Job hunting decisions and tips
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A graduate job in investment banking or insurance: which should I choose?
What are the differences between graduate jobs in investment banking and insurance and how do you work out which one is best for you?
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Beat the competition for investment banking graduate jobs
Banking and investment careers are highly sought after by graduates, with the industry having seen highs of 135 applications per vacancy. If you want to improve your chances of getting a foot in the door, here’s what you need to know about beating the competition.
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Graduate jobs in finance: why students should consider alternative routes into the industry
Students who want to work in finance should think outside the box and make their own opportunities to break into the industry.
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How women can break into investment banking
There are plenty of events, schemes and internships that are designed to introduce high-achieving female undergraduates to careers in investment banking.
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Jobs in investment for IT graduates – by Morgan Stanley, Baillie Gifford and the London Stock Exchange Group
IT plays a pivotal part in all areas of the financial industry and, as companies become more tech savvy, exciting opportunities are opening up for graduates.
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How to succeed in investment banking – tips from women at the top
At TARGETjobs Events’ inaugural Women in Investment Banking fair, five veteran female investment bankers opened up about their climb to the top and what today’s university students should do to have a successful banking career.
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What is investment banking anyway? Your guide to the industry
An overview of the banking sector, the main functions of investment banks and how investment banking affects your daily life.
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Investment and banking prospects for graduates without a finance degree
It's possible to get into a career in investment banking or investment management with any degree subject, though this is easier with some employers than others.
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Can extracurricular activities help you get an investment banking graduate job?
According to graduates who landed analyst roles with the likes of Nomura, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Goldman Sachs – yes they can.
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Diversity in investment banking careers and what it means for you
We attended the TARGETjobs event First year Banking insights to find out why banks are actively seeking a diverse graduate intake and what you should know before starting your investment banking career.
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How to network your way into an investment banking job
The infamous ‘British reserve’ means that networking is one of the most underused skills when it comes to graduate job hunting. What can you do to make sure you’re socialising enough?
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Your 2019 investment banking career planner
Whether you're in your first, second or third year of university, use our timeline to help you search for investment banking jobs, spring weeks and internships.
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Graduate jobs in investment banking and investment management – do A levels matter?
A strong academic record is a must for graduate jobs in investment banking and investment management. Do your A level grades help or hinder you?
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A graduate glossary of investment terminology
Bears, derivatives, stagflation... what does it all mean? Key banking and investment terms defined and deciphered so you can sound informed at graduate job interviews.
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How to get a banking and investment graduate job: the basics
Everything you need to know about graduate investment jobs. Whether you're wondering how much you can expect to earn or what areas you could work in, you can find answers to key questions here.
Applications
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'Why have you decided to apply to us?' Plan well ahead to give investment banks the answer they want
Graduate schemes and internships at investment banks can all look pretty similar at first glance. How do you convince, say, Goldman Sachs that you'd prefer to work for them than J.P. Morgan or Deutsche Bank?
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Applying to banking employers with a small graduate intake
It can be easy to focus on the big fish when it comes to applying for graduate jobs in banking, but take the time to check out employers with a smaller graduate intake.
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Online applications for jobs and internships in investment banking and investment
Get your tactics right – know when to apply and what to say in online applications for graduate jobs in investment banking and investment management.
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Applying for an investment graduate job? Write a covering letter you can bank on
Applicants for graduate banking and investment positions far outnumber the vacancies available, but a well written covering letter will make you stand out from the crowd.
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How to sell your non-finance degree in your graduate investment application
Investment banking and investment management recruiters want graduates from all degree disciplines to apply. Promoting the relevant parts of your degree in your application and interview will help to demonstrate your enthusiasm and suitability.
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Why company values matter when you’re applying for a graduate investment job
Find out how understanding your chosen investment employer's core values will increase your chances of getting hired.
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Compare your investment banking graduate CV to the competition
CVs for a graduate scheme with an investment bank usually fall into three types: straight and narrow, everyman and wildcard. Want to know where your CV fits and how to improve it? Read below.
Interviews and assessment centres
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Example investment banking interview questions
What better way is there to prepare for your graduate or internship interview at an investment bank than with a selection of sample questions?
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Graduate assessment centres at investment banks
Whether tackling aptitude tests or group exercises, a can-do attitude gives the graduate the edge at assessment centres.
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Group exercises at investment banking assessment centres
Investment banking recruiters like to keep the precise content of their assessment centre group exercises a closely guarded secret. But if you're aware of typical tasks and structure, you’re unlikely to have any major surprises.
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What you need to know before your investment banking interview
Got an interview for a graduate job or internship at an investment bank coming up? Find out the five things you need to know to prepare for your big day.
Skills and competencies
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The skills you need for banking and investment graduate schemes
Aiming to develop the competencies investment banks want to see when you apply? You’ll need to go beyond ‘teamwork’ and ‘communication’ to stand out from the crowd.
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Impress banking and investment graduate recruiters with your commercial awareness
Graduates with commercial awareness stand a better chance of getting an investment banking or investment management job.
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How graduates can convince finance recruiters that they have leadership potential
From retail banks to investment management firms; organisations across the finance industry seek graduates who have leadership potential.
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Speaking another language can help you get a graduate investment banking job
Foreign language skills might not be the most obvious requirement for a banking or investment job, yet a surprising number of employers include these among their core competences.
Internships and placements
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Investment banking analyst: ‘Why I started working towards my graduate job as soon as I started uni’
Haydn Pole was offered a graduate role in Barclays’ investment banking division after completing a spring insight programme and internship there. Here's his advice for current students.
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Why freshers should start preparing NOW for their investment banking career
If you wait until your second or third year of university to start thinking about your investment banking career you may fall to the back of the race.
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Learn more about a career in investment banking by trying a spring week
Unsure whether investment banking is for you? Spring weeks allow you to test the waters and experience the culture of different organisations before applying for summer internships and graduate programmes.
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What's it like to work at MUFG?
Jeremiah Shonde, a rates trader at MUFG, told us all about his internship and offered advice to current students looking for graduate jobs in finance.
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How to make the most of your investment banking internship
You have landed the internship that you had been working towards since your first year. Well done! But what’s the best way to ensure that your placement leads to career success? Here are the questions you should be considering.
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Four ways you can prepare for your investment banking internship
You’ve been accepted onto an internship at an investment bank, so now a whole new task lies in front of you: preparation. What should you do before you start your internship to give yourself the best chance of securing a full-time job later on?
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Internships in banking and investment
A good internship in banking and investment is hard to secure, so how do you go about getting one and stepping on the fast track to a graduate job offer?
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The investment banking work experience pipeline and what it means for you
Banking and investment graduate recruiters view their spring insight programmes and summer internships as talent pipelines to fill the majority of places on their graduate schemes. Start in your first year – or be prepared to play catch-up.
Pay and progression
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The best and worst reasons to do further study in banking and investment
Taking your study to the next level is a popular choice and the huge array of different postgraduate finance courses on offer means that you can tailor your study as you see fit. But is it right for you?
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Graduate salaries in investment banking and investment management
An overview of the salary you can expect to receive as a graduate working in investment banking or investment management.
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The benefits of working in finance
Many students and graduates already know that financial careers can be very lucrative. But what are some of the other advantages?
Areas of work
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Corporate banking: graduate area of work
Providing financial services to corporate clients with high turnovers.
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Inter-dealer broking: graduate area of work
Inter-dealer brokers act as intermediaries to help corporate clients buy and sell financial instruments.
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Risk management & control: graduate areas of work
Graduate jobs in finance risk management involve explaining products to senior managements so that they fully understand the risks they're taking.
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Investment banking: graduate area of work
Graduate investment banking jobs offer high levels of responsibility and exciting opportunities, but require a lot of commitment.
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Specialist markets: graduate area of work
For graduates working in specialist markets, developing expertise in a particular sector and client base is part of the job.
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Structured finance: graduate area of work
A graduate can become a recognised expert early in their career when they take a job with a structured finance team.
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Investment management: graduate area of work
Graduates working in investment, fund or asset management contribute ideas to investment portfolios from day one on the job.
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IT & technology in investment banking: graduate area of work
IT and technology are fundamental to the success of an investment bank, and there are many different types of jobs for IT graduates in the banking world.
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Markets: graduate area of work
It’s crucial to maintain and develop relationships with clients if you want a successful graduate career working the markets.
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Operations: graduate area of work
Graduates starting their career in operations – in the back office of an investment bank or management firm – learn that time management is key to the job.
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Private wealth management: graduate area of work
Private wealth management (also known as PWM or private banking) involves managing the finances of wealthy individuals – known as 'high net-worth' clients.
Job descriptions
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Trader: job description
Traders are responsible for making prices and executing trades in equities, bonds, commodities and foreign exchange, usually dealing on behalf of or for the benefit of investment banks.
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Commodity broker: job description
Commodity brokers buy and sell commodities on a commission basis on behalf of private and commercial clients.
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Investment analyst: job description
Investment analysts provide stockbrokers, fund managers and stock market traders with financial information, advice and recommendations derived from global investment data.
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Investment banker - corporate finance: job description
Investment bank corporate financiers provide financial services and advice to commercial and government clients about various financial matters including fund and debt management, mergers, flotations, acquisitions and privatisation.
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Investment banker – operations: job description
Investment bank operations staff are responsible for the efficient, accurate, profitable and risk-free clearing and settlement of bank transactions for corporate and government clients.
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Stockbroker: job description
Stockbrokers buy and sell securities (eg stocks and shares) on a commission basis on behalf of private and commercial clients.
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Investment fund manager: job description
Investment fund managers provide financial advice and services to private and corporate clients about a range of investment matters, including buying and selling investment trusts and shares or bonds, to help these clients invest their money in the best places.
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Corporate banker: job description
Corporate bankers provide advice to commercial and private clients about a variety of financial matters and promote financial services/products, to help these clients run their operations.
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Credit analyst: job description
Credit analysts assess and make decisions about customer credit applications using a range of criteria including purpose of application, credit viability, customer payment history and customer credit-worthiness.
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Economist: job description
Economists use economic concepts, theories and analytical techniques to provide advice and practical information that will aid managerial planning and decision-making tasks.