PFL BCA - My KCP (Supporting Branch) Experience

Hi, everyone, it has been a while since I last updated my PFL journey and there are a lot of happenings since my last post.

On late February, I was appointed to be a substitute at the supporting branch office for 4 days. It happens just so sudden. I was informed around 9 am and I went there almost immediately afterwards. I reach there around 10 am. There are couple things that I wish I knew beforehand, and which I will let you know, below:

1. Placement Branch Issues.

The first and most important things are we, PFL are not allowed to be borrowed  at a strange difficult position. We are working, yet we are not belong to the branch. We are permanent employee but we are not entitled overtime payment and some bonuses.

We can be "borrowed" for a bit while, but not for long as we need to stay at the branch where our contract stated. I was "borrowed" for 4 days and like 1-2 weeks later, my Service Head was informed by the HQ HRD about our "placement at the supporting branch" and she need to whole write a report for it.
I was later contacted by our PIC, and I was informed that it was OK to be "borrowed" as long as it didn't alter our placement branch as stated on the contract.

Well, it is a long story. This is a new program and not much people have a clear idea about it yet, and it is OK. We learn my making mistakes, anyway.

2. Expectation vs Reality at supporting branch (the one I visited)

I am sure that some of you have heard that life at supporting branch are a lot easier, simpler, and more relaxing. That is true to some point, but also wrong at other points. So, what different from Head Branch and their Supporting Branch??

• The customer's mentality, the type of customers are different from Main Branch (MB) in at least 3 ways:

• Time: They are more time sensitive. They know that supporting branch (SB) are less crowded, therefore those who visit the SB are more likely to want the transaction to be done ASAP, less waiting time, and less time to do other things (cross selling) as the queue is pilling as times goes by. The SPVs (kabag) are also shared, especially when one of them is on lunch break, you have to wait for them (or other divisions' SPVs). 
• Formality: The time factors play a big part in this. Due to the demand of having less time, they are unlikely to wait until they are called. They will just barged to your table right after the previous customer leave (or even during their transaction!). You barely get toilet breaks or drink your water in between. There are less CSO (sometimes only 2) as well, so you have to bear with it and be considered to both your colleagues and customers. 
• Engagement: This is especially true for tellers. Customers are more engaged at SB as the person doing the transaction comes frequently/repeating . (I hope you get what I mean)
• The cases
• The cases are easier to handle and there are less variations. Nothing complicated like "Name Change/ Signature Change", less fraud cases.

• Our jobs
• Our jobs however, are at a larger scoop. We have to take care of all the credits applications, Opening Giro account, Deposito opening forms, All the Cheques and BGs, Prepping forms, Desk cleaning, almost everything. 

Placement at SB is a bitter sweet experience for me, personally. I do feel that I am growing in those short time, as I am more independent and confident, yet I miss the busy MB and the friends and the comfort of "fotocopy OB". If I have to choose now, I will still choose my placement branch tho. <3

PFL BCA - BRANCH OJT [The First Week]

I am officially done with my first week at BCA KCU Pontianak, my placement branch for the next 9++ months.

On my first day, I am so confused as any of you would be on your first day at work.

I have been there as a customer, but not the employee. 

So, of course I am perplex.

Where do employee enter the building from, Who to meet first, What to do, and What will happen next?

Big Question Mark

The answers are:

Where to enter from as an employee?  

Ask the security or follow the current employee (let them lead the way)

Who to meet first?  

I am meeting my Kalay first (according to the letter given to me), but actually it was the HRD I should have met first! (my bad)

What to do?  

The answer will varies from branches to branches as they have their own regulations. 

Since I was meeting my Kalay, I gave her my letter and I just follow her lead from then.

What will happen next?

This answer will also be different from branches to branches. 

I was immediately join the morning briefing where I got to introduce myself then I was sent to observation at the counter. 

So let me tell you my complete story.

On my first day, I come a bit 'late' then I suppose to. I come around 7:05 am but they already had the morning briefing, in time for my introduction. I know that the service hour starts at 7:30, with briefing at 7:15 but on Monday, they are a tad bit earlier than usual. I am consider late for my first day. TT.TT Please check your branch operational service hour at least one day before your first day. 

Then, I handed over my letter to my Kalay and KOC. I had a brief introduction and I was told to do some observation first at CS Counter for a day, and CS Desk for a day (second day); which I did. 

On my third day, I started to open a counter on my own. I held 3 account opening on my own, with my mentor assistant. All went well.

On my fourth day, I open the counter all on my own with my mentor only sitting besides me to note mistakes. All went pretty well!

On my fifth day, I was left to open the counter myself and I was given a spare ID, which means I will bear all the responsibilities myself. It was nerve wreaking most frightening experience I have ever encounter. I was so nervous that I forget some small things and I have to call the customers for it, which I am very sad and sorry for. 

I need to learn a lot of things and I am going to learn it soon and as fast as I could. I feel like I am the dumbest now in the group and that upset me. 

What everyone must have been thinking about me

Anyway, please take note about:

• Service Hour
Get to know everything you could about your branch. If your both Observation and DO OJT are at you placement branch, then lucky you!
• Absent Card
My senior PFL friends do not even given a card when they come to their branch. I need to contact my PIC but he is no where to be found.

• Clothing
I come with uniform (yellow) but was ask to change to black and white the next day. Because I am not yet ready, which is fine with me.

• Hair
This differ between branches to branches. You will know there, but please have your hair do as you did on training. 

• What to do
Just follow the lead. Do not forget to apply for finger print scan for absence report. Do not forget to visit the HRD division.

• What to bring
Your spirit! LOL! The letter, small note book for note taking, pen, name tag, lunch (if you can), water bottle, and your TXN notes. Do not forget! Lastly,
• Try your best to remember your colleagues and superior names, smile, and always smile.

= YOU WILL BE FINE =

ps: the first 2 months will be hard! As hard as ****!!

NOTE: Always try to blend in with others. Some might treat you differently because you are a PFL. Stay humble and stay focus. You have a goal and so are they. We might be walking a different path but our destination is the same (the permanent employee). 

PFL is better equipped with the theories and deep understanding while others have the experience and better practical skills. We are both good in our different ways! If you cannot do things or you do not understand, ask! do not be discouraged. Share! Give! and you will receive.

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.