immediate availability.

My current company has a saturated middle management. My same positioned colleagues have been working here 5~15 years without promotion as there is no space to go any higher. Also, the location is in Jurong Island :s

How do you know it's not going to be the same in banks?

It probably maybe, but at least I'll be doing something I enjoy, and in a central location :p
Also banking experience is worth a lot on my resume

Dont quit your job because after reading ur background, it will be hard to get accepted into the banking industry as of now.

Firstly: You are unsure of what you are going to achieve. Medical Tech to assistant accountant. You also mention you want any job in banking industry?!

Secondly: You dont have experience in banking industry.

So, what I can suggest you is that look at the possible roles in banking industry to see what you want to do. Then apply for the specific job, like that your chance will be higher. Because even if you get into the interview, the interviewer will confirm as about your understanding of the role and etc. Then they will conduct assessment to see whether this job is suitable for you.

Hello Casie,

Noticed you switched your discipline of study from a biomedical science course to majoring accountancy for your degree. What made you steer to accountancy instead?

I suppose your ongoing job now as an account assistant is riding on the back of your accountancy degree? Ever considering an auditing track with SMEs?

Yes I took science when I was younger and more naive. But it does not pay the bills well hahaha! Thank you for taking the time to give me your advice. It makes a lot of sense ^^

Second this! Please don't enter this self-perpetuating cycle of leaving your job to focus and hunt the role you are after. Never do that. Follow what this poster has suggested. It's good advice!

To be honest my Accountancy degree results are just mediocre. I heard to get into Audit, I need to have top scores?

How do you know that you will enjoy banking when you have no experience?
also... many BO positions are not centrally located.
how is banking experience worth a lot on your resume? do you mean that you are attracted to the high salary?

I have always wanted to work in a bank since my uni days! The only reason why accepted my current job is to earn enough skills and experience for a bank to consider me. Didn't know most banks don't count it as relevant experience :C

No matter how non centrally located it is, it's nearer than Jurong Island hahaha! Even Changi bizpark is quicker to travel to (I live in the west).

When I say Banking experience is worth a lot, I mean hiring managers like to see it. So any kind of banking experience can open more doors in future.

I'm actually trying to get into AML/Compliance so I'll do anything to get any Banking exp, just so I can aim to apply for AML later.

You mentioned your accounting grades are mediocre. So why would you want to join a bank, where numbers and figures are not your forte? You just want to join a bank, despite having high probability of not performing well? In any case, the glamour of a banking job is like moth to fire.

Word of advice. Try going into companies for finance roles for at least 2 - 3 years experience, before applying for a job in the bank. You seemed to be confused about what you want, only knowing you want to enter the banking industry.

likely u are rejected due to no relevant exp. AML doesnt need accts exec exp. Your accts exec exp will be more suited to an accting role.

advise u to take a look at the requirements, here is an example for citi: ://jobs.citi.com/sg/singapore/anti-money-laundering/jobid7874780-ot-anti-money-laundering-(aml)-operations-analyst-jobs

relevant ones that u dont have are:
Minimal work experience required in Operations environment, willing to learn attitude

Knowledge of AML laws and regulations

Demonstrated ability to perform detailed analysis of raw data based on policy and work instructions

But I'll be so old when I enter the bank :x! haha!
Thank you for your advice.

Meh, a number of schoolmates I have that did worse than me are happily in banks/FI because their daddy play golf with the chairman kind
--

Hey there!
I know I'm lacking in the AML field so I've undertaken the ACAMS foundation course with the intention of doing the ACAMS certificate, only they need work experience/credits to enable me to sit for the exams. Also, I'm collecting credits through webinars, but I'm hoping to get some credits from work experience, as the webinars are about US$300 per session.
I've got a chicken and egg issue :x

means they got connection, do you have? Dont think so.

I can say it will be super duper hard for you to get in. enuff said. just continue your accounting job, slowly become accountant before moving forward. 1 year in accounting nia, you think bank want you meh. Got cert but no experience, even internship experience also dont have. hard la

It still doesn't answer the question - How do you know (back in uni) that you will enjoy banking when you have no experience?

typical singaporean mentality. That's why singaporeans always lose out to foreigners when it comes to finding jobs. That's how the world works - it's WHO you knows which matters, not WHAT you know. Especially true for the finance industry. personally, I'll spend less time with ACAMS and I'll spend more time going out there and networking with people.

3 pages and still no picture?

You're terrible with the picture requests HAHAHA! Just imagine the average Singaporean girl look la. Close enough.

Thanks guys for your input, it really helps put some perspective on the matter.
See, I'm networking with you now :X

Not bad. Witty yourself and have a sense of humour somewhat.

Hope you nail something to your liking down the road soon!

I strongly suggest that you upload your pic for a better profiling. Alternatively, you can post the 1st 7 digits of your mobile number. You don't have to share your full mobile number.

This is purely to assess and test how good you are at numbers.

Thank you! That's the best compliment anyone can get^^

@theProfiler: I admire your determination and adaptive strategies.

You guys have a great night!

How can I have a great night!?

Are you going to sleep :(

lowest barrier to entry bank job
1) Pfc(ocbc) Pb(UOB) RM(Dbs)
2) AML/kyc

You can't get either, I am loss for words.
You have LinkedIn? I can try to refer

Wow, thank you! Haha! Sorry to trouble you but I cannot private message you as you're a Guest. Plus, I don't think it's too smart to put my LinkedIn address here though... could you drop me a pm if it's not too much trouble? Sorry!

Sounds like a typical local freshie with below average academics and mediocre working experience falling in love with the idea of working in a bank.

I bet you this kind claim to be passionate with banking cannot even describe what a bank does in general.

Tip to TS: Banking is not about big pay big bonus, dolling up and strutting around in style at CBD living the socialite life. In fact most banking BO are averagely paid, get below public sector bonus, mixing around with your Chennai & Manila friends in various business park service centres.

And yes, the above posters are correct, you cannot even get into these jobs in a bank. Your only realistic chance is to go do frontline branch level sales, but then I bet you you will chicken out and all the bank passion will evaporate claiming you are not good in sales, dont want KPI, too stressful etc.

I have actually already applied for front line sales in the 3 local banks and a few large foreign ones. Awaiting replies to my applications.
Well, pm me your number and be my guinea pig cold call if I do get it!

for someone interested in aml, u havent posted a thing in the aml thread. speaks a lot about you.

she already say as long as the job is in a bank doesn't matter. aml is just a random term that gets thrown up becauz its in a bank.

I have read it and didn't feel like I have anything of value to add. Furthermore, all my questions about AML can be found easily online.
My situation now is getting my foot into the proverbial interview door.

That basically sums up your main problem, it's a typical mistake made by youngsters. You do not know or really care about any specific discipline or skillset, thinking that as long as you can "get a foot" everything will open up.

If AML is truly your passion, why are you applying for random jobs like branch sales that has nothing to do with AML? Please don't tell me it's this nonsense about as long as I can smoke my way into the bank I can "navigate" my way to the ideal jobs I want.

If you had even half a clue of how banks are structured and career mapping is done, you would have realised how idiotic your plan sounds. The skillsets, promotion, connections you are exposed to is so far from AML you might as well just join any other industry and hope for the best.

I am OK with youngsters lusting for big money and social prestige, but at least be honest to yourself of what you want. Don't tcss pretending that you are passionate on something but display absolutely no knowledge of it and just using it as a smokescreen.

Woah there! Don't pop a coronary, I swear you're getting more worked up over me, than I am getting worked up over online HR portals!
Well firstly I do somewhat know the bank structure (I have friends working in a few. Yes, I have asked them to refer me. No, it didn't work as HR rejects my application citing "No banking experience")
Anyways, regarding my lack of knowledge on AML, I do have to agree with you. I have zero knowledge on practical Anti Money Laundering. I do have, however, theoretical knowledge as I will listen to webinars (free ones, cos I'm cheap like that) and have done the online courses.
Now, you seem to have a clearer idea of the banking career path, so help me! What can I do to get into my dream job?
So far I have:
-Been applying for every AML/KYC job that appears on job boards and individual bank sites. (And other entry level bank jobs, since I want to cast a wider net after not getting replies for a long time)
-Pm-ed people on LinkedIn introducing myself and asking for a referral in :X (yea I know, creepy. Although no one replies, and rightly so hahaha! I mean I wouldn't if some random person asked me that)
-have not tried badgering the AML people on this forum yet though, I should go do it now :D

Any constructive suggestions will be appreciated, unconstructive ones won't appreciated that much, but hey! If it floats your boat

forget it lah, every season you find thousands of this kind get buried and life goes on. u really think she care abt what anyone here say meh? she cannot even secure a 1st rd interview, just dreaming someone can share with her magic pill/advice to let her suddenly ace & get the dream banking job. come & go, not the first nor the last joker.

I like your never say die attitude. Good! I support your courage. Attend those events where you can socialize with managers or directors from the bank. Will be a great step to your career. Dont care what others think. Also quit your job now, so that in any case if there is a opportunity, you can jump in straight away