Spring Weeks 2012 Thread

I thought that there was no point in putting down GCSE's on a CV when applying for spring weeks/internships. Or maybe it is better to just put down x number of gcses at A*-C including English and Maths?

I thought there was no point in putting down GCSE's on a CV when applying for spring weeks/internships? Or maybe it is better to just put down x number of gcses at A*-C including English and Maths?

Yup my careers service told me to summarise it as A*-C and state maths and english grades at most. If you have A-level maths and/or english then no need to state the GCSE grade for them.
In a couple of years we'll have taken off GCSEs from our CV altogether, they mean very little in the grand scheme of things.

"GCSEs: 4A*s including Maths, 5 As including English Language, 1 B"

1 line, all GCSEs included, and they know where the important ones are; sorted.

"GCSEs: 4A*s including Maths, 5 As including English Language, 1 B"

1 line, all GCSEs included, and they know where the important ones are; sorted.

I thought there was no point in putting down GCSE's on a CV when applying for spring weeks/internships? Or maybe it is better to just put down x number of gcses at A*-C including English and Maths?

Perhaps a bit late now, but seeing as I did A-levels in 2009 I couldn't have got an A* even though my UMS are equivalent to 4A*. Would it be worth pointing this out to HR, or just leave it now and edit my CV slightly for next time.

Normally, I'd just leave it, but given how competitive these things are I've been debating sending HR a quick email or updating my CV on applications where possible.

Perhaps a bit late now, but seeing as I did A-levels in 2009 I couldn't have got an A* even though my UMS are equivalent to 4A*. Would it be worth pointing this out to HR, or just leave it now and edit my CV slightly for next time.

Normally, I'd just leave it, but given how competitive these things are I've been debating sending HR a quick email or updating my CV on applications where possible.

Some people who got CS interviews applied very recently (past weeks or two). I applied about 3 weeks ago. You reckon it's worth calling up and asking HR about the application and how its progressing?

1. Work experience is massively over-rated at internship stage. You just have to demonstrate your interest in finance; work experience does this, but so do other things. Some decent ECs make up for a lack of work experience and in my opinion look better than work experience. Just over half of my CV is made up of extra-curriculars and i've had 10 finance firms interview me so far this year, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.

Couldn't disagree more. If banks see a 'brand name' on your CV they think "hmm, this person was good enough for this company - we should interview to check we're no losing someone to competitors". It also reduces the risk in hiring and shows you have contacts which is always vital, whatever FO department you're in.
Is it essential for internship stage? no, because hardly anyone has interned by autumn of second year. Is it a MASSIVE plus? yes, it will trump any EC on a CV.
Involved in investment'/finance/econ soc? yawn. so is everyone.
Treasurer of investment society? better, but still boring and common.
You can guarantee EVERYONE put something down about an EC in finance, but EC's dont count unless they show achievement. Taking part in investment is just 'doing something' not achieving something - even if you get good returns!

So, definitely well done for your intership offers, but you couldn't be more wrong that work exp doesn't help - it's just most people don't have it.

Note - work exp needs to be paid and reasonably long to count.

did you do the personality test for the HSBC first year retail summer internship?

how long after you finished the test did you find out you were rejected?

I've finished it, but not heard anything yet... the test was really weird though1!

Couldn't disagree more. If banks see a 'brand name' on your CV they think "hmm, this person was good enough for this company - we should interview to check we're no losing someone to competitors". It also reduces the risk in hiring and shows you have contacts which is always vital, whatever FO department you're in.
Is it essential for internship stage? no, because hardly anyone has interned by autumn of second year. Is it a MASSIVE plus? yes, it will trump any EC on a CV.
Involved in investment'/finance/econ soc? yawn. so is everyone.
Treasurer of investment society? better, but still boring and common.
You can guarantee EVERYONE put something down about an EC in finance, but EC's dont count unless they show achievement. Taking part in investment is just 'doing something' not achieving something - even if you get good returns!

So, definitely well done for your intership offers, but you couldn't be more wrong that work exp doesn't help - it's just most people don't have it.

Note - work exp needs to be paid and reasonably long to count.

Following a conversation with family who work in BB banks, I was told to remove all finance related ECs from my CV. If you're applying for internships they will expect you to be involved in these.

What?? Then what is in your CV? Just the fact that you enjoy reading and hiking in the woods? Or you have that much actual work experience that you don't have space for ECs?

I may have been a bit naughty and reapplied to a bank with a different email address after being rejected before interview. Will there be any serious consequences if I actually make it to interview?

Happened to my friend 3 years older than me. She got rejected from BNP Paribas for Spring Week and reapplied. When she interviewed with them, the first thing they asked is 'we noticed similarities between your application and that of someone's who was rejected.' Either way, she got thrown out. Wouldn't risk it mate.