FSTEP interview

Morning i left my house at around 7.30am, scared it might jam.. But the traffic was indeed heavy, but smooth flowing, so i reach the destination pretty soon, around 7.45am. I was going within speed limit all the way, no speeding or dangerous driving at all.

When i arrived, there was only 1 staff that has came into office. Waited awhile before the rest came. We 'sign-in' and they verified our documents. Before beginning with the first part: English Proficiency test (1). 40 questions and was given 30 mins to finish it. Scoring below 22 would mean 'Go home', score of 23-32 would then move on to the next part: Harrison Assessment. Score of 33 and above would move on to the next level: English Proficiency test (2). English Proficiency (2) have 20 questions and 15 mins to finish. EP2 was tough and it is set at British Council standard, selection of words are close and you have to finish which suits the sentence the best. 2 was send home after EP1, 3 went on to do EP2, while the rest scored 23-32. I was lucky to have went on doing the whole English Proficiency test.

Harrison Assessment had 17 group of questions. Each group had 8 selections and you are required to rank it #1 best describe you; #8 least describe. The first few are pretty okie as it eliminate those that are not associated with you, but as you progress on, they would use back your top selections and from those few you would have to keep re-ranking them based on the importance to you. Time allocated for this part is 30 mins.

After finishing the Harrison Assessment, you are given numbers to pick, and it would then be the question number that you are required to write an essay on the given topic. Time allocated for this is 30 mins, and have to write within 70 words. My topic was "Money, Banking and globalization". I think this is the bigger topic as there are a lot of things that can be written on each area. Some other topic is "What would your 5 year plan be", "The happiest moment in your life"

Now that we are all back in the 'social room', there is 6 of us left, 2 guys and 4 girls.
We are then called by name. The corridor is not that long, but it seems like a long walk for me, as everything that i have dream and think of, is down to this final moment. While walking down, all i did was just pray to God. Waited outside the room (3 rooms was used) while the panel read our background. I was standing with another girl, and we both was rather nervous coz there are industry people among them. Wish "Good luck" to each other, and open the door, the moment i have been waiting for the past year. My panel was a lady from HSBC Malaysia, Specialist from FSTEP, and an Independent trainer.

Started off with my studies and family background. Then went on to talk about my previous job experience and what i have learn and gain from it. Why i want to join FSTEP and how would it benefit me, why i want to join the financial and insurance sector, how would it benefit me, and what area would i be most interested in.

One of the scenario: If there are few staff under you, which all are suppose to be working as a team, but there is one person that don't do the work that is given, come in late, and just don't give you a damn. It would certainly affect the teamwork, what would you do?

With this interview, i have done my best. Leaving the outcome and decisions in God's hand.