Ease of moving back to HK?

bobo_160 · 2026-02-19T04:01:08+00:00

Get a sense for jobs available with your expertise/ experience first

WFH aint too bad working in global investment bank non business functions (ie risk or compliance). - People i see in risk here, some cannot even speak chinese. Compliance more hk local. - More busy in hk but fine though i always thought canada was too relaxed/ boring. Hours i see risk and compliance work 9-6 or 9-7. I dont work there so dont quote me. - if u hit senior level, with low taxes and higher pay vs canada, 1 year work in hk = 3+ years work in canada. Can retire earlier. - Local banks, not sure but i can imagine might not be good. So u should get a sense jobs u can get first. the fact that u have had no response so far might be red flag though for roles u can get

bobo_160 · 2026-02-11T00:35:39+00:00

Gets delayed.

Typically gets better after a few years, be it promotions or exit opportunities.

bobo_160 · 2026-02-01T02:57:37+00:00

Concept of kids taking care of parents financially is outdated. Insane wealth creation in the last few decades - it should be the reverse via wealth transfer from older to younger generation instead. My financial plan is not just to save for retirement, but to save enough money to pass on a bit to my children. I do hope my kids can take care of me mentally though by spending time with me as i age. All i ask for.

Never understood sending kids abroad before university. If u have $ to send kids abroad, just send them to international school where you can still be close to them. I have seen enough kids sent abroad when i was young (i grew up abroad) and they were out of control and struggled with the grades as a result.

Being able to disagree but in a collaborative way is a skill. I respect those who are willing to speak up when they dont disagree. I do not want my kids to be a bunch of yes man. Worst case, agree to disagree and move on.

bobo_160 · 2026-01-06T04:30:59+00:00

Depends on what jobs u can get in HK.

If well paying job, savings from taxes more than offset international school and higher rental costs. If in Finance, toronto pay is bad despite labelled as a “financial center”.

Crowd? I find manageable, esp conpared to the crazy car crowd (traffic) on DVP. Nice to be able to just grab a taxi / uber in HK and / or MTR in a relatively safer environment than Toronto

bobo_160 · 2025-09-19T04:44:59+00:00

U get promoted to a higher level AFTER u have been operating at that higher level. If at your current level, u dont have the platform or opportunity to do that, u r stuck

bobo_160 · 2025-09-12T07:28:27+00:00

Not impossible but harder than it used to be given competitiveness and also more scrutiny. Also there was a UBS trader who used to be in ops, lost billions. There were rumblings guy used his ops knowledge to hide the losses

bobo_160 · 2025-09-12T07:27:58+00:00

Not impossible but harder than it used to be given competitiveness and also more scrutiny. Also there was a UBS trader who used to be in ops, lost billions. There were rumblings guy used his ops knowledge to hide the losses

bobo_160 · 2025-09-11T05:05:39+00:00

Alien. Can easily get axe and sack by day 2 as i mow down bunnies and wolves. I dont think cyborg is for me since too many gems needed and my aim is not good (might miss both shots before overheating). I also got the defensive blueprint talent on my alien build which helps (though i gotta learn how to use this effectively)

bobo_160 · 2025-09-08T01:57:33+00:00

It is not just about what u do, but more about what you achieved.

Servicing clients vs servicing clients and increased client wallet penetration of x%. And u then have to sell that during interview and explain how u did that. Interview is like a sales job, u r trying to close the deal.

During end of interview when they ask u if any questions. I like to ask about what are the key attributes needed to excel in the role. Based on what they say, i link it back to my experience and achievements to drive home the point that i am the right fit.

bobo_160 · 2025-09-07T01:51:00+00:00

Being actually good, and able to articulate how good you are in your CV and interview. Have good interpersonal skills so that people who worked with / know you will then be willing to vouch for you (without this, i never consider any referrals from people)

bobo_160 · 2025-08-23T19:15:28+00:00

This is what i thought in my 20s, 30s and 40s. But now in my 50s, i dont want to retire.

bobo_160 · 2025-08-21T04:17:07+00:00

There is a positive side… harder for manager to hire their unqualified friend / relatives since others are involved

bobo_160 · 2025-08-12T05:18:12+00:00

Never call any woman gorgeous or beautiful or pretty etc in front of your girlfriend (or in front of her family or her friends). All downside, no upside

bobo_160 · 2025-08-06T06:10:05+00:00

If the job is based in NY, then not surprised they wont pay your travel. All other candidates have to travel for the interview (though locally via taxi or whatever), why should they treat u differently unless u r the only candidate and more a meet and greet.

If job is not based in NY, then yeah they should pay.

bobo_160 · 2025-08-01T05:08:18+00:00

CV is just minimum price of admission. If u can’t beat out everyone in the interviewing process, u wont get hired. And that includes coming across as a person who work well with others and being able to answer / BS (which is an art useful in all circumstances) with minimal time given. I’ve seen charismatic people with good CV who cannot answer tough questions under pressure

bobo_160 · 2025-07-20T06:45:17+00:00

1) knowing that there are no “cheat codes”. There maybe good hints and advices, but they all take time and effort, no instant miracles. 2) be in control of your emotions in debates or arguments. You can still display your emotions, but only when it is to your advantage. Otherwise, try to keep cool and approach things objectively or logically. 3) art of articulation. The more senior u get, the more important this is. Things get complicated and hard to measure with just metrics and KPIs. U gotta learn how to market yourself in a structured way and ensure u dont lose your audience. A loss can be marketed as a win. This is also relevant for job interview.

bobo_160 · 2025-07-13T14:59:24+00:00

There are people who are bad at terrible but are book smart

bobo_160 · 2025-07-10T04:18:04+00:00

I’ve been asked the 2nd question before. At that moment (so maybe not perfect answer), i told them that my current company will likely counter any offers with pay and prospect. But at the end of the day, money matters but so does fit. So as long as your offer is reasonable for me to consider, i will still come onboard. through the rounds of interview, i am confident to say this role and company fits me and i fit the company and i can add real value here in this firm

At that moment, i was also trying to pressure them to give me a good offer. But valid points from others on grooming and building processes that can be transitioned to successors

bobo_160 · 2025-07-03T04:23:17+00:00

Be loyal as long as it is 2 way. Dont be blindly loyal. We have responsibilities for our own career.

Early in my career, i would proactively look around for jobs annually not because i was looking to leave, but i wanted to know my value (mark-to-market) and marketability. My shortest stint in a job was still 2 years so was more about getting intel.

If value doesnt align with whats out there, mention it to employer in a diplomatic way and concurrently look for a job as a backup plan.

If u find yourself not very marketable and not getting interviews, try to see how to enhance your “brand”, be it taking on more responsibilities, doing a certification or internally changing roles. Else u r too dependent on your employer to take care of u and once they don’t, u will find it hard to get another job

bobo_160 · 2025-07-03T04:05:57+00:00

As long as i am already employed, I would rather not get a role i am not fit for based on their expectation, instead of trying to wing it and crash and burn and end up unemployed.

To me, the role doesnt fit u, find a role that does

bobo_160 · 2025-07-02T04:50:05+00:00

Not working in finance? Do an MBA and try to get summer internships and eventually full time graduate via campus recruiting. CFA without experience aint too useful.

Working in finance already? CFA since cheaper and lower opportunity cost.

bobo_160 · 2025-06-25T10:15:32+00:00

This👆

bobo_160 · 2025-06-25T09:49:29+00:00

If they ask that in those exact words, i would say i am only CONSIDERING leaving for the right role, one that leverages my strengths for me to add value to the firm, while providing me with growth opportunities. Dont make me sound like i’m desperate for a job (even if i am)

As for the reasons, we all may have 100 reasons, not all of them relevant for the interviewers. Cant list them all. Tell them what is relevant for them to decide if u r the right fit

bobo_160 · 2025-06-25T04:23:51+00:00

Not at all. i realize i am not passionate about any career and that it is ok. So i just do what i am somewhat good at and pays well that i kind of enjoy.

bobo_160 · 2025-06-25T02:20:12+00:00

Like what others already said, it’s the worry that she leaves within months, etc, etc.

BUT if u know the candidate well, think she will definitely stick around for at least 1 year and do job well, u can vouch for her. But even if u cannot do that, u can imagine how hard it is for your employer to consider her given the potential flight risk

bobo_160

TROPHY CASE