PFL BCA - Duty Officer Internship [KCU Kalimalang]

The Duty Officer Pin

It has been a long three days and I haven't get a chance to write any good blogpost for a while and I am going to be quite buzy for couple weeks ahead so I this is might be a good time to write a post. 

Today (2/12) is my last day of DO. In fact, I am doing my DO report at the moment. 

My Report Cover Page

If you ask me what it felt like? The answer is:

It was tiring but rewarding at the same time

Tired part, no question needed! If you are not tired, or have a sore feet, or have a blisters all over your feet, it is not DO. I have blisters and band-aid all over my feet on the day 2. 

Pardon my toes but I really want to post them. =P

Rewarding part, I cannot really explain this very well but you kinda get the feeling of satisfaction from all the help and services that you provided for the customers and how some of them reply by showing gestures of thankfulness. I am proud and happy at the same time when that happen. This is when I really think to myself that this is a good job. That I might do well in this job, that I want to do well.

OK, so I was 'randomly' placed at BCA KCU Kalimalang, East Jakarta. 

BCA KCU Kalimalang

Considering the place that I am renting right now, it was far far far away. According to Google Maps, it was 22 KM away!!

Taken at 23:38
It should take around 1 hour by car on working hours.

I was considering using Gojek but because my parents were too worried of the long distance road, I ended up staying at relatives' house for 5 days (since Friday night) which was awesome!! HAHA!

What about BCA KCU Kalimalang?

• They have the best, kindest, loveliest, angelic Kalay (Kelapa Layanan) EVERRR!! (or so from the little comparison that I have)

• They are big! The building itself consist of 4 floors + basement. I made some maps for my ppt. 

First Floor: Teller and ATM
(I put some watermarks)

Second Floor: Prioritas, CSO, SDB
(I put some watermarks)

• The atmosphere is much more relax and lenient than my first intern branch (KCU Thamrin) and it is much much much more crowded with customers ranging from senior citizen to students.

• There are a lot of securities and they are friendly and highly educated about the products and procedures. They make a good DO partners. Honestly, on my first day the Teller's DO was 'borrowed' by smaller branch and I need to get by the whole day as DO, alone. On my first day. On Monday (Ughh, busy Monday! The branches closed around 15:15 and 'really closed' around 16:00).  I receive a great help from the security officers.

To Do List (Preparation):

• Buy a comfortable shoes (some branches allows black flat shoes, it will be nice if you get information ahead, I didn't)

• If you have time and resources, check out the locations one day before. If possible, get to know if you can wear flat shoes for DO (girls only)

• Come early on your first day. First impression lasts forever! 

• Get to know the branch layout and counters! (you will be questioned about this a lot!!!)

• Get to know the forms needed for each transactions (for both teller and CSO forms, learn how to fill in as well. A lot of customers are confused you have to be able to guide them through)

• Drink enough water and bring some candy. You will be greetings people all the time, you do not want to have a bad breath.

• Ask where to have lunch in the morning while everyone is still not too busy.
• Take enough pictures to be put on your report.

To Do List (While On Duty):

• Smile and Greet, Always!!

• Ask if you do not know! Do not give some random answers, it will get back to you.

• Check the forms, do not let them run out.

• Help the customers that look confused or worried. They are the one who needed help the most.

• Do not act high and mighty. Learn from everyone. Remember that everyone is smarter and more experienced than you! Do never act differently to people just because of their background! Treat others the way you want to be treated! (one of my life motto).

• Learn from your mistakes. Do not repeat the same mistakes!

DO Report:

• Do not forget to take pictures
• Ask the Kalay for in-depth information (branch hierarchy, majority transactions, etc)
• Remember the layout
• Remember each touching/important moments
• Take note of possible improvements
• Do it ASAP. You only have little time to finish this one

That's all.
You shall be fine.

Remember to be friendly and down to earth! 

Use this chance to the fullest to get the enough the experience needed for your job later at branch office.

This is nearly the end of the in-class training.
Use this time efficiently and spend quality time with your beloved classmates.
I would suggest to start packing your stuff. The books weight around 3 KGs each. You will need space for uniforms as well (2 blazers, 3 blouses, skirts, and long pants), for men you will need to make your own pants!

PFL BCA - Valuable Person by MIC

Its me on the bus with my name tag.
See the tagline: VALUABLE PERSON
TRY NOT TO BECOME A PERSON OF SUCCESS BUT RATHER TRY TO BECOME A MAN OF VALUE

As one part of our PFL Training, it is compulsory for us to join the Valuable Person Training at Lor In Hotel, Sentul. The training will only be held for 2 days 1 night but I guarantee that you will get to learn a lot.

On the D day, you will need to be at Wisma Asia 2 by 6.30 AM latest or you will be left behind.

The journey only took 1-1,5 hours. It is quite close by.

This picture is taken the moment we enter the Hotel.
It is still on construction progress. It is still dusty and look incomplete.
Anyway, it is not a uniform given by the committee, we are buying the same polo shirt as our class 'code'.

We are allowed to bring our phone with us but I was too busy socializing and eating and taking selfies that I forgot to take picture of the hotel itself. I will put some of my selfies pictures, tho.

My overall impression of the training is that:

It was not exactly and eyeopening as I have personally know most of the material but it was quite a reassurance of the values that I have held.

The trainers' efforts and speeches are genuinely heartfelt.

They let us know by examples. Some of the examples are their own experience and some they let us experience it ourselves. I often felt their sincerity through those stories.

I learn to be thankful for every little things that I have; especially those blessings that I have taken for granted all this while.

This is the sort of training that every person should go to!

You will get a lot of things on this training. It was called experimental training. It will taught you how to be grateful for everything.

• For things that we often taken for granted like our eyes, limbs, and voice. Remember that God was never obliged to give us a complete body with good eyes to see the world,  voice to talk, or good ear to listen but He did. That is a blessing that we usually neglect. 

• For our parents and siblings. That we are still be given time and chances to be with them and share our happiness with them. That they are still alive and well is a blessing that we need to be thankful for, everyday.
• For our job and our financial situation. We might not be happy with our current job. We might be tired of routine and stress from our job. But we still need to be thankful that we still have a job where there are thousands of jobless people, dreaming for a chance to be in our current position. We need to be happy for what we are paid for and instead of complaining and being idle, we need to work harder to get an even higher pay and position in the future. Like I said in my previous post, "It doesn't matter where you start, what matters is how you will finish." =)

• For our dreams and hope. "We need to look down to learn how to be grateful, but we also have to look up to know that we can still thrive." this is one of the sentence that I have heard/read somewhere and it has left a mark in my brain ever since. We should be thankful that we are still be allowed to dream and hope and that we are taking all the efforts we have to make it into realization. We must not surrender to our fate but we have to fight to overcome it. 



A famous inspiring quote by our first president, Ir Soekarno:
"Place your dream as high as the sky... because if you fall, you will fall among the stars"

• And more things that I couldn't mentioned one by one.

There are lots of surprises and experiences that you should experienced for yourself and I will not let myself spoiling your excitement by giving too much information.

What you should bring:

• Toiletries (the hotels amenities is limited)
• Tissues (do not ask why. Just trust me and bring it)
• Towels, we have a hard time getting towels. We waited until over 8 pm to get the towel.
• Comfortable shoes or flat shoes, no slippers. There are some outdoor activities.
• Snacks for supper if you usually had one.
• Water bottle (I am a heavy water drinker.. so...)
• Money, at least bring Rp 100,000,- (trust me, you will need this)
• Clothes (2 or more Jeans trousers - no shorts, T-shirts/Polo shirts as needed, others as needed)
• Hair ties for you, girls with long hair.
• Hairdryer!!
• Jacket or cardigans (outdoor activities, remember?)
• Personal meds if you think you will need them.
• Do not need to bring any stationary, it will be provided.
• Open mind and ready to learn mindset.

You are ready to go.
Enjoy!

Oh and we are given a certificate too!!
Will upload the picture of the certificate later.

PFL BCA - On Job Training (Observasi Cabang)

This is a really late post as I was writing this post around 10 days after it ends.

As a part of my journey on the PFL program on BCA, I have to undergone the 4 days observation training at BCA Main Branch. The branch that we are assigned for are choose randomly. I was lucky to be placed at Thamrin Branch. It was located in the same building as the HQ, Menara BCA and they are the pilot branches. Everything there is sophisticated and advanced.

There are 2 types of CSO here, counter and desk. 

We are supposed to be assigned to each one for 2 days, then switch to the other ones. 

On my first 2 days I was suppose to be placed at CSO Desk. 

Desk job is more complicated yet interesting for me than Counter as they involved complains submission and bank account opening.  I honestly have encounter lots of interesting cases and customer and I have learned a hell lot from these two days. I think I will have a love hate relationship with this job later tho...

CSO Desk KCU Thamrin

Ohhh.. I actually wonder where I should put the bad part of the observation in this post, but I decided to put it here. 

Be Prepared to have Your Legs and Feet Hurts Like Hell!

(Honestly, not only your feet. Your toes and back will be sore as well)

You have to stand from 8 AM to 15 PM (Service Hour) with only 45 minutes breaks in between!

Me after day one

As you can see, the layout for CSO Desk is not really comfortable and the Branch is not exactly a crowded branch so in order to get a lot of knowledge, I have to hop from one table to another to listen and observed. I have been a good friend with the wall and the bamboo. LOL. Some of the customers pitied me a told me to sit down, some thought that I am auditing the CSO officer. Double LOL.

I get to know a lot of types of products that I have yet to learn, about types of customers, about how to handle complains, about how to build relationships with customers and colleagues. It was a good experienced. I was really lucky that the colleagues there are so friendly and supportive. I hope that KCU Pontianak (my placement branch) will be as or even more friendly and accepting. :')

After 2 days and worn out leg, I switch to the Counter Job.  

CSO Counter BCA Thamrin

Counter are for fast services. Things are simpler here and lots more crowded than Desk, but customer get angry easier here as they are not comfortable (not sitting) and the queue will usually be quite long. 

I have leaned about the Counter job before and I deepen my understanding during my observation here. 

Overall, it was a good experience but a torture for my legs and toes. 

I do not think that I will survive day 5. LOL.

My advice for all you fellow having to do this observation duty is: 

• Wear comfortable shoes (Please... this is so DAMN important)
• Eat breakfast! You will stand up for hours. You do not want to faint in front of the customer, trust me.
• Check out your placement branch the day before. It is not nice to be late on your 1st day just because you are lost.
• Smile to everyone and be friendly. You are the new kid, remember.
• Bring your water bottle, you are allowed to drink (but ask your seniors)
• Be tidy and professional (hair, clothes, and shoes) as you are part of their branch now. Be an asset not a liability.
• Bring small notes to jot down any questions and ONLY ASK after the service hour!!
• Do not forget to ask where to get lunch, you do not want to be left behind!!
• Write your questions and answers clearly. You will have to do a report later. Keep it in mind.

That is all. Good Luck!

You are good to go

BCA Frontliner Recruitment Journey (Part 2)

This post is somewhat a continuation to my previous post about BCA Recruitment 

As a part of Frontliner Program, I will need to go through a 2 months training at Jakarta which is suppose to start on October 19th. 

However, another unexpected things happens! BCA never cease to surprise me, I guess. I submitted all of the documents above yesterday on September 23th, 10 AM. On around 4 PM the same day I was called by the Head of Operational to be prepared as I will join the class that will be held on September 28th and I have to leave for Jakarta the next day on September 24th!!! I was utterly shocked.

But then again, life is all about unexpected changes. So, I accept the early schedule! (They emailed me the draft of Employment Contract, because the moment the flight ticket was bought, there is no way back expect paying the penalty). Then, all I remember is that: it was a rush night. I haven't had all the stuff I need for the training so I was jumping all around town to buy them. I cancelled all my appointments with friends and families scheduled for the next few days and I finished packing around 10 PM. Honestly, I am quite upset that I missed a trip to the beach with my little sister and mom because I will not be here on October :'( 

Nevertheless, I was ready then.
Although I have this ominous feeling that the flight will be cancelled as the haze is ready bad today.
Check out my previous post about this. 

On the D-day, September 24th I was really worried as the haze has turns really really bad. I called the airlines company and they told me that the flight from 6 AM on wards has been canceled as the plane from Jakarta cannot land because of the haze.

Haze Situation on Ayani Road, Pontianak, Indonesia

Haze Situation on Ayani II Road, Pontianak, Indonesia

Those are photos taken on my way to the airport. 

Nevertheless, I still think that there is hope. So I went there on 2.45 and checked in. The airport was super crowded. I met a lot of people who missed their flight yesterday and was switch to today's flight. The ladies behind the counter told me that the flight was delayed from 15:20 to 17:30. 

I checked in my luggage and I was just sat on the bench for 5 minutes when I heard the announcement that my flight was canceled and I need to take care of my transfer on the counter. 

Why did you checked my luggage in, then?

Shown on the counter

I came to the counter and there is already a long queue of people behind the counter. There is no more available flight for today so everyone will be switched to tomorrow. I didn't get the earliest flight tomorrow which is 10.30 because the lady behind the counter told me that morning flight is risky as the haze is more prominent during the day. So I chose the earliest afternoon schedule available, which is 17.05

Wish Me Luck!

This means I still have one day to stay at home but I will miss the contract signing!! 

I will just pray that everything will be fine tomorrow and I can arrive at Jakarta before Monday. The HR Department has already contacted the HQ at Jakarta that my flight has been delayed due to force-majeure.

On 25 September, again the weather shows no improvement, at all. According to Indonesian BMKG sites the visibility is only 0.8 KM. My friends flight was delayed from 10 AM to 7.30 PM. At 5.45, there are already 2 GARUDA flight that was cancelled as the plane cannot land due to thick haze. At this point, I am really worried that I won't be able to be in Jakarta by Monday. But then, around 6 PM, I heard 2 planes were landing!! Those two are LION AIR and GARUDA INDONESIA! That is HOPE!

I was waiting there with my mom for another announcement. The airport is really packed!! I will never ever buy a plane ticket during this time even if you pay it for me, if not for Job-Related-Cannot-Cancel purpose. Around 6.30, the airport let out an announcement calling all passengers of GARUDA flight GA 507 to on board the plane!! I am so lucky as my flight, GA 507 which is suppose to fly at 17.05 today was not cancelled and I manage to fly around 7 PM! Waiting for my luggage and taxi takes ages! I reached my rental room around 10! SAFE!! That is a lot of things happen at once, thanks to BCA!

Anyway, my class is going to start at this Monday. 

I will keep you guys updated about the schedule of the program soon!

------------------------- JUST AN EXTRA NOTE -------------------------

I am tired and I am a mess. The room that I rent, which I ordered online due to tight schedule (read about ti here) was also a mess. It doesn't look anything like the picture they posted on Internet and I am greatly disappointed because they didn't even clean the room. I am DEAD tired but I cannot sleep in a dusty room! I am allergic to dust and dirt, I do not want to have reddish skin on my first day. That is not pretty. 

The bathroom is no better and the water is running really really slow and it is dirty. I have this itch all over my body. I tried to filter the water tap the next day with my wet tissue and guess what I found out?

I was shocked!!
Truly, Madly, Deeply.
This is the "dirt" that was filtered through my wet tissue.
No wonder I am itching all over!

That's it! I am moving ASAP!

Looking for a good rental room around Slipi Kemangisan!

ASAP!!

The Failure, The Acceptance, and Hopefully the Success (part 3) + BCA Frontliner Recruitment Journey

This is a continuation post of my previous struggle. You can read part 1 and part 2 here. 

Back for 1 months and until yesterday, I was on a recruitment process from one of the biggest bank in Indonesia, BCA. 

You know this bank right?

If you are asking why I choose to work there?
Here are the reason why?

• They are the best that I can get here in Pontianak
• They are biggest private bank (non-government) in Indonesia
• They are kind to their employee (allowing rooms to develop and grow, good pays, lots of activities with prizes: overseas travelling!)
• They pay is above average compared to other banks
• Career ladder available if you are potential employee

But as they are big, they put a huge standard barrier for who ever entering the company. There are couple tests and interviews that the potential employees have to get through in order to join the company.

YES!!!

I have honestly throw away all my greed and ambition. I submitted my CV and then I was called 5 days later (on Friday) for a psychology test somewhere far from home. I really really really had a difficulty finding the place as I have never been to that area before. There were 12 of us.
For you guys living in Pontianak Area and are called for the psychology test at Phenomenon, Batara Indah I Blok A, you are looking for a housing complex (RUKAN perumahan). Go through the side door. The front door won't open and there is a name sign. The alley to the Rukan was right beside the big green mosque. Go straight after Mitra Mart.

I was then called for an interview with the HRD on Thursday morning, a week after. The interview is suppose to end after 15 minutes somehow extended to 45 minutes! I have a good talk with the two ladies. They are kind and facilitating. I was applying for what-so-ever job opening available at the bank at the moment. The available job is Magang Bakti, a program which is a contract job that have a chance of being the permanent employee through tests after a year. I honestly have no problem with that but somehow people around me have big problems with it. HAHA. FYI, I graduated from a University in Malaysia. I personally do not really care. I believe that BCA is fair and if I am doing a great job, they would want to promote me for sure. It doesn't matter where you start anyway. The interview ended up really really well, I guess. Because I was called for an interview with the Head of Operational that evening, for Friday the next day. There were only 6 of us left at this point.

I thanked God that the process was so extremely fast!! Friday I met the Head of Operational Division. She is a very beautiful lady. The interview went out really smooth and it only lasted for 15 minutes. After that we were told to do a medical check up (no fasting needed) at Biomedis Lab (near Ligo).
For you guys living in Pontianak Area, I suggest you to do the check up on 5 PM instead of 8 AM as you will need to do a hell lot of running around the town. After your blood and urine taken, you will do a lung roentgen at the other Biomedis that only open at 5 PM! Then you will have to go to dr. Joseph at Jeruju (opposite the big Petrol Station) to take some physical examination. Then you will have to bring the results back to the first Biomedis Lab. What a long and messy trip, right? *sigh
I actually went to the Lab around 8 AM and surprisingly I got a phone call from the HRD that I have to do another additional interview with the HQ HRD on SATURDAY! I honestly thought I heard it wrong. Saturday? For real? However, after double checking and a bit confusion, I agreed to it. I finished my medical check up on Friday. Anyway, on this stage there were only 3 of us left.

On Saturday, I met with one of the Pontianak's HRD and the HQ's HRD. I met some girls from Magang Bakti program as well. I filled the permanent employee form!! That gives me some weird hope, honestly. After that, it was another casual interview that went quite well. I was offered a Marketing position which I was somewhat hesitated at that moment. But I answered her that: "If BCA think that I am capable of, and I was given the chances, I will take it" and that is all. I went home with a lot of question in my head. I was the only one out of 3 of us called for this interview. 

On Monday two days after the additional interview, I was called by Ms. Irene. I will be placed on Marketing Division and I need to do another online test. There are 4 test: Logical, Numerical Interpretation, Language Interpretation, Psychology. All are timed except for the Psychology test. I did the example test quite well but the main test quite poorly, I guess. IDK.

I was then waiting and hoping until I had a call from Pontianak's HRD to meet the Head of Operational once again on Thursday. I was scared and exited for unknown reasons. I came so early that I waited for 45 minutes. LOL, so eager. I was told that I didn't reach up to the HQ's standard for the Marketing Division, so I will still be posted as a Frontliner, but not on Magang Bakti's Program. I cannot be happier. It is the Frontliner Program! The Head of Operational asked for my commitment as the class will only begin on End of October and the quota for Pontianak is only 1 person and for this period, it will be me! She then explained to me about the benefits and the training and everything. Thank you God!!!!

For someone who has thrown away all hope for the better, this is an unexpected joy. The only thing that I need to do is to do another medical check up (Urine Test) and to prepare all the needed documents!

There needed documents are:

• Original SKCK (Surat Keterangan Catatan Kepolisian), you will need:
• Rp 10,000 for Registration
• Surat Kelurahan (Surat Pernyataan Diri)
• Photo 4x6 (2pcs), 2x3(1pc) - Red Background
• Copy of Family Registry
• SKCK Form
• You will have to have your finger prints taken first (The registration fee is Rp 10,000)
• Copy of 1st page Saving Book (for Salary transfer)
• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of Family Registry
• Copy of ID Card + Mom ID Card
• Copy of NPWP
• Photo 4x6 (2 pcs) - Red Background
• BPJS Form (if you already have it)
• 3-4 Forms ( you will get these from them)

It took me 2 days to collect all documents and submit them to BCA HRD! 

It really takes time and patient to collect the documents.
The SKCK needs so many documents. Plan your time wisely.

To Conclude:

After all the struggles, worries, tears, quarter life crisis, and all the bad stuff happens before.
After 4 interviews, 2 Tests, and 1,5(?) Medical Check Up!
I finally and officially join the biggest Private Bank in Indonesia.
I hope that this is where my path for success is created. 

This is not the end.

There is nothing final in this world, whether it is failure or it is success.

As long as you are still breathing, the possibility is limitless.

Isn't the one who fall the hardest, will bounce the highest?

To anyone facing problems in which there seems to be no solutions,

Work harder and Pray. As happiness is not forever, so does sadness.

Leave your problems to God and ask for strength, guidance, and wisdom.

Tell Him to let His will Be as His will is always better than ours.

If you fail again afterwards, take it another lesson to learn and that His time is not yet come.

Nothing that ever happens to you, happens for nothing.

Everything happens for a reason. Reasons that you will cherish later on.

I wish you all the best of luck.