Frequently Asked Questions About Careers

What is the working environment like at Askari Bank?

Please visit the working at Askari Bank sections of this site for more information. In due course of time you may be able to visit “Meet our People” section containing profiles of employees at all levels, many of which comment upon the working environment at Askari Bank across the nation.

Do you offer a competitive compensation package?

Yes. We have a mix of financial and non-financial benefits package for our employees. Askari Bank frequently participates in salary surveys to determine its positioning within the industry. The results of the surveys are then evaluated for enhancing / maintaining Askari’s pay position in the market. The pay includes all types of benefits in addition to monthly pay i.e. basic salary, house rent and utilities including fuel. Other benefits include the following:

• Medical/Hospitalization Benefit
• Leave Fare Assistance
• Staff Loans (Personal, Transport & House Building)
• Consumer Loans (at a discount) & Credit Card facilities
• Relocation assistance
• End of services benefits
• Miscellaneous benefits in Executive Grades

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and jobs are offered on the basis of skills and expertise categorically. We have women working at all level positions throughout the Bank.

Are there opportunities for international exposure?

Presently, we have one OBU at Bahrain, where Pakistani nationals have been posted. With a vision to become bank of first choice in the Region, Askari Bank plans to enter in to International Markets in near future that will create multiple opportunities for local Askarians to grow globally.

Do you sponsor community service activities?

Please refer to our section of Corporate Social responsibility for further details.
{Corporate Social Responsibility}

Is a career with a bank right for me?

The Financial Services industry in Pakistan particularly the Banking sector has grown tremendously over the past few years. Growth of local private sector banks coupled with entrance of many foreign banks into the Pakistani markets has resulted in multifaceted career growth for the Bankers.

How to decide which area of banking to join?

At Askari, banking is not one specific service or function. It is an umbrella term for a range of financial activities. At Askari Bank these activities are grouped into divisions/offices and branches, each of which offer different opportunities for graduates depending on your qualifications, skills, and career aspirations. Jobs are accordingly offered on the basis of incumbents aptitude.

How do you ensure that you stand out from the crowd?

The first item we look at is your academics and your college/university. An excellent academic history and degree classification is expected of you. The reputation of your college/university will also stand you in good stead. However, it is the other, extra curricular activities that will set you apart from your peers.

The right skills, personality and work experience will help you to get the role you want in the division of your choice / preference. This is not a time to be modest. You need to make the most of your assets and experience and think about how your knowledge, qualifications and skills fit into our desired applicant profile.

In the free text areas, keep your information short and precise. Focus more on evidence as opposed to opinion. Keep a print out of the application form and bring it along to the interview with you.

How do I submit a resume?
You may submit your resume along with your profile by establishing an account and using our “Current Jobs - Apply Online Section”.

Can I submit my information without applying for a position?
Yes. You are not required to apply for a specific position. If you don't find an opportunity that you are interested in, you can submit your profile only by logging in and using our Online Registration. If you choose to apply later, your profile information will be saved.

Will I be considered for other positions when applying for a specific position?
Yes, both your candidate profile and resume will be stored in our database - and will be available to our recruiters nationwide.

How often can I update my profile?
Once you have established a profile on our site, you are able to access your profile at any time. If there is a change in your skills or employment history - you can log in to make updates.

What happens to my resume after it's been submitted?
Once submitted, your resume enters our candidate tracking system which utilizes state-of-the-art technology. This tool provides us with a centralized talent pool and serves as the first stop for our recruiters, who are trying to identify candidates for specific job openings.

After I submit my profile and/or application will I receive a response?
Yes. You will receive an email confirming that your profile and/or application has been received.

• Criteria Based initial short-listing of those who have applied. Criteria may be Age, minimum qualification, minimum CGPA/Percentage, year of passing etc.
• Written Test (Click here for the sample test)
• Interview/s

What is a typical application process and timeline? When should I expect to know the status of my application?

Against available advertised positions, the short listing/screening and conduct of tests may take one month. After a candidate has taken the test, Interviews are traditionally scheduled in the subsequent month. While we try to be as prompt with our responses to candidates as possible, the sheer volume of applicant flow can lead to some delayed responses.

Can I send a hard copy of my resume directly to an HR person instead of applying online?

Since we believe in transparency and fairness in all of our procedures particularly the hiring system, all of our candidate application flow is managed through our online system. Therefore, we prefer you apply via it. The online system sends your application directly to the recruiter responsible for the area to which you are applying. We appreciate your attention to this process and welcome your feedback.

What should a candidate expect in a typical interview?
The interviews for entry level positions comprise of, Behavioral Competency Set, Personality Traits Set and Academic Knowledge based. This means a candidate may be evaluated about his academic background, Behavioral Competency Set (Communication Skills, Analytical Skills, Initiative Taking, Learning Aptitude etc.) and Personality Traits Set (Grooming, Appearance, Sharpness, Responsiveness etc.)

For experienced positions, besides the above areas, the interview format also includes the Technical Skills Set, required of that specific position. This means that a candidate would also be evaluated about his past experiences (the quality, depth & relevance with the job etc.).

What are the most effective ways for a candidate to follow up after an interview?
Before you leave, ask your interviewer what the next step is and when you can expect a response. It's a good idea to get a contact number and ask if you can call. If you haven't heard within the stated timeframe, make a follow-up call or send a well-worded email.

A thank you email is another indicator that you really want this job and therefore took the time to acknowledge the people you met.

What are the qualities necessary for success at Askari Bank and how do you screen for these qualities in your candidates?

We value commitment, teamwork, integrity, fairness and professionalism. Generally, we look for strong quantitative and analytical skills as well as good communications and selling abilities.

Does Askari Bank hire MS/M.Phil candidates or non-MBA masters candidates?

Yes, we also hire M/Com and MA/MSc Economics for our core banking positions. Recently, we have also started entertaining B.Sc 4 years (Economics/Finance) degree holders from well-reputed universities. However, there are occasionally areas that require a more specific skill set or background accumulated via MS/M.Phil. or Masters degree in other disciplines. We hire MIT/ equivalent for our IT Division, HR specialists for HRD, ICMA/ACCA/CA/CFA for Audit, Finance & RM, depending on the relevance of their studies to banking and previous work experience.

Does Askari Bank only hire candidates with finance/economics degrees?

Not necessarily. We recruit intelligent, dynamic and focused graduates who we feel will be able to excel in the Commercial/Islamic/Corporate & Investment banking field. A financial or mathematical background is not a pre-requisite for a successful application, although you must be numerically competent. Our comprehensive training programs cover much of the financial knowledge required and prepare successful banking Officers including management trainees for their careers within Askari Bank.

When do the Internships run to and from?

Though we offer internship programs round the year, majority of these programs spread over six to twelve weeks, are conducted between June and September during summer semester breaks for most colleges/universities.

What offices do you actively recruit for?

Though we occasionally recruit for functional specific positions, we are continuously hiring for fresh banking officers (Commercial and Islamic), Business Development Officers. However, keep on visiting our section of Vacancies for latest updates.

Should I feel secured with respect to my Career Progression at Askari?

Yes, Askari Bank values performances. We have introduced an objective system of performance evaluation based on Management by Objectives and Behavioral Competencies. The system allows for mid-year reviews and is 100% open to appraisees. A jobholder is therefore secured in terms of career progression if the desired performance levels are achieved. Also, since Askari Bank is in its expansion phase, more and more jobs are created at all levels providing opportunities for our current jobholders as well as external candidates. Promotions are also not time bound.

What are the principles that Askari adopts?

At Askari we adopted the following core values and aspires that all of our employees practice the same values in their day to day business conduct.

• Commitment
• Integrity
• Fairness
• Team-work
• Service

What are the Training & Development Opportunities available at Askari?

Askari emphasizes much on Training and Development of employees and based it on the conviction that individual as well as organization growth and development respectively, are interdependent and that each one, complements the other.

Askari encourages employees to develop their professional skills by taking advantage of both internal and external training opportunities. Internal training, conducted by in-house subject experts at our own purpose built Training Academies, is concentrated in the following topics:

Business Development

• Customer Service
• Liabilities Management
• Asset Development

Consumer Finance

• ommercial Banking
• General Banking
• Foreign Trade

Credit Management

Credit Administration

Risk Management

Consumer Banking

• Soft Skills
• Effective Communication Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Team Building
• Selling Skill
• Customer Care