Five Tips From Banking Experts For Those Just Starting Out In Your Career
By: Isabella Yuki Ho
Tags: Banking, Education, Career Advice

DBS Career Roundtable

Stepping out of an educational institution and into the working world can seem like an intimidating and daunting phase of your life. Questions like “How do my qualifications impact my job or career?” and “Should I pursue passion or pay?” may begin to pop up, as you begin your transition into the workforce. Many fresh graduates come to realise that the journey to building their careers is never easy and straightforward, especially if you are thrown into the deep end without any help or guidance.

Thus, Halogen partnered with DBS Bank and Stripe Singapore to organise two virtual Career Roundtables, where panelists from both organisations could engage, answer questions and offer advice to youths and fresh graduates who are looking to map out their career paths.

The first Career Roundtable, attended by more than 90 youths and fresh graduates, was helmed by DBS Bank, a multinational banking and financial services corporation. During the Career Roundtable, the panelists touched on the topic of different work cultures and finding your best fit, as well as exercising good digital etiquette in today’s marketplace.

The host of the second Career Roundtable was Stripe Singapore, a technology company launched in 2011 that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. People and businesses of all sizes use Stripe’s software to accept payments and manage their businesses online. The panelists shared about Industry 4.0, workplace leadership, and what recruiters look out for when hiring.

If you missed out on the opportunity to attend the Career Roundtables, fret not! Here are the five main takeaways from both Career Roundtables!

1. Skills in demand

The marketplace is constantly and rapidly evolving, which means that the demand for different skills and talents also change with it. Thus it is important to understand the type of skills that recruiters are looking out for. Dillion Lee, one of the panelists from DBS Bank, encapsulated this really well: Hard skills get you through the door, but soft skills are what will keep you in an organisation. Your qualifications might be the first thing that companies look out for, but soft skills such as empathy, humility and self-awareness will eventually set you apart from others.

2. It’s all about your mentality

As the famous saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! We often do not have the ability to control the outcome, but we can choose what we want to take from these experiences. Be optimistic. Look for positive takeaways in negative situations, and this can uncover new insights that you would never have known. Be open-minded. Do not fixate on a single way to do things, but be willing to try out new ideas and sometimes, you might achieve a better outcome. Never give up. Persevere and don’t lose heart, as it is not a short-term stint but a long-term journey. Panelist Jennifer Lu from DBS Bank also mentioned that it is vital to build a growth mindset, by reframing the issue or experience as an opportunity for growth.

3. Adapt and learn

Industry 4.0 is fast-paced and ever-changing, and this requires us to stay on our toes and remain sharp. Panelist Jennifer described adaptability as agility during the Career Roundtable, and explained that it is all about being resilient and how quickly you can keep up and continue to stay relevant in changing times.

Panelist Dane shared an example about a senior lady in customer service who worked in the same DBS Bank branch as he did. As she was working at the branch, she started to realise that customers were beginning to ask her more difficult questions and at times, they also knew more about the products and services than her. She decided to improve herself and pick up analytical skills in her spare time so that she could continue to add value to the customer experience at the branch. This example shows the need to embrace change and be willing to adapt and learn new things.

4. Workplace culture and leadership

When considering a job offer, it is crucial that you find out about the company’s culture, values and mission, as well as to see if you concur with them! The Panel at Stripe highlighted the importance of workplace culture — Panelist Mac Witmer talked about how workplace culture is a big differentiator among businesses. Panelists Sarita Peng and Darren Wee also mentioned that workplace culture such as the people and the openness of the organisation should be the deciding factor on whether this is the right job for you, instead of other considerations such as facilities or the reputation of the company.

This is where workplace leadership comes in, as creating a healthy workplace culture depends highly on the leaders in the organisations. Good leaders are those that influence instead of command, and are able to be accountable, authentic and open with their people. These components build toward the most important factor in any organisation — trust.

5. Put yourself out there!

Your first job does not define your entire career, so don’t be afraid to give new things a try. You are only at the start of your journey so keep your options open, as doors to opportunity can appear anytime and anywhere. Don’t be too quick to turn down opportunities that might not be your preferred choice as well, as you may discover new things about yourself or that you like, which can alter your career choices in the future. These opportunities can also be vital for you to build your networks — you never know when they’ll come in handy!

In summary, your career is going to be like a marathon. Embrace the journey and pace yourself, pick up as much as you can from the experiences that come your way. Once in a while, zoom out to see the bigger picture, and make sure that you’re taking the right steps towards the goal you have in mind. And remember, if the going gets tough, persevere and work hard to get through it, so that you’ll get to where you want to be at the end of the day!