The recruitment process for City careers can involve an application stage, psychometric testing, a phone or Skype/video interview and an assessment centre at the firm"s offices. These stages are designed to test your strengths, capabilities and suitability to the role for which you are applying.
Recruitment Process
- Consulting firms generally ask for a CV and cover letter, although some set online application questions for you to fill out.
- A majority of firms set online psychometric tests (typically numerical reasoning tests, problem solving exercises and online cases).
- If you pass the tests, you are then usually required to undertake a phone and/or video interview at this stage.
- If successful, you will be invited to the firm"s office to undertake your first round of interviews (usually 2-3 interviews with consultants that have had a few years of industry experience) and a group exercise.
- You may then be invited back to undertake a final round of interviews with more senior consultants.
- If successful, you will either be offered a job outright or (depending on what you have applied for) an internship. Your performance during Internships is usually assessed throughout by various different methods, including additional (or final) interviews, department/supervisor appraisals and group presentations.
- If you have successfully completed an internship, at this stage you may be offered a job.
- Note that not all firms have the same recruitment process.
After Graduation
- Depending on your role, you may have to take a number of external qualifications once you start work, including exams set by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- When you start at the firm, you will take the title of Analyst for 2 years
- You will then become a Senior Analyst for 2 years
- At this stage, some people decide to take an MBA, whilst others continue on as Consultants.
- After this stage, you can progress from Engagement Manager, to Principal to Partner depending on your performance and commitment.