What is it like working in the largest bank in Singapore? Or in one of the largest financial services groups in Asia for that matter? In this issue of Industry Focus, we meet up with Mr Philip Lim, Managing Director & Head - DBS Franchise & Strategy (Consumer Banking) who shares his insight on this as well as some tips on how one can build a career in the banking sector.

Being one of the largest banking groups in the region, DBS is often seen as an industry leader hence it comes to no surprise that it receives countless applications from job seekers. Even Mr Philip Lim, Managing Director & Head - DBS Franchise & Strategy (Consumer Banking) admits that DBS employs plenty of fresh graduates, especially in its Retail Banking and Technology & Operations departments.

'We regularly take in people with diverse backgrounds and fields, be it English, Geography, Mathematics, Music and even Microbiology! All our candidates are not necessarily from the banking and finance majors. Good grades are expected but what we look for are candidates with the right attitude - the New Asian values to be more precise. What you've studied in university is just a discipline; you'll learn what you need to know on the job,'he revealed.

He added that it is very important for a candidate to present him or herself well and to be able to apply what he or she has learned on the job.

Talent Identification
With its new corporate identity and highly publicized tagline 'Living, Breathing Asia', DBS is on the lookout for high-calibre individuals who are passionate, committed and have a can-do attitude.

'Basically, we want people who are rooted in Asian heritage and can bring out the best of Asian values in new and innovative ways to the bank. These people should possess the attitudes of new Asia which are gracious and forgiving, humility to serve, as well as confidence to lead. All in all, we are looking for people who have this mindset and can rise to today's global challenges,' said Mr Lim.

Training & Development
'DBS is a company which never stops changing. We are an organisation with a performance culture. What this means is that you'll be well rewarded if you're able to perform.'

With this in mind, Mr Lim then went on to explain that DBS is actually a fair organisation. Being a strong believer in people development, he shared that his personal philosophy when hiring is that he does not expect the very best from his staff until they have been properly trained.

'One of our main emphasis right now is on training and we've mapped out courses for our staff from fresh recruits all the way to the managers. For example, our Financial Executive Programme (FEP) provides fresh polytechnic graduates with not just a job but a career in banking. We will train them in sales as well as other areas and within one and a half years, they will be qualified as well-grounded financial executives.'

Meanwhile for university graduates, he explained that DBS has the Management Associate Programme (MAP), a leadership training programme that currently spans 18 months.

'In the past, we didn't have any structured programmes. Today, with a well-structured and planned MAP programme, we're seeing very good response to this programme. A lot of candidates have applied but this does not mean that we'll take them all in because we still want to maintain a certain standard,' said Mr Lim.

Career advice
For those who intend to embark on a career in this industry, Mr Lim has the following words of advice:

'Like any other job, you must have an interest in it in order to do well. So if you're interested in a banking job, you should apply for it. One shouldn't be scared of rejection for it is part and parcel of life. When you become a Customer Service Representative or a Relationship Manager, I'm sure that you'll face plenty of rejections and complaints from your customers. Working in this industry will quicken your maturity. At the end of two years with us, I'm sure you'll emerge as a better person.'