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.
jueves, 7 de abril de 2011
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.
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