“Developing a career is like running a marathon. To successfully go the distance, you must be dedicated to the purpose, equip yourself with the right experience and training, and establish a good foundation,” says Elaine Wang, Head of Human Resources at Hang Seng Bank. “Career development is not a sprint. The goal is not about racing over a short distance, it is about preparing and pacing yourself to go a long way.” She encourages young people to gain more experience and take on more challenges.
Elaine says that Hang Seng hired a large number of graduates in 2015 and that recruitment for a new intake of graduates in 2017 is already underway. “We have 20 years of experience in organising our three-year Management Trainee programme, which offers participants a well-rounded career development plan. Graduates accepted into the programme may choose to join any of the following business areas: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking, Financial Control, Financial Crime Compliance, and Operations, Services & Technology.”
Other than the Management Trainee programme, Hang Seng recruits for entry-level openings such as Senior Counter Service Officer, Senior Customer Service Representative, Mortgage Sales Trainee and Anti-Money Laundering Investigation Analyst. Interested parties may apply online.
“Do the graduates share the same culture and value system with the Bank?”
Applicants to the Management Trainee programme will first complete an online value assessment and aptitude test that requires them to evaluate situations and dilemmas that may present at work and make appropriate judgement in response.
“Fresh graduates may not have any related experience but the test helps us assess their attitude, thought processes and decision making. At the same time, we can evaluate if they will be a good fit for the Hang Seng culture and share a similar value system to the Bank. Values determine what is important in our decision making and influence our behaviours,” says Elaine.
Those individuals who pass the online test will then be interviewed by HR and senior management. Management Trainee candidates will also attend a half-day assessment, during which candidates will discuss and analyse various simulated events in a group setting. This assessment tests candidates' thinking capacity, teamwork and communication skills.
To stand out in the interview process, Elaine suggests that candidates make efforts to learn about the background, scope of business and future developments of the Bank, and keep abreast of significant regulatory and market developments. “Research is very important. I have also noticed that candidates who have worked in a bank part-time or as interns often perform better in the interview and during the group assessment exercise. I encourage students to gain some work experience if possible and try to get involved in activities that both develop and demonstrate their judgement, analytical and communication skills.”