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The One-Minute Interview
Could you share with us some interesting highlights of your job?
An interesting aspect of my job is to analyze candidates’ handwriting. As it is most HR professionals’ common practice to focus on the candidates’ presentation during the interviews and their past experience, many do not give much attention to the candidates’ handwriting. By analyzing the handwriting, we can learn more about their personality and attitude. Candidates can be very good in presenting their best side to ‘market’ themselves. However, a particular stroke or curve, spacing and different strength in their handwriting can show their hidden behaviour/attitude.
What makes your company a great place to work in?
The environment and culture make BDO uniquely different. The ONE BIG FAMILY concept with balancing work and life makes it a great place to work. Colleagues are friendly and always willing to share and assist.
You are also involved in the hiring process. What are the challenges you face when hiring new employees?
Getting good and experienced staff is one of the challenges we face when hiring. The Gen
Y-ers expect rapid progression in career and money benefits which makes it a challenging task to balance their and our expectations. Not to mention competition from Big 4 and other mid-tier firms.
How do you spot potential leaders and what do you and your senior team do to groom them?
Our staff is assessed biannually on their performance. Managers and Partners will share with staff what their strengths and weaknesses are and assist them on areas for improvement so as to move them to the next level. Once a staff reaches a senior level, we will send them on a 5 days’ Management Development Course (MDC) which focuses on soft skills, such as negotiation and counseling skills, so as to better equip them with management skills as they move up to the next level.
And finally, with such a demanding schedule, how do you manage balancing work and family? What advice can you offer?
Nothing is impossible. Time management is important and there is no one method that fits all. You need to derive a schedule that suits you and your loved ones uniquely. For me, I always make it a point to spend time with my children before they go to bed. Hence, I would make do with a few hours of sleep so as to complete my work or surf the Net to update myself on the latest happenings.