Bonuses are being paid, Chinese New Year is on the horizon – in Hong Kong and Singapore the traditional busy season for recruiters to meet job seekers has begun.
Banks in Asia, meanwhile, are putting pressure on recruiters to find them candidates quickly because headcount budgets typically shrink during the second half of the year.
If you’re meeting a recruiter in Singapore or Hong Kong the next few weeks, however, don’t let that seasonal pressure push you into pursuing a job application that might not be the best move. Instead use the meeting to ask the kind of questions that should help you determine what the role is really all about and whether it’s worth leaving your current job for. Here’s what to ask recruiters in Asia.
What’s your relationship like with the bank?
“Always ask about the recruiter’s relationship with the client – such as how long they’ve been working together Share on twitter and whether the recruiter has made any placements for them before,” says John Mullally, director of financial services at recruiters Robert Walters in Hong Kong. The answer should provide insight into how strong an influence the recruiter has on the bank’s decision-making process, which in turn affects your chance of getting an interview.
How long has the employer been looking to fill this role?
Long periods of searching the market may suggest that the employer is carrying out a thorough search. “But this usually shows that the business is not aligned and is unclear on what they want,” says James Carss, Hong Kong director of recruiters HFG.
How would you describe the leadership style of the hiring manager?
If your potential future manager has a leadership style that you may not like, try to find out about it as soon as possible. And even if they don’t, this question will help to kick start your interview preparation. “Understanding the hiring manager’s behaviour will help you interact better with them at interviews by being able to read the situation more accurately and respond to them more effectively,” says Han Lee, director of search firm Lico Resources in Singapore.
And how is the hiring manager perceived within the bank?
“As a candidate you want to hear an answer like ‘they’re a rising star’,” says Richard Aldridge, a director at recruiters Black Swan Group in Singapore. “A team that’s growing and is managed by a new superstar in the organisation bodes well for the role you’re applying for. You may be able to align yourself to them and give your own career a boost.”
How much staff turnover has there been in the team over the past year?
Risk, compliance and other talent-short job functions within Asian banking have experienced high staff turnover of late. If a team bucks this trend, it suggests staff satisfaction is stromg. “Ask some questions around the recruiter’s knowledge of team dynamics,” says Duncan McKenzie, a senior consultant at recruiters Astbury Marsden in Singapore. “How long has the team been in place? How many people have been hired over the past year? Has there been much employee turnover?”
How does the bank promote internal progression?
Aldridge recommends the following questions: “Is this a team that other individuals within the firm have moved to?” And “How do you promote internal progression?”. He adds: “As a candidate, you want to hear that previous members have stayed with the organisation and have been given interesting opportunities – lateral or vertical. If not, then probe deeper as to why.”
How will this role enable me to reach my two-year and five-year career plans?
Banks in Asia are increasingly asking recruiters to weed out candidates they suspect of being potential job hoppers. Mentioning long-term objectives without any prompting is highly recommended. “It demonstrates you have a plan and are serious about your own career,” says Carss from HFG.
Where are other people with a similar background to me getting interviews?
Most candidates only ask how many other budding candidates are applying for the vacancy under discussion. If you want a real sense of your competition, ask broader questions about who’s actually getting interviews. “This allows you to know how your experience is being viewed in the market and what the chances of you getting interviews or jobs is,” says Mullally from Robert Walters. “The recruiter should be able to give specific answers to this question, such as the names of the roles and firms they see people with similar backgrounds going into. They should give clear parameters about what kind of opportunities are available in the market and what aren’t.”