Spring Week Applications for 2015
- Thread starter LegendaryRonBurgundy1
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hitchensism1
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- Aug
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Expert #74511
New member
- Sep
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Howdy. I signed up to post this here after having had a few people saying it was a good resource. It's based off of notes I made after the Gwyn Day talks at the BN festival yesterday. All of these are broad categories, so best try to read every one of them. If you're a solid candidate already and you have these, you'll have much better chances.
Gwyn on competency questions
To be able to handle these, you need to have relevant experience. This means being involved in relevant clubs. Being involved is not enough; to encounter the problems and dilemmas which will give you lots of material to call back on, you need to get a position of responsibility. Don't just join your university finance club: get into a committee (the higher the better) level position. That way you get to make the contacts, network with the new people, and encounter the dilemmas that can provide those anecdotes and experience you can use. Take as many extra-curriculars as possible.
For the questions themselves use CAR (Context, Action, Result). Think about relevant skills pertinent to each activity and dilemma and present your case during questions in a clear and quantitative way (instead of saying "Through my support of charity x I greatly improved my local community," say "I successfully raised £500 for charity x which was enough to buy five new beds at the children's wing of the hospital"). Don't be woolly. General investment acumen helps not just for competency questions, but also for having a grip on the business as a whole. Try to get ahold of that.
Knowledge of employer
When you're filling out that app form and going into that interview, ask if you know the following.
These can often be found through some basic research (Wiki, google searches, etc). Alongside that firms such as Deloitte and KPMG will publish reports which often highlight this sort of topic and provide very useful information on the more analytical points. Take time to look over the company's annual report; the executive summary is vital for getting a grip on the state of the business. The CEO/CFO's reports also provide vital insights.
On the careers part of the website HR usually puts up seemingly inane talking heads and podcasts. These are not useless. They're vital resources with some important hidden information buried in them to do with corporate culture. Listen and read this stuff; if you go in knowing it and having the impression it gave you of the company, you'll stand out against all those who didn't pay attention.
If you meet people and learn something from them, don't be afraid to reference them in your app or during interviews ("John Smith from X spoke to me and told me that unlike your competitors your culture places a high regard on the wellbeing of its analysts, etc."). These show you've taken the time to try to meet people. Don't just reference this; do analysis pertinent to yourself. Make this applicable to you. Don't just state "You're the best at fixed income;" tell them that their position in fixed income makes them attractive for these reasons applicable to you.
Cashing in on spring week
For your application to succeed, you simply need to get everything right. No spelling mistakes. No lapses in knowledge. Consistent evidence of your knowledge and interest in the firm and the sector. Ie, all the tips provided above and below.
For the spring week to fast track you to a summer internship, don't be complacent. Whilst you're there take your time to go about the place and get to know both fellow students and staff. If you're doing desk work take the initiative to get up from your desk, go up to someone nearby who doesn't look like he's too caught up with work, and strike up a friendly conversation and get to know them. Ask them about themselves, find common ground. It's not just your manager that has a verdict. If people like you they can go to your manager and tell them this guy has got what they need. This is equally applicable to both the spring week and the summer internship. Make those connections and become a respected and well-liked guy, along with being a solid worker.
As sad as it may be, solid interpersonal skills and the ability to integrate into the job are prized far above brilliant academic credentials. You need common interests.
Assessment centres
As hinted at above, try coming into these with the necessary knowledge. Ideas such as market cap, etc. At this point they start expecting you to know the fundamentals at least. You'll get assignments to give presentations on why you'd invest in certain stocks during the assessment centre, so concepts like this are very important.
During tasks at the assessment centre, don't be an "alpha" who attempts to take charge of the entire procedure. Be collegiate. Begin by introducing yourself, and inviting everyone else to. Try to organise a timetable with the group. Speak with the group, and build on other people's ideas ("I like that idea. Let's take that further and...") in true collegiate fashion. Give everyone the chance to speak, and ask the opinion of the quieter and more thoughtful members of the group. Address the group when speaking, not just the person you think is your main competition. If you have an alpha who's trying to take over, calmly call them out ("Excuse me Barry, I think you should pause for a moment and ask the rest of the group their opinions...") or even ask the group to chip in if they really need reigning in ("Barry, I believe you're taking over too much. What does the group think?"). Don't let anyone dominate. The team activities are about finding an optimal solution, not an ideal one; don't turn perfectionist or obsessive. Accept whatever consensus arises.
For these and the interviews, you also need to develop a sound knowledge on the business, the sector, and the wider world. So the company, the economy, and global geopolitical-economic issues.
Aptitude tests
Practice the tests before attempting them. Practice before online applications and also the assessment centre, where you may need to resit them in a controlled environment. Practice them as much as you can. On the online tests, make liberal use of your print screen key so you can take copies of the questions you have sat so far. As banks often use the same tests, you can reflect on this year's crop and potentially be able to correct mistakes or remember correct answers you made for future tests. Plus it's just free practice/revision material.
Body language and social competence
For those of us who aren't socially confident/competent, Gwyn claimed that some learned behaviours can help compensate for whatever deficits you have. Body language and facial expressions are key to communication. If you need to improve on these, research on the subjects of rapport and more specifically the technique of matching and mirroring. Never begin a sentance with an "Um" or an "Er;" pause for 5 seconds before speaking. Make hand movements, smile, and make eye contact (or stare at the tip of their nose or at the centre of their forehead).
Academics
Have a high 2:1 degree (66-70 at least) or else you're not going to be competitive. He recommended not doing a masters, as most iBanks aren't eager to defer employment if you take a one year master's after a 3-year course.
Interviews
Every response you make should be thought-out, and consist of 2-3 points at most to prevent you from rambling on and boring the interviewer. Make sure you're able to do good reasoning for any questions like "How many ice-creams did they sell in Blackpool yesterday?" or so on. Make sure you are ready for any competency questions. Don't repeat yourself or the question. For the traditional "weakness" question, speak about something that's relatively inane but a clear negative trait. Turn the statement into how you're taking steps to mitigate that. Be ready with some questions other than the dry and dull. Ask questions pertaining to how you'll be in the company; ask what you'll have done in a certain time period.
Nice to meet you all, anyway. Hopefully this'll prove helpful.
Gwyn on competency questions
To be able to handle these, you need to have relevant experience. This means being involved in relevant clubs. Being involved is not enough; to encounter the problems and dilemmas which will give you lots of material to call back on, you need to get a position of responsibility. Don't just join your university finance club: get into a committee (the higher the better) level position. That way you get to make the contacts, network with the new people, and encounter the dilemmas that can provide those anecdotes and experience you can use. Take as many extra-curriculars as possible.
For the questions themselves use CAR (Context, Action, Result). Think about relevant skills pertinent to each activity and dilemma and present your case during questions in a clear and quantitative way (instead of saying "Through my support of charity x I greatly improved my local community," say "I successfully raised £500 for charity x which was enough to buy five new beds at the children's wing of the hospital"). Don't be woolly. General investment acumen helps not just for competency questions, but also for having a grip on the business as a whole. Try to get ahold of that.
Knowledge of employer
When you're filling out that app form and going into that interview, ask if you know the following.
- The firm's number of employees
- The current CEO/key members of the board
- The firm's revenues and profits
- Individual fields it tops and doesn't do so well in
- Company's history
- Countries/localities it operates in
- The company and the sector's strengths, weaknesses (internal), opportunities, and risks (external)
- Political, economic, social, technological, and environmental changes/challenges to the company and the sector
- Recent deals the bank partook in
These can often be found through some basic research (Wiki, google searches, etc). Alongside that firms such as Deloitte and KPMG will publish reports which often highlight this sort of topic and provide very useful information on the more analytical points. Take time to look over the company's annual report; the executive summary is vital for getting a grip on the state of the business. The CEO/CFO's reports also provide vital insights.
On the careers part of the website HR usually puts up seemingly inane talking heads and podcasts. These are not useless. They're vital resources with some important hidden information buried in them to do with corporate culture. Listen and read this stuff; if you go in knowing it and having the impression it gave you of the company, you'll stand out against all those who didn't pay attention.
If you meet people and learn something from them, don't be afraid to reference them in your app or during interviews ("John Smith from X spoke to me and told me that unlike your competitors your culture places a high regard on the wellbeing of its analysts, etc."). These show you've taken the time to try to meet people. Don't just reference this; do analysis pertinent to yourself. Make this applicable to you. Don't just state "You're the best at fixed income;" tell them that their position in fixed income makes them attractive for these reasons applicable to you.
Cashing in on spring week
For your application to succeed, you simply need to get everything right. No spelling mistakes. No lapses in knowledge. Consistent evidence of your knowledge and interest in the firm and the sector. Ie, all the tips provided above and below.
For the spring week to fast track you to a summer internship, don't be complacent. Whilst you're there take your time to go about the place and get to know both fellow students and staff. If you're doing desk work take the initiative to get up from your desk, go up to someone nearby who doesn't look like he's too caught up with work, and strike up a friendly conversation and get to know them. Ask them about themselves, find common ground. It's not just your manager that has a verdict. If people like you they can go to your manager and tell them this guy has got what they need. This is equally applicable to both the spring week and the summer internship. Make those connections and become a respected and well-liked guy, along with being a solid worker.
As sad as it may be, solid interpersonal skills and the ability to integrate into the job are prized far above brilliant academic credentials. You need common interests.
Assessment centres
As hinted at above, try coming into these with the necessary knowledge. Ideas such as market cap, etc. At this point they start expecting you to know the fundamentals at least. You'll get assignments to give presentations on why you'd invest in certain stocks during the assessment centre, so concepts like this are very important.
During tasks at the assessment centre, don't be an "alpha" who attempts to take charge of the entire procedure. Be collegiate. Begin by introducing yourself, and inviting everyone else to. Try to organise a timetable with the group. Speak with the group, and build on other people's ideas ("I like that idea. Let's take that further and...") in true collegiate fashion. Give everyone the chance to speak, and ask the opinion of the quieter and more thoughtful members of the group. Address the group when speaking, not just the person you think is your main competition. If you have an alpha who's trying to take over, calmly call them out ("Excuse me Barry, I think you should pause for a moment and ask the rest of the group their opinions...") or even ask the group to chip in if they really need reigning in ("Barry, I believe you're taking over too much. What does the group think?"). Don't let anyone dominate. The team activities are about finding an optimal solution, not an ideal one; don't turn perfectionist or obsessive. Accept whatever consensus arises.
For these and the interviews, you also need to develop a sound knowledge on the business, the sector, and the wider world. So the company, the economy, and global geopolitical-economic issues.
Aptitude tests
Practice the tests before attempting them. Practice before online applications and also the assessment centre, where you may need to resit them in a controlled environment. Practice them as much as you can. On the online tests, make liberal use of your print screen key so you can take copies of the questions you have sat so far. As banks often use the same tests, you can reflect on this year's crop and potentially be able to correct mistakes or remember correct answers you made for future tests. Plus it's just free practice/revision material.
Body language and social competence
For those of us who aren't socially confident/competent, Gwyn claimed that some learned behaviours can help compensate for whatever deficits you have. Body language and facial expressions are key to communication. If you need to improve on these, research on the subjects of rapport and more specifically the technique of matching and mirroring. Never begin a sentance with an "Um" or an "Er;" pause for 5 seconds before speaking. Make hand movements, smile, and make eye contact (or stare at the tip of their nose or at the centre of their forehead).
Academics
Have a high 2:1 degree (66-70 at least) or else you're not going to be competitive. He recommended not doing a masters, as most iBanks aren't eager to defer employment if you take a one year master's after a 3-year course.
Interviews
Every response you make should be thought-out, and consist of 2-3 points at most to prevent you from rambling on and boring the interviewer. Make sure you're able to do good reasoning for any questions like "How many ice-creams did they sell in Blackpool yesterday?" or so on. Make sure you are ready for any competency questions. Don't repeat yourself or the question. For the traditional "weakness" question, speak about something that's relatively inane but a clear negative trait. Turn the statement into how you're taking steps to mitigate that. Be ready with some questions other than the dry and dull. Ask questions pertaining to how you'll be in the company; ask what you'll have done in a certain time period.
Nice to meet you all, anyway. Hopefully this'll prove helpful.
its been open for ages, the op needs to be updated. click on the rosths link in the op, and navigate to the insight, easy to find.
roguetrader1
New member
- Oct
- 2
- 0
Anyone done the RBS logical test, I totally screwed up on that one, was so eager to take the test that I missed a link to a practice test (which would have been really helpful).
ah well done bro, nice one
is that the ac on the 28th? On your application, did it say you were on hold, before they then gave you an ac? mine has said youre on hold and will be contacted shortly to discuss the next stage, for about 4 weeks now.I got baml rej yday, tough times. Its more a pisstake when we have to wait so long, only for mass rejections.
Thanks man, though they are like the same competitive as DB (taking 6 spring interns in total is mad). Ye ye 28th; yeah also got that email before the invite.ah well done bro, nice one
I got baml rej yday, tough times. Its more a pisstake when we have to wait so long, only for mass rejections.
I am starting to think (which is quite the opposite of what I expected) that an awful lot just depend on pure luck, no matter the strength of your profile, when it comes to getting interviews.
ICAP spring week Assessment Centre:
- 1st round is quick mental math calculations. 45 sec only for each question, kind of hard if you don't prepare. the simulator that they are using is very similar to this.
- then comes the group presentation. push others, ask their opinions and make sure you contribute important selling points (we had to pitch ICAP to an investor looking for an IDB for FX) of the firm. RESEARCH. if you don't you are done. Know what kind of services do they offer, why they are unique, what companies they are investing in currently, read all the related news to the company in the last one/half a year. They reject a lot of people post AC, you have to stand out.
- then a 1on1 interview with HR. Basic, but hard to impress. What's the diff between a trader and a broker, whats ICAP share price is currently at, where was it half a year ago, what happened to the share price (why did it signficiantly drop X months ago, why did it raise X months ago), why did you choose the degree and uni, what services ICAP offer (this is where you can stand out, know their business VERY well or you are done), are you interviewing with other firms, why broking, do you have any questions for me.
- only two requirements for getting a place on their programme: be knowledgeable about ICAP, be likeable. on the former you can work on, on the second youll have to take your chances.
You are welcome.
- 1st round is quick mental math calculations. 45 sec only for each question, kind of hard if you don't prepare. the simulator that they are using is very similar to this.
- then comes the group presentation. push others, ask their opinions and make sure you contribute important selling points (we had to pitch ICAP to an investor looking for an IDB for FX) of the firm. RESEARCH. if you don't you are done. Know what kind of services do they offer, why they are unique, what companies they are investing in currently, read all the related news to the company in the last one/half a year. They reject a lot of people post AC, you have to stand out.
- then a 1on1 interview with HR. Basic, but hard to impress. What's the diff between a trader and a broker, whats ICAP share price is currently at, where was it half a year ago, what happened to the share price (why did it signficiantly drop X months ago, why did it raise X months ago), why did you choose the degree and uni, what services ICAP offer (this is where you can stand out, know their business VERY well or you are done), are you interviewing with other firms, why broking, do you have any questions for me.
- only two requirements for getting a place on their programme: be knowledgeable about ICAP, be likeable. on the former you can work on, on the second youll have to take your chances.
You are welcome.
Last edited:
thebondking1
New member
- Feb
- 23
- 1
It's interesting to see how spring weeks became a thing for rubbing your ego. I am not saying it's not a challenge to get one because it is, but kids should take a fucking step back thinking they are hot shit.