Yayasan Sime Darby interview (2nd Level)

I went for Yayasan Sime Draby assessment today in Legend Hotel, opposite PWTC. As usual, got up early at 6 am, start travelling at 6.30 am in order to beat the traffic. Lucky can arrive earlier than expected. I was surprise to see some my newly known friends from the initial level were there like Wei Wen, William (Sarawak guy), Jun Yit, Aina. There's a total of 8 of us for today session, which was the last of the 4 days sessions which started on Monday. A total of 32 candidates make it to the 2nd round out of 90 candidates from the initial level. Frankly to say, I'm very surprise to get into this round as I felt that I did not very well in the initial round especially in the online assessment. If I would rate the initial on a 1 to 10 scale, I would gave it 5/10. But for this 2nd round, Omgosh! That's what i call insane, 9.5 out of 10. Its very hard and challenging. We had three presentation task today.

The 1st one was individual presentation. Each candidate was given a file full of ETS information and portfolios including their sales turnover for each department and customer surveys. The whole information was about more than 10 pages. And you want to know what's the most exciting thing, each of us only given 30 minutes to prepare our presentation which includes what's the most significant findings from all those charts and survey, what actions in long and short term can be taken to improve the company's profile, and give a time plan to implement all those actions. We were seriously shocked by the task as we have no what so ever idea bout ETS (Evolution Technology System) and we have to absorb as much infos into our pathetic little brain in 30 minutes and at the same time think for solutions and WROTE all the points on pieces of mahjong papers. Just to fill your curiosity, ETS is a leading software company who develops software for business company and helps its clients to manage their IT system. I didn't have the time to go through all the information in details, so just went through briefly, and gave it one shot try for the presentation. All the assessors are the heads of each core business for Sime Darby. I was assessed by a Malay guy. He listened to my presentation then shot me with some questions which some I have never heard before. Lk he asked me about the name of the delivery system which was introduced in Japan recently. =.=''!! It's actually called JIT system (Just In Time System). Anyway, I seriously don't know bout the system so I just told him that I never heard that before and will take note of it in my future.

After my 1st task, i had my group discussion with the rest of the candidates and together with all the assessors in a small hotel room. The discussion also revolve about ETS. The given situation was that ETS which originally based in Penang wanted to relocate its Business and Marketing Unit to a new place as the original site was too crowded. We were suppose to discuss and find out which is the best place to relocate this unit with the given information like the cost to retrain the staffs, new accommodation and office sites, and business travel cost. So based on all the given information (figures again), we have to choose between Cyberjaya, Kulim or Ipoh. We ended up like a debate event with everyone tried to point out their reasons to choose and not to choose a particular area. The 2ND task was about 30 minutes which I felt like 30 hours, lk no ending to all those debates.

So, right after that, we had the 3rd and last presentation, a role play. Each candidate was given another study case we had to play a certain role. I was asked to play the role of a Product Service Consultant of ETS, Ahmad Roslan. And my client name was Mr. Micheal Lim from Aspren Tree Futures. My situation was that the client had a few concerns and issues after purchasing my company's product, AsiaTrade bond software and he wanted to know more about user training programme. Like the previous two presentations, we were given a folder which contain all the information about Asia Bond Trade software, Us Trading software and information about user training programme. Within 15 minutes, we had to read and understand about the products and services of ETS and find solutions for the client's issues. And the assessor won't let us pass so easily without giving us a hard time to persuade them about the prices. It's all about our ability to negotiate and talk to a client and gain their trust. Oh well, I just tried my best to deal with the assessors never ending demand and not to loose my patience..hahaha..

That's all for the assessments. You will never be able to imagine how stress all this was unless you were in my shoes. Without any knowledge in the finance and business world, I felt hopeless going through all those presentation. My presentations were 10% made up of logical answers and 90% of crapping. Haiz..Finished everything at about 11.30 am, waited Dad at the lobby. While waiting, chatted with Kai Ren, he's from Johore who was currently studying in Singapore. Pity him, he had to take bus all the way back to Singapore today. After that, I called Ian up, I felt so relieved to hear his voice. Talked to Ian for a little while then Dad arrived. Went for brunch in Kl, then went back straight home. Oh well, that's all for my day. New experiences with new friends, quite interesting. I even got to brush up my skill in debating and all thanks to dear and jie who supported me through out this whole interview thing. Love both of you! Lots of hugs and kisses for you two! Oh my, couldn't wait for the upcoming Wednesday. KLCC here i come!




Love,
Yin