Warm Referrals

Recently, I applied for a position at Big D. They were interested in my CV and asked me a few questions. An HR rep from the Philippines called, and we had a chat. A week later, she informed me that I wasn't selected because they believed I had interviewed with them in 2022 and had expressed a passion for a client-facing role at that time.

I was frustrated because I had never interviewed with them in 2022; it was actually in 2017. Yes, I might have mentioned my interest in client-facing roles back then, but didn't they see my extensive experience in operations? I quickly reached out to some of my former colleagues for referral letters, which I then shared with the HR lady.

It felt like they were jumping to conclusions without really knowing me, so I had to take action. The HR lady said she would forward my email and the letters to the hiring team for reconsideration. Now, we'll wait and see. Even if they are still not interested, I feel good about standing up for myself.

Jom let’s take a look at the two letters written by my team members, which of course, made me cry. The effort and detail they put into describing my work were incredibly touching. Gheyauuuuuu tau baca ! Saja I simpan sini so senang nanti one day baca balik.

1. From one of my managers reporting to me in big M.

She brought her vast and extensive experience to big M to transform the departments particularly XXXXX and XXXX services, and later extended her experiences and empowerment granted for her roles in the XXXXX department to the XXXX department to reduce the red tape and unnecessary wastes between the said two (2) departments who are working closely to each other in corporate services segment particularly collective investment schemes such as XXXX funds with evident and noticeable increase of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity despite having no relevant experience in XXXX industry. 

It’s noticed that from an uninformed knowledge level in XXXX business to reach the level of red tape and waste reduction as well as streamlining the processes between XXXX and XXXX departments under her purview, mainly because she listened to understand, connected the dots, drew inferences and applied the possessed knowledge and experience though from other segments. 

She is down to earth, an active and empathic listener who practised open door policy during her leadership in big M, coupled with her problem-solving skills, vast and extensive experience in XXXX services, the transformation result was evident, staff under her purview openly and frankly discussed with her about challenges issues and/or problems encountered as they knew there would always be suggestions if not solutions offered. 

She is observant, she noticed staff in the operations departments were mostly afraid of public speaking and having few words when meeting clients physically, in order to encourage staff be vocal and confident to speak, she initiated huddle session every morning before start work, though short session yet purposeful and meaningful with not only cultivating effective and efficient working culture, but also knowledge sharing, relationship building amongst departments [under her purview] and public speaking training. 

We had the chance working together for nearly four (4) years, it’s a good experience and great pleasure working with such a good leader, she is one of the very few leaders that I had ever worked with possesses such a good personality, good attitudes, vast experience and skills which I do not hesitate to recommend her in any of her job application.

2. From one of my team members in big C.

She worked with me at big C for more than 10 years as Head of Cash Management Team in XXXXX Department and I reported to her as one of the officer in the cash management team consists of 10 staffs.As head of the cash team, SL was always open to discussion on any issues arises and always  firm on decision making. I started working with her as my trainer on account operator which is one of the XXXX department product. Later I started doing the global window and broker dealer on the FX and repatriation which are also the XXXXX department product which SL also have become my trainer.

She have a strong background of XXXXX and wide knowledge and experience on all related XXXXX areas. She is a reliable and respectful boss which will do her best in helping her staff to find best solution if the team faces with any issues. 

During her time to start new team in the department that is client service team for all related XXXXX matters , she managed to build a strong client service team from scratch. The client service team have been given high rating by most of big C clients for the service rendered by client service team lead by SL. SL have also received many personal compliments from premium big C clients on her excellent and superb services. SL also monitored various testing to upgrade the current applications use to more cost and time saving applications in XXXXX department. 

SL always put a premium on leadership and problem-solving qualities among her team members and she never failed to become an outstanding leader and have become a respectful  boss in the team. An example was how she successfully persuade most of big C clients to use XXXXX application which gives 100% control for clients to send authenticated payment instructions to big C without any manual interventions from big C. She also helped resolve a major conflict between big C clients and payment team regarding features on payment instructions which big C customers refuse to use previously.

SL is an energetic and creative mind set person to work with – a leader with a positive, always have an open mind to a discussion and opinions yet firm and thorough on decision making. She definitely would become a great boss, a right person to hold the XXXXX position and valuable asset to your company with her wide knowledge, experience and capability.

Love,

SL