How to secure your Spring Week Rachel Curry – Graduate Recruitment

1. How to secure your Spring Week Rachel Curry – Graduate Recruitment

2. Opportunities for you… 3rd Year University 2nd Year University 1st Year University Pre-University A-Level Insight Day Easter Insight Week Graduate Programme Summer Internship Programme RBS M&IB as well as most other large institutions will offer a series of programs for students at every stage of their university life, starting from first year, right through to graduation.

3. How can an internship help you get a head start? An internship is a great way to gain an insight into the world of RBS and work out whether or not the sector is for you. We offer the following internships within M&IB. Easter Insights Week For students in their first year from all academic disciplines Offers you the chance to gain valuable work experience Includes technical training, networking events and time spent shadowing senior members of the team Gives us the chance to spot talent at an early stage You could secure a place on our Summer Internship programme for the following year Summer & Winter Internships For students in their penultimate year from all academic disciplines Offers you hands on experience within the business Internships range from ten weeks to six months across our various business divisions Opportunity to secure a graduate position - 80% of our interns last year went on to be offered places on our graduate programmes

4. Recruitment Process Online sifting Face-to-face selection Stage 1Online ApplicationForm Stage 2 Online TestingNumerical, Logical and Inductive Reasoning Test Stage 3 Assessment Centre Stage 4 Final Interview Autumn Early winter Early winter

5. Tips for application forms and online tests How do I prepare? Application Forms • Take your time and don’t rush your answers • Draw on your experience in all aspects of life • Consider the skills or competencies you have used to date • Relate your answers to a specific situation and provide examples 5

6. Types of Test • Numerical Test – Your ability to evaluate Numerical Data • Logical reasoning Test – Your ability to think logically and analytically • Verbal Reasoning – Your ability to assess verbal logic • Diagrammatic Test - Your sense of logic, visual thinking and organisation skills

7. Online Tests – Top Tips • Practice as much as possible • Revise by doing simple calculations • Complete some cross words as practice for the verbal reasoning tests • Don’t spend too long on each question – allocate your time • Absorb yourself in the financial press and know the market • When it comes to personality questions – answer with your gut reaction

8. Assessment Centres • What are they: • Designed to see how you will perform in day to day exercises for the role you are applying for. • They are meant to assess behaviours required for the role and not necessarily technical knowledge. • Structure varies from organisation to organisation but generally will include a form of: • Group Exercise • Role Play or Presentation • Written Exercise or Report Writing • Competency based Interview • How do I prepare for the day: • Research the company: Know why you want to work in the industry AND for that specific company • Know the role you are applying for, and what skills they are asking for • Know your key strengths and bring examples of experiences prepared • Dress appropriately – Business Smart (ALWAYS) • Find the address and know where you are going!

9. What does it look like generally? You will be put in a small group (usually about 6 or so people) and each will be given a scenario. Assessors are in the room to observe you and your behaviour (not to interact or give direction). You review your individual scenario and present important information to group members. You will discuss the individual scenarios and come up with a specified outcome (which you will be briefed on beforehand). Group Exercise

10. What is it meant to assess: How you interact in a group/ How you work together How you analyse problems and approach issues NOT meant to assess: A ‘right’ answer Top Tips: Listen to instructions and do not speak with the assessors in the room Draw quiet members into the discussion Make sure your body language & eye contact shows you are engaged Do not be overly dominant Balance making sure you make your point and are heard. However, know when you need to compromise (its about working together). NEVER rely on a group vote Take a lead (be a timekeeper, keeping on topic, recapping what has already been said, etc) Group Exercise

11. What does this look like? You will be given a business scenario and asked to prepare and present back on your own solutions. This will not require technical knowledge in MOST cases and will be doable even if you do not have a technical background. You will present to an assessor who will be playing a role and will challenge you on your answers Role Play or Presentation 11

12. Role Play or Presentation • What it is meant to assess: • Your understanding of issues and how you • How you build rapport and try to understand someone elses point of view. • How you communicate your ideas verbally and can back them up. • How you deal with challenges and react • How you promote ideas, implement them, AND understand their impact. • Top Tips: • Ensure that you understand the issues presented and take the time allotted to plan your answers and structure of your presentation • Make sure you cover all the points and information that has been ask • Try to understand the assessors point of view and what they are trying to achieve (remember, they are playing a role). • Try to find the balance between compromising and giving into demands, and backing up your ideas and why you think they will work. • Never read your speech or presentation verbatim. • Introduce yourself and thank the assessor for their time. • Use all materials available to you

13. Interviews • What are they? • One to one meeting with an assessor • Using past experiences to explain how you exemplify behaviours (AKA Competencies) that are required for the role. • How to prepare? • Prepare examples of experiences that could demonstrate a range of different competencies (communication, thriving on pressure, commercial awareness, leadership, etc) • Know why the company you are applying for interests you (RESEARCH.. And not just the website), know why the role interests you, and know why you are good for it. • Make sure these examples come from a variety of sources (Uni, Sports teams, Work Life) • Listen to the whole question, and if you need time to think about your answer… take it. • Build rapport with your interviewer. • Have questions prepared about the role. Do not ask about salary or holiday, etc. This information comes later.

14. What are you good at and what do you enjoy? Think carefully These are all qualities/traits you may wish to demonstrate: Ambition and a strong desire to succeed Confidence when dealing with others Ability to multitask and juggle different challenging projects Fulfilled by being busy Developed or keen to develop a network of useful contacts Inquisitive and ask the right questions Also… ensure you demonstrates how your career aspirations fit with the programme Work out your strengths before your interview

15. Types of Interviews • Situational Questions – Hypothetical Situation • “What would you do…?” • Capability Questions – Recent Experience • “Tell me about a time when….?” • Technical Questions • “What is an IPO?” • Brain Teasers / Assumption Questions • “How many tennis balls will fit in a 747?”

16. Example Interview Question • How big is the market for light bulbs in the UK each year? • Take me through how you would calculate this.

17. Example Answer • Step One • - Identify Market Type / Size • Step Two • - the number of people in the UK; • - the number of households; • - the number of rooms in a house; and • - the number of lights per house and hence number of light bulbs in the UK • - A candidate will then need to estimate the number / proportion of light bulbs that need to be replaced each year

18. Example Two • If the time is 03:15, how many degrees are between the minute hand and the hour hand of an analogue clock?

19. Example Answer • Step 1. The candidate should start by indicating that on a 12 hour analogue clock, there are 360 degrees, so one hour would equal 30 degrees (360/12 = 30) • Steps 2-5. The candidate should then work through the positioning of each hand and calculate the difference in angles • Step 2. As the time is 03:15, the hour hand is a quarter way between 3 and 4 o’clock. As there are 30 degrees between each hour mark, then the hour hand would be at 90 degrees (30 x 3) + 7.5 degrees (1/4 * 30) = 97.5 degrees • Step 3. As the time is 03:15, the minute hand would be a quarter of the way around the clock, so would be at a 90 degree angle (30 x (15/60)) = 90 degrees • Step 4. The difference in angles is 97.5 – 90 = 7.5 degrees

20. What do I need to demonstrate to secure a position? At RBS, we look for the following attributes in potential interns and graduates: Strong academic background Strong team players Positive attitude Commitment and drive Initiative Entrepreneurial spirit and a passion to excel Excellent communication skills Adaptability and flexibility Ability to manage pressure and multi-task Decision making skills Analytical skills and problem solving ability Attributes for success 20

21. What does this mean for me after I finish University? We offer graduate programmes across four major areas of the business: Markets, Banking, Technology and Operations throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific The programmes vary in length but all programmes offer RBS graduates the following: Extensive technical and personal development training A buddy, line manager and mentor Regular rotations to ensure broad skill development and a diverse experience base Events to network and meet members within other areas of the business

22. Top Tips while studying Visit your Careers Service department in Term One, Year One of your degree Utilise all that your Careers Service team can offer throughout your studies; advice, insight, recommendations and support. Join the relevant vocational Campus Societies e.g. Finance Society, Get to know the second, third and fourth years in your college Ask your friends/family for advice Work out what you are good at and enjoy at University Attend events and network with the business representatives there – ask questions! Use the internet to research Join corporate social networks (i.e. Facebook to gauge the feedback from other students)

23. Top Tips during the internship • Making the best of the transition from University to work is often more challenging than you think. • You will need to handle the tricky dichotomies of the corporate setting • Be confident in your ability to perform the job yet demonstrate the fact that you understand you still have much to learn • Be Proactive and eager to get involved • Be clear about how you are being assessed and who impacts your next steps

24. Top tips during the internship • Dress • Dress appropriately - always dress in good taste, make sure your clothes are in a presentable condition • Not always suits, some teams will have dress down Fridays but ALWAYS check and make sure you are certain you will not have meetings. • Punctuality • In business time is money, respect other people’s time • Always arrive at work and for meetings on time, if not a little bit early • Organisation • Be prepared for meetings and always take a pen and pad with you. • Manage your own diary • Office Gossip • Stay away from office gossip, don’t contribute to it • Handshake • Yes or No? Whatever you decide do it with confidence

25. Finally… • Attention to detail is vital in all roles • Be proactive – if you have nothing to do then ask, enthusiasm is key • Before attending a presentation or networking event have thoughtful questions prepared • Don’t spend your time surfing the web or on your iphone • Build rapport and be nice with Reception staff, desk assistants, presentation team • Keep an eye on how much you drink at event – your glass will get topped up so don’t loose track • Enjoy it!