An Insured Career Path

by MCIS Zurich

Amidst the much-anticipated economic downturn, MCIS Zurich tells Alice Yong the local insurance industry still has room for fresh graduates to grow and forge an insured career path.

Most people own at least one insurance policy and possibly even more depending on the individual’s perceived needs. Some insurance schemes are compulsory like those for motor vehicles and government-managed social security programme such as SOCSO. However, there is more to the insurance industry than meets the eye and fresh graduates will discover that varying job opportunities are aplenty in this challenging field.

According to the General Manager of Human Resources MCIS Zurich, Ahmad Ghuzal Bin Mohd. Tahir, the Malaysian insurance industry is a multi-billion ringgit industry, with tens of millions worth of in-force policies. Despite the abundance of local and international companies offering life insurance as well as general insurance products, it remains very much a growing industry. Therefore, fresh graduates who are interested to pursue a career in the insurance industry can certainly be assured of a fulfilling career and bright future. As an established insurance company with international reach, MCIS Zurich Insurance Berhad is one such organisation that is constantly on the look out for new, young talent to join its ranks.

‘INVESTMENTS’ FOR THE FUTURE

Although MCIS Zurich Insurance Berhad has always been a small player in the market, the company actually started more than 40 years ago. Today, MCIS Zurich is a composite insurance company that offers both life and non-life insurance products and services. Plans are afoot to further strengthen the company and to increase its market share by leveraging on MCIS Zurich's long, established presence in Malaysia and its composite insurance schemes.

Since the insurance industry is a multifaceted one, MCIS Zurich does not expect fresh graduates to have certain qualifications before they are employed.

According to Ahmad Ghuzal, “MCIS Zurich recruits graduates from different fields of study as our products cover a wide scope of life

At MCIS Zurich, new employees will be selected to fill positions that fit them best. We’ll match the successful candidate’s field of study with the availability of positions in our company.

and non-life insurance – marine, architecture, medical, etc. We’re actually looking to develop more graduates who are considered future ‘investments’ for the company. “Graduates should have a CGPA of at least 3.0. Those who are extroverts and possess good inter-personal and communication skills will have a distinct advantage as the insurance industry is very much a people-oriented industry after all. Candidates who can sell or project themselves well will also find this industry well-suited to them.

“At MCIS Zurich, new employees will be selected to fill positions that fit them best. We’ll match the successful candidate’s field of study with the availability of positions in our company.”

“For example, a marine engineering graduate will be trained to handle marine claims while an architectural graduate will be tasked with handling property claims. Actuarial graduates are the ones most sought-after right now.

“We consider employees our company’s greatest asset. As such, MCIS Zurich has no qualms when it comes to investing in its employees. A significant budget is set aside annually for employee development as the company strongly believes in grooming its own talents – they are the company’s future investment. There’s also a performancebased reward system in place for staff whose performance exceed expectations.”

TRAINING FOR EXCELLENCE

Currently, MCIS Zurich has an Apprenticeship Programme in place. Final arrangements are development and identifying high achievers within the company.

Once selected, the high potential candidates will be deployed into areas that befit their aptitudes and allow their best qualities to shine. Serving as a prelude to other development courses to come, these high achievers will be exposed to various aspects of the job and help identify which aspects complement their natural inclination.

From there, the company will then sharpen and fine-tune these talents so that they will move up the ranks to higher and better positions within the company.

SOUND ADVICE

Despite all the reported doom and gloom about how the world’s financial crisis would impact Malaysia, fresh graduates can rest assured that local insurance industry players like MCIS Zurich would be hiring albeit more selectively.

According the MCIS Zurich spokesperson, companies would be more prudent and focused on staff retention and development but those measures are not expected to affect recruitment completely as some key vacancies would still need to be filled. In Malaysia, the insurance industry is well-protected and its development will continue accordingly in line with our nation’s financial growth.

“That’s why graduates should realize that many companies like MCIS Zurich consider them a potential investment for the future. They should strive harder to make themselves more marketable.

“It would be good if fresh graduates come for interviews armed with some knowledge or understanding of what the industry is about and the business aspects. Try and convince us why they would be our company’s worthwhile investment. Sometimes even if the potential employee’s English is weak but the impression is a good one, there’s still a chance to make it. Unfortunately, we’ve met far too many who lacks English proficiency and self-confidence.

“Graduates need to understand what employers are looking for. We want life-long learners who yearn to better themselves.

Our company is prepared to spend money to create that learning environment but it’s really up to the graduates out there to persuade us that they’re good investments that can bring in the returns in this tough employers’ market.”

For those who make the cut at MCIS Zurich will discover that the world is indeed their oyster.

ABOUT MCIS ZURICH

The company is first established under the Malaysian Cooperative Insurance Society name some 40 years ago. In 1998, its name was changed to MCIS Insurance Berhad. When the Zurich Financial Services Group – a global leader in integrated financial services – bought a major stake in MCIS Insurance Berhad (via its subsidiary company Zurich Asia Holdings Limited), a new entity known as MCIS Zurich Insurance Berhad was born .