Being a future leader in the food and beverage industry is not easy. Management trainees at Maxim's must know the business inside out, and that includes understanding the daily operations of all the company's chains and outlets, and excelling at back-office managerial tasks.
Maxim's launched its 12-month management trainee (MT) programme in 2009, aimed at finding appropriate talent, developing and training them to become future leaders, and building its talent pool to support future development.
'We provide a dynamic platform for our trainees to excel in the company through classroom training and on-the-job training,' says Molly Lam, MT project leader and division manager of cakes and bakery at Maxim's Caterers.
'Prospective trainees should be prepared to overcome the challenges of this job, including its irregular working hours and tasks given to them,' Lam says. 'They are expected to know everything from cleaning a restaurant to leading a team in one of our chains.'
Applicants go through a written test and group interview aimed at testing their language skills and attitude, followed by an individual interview. Shortlisted candidates will attend a final meeting with the general managers of the company to test their ability to present themselves and interact with people.
'The most important aspect we look for in a trainee is their people skills,' Lam says. 'We look at the applicants' genuine interest in the industry, and ability to lead and work in a team.'