The Alumni Association of the Faculty of Economics and Business (KAFEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) hosted ‘KATA KITA: Tips and Tricks to Pass BUMN Interview and FGD,’ Saturday, July 8, 2023. The event attended by 100 participants presented two speakers, Lieke Roosdianti Pangkey, Executive Director of Human Capital Indonesia Forum (FHCI), and Bunga Herlina Oktaviyanti, VP Wholesale Banking BRI, alumni of FEB UNS Class of 2001.

Andiona Boedisoejoto commonly called Mas Oni, the co Head of Cash Product and Regulatory Project, Bank UOB Indonesia who also serves as the Chairman for Daily Operational KAFEB UNS, said this event was intended for students and alumni.

“In this forum, we will discuss what is FHCI, what assistance can be provided by FHCI, and of course provide input to alumni and students. FHCI has an important role in carrying out the recruitment process and several other activities for SOEs in Indonesia. On this occasion, we will discuss the Tips and Tricks to Pass the Interview and FGD stages at the Indonesian SOE recruitment process. What are the stages and how are the recruitment processes carried out? We will hear directly from FHCI, from Mrs. Lieke and Ms. Bunga,” explained Mas Oni.

He further revealed that a similar event will be a continuous agenda by KAFEB UNS, being the current event as the opening event. In the future, KAFEB UNS will be a key point for mutual development.

Dr. Dwi Prasetyani, SE, M.Sc., Vice Dean of Academic, Research, and Student Affairs FEB UNS is very grateful to KAFEB UNS for facilitating this event and also to the two speakers who allocated their time to attend the event. “As stated by Mas Oni, the current agenda is part of a series of future activities, hosted by KAFEB UNS. Discussing how our students can be recruited or for students to be graduates with expected competency. Our task is to prepare students to be individuals who are ready to take part in the community with all the competencies they have. Today is the beginning, an enjoyable and warm first meeting, and in the future, we can collaborate better,” she said.

Further, it was revealed that FEB and KAFEB UNS will host more events and activities that benefit students, such as internship recruitment and certification, which will be conducted in the near future. According to their profile, graduates can be divided into three categories, the first is those who go on professional career, the second is entrepreneurship, and the third is those who pursue further study.

Graduates who pursue careers as lecturers and researchers are only composed of 10%, while the rest (90%) fall under professional workers and entrepreneurs. According to the survey, there is a considerable number of graduates pursuing careers as SOE employees. As there are considerable FEB students who are interested in pursuing a career, especially in SOEs, therefore, this activity is suitable and in line with the purpose of the study program and faculty.

FHCI, Tips and Tricks to Pass SOE Recruitment Selection

In his presentation, Lieke explained in detail about FHCI. FHCI is a forum for human capital consultants focusing on the SOE, especially the Directors of Human Capital or Human Resources (HR). FHCI is a hub to advance or improve SOEs’ human resources, both those who will work in SOEs and those who are already working in SOEs. FHCI programs include internships, assisting in providing supplies or recruiting employees from SOEs, commonly known as BUMN Joint Recruitment (RBB).

In FHCI, SOEs or SOE entities opened job vacancies allowing fresh graduate job seekers to apply for the FHCI program, namely BUMN Joint Recruitment (RBB). The recent ongoing recruitment program is the 2023 RBB and it is currently at the beginning of the second online test for English proficiency test.

In front of the 100 virtual participants, Lieke shares tips to pass the SOE selection process, such as applicants must really master the profile of the company they are applying to. Although the applicant has included his Curriculum Vitae (CV), in the interview process, the applicant must be ready to verbally explain what is listed on the submitted CV. In the interview process, applicants can explain the excellence and competency they have without worrying about being considered arrogant.

Another important thing in the interview is that applicants do not need to tell negative aspects of other applicants, and do not need to tell a lot of their personal weaknesses, which will actually lower their value. The weaknesses that can be conveyed are aspects or requirements that cannot be met but are not related to the position in the company they were applied for.

Similar to Lieke, Bunga highlighted how an applicant should convey his/her strengths and weaknesses. Applicants do not need to worry if they are considered arrogant if an accomplishment is indeed their commendable achievement. If applicants want to convey their weaknesses, they can do so in a way that also conveys the solution to the shortcomings.

“It’s precisely those advantages that the examiner will explore further, how you work in a team, how to overcome conflict if working with a team. How do you contribute to the team as a member, or when you’re a team leader? It doesn’t matter if you want to tell me your shortcomings but tell me how you plan to overcome those shortcomings. Such as maybe you are shy and tend to not dare to speak up a lot, thus, you can convey this but you need to also explain the effort you make. For example taking public speaking training classes, especially now there are also many free webinars. This will be the point,” she explained.

On the other hand, in terms of internships, Lieke suggested the participants start taking internships at SOEs at first. “During your participation in an internship, if you can work well, I will not consider whether you graduate from a certain university, etc. If you can work, I will recruit, no matter where you graduated from,” she said encouragingly.

KAFEB is very open, Lieke advises students to take this good opportunity to establish good communication and network with the association members, and always participate in training or activities held by KAFEB UNS.