I have reiterated that if you want to build an investment banking career, you need to start early. How early? The day you set your feet into a university, you have to start planning. Do not miss any chance to gain intern experience with investment banks.
It is a fact that many of my candidates got their first full-time jobs in IBs where they had their internships.
Recently, one of my blog readers asked me to do a resume critique for him. I was surprised that this young man managed to get an intern job at top tier Wall Street firms at all the summers during his university life. Before graduation, he was exposed to different departments in IBs and gained valuable hands-on experiences. Soon after I did the resume critique for him, he reported that he got hired by Deutsche Bank.
How to Source Investment Banking Internship Positions
If in any case you don’t find an appropriate internship opportunity via your university network, try other sources. Rising Star Internships can help you source investment banking internship positions according to geography. Bear one important thing in mind – man is not born equal. Some interns make coffee and do photo copying; some do financial analysis and help assemble research reports. Do your best to find out your responsibilities before taking up the job. Even if it is an intern job, make sure you find something worth doing.
Thoughts from Anna Maria D’Souza
Don’t forget your intern employer is likely to be your first full time employer. Make sure to look for quality positions with quality employers.
Recommended Career Tools
These career tools are seriously short-listed by Anna Maria D'Souza for those who serious want to start an investment banking career.
Amazing Cover Letters
Amazing Resume Creator
Secret Career Document
Investment Banking Career
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Investment Banking Resume Writing – Make Use of the Golden 30 Seconds
Many a time, I receive resumes of 11 pages long. These resumes usually begin with career goal, career objective, executive summary, career profile and so on. Not until I flip over to the 4th page, I wouldn’t know what does this candidate do and with which company. Usually I am tied by then and will continue to read another resume.
Contrarily, when I approach senior and highly respected investment bankers in my daily work, some of them can’t even produce a one-page resume. Some can produce a few lines summarizing their experience and I have to write up the whole resume for them.
May I remind all my blog readers, resumes do not need to be long - the value of its content is far more important than its length.
Few people realize that banking managers spend on average 30 seconds to read a resume. Why giving up the most valuable position and space on your resume writing career goals, objectives, summaries, which no banking manager would care to read? Why not make use of the golden 30 seconds to present your most outstanding academic credentials or experiences that would add value to the position that you are applying for?
‘Tell what you want to tell’ – is usually the cause of long resumes. Some people even tell how many dogs they have at home, how many times they have married, how many countries they have traveled. Some others describe exactly in detail how good they are at all the seven languages they know (read, write, oral / basic, intermediate, conversational, fluent, native…).
May I ask you to stick to this strategy – ‘tell what readers want to know’. This will effectively make your resume shorter and more focused. And of course, optimize the golden 30 seconds in presenting the best of you.
Test of your knowledge on my blog
What is my recommended length of an investment banking resume?
A. One page
B. One and a half page
C. Two pages
Resume Writing
Contrarily, when I approach senior and highly respected investment bankers in my daily work, some of them can’t even produce a one-page resume. Some can produce a few lines summarizing their experience and I have to write up the whole resume for them.
May I remind all my blog readers, resumes do not need to be long - the value of its content is far more important than its length.
Few people realize that banking managers spend on average 30 seconds to read a resume. Why giving up the most valuable position and space on your resume writing career goals, objectives, summaries, which no banking manager would care to read? Why not make use of the golden 30 seconds to present your most outstanding academic credentials or experiences that would add value to the position that you are applying for?
‘Tell what you want to tell’ – is usually the cause of long resumes. Some people even tell how many dogs they have at home, how many times they have married, how many countries they have traveled. Some others describe exactly in detail how good they are at all the seven languages they know (read, write, oral / basic, intermediate, conversational, fluent, native…).
May I ask you to stick to this strategy – ‘tell what readers want to know’. This will effectively make your resume shorter and more focused. And of course, optimize the golden 30 seconds in presenting the best of you.
Test of your knowledge on my blog
What is my recommended length of an investment banking resume?
A. One page
B. One and a half page
C. Two pages
Resume Writing
Sunday, December 9, 2007
JP Morgan Trading Game – Extended to Asia
Want to be a trader, and don’t want to risk your own money? Well, as a student aiming for an investment banking career, this is a game for you.
FantasyFutures™ is an online global derivatives trading game with very real prizes and experience. It used to be available to students from Europe and the US, and it is now extended to Asia.
Attention: Students from Hong Kong, Singapore, China and India
This year, eligible undergraduates & master program students at participating schools in Hong Kong, China, India & Singapore can join the game. Weekly winners from each location will receive a certificate and prize points to accumulate for bigger value prizes.
You won’t resist these prizes, if you are dedicated to an investment banking career
The top three players from each location will be flown to JP Morgan’s regional office in Hong Kong where they’ll enjoy dinner with their senior traders, as well as going on a behind-the-scenes tour of JP’s trading floor, plus experience a day-in-bank as a trader. There’s no better way to get recognised or discover what it’s really like to work at a trading floor.
If you become the grand prize winner for Asia, in addition to the above prize, you’ll also have the choice of an expense paid-trip to visit JP Morgan’s offices in either London or New York – you decide.
It’s fun and it’s exciting. You’ll develop invaluable skills in a simulated – and stimulating – environment. And it could aid your future application.
JPMorgan FantasyFutures™ is open to all eligible undergraduates & master program students at participating schools in Hong Kong, China, India & Singapore.
Recommended career tools:
Amazing Resume Creator
A DIY resume is good enough for an entry level job. Investment bankers always want the best out of the best. To stand out from the crowd, get Jimmy Sweeney’s help to craft a best resume for yourself.
Amazing Cover Letter
A powerful cover letter is the perfect partner of your resume. Personalize and customize your amazing cover letter with Jimmy Sweeney’s help.
Investment Banking Career
FantasyFutures™ is an online global derivatives trading game with very real prizes and experience. It used to be available to students from Europe and the US, and it is now extended to Asia.
Attention: Students from Hong Kong, Singapore, China and India
This year, eligible undergraduates & master program students at participating schools in Hong Kong, China, India & Singapore can join the game. Weekly winners from each location will receive a certificate and prize points to accumulate for bigger value prizes.
You won’t resist these prizes, if you are dedicated to an investment banking career
The top three players from each location will be flown to JP Morgan’s regional office in Hong Kong where they’ll enjoy dinner with their senior traders, as well as going on a behind-the-scenes tour of JP’s trading floor, plus experience a day-in-bank as a trader. There’s no better way to get recognised or discover what it’s really like to work at a trading floor.
If you become the grand prize winner for Asia, in addition to the above prize, you’ll also have the choice of an expense paid-trip to visit JP Morgan’s offices in either London or New York – you decide.
It’s fun and it’s exciting. You’ll develop invaluable skills in a simulated – and stimulating – environment. And it could aid your future application.
JPMorgan FantasyFutures™ is open to all eligible undergraduates & master program students at participating schools in Hong Kong, China, India & Singapore.
Recommended career tools:
Amazing Resume Creator
A DIY resume is good enough for an entry level job. Investment bankers always want the best out of the best. To stand out from the crowd, get Jimmy Sweeney’s help to craft a best resume for yourself.
Amazing Cover Letter
A powerful cover letter is the perfect partner of your resume. Personalize and customize your amazing cover letter with Jimmy Sweeney’s help.
Investment Banking Career
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