Always keep your principles and show empathy
Lamvy Lai Tze-chiu, a manager at Sun Life Financial, got his job through a recruitment website. He tells Wong Yat-hei that working for a firm with a solid corporate governance will take his career to the next level.
What is your academic background?
I graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in information technology from Sun Yat-sen University [in Guangdong]. I studied for my master's and eventually got my PhD in finance from Jinan University [in Guangzhou] in 2008.
How do you start your day?
If you want to succeed, you need to wake up an hour earlier than others. I usually get up at 6.30am to check out the performance of the European and US equity markets.
What does your job entail?
I market wealth and protection solutions to customers according to their needs. I prepare marketing strategies and develop a relationship with customers.
What is your job's major challenge?
My biggest challenge is my limited network as I have not been in Hong Kong for long. Sun Life has been very supportive and helpful in organising different types of activities for me so that I could build my network.
What have you learned about your chosen career and what are your plans?
Financial planning requires integrity and efficiency. We need to fully understand the needs of our customers and put ourselves in their shoes. I look forward to building a team of professional financial planners.
Any advice to potential interns?
Your work today will affect the future of your customers' families. We must take our job seriously. We also need comprehensive knowledge to cope with the evolving global financial market.
