What advice would you offer prospective candidates on
the recruitment process?
Do as much research as
possible before deciding on which programs to apply for. Talk to
friends, family and anyone you know that may have an insight into
the banking industry. Every tip helps you develop your perspective
of what investment banking is really like. Take the time to
complete the online applications. These are the first stage in the
recruitment process for every major investment bank and so it is
absolutely critical that you get everything in the application
right before you submit it. Think about how you answer certain
questions and make sure you market you skills and attributes (in
the right sections of the application). Also make sure that there
aren't any spelling mistakes in the application, your cover letter
and also your resume. This reflects poorly on you, if you haven't
taken the time to make sure that it is right.
In the event that you get called up for an
interview, do your best to answer the questions. If you get time to
prepare before the interview, even better, spend some time on
researching the particular company that you are interviewing with.
Google and the company's own website gives you access to a vast
amount of information that you can use to help you impress your
interviewers.
How would you describe your team and
the people you work with?
The best way to describe
every one I work with at Citi is approachable, knowledgeable and
intelligent. It's a real tem environment here. Everyone is always
willing to answer questions that you may think are too silly to
ask. I get along with everyone I work with, so much so, that we
tend to head out for drinks together on a Thursday or Friday night.
It's not all about work.
What about your career excites you the
most - gets you out of bed in the morning?
The most
exciting thing about this job is the environment that I am immersed
in. I am working on deals and pitches that the public might not
usually know. I am surrounded by other bankers that are creating
ideas and pitches which give you insight into how the world of
investment banking really works. It is always challenging and
that’s what keeps me getting up every morning, even after only a
few hours of sleep.
What do you consider Citi's
competitive edge?
By far it's people and the
relationships they bring to the bank. There is also the attraction
that this is a truly global bank located in over 100 countries, I
don’t think there is another bank that is located in as many places
as Citi is around the world.
How do you apply your degree to what
you're doing now?
I studied a double degree in
Computer Systems Engineering and Business majoring in Finance at
UTS. Obviously the finance is applicable due to the theoretical
skills and knowledge that I built while studying. We are constantly
researching, modeling, and valuing prospective projects and
companies. The fundamentals of valuation that I learnt while at Uni
have helped me to incorporate and better understand the Citi
specific processes used in valuation.
The skills that I picked up within Engineering
that I know use in Investment Banking include the ability to take
on vast amount work and information and then break that down into
smaller more manageable tasks which allow me to be more efficient
with what I do.
Also the skill I use the most would be the
ability to self learn. Working as a generalist means that I work
with teams in different sectors; from Real Estate, to Metals and
Mining, to Energy Power and Chemicals, and also to Industrials. As
an analyst you have to understand these industries to be able to
complete your work to the best of your ability. This is best done
by learning as much as possible from your peers and from reading up
on the industries yourself.
What skills have you found to be most
useful in your position?
I believe I have covered
these in the above description.
How did your summer internship help
you make the right decision to pursue a career with
Citi?
I worked in Investment Research in the Summer
of 06/07. it gave me an insight into each of the division within
Citi. It also exposed me to what the industry was like and perhaps
the most important thing for me, what they people are like at
Citi.
What do you enjoy doing outside of
work?
I enjoy going to the gym, and playing a game of
basketball (when possible) and also spending time with my
family.