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Lessons on the dark art of CV manipulation from former Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson
Here’s a career lesson that you can take from Scott Thompson, Yahoo’s former chief executive of less than six months – never lie on your CV. It’s unethical and could spell career suicide if you get found out.Unfortunately, Thompson learnt this the hard way. First, he claimed to be unaware of a non-existent computer science [...]
GUEST COMMENT: How to send out three hundred job applications for an equity trading job, and still get nowhere
I have a friend who was a junior equities trader. He joined the bank straight out of university, worked there for a few years and was made redundant. Four months into his redundancy, we spoke and he mentioned to me that he’d submitted more than 300 job applications. I didn’t totally believe this and asked [...]
Why it’s so important to talk to recruiters face to face; and how to go about setting up a meeting
You send your CV to a recruiter, you wait, you don’t hear back, or you only get a brief phone call or email. But what you really want is the chance to talk in detail about your career with a real-life person, perhaps over a nice coffee. Here’s our guide to making your candidacy stand [...]
GUEST COMMENT: How to rework your CV for roles outside the financial services industry
In the current environment, many of you may be thinking of broadening your job search so that it’s not restricted to financial services. If so, it is advisable to bear the following points in mind. 1. Research before you rush in Carefully research what your target companies(s) and target sector value – what skills do [...]
The Intern: A truthful four-point insider’s guide (free from HR rhetoric) on how to clinch an elusive investment banking internship
So you want to get that coveted front-office internship in an investment bank to add glitz to your resume, not to mention the attractive internship remuneration that will pay for your semester exchange/travel in Europe or the US. After failing in many interviews (then finally clinching an internship), here are some insider tips that will [...]
Seven steps to secure an interview before Christmas
Job hunting in this market takes a little extra effort. Here’s how to stand out. 1) Banking is changing – so should you Many firms are currently looking for people who have business knowledge and good change- or project-management skills, says Kyle Blockley, director, KS Consulting. Banks are exploring ways of cutting costs and streamlining [...]
A short guide to trial numerical tests
If you’re applying to work in an investment bank, you’ve probably already encountered the numerical test. Most banks use these tests as an initial filter to eliminate inappropriate candidates; they’re important: if you don’t do well, your application will be dumped. It’s therefore in your interest to excel. And in order to excel you ought [...]
Six ways to work well with recruiters
1) More is not better Contact a minimum of three and an absolute maximum of six recruiters – any more and you risk losing control of your job search, with different recruiters sending out your CV for the same vacancy. That’s something banks really hate. 2) Get specialist The recruiters you deal with should specialise [...]
Candidate Blog: I’m a new expat in Singapore and I haven’t got a single interview after a whole month of trying. Is it me or is it the market?
I arrived in Singapore from the UK four weeks ago, excited and eager to start my job search. With a CV filled with excellent experience working as a financial services marketing manager for top banking and insurance firms in London, I stupidly (or rather naively), thought I would have no trouble finding work here. I’d [...]
Tell us about the strangest candidate you’ve ever come across
Many of you would have interviewed candidates during your careers – especially if you’re a line manager – so tell us about the strangest, most demanding, or most stupid job seeker you’ve ever come across. Here are a few examples to get the ball rolling: The shady, silent character We all know techies can be [...]
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