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 Program: "The Prestige Problem"

I have been joining the company for a fortnight by the time this post is written. In this second week, I have received lots of lessons about the bank, the products, and the correct attitude towards work and life. In addition, I get to know a lot of my friends better.

The Girls @ class

I was lucky to be a part of this awesome team. They are all crazy, carefree, yet attentive girls who are comforting, accepting, and will take care of you no matter what. Some of them have a really big heart and brightest personalities of all people I have ever encountered!! I love you all!! 

The girls @class (after class)

However as I get to know them, I get to know not only the bright side but also the dark side. 

As we were getting closer, it is more comfortable for us to share some of our problems with each other. 

Mask comes in all shapes and sizes!

Everyone wears a mask to protect themselves from the world and I think it is wise to do so; No one survive without the mask on, anyway. I don't blame anyone and I don't judge. I, myself wear a mask.

The problem is, they wear theirs so perfectly well that I thought it is them in their own skin!! I was wrong tho, they have they own insecurities and problems but they are able to smile and be carefree about it!

Anyway, the biggest and most common concern among the girls are:
Prestige.

YES!! It is prestige!! and I admit, I have had that concern before.

Well, first what is prestige? 

I think this quote describe "PRESTIGE" quite well

and beware, it can "blind" you!

To sums up, the prestige here is the Social Status which includes: Power, Money, Ego, and Pride.

FYI, in Indonesia, the Bank Frontliner job as "Customer Service Officer" or "Teller" is not a prestigious job that  people want. The pay is not too high and the financial risk is high. 

in short,

NOT DESIRABLE!

Honestly, we, PFL are not stupid at all. Some come from a good university majoring in Food Tech, some from Law School, and some from IT background. We are mostly here because our personality test says that we belongs to the Operational Division!! Because we have the skills and ability to do the operational job!! NO Less!

TO Dear Other Trainees Program:
Just because it is different from your skills, or is not needed by you,
doesn't mean that it is (we are) worthless or less then you!!

I am honestly thought that they (my friends) didn't have that kind of thoughts in mind as they are so carefree and they look happy. I never know that quite a few of them didn't even tell their closest friend about their job now because they are scared of being judge harshly.

Of course, I had that thoughts as well. It is just that mine happened before I signed the contract. I think the burden is heavier on my shoulder as I am an international graduates and I have been having good jobs with good pay before. 

However, as I get into the training, I started to realized that this lowly job is actually a lot better than all my previous jobs. 

• I really feel needed and cherished by the company
• I know I am in a really good hand (the company really take care of their employees' welfare)
• I know clearly what benefit I get now and what I can be in the future (career path)
• I know clearly what I am doing (the clear job desk and what is expected from me)
• I am happy (this is by far the most important things on the equation!!)
• I know that the company is credible!! (this is an important point for me, due to the harsh experience that I have been through before)
• The company gives as much or more than what we could give back (our training is very costly! We got free lunch, 2 snacks, accommodation support, in class training and outbound training with professional trainers. 

The reasons why I should not be shameful of the job:

• There is really rare for a company to really take care of their people as good as BCA. They give us expensive training + meals + allowance + flight tickets for us to be a better person. They help us to balance our working life and personal life by a lot of programs and seminars. Do any other company able to do that??
• It is not easy to enter the company. Many fails during the entrance exam or interview or medical check up. Those who join the company are already selected individuals! 

Did you know how many have fail? and how many stages we have to get through????

• There is a clear career ladder to climb. There is less nepotism here as everything is transparent. If you have a skills and you can show them to your bosses, that skill will be fully utilized. Some of the ex-frontliners become a trainer that is sought after even after retirement!!

Well, my previous jobs!

• As I mentioned before, BCA 'graduates' is highly sought after. So, even if your contract was terminated after 3 years, do not worry about employment!! Other banks know how valuable you are.
• There is lots of bonuses! THR, THT, Performance bonuses! I do not even get that from my 2 previous jobs!
• There is a lot of programs with the winner's prize: TRAVELLING ABROAD! *not easy tho, I know, but still*
• There is not such thing as lowly job! I am not doing a crime or something bad. This is a legal job and I am not receiving my paycheck from those so-called-friends. If I am listening to what they say, can they give me a job??

What I have done to prove myself to others:

• Believe in yourself. I believe that as long as there is a will, there is a way! If you do not believe in yourself, no one will. As my Head of Operational said, "Do not think about what people will tell you, about how come an international graduates be a frontliner. I started from frontliner as well." This words have actually be my pillars of strength against many many doubts  that I had along the way. Those words give me hope and confidence that: "It doesn't matter where you start, it matters where it ends"

• Shut yourself out of negative people. Those who matters doesn't care and those who care doesn't matter! Work hard and be successful! Let success be your noise!! There is no better way to silence them than success right? 
• Do awesome jobs! Nothing speaks louder than the good results from the works you do. 
• Have the attitude right. It is a inner beauty that shine the brightest after all. If your supervisor can see how good you are with people, I believe they will trust you and give you more chances to prove yourself as well.

I think those who jump right up to the top lack experience and wisdom to take decision. They also lack empathy and know how about stuff. 

Anyway, I have promised myself to climb up the career leader in 3 years or less!!

Oh, and I found this really nice quote for my profession!!

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!!