Need help..

[x9200]

Isn't rather stupid and defying common sense to argue with the person in the middle hired only to do some screening and obviously not an expert in every field? I would not hire your friend neither.

[ecureilx]

Isn't rather stupid and defying common sense to argue with the person in the middle hired only to do some screening and obviously not an expert in every field? I would not hire your friend neither.

Yes, I totally agree with you, he chalked it up to experience .. !!! And so did I then, and never repeated the same mistake again .. even when talking to 'specialists' .. after all, they are gatekeepers.

And check recruitment companies, most of them have 'specialists' .. so one initially assumes that, for example "CONSULTANT, Windows Systems" knows what they are talking about .. until we all learn to be wiser and assume otherwise !!

And hence, nowadays, me myself too try and ask the Agent to send the JD, than try to figure out stuff over the phone, or offend the middle-man ! After all, like sweetgazebo experienced, it could turn out to be make or break !

[sweetgazebo]

If you google thoroughly onto some websites ... efinancialcareers.com (hint ... hint) you will see that (particularly financial) jobs are being shed all around the world and is slowly creeping up Singapore's doorway.

If you really want to get an even clearer picture, when you next get the opp , speak to the recruitment consultant and asked them what do they think of the current hiring climate for your field.

I have highlighted my PEP in my CVs and sessions with recruitment consultant. Unfortunately, the way I look at it, if the individual do not fit the bill, PEP or not, is not going to work.

Speaking to a hiring manager does work, issue is how to get the name of the manager.

And also you mentioned that now is not the right time to seek employment? May i ask y do u think so? And when is the right time to find openings?

Also I am on a dependent pass, is that also a big issue here, but if it really was I should at least be able attract initial calls from consultants to clarify about the same isnt it?

So speaking to the hiring manager doesn't work here..

[nutnut]

I agree, came to me as an agent (I'm not) with that kind of attitude then I wouldn't put them in front of my clients, just in case it happened again!

Simple, be respectful and polite and just accept that not everyone knows the same as you, this is too often the issue in IT, people think that because they've worked with a particular technology for so long that they are entitled to belittle others about it.

[BillyB]

I'll give you an informed answer and won't write irrelevant speculation, criticism, and horseshit - like some of the above replies.

If you are looking to join the sell-side, unfortunately for yourself, you've picked a 'slow' time to try and find a job in equities. Singapore has never been the prominent hub for equities in APAC having traditionally lower volumes and limited large-caps. You'll also find that many of the banks/brokers are winding down and/or scaling back their equities arms - RBS, Cantor Fitz, UBS, Jeffries etc., and they are just a few. It's a tough market with very little margin anymore or value-add (apart from technology). It's effectively a volume business - biggest and best infrastructure tends to dominate, as do a small selection of the players in the industry.

If you are looking at the buy-side, then you might stand more of a chance, but traditionally it's always been tougher to break into. You need strong ranking credentials or happy clients, clients who you can leverage on Also consider that equity funds are well-down on performance and there seems to be a growing trend towards the emergence of more macro-based, and credit centric funds opening in APAC at present.

And you don't need mandarin skills at all. Tell me which companies, apart from A & H shares, report in Mandarin and who communicate results in Mandarin - utter rubbish. For translation, yes, for analysis - you're joking. Numbers are numbers in any set of reports!

What is your experience in APAC, what sectors have you covered, and who were your clients?

[ecureilx]

Simple, be respectful and polite and just accept that not everyone knows the same as you, this is too often the issue in IT, people think that because they've worked with a particular technology for so long that they are entitled to belittle others about it.

Nah, in this case, it was Not belittling, it was a case of thinking that you are talking to an expert, .. and finding out otherwise ..

Oh, the guy I quoted, he is the kind of guy who asks permission from his own subordinates, before talking to them .. !!!

again, as I said, he chalked it up to 'how to deal with agents' !!

[JR8]

I'll give you an informed answer and won't write irrelevant speculation, criticism, and horseshit - like some of the above replies.

Oooooh! Hark at her!

[nutnut]

Simple, be respectful and polite and just accept that not everyone knows the same as you, this is too often the issue in IT, people think that because they've worked with a particular technology for so long that they are entitled to belittle others about it.

Nah, in this case, it was Not belittling, it was a case of thinking that you are talking to an expert, .. and finding out otherwise ..

Oh, the guy I quoted, he is the kind of guy who asks permission from his own subordinates, before talking to them .. !!!

again, as I said, he chalked it up to 'how to deal with agents' !!

It is important to speak to these agents (I hate them too) as if they are the end client, the person you are going to work for, if these stupid questions get in the way, just answer them and give them their ticks in boxes! Works for me!

[BillyB]

I'll give you an informed answer and won't write irrelevant speculation, criticism, and horseshit - like some of the above replies.

Oooooh! Hark at her!

Piss-off; I'm trying to write my one useful post per week.......

[sundaymorningstaple]

Is it Friday yet?

[Mi Amigo]

Tuesday is the new Friday - everyone knows that.

[dhiv]

What is your experience in APAC, what sectors have you covered, and who were your clients?

Thanks for your detailed response. And yes, exactly, why would anyone need mandarin for equity research, I had the same issue trying to understand. Yet even now if you search for equity research jobs on efinancial, they say mandarin is essential or preferable.

Yes I am looking for buy side openings, as I have supported a buy side client all the four years.

Specifically I have worked with a long only asset manager based out in London, have been covering the banking and financial services sector majorly. I have covered the Europeean, UK, US, and APAC regions largely. However I have also got some experience analysing energy, fish farming and sugar companies.

Hope this helps... Thank you...

[sundaymorningstaple]

The answer is such a simple one, that I'm puzzled why you guys don't cotton to it. Mandarin is required, not so much for the job, but for the ease of communication in the office. You will find that the majority of your colleagues will be Chinese. They DO like to converse primarily in their mother tongue. If all in the office speak the same language, then there is less chance of miscommunications. Hell, just look at the incorrect assumptions that happen here with all trying to speak English when only half or less have English as their mother tongue.

Often times, if you are a distinct minority in the office, you will feel somewhat ostracized when together in an informal setting and all are speaking Chinese and you are sitting there trying to not to look like a lost ball in high weeds. They aren't going to change their habits for a minority except when the occasion calls for it.

[BillyB]

What is your experience in APAC, what sectors have you covered, and who were your clients?

Thanks for your detailed response. And yes, exactly, why would anyone need mandarin for equity research, I had the same issue trying to understand. Yet even now if you search for equity research jobs on efinancial, they say mandarin is essential or preferable.

Yes I am looking for buy side openings, as I have supported a buy side client all the four years.

Specifically I have worked with a long only asset manager based out in London, have been covering the banking and financial services sector majorly. I have covered the Europeean, UK, US, and APAC regions largely. However I have also got some experience analysing energy, fish farming and sugar companies.

Hope this helps... Thank you...

It's highly unusual for a global AM or long-short hedgie to ask for a language other than English, and narrow down it's potential candidate base.

If they are asking for Mandarin AND it's a prerequisite, it's likely to be very inbred. Exactly the sort of organisation that will stifle you and you'll spend more time being exposed to (and unaware of) politics than to anything productive.

Half the time it's the recruiters following the letter of the law, and overriding common sense.

How on earth did you start to cover fish farming companies?! And have you widened your search to HK too? As you'll know, the buy-side is notoriously difficult to break into, especially in a new region. But if you have APAC experience then you should be getting some traction. Strange.

Any contacts you can leverage?

[dhiv]

The answer is such a simple one, that I'm puzzled why you guys don't cotton to it. Mandarin is required, not so much for the job, but for the ease of communication in the office. You will find that the majority of your colleagues will be Chinese. They DO like to converse primarily in their mother tongue. If all in the off....

Are you really saying that people in offices in Singapore speak Chinese? I was still assuming that English was mainly spoken here. Now I guess I may have to take up mandarin classes then..

Thank you..