Tips for Recruiting
and Interviewing
Preparing for the Summer
Internship Recruiting Process
Forté Financial Services
FAST Track Conference
June 25, 2010
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Workshop Objectives
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Firm recruiters provide tips for preparing your resume and
interviewing successfully
 Ask questions and get a better understanding of the process
that firms will use to select interns for next summer
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Presentation Format
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 20 minutes – Tips for Internship Recruiting
 20 minutes – Q&A
 5 minutes – close session
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Speakers
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
Deb Bertan
Director of Campus Strategy and Diversity
Citi
Deborah.bertan@Citi.com
Jennifer Kaplan
Americas Head of Diversity Campus Recruiting
Credit Suisse
Jennifer.Kaplan@credit-suisse.com
Megan Connors
Assistant Vice President, Campus Recruiting
Deutsche Bank
Megan.connors@db.com
Vicky Tung
VP, Head of Investment Banking Recruiting
Goldman Sachs
Vicki.Tung@gs.com
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Tip One – Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Utilize the resources available through your career center
 Search company web pages
 Read the paper and other industry publications
 Attend information sessions, informational interviews, Day on
the Job events, etc
 Know the firm, know the culture, know the dress
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Tip Two – Have a Stand-Out Resume
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Most financial services companies use a pre-screening process
to select candidates for first round interviews
 Your resume may be the first and only impression you make
 When crafting your resume, try to think about what the
interviewer will see
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Tip Two – Resume continued
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION

Keep it to one page

It should be “clean”, uncluttered and easy to see your accomplishments
 Bullet points are best to deliver concise, important information

Elaborate on your achievements and experience
 Quantify your achievements
 Use action verbs to describe your activities

Have multiple reviews of your resume and be open to feedback
(friends, colleagues, parents, your career services office, school
counselors, etc.)

Remember that everything on your resume is fair game in an interview.
Do not write anything which you cannot speak about in detail

Of course, absolutely, positively, no typos!! Proof read your resume
several times before giving it to any employer
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Tip Three – Cover Key Items on Your
Resume
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Internships/Jobs/Any work experiences
 Clubs/Outside Activities
 Accomplishments/Honors
 Interests
 Courses taken that are relevant to job
 Undergraduate GPA
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Tip Four – What to do before the
Interview

Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
Research and preparation - prepare a one page profile of company
 Know the company and position thoroughly

Know why you want this job and this industry
 Review your main points – why are you a good fit for this job?

Practice interviewing with a friend and ask for feedback
 Have a strategy – make every word count
 Practice phone interviews!

Know your resume! And know what makes you different

Prepare good probing questions

Be punctual, relax, and wear appropriate AND comfortable clothing
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Tip Five – Master the Interview Basics
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION

Bring extra copies of your resume

Smile and give a firm handshake

Listen carefully – Be sure to answer the question you are asked!

Don’t cut off the interviewer, and know when to stop talking

Maintain good eye contact, good posture, and distinct speech

Be self-confident and alert; stay involved and interested

Maintain enthusiasm throughout the interview

Be professional

Ask your questions at the end of the interview

At end of interview be sure to clarify next steps, but don’t put
interviewer on the spot by asking “So, how did I do?”
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Tip Six – Be Ready for Different Types
of Questions
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Situational
 Interviewer asks interviewee to draw on previous experience to
understand skills - “Tell me about a time when you had to solve a
tough problem ...”
 Why did you handle it in the way you did? What was the outcome?
 Open ended question - “Tell me about yourself”
 Case based
 Given problem to solve
 Tests analytical and conceptual skills
 S&T type questions may test your ability to think “on the spot”
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Tip Seven – Be Familiar with Content
of Typical 30 Minute Interview
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 2-3 min. - Introduction
 Ice Breaker- tell me about your decision to come to this school
 15-25 min. - Interviewer gains understanding of interviewee’s:







Strengths
Weaknesses
How skills/experience fit with job
Cultural fit with firm
Level of interest in job/firm
Intellectual stamina and curiosity
Judgment
 5 min. - Interviewee gains understanding of:
 Job requirements (anything that may have not been uncovered in
the research process)
 Any last minute questions you want to ask
 Clarifying next steps (when you should expect to hear back, etc.)
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Tip Eight – Follow Up and Evaluate
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Send e-mail thank you note as soon as possible after the
interview; use to reinforce interest and key messages, but keep
it short
 Objectively analyze your performance during the interview
 What did you do well?
 Where did you mess up?
 Practice those areas in which you need improvement
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Summary
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 “Know thyself”
 Know your resume inside and out
 Know your strengths and weaknesses
 Know what you want to do and why you want to do it
 Be positive!
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Questions for the Panel
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
 Q&A
15
Career Search Resource
Forte
FinancialFORUM:
ServicesTHE
FAST
Track
2007 FORTE
MBA
VALUE PROPOSITION
Power Tools!
Forté’s job finder, resume database, and online
directory
www.fortefoundation.org/powertools
Upload / Update your resume today!
> Post your resume in our Job Center and browse job openings posted by
leading organizations.
> Take control of your job search by using Forté’s Recruiting center,
checking out the FAST Track website, and attending webinars and industry
introductions.
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