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!!

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.