| Name: | Mahsa Yazdani |
| Current Role: | BMO® Direct Manager, Commercial Sales (Direct Banking) |
| Location: | Toronto, ON |
| "I am confident that I can make recommendations about what products and services would be best for our commercial customers." | |
I studied Financial Planning, Business Administration and investments at school, and first worked at BMO as a co-op student. I was interested in the lending area, so I joined the lending and investment team full time when I graduated. I then worked as a lending specialist for 2 years before joining the commercial team in March 2008. I moved up step-by-step, and my path here was fairly typical for someone in Direct Banking. I am currently in a 9 month training program working towards obtaining my commercial qualifications and learning about the Bank’s processes and lending directives. As a result, I am now more confident that I can make recommendations about what products and services would be best for our commercial customers. I work mostly in partnership with the branches, though I do talk directly to customers sometimes. I enjoy being in contact with many different areas from this location. | |
| "I see working in commercial lending as a great opportunity to better understand the external business environment." | |
Commercial lending can seem intimidating because there’s a wide range of customers and product options, but I see working here as a great opportunity to better understand the external business environment. I have the chance to learn about many different industries and markets, and become familiar with commercial lending practices and the best products for our customers. There’s a lot of room to grow here! Having great customer relationships is important to me. It’s very rewarding to learn about our customers and give them what they need to start a business and make their dreams come true. I can tell by a customer’s tone of voice when I’ve been successful. I love to hear that I’ve been very helpful in answering questions, or offered a product that the customer didn’t know about before. | |
| "I have always felt comfortable talking to my managers about the next steps in my career." | |
BMO really champions career development, which I find is different from many other financial institutions. There are a number of resources to support you, and everybody is friendly and helpful. I have always had very approachable team leaders, and have always felt comfortable talking to my managers about the next steps in my career. I’ve also received great advice from my colleagues based on their experiences. | |
| "When changing jobs, I examine my skills closely and determine what gaps I need to close to move into the new role." | |
It’s important to really research any job you’re applying for, to make sure it’s right for you. I’ve sometimes thought that I wanted to work in a certain area, but after talking to the hiring manager, or to people who are currently in the role, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me and that I would be more successful somewhere else. When changing jobs, I examine my skills closely and determine what gaps I need to close to move into the new role. For example, in my previous role, I took an accounting for bankers course that was optional but which gave me the knowledge and skills to move into the role I’m currently in. The course is a requirement in this role, so I was already up to speed when I started! | |
| "There are a lot of options open to me here, and I’m keeping an open mind!" | |
Right now I am focused on completing the training program, obtaining my commercial limits, and learning everything I can. This will enable me to do well in my role, helping our customers and branch partners and exceeding my future sales targets. Potential next steps could be in Direct Banking, Risk Management or Corporate Finance, in a project manager or sales analyst role. There are also opportunities in the branch environment to go out and meet with customers face-to-face, for example in a Commercial Account Manager role. With some more management training and experience, one could also go into Branch Management. There are a lot of options here, and I’m keeping an open mind! | |
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