MyCIMA

Getting a graduate job

Posted: Sunday 10 October 2010 by Hot chocolate
Replies : 9
Keywords: career, CIMA, jobs, studying

Hi Guys,

Please help me here. I am a graduate with a BA and MSc Finance. I got terrible A levels results and my undergraduate degree is from one of the lowest ranking universities in the country.

However, I have absolutely no problems getting job interviews. I have interviewed with the top, top companies, who overlook my A levels because I was an outstanding athlete (played pro football for a bit and county winner in rugby, cricket and athletics), hence why I never tried at school as I thought I was going to be a professional footballer, although my IQ is 162 and I am phenomenal with numbers. 

You are probably wondering what's the problem? Well, the problem is I can't the job. I also make it to the assessment day or final interview and I always do well but one or two things let me down. I either do badly in the interview or mess up the presentation or group exercises. I have done an internship with an asset management firm but it that has stopped.

Also, some jobs I go for, see me as too ambitious and hence I get rejected but I don't have the experience of applying for the better jobs. One interview with HSBC as a retail analyst, the guy said I was really smart and could do the job but I would not be happy. You name the company and I have been for an interview with them

I am churning over 7 interviews a month and its been like that for a year and a half. I am starting to get really depressed as I think my time is running out. I am a CIMA (Managerial level) and CFA candidate (completed the IMC within 2 weeks). Can anyone advise me please?

cheeky reply...

Posted by Polar Bear on Sunday 10 October 2010 22:07

2 problems i can see:

1. English: "Well, the problem is I can't the job."

2. Modesty: "However, I have absolutely no problems getting job interviews. I have interviewed with the top, top companies, who overlook my A levels because I was an outstanding athlete (played pro football for a bit and county winner in rugby, cricket and athletics), hence why I never tried at school as I thought I was going to be a professional footballer, although my IQ is 162 and I am phenomenal with numbers"

I have been an assessor at our assessment days - i'll write back with some more serious comments tomorrow.. ;)

.

Posted by james on Monday 11 October 2010 11:44

Your question may hold the answer..."I either do badly in the interview or mess up the presentation or group exercises".

Be aware that people can react negatively to overt confidence, especially in group exercises where it is important to respect the opinions of others.

Remember that graduate jobs are about training and require a degree of humility in that the candidate must first accept that there is much to learn. You can't  fill a glass with knowledge that is already full, and this may be  a reason for your HSBC rejection.

What happened with the football if you don't mind me asking?

follow up

Posted by Polar Bear on Monday 11 October 2010 14:12

James - I was just thinking that. some additional comments:

Group exercises - be active BUT do not dominate the conversation. look to be inclusive, try to bring in others who are being quiet. respect others ideas - and give credit were its due. being a good time manager and ensuring the group focuses on the objectives. suggest potential delegations of tasks but look for group support when doing this. Do NOT shout, talk over others, put people down etc...

Presentations - present options, highlight the key risks with these options - financial, operational. identify the extra information you need. you can make a recommendation, but you must rationalise this and make  clear your assumptions. talk slowly and clearly. presentations are normally 3 or 4 slides, i'd normally have my notes in 4 or 5 bullet points. to truely deliver you have got know your points. don't pretend to know it all, be open and approachable.

I'd strongly recommend checkin out the McKinsey recruitment website. These have videos of case scenarions with interviews and presentations. These can be very enlightening and give some pointers. Remember McKinsey is at the top end of recruiters.

good luck 

 

Thank you

Posted by Hot chocolate on Monday 11 October 2010 19:26

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. Please accept my apologies, I am not trying to be cocky and I do have humility. Like I said, I did not do very well in my A levels (really badly) and I went to a low, low ranking university, something which I will not be boasting about, will I?. I have many faults, I have difficulty reading but have some autistic traits as well, my particular 'gift' seems to be for numbers, dates and words. On my paper, I seem to be a good candidate - speak 5 languages, numerate, highly entrepreneurial and excellent with people. It's just irritating me now and I am taking my anger out on everyone when ultimately it's me.

The thing is I love learning and see everything as learning curve. I independently taught myself the IMC and the CFA Level 1. While doing my degree, I was working 25hrs a week and studying.

James regarding the football - Basically, although I was not very tall, I was a really skillful forward and had electric pace (I could do 100m in 11.4s aged 14). Signed for a professional club aged 18. They basically drilled my technical ability out of me and I was getting disheartened and lost my confidence. I probably played in the wrong position to be fair as I was not very strong but it's disappointing when you see guys u use to play against playing in the Prem. English football generally want to ruin skillful players - just look at joe cole. Damning indictment.

I did have the offer of a football scholarship to Bath University  but my parents got into financial difficulty so I stayed close to home and helped them.

I'll keep going- if not hopefully i will have my own real estate business.

Thanks guys.

 

 

Level

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Tuesday 12 October 2010 08:56
HC I get the impression you are trying to access the career on a high level. I know you have a lot of qualifications but not the experience. Is your ambition restricting your progress? Are you trying to run before you can walk? The prospective employers might see you are expecting too much too quickly. Just a thought. Maybe you should lower your sights to get your foot in the door and then try progressing rapidly from there.

level

Posted by james on Tuesday 12 October 2010 16:41
True, the cream inevitably rises to the top in a reputable organisation. 

Level

Posted by Hot chocolate on Sunday 31 October 2010 19:32

Hi,

 

Roary, I am only applying for grad jobs and cannot get them and basic ops roles. They keep thinking I will get bored and dump me. You are right I do not have the experience, but like every grad out there, how the hell are we going to get experience when even graduate jobs are even asking for experience. It is a joke.

If I am honest, I probably will never make it to the top but I am good enough to have a decent career. It's so frustrating.

Level

Posted by Lourens De Bruyn on Monday 22 November 2010 03:03

Hi

Will it really be that bad to take a more entry level job, work hard, and gain some crucial experience along the way? Yes it might be be boring, but suck it up. Before you know it you will have the experience you need to get the job you want.

Baby steps...

 

Level

Posted by Paul on Wednesday 24 November 2010 16:21

I don't understand why you feel employers are thinking you would be bored with a graduate job and that's why you are continually unsuccessful. Graduate jobs, especially with top companies aim to recruit the best. I know many extremely bright graduates who found their graduate training very demanding - but that's what it's designed to be!

You certainly come across as very confident - perhaps as earlier respondents have suggested it is this that is counting against you.

If you cannot source a graduate role why not aim to take any job with one of these top employers and then show what you can do?

Just my tuppence worth.

Good Luck