My time at HFG Asia: Benjamin Chong

​At HFG, we believe that the journey of each new team member is unique and worth celebrating. In our blog series, ‘My Time at HFG’, we sit down with our new colleagues to reflect on their first few months with us.

From insights into their experience to career growth and the challenges they've faced, this series offers a look into life at HFG. Get to know the people behind the scenes!

Next up is Benjamin Chong, who joined our Malaysia team as one of HFG’s first hires in the country. We caught up with him to hear about his journey into recruitment and his experience of being part of HFG Malaysia from the beginning.

About Your Journey to HFG

What attracted you to recruitment and, specifically, to HFG?

I first entered recruitment as a Project Coordinator on an IT project. With a background in project work and sales within the insurance industry, I was given the opportunity to explore a career in recruitment.

A key moment came when I connected with Vicky on LinkedIn and learned about HFG’s plans to establish a presence in Malaysia. Joining HFG felt like the right opportunity to broaden my skills while continuing to develop my knowledge of the insurance industry.

How did you find the onboarding process, and what stood out to you in your first few weeks?

I still remember meeting Shaun and Vicky for the first time, before I had even officially started at HFG. That day, I also met Allen, who would become one of my colleagues, and the four of us went for dinner and drinks. It was a warm and memorable introduction to the business and made me excited about the journey ahead.

I joined HFG as part of the first group of hires in Malaysia, so it was exciting to be there at the beginning. I really appreciated the structured training and having Vicky there to support us during those first few months. Alongside Tong and Terence, I was able to experience HFG’s culture and way of working first-hand.

Everyone was patient and willing to offer guidance, while the fast-paced environment meant there was always something new to learn.

Experience at HFG So Far

What has been the biggest learning experience for you since joining?

I've learned to become more efficient, detail-oriented and mindful of the people around me. These are all things that have helped me develop both professionally and personally since joining HFG.

How would you describe the company culture at HFG?

Dynamic, efficient and supportive. There’s a real focus on being mindful of others and doing the right things at the right time.

Have there been any standout moments or highlights in your time here so far?

One of my biggest highlights has been being promoted within my first year at HFG. It was great to see my progress recognised and it has motivated me to continue developing and working towards the next step in my career.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a colleague?

Some of the most valuable advice I've received has come from people being willing to point out my blind spots and areas where I could improve. Having that honest feedback has helped me recognise my weaknesses, work on them and continue developing.

If you could give advice to someone considering a career in recruitment, what would it be?

Be open-minded, accept yourself and always look for ways to improve. Recruitment gives you plenty of opportunities to learn, both about the people you work with and about yourself.

Personal Interests

What’s something people might not know about you?

I probably take other people's opinions to heart more than they might realise. I'm always thinking about feedback and how I can use it to improve myself.

If you weren’t in recruitment, what do you think you’d be doing?

I probably would have continued my career as an Insurance Advisor or pursued opportunities working with small and medium-sized businesses.

How do you maintain a good work-life balance?

For me, it comes down to time management. If I plan my schedule well and use my time effectively, I’m less likely to need to work additional hours.

I don't necessarily think work-life balance means completely switching off from work outside working hours. For me, it's more about finding a balance where work fits comfortably alongside the rest of my lifestyle.