1. Careers
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Applications and
Deadlines Explained
2nd October 2013
Sue Moseley
Careers Consultant
School of Economics and Finance
Facebook.com/careersforeconomics
Copyright The Careers Group 2013

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Today - What you will gain
•Be able to complete applications
with impact • how can you
stand out?
•Top tips (and what NOT to do)
•Overview of key dates for
internship and grad schemes
•Important next steps

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Application Process
Application
Aptitude
tests
(online)
Telephone
interview
Interviews/
Assessment
Centres
Application stage:
•Online form (most used)
•CV (frequent)
•Cover letter (sometimes)

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Applications with impact
How can you stand out?
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•The areas that people generally
fall down on within the
application are their motivation
towards joining and their
understanding of the Bank as
well as having good relevant
answers for the competency
questions.•
Senior Banking Recruiter

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Application form contents
•Personal details
•Motivation questions •
••Why do you want to work for this organisation?•
••What is your understanding of the function of
the division you are applying to?•
•Competency questions •
••Describe a time when you solved a problem.•
•Industry awareness questions •
••What have you read in the news recently that
will affect our business?•

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Preparing your applications
•Research the role & company
•Job description, other recruitment info and website
•Press coverage, Inside Buzz, www.hereisthecity
•Contacts (former interns, employees)
•Check you can answer these questions:
•What skills are they seeking/ how can I contribute?
•How does the company/division make money?
•What types of customers does it have?
•What makes it different from its competitors?
•Research the market:
•The Economist, other media
•Consultancy reports e.g. www.mckinsey.com/insights

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Examples
Look at the handouts
• what has impact,
what doesn•t?

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EXAMPLE 1: Why do you want to work
for this organisation? (150 words)
Your organisation has an international
reputation and is also one of the most
respected banks in the UK and world-wide.
It is important for me to work for a
successful organisation and I would welcome
all the different opportunities available to
me. I am ambitious to work abroad at some
point and so the global nature of your
organisation appeals to me. Finally, I•d like
to work for the organisation because the role
matches my skills. I am interest in
devloping new skills and believe that your
analyst programme would help me to
achieve my goals. It would be an honour to
contribute to the success of Barclays.
(109 words)

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EXAMPLE 2 - Why do you want to work
for this organisation? (150 words)
I have an understanding of the business of Wealth
Management, having completed two weeks work
experience with Coutts. At meetings with a Senior
Client Manager, I noted the excellent relationship-
building skills and investment knowledge required for
the role. As an active member of the Trading and
Investment Society at Queen Mary and having shown a
strong ability to relate to high net worth customers in
my part time job, I know that I can contribute to the
success of Barclays Wealth.
The 2013 expansion of Barclays in Asia particularly
interests me. I gained a first in my degree module on
Asian markets. Predictions of 15% growth in private
banking in Asia by 2015 (McKinsey) mean that Barclays
strategy seems ahead of its UK competitors. Having
spent 6 months working in China and Hong Kong
before university, I would be keen to build good
working relationships with colleagues in that region.
(150 words)

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EXAMPLE 2 - Why do you want to work
for this organisation? (150 words)
I have an understanding of the business of Wealth
Management, having completed two weeks work
experience with Coutts. At meetings with a Senior
Client Manager, I noted the excellent relationship-
building skills and investment knowledge required for
the role. As an active member of the Trading and
Investment Society at Queen Mary and having shown a
strong ability to relate to high net worth customers in
my part time job, I know that I can contribute to the
success of Barclays Wealth.
The 2013 expansion of Barclays in Asia particularly
interests me. I gained a first in my degree module on
Asian markets. Predictions of 15% growth in private
banking in Asia by 2015 (McKinsey) mean that
Barclays’ strategy seems ahead of its UK competitors.
Having spent 6 months working in China and Hong
Kong before university, I would be keen to build good
working relationships with colleagues in that region.
(150 words)

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Top tips - Do
’Read the instructions and job description
very carefully
’Answer the question ’ be specific
’Do it well (e.g. 4 hours inc research)
’Use a Word document (spell check), then
transfer
’Keep to word limits
’Get some feedback (e.g. friends, Careers)
’Keep a copy of your application form,
ready for interview

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Top tips ’ Don’t

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’Competency’ questions
What’s a relevant
answer?
’Example-based (work or non-work
e.g. academic, interests)
’Specific and detailed
’Clear evidence

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What is a ’competency’?
Adaptability
Career
Motivation
Problem
Solving
Achievement
of goals
Planning and
organisation
Communication
Commercial
Awareness
Source: Deloitte

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Use ’STAR’
’S Situation
’T Task
’A Action
’R Result
’Consider use of paragraphs for each point
’Use most of your word count for the Action
you took
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Presenting your evidence
’Think action verbs
’analysed, developed, evaluated, increased,
initiated, implemented, led, liaised, organised,
planned, presented, supervised, etc.
’Think concrete quantities
’’5,000 items’, ’£50,000’, ’team of twelve’
’Think real-world results
’’4 weeks before deadline’, ’25% increase’,
’excellent feedback’, ’successful
implementation’

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Some examples
Look at the handouts
’ what has impact,
what doesn’t?

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Example 1: Competency answer
Describe a time when you instigated
change to solve a problem. (75 words)
During my degree, I discovered that academic advisor times
didn’t suit everyone as many of my classmates were missing
slots due to timetable clashes with other academic and extra-
curricular activities. These included optional seminars that
many felt the need to attend and Wednesday afternoon sporting
commitments. I undertook research and found that there
needed to be a more flexible arrangement for students to meet
their academic advisor and consequently a greater number of
slots were made available’.
(77 words)

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Example 2: Competency answer
Describe a time when you instigated
change to solve a problem. (75 words)
In my second year, I identified the need for a change in
academic adviser times since my year group were missing slots
due to time-table clashes. I put my case in writing to two
academic staff, explaining the situation and suggesting more
convenient times. I followed this up in person and was invited to
the next staff meeting. After negotiation, a revised timetable
was introduced and students were consequently able to meet
advisers more regularly. (75 words)

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What about CVs and
cover letters?
’You may also be asked to submit a CV
and/or cover letter (or email)
’Make sure the content of your CV is
consistent with your application (dates
and what you did, skills you highlight, key terms used)
’Cover letter: Use your research to
show why you want the role
’2 page CV max (1 page for investment banking)
For examples:
http://www.careerstagged.co.uk//files/pdf/How%20t_How_to_Write_a_CV.pdf
http://www.careerstagged.co.uk//files/pdf/Cover_Covering%20Letter.pdf

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Aptitude tests
’Numerical reasoning
’Verbal reasoning
’Critical Thinking
’Situational Judgement
Practice helps!
- practice tests available from Careers
- SHL (a test provider)
www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests/
-Inside Buzz ’ FREE tests at
http://bit.ly/1c02Mx26

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Make sure you don’t miss out
Where do
I want to
apply to?
Which are
my top
20?
When are
the
deadlines?
TIP: ’Warm up’ by doing your first
application to an organisation low
on your list

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All for 2014!
’Graduate schemes - open now, close
mid October and November 2013
’Internship schemes ’ open now (or
within next 2 months) close when full
or mid Nov 2013/Jan 2014
NB: Apply early ’ some deadlines are
’rolling’ and there are exceptions dates
above!
Key dates for internship
and graduate schemes

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Government Finance
Profession
Graduate Programme
Closing deadline: 20 October
2013 | Salary: Competitive
Source: www.targetjobs.co.uk/
An example:

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Summary of graduate roles,
internships and deadlines:
http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-
en/150626/bank-by-bank-graduate-and-
internship-application-deadlines-london-
2013-2014/

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Key dates for internship
and graduate schemes
Good sites for checking deadlines:
’http://targetjobs.co.uk/
’http://www.milkround.com/
’http://www.e4s.co.uk/docs/internships.htm
’http://www.graddiary.com
’http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-en/students/
’http://www.gradnav.com

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Meet companies off
campus
•Barclays networking evening:
•9th Oct
•Deloitte careers evening
•14th Oct
•And more -
check websites
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Top tip: Be determined!
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In the words of a
successful summer
2013 intern at Citi :
I applied from September
until June. I got about 40
rejections and then I got the
Citi internship in Dubai. It•s
about determination!

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Next steps•
•How to get the job you want - 7th Oct
•Routes into accountancy • 7th Oct
•Mock assessment centre • 9th Oct
•Getting into Financial Markets • 10th Oct
•By investment banking professionals
•Build a Bank • 15th Oct
•Barclays Wealth, Santander and Lazard etc
www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/events

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Copyright The Careers Group 2013