It took a sense of purpose and big dreams for Jessie Chen to make some big moves in her life. These same qualities make her stand out in her career with Canberra mortgage broker Clarity Home Loans.
Originally from Sichuan in China, Jessie moved to Australia when she was just 17 years old. Jessie says her parents wanted to give her the opportunity of an Australian education.
“It was an amazing opportunity for me,” Jessie says. “I was excited but I didn’t know anyone in Brisbane so it was a bit overwhelming at first.”
Jessie worked hard at school and gained admission to study for a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Queensland.
“I have always been a numbers person. I thought I might become an accountant, but when I was at university, I realised that while I like commerce and business, I really like dealing with people, too.”
Deciding that simply crunching numbers might be a bit boring, Jessie majored in both finance and accounting and after graduating from university she began an internship with a mortgage broker.
“I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into and it was only a small company but I thought I may as well give it a go. It was probably the best start I could possibly have had. Working in a small firm like that meant I was able to get good experience in all areas of mortgage broking. I got to learn much more than I would have if I had started in a bigger firm,” Jessie says.
Jessie quickly earned a good reputation in the Brisbane market and her career took off. Mortgage broking was her thing, she even met her husband through her work. Life then delivered another big change: her husband was offered a transfer to Canberra.
Again she moved to a city where she knew no one.
“I didn’t know anyone but was confident I would be able to establish myself in Canberra and that my husband and I could build a new life here.”
Jessie was right. Her industry knowledge and extensive experience led to a position at Clarity Home Loans.
“In some ways moving to a smaller city made it a little harder to make friends but I knew what I had to do. I had to step out of my comfort level and meet new people and make a new life in a new city. Working at Clarity Home Loans made the move to Canberra worth it. I enjoy my work, my colleagues and my clients,” Jessie explains.
“It is helping clients that makes my job so satisfying. A home loan is more than just a transaction. I am helping people realise their dream of buying a home. To do that, your customers need to trust you and that means building genuine relationships with them.”
Jessie says the best loan brokers need to be on the customer’s side so that they can identify the most suitable lenders and products according to their unique situation and needs.
“I know what it is like to move to Canberra and buy a home here. I know what it is like to be a working parent and to want a home for your family. It is good to be able to use my financial knowledge and to get the best products for my clients.”
Being fluent in both Mandarin and English, Jessie is also able to help the Chinese community. Her parents recently moved from China to Canberra to help care for their grandson, strengthening family ties to Canberra.
“It was a big move for them and I was glad I was able to help them. They gave me an education in Australia and now I have a wonderful career, a family, a home of my own and we are all together again.”
If you’re looking to finance a property transaction in Canberra, contact Jessie Chen on 02 6190 1280 or Jessie.Chen@clarityfinancial.com.au.
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