The hiring manager and the right mindset
20 Mar 20234 min read
Summary
- New Soon Tee, CEO of Pick Network and former private‑sector leader, emphasises that hiring success hinges on “nimbleness”, versatility and a boundaryless mindset rather than a perfect skill match.
- He highlights the persistent mismatch in talent supply, stating that many candidates have potential but lack readiness for cutting‑edge roles — which he believes can be overcome by attitude and willingness to learn.
- For organisations seeking strong hires, his advice is clear: prioritise adaptable personalities, accept career‑shifts with sacrifice and align role expectations with realistic candidate trajectories.
Amos Tay talks with Pick Network’s CEO New Soon Tee, who shared his insights about hiring talents and transitioning from the private to the public sector. He dived into his perspectives as a person making hiring decisions and a candidate who is a veteran in the Information and Communications Technology, Manufacturing, and Logistics industries.
Pick Network is an Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) subsidiary. It uses a nationwide parcel locker network for more efficient logistics services. Prior to becoming Pick’s CEO, Soon Tee was the Cluster Director for Trade and Connectivity, which oversees digitalization and transformation initiatives.
Hiring preference
Pick Network management directly engages in its personnel infrastructure matters. When hiring, he deems that a person's nimbleness, versatility, and boundaryless are crucial.
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"Sometimes it’s about leveraging on what you have. Sometime it’s about, you know, panelling with panels and make things happen."
He noted that a small entity with limited resources should hire someone that can be cross-functional and valuable to the team.
His understanding of the industry, challenges, and limitations made him a valuable asset and well-suited for IMDA. However, Soon Tee found that there’s also a big difference between the “thinking considerations” of a private and public entity.
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