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Interview, CV, Resume Tips

 

How our recruiting process works

We start our recruiting process in the autumn and our on-line application system this year opens on September 4th, 2007.

Citi's Recruiting Teams visit a number of campuses during the recruiting season (please check our Campus Calendar). On campus we give presentations about the company and the numerous career opportunities we can offer you. You will also have a chance to meet our people across the businesses, including senior representatives and those who have recently joined the company. This gives you an excellent opportunity to learn, first hand, about the company, what differentiates us from other firms and what makes us—Citi employees—tick.

Before you start our online application, please review the checklist below and answer the following motivation questions, which should help you decide whether you would enjoy working with Citi.

Motivation questions:
  • Are you prepared to take on early responsibility?
  • Are you excited by challenges?
  • Are you effective working in teams?
  • Can you work on your own initiative?
  • Are you highly motivated, enthusiastic and driven?
  • Have you read our web site to learn about Citi in more detail?
  • Have you thoroughly researched the business division you would like to apply to and the program it offers?
  • Do you have an excellent academic record?
  • Are you looking for the opportunity to make a difference and to create change?

 

If you have answered "yes" to all these questions and are sure that a career with Citi is what you're looking for,  after you have submitted your application (you will receive an automated receipt confirmation), we will then carefully check your application against our selection criteria.

 

Please Note: a member of our recruiting team will personally review every application submitted online. Citi does not use automated screening tools.

 

EMEA ONLY: If you meet our criteria, you will be invited to participate in our assessment process.

 

Please Note: the specific assessment tools used at each stage will vary by region and are specific to each business area. Once you are invited to participate in the assessment process, you will be encouraged to visit our "Virtual Interview Center" online, which provides specific information on the assessment process by region and for each business area. You will only have access to the Virtual Interview Center once you have been invited to participate in the assessment process.

The purpose of this section of our website is to provide you with additional information resources. The Resource Zone is divided into the following sections:

  • Compiling your CV or résumé
  • Interview Guide
  • Recommended Reading List 

 

Compiling your CV or résumé

Your single most important marketing tool is your CV/résumé and its primary purpose is to secure you an interview. It is vital therefore, that your CV/résumé is well presented and clearly structured.  A CV/résumé should present your qualifications, skills and attributes to the employer in a way that demonstrates your suitability for the job.

As well as providing insight into your qualifications and experience, it should show the employer that the skills and qualities you have match the role being applied for. A CV/résumé must be accurate and up to date.

Your CV/résumé provides your interviewer with a snapshot of information about you. As an applicant for a recruiting program, your education may be your strongest selling point and therefore it should come first. Make sure that you identify your degree and high school results clearly. Identify main selling points and the key competencies/skills that the employer is looking for.

 

 

The structure of your CV/résumé should follow a set format, for example:
  • Personal Details: all your personal details should go at the top of your CV/résumé. Include your name, address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address
  • Education: your most recent educational information should be listed first. For each degree level qualification include the degree type e.g., Bachelor's, Master's etc., the institution attended, subject(s) studied and grade achieved e.g. classification (U.K.) or GPA (U.S.)
  • Work Experience: should be listed in reverse chronological order; that is, put your last job first and work backwards. Include dates of employment (month and year is sufficient), name of organization, location of work (city and state or city and country is sufficient). Summarize your experience with emphasis on specific skills and achievements that would make you the right person for the job
  • Skills: you may wish to list key or special skills and competencies such as language skills or IT literacy. For Technology applicants, it is usual to include a comprehensive and clear summary of the IT applications and systems you have worked with
  • Hobbies and interests: summarize your hobbies and interests by drawing attention to the skills and achievements in these areas. Diversity is important at Citi and we expect you to be able to talk about your interests outside your academic achievement

 

At a glance, your CV/résumé must appear ordered, readable and pleasing to the eye, with sections and headings clearly marked and, where applicable, dates should be included to show the duration of particular activities. The maximum length of a CV/résumé for application is two pages. It is best to avoid unusual fonts and stick to a standard typeface such as Arial or Times New Roman using at least font size 9.

It is essential that you have as many people as possible review your CV/résumé and provide feedback - ask friends, family, career counselors and alumni (especially those currently working in the industry). Use spell check, but remember it won't pick up words that have been used incorrectly but are correctly spelled.

 

 

Interview Guide

 

Interviews

If you have been asked to interview it means that you are already one of a select group of applicants who have satisfied the initial selection criteria.

At this next stage, the interviewer will want both to verify the accuracy of any information in your application and to probe a bit further, testing and challenging you to think on your feet.

The central purpose of an interview is to assess whether your personality, skills and experience are a close match with the requirements of the job and the company culture.

There are two basic areas being assessed during the interview process: your knowledge and your competencies (skills).

 

Knowledge

We are often asked, "How much do I actually have to know about banking/finance during an interview?" We do expect you to have some knowledge, but you don't need to know everything. You will be expected to have an understanding about the position you are applying for and the industry in general, which means you do need to do your research. Try to attend as many recruiting events as possible, where you will have the opportunity to talk to employees, and find out more about what they do on a day-to-day basis and get a better feel for the position and/or industry. You should go to these recruiting events with a number of key questions to ask company representatives, e.g.:

  • What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
  • What do you think are the key skills you need to do your job?
  • What attracted you to the financial services industry and why?
  • Having the answers to these simple questions or similar ones, in addition to reviewing recruiting material and company websites, should help you get to the level of knowledge we would be looking for during an interview.

 

Competencies

The definition of a competency-based interview is a structured series of questions aimed at eliciting behavioral information against specific job-related competencies.

A competency in this context is a type of behavior found to be relevant to the job. An example of a competency would be "detail conscious" - that, is someone who is able to cope with detailed work, conscious of the need to be accurate with details.

This method of interviewing involves the use of open questioning, e.g., can you give me an example of a time when...? In light of this, it is essential that you prepare some examples in advance of situations and projects that you feel demonstrate your skills adequately. To help you we have listed some common interview questions that you might expect to be asked (see below).

Many "skills" can also be described as competencies if they are behavioral, such as the ability to work under time pressure, technical ability, interpersonal skills and motivation levels.

EMEA ONLY: Interview questions will focus on eliciting specific examples from a candidate, describing situations where they have demonstrated the relevant behaviors required for the job; also known as STAR:

  • Ask you to explain the Situation
  • Ask you about the Task
  • Ask you to describe your Actions
  • Ask for the Result

Below is a list of competencies that could be assessed during the interview process (this list is not exhaustive):

  • Adaptability
  • Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Commercial Awareness
  • Communication
  • Confidence
  • Decision Making and Judgment
  • Influencing and Persuasiveness
  • Leadership
  • Motivation
  • Relationship Building
  • Teamwork

 

Preparation

Preparation for each interview is essential to maximize your impact and to avoid putting yourself at a distinct disadvantage. Most college Careers Services run interview practice sessions, which can offer invaluable feedback to enable you to be more confident and capable in an interview situation.

Think through which competencies the company may be focusing on - read the literature and websites for clues. Think about projects and work experience that you can talk about. Practice talking about your experiences with friends or family, but don't prepare scripted answers as they can sound like they are made up - skilled interviewers can identify this.

As well as selling yourself in the interview, you will also be expected to explain your reasons for applying both to the position and the organization. It is vital that you portray yourself as well informed and interested, having carried out detailed research into the company, including its corporate history, position within the industry, its major clients and products, biggest competitors, etc.

Remember that each interview should be a two-way process with both sides finding out more about the other - you are interviewing the company as much as the company is interviewing you. You will be expected to ask each interviewer questions, so prepare some in advance.

Several days prior to the interview date, find out when and where the interview will take place, how to get there and how long it will take.

 

On the day

Dress appropriately; don't wear casual clothes even if you know the company has a dress-down policy. First impressions are very important.

Always bring extra copies of your CV/Résumé - even if you're sure the interviewer has one.

Know where your interview is and arrive ten minutes early.

When you meet or are introduced to anyone you should shake hands firmly, look him or her in the eye and SMILE!!

Slouching or sitting with your arms folded will give a negative impression and suggest that you are uninterested in the conversation. It is far better to appear enthusiastic and listen attentively throughout the interview, leaning forward and maintaining eye contact. Don't fidget!

Answers should be kept succinct to avoid any waffle. Conversely, don't just say "Yes" or "No" - try to qualify your answers with examples that best show off your strengths, skills and achievements.

Don't feel you have to give an immediate answer to a complicated hypothetical question. It is perfectly acceptable to pause and gather your thoughts before answering.

At the end of the interview, make sure you thank the interviewer and ask what the next steps are.

Should you be unsuccessful after an interview, ask for verbal feedback, so that you are able to learn from each interview.

 

Common Interview Questions
  • Why have you applied to Citi?
  • What attracts you to Citi?
  • What do you know about our business/the financial services industry?
  • What qualities/skills do you have which make you suitable?
  • Describe your ideal position within our Firm.
  • What are your future goals?
  • Who else have you applied to and why?
  • What degree classification/GPA are you expecting?
  • Why did you choose to study at ________ university/college/business school?
  • What have you learned at university/college/business school which you can bring to this position?
  • Tell me about your involvement in _________ (e.g. student society, sports team).
  • Can you give me an example of working in a team?
  • Please tell me about a time when you were under intense pressure.
  • Give me an example of a time when you handled a major crisis or problem.
  • Give me an example of where you demonstrated leadership.
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  • What did you gain from your previous work experience/internship(s)?
  • What do you do in your spare time?
  • Have you any questions to ask me?
  • Tell me about a significant achievement that you are proud of.