Online Application
I was asked to submit a CV, optional cover letter, and then answer 3 (short) business related questions. The questions ask about how you keep up with finance related news, why you think you are right for the position you are applying for (qualities and motivation), and about your interest in the company itself.
How to respond for success
I made sure to cater my experiences (finance related or not) to the role and division I was applying for - at the Spring week level you can really stand out by showing you understand the different divisions in a bank and how you can succeed in each of them. I was applying for Markets (Sales and Trading) so made sure to show my interest in financial markets, international news, and IT proficiency. You are not expected to have a lot of experience or skills in the role you are applying to, but you are expected to relate your interests/work history/education to the industry.
Expect a 5 day wait before advancing to the next stage.
Numerical reasoning test
Most banks immediately ask applicants to complete tests, and the invitation normally comes within a week of your initial application. You will then have up to a week to complete the tests, including practices they send you. I did one numeracy assessment and one business aptitude test, each taking about 30 minutes.
Many banks use the same testing platforms so often after doing a few you are well practised, but you can also find question banks online with similar fast-paced questions - the numeracy tests are mostly about timing, and require no financial knowledge. The business aptitude tests are more simulation style and ask how you would react to various circumstances that could happen in your role day-to-day.
Example
A typical business aptitude question asks you “You are having a busy day and a colleague asks you to support them with their task - how do you respond?”. You will then have to rank a number of responses in order of what you think would be the best response. Some questions are more basic and simply ask “To what extent are you a team player/ independent worker?” and you would answer with a sliding scale. The numeracy tests use simple mental maths questions, under a time constraint.
How to respond for success
My biggest advice for the business aptitude test is answer the questions honestly, and don’t overthink and attempt to answer what you think the firm is looking for. Every firm has a different profile of applicant they are looking for, and there is no perfect set of answers - it is much better to come across as a “real”, balanced person, than be someone who claims to excel in lots of contradicting characteristics.
For the numeracy questions, keep an eye on the time but don’t worry if you don’t complete every question (most tests will tell you this). Don’t overthink or over check your answers as most times you are better off with your first instinct. Definitely take the test in a quiet, undisturbed place without interruptions, and also do check wifi before, as any issues with this will cause stress during the test. Most of all, try not to worry about any questions you missed after it has finished, and just do your best!
Expect a 1 week wait before advancing to the next stage.
Virtual Interview
You are usually sent an invite for interview within a couple of weeks of your tests being completed. You then will have up to a week to prepare. For Citi, my first interview was with an HR recruiter and was on Zoom which is more common post-Covid. I wore a smart shirt and made sure my background was tidy and not distracting - you also can blur your background if you have any concerns. They will let you know in your invitation if the email is competency or technical or both - at the Spring Intern level, it is very unlikely to have a technical interview; at the Summer Intern level it happens a little more.
The interview took about 30 minutes, and I focused on coming across as ambitious and friendly - HR people really like to see what kind of person you are, and how you communicate.
Example
I had some standard questions, “Why Citi?”, “Why Markets?”, “Why are you interested in the financial industry?” “Tell me a recent news story/book you have read”. The interviewer will expect you to have prepared for these questions, and they are designed to give you a chance to become more comfortable, and tell them something interesting about yourself. It is always interesting to link your academic background to something specific in the industry.
I am very interested in Economic Development and so told the interviewer what I know about investment-based foreign aid strategies. Computer Science students can talk about fintech, algorithmic trading, etc, whilst those with a Human Science background can talk about huge pharmaceutical corporations and their recent financial deals - the possibilities are endless!
Other competency questions are often in the form of “Tell me about a time where…” and there will be various skills they are looking for. It may be when you have worked in a team, shown analytical skills, presented to a crowd, etc. These can be examples from anywhere, and it is useful to write a list prior to the interview of as many different skills you can think of and examples you have used them. Try and be creative with your examples! Use school positions, volunteering, sports teams, jobs, group projects, university societies, competitions…
How to respond for success
I think my answers stood out because I was well prepared but still tried to be natural with the interview. I created a conversation about my interests, and a book I had recently read and that rapport helped the interview get to know me better. I also asked the interviewer questions about the rest of the application process and a typical day in the role. I would say prepare a question to ask but don’t use it to look smart - instead use it to show you understand the position and are excited to be in the process.
I used online interview question banks e.g. Glassdoor. There are endless resources for typical finance questions, so just answer as many as you can to yourself and then get friends to ask you to make sure you are confident.
Expect a 1 week wait before advancing to the next stage.
Virtual Interview
You are usually sent an invite for interview within a couple of weeks of your tests being completed. You then will have up to a week to prepare. For Citi, my first interview was with an HR recruiter and was on Zoom which is more common post-Covid. I wore a smart shirt and made sure my background was tidy and not distracting - you also can blur your background if you have any concerns. They will let you know in your invitation if the email is competency or technical or both - at the Spring Intern level, it is very unlikely to have a technical interview; at the Summer Intern level it happens a little more.
The interview took about 30 minutes, and I focused on coming across as ambitious and friendly - HR people really like to see what kind of person you are, and how you communicate.
Example
I had some standard questions, “Why Citi?”, “Why Markets?”, “Why are you interested in the financial industry?” “Tell me a recent news story/book you have read”. The interviewer will expect you to have prepared for these questions, and they are designed to give you a chance to become more comfortable, and tell them something interesting about yourself. It is always interesting to link your academic background to something specific in the industry.
I am very interested in Economic Development and so told the interviewer what I know about investment-based foreign aid strategies. Computer Science students can talk about fintech, algorithmic trading, etc, whilst those with a Human Science background can talk about huge pharmaceutical corporations and their recent financial deals - the possibilities are endless!
Other competency questions are often in the form of “Tell me about a time where…” and there will be various skills they are looking for. It may be when you have worked in a team, shown analytical skills, presented to a crowd, etc. These can be examples from anywhere, and it is useful to write a list prior to the interview of as many different skills you can think of and examples you have used them. Try and be creative with your examples! Use school positions, volunteering, sports teams, jobs, group projects, university societies, competitions…
How to respond for success
I think my answers stood out because I was well prepared but still tried to be natural with the interview. I created a conversation about my interests, and a book I had recently read and that rapport helped the interview get to know me better. I also asked the interviewer questions about the rest of the application process and a typical day in the role. I would say prepare a question to ask but don’t use it to look smart - instead use it to show you understand the position and are excited to be in the process.
I used online interview question banks e.g. Glassdoor. There are endless resources for typical finance questions, so just answer as many as you can to yourself and then get friends to ask you to make sure you are confident.
Expect a 1 week wait before advancing to the next stage.
Final Interview
A week after my HR interview I was invited to an interview with an Analyst in the firm. This interview still was not technical, but the interviewer had more of an interest in my skills and experience, and how they would relate to a role similar to what they are doing.
It again took about 30 minutes and was on Zoom. I felt quite prepared from my previous interview so practised some more questions and read about the company, its news, and value and ethics.
Example
In this interview, we went through my CV and how my skills were relevant for the role and company. It was still a personality based interview, and I was asked a lot about my volunteering and how that fitted within Citi’s philosophy, and also my passion for hockey. I was also asked questions about how I respond to difficult scenarios, e.g. personality clash with a team member, giving criticism, etc.
When converting my Spring Internship into a Summer Internship I went straight to the interview stage and had a 1-day Assessment Centre involving 2 competency interviews with members of the business, and then a presentation of my choice to a senior member of the business. I was then asked technical questions on this presentation.
How to respond for success
During my Spring week application, I think I stood out because I was friendly, honest about my experience, and was clearly interested to learn about the industry. I also tried to keep my answers concise and clear.
During my Summer Internship Assessment Centre, I was told in my feedback that the interviewer really liked that I admitted when I wasn’t certain on something technical, and worked through it with them. They really expect no prior knowledge, so be honest if you are confused with any questions and ask them for clarification. I was also told that I was always smiling and was positive (despite being internally very nervous) and this goes a long way! I wore a smart shirt and trousers for this presentation.
#####Expect a 1 week wait before being offered a spring internship
