During these three months course of study in the school of hard knocks, I've learnt a great deal about myself. I went for a handful of interviews.... and there were occasions where I find myself constantly struggling & hitting the wall to understand & seek what was it that I truly value and want in my career.
Was it remuneration, career progression or just experience?
A few days back, I've earned myself a superb offer as a financial consultant from **** bank. There were 2 stringent rounds of interview and surely, I was happy and honored to have been the only one selected amongst the other 8-10 interviewees. No doubt, this has really boosted my confidence and pride but was I genuinely happy to have gotten the job offer? Was this a career where I foresee myself sacrificing my religion and quality time with my family and friends for the next 2 years to slog hard on weekends and subsequently be deemed as successful with rewarding bank statements? 3 days was all I had to consider before I sign my life away (lol). These 3 days, I was constantly waivering...
Unbestowed to me, I have gradually became a chameleon..... friends and family members around me agreed that the great remuneration will make up for the steep learning curve in the crude corporate world. And so... I took it that it wouldn't kill to just spend the next 1.5 years serving the Master of Money for the experience and exposure in the banking sector (furthermore, there would be a job rotation to the back-end after 1.5 years), even if it means sacrificing my valuable weekends. I shared the same sentiment too, since I'm still young and would have all the drive and motivation to "chiong" whilst I still can. No boyfriend also meant I would have no considerations to investing all my time to be a great corporate slave. Without knowing that the answer was already etched deep in my heart.... I went on asking my family members if they'd bear to part with me on weekends. They too, gave me the green light.
It was only yesterday when God used my best friend to open my eyes to the things unseen. She's sucha darling and a mighty instrument! Ever so thankful that even before I know it, she was already there to save me from the lion's den :) Why was I even so rash to jump onto any job offers that came by? Why was it that I was relying on my own strength throughout this phase of job-seeking? Am I even ready to go against my integrity and principles just to meet the quotas given?
Finally, I have come around to reject the offer. Yes, the remuneration was sure tempting but... to recommend unnecessary wealth management products to customers because of the inevitable pressures for you to meet unattainable targets (c'mon, let's admit it, what are the probability of meeting inexhaustible list of targets?)... I don't think it's worth it. Money is not omnipotent, yes money makes the world go round but it is also not the only metric to determine how successful you are. You can be a good salesperson, churning huge commissions for yourself, but end of the day, if you do not recommend the right products according to your customers' needs and could still sleep well without your conscience bugging you, I don't think you are really successful in my dictionary. However, just as everyone would have their own perspective and definition of success, if money is your driving force, then you could go for it, I'm sure banks are great platforms for you to carve out great personal success! As for me, I just don't think money is everything.
"Integrity is such a rare commodity these days. Without it, you are just another human being."
I don't just want to be another human being. I believe in my own principles and want to stand firm and true to it. So ask yourself, what is it that you truly value? Don't let society or people around you dictate what you should want in life. If you think you could still stand firm and hold on to your principles and integrity in banks just like how I thought I could, you could try... it's really your personal choice. But you really have to factor into consideration that banks are fast-paced and dynamic, great pressures are inevitable and however great your willpower is, these pressures could subtle-ly succumb you.
It wasn't easy, but if one really cares, he/she would want the best for me. I just want to thank my family members and friends for standing by me and honoring my personal decision.
Although it's gonna be another arduous phase of resume sending and job hunting, I know I am already successful with the amount of relationships that I'm blessed with!
All Glory Be To God.
POSTED BY Sharer Feebee ON 02 September, 2013 @ Monday, September 02, 2013
