Master of Finance (2012)
Jie is currently an Annuity Asset Management Manager at Taiping Pension Company Limited in Shanghai. In this role, he is responsible for devising the asset allocation strategies and managing the entrusted China Occupational Pension Funds. Over the past eight years, Jie has accumulated experience in UBS and Pingan Annuity Insurance, especially in terms of trade support and portfolio management.
3 NOVEMBER 2021
What is your advice to students who want to apply for a graduate job at China Taiping Insurance?
China Taiping is the longest-operating national insurance brand in Chinese history, with 24 subsidiaries and over 2,000 large-scale transnational finance and insurance groups.
To apply for a graduate job at China Taiping, it is necessary to become familiar with its business scope and company culture, and be completely aware of your personal specialties. Moreover, make sure the position fits your career path accordingly. An internal referral could also be helpful if you can reach out to employees in China Taiping.
How can students best prepare for a job interview with a company in Shanghai?
Job interview planning may be divided into long-term and short-term preparations.
Long-term preparations
- Solid professional knowledge and skills
Professionalism and relevant skills are critical to standing out among your peers. It is necessary to strengthen your expertise on a regular basis, especially regarding your majors at university and extracurricular activities off-campus. Some admirable career skills should be consciously enhanced, such as your presentation, interpersonal communication and team-cooperation skills.
- Strong foreign-language abilities
Proficiency in a foreign language is highly recommended, especially in either English, Japanese, French or Italian. This constitutes a language advantage in foreign companies in Shanghai. For graduates aiming to work at foreign companies, I highly recommend you practise and be well prepared ahead of the recruitment season.
- Distinct career-development planning
From a long-term perspective, applying for lots of roles at once or accepting a job arbitrarily may not be beneficial to your career development. Think about what your strengths and weaknesses are, why you are choosing this industry and job, and what your ultimate career objective is. All of this should be taken into account.
Short-term preparations
- Dress professionally
It is always important to present a professional appearance during an interview. Checking your suit, hair, nails and shoes is a sign of respect for others. Arriving at the interview location ahead of time is also necessary to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Research the company
Do your homework and find out valuable information about the company, as well as the position, such as the company culture, management style, job requirements, responsibilities and interview processes. To go a step further, you may use your connections to get inside information that will help you to show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable about the company.
- Practice interview
Practice introducing yourself and running through typical interview questions with your friends or family members beforehand. A recording of yourself can also be helpful to review your tone, speed and logic in a mock interview. Always stay calm and believe you are ready to do your best.