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Who should work in the City?


The City is no longer the ‘Old Boys Club’ that it has been perceived as in the past. The competition for jobs especially in the ‘glamorous’ sectors such as investment banking is fierce. It will not suit everyone, but for those who do succeed, the rewards can be substantial.

When considering a career in the City, you will need to ask yourself some important questions, including the following:

Am I really interested in the financial world?
You will need to be genuinely interested in the business and financial worlds, in the business reports on TV, read the Financial Times, watch how the FTSE share index moves etc. YOU WILL NOT GET THROUGH YOUR FIRST INTERVIEW UNLESS YOU SHOW YOURSELF TO BE WHOLLY COMMITTED

Could I cope with a competitive, possibly aggressive, environment?
If you are a shrinking violet, the City may not be for you. You will need to be outgoing, tough and resourceful.

Do I value my leisure time – do I want to be able to walk out of the office at 5pm and not think about work until 9am the next morning? Or am I prepared to work through the night if need be and be on constant call?
Although hours in the City do vary, in a number of jobs, they can be very long and pressurised. However, there will also be plenty of opportunity to socialise wining and dining clients and other corporate hospitality events.

Am I prepared to sit more exams?
Resting on your academic laurels is no longer an option in the City. Most jobs in the City will require some further specialist qualifications. Most firms will provide training and pay for the exams, but you will be expected to put in the study time out of hours often an extra few hours once you have come home from work. Once you have achieved these qualifications, your opportunities for career advancement will increase.

However, both the regulator and your firm will require you to enhance your knowledge and keep it up to date throughout your career.
Applying for a job

Competition for graduate placements, especially with the big firms is tough. Expect to have to fill out a lot of application forms. Most companies will have their own, customised application form, so do not expect just to send in a standard CV. You will also be expected to attend interviews.

Type of ExerciseWhat are they Looking For?What are they NOT Looking For?
Group exercise - primarily a discussion with a group of other candidates. People who can work with others to reach a suitable outcome. People who hog the discussion or people who contribute nothing.
Presentation – giving a talk on a certain topic. The ability to prepare and to communicate to a fair sized audience. The aplomb of a cabinet minister or a nervous breakdown.
Panel interview - involves 2 or more interviewers, probably investigating certain issues in some depth. Someone who can communicate well in a three-way conversation involving a variety of personalities. Someone who cannot communicate well with more than one person at a time.
Lunch or Dinner. Someone who can communicate coolly and calmly under pressure. Aristocratic table manners or a drunken food fight!
Personality profile - quiz like test to discover what sort of person you are. There are no right answers but does your temperament show you will fit in Individuals who will not fit into the organisation's culture eg individuals who dislike dealing with other people may not be suitable for a customer care line.
Case studies/in-tray exercises – examples or simulations of day-to-day working situations. People who are reasonably organised, numerate, literate and spatially aware. Prepare by practising. Einstein.
Technical interviews – practical tasks. People who really do have the technical skills listed on their CVs. Those who have invented their technical abilities.


 
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