Do you know what movement of the yen/dollar rate has been in the last year? What is happening with the financial situation in Portugal? Who the CEOs of the Big 4 in Finance consulting are? Why would you work in an investment bank rather than in an insurance company? Would you invest in a 5 star restaurant in the center of Rome or in several smaller ones around Italy?
Getting invited to an interview in the finance and banking sectors is the easy part of finding a job. What follows is one of the toughest interviews you can imagine. These are some of the basic questions which might fail you if you are looking for a job in the finance and banking sectors:
• Why do you want to work in this sector? – The recruiter is looking for information on your predisposition and evidence that you would fit in this competitive and dynamic environment. To give a strong answer you would have to provide significant details of how you have demonstrated interest or competence. It is not enough to simply say you are a “hard-working, team-oriented responsible person”. You would need to give clear and specific examples within your answer which defines you as a person and as a professional suitable for the job.
• Who are our competitors and what makes our company different? – Any recruiter would be expecting that you have done your research and you have a clear knowledge both about the company and about your fit within the corporate culture. Make sure you are ready to compare at least with 1-2 competitors. Some key differences might come from their annual reports, values, mission statements, employee policies, sectors and markets, etc.
• What important developments do you see in the future in this industry? – The recruiter is inviting you to think and shine with knowledge and analytical skills. You would need to be familiar with the economic situation, recent legislation, new tendencies, etc.
On the other hand, some questions can get very specific. They tend to test your constant commitment and interests in the field. Some top finance and banking institutions are known for asking:
• Where did the DOW close yesterday? – It might happen that you do not know the exact number, but make sure you are within a range of trade within the last 3 days. If you know you are going to a finance/banking interview there is no excuse to miss on reading the financial press. If you really want to impress the interviewer, you should know where the S&P 500, NASDAQ, Russell 1000, FTSE, Nikkei, Hang Seng and Dax closed as well.
• Which is your favorite stock and why? – You cannot afford to be general and qualitative at your answer. Know your numbers and make sure you apply some fundamental financial / technical analysis. At least talk about the P/E ratio and where it stands relative to its peer group. It would also help if you think about price/growth, EBITDA/enterprise value, leverage ratios, etc.
• Describe a specific fundamental concept in the field – Recruiters can ask you about valuation, trading a security, executing a sell-side transaction, etc. It is vital that you present a response that demonstrates your firm understanding about the concept, its importance and its application. Make sure you discuss: 1. the definition; 2. the definition of the additional terms of the definition; 3. the application of the concept in a global context.
At large at some stage of the recruitment process, there will be a competency based interview and a behavioral interview. Make sure you are ready to demonstrate what skills, knowledge, motivation and personal characteristics make you effective at work and give specific and unique examples of how you have performed in the past. This is the only way you can stand out from the crowd. In the following articles we will talk about the most required competences.
miércoles, 4 de mayo de 2011
jueves, 7 de abril de 2011
For students and graduates: FAQ about internships in finance and banking
In the past few months, the expert recruitment team of Growinfinance.com has completed several specialized career seminars in top business schools and universities.
During these sessions, the experts were sharing their knowledge and experience with students on what steps they would need to take to secure a position at the best companies around the world. One key factor that triggered interest was the topic of internships and the need to have such experience to be competitive in a highly-demanding employment reality.
Considering the complicated economic situation and the increasing of the education level of the population in the western world, it is only natural that companies would be looking for better, more experienced and highly qualified candidates. Thus, students need to make sure that they can distinguish themselves from the crowd and enter into the employment world as early as possible, most commonly through doing internships. Any work experience is a plus on your CV and thus, we would advise that you take on as many as you can even while you are studying. This will allow you to explore your interests and capabilities while gathering knowledge and experience and creating and building your network of future business contacts. It is highly likely, that an internship opportunity is transformed into a job proposal if you perform well, but even if it does not it would certainly help with other companies as employers are looking for candidates with internship experience.
Here are some of the FAQ that students were interested in when we visited them:
How does an internship make me more competitive?
It simply does. Having an internship experience signifies two sets of things to the recruiter: 1. You have some sort of a working experience and you are familiar with a working environment, where you would have completed tasks and taken responsibilities as an employee would be expected to along with the fact that you have received some initial training in the field and you would be more capable of facing some issues alone rather than needing constant guidance; and 2. You have been motivated and proactive enough to seek and find an employment opportunity to which you had willingly devoted your free time and energy; and moreover, that it is a field that you are truly interested in as you already have basic knowledge as to what the day to day tasks would be.
Paid of unpaid internships?
Whether or not your internship will be paid is entirely dependent on the corporate policy within the organization. Many big finance and banking institutions provide some sort of compensation, others provide additional training and other non-monetary bonuses, while there are also many which do not offer any sort of remuneration. Whichever the case is you need to be aware about the financial side of the job and make sure you would be able to afford to spend the time and effort required. If you absolutely need the money you might want to consider doing a part-time internship and part time job simultaneously or get an internship during the academic year. Nevertheless, do not miss an opportunity because it will be unpaid for the first 3-9 months (the typical duration of an internship). Rather look at it as an investment into your future success and career and try to take the best out of it. As we said more often than not, internships do convert into a job proposition.
Should I look for a big or for a small company?
We would certainly advise to do several internships during your college years and to try to make the best variety combination. In that sense, this would also include getting experience both from a small and from a big corporation. While the big corporation has its name and prestige going for it, in a small company you are much more likely to see different sides of the business, participate in a wide variety of problem solving situation and in many cases have a decision making power within the organization much faster. Bigger companies on the other hand, will help you understand the specifics of the job you are interested in as well as help with getting you to understand corporate structure, internal policies, responsibilities and team dynamics.
Where should I start to look?
You could either look for the internship by yourself using your personal resources, network and creativity or get some external help to land on your dream internship. There are numerous internships offered all around your community and all you would need to do is get organized and look for them. On the other hand, selection processes, especially in big organizations, might be tedious and complicated which is why a recruitment professional might be indispensable to finding you an internship.
During these sessions, the experts were sharing their knowledge and experience with students on what steps they would need to take to secure a position at the best companies around the world. One key factor that triggered interest was the topic of internships and the need to have such experience to be competitive in a highly-demanding employment reality.
Considering the complicated economic situation and the increasing of the education level of the population in the western world, it is only natural that companies would be looking for better, more experienced and highly qualified candidates. Thus, students need to make sure that they can distinguish themselves from the crowd and enter into the employment world as early as possible, most commonly through doing internships. Any work experience is a plus on your CV and thus, we would advise that you take on as many as you can even while you are studying. This will allow you to explore your interests and capabilities while gathering knowledge and experience and creating and building your network of future business contacts. It is highly likely, that an internship opportunity is transformed into a job proposal if you perform well, but even if it does not it would certainly help with other companies as employers are looking for candidates with internship experience.
Here are some of the FAQ that students were interested in when we visited them:
How does an internship make me more competitive?
It simply does. Having an internship experience signifies two sets of things to the recruiter: 1. You have some sort of a working experience and you are familiar with a working environment, where you would have completed tasks and taken responsibilities as an employee would be expected to along with the fact that you have received some initial training in the field and you would be more capable of facing some issues alone rather than needing constant guidance; and 2. You have been motivated and proactive enough to seek and find an employment opportunity to which you had willingly devoted your free time and energy; and moreover, that it is a field that you are truly interested in as you already have basic knowledge as to what the day to day tasks would be.
Paid of unpaid internships?
Whether or not your internship will be paid is entirely dependent on the corporate policy within the organization. Many big finance and banking institutions provide some sort of compensation, others provide additional training and other non-monetary bonuses, while there are also many which do not offer any sort of remuneration. Whichever the case is you need to be aware about the financial side of the job and make sure you would be able to afford to spend the time and effort required. If you absolutely need the money you might want to consider doing a part-time internship and part time job simultaneously or get an internship during the academic year. Nevertheless, do not miss an opportunity because it will be unpaid for the first 3-9 months (the typical duration of an internship). Rather look at it as an investment into your future success and career and try to take the best out of it. As we said more often than not, internships do convert into a job proposition.
Should I look for a big or for a small company?
We would certainly advise to do several internships during your college years and to try to make the best variety combination. In that sense, this would also include getting experience both from a small and from a big corporation. While the big corporation has its name and prestige going for it, in a small company you are much more likely to see different sides of the business, participate in a wide variety of problem solving situation and in many cases have a decision making power within the organization much faster. Bigger companies on the other hand, will help you understand the specifics of the job you are interested in as well as help with getting you to understand corporate structure, internal policies, responsibilities and team dynamics.
Where should I start to look?
You could either look for the internship by yourself using your personal resources, network and creativity or get some external help to land on your dream internship. There are numerous internships offered all around your community and all you would need to do is get organized and look for them. On the other hand, selection processes, especially in big organizations, might be tedious and complicated which is why a recruitment professional might be indispensable to finding you an internship.
viernes, 1 de abril de 2011
How to get hired in a hedge fund
Although demand is high, requirements remain challenging and candidates – numerous.
In our last article at Growinfinance.com, Hiring in the Hedge Fund industry, we discussed the increased search of young and experienced professionals in the sector. Although demand is high, requirements remain challenging and candidates – numerous. The selection process is tough, tough, tough. Thus, to ensure an interview for a job in a hedge fund, you would have to present a unique, professional and sector tailored resume. By no means do we insist that this is the ultimate and all-inclusive answer. Nevertheless, there are certain effective techniques which might help your CV stay longer in the hands of the recruiter.
First and foremost, make sure you are aware of what Hedge funds are and the level of stress, commitment and workload associated with them. You need to show self-discipline, networking stamina, knowledge of the industry, passion and, ultimately, be persistent and with constant actions. Make sure you know the industry and make it a habit to read and study the leaders of the day, the deals that succeeded, the ones that failed, who the influencers are and what different companies are doing. Get into networking and identify people you would like to learn from. It takes time and commitment to develop a relationship but, as getting hired in the industry usually involves some sort of “unofficial channels” you would want to put yourself in the right spot with decision-makers. You need to know what you want – there are a wide variety of positions.
Following the standard CV structure, we have written about in our CV Writing Tips, you should focus on your career experience section where you would give details about tasks, responsibilities and achievements.
1. Keep in mind the short time that a recruiter would spend scanning your CV. Make sure that you are clear and concise in describing your responsibilities.
2. Show competitiveness throughout your description. Hedge funds are an intensively competitive environment, and managers in such institutions are known to look for people with a taste for competition. Demonstrate that you ranked first of many throughout your resume.
3. Make sure you quantify your achievements. Hedge fund managers would be looking at the numbers as they are what matters to the bottom line and they are easier to read. Show how your involvement in a project has generated positive change at your last employer and how your achievements compare to similar changes in other departments or institutions.
4. Following this comes what would be considered the most important part of your hedge fund tailored CV. After your Experience section, start a section for a list of recent impressive and successful investments/situations that you have been involved in. This section would give the HR an insight on your interest, motivation and analytical skills to make the best of it. Stress on the research you did, the actions you proposed and the results you achieved. This statement would be particularly powerful if the position you are applying for is in the same field as you would already poses valuable knowledge.
5. The Education section is also key. Take advantage of it to also demonstrate your high ranking among classmates. Include impressive comparison on GPAs, class/major standing, SAT results, etc. Include extracurricular activities, to demonstrate that you are a team player, a good communicator and competitive in nature.
In essence getting job in a hedge fund is unique but in one sense the same as searching for a job anywhere. You would need to research the company and prove that you belong there. Demonstrate knowledge, achievements and personal traits that will leave no place in the recruiters’ mind that it is you they have been looking for all along.
In our last article at Growinfinance.com, Hiring in the Hedge Fund industry, we discussed the increased search of young and experienced professionals in the sector. Although demand is high, requirements remain challenging and candidates – numerous. The selection process is tough, tough, tough. Thus, to ensure an interview for a job in a hedge fund, you would have to present a unique, professional and sector tailored resume. By no means do we insist that this is the ultimate and all-inclusive answer. Nevertheless, there are certain effective techniques which might help your CV stay longer in the hands of the recruiter.
First and foremost, make sure you are aware of what Hedge funds are and the level of stress, commitment and workload associated with them. You need to show self-discipline, networking stamina, knowledge of the industry, passion and, ultimately, be persistent and with constant actions. Make sure you know the industry and make it a habit to read and study the leaders of the day, the deals that succeeded, the ones that failed, who the influencers are and what different companies are doing. Get into networking and identify people you would like to learn from. It takes time and commitment to develop a relationship but, as getting hired in the industry usually involves some sort of “unofficial channels” you would want to put yourself in the right spot with decision-makers. You need to know what you want – there are a wide variety of positions.
Following the standard CV structure, we have written about in our CV Writing Tips, you should focus on your career experience section where you would give details about tasks, responsibilities and achievements.
1. Keep in mind the short time that a recruiter would spend scanning your CV. Make sure that you are clear and concise in describing your responsibilities.
2. Show competitiveness throughout your description. Hedge funds are an intensively competitive environment, and managers in such institutions are known to look for people with a taste for competition. Demonstrate that you ranked first of many throughout your resume.
3. Make sure you quantify your achievements. Hedge fund managers would be looking at the numbers as they are what matters to the bottom line and they are easier to read. Show how your involvement in a project has generated positive change at your last employer and how your achievements compare to similar changes in other departments or institutions.
4. Following this comes what would be considered the most important part of your hedge fund tailored CV. After your Experience section, start a section for a list of recent impressive and successful investments/situations that you have been involved in. This section would give the HR an insight on your interest, motivation and analytical skills to make the best of it. Stress on the research you did, the actions you proposed and the results you achieved. This statement would be particularly powerful if the position you are applying for is in the same field as you would already poses valuable knowledge.
5. The Education section is also key. Take advantage of it to also demonstrate your high ranking among classmates. Include impressive comparison on GPAs, class/major standing, SAT results, etc. Include extracurricular activities, to demonstrate that you are a team player, a good communicator and competitive in nature.
In essence getting job in a hedge fund is unique but in one sense the same as searching for a job anywhere. You would need to research the company and prove that you belong there. Demonstrate knowledge, achievements and personal traits that will leave no place in the recruiters’ mind that it is you they have been looking for all along.
martes, 22 de marzo de 2011
Hiring in the Hedge Fund industry
Hedge funds are hot this year. Well over half of the surveyed hedge funds studied by Barclays Capital are looking to hire.
Further, the sector’s assets increased an estimated 2.53% to $2.473 trillion in December 2010, according to the same study while 63% of hedge funds reporting through December hit new historical highs during 2010, according to HFN Industry Report. This makes hedge funds look really tempting for both recent graduates and established professionals.
As a key sector in the upcoming months, qualifications requirements are rising, too. In the back-office people with knowledge of the legislative system and the recent changes in regulatory disclosure are a must along with deep understanding of tax and compliance. Further requirements would depend on the particular position that the candidates are applying for. For example, investment professionals with a background in equities are in increasing demand.
What are the important job offerings? Hedge funds seem to be looking for these positions – investor relations, operations, compliance, administration, traders, accounting, and risk managers, along with analysts with emerging market expertise and specialists in macro and event-driven funds. Not only would strictly finance positions be sought after. Due to the launch of new projects, marketing and PR specialists would be needed to launch upcoming projects.
Getting a job in the hedge fund sector is in essence difficult as managers would rather promote internally. Thus, job seekers would have to stay alert, be sharp and bring unexpected and desired qualities to the table, along with the traditional ones. Nevertheless, it is the time to build new products, experienced recruiters say making candidates with new demanded skills ever so valuable. HR professionals state that the principal driver for hiring in the hedge fund sector is the assets, predicting that for every $ 1 billion in new assets managers would on average need 15 employees (depending on the strategy).
Emerging markets will continue to attract new business as Growinfinance.com suggested in our latest articles. Predictions are that more than 45% of new launches will be focused there.
Big and small hedge funds have been looking to hire or are planning a recruitment process in the coming months. Among them are SAC Capital, in search for tax analysis and quantitative statistical research analysts. Bridgewater Associates look to hire research analysts, trading and portfolio management professionals and back-office IT. UK based Polar Capital is planning to hire various teams to drive assets-under-management-growth.
Further, the sector’s assets increased an estimated 2.53% to $2.473 trillion in December 2010, according to the same study while 63% of hedge funds reporting through December hit new historical highs during 2010, according to HFN Industry Report. This makes hedge funds look really tempting for both recent graduates and established professionals.
As a key sector in the upcoming months, qualifications requirements are rising, too. In the back-office people with knowledge of the legislative system and the recent changes in regulatory disclosure are a must along with deep understanding of tax and compliance. Further requirements would depend on the particular position that the candidates are applying for. For example, investment professionals with a background in equities are in increasing demand.
What are the important job offerings? Hedge funds seem to be looking for these positions – investor relations, operations, compliance, administration, traders, accounting, and risk managers, along with analysts with emerging market expertise and specialists in macro and event-driven funds. Not only would strictly finance positions be sought after. Due to the launch of new projects, marketing and PR specialists would be needed to launch upcoming projects.
Getting a job in the hedge fund sector is in essence difficult as managers would rather promote internally. Thus, job seekers would have to stay alert, be sharp and bring unexpected and desired qualities to the table, along with the traditional ones. Nevertheless, it is the time to build new products, experienced recruiters say making candidates with new demanded skills ever so valuable. HR professionals state that the principal driver for hiring in the hedge fund sector is the assets, predicting that for every $ 1 billion in new assets managers would on average need 15 employees (depending on the strategy).
Emerging markets will continue to attract new business as Growinfinance.com suggested in our latest articles. Predictions are that more than 45% of new launches will be focused there.
Big and small hedge funds have been looking to hire or are planning a recruitment process in the coming months. Among them are SAC Capital, in search for tax analysis and quantitative statistical research analysts. Bridgewater Associates look to hire research analysts, trading and portfolio management professionals and back-office IT. UK based Polar Capital is planning to hire various teams to drive assets-under-management-growth.
How to Follow Up on Your Job Application
We talked about how to do a qualified job search in the previous article. Now what’s next?
1. Check the status of your CV
First of all, if you have applied through a job board like Growinfinance, check the status of your CV from your account. If the CV status is declined, it means that the company is not moving forward with your application; if the status is in process, then they are evaluating your candidature; if the status is finalist you have been chosen as one of the top candidates for the job; and if it’s pending to review, you may want to follow up your application.
2. Double check that the job you applied for matches your profile
If you applied for a job that does not matches your profile, for example you don’t have the required work permit, then you may not need to follow up your application and you probably should not expect any feedback from the company.
Yet, the common case is that you applied for a job that matches your profile and expectations, and the CV you submitted suits the job requirements. Even then, however, sometimes you do not hear from the company in the short period of time that you had hoped for. This is when you need to follow up on the progress of your CV in a non intrusive and pleasant manner.
3. How long should I wait to follow up my application?
If you are waiting more than a week or two to receive a response, it is time to initiate another contact with the company – be it on the phone or by email. During this contact you can get yourself informed about both the status of your application as well as the implemented selection procedure, so that you are aware of what to expect in the future.
4. How should I approach the company?
There is a very thin line between follow-up and frustration for the recruiter. HR specialists need to work on many applications on a daily basis. Thus, in every contact you establish with the company try to bring new information on the table. Otherwise, you risk to sounding desperate.
Try to get the name of someone within the selection process. If you are contacting the company after you had already had the chance to speak with someone working there, be sure to address your letter or call to a specific person rather than the general “Dear Sirs”. If you do not know or remember the name of the contact person, go online. Check your professional network and the contacts of your contacts. Ask your contacts to introduce you to the person you are interested it by stating very clearly your objective. It is important that the “insider” knows exactly why he or she is being contacted which also assures you that they will be more helpful.
5. Calling the company
The follow-up stage is a great moment to once again to express your interest and to highlight your qualifications in the field. You should mention which position you applied to, why you would want to work in the company, why should your application be considered and what would you bring to the corporation.
Take this opportunity to share a bit of news about the company, the industry, or the sector that their desired organization is working in. Further, you might mention some of the latest developments on your side – if you had started a new project, if you had signed up for an additional language course, if you have completed further qualifications, etc. This, again, should not be overdone because if so the candidate is risking being considered desperate which never won anyone a position.
6. Sending a follow up letter
Your follow up letter could be as follows:
Dear (Name),
I submitted my resume (specify date) for the position advertised on (specify source). I have not heard from your company and would like to confirm receipt of my application, as well as reiterate my interest in the job.
My strong background in ______, ______ and ______ appears to be an excellent match to the qualifications you are seeking, and I am very interested in your opportunity and in working for your company.
I am more than happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have, and I can be reached at (telephone number) or by email (email address).
Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your name and surname)
7. “I tried it but still didn’t get any feedback…”
Sometimes you just do not hear from the company, regardless of all your well-intended efforts. In such a case, just move on and leave it for sometime. Continue with your job search and invest your time to look for other opportunities. Do not get stuck with a company, there are many opportunities out there and you just need to look for them.
First company contact
How to prepare for your first interview – Part I
What to expect during the different types of interviews you could encounter – Part II
1. Check the status of your CV
First of all, if you have applied through a job board like Growinfinance, check the status of your CV from your account. If the CV status is declined, it means that the company is not moving forward with your application; if the status is in process, then they are evaluating your candidature; if the status is finalist you have been chosen as one of the top candidates for the job; and if it’s pending to review, you may want to follow up your application.
2. Double check that the job you applied for matches your profile
If you applied for a job that does not matches your profile, for example you don’t have the required work permit, then you may not need to follow up your application and you probably should not expect any feedback from the company.
Yet, the common case is that you applied for a job that matches your profile and expectations, and the CV you submitted suits the job requirements. Even then, however, sometimes you do not hear from the company in the short period of time that you had hoped for. This is when you need to follow up on the progress of your CV in a non intrusive and pleasant manner.
3. How long should I wait to follow up my application?
If you are waiting more than a week or two to receive a response, it is time to initiate another contact with the company – be it on the phone or by email. During this contact you can get yourself informed about both the status of your application as well as the implemented selection procedure, so that you are aware of what to expect in the future.
4. How should I approach the company?
There is a very thin line between follow-up and frustration for the recruiter. HR specialists need to work on many applications on a daily basis. Thus, in every contact you establish with the company try to bring new information on the table. Otherwise, you risk to sounding desperate.
Try to get the name of someone within the selection process. If you are contacting the company after you had already had the chance to speak with someone working there, be sure to address your letter or call to a specific person rather than the general “Dear Sirs”. If you do not know or remember the name of the contact person, go online. Check your professional network and the contacts of your contacts. Ask your contacts to introduce you to the person you are interested it by stating very clearly your objective. It is important that the “insider” knows exactly why he or she is being contacted which also assures you that they will be more helpful.
5. Calling the company
The follow-up stage is a great moment to once again to express your interest and to highlight your qualifications in the field. You should mention which position you applied to, why you would want to work in the company, why should your application be considered and what would you bring to the corporation.
Take this opportunity to share a bit of news about the company, the industry, or the sector that their desired organization is working in. Further, you might mention some of the latest developments on your side – if you had started a new project, if you had signed up for an additional language course, if you have completed further qualifications, etc. This, again, should not be overdone because if so the candidate is risking being considered desperate which never won anyone a position.
6. Sending a follow up letter
Your follow up letter could be as follows:
Dear (Name),
I submitted my resume (specify date) for the position advertised on (specify source). I have not heard from your company and would like to confirm receipt of my application, as well as reiterate my interest in the job.
My strong background in ______, ______ and ______ appears to be an excellent match to the qualifications you are seeking, and I am very interested in your opportunity and in working for your company.
I am more than happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have, and I can be reached at (telephone number) or by email (email address).
Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your name and surname)
7. “I tried it but still didn’t get any feedback…”
Sometimes you just do not hear from the company, regardless of all your well-intended efforts. In such a case, just move on and leave it for sometime. Continue with your job search and invest your time to look for other opportunities. Do not get stuck with a company, there are many opportunities out there and you just need to look for them.
First company contact
How to prepare for your first interview – Part I
What to expect during the different types of interviews you could encounter – Part II
domingo, 20 de marzo de 2011
How to do a qualified job search
What is the most important thing to consider when you are looking for a job? Your target must be very clear.
What do people who have succeeded in their professional career have in common? They always have had their career goals very clear.
Before you start submitting your CV through job boards or directly sending it to companies, you should think well about the kind of positions you are interested in and would also fit your profile:
• You can start by writing down your career objectives: where are you at this moment and what position you want to reach in the long term.
• Make a list of the jobs that you think match your profile and define how you would add value to the corresponding department and the company.
• Divide this list in jobs that match your expectations and you are interested in, and jobs that you would no longer consider.
Be honest with yourself and realistic, otherwise this will not have any value. If you still have doubts, ask your colleagues and other people, who know you professionally, for their opinion. The more information you have the better the analysis and the result.
Once you have a clear set of career goals:
Ensure that you have created a professional and strong CV for each application (you can read our other articles about CV writing tips for guidance).
Follow the application procedures. There are some differences between job sites. Invest time to research the best way to apply for each site and company: if only a CV is needed; or CV plus cover letter; or video, etc.
Use the wide range of search options that job boards search provide to find the positions that suit you best. Invest time to study the websites work, which will help you optimize your search result.
There are differences when applying directly to the hiring company, to a recruiter or when you post your CV on a job board. The key is again to know the procedures you need to follow. They are usually explained on the job advert; if they are not, follow the widely accepted standards (use the CV that matches best the job description; and use a cover letter when it is possible).
Sit down and read carefully the job advert of interest. Analyze it and study well the function of this position and the key requirements. Your CV does not need to perfectly cover everything on the job advert but make sure that the key requirements are met. In your CV, prioritize your experience, or qualifications which add value to your application before you send it.
Do not apply to jobs indiscriminately. Although it might sounds obvious, many people do so as they think that the more applications they send the more responses they will get. In finance and banking it is not about the quantity, but about quality.
Do not be lazy and use the same CV and cover letter for each application. You are going to spend probably a minimum of 8 working hours at your job; shouldn’t you invest a good amount of time searching for the right opportunity?
Finally, be patient with your applications. It may take time for HR and recruiters to read and evaluate all the applications they received. It is not necessary to spam them on a daily basis to remind them of your application. Still a follow-up email or call is enough to confirm that your application is in process, if you do not hear back from them.
What do people who have succeeded in their professional career have in common? They always have had their career goals very clear.
Before you start submitting your CV through job boards or directly sending it to companies, you should think well about the kind of positions you are interested in and would also fit your profile:
• You can start by writing down your career objectives: where are you at this moment and what position you want to reach in the long term.
• Make a list of the jobs that you think match your profile and define how you would add value to the corresponding department and the company.
• Divide this list in jobs that match your expectations and you are interested in, and jobs that you would no longer consider.
Be honest with yourself and realistic, otherwise this will not have any value. If you still have doubts, ask your colleagues and other people, who know you professionally, for their opinion. The more information you have the better the analysis and the result.
Once you have a clear set of career goals:
Ensure that you have created a professional and strong CV for each application (you can read our other articles about CV writing tips for guidance).
Follow the application procedures. There are some differences between job sites. Invest time to research the best way to apply for each site and company: if only a CV is needed; or CV plus cover letter; or video, etc.
Use the wide range of search options that job boards search provide to find the positions that suit you best. Invest time to study the websites work, which will help you optimize your search result.
There are differences when applying directly to the hiring company, to a recruiter or when you post your CV on a job board. The key is again to know the procedures you need to follow. They are usually explained on the job advert; if they are not, follow the widely accepted standards (use the CV that matches best the job description; and use a cover letter when it is possible).
Sit down and read carefully the job advert of interest. Analyze it and study well the function of this position and the key requirements. Your CV does not need to perfectly cover everything on the job advert but make sure that the key requirements are met. In your CV, prioritize your experience, or qualifications which add value to your application before you send it.
Do not apply to jobs indiscriminately. Although it might sounds obvious, many people do so as they think that the more applications they send the more responses they will get. In finance and banking it is not about the quantity, but about quality.
Do not be lazy and use the same CV and cover letter for each application. You are going to spend probably a minimum of 8 working hours at your job; shouldn’t you invest a good amount of time searching for the right opportunity?
Finally, be patient with your applications. It may take time for HR and recruiters to read and evaluate all the applications they received. It is not necessary to spam them on a daily basis to remind them of your application. Still a follow-up email or call is enough to confirm that your application is in process, if you do not hear back from them.
jueves, 17 de marzo de 2011
Finance & Banking expansion in Asia - What are the recruitment predictions for the Asiatic market?
GrowInFinance would like to express their sincere condolences to the families affected by the tragic events in Japan. We hope that the country of the rising sun will recover. Yet, it is too early for conclusions on recruitment and we will monitor the trends as time advances.
We have interesting information for other Asian countries like China, Hong Kong and Singapore for the moment. The financing and banking sectors in these countries have been recently identified as one of the three fields which will have the highest demand in skilled professionals in 2011, especially in the private banking, wealth management, financial planning and management trainee roles. 75% of recruiters in the field predict an increased hiring activity in the following months. Most sought after are second-jobber positions as well as middle and senior staff with local experience. Other hot jobs are those in the fields of equity sales, private banking and prime brokerage where knowledge of the Chinese regulatory framework is highly valued.
Recruiters are particularly keen in attracting IT professionals with skills in Java who can implement technological changes and upgrades to provide the end customers with better service and increased efficiency. Banks from Singapore are looking into the Australian labour market to recruit, while Honk Kong professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to get good results using standard recruitment procedures.
Operational risk senior candidate search is also on the rise to be able to confront high profile operational problems, such as IT outage and develop and conduct contingency plans and internal changes. As this occupation is relatively recent in Asia, there is a definite shortage of talent causing recruiters to search among candidates with internal audit and traditional risk backgrounds, some recruiters say.
2010 has also brought to light the senior business finance partners search in Singapore and the trends is expected to evolve while recruiters are trying to attract experienced professionals from all around the world.
A large number of banks are looking to increase their headcounts in the relationship management and private banking sector. The main reasons for that are the increase of the wealth in Asia in general and the second is the expectations of flow of funds from other areas in the world towards the continent.
As the financial climate is changing, change management specialists in the finance sector are also in high demand. Their primary need of change is a response to the need of reducing the number of systems required in conducting business. Due to the intensive hiring, a lack of talent has been reported in Asia, particularly at senior levels. Professionals, such as senior product or financial controllers, with experience in project or change management are highly sought after.
With the increasing digitalization of the banking functionality, recruitment of e-commerce project managers who can supervise innovative projects is expected to rise greatly in 2011.
Further, due to recent market developments, banks in Hong Kong are expected to increase their M&A departments by a wowing 10% – 20% where candidates with both Chinese and international expertise will be in demand, yet speaking the local language seems to gain increasing importance.
We have interesting information for other Asian countries like China, Hong Kong and Singapore for the moment. The financing and banking sectors in these countries have been recently identified as one of the three fields which will have the highest demand in skilled professionals in 2011, especially in the private banking, wealth management, financial planning and management trainee roles. 75% of recruiters in the field predict an increased hiring activity in the following months. Most sought after are second-jobber positions as well as middle and senior staff with local experience. Other hot jobs are those in the fields of equity sales, private banking and prime brokerage where knowledge of the Chinese regulatory framework is highly valued.
Recruiters are particularly keen in attracting IT professionals with skills in Java who can implement technological changes and upgrades to provide the end customers with better service and increased efficiency. Banks from Singapore are looking into the Australian labour market to recruit, while Honk Kong professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to get good results using standard recruitment procedures.
Operational risk senior candidate search is also on the rise to be able to confront high profile operational problems, such as IT outage and develop and conduct contingency plans and internal changes. As this occupation is relatively recent in Asia, there is a definite shortage of talent causing recruiters to search among candidates with internal audit and traditional risk backgrounds, some recruiters say.
2010 has also brought to light the senior business finance partners search in Singapore and the trends is expected to evolve while recruiters are trying to attract experienced professionals from all around the world.
A large number of banks are looking to increase their headcounts in the relationship management and private banking sector. The main reasons for that are the increase of the wealth in Asia in general and the second is the expectations of flow of funds from other areas in the world towards the continent.
As the financial climate is changing, change management specialists in the finance sector are also in high demand. Their primary need of change is a response to the need of reducing the number of systems required in conducting business. Due to the intensive hiring, a lack of talent has been reported in Asia, particularly at senior levels. Professionals, such as senior product or financial controllers, with experience in project or change management are highly sought after.
With the increasing digitalization of the banking functionality, recruitment of e-commerce project managers who can supervise innovative projects is expected to rise greatly in 2011.
Further, due to recent market developments, banks in Hong Kong are expected to increase their M&A departments by a wowing 10% – 20% where candidates with both Chinese and international expertise will be in demand, yet speaking the local language seems to gain increasing importance.
viernes, 11 de marzo de 2011
Finding a job in the Finance and Banking Sectors in Europe: not a mission impossible
Looking into the recruitment trends this year it appears that the finance and banking sectors would remain rather conservative with regards to the hiring of new people, especially in Europe.
Although there has been quite some talk among professionals that institutions might be ready to hire, HRs insist that things are not going to be easy. Many predict that front office investment banking positions will remain under a hiring freeze. While there might be some movement for employment in the middle and back office staffing.
The main functions that banks and financial institutions would be looking to fill out would be corporate banking and regulatory specialists. Additional knowledge in the new and illiquid markets is of particular interest along with familiarity with new and changing trading legislation. Further demand would be that for creative and flexible project managers who to drive the necessary changes for the institutions to adopt a more modern and flexible business strategy. Other positions which would be sought after according to credible sources would be those of operation risk managers and OTC derivatives. Another void that needs to be filled is that of what is now referred to as "second jobbers" for operational positions.
Other banks would focus on recruiting experienced personnel for their commodities desks as oil and gas seem to be regaining their market strength. The most extensive hiring programs in these fields are planned in Citi, Deutsche Bank, and UBS.
In essence, the job market situation with respect to the finance and banking sectors is not so gloomy. For example, Citi has recently announced plans to increase its investment banking franchise activities for the needs of which they would be searching for 20 senior investment managers in Europe alone along with double the number in junior M&A specialists.
Although there has been quite some talk among professionals that institutions might be ready to hire, HRs insist that things are not going to be easy. Many predict that front office investment banking positions will remain under a hiring freeze. While there might be some movement for employment in the middle and back office staffing.
The main functions that banks and financial institutions would be looking to fill out would be corporate banking and regulatory specialists. Additional knowledge in the new and illiquid markets is of particular interest along with familiarity with new and changing trading legislation. Further demand would be that for creative and flexible project managers who to drive the necessary changes for the institutions to adopt a more modern and flexible business strategy. Other positions which would be sought after according to credible sources would be those of operation risk managers and OTC derivatives. Another void that needs to be filled is that of what is now referred to as "second jobbers" for operational positions.
Other banks would focus on recruiting experienced personnel for their commodities desks as oil and gas seem to be regaining their market strength. The most extensive hiring programs in these fields are planned in Citi, Deutsche Bank, and UBS.
In essence, the job market situation with respect to the finance and banking sectors is not so gloomy. For example, Citi has recently announced plans to increase its investment banking franchise activities for the needs of which they would be searching for 20 senior investment managers in Europe alone along with double the number in junior M&A specialists.
miércoles, 9 de marzo de 2011
CV Writing Tips IV - Education
Education is another key element in your CV, which can help you stand out from the crowd.
The education helps to build on the foundations of work experience. It provides new skills and knowledge to enable the students to find their first job or to make the transition to a higher level of responsibility.
Where should you place education?
It depends on what you are trying to emphasize:
• You can place education before experience: if you are a recent graduate or have less than five years of work experience; if you are changing careers and your education is to support the new job target; if you have recently completed a strong financial qualification or a Masters program which you want to emphasize on.
• You can place it after experience: if you completed it more than 5 years ago or if it is not relevant to your target position.
What should you include in the Education Section of your CV?
You should include: university education, professional qualifications, training, courses, seminars and conferences. You can list them in two different sections: Education and Further Education.
In the Education section you may include your formal qualifications, while in Further Education the trainings, courses, seminars, conferences and others.
It you are going to place education before experience, add only the Education section. Better add the Further Education section after the professional experience. Otherwise this section could be too long and you are leaving your professional experience section too far down in your CV.
What format should you follow?
You should continue to follow the same chronological order as in the rest of your CV – listing the most recent education first and working backwards. For the formal education, the format would look like this:
Month Year – Month Year School / University Name City, Country
Diploma / Certificate / Degree / Major
Details of education completed: GPA (Grade Point Average; if you have a good score only), relevant courses (to the position you are applying to for), and other achievements (significant academic achievements only)
Your Further education should follow the same format but make it more summarized. If the list is rather long, you may want to include only year, education centre name, city-country and name of the education.
You need to put in particular care and good use of terminology when completing the Education section of your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
The education helps to build on the foundations of work experience. It provides new skills and knowledge to enable the students to find their first job or to make the transition to a higher level of responsibility.
Where should you place education?
It depends on what you are trying to emphasize:
• You can place education before experience: if you are a recent graduate or have less than five years of work experience; if you are changing careers and your education is to support the new job target; if you have recently completed a strong financial qualification or a Masters program which you want to emphasize on.
• You can place it after experience: if you completed it more than 5 years ago or if it is not relevant to your target position.
What should you include in the Education Section of your CV?
You should include: university education, professional qualifications, training, courses, seminars and conferences. You can list them in two different sections: Education and Further Education.
In the Education section you may include your formal qualifications, while in Further Education the trainings, courses, seminars, conferences and others.
It you are going to place education before experience, add only the Education section. Better add the Further Education section after the professional experience. Otherwise this section could be too long and you are leaving your professional experience section too far down in your CV.
What format should you follow?
You should continue to follow the same chronological order as in the rest of your CV – listing the most recent education first and working backwards. For the formal education, the format would look like this:
Month Year – Month Year School / University Name City, Country
Diploma / Certificate / Degree / Major
Details of education completed: GPA (Grade Point Average; if you have a good score only), relevant courses (to the position you are applying to for), and other achievements (significant academic achievements only)
Your Further education should follow the same format but make it more summarized. If the list is rather long, you may want to include only year, education centre name, city-country and name of the education.
You need to put in particular care and good use of terminology when completing the Education section of your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
jueves, 3 de marzo de 2011
The BRIC countries and Africa offer competitive packages but lack qualified candidates - Who's Hiring?
Qualified specialists, particularly in finance and banking, are very sought after in the BRIC and some of the African countries, recent surveys done by international organizations show.
As, due to a large range of economic and financial factors, many multinational companies in the recent years have moved their operations from traditional offshoring locations to Brazil, China or India. Further, as globalization and technology have advanced to make it possible to run a business from a distance, many Western companies have taken over some local enterprises while other BRIC companies have been thriving and expanding internationally, making international specialists and managers very sought after.
Brazil is a stunning example of the inability of companies to find specialists, where 64% of the employers report that they are not able to fill the vacancies even if the executives have been proven to earn more then their counterparts in New York, London or Singapore, and it is growing by double digits every year. This, apart from the base salary, is due to the extensive bonuses and the strong position of the local currency compared to other countries.
Africa is also progressing at a fast steady pace attracting private bankers from all over the world. Several big Western corporations, among which Barclays, JP Morgan and Credit Suisse, are getting ready to set up businesses there and are looking to hire.
Although traditionally complicated due to regulations and legislation, the Chinese finance and banking market is also growing at a fast pace. Recruiters are looking for hiring compliance people to help in establishing businesses there and to help adhere to the complicated legal system that the country has. Despite, what recruiters have called “a very competitive package” in terms of salary and bonuses, the Chinese market still struggles to find the right specialists. As much as 40% of the Chinese employers find it hard to fill highly qualified positions, for example. Nevertheless, demand will not slow down in neither sectors - due to the fast-growing infrastructure and oil finds plans China is looking for over 400 000 engineers a year.
Who is Hiring?
JP Morgan is looking for cash management and trade finance specialists (The Wall Street Journal)
BTIG, LLC is growing its High Yield and Distressed Desk Analytics Group (Business Wire)
RBC Bank USA and Royal Bank of Canada are recruiting again (Triangle Business Journal)
First Republic Banks is entering the entertainment business and is looking for bankers and wealth management professionals (Business Wire)
As, due to a large range of economic and financial factors, many multinational companies in the recent years have moved their operations from traditional offshoring locations to Brazil, China or India. Further, as globalization and technology have advanced to make it possible to run a business from a distance, many Western companies have taken over some local enterprises while other BRIC companies have been thriving and expanding internationally, making international specialists and managers very sought after.
Brazil is a stunning example of the inability of companies to find specialists, where 64% of the employers report that they are not able to fill the vacancies even if the executives have been proven to earn more then their counterparts in New York, London or Singapore, and it is growing by double digits every year. This, apart from the base salary, is due to the extensive bonuses and the strong position of the local currency compared to other countries.
Africa is also progressing at a fast steady pace attracting private bankers from all over the world. Several big Western corporations, among which Barclays, JP Morgan and Credit Suisse, are getting ready to set up businesses there and are looking to hire.
Although traditionally complicated due to regulations and legislation, the Chinese finance and banking market is also growing at a fast pace. Recruiters are looking for hiring compliance people to help in establishing businesses there and to help adhere to the complicated legal system that the country has. Despite, what recruiters have called “a very competitive package” in terms of salary and bonuses, the Chinese market still struggles to find the right specialists. As much as 40% of the Chinese employers find it hard to fill highly qualified positions, for example. Nevertheless, demand will not slow down in neither sectors - due to the fast-growing infrastructure and oil finds plans China is looking for over 400 000 engineers a year.
Who is Hiring?
JP Morgan is looking for cash management and trade finance specialists (The Wall Street Journal)
BTIG, LLC is growing its High Yield and Distressed Desk Analytics Group (Business Wire)
RBC Bank USA and Royal Bank of Canada are recruiting again (Triangle Business Journal)
First Republic Banks is entering the entertainment business and is looking for bankers and wealth management professionals (Business Wire)
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
The next section of your CV is called Experience and would give an overview of your work history.
Your work history is what will prove that you can do the job you are applying for. It will also be the section which can set you apart from all the other candidates.
You should follow a certain chronological order when listing your work experience – you list first the most recent one and continue to the oldest one.
We, in GrowinFinance.com, advise that you include the months (not only the years) when you list the duration of your employment. Following that, you should put the name of the company you worked in and the sector it operates in, followed by the city and country. On the next line, we advise you to include your position, and next to it the position of the person you were reporting to. After that, include a bullet list of your major tasks, responsibilities and achievements on that position. Thus, the format would look like this:
Jan 2009 – Mar 2010 Company Name, Sector City, Country
Position, reporting to …..
• Explain your main tasks and responsibilities using bullet points. You can quantify your responsibilities in percentages and length of time spent in each activity.
Achievements
•
Achievements
An achievement tells the employer that you can deliver. Keep in mind that the employer will value most those achievements which are clearly relevant and of value to the company and the position. Use examples that are clearly related to the new job application.
You can start with the achievements that can be measured numerically, explaining the result and benefit with facts, figures and timescales. But also add other achievements which are relevant, but not quantitative like: company awards or been promoted in a short space of time. Use examples that are clearly related to the new job application.
Note: The bullet points should be brief and concise. We do not advise you to exceed 2-3 lines per point.
You need to put in particular care and good use of terminology when completing the Experience section of your CV. Explain briefly, but as clearly as possible, your job role and tasks. You can use similar terminology as in the job requirements, particularly the essential skills as listed in the job offer, as the framework for your description. Use examples, and if possible show how your skills developed through your work history, making clear your level of experience. Further, optimize your CV and focus on the work experience that gives added weight to the current application. It is not worth it to use the very limited space on your CV to talk extensively about experiences which are not even remotely connected to the position you are applying to. However it is important that your CV does not show any incoherence, so do not miss any experiences that can make a gap in your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
CV Writing Tips IV – Education
CV Writing Tips V - Additional information
Your work history is what will prove that you can do the job you are applying for. It will also be the section which can set you apart from all the other candidates.
You should follow a certain chronological order when listing your work experience – you list first the most recent one and continue to the oldest one.
We, in GrowinFinance.com, advise that you include the months (not only the years) when you list the duration of your employment. Following that, you should put the name of the company you worked in and the sector it operates in, followed by the city and country. On the next line, we advise you to include your position, and next to it the position of the person you were reporting to. After that, include a bullet list of your major tasks, responsibilities and achievements on that position. Thus, the format would look like this:
Jan 2009 – Mar 2010 Company Name, Sector City, Country
Position, reporting to …..
• Explain your main tasks and responsibilities using bullet points. You can quantify your responsibilities in percentages and length of time spent in each activity.
Achievements
•
Achievements
An achievement tells the employer that you can deliver. Keep in mind that the employer will value most those achievements which are clearly relevant and of value to the company and the position. Use examples that are clearly related to the new job application.
You can start with the achievements that can be measured numerically, explaining the result and benefit with facts, figures and timescales. But also add other achievements which are relevant, but not quantitative like: company awards or been promoted in a short space of time. Use examples that are clearly related to the new job application.
Note: The bullet points should be brief and concise. We do not advise you to exceed 2-3 lines per point.
You need to put in particular care and good use of terminology when completing the Experience section of your CV. Explain briefly, but as clearly as possible, your job role and tasks. You can use similar terminology as in the job requirements, particularly the essential skills as listed in the job offer, as the framework for your description. Use examples, and if possible show how your skills developed through your work history, making clear your level of experience. Further, optimize your CV and focus on the work experience that gives added weight to the current application. It is not worth it to use the very limited space on your CV to talk extensively about experiences which are not even remotely connected to the position you are applying to. However it is important that your CV does not show any incoherence, so do not miss any experiences that can make a gap in your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
CV Writing Tips IV – Education
CV Writing Tips V - Additional information
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
This week’s article includes advice on the CV sections: Personal Details, Profile Summary, Career Objective and Skills.
Personal Details - Only include the relevant details to the position. We, in Growinfinance.com advise that in this section you include: name and surname, full address, email, and telephone number (double-check that the number is correct) and work permit/s.
Any other information included would depend by large on the country itself. Keep in mind that in most countries companies do not have the right to ask for your personal marital status, your race and religion, your date of birth, appearance and other personal information. Some companies can ask you for these details for statistic reasons, but you have the right of not to answer.
This general background information is followed by the Profile Summary and the Career objectives. You can add this information all in one paragraph or leave them as two. The way you add this information is, at the end, a personal choice. What is most important is that you summarize well your profile and objectives and that you make this section “a selling point” to recruiters. This is the first information about you they will read and it can decide whether they want to continue reading.
If you make it all one paragraph, title it with a sentence that summarize best your profile.
Profile Summary – This is a very short and concise summary (4 lines at most) of your professional experience and knowledge. It should cover 3 main points: your job title, your previous experience and your most relevant skill set and qualifications. This is not a section to retell the rest of the content of your CV. Rather, it is a brief recap of the main points that would make you the best candidate for the job. This paragraph goes straight below your personal details.
Although the Profile Summary follows a unified standard, there are still ways to make it stand out from the rest of the candidates. If you are applying for a specific position, your Profile paragraph needs to be unique and adapted exclusively to the job requirements of the position. By doing so, you have a much higher possibility that your CV is going to be found and read by the responsible in the HR department or the recruiter. Use the words in the job description that match your skills and do not oversell yourself.
If you are just making your CV visible on a financial job board, choose words that match best your strengths and the kind of position that you are seeking.
Highlight your title so that it stands out on your CV.
Career Objective - This and the profile section can work as a brief cover letter for your CV, which tells the recruiters what type of position may interest you and your career goal.
If you are applying for an specific job: adapt it to the position you are applying for; an easy way to do so is by using the job title for which you are applying and some of the words included in the job’s requirements.
If you are just making your CV visible to companies on a job board: choose adjectives that describe your style, and inform potential employers what you can offer them.
The length of this section should be no more than 3 lines.
Skills – This is an optional section. In case that you are adding this section, the best would be to make the Profile Summary and the Career Objective all in one paragraph of 4-6 lines approximately, and add the skills below this paragraph.
Skills are often keywords in job applications, which include the essential criteria. If you have already added the main keywords that summarize your profile in the profile and objectives paragraph you may not need to add this section.
Any job for which you can apply will include a range of skills you can use. The evidence of the skills you include here should be included in the Work experience section below and not in this section. You may not have all of the desired qualifications and skills but you must include as many of them as possible. If possible, use a similar or the exact (to help automatic pre-screening) description of these skills as they had been used in the job ad.
The length of this section should not exceed 3 lines (you could include 2 columns).
To end with - Grammar and spelling are very important! There should be no errors in any part of your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
CV Writing Tips IV – Education
CV Writing Tips V - Additional information
Personal Details - Only include the relevant details to the position. We, in Growinfinance.com advise that in this section you include: name and surname, full address, email, and telephone number (double-check that the number is correct) and work permit/s.
Any other information included would depend by large on the country itself. Keep in mind that in most countries companies do not have the right to ask for your personal marital status, your race and religion, your date of birth, appearance and other personal information. Some companies can ask you for these details for statistic reasons, but you have the right of not to answer.
This general background information is followed by the Profile Summary and the Career objectives. You can add this information all in one paragraph or leave them as two. The way you add this information is, at the end, a personal choice. What is most important is that you summarize well your profile and objectives and that you make this section “a selling point” to recruiters. This is the first information about you they will read and it can decide whether they want to continue reading.
If you make it all one paragraph, title it with a sentence that summarize best your profile.
Profile Summary – This is a very short and concise summary (4 lines at most) of your professional experience and knowledge. It should cover 3 main points: your job title, your previous experience and your most relevant skill set and qualifications. This is not a section to retell the rest of the content of your CV. Rather, it is a brief recap of the main points that would make you the best candidate for the job. This paragraph goes straight below your personal details.
Although the Profile Summary follows a unified standard, there are still ways to make it stand out from the rest of the candidates. If you are applying for a specific position, your Profile paragraph needs to be unique and adapted exclusively to the job requirements of the position. By doing so, you have a much higher possibility that your CV is going to be found and read by the responsible in the HR department or the recruiter. Use the words in the job description that match your skills and do not oversell yourself.
If you are just making your CV visible on a financial job board, choose words that match best your strengths and the kind of position that you are seeking.
Highlight your title so that it stands out on your CV.
Career Objective - This and the profile section can work as a brief cover letter for your CV, which tells the recruiters what type of position may interest you and your career goal.
If you are applying for an specific job: adapt it to the position you are applying for; an easy way to do so is by using the job title for which you are applying and some of the words included in the job’s requirements.
If you are just making your CV visible to companies on a job board: choose adjectives that describe your style, and inform potential employers what you can offer them.
The length of this section should be no more than 3 lines.
Skills – This is an optional section. In case that you are adding this section, the best would be to make the Profile Summary and the Career Objective all in one paragraph of 4-6 lines approximately, and add the skills below this paragraph.
Skills are often keywords in job applications, which include the essential criteria. If you have already added the main keywords that summarize your profile in the profile and objectives paragraph you may not need to add this section.
Any job for which you can apply will include a range of skills you can use. The evidence of the skills you include here should be included in the Work experience section below and not in this section. You may not have all of the desired qualifications and skills but you must include as many of them as possible. If possible, use a similar or the exact (to help automatic pre-screening) description of these skills as they had been used in the job ad.
The length of this section should not exceed 3 lines (you could include 2 columns).
To end with - Grammar and spelling are very important! There should be no errors in any part of your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
CV Writing Tips IV – Education
CV Writing Tips V - Additional information
miércoles, 2 de marzo de 2011
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
According to a recent research, the average recruiter only spends 20 to 30 seconds glancing at a CV, which means that you have to grab their attention very quickly indeed.
If we are based on this fact, it would be a great idea to build your CV with a commonly accepted format so recruiters would know where to find the key information they want to know from your profile and will help them understand and remember your profile in a shorter time.
What will make it or break it for you during the first CV screening is the quality and effort you have put into preparing your CV.
Your autobiography is the first ¨point of sales¨ you get with your potential employer and thereof, it is the vital one – You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
At best CVs should be tailor made to be noticed by the recruiter.
This is much easier than it sounds. The fundamental principles of targeting your CV are rather simple:
• Ensure that each part of your CV directly relates to the current job application,
• Due to the rapid growth in the usage of prescreening software, use the terminology used in the job offer so that when recruiters search for the skills they need they find you.
• Ensure that everything in your work history is clearly relevant to position you are applying.
In order to make this process easier, prepare a detailed CV with your personal profile, career objective, education, work experience, achievements, skills and interests.
At this point it does not matter if it goes much longer than the standard 2 pages. It will be a great starting point and it will facilitate you to customize your CV depending on the needs of the different employers.
The optimal length of the final document that you will send to companies is 2 pages.
A two-page CV is the ideal length with one page being acceptable for less experienced people, and three-page maximum for senior and experienced executives. There are a few technical professions, such as IT, can be longer than two pages but these are very much the exception to the rule. The CV should be clear, concise and easy to read, with the use of bullet points and short sentences being a very handy tip to help achieve this.
Too much detail can not only make the CV too long but can also end up simply boring the recruiter. If the information does not have a positive impact on your CV, then it is probably not worth including.
Our experts have prepared a series of articles advising professionals on how to build a Winner CV in today tough job market. Every week we will post advice on the different mandatory parts of the CV. Check out our website regularly to benefit from knowing the latest techniques and tactics in preparing your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
CV Writing Tips IV – Education
CV Writing Tips V - Additional information
If we are based on this fact, it would be a great idea to build your CV with a commonly accepted format so recruiters would know where to find the key information they want to know from your profile and will help them understand and remember your profile in a shorter time.
What will make it or break it for you during the first CV screening is the quality and effort you have put into preparing your CV.
Your autobiography is the first ¨point of sales¨ you get with your potential employer and thereof, it is the vital one – You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
At best CVs should be tailor made to be noticed by the recruiter.
This is much easier than it sounds. The fundamental principles of targeting your CV are rather simple:
• Ensure that each part of your CV directly relates to the current job application,
• Due to the rapid growth in the usage of prescreening software, use the terminology used in the job offer so that when recruiters search for the skills they need they find you.
• Ensure that everything in your work history is clearly relevant to position you are applying.
In order to make this process easier, prepare a detailed CV with your personal profile, career objective, education, work experience, achievements, skills and interests.
At this point it does not matter if it goes much longer than the standard 2 pages. It will be a great starting point and it will facilitate you to customize your CV depending on the needs of the different employers.
The optimal length of the final document that you will send to companies is 2 pages.
A two-page CV is the ideal length with one page being acceptable for less experienced people, and three-page maximum for senior and experienced executives. There are a few technical professions, such as IT, can be longer than two pages but these are very much the exception to the rule. The CV should be clear, concise and easy to read, with the use of bullet points and short sentences being a very handy tip to help achieve this.
Too much detail can not only make the CV too long but can also end up simply boring the recruiter. If the information does not have a positive impact on your CV, then it is probably not worth including.
Our experts have prepared a series of articles advising professionals on how to build a Winner CV in today tough job market. Every week we will post advice on the different mandatory parts of the CV. Check out our website regularly to benefit from knowing the latest techniques and tactics in preparing your CV.
This advice is directed to finance and banking sector professionals and the tips match best the application process through job boards.
CV Writing Tips I - Why is it recommended to use a standard CV form?
CV Writing Tips II - Let’s now go over the basic CV outline
CV Writing Tips III – Work Experience
CV Writing Tips IV – Education
CV Writing Tips V - Additional information
Should You Consider Changing Your Job?
Changing your job at a time of crisis might lead you in a tricky situation, especially if you are not particularly unhappy with your current employment.
Nevertheless, there might be some clear indications that it is time to move on and look for something new. Here are several reasons which could indicate it might be time to move on:
• Your current job is no longer compatible with your personal life and/or economic situation: You are finding it hard to make ends meet. Be realistic, the crisis has caused many companies to freeze salaries while increasing responsibilities. It might well be the case that new employment would not affect your paycheck. Do your research well to be able to make a real market comparison between your current state and potential future offers.
• The future perspective of your current position fail to meet your professional satisfaction: You balance the positives and the negatives and the latter tend to outweigh the former. Do not rush to conclusions but rather weight the importance of these factors with respect to your professional satisfaction. If the job is good but you can never find a stapler and the printer is out of ink, probably the negatives do not win over the good sides.
• Your working environment has changed and it affects your performance negatively: Your company has changed significantly since you were hired. Your company could have undergone significant modifications – a buyout, a change in philosophy, etc. You might be going to the same office but feel like you are working for a different company. It might happen that sometimes you also find yourself no longer feeling comfortable working with your colleagues and it affects you negatively on your performance. If you find it difficult to adapt yourself to the new environment, think carefully about your situation and if you are truly unhappy, consider a change.
• You want to experience something new because the current job is burning you out: It could be that your job is stressful and boring, or that you feel that you are losing your professional competitive edge. You are not performing at your best or your current employment does not allow you to grow further. Although we all go through our highs and lows, some of which might last weeks or even months, losing your drive could be a significant indicator that your job is just not right anymore. Try consulting your boss on whether there might be a possibility to change responsibilities, undergo training or move to another position. If neither of these is applicable, maybe you should consider updating your CV.
Changing your job is a key decision that should never be taken lightly. Make sure that you are convinced that there is nothing you could do within your company to improve how you feel before you resort to drastic measures. A new job is not a guarantee. Thus, keep it clear in mind the reason you want a change in your employment. There are no tricks but to do sufficient research before accepting a new job to make sure that it has what you look for.
Nevertheless, there might be some clear indications that it is time to move on and look for something new. Here are several reasons which could indicate it might be time to move on:
• Your current job is no longer compatible with your personal life and/or economic situation: You are finding it hard to make ends meet. Be realistic, the crisis has caused many companies to freeze salaries while increasing responsibilities. It might well be the case that new employment would not affect your paycheck. Do your research well to be able to make a real market comparison between your current state and potential future offers.
• The future perspective of your current position fail to meet your professional satisfaction: You balance the positives and the negatives and the latter tend to outweigh the former. Do not rush to conclusions but rather weight the importance of these factors with respect to your professional satisfaction. If the job is good but you can never find a stapler and the printer is out of ink, probably the negatives do not win over the good sides.
• Your working environment has changed and it affects your performance negatively: Your company has changed significantly since you were hired. Your company could have undergone significant modifications – a buyout, a change in philosophy, etc. You might be going to the same office but feel like you are working for a different company. It might happen that sometimes you also find yourself no longer feeling comfortable working with your colleagues and it affects you negatively on your performance. If you find it difficult to adapt yourself to the new environment, think carefully about your situation and if you are truly unhappy, consider a change.
• You want to experience something new because the current job is burning you out: It could be that your job is stressful and boring, or that you feel that you are losing your professional competitive edge. You are not performing at your best or your current employment does not allow you to grow further. Although we all go through our highs and lows, some of which might last weeks or even months, losing your drive could be a significant indicator that your job is just not right anymore. Try consulting your boss on whether there might be a possibility to change responsibilities, undergo training or move to another position. If neither of these is applicable, maybe you should consider updating your CV.
Changing your job is a key decision that should never be taken lightly. Make sure that you are convinced that there is nothing you could do within your company to improve how you feel before you resort to drastic measures. A new job is not a guarantee. Thus, keep it clear in mind the reason you want a change in your employment. There are no tricks but to do sufficient research before accepting a new job to make sure that it has what you look for.
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