Sunteți pe pagina 1din 37

How to get a Spring Week...

Tuesday December 1st 2009

Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are...
Edward Joudrey
President
Finalist Natural Sciences
Gap Year: Rothschild Gap Year Programme
Spring Weeks: J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Watson
Wyatt
Summer Internship: J.P. Morgan Cazenove UK IBD
Graduate Offer 2010: J.P. Morgan
Patrick Colville
Vice-President
Finalist Natural Sciences
Gap Year: Price Waterhouse Coopers
Spring Weeks: J.P. Morgan, UBS,
Summer Internship: J.P. Morgan Financial Sponsors
Group

Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Who we are...
Mikhel Ruia
Sponsorship Rep
Economics
Gap Year: Merrill Lynch
Spring Weeks: J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley
Summer Internship offer: J.P. Morgan

Daniel Lou
PR Rep
Economics
Spring Weeks: RBS, SEO
Summer Internship: RBS - Operations

Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Who we are...Your First Year Rep


Jakob Lindqvist
First Year Rep
PPE
Gap Year: Avanza Retail Broking & Private Banking
Market Report Analyst

Communicate your voice to the Exec


Promote all First Year Events
Increase your involvement
Promote the Gateway on Campus
Answer any First Year programme questions and queries

Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Introduction
Spring Weeks
Outline of Session
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude tests

Tips & Hints


Questions
Drinks
Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

What is a Spring Week?

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

Comprehensive introduction to financial Competencies


Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
services within the Easter break
Questions
Open to all degree disciplines
Demystify any preconceptions and
stereotypes surrounding the industry
Early recruitment source to spot potential
talent

Learn, participate & Succeed

Programmes...

Who we are
Introduction

Bank

Area Specific Deadline

URL:

CV
Cover Letter

Yes

7-Feb

www.jpmorgan.com

Competencies

No

31-Jan

www.barcap.com

No

31-Dec

www.morganstanley.com

No

5-Jan

www.bankofamerica.com

Yes

31-Jan

www.goldmansachs.com

No

17-Jan

www.ubs.com

Yes

31-Jan

www.rbs.co.uk

Yes

17-Jan

www.credit-suisse.com

Yes

N/A

www.citi.com

No

16-Jan

www.nomura.com

Yes

14-Jan

www.db.com

No

N/A

www.ey.com

Learn, participate & Succeed

Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

CV Structure
Profile

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies

Education

Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints

Work Experience
Positions of Responsibilities
Skills and Interests
ONE PAGE. DO NOT LIE. BE RELEVANT

Learn, participate & Succeed

Questions

Profile
Short Profile summarising your skills and how these apply
to the role that you are seeking

No DOB

Learn, participate & Succeed

Durham Email

Education

Include

Finance Modules, Quantitative or Language modules if


applicable
College

Learn, participate & Succeed

Work Experience

Anything is relevant if competencies expressed


Sex it up

Learn, participate & Succeed

Positions of Responsibilities

Anything is relevant shows personality

Learn, participate & Succeed

Skills and Interests

Express your personality


Way to provide talking points at interview
No need to include reaferences

Learn, participate & Succeed

Cover Letter

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

Purpose
Core Structure
Intro
Why Program
Why Bank
Why Area
Why You
The 4 Core: Skills, Competencies & Examples

Learn, participate & Succeed

Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Who we are
Introduction

Purpose
Supplement CV as an explanatory tool
Opportunity to express
Personality
Motivation
Written Clarity

CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Stand out CVs are quite generic


More important when competency questions
not required
Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction

Core Structure

CV
Cover Letter

Introduction

Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints

Clearly State what you are applying for:

Questions

Your address,
Your address.
Postcode

Research Correct Address of firm


Punctuation Consistency

10, Aldermanbury,
125, London Wall,
London.
EC27 5AJ

Clarifies context

Correct dictation of Name

Program Branding

1st December 2009

Dear Sir,
RE: J.P. Morgan Spring Week: Inside the Industry Application
I am writing to express my interest for a place on the J.P. Morgan Spring Week: Inside the
Industry programme 2010.

Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction

Core Structure

CV
Cover Letter

Why Program

Competencies

Why do you want a place


Want do you think you will gain from it
What made you apply

Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Demonstrate: :Research, Motivation

...Having been informed about the programme through the Durham University & Investment and
Finance Group (DUIFG), listening to the experiences of past participants, such as (insert name), I felt
immediately compelled to apply. I see this opportunity within J.P. Morgan as an excellent foundation to
expose myself to the intricacies of such a prestigious company, develop my understanding of the
industry as a whole and pursue my current goal of obtaining a position on your penultimate year
summer internship programme 2011
Expression point Big Picture:

Learn, participate & Succeed

Core Structure

Who we are
Introduction

Why bank
Knowledge, Research, Understanding
PUNCHY not generic.
Do not regurgitate website

CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

... Given the adversity surrounding the industry and current macroeconomic turmoil, which is hopefully
easing, J.P.Morgan has stood out and further cemented its position as the market leader; especially
within the universal banking model, a model which has crumbled at the likes of Citi and RBS
catastrophically. Jamie Dimons inspirational leadership and pursuit of a fortress balance sheet, which
at times was once foreseen as a conservative approach in the bull market of post-2002, has enabled
J.P.Morgan to not only remain stable in the current downturn but make strategic acquisitions of Bear
Stearns and Washington Mutual. This has allowed J.P.Morgan to grow its brokerage and retail
franchises respectively. For an aspiring graduate this has truly set J.P.Morgan apart from its rivals as the
place to be, in such a well led institution. Further, this ability for a firm to organically innovate provides
an environment in which a dedicated graduate can excel. The recent change in management structure
which combined the role of the two co-heads of the investment bank appointing Jess Staley is further
testament to a company continually searching for the competitive edge...

Market Understanding, Context of J.P. Morgan,


Analysis . Research

Learn, participate & Succeed

Core Structure
Why Area
Some programs area specific
You may already have some preference

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints

Check division name

...An area of interest which particularly attracts to me to investment banking is risk management. I see
this area as such an exciting field which is entering a new paradigm given the economic climate. Past
models are being completely re-evaluated in the way markets approach risk and entering the industry
in such important period within the history of capitalism I see as compelling especially as I can use my
passion for mathematics within the area...
Continued Market Understanding

Learn, participate & Succeed

Questions

Core Structure

Who we are
Introduction

Why You

CV
Cover Letter

Highlight key skills which you can offer


Demonstrate them through 3 to 4 examples

Skill Base:

Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Numerical, Analytical, Communicational, Evaluative


Leadership, Enthusiasm for Finance (DUIFG!),
Team Work, Stamina, Drive, Project Based Work,
Linguistic ability, Organisational, Intrigue, Ability to
Synthesize Information, Handle pressure,
Ambition, Determination, Attention to detail, Pure
Academics etc
Stand Out: Do not be generic... Think of interesting
examples.

Learn, participate & Succeed

Core Structure

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

....I consider myself to be a well-rounded team player within any context and situation, which I
hope is shown through my extracurricular interests. My organisational and leadership
skills exhibited last year has led to my appointment as the Hatfield College Table Tennis
Captain 08/09, normally a role assigned for a final year student. Taekwondo has installed
in me an inner drive and stamina I feel is very transferable to the modern work
environment. This I hope is demonstrated through my ability to achieve a black belt in less
than three years. My degree (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) requires much
evaluative work in order to synthesise an array of literature. During my Gap Year
internship with KPMG, I developed my numerical skills greatly conducting audits
continuously leaving me with an in-depth knowledge of accounting practice within the
professional domain.
Finally, I pursue my intrigue in financial markets through my membership of the DUIFG where I
have been elected as an Analyst on our Fund Team covering the TMT sector where I report
to the Fund Manager my investments ideas within the sector...

How many competencies can you name ?

Learn, participate & Succeed

Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Competencies
A competency interview is a style of interviewing often used to evaluate a candidate's
competence, particularly when it is hard to select on the basis of an applicant's past or
previous industry experience, but this is an ineffective tool for graduate level candidates.
Competency based interviews give valuable insights into an individual's preferred style of
working and help predict behaviors in future situations.

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Example competency questions:

What makes you suited for the role to which you applied?

Give an example of when you've overcome a complex problem with a simple solution?

Give an example of when you've led a team, how would you have managed a challenge
to your authority?

Give an example of when you've failed in the past?

Have you ever had to work in a team with someone who you do not like and did not
work well with, how did you overcome this?

Describe an instance where you have delivered more than was expected of you. (150
words)

Learn, participate & Succeed

Competencies (cont)
Use the Star method for questions where youre asked to describe a scenario. Outlining the:

Situation,

Task,

Action and

Result
Key competencies YOU NEED TO DEMONSTRATE in your application and in interviews:

Excellent academic background, at least for the larger banks

Strong numerical and IT skills=

Stamina and drive to succeed

A keen interest in and knowledge of the financial sector and the role you are applying for
as well as current affairs and business in general

The ability to work long hours, under pressure and to tight deadlines

An ability to grasp complex issues quickly

Strong communication and team-working skills

Fluency in a European language is an advantage, depending on the role chosen

Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Competencies (cont)
Highlight your achievements, using facts and figures to give a tangible impression of your successes:

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies

Vary your examples and attempt to write about things that arent the norm:

Try not to use an example more than once , and for this example think about for which
competency it could best be used

Most people will have led a university project or participated in an extra-curricular activity
team; the more interesting things youve done, the more likely your application is to be
noticed.

Also try to think of example that are recent, what you did when you were 15 at school really
doesnt matter

However, do not make things up! You may be asked further details about the scenarios at
interview and any embellishments will come out. No-one wants to hire a liar.

Go off topic or write irrelevant things this gives the impression that you have either not done
something suitable or that you have misread the question.

Similarly, don't go into too much background detail when answering competency questions.
Your interviewer only wants to know about your past behaviors. Further detail is redundant.
Prepare TWO example for each competency, this way you will be ready if they do not like your first
example of if they are trying to catch you off guard

Learn, participate & Succeed

Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Competencies
Now how do you think you would be able to handle to following competency questions?

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies

Describe an instance where you have delivered more than was expected of you. (150 words)

Last term I was elected to be my student halls bicycle security officer. This was typically
somewhat of a joke position and the previous two position holders had done very little.
However, having had my bike stolen three times whilst at university, I was determined
to break the norm and do more than typically expected of the bicycle security officer. So
far I have managed to negotiate for the local bike shop to give extra 10% discounts to
students for bicycle locks and raised awareness of the issue by liaising with Bristol police
to ensure that free bicycle identification kits are distributed within halls and faculty
common rooms. With only two bicycles stolen from students in my halls in the first half
of this term (compared with 10 last term) the measures seem to have had some success,
which I am hopeful will continue throughout the year.

Learn, participate & Succeed

Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Competencies

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

What do you perceive as your weaknesses? (150 words)

Whilst I am very interested in joining the J.P.Morgan Spring Week programme, I am


inexperienced having not previously worked in a business related position or an officebased role. Nonetheless I am hopeful that my passion for the technology sector will help
me to understand the day-to-day elements of the job quickly; I have also come to learn
about the business behind the technology sector through the research I have done in
contributing stories about mobile broadband to the moconews.net blog /website. Also,
having studied History, I am aware that I lack the theoretical knowledge and
mathematical expertise which would help me in the finance part of the rotation scheme.
However, I have been trying to develop my skills in this area through taking a business
module alongside my normal course and by reading some introductory text finance
books.

GOOD LUCK

Learn, participate & Succeed

Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Aptitude Tests

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

Competencies
Verbal Reasoning Test
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Numerical Test
Questions
Becoming a standard part of the first stage
screening process along with the CV, Cover
Letter and Competency Based questions
already discussed

Learn, participate & Succeed

Verbal Reasoning Example 1

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

Verbal Reasoning Example 2

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

Numerical Example 1

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

Answer to Example 1

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

Numerical Example 2

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

Answer to Example 2

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

Tips & Hints Reasoning Tests

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

Make sure you will not be interrupted during Competencies


Aptitude
Tests
the test
Tips & Hints
Questions
Dont ponder too long on any question, make
an educated guess and move on
True/False given information/Cannot say without
more info, dont try to infer information
Read broad sheet newspapers, reports and business
journals

Learn, participate & Succeed

Tips & Hints Numerical Tests

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter

Competencies
Be careful with units
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Calculator, rough paper
Questions
Dont spend too long on a question you are stuck on
Aim for roughly a minute per question
Read financial reports in newspapers, studying tables
of data and practicing your mental arithmetic
Practise at:
www.shl.com
students.efinancialcareers.co.uk

Learn, participate & Succeed

General Tips & Hints


Spelling and Grammar
The company name e.g. J.P. Morgan not
Jpmorgan
JPM
J P Morgan
Be careful when copying and pasting
Make every word count
Dont rush: a spring week can lead to: 10,000 internship
45,000 graduate offer
Be concise
Learn, participate & Succeed

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Who we are
Introduction
CV
Cover Letter
Competencies
Aptitude
Tests
Tips & Hints
Questions

Learn, participate & Succeed

S-ar putea să vă placă și