Company backs applicants' desire for success to ensure trainee programme fills leadership pipeline Graduates should spice up their managerial skills and knowledge to excel in their field of expertise in the present financial crisis. Jebsen & Co is offering a great opportunity to those who wish to join a diversified company with businesses in sales, service and logistical infrastructure. The company is looking for fresh graduates holding a bachelor's or master's degree in any discipline from recognised universities to join its two-year management trainee programme. Graduates with less than three years of work experience are also welcome. The company has strong business ties in the mainland and Taiwan, so trainees must be fluent in Putonghua. A good command of written and verbal English and Chinese is needed to communicate with foreign business partners. Although good academic results are preferred, the company would rather look at applicants' drive to achieve success, their values and mobility. 'Applicants should have a strong ability to adapt to different environments,' said Sara Ho, the group career development manager. 'We are looking for people with strong learning skills, creativity and an openness to new ideas because we are aiming to groom leaders to fill the leadership pipeline in the company.' The selection process begins with an online application, with a psychometric test including numerical, logical and personality tests. 'Leadership is extremely important in a successful enterprise,' said group human resources director, Francis Mok. 'The three important elements in our company are people, performance and potential. We need talented people to carry on the business.' Jebsen started in 1895 and has expanded into a diversified company providing various products and services to its customers in the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and South Korea. In order to find future leaders, the company is looking to take on board four to six suitable graduates for its two-year management trainee programme which will be launched this year. 'The economy is shifting and the mainland is a continuously growing market with a strong reserve that increases its potential for trading,' said Mr Mok. 'Therefore for university graduates who are interested in getting into this market, our company is a great place to work and gain precious experience.' Starting as management trainees, individuals will go through two stages of training, the first being awareness, followed by the learning and performing stage to brush up on their functional skills and soft skills. During the first stage, trainees will participate in group orientation, team-building activities, visits to business units and personal breakthrough exercises in order to familiarise and align the new members of the company with the corporate values and business operations. Afterwards, trainees will go through the learning and performance stage that includes on-the-job rotation in the company's four core business units, a structured training programme, job assignments and community projects. This stage aims at grooming trainees and familiarising them with the company by participating in day-to-day operations, developing function skills, knowledge and project management skills, and building a strong network in the company. Each trainee would be assigned a line supervisor to monitor and observe their progress and a mentor from the senior managerial level out of their attachment. 'The talent management panel includes our group managing director and other directors,' said Ms Ho. 'They will monitor the progression of the trainees and guide them through the whole training process.' The programme provides the trainees with a clear road map for career progression and structured personal and career development so that they will be able to take the initiative in their work after graduating from the programme. 'One special aspect of our company is the company culture,' said Ms Ho. 'There are 1,000 employees and we work very closely. We put a lot of emphasis on the personal development of everyone in the company.' Applicants will have to pass comprehension, listening and composition tests and short-listed individuals will be invited to the company's assessment centre late next month.
