I Wanna Wanna Work There!!

So let's continue the story. Story of my interview experience with BNM.

I remembered that I was checking my e-mail inbox every single day. I was so desperate that I even checked twice a day. Just to wait for some surprise.

"Congratulations....bla bla bla" and I finally received an e-mail from the BNM's human resource department.

I was shortlisted for their interview and assessment. Was so happy until I saw the last sentence: " see you soon here at Bank Negara Malaysia."

HAHAHA. Which means I need to go to KL? Problem.

A week later they sent me another notification e-mail with the details of my interview session. Then I started to think, how am I supposed to go there? First thing that came to mind was: Take the bus and travel all alone there. Woah, Nice! But haha, my dad volunteered himself instead to accompany me there, and he actually drove me all the way down to the capital. Problem solved. So lucky la to have this kind of papa. =D

My interview was on Monday but we went there a day before so that we won't need to rush.
It was raining like cats and dogs and there were even lightnings when we were on the North-South Expressway. Surprisingly, I didn't really sleep for the whole journey, but rather, I study!!

This is what I read.

Well *coughs* do you actually believe that I read all these?
Nah, just kidding. =P

I just went through a few important chapters in the pink and green book above. Ignore the marketing and managerial finance thingy. I just wanted to make the pic looks great. Haha.

In actual fact, newspapers, model essays and contoh karangan are more realistic as I can brush up my languages and also my general knowledge. However, most of the time, I was actually chatting with my dad in the car and asked him about tips pertaining to interviews. You don't expect me to read so much on the car, do you? =]

We stayed over for a night in Cheras where our relatives live. It was like a holiday trip as all of us went out for a sumptuous dinner that night until I almost forgot the fact that I would be having my interview on the next day. But damn, I couldn't sleep tight that night because I miss my bed, my pillow, my bolster and also you =(
Hmm, should bring along them next time.

In front of the reception counter of block A.

The next morning I stepped into the lobby of block A, BNM and registered myself at the reception counter. Later, a POLICEMAN brought me into the 'inner area' of the block by scanning his smart card at the machines or what electronic gate access (gosh Idk what's it called) .

Yaya that's what I'm talking about!
We always see these at airports, check points, listed companies etc.

Later on, the guy who e-mailed me came to meet me up and led me to the cafeteria.

Speaking of cafeteria, I can be very excited.

CAFETERIA!! ♥ ♥

Never expect that they would treat us so well.

Touched.. *wipe tears* lol.

Yum Yum..

The reception counter of Knowledge Management Centre.

After breakfast, we were divided into groups. I was lucky enough to be in the purple group. Purple! ♥ My favourite colour. Fyi, our group comprises 9 members. Later, we took the lift and were brought to the Knowledge Management Centre. It was more like a huge library, with all kinds of monetary and financial related books, magazines, encyclopedias, newspapers etc. There were cozy sofas, study desks, TV, computers with internet access, meeting rooms, offices and also free flow of coffee & tea! Wow, nice right?

But haha, we're there for interview, therefore I couldn't actually enjoyed the facilities there till the fullest, and I could hardly take photos there. You know, it's not that nice to snap so much when you're there for something official. Hee.


As many people would have understood that here in BNM, their interview and assessment consists of 4 tasks or sessions. Each of every tasks here were conducted in English, except for the essay part which I will tell you more on that later. Speaking in English is so much easier and pro right? Like Like!

First and foremost, (in my case) I was asked to go for the Personal Interview first while the others went on for other tasks so that they could save time instead of waiting for mine to be done.

This part was quite tough actually. You need to face 3 panels in a small room alone for like half an hour? more or less. I was asked to introduce myself while they flipped through my data and certificates. Then, they started throwing questions to me pertaining to my co-curricular activities, interests, aspirations and so on. It's not hard to answer but you must really try to answer in a smart way and try to impress them. Otherwise you'll drag yourself into troubles and eventually, you're gone. Personally I think that I did a great job, in spite of a part when the center guy asked me a tough question about the economy. I tried to answer confidently but somehow I guessed the points that I'd given were not what he wished to listen from me. Sad =(
But oh well, it's over. Chill.

Next up, it was the Essay Writing.
I was required to finish Two essays in One hour. Shoot. I was on a rush and so, my handwriting was like..ewwww, messy, untidy! Since I had a limited time, I admit that I didn't write as much or as perfect as in the SPM. Anyway I tried my best. And oh ya, one must be is in BM while the other must be in English. You can choose from 2 questions for each language. Phew, at least I had choices =] The topics were more on current issues and also personal thoughts. It was okay, can write lah. Haha.

After that, it was Personal Presentation.
I love this part! People like me who loves to crap a lot will definitely enjoy this. It's just like those pembentangan that we used to do back in high school. I was given a piece of mahjong paper, marker pens and also the topic of the presentation. I had to finish my plan on my presentation in 25 minutes and present it in front of 2 evaluators for another 20 minutes. Well, it's not a big deal for me as I had spoken in front of the class, and even in front of the whole school in the hall. Plus, I like this part because I could express myself a lot in front of them, unlike the JPA's. Haha. And guess what, they told me that I did a great job on my presentation. Was super duper relieved after listening to their compliments. =]

Once I'd finished the presentation, it was lunch time. And lunch time means...

CAFETERIA!!♥ ♥

and again, BNM was so rich and generous.

We didn't need to pay even a cent for that! =P

You can enjoy the city view while having your meal. Cool.

It's so posh that it looks more like a hotel's restaurant.

After lunch, the Muslims went for Solat while the remaining group members went back to the library to CHAT!! Yup, we were so free that we actually talked a lot. Talkative. Haha. We started to know each other more after the long chatting session.

I found that they were all very smart and ambitious people, and I was like: Woah, why all so pro one?? Gosh, I felt so lucky because frankly, I am not that intelligent. Friends of mine knew it, ah mode always blur blur one. =)

Seriously, some of them have parents that work in the central bank itself and they have a wide knowledge on economics,financial, monetary stuffs. Some even read business related magazines while I read story books. Great. LOL.

Anyway they were all very amicable, and thus we became good friends even though we just met for a day. Had a wonderful time with all of them. ^^

Lastly, it was the Group Presentation. Or should I say, role playing?

It was very very interesting as we played roles like project manager, treasurer, logistic coordinator etc. Just like a company's admin team. So cool. We were required to hold activities or events to raise funds for our targeted groups. Sorta. Approximately 30 minutes was given to do our discussions and plannings on the mahjong paper(again). It was basically a teamwork, therefore you shouldn't be too bossy or too introvert.

After that we need to present it in front of 2 evaluators about our strategies, roles, financial plannings, targets, objectives etc. Our team actually did a great job, and we were all proud to be as a team. Yup, team spirit is a very important factor, and also, the difference maker.

And TaDa, it's the end! Phew~ Finally.
Before we left, once again they were so kind to treat us with fruits, coffee and tea as refreshments. Seriously, you wouldn't have a chance to get hungry here in BNM. hahaha.

Oh ya, our facilitators also sneaked into the store room to get free gifts for us as souvenirs. Aww, so sweet right? And you know what, not all the groups got that gift, only we had the privilege! Wee~

Waiting here at the lobby for dad to fetch me home.

Hmm. Honestly I think that everyone had done well on that day, thus it will be very competitive.

I'm quite optimistic, as I believe that I still stand a chance to be awarded with the scholarship mentioned. Anyhow, if I fail to get it, I'll be fine with that. I won't be too sad because, yea, it's mainly due to your luck when everyone else out there had also done a great job as you had.

Well don't laugh, maybe I will really work here someday, who knows?

Even if I can't secure the scholarship award, I will definitely try again in the future to enter the central bank!

Wish me Luck =)

scholarships scholarships come come come

I Wanna Work There!!

Greetings to all :)

It's been a while since my last post. Oops.

Yep, read the title of the day and you'll know how much I like the central bank of Malaysia.

I don't know how to describe, it's more like love ♥ at first sight. XOXO

In case you don't know, I'd went to KL for the BNM scholarship award's interview previously.

Whether I'll be lucky enough to get the scholarship award or not, I am contented already. Haha, seriously it's very very lucky for me to be shortlisted for the interview.

I mean not everyone can get the chance to go into the central bank and experience the tough yet okay-lah interview there. The whole process was just, SOOOO NICE!! The classy cafeteria there is the main factor why I fall for the bank. Not forgetting to mention about the library, meeting rooms, offices, high-tech facilities etc. Muahaha.. *evil laughs* Haiyo how I wish I can work there in the future.

As far as I know, there were approximately 10k applicants this year and only 150 or less were shortlisted.

SEE?? It's like 1 percent only. How lucky am I and also my fellow group mates. Heehee. However, it was said that only 40 (or maybe less than that) lucky fellas will be awarded with this prestigious scholarship. So, it's merely hard by the way. In fact, I can't put too much hope on it. Arrgh, but I must also admit that I crave for it a LOT. I guess I still stand a chance right? haha maybe, hopefully =D

Will definitely post more about the memorable experience soon. Perhaps I should wait until the interview ends 1st. (fyi, there are different days for the interview, and shall end by this Thursday) I was told that it's confidential and we were not allowed to bring back our question papers given there, which reminds me of the word: SULIT. haha.

Hehe it looks familiar right?

I also wore the same thing to JPA's. Poor >.<

well, I guess this is it for today's post. Just a short one.

Stay tuned people! =)

Oh...so this is JPA interview.

Yay... I've come back from the jpa interview.

*Phew* Super duper relieved now. It was just like a heavy burden being lifted away from my chest.

The day before I was having thousands of butterflies in my tummy. I kept worrying about the discussion part because I seldom read newspapers =(

I tried to read a few karangans in order to brush up my malay language and to recap on the current issues but too bad, I was so lazy that I just roughly glance through.The only thing I'd prepared was the introduction part. And oh ya, I also prayed that everything will turn out smoothly.

In the morning, I was the first to wake up in my house. Perhaps I was too excited? =P I wore my office wear, which was a long sleeved blouse and skirt.

Yea I know, some of my friends suggested me to wear the baju kurung or baju kebaya, and I'd really thought of buying one. Alas, I'd decided not to wear like that, because I guess it doesn't really affect much. As long as you are properly dressed, I don't think that marks will be deducted for that. In fact, it's not a must. Idk, I was just wondering, why not I just wear sari or simply cheongsam in this case? Right?

And so My dad was smart enough to find the place. No GPS. I reached there in time, signed on the board and also the counter, and then I just sit down to chat with my schoolmates who also came today. FYI, I was taking the economy course. I found out that most of the students coming for interview today were actually going for engineering. There were also a few who chose bio-tech.

I should consider myself as lucky because I was the 2nd batch to go in so I didn't need to wait for long. My group comprises 5 members. 1 girl chose bio-tech, 1 boy chose tourism, and 2 more boys chose engineering.
As you can see here, the group is quite 'rojak' right? Anyhow, we all did chat a little before going into the interview room and thus it was not that boring.

Once the lady told us that we could enter the room, we all were super nervous but also, excited LOL. We held our chin high, marched into the room according to our number, and wished the interviewers good morning. Everyone of us looked smart and confident indeed.Oh ya, one more thing, it was really comfortable inside with the air-cond switched on. Love it. haha.

During the introduction session, we were required to conduct in BM. Since we all had prepared this at home, I really thought that 5 of us presented quite good.

There was a part when the head of the interviewer asked me about which country that I wanted to go.

Q: Negara mana negara pilihan anda?
A: Umm, UK.
Q: Tahukah anda tentang kos perbelanjaan untuk belajar di UK?
A: Ya, kalau tidak silap, beratus-ratus ribu.
Q: Eh, Satu Million Ahhh.. (making a funny expression as if he was the 1 who needs to pay for me)
A: Oh... itulah sebab saya berharap untuk mendapat biassiwa JPA. =)


And so everyone in the room laughed.lol.

Nothing much for the first part. It was quite relaxing. In fact, we laughed for a few times when the interviewers used their sense of humor in the conversation.

After that, we proceeded to the 2nd session. We were given a few minutes to jot down our points on the topic given.Oh, in case you're interested, our topic was on "Visit Malaysia Year is a way to promote Malaysia to the world. How successful is the programme to attract world tourism?/Ways of improving it." Sorta. Basically, I think it was a bonus to us because it was not difficult to talk about. Later on, we had to discuss among ourselves and they just listened and observed what we were discussing. And yes they didn't allow us to speak whenever we wanted but rather, it was like this:

" ok, no.2 u may start first"
"fine, now no.1 u react to his speech"
"okok, no.5 now's ur turn"

... Some sort like that. I think it was a good way to prevent one from speaking too much or too little.

After that, I thought there will still be a 3rd session, but fortunately(or unfortunately, idk) they told us it was the end of the interview. All of us were like, HUH??? Serioulsy, I felt like I haven't really finished expressing myself but they just shoo me away. =( 

I personally felt that I did a good job today, maybe not better than the others, but ya, I'd tried my best and I was proud of myself. Although they kept nodding their heads without saying much and didn't shoot me till dead, I was not sure whether they were impressed by me or not.

This is what I think. I reckon there's only 2 possibilities.

1, they had made up their mind earlier to give me the scholarship. So they didn't want to ask much.
2, they had already decided NOT to give me. So they didn't want to waste their time.

*sigh*
I really think that it's not of how well you did during the interview, it's rather, how lucky you are.

AHHH, Lady Luck I need you!
Anyway, I am glad that I'd went for the interview. Getting the scholarship is another matter, well at least I had the memorable experience right? =)