Not sure if this is the right place to ask a question as general as this, but here goes.
I have the opportunity to join either Mizuho or Standard Chartered for an entry level role in Trade Finance, and I have trouble choosing between them. SCB definitely has the better brand name, however due to the volumes of trade that it receives, a chunk of the processing work is outsourced overseas, therefore I would only be exposed to 1 or 2 steps of the entire trade financing process. Mizuho on the other hand, has lower volumes of trade, and better learning opportunities as the work is largely done in-house, and I would be able to gain exposure to other areas such as commodities.
Salary wise, they are both around the same, however Mizuho has a better bonus scheme. I do not see myself staying at either role for more than 2 years, therefore a large part of my choice will depend on how the role I choose now will affect my subsequent jobs/career. While it may be a stupid question, I’m curious to know if a brand name or the lack of one will affect my future job opportunities in the banking industry? For example, if I were to apply for a more senior role in the future, will another candidate from SCB be looked upon more favourably despite having less knowledge or understanding? How is Mizuho’s reputation in the industry in any case?
Yeah, avoid Mizuho and Japanese banks in general. I can’t speak for Standard Chartered, but I’ve known some people who had worked at Mizuho and it was not good (think rigid Japanese management culture and lack of upward mobilities, unless you are Japanese)
Choosing the right team and the right manager is very important. Brand name, your business card all flies out the window if you and your manager hate each other’s guts and if your manager wants you to suffer - no bonus, no learning, no mentoring. I have never worked at a brand name fund in nyc but have seen people really blossom and take their careers to the next level at other firms
jap culture is sickening…In Japan the exploitation of children is legal and viewed as acceptable as a society - you know the activity that will put you in jail for a long long time if done in the USA. sickos really. Still deny their role in WWII and their history books are empty of their roles during WWII and their atrocious acts. Don’t let their benign looking gentlemen like smiles and 90 degrees bows fool you.
Just curious as to why you would stay away from trade finance. Is it not a good function to be in? Just asking as I have limited industry knowledge as a fresher and it does seem like a good starting point for me in a sense.
I’ve been for 2 rounds with Mizuho and I feel like this is also an important factor for me. The 2 heads I interviewed with were both locals, not japanese, and they seemed to be really great people to work for. I did mention a lot about my concerns with regards to learning opportunities as a fresh graduate during my interviews and they echoed my sentiments and emphasized that learning and mentoring opportunities were there for me if I wanted to grab them.
Conversely, the other bank that I also interviewed for (citibank) seemed cold and unwilling to nurture employees, especially fresh graduates and it seemed like they were just hiring someone to “do a job”.
doesn’t matter if i am chinese or korean or mongol or jew - stating the facts that they are indeed weird at least from the Western culture. Not only weird but also sickening.
Have been to Japan couple times and the tourist guide there gave us a pamphlet of history of Japan from the shogun era. Then went blank from 30s to 50s. Thought it was strange so I asked and the guide looked at me blank and said nothing there as if all of a sudden she could not speak english.
Their child protection law rivals those of lawless countries only found in war torn African nations. Execept that in Japan, their law states that it is legal to do _____________to minors.
In general I guess that Japanese banks are seen pretty negatively, which is not very surprising. Even in my country it is regarded poorly by some. To be honest, I am not a stellar student and these 2 banks (Mizuho and SCB) are my best shots in breaking into the industry, lousy function or not.
Would it be worth it to avoid japanese banks due to its rigidity if i could potentially stand to be in a better learning environment? The lack of upward mobility would not really apply to me as an entry level employee. Besides, I totally understand that organic growth is not so feasible these days. Not sure if japanese banks are also seen in a negative light by other employers in the industry, which could affect my chances at switching to another firm in the future?
not sure what that has to do with a country that legalizes and enjoys child exploitation. Plus I would never go for any women who “open their legs faster than you can turn head” because I have more respect for myself - not into the whole “you are the 9th man this week come here white boy.” errr today is Wednesday. lmao
I never heard about this child exploitation stuff in Japan. I know the men are obsessed with ladies looking like children and men on streets coercing women into porn
Where is this job located? In the US, both banks are relatively obscure, even though they have expansive global businesses. Mizuho is expanding more aggressively here though, along with Nomura and maybe some other comparable companies. Standard Chartered’s reputation in the US was destroyed by their money laundering scandal with Iran, and they might never recover.
Outside the US, I would imagine Standard Chartered is more prestigious, and you should probably lean there, if everything else is equal. For what it’s worth, I think the whole “multiple hats” attribute is overrated. If you work somewhere with more specialized roles, you are usually also in a more polished environment with higher work standards.
The reason why you would go to a less developed business is when you see upward career opportunities as the business grows. If you only plan on staying for two years, this is not as important of a consideration.
egg rolls and fried rice is not my type. I love sushi though. Do yourself a favor and educate yourself and by the way get ready for level 1 again because you failed lmao. LIFO and FIFO all over!!!