Career Advice

Subterms

    More stories

    • 138 Shares129 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Code Your Career: Staying Competitive in the Developer Job Market (VIDEO)

      by

      The world, especially within the tech industry, is changing faster than you realize. Many jobseekers are nervous about what these shifts mean for their future, as layoffs hit an all-time high in 2022 and business investments seem to be in flux. 

      So what do job candidates have to do in order to keep up with the hottest skills, languages, and trends in the industry? 

      Watch this on-demand webinar to hear experts discuss key findings from Hired’s 2023 State of Software Engineers report and share approaches to help you succeed in the developer job market. 

      You’ll hear from:

      Career Expert, TopResume, Amanda Augustine

      CTO, Hired, Dave Walters

      Engineering Manager, Greenhouse, Jeff Surrett

      Sr Software Engineer, Yum! Brands, Erik Andersen

      VP of Growth & Marketing, Educative, Steven Yi

      Read an excerpt of the conversation here and scroll down to access the full webinar. 

      How should software engineers prioritize which skills to learn in 2023? 

      Steven Yi

      There’s such a wide canvas of technologies out there and there’s demand for a lot of those in different scenarios. 

      If we start with enterprise, there’s a lot more interest there in the cloud, especially in regard to Amazon Web Services. The cloud is almost table stakes for most enterprises right now. There is also a lot of emphasis on back-end development specifically around APIs and integrating within existing systems and connecting front-ends to back-ends and things like that. 

      I also think there’s a lot more emphasis on more mature technologies. Examples include programming languages where you see more prevalence of Java and .NET. There are also more expectations around having data skills, specifically how to query and write sequel statements against relational databases (think Oracle and SQL Server). 

      If you’re targeting working at a smaller company or startup, I think the emphasis there is on having a more full stack experience — understanding both the front-end and the back-end. Front-end skills like React are certainly more important for those company sizes. For back-end skills, that transitions a bit more toward Go and Node.js in some of the newer programming languages and stacks out there. 

      And as far as the cloud, I think looking at this data is pretty interesting. Google Cloud Platform and Azure are more popular with smaller companies and startups, particularly because they’re easier to start up with. I think AWS has become a bit more complex over the years. 

      The last thing I would leave with this is to follow your interest and your passion to see what’s interesting to you. There are a variety of different niches out there. 

      Take mobile, for example. If you carved out a specialization on mobile development for Android, that means Kotlin. If you’re exclusively developing for Apple, that means Swift. Or cross platform development using a variety of different frameworks like Dart, Flutter, React Native, or Microsoft’s offerings like .NET, Xamarin, or .NET MAUI. 

      Data science and machine learning are exploding. That means Python or even the newer emerging technologies and programming languages like Rust. Or, go on the other end of the spectrum and go old school. 

      There are still niche offerings out there if you’re a Pascal developer with Delphi. I actually did a Google search this morning and several hundred companies are still hiring for COBOL.

      Related: Want to Ace Your Technical Interview? A Guide to Prepare Software Engineers 

      Watch the full collaborative panel discussion to learn how to: 

      Stand out as a top candidate in a crowded job market

      Efficiently and effectively prepare for behavioral and technical interviews

      Develop career plans to maximize growth and compensation opportunity  More

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Career Hacks

      Data and Financial Technology: What it’s Like to Work at Bloomberg

      by

      Finance and business professionals are faced with the challenge of navigating increasingly large volumes of data to make the most informed decisions possible.Bloomberg, a financial technology company, plays an important role in connecting the world’s decision-makers to accurate information about the financial markets. Through innovative tools such as the Bloomberg Terminal, the company provides access to financial data, news, and insights that help clients turn knowledge into action.Bloomberg’s Data team is responsible for the end-to-end intake and delivery of data behind the company’s products and services. The team processes billions of pieces of financial information daily and plays an integral role in ensuring the breadth, depth, and quality of financial data for which Bloomberg is known.In this article, we’ll learn more about the Data department and its ever-evolving role at Bloomberg and within the financial technology industry. Additionally, we interviewed James Hook, the Global Head of Data, about the latest industry trends, his career trajectory, and the traits and skills needed to succeed in Data roles today.Bloomberg’s Data Department At Bloomberg, data analysts combine both financial market knowledge and technical expertise to collect, analyze, and supply the most relevant content to clients operating across industries and asset classes. At its core, the team is primarily responsible for: 1) acquiring, modeling, and enriching proprietary and third-party data so that it can be used by clients, 2) providing support to client data queries, and 3) innovating workflow efficiencies that enhance the company’s systems, products, and processes.Data management is an emerging area that comprises many academic

      disciplines, including data modeling, artificial intelligence, data science, and data quality management. Individuals who focus on data at Bloomberg are given training and client exposure to better understand how data fits into the financial markets. As the data industry evolves, ample opportunities to expand one’s skill set and experience emerge across various domains.The rapid evolution of the industry also requires Bloomberg’s data team to adapt to the latest trends and practices to help clients solve their current business problems. The team proactively stewards data that addresses future client needs.

      The Career Trajectory of James Hook

      During his 18-year tenure at Bloomberg, James Hook has embodied what it means to be an effective team member and leader. At Bloomberg, James has demonstrated an ability to work across different disciplines, first as a software engineer and later as a Team Leader of the Structured Products team, where he developed both technical and financial market expertise to deliver valuable client solutions.That experience led him to the Data Technologies Engineering team, where he  managed the talented individuals who built the systems that on-board all the reference data that drive Bloomberg’s applications and enterprise systems. Now, as the head of the Data division, he focuses on combining domain expertise with innovative data management techniques to increase the overall value of our data products

      Through his intellectual curiosity, collaborative spirit, and diligence, James has grown his career at Bloomberg. While his path is unique, it speaks to the career possibilities available in Bloomberg’s Data Division. Global Opportunities in Data

      During our interview, James Hook described what Bloomberg – and the data industry in general – looks for in candidates, and the qualities it takes to succeed and make an impact as an employee.

      Successful Bloomberg data professionals can come from a variety of academic backgrounds and share two common traits – first, an aptitude to delve into specific data and financial domains, and second, an appetite for innovation and experimentation.

      In addition to developing subject matter expertise and technical skills, data analysts collaborate with a range of stakeholders around the globe, from Engineering to Sales, on product development.While most of Bloomberg’s employees work in major cities around the world, many data analysts work in Princeton, NJ, a suburban community about an hour from New York City. The Princeton location offers a research campus-like culture and boasts open, outdoor spaces that facilitate unique collaboration opportunities among the departments working there. This location also allows the team to build relationships with local universities and foster a continuous learning environment where new and bold ideas are developed, tested, and brought to life.With a diverse data team based around the globe in Princeton, New York City, and more than half working in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, James is focused on nurturing a culture of collaboration and inclusivity throughout the department and the broader organization as a whole. 

      Bloomberg runs on data. Thus, developing strong data management skills is critical for Bloomberg’s continued and sustained growth as a company. Positioned at the intersection of technology, finance, and data management, employees have a lot of range to explore their passions and pursue different projects throughout their careers with the firm.Not only is the culture and environment of Bloomberg special, but also the company’s philanthropic mission makes a real impact on the world and is incredibly motivating.If you’re interested in learning more about open roles at Bloomberg and taking a step further into the world of data and analytics, check out their current job listings. As the world of data grows, so do the opportunities, so don’t hesitate to make your move! More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      What is Workplace Ageism? (+ 5 Ways to Combat Ageism in the Job Search)

      by

      In recent years, organizations across all industries have made strides when it comes to building diverse and inclusive teams. In fact, companies are increasingly hiring and promoting employees from historically underrepresented groups, and they’re also extending offers to more and more women, who now make up the bulk of the US workforce. But despite this progress, there’s still a lot more work to be done, as outlined in Hired’s 2022 Wage Inequality Report. 

      While organizations might have improved the gender and ethnic diversity of their teams, many are still discriminating in other regards, such as against employees who are further on in their careers. This form of discrimination called ageism.

      Related: What is DEI? How Does it Improve the Sales & Tech Job Search Process? 

      What is ageism?

      Simply put, ageism is a prejudice causing organizations to overlook qualified older candidates and hire younger workers instead. 

      According to the AARP, ageism is pervasive in America. They found nearly 25% of workers 45 and older have been the subject of disparaging comments due to their age. What’s more, roughly 60% of older workers have seen or experienced ageism in the workplace. Ageism is perhaps most prevalent in the tech sector, where the average worker is 38 years old (compared to 43 years for non-tech workers).

      Add it all up and it comes as no surprise the same AARP survey found 76% of older workers agree ageism is a major obstacle standing in between them and a new job. 

      Youngism: The Reverse Ageism 

      This facet of ageism, now increasingly studied, focuses on bias against younger individuals. You might imagine someone muttering, “kids these days” or rolling their eyes as they groan, “millennials.” 

      Although positive words like “intelligent” and “tech savvy” surfaced, one study found common negative responses in descriptions of younger generations included “entitled,” “coddled,” and “disrespectful.” 

      In the same way ageism can hold back older adults from opportunities, youngism does the same to younger individuals. 

      What causes ageism?

      Ageism is a bias that makes businesses see older employees as liabilities more than assets. 

      In an age of technological innovation, companies may think older employees might not be technically proficient enough to work productively. At the same time, older individuals are thought to be stuck in their ways, making it harder for them to embrace change or try something new.

      In some instances, ageism might be linked to the fact that older employees tend to earn more than their younger colleagues due to their deeper professional experience. Cash-conscious companies might opt to extend offers for candidates just out of college who are happy to work for less.

      While the deck may be stacked against older workers to some extent — all hope is not lost. With the right approach, older professionals can overcome the bias of ageism in the job search, ending up with meaningful employment on the other side.

      With all this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the tactics you can employ to navigate your job search in your later years.

      How you can combat ageism and be confident in your job search

      First things first: Update your resume so it fits on one page and is reframed to reflect your current goals. After you’ve done that, it’s time to start looking for work.

      Related: How to Handle an Employment Gap on Your Resume (Flip the Script!) 

      As you begin your job search, here are five tips to keep in mind tohelp you overcome the challenges associated with ageism — and move forward to the next chapter of your career with a positive mindset.

      1. Demonstrate your enthusiasm

      At the end of the day, companies are looking to hire energetic, passionate individuals. Perhaps you worked for 25 years in corporate America and have all the requisite skills and experience. Still, if you come across as apathetic or as if you’re just going through the motions, hiring managers may hesitate to gamble on your candidacy. 

      Instead of reciting your experience, lead with your passion and excitement for the company and role.

      We also encourage you to market any mentoring skills. Your experience may be more valuable to other team members than you realize! Frame your experience as an advantage in this way and an opportunity to share your wealth of knowledge.

      2. Develop new skills

      Commit yourself to continuous learning and always try to develop new skills and learn new things. One easy way to do this is to complete certifications through popular business platforms like General Assembly, Exponent, Educative, and AWS. 

      3. Be curious and teachable

      Succeeding in today’s ultra-collaborative business landscape requires being a team player and a willingness to be flexible. By demonstrating your curiosity and teachability throughout the interview process, you can prove you have the right mindset to become a critical contributor to the team.

      Two ways to show your willingness to learn and ability to quickly acquire new skills are:

      Taking up interesting hobbies (e.g., learning how to write code) 

      Taking on volunteer opportunities (e.g., mentoring at-risk youth)

      4. Lead your interviews

      Acing an interview isn’t just about giving good answers to each question. It’s about forming a personal relationship and connection with the person on the other side of the table (or the Zoom call).

      By connecting with your interviewer on a deeper level and bringing a positive, pleasant attitude to the session, you can make a great first impression. This can carry you to the finish line and lead to a job offer!

      Related: Video Interviews 101: How to Impress in the Digital Age

      5. Arm yourself with data

      When you’re older, be cognizant of how your interviewer might perceive your age as a disadvantage. So, be prepared to defuse those objections right out of the gate.

      Related: 7 Interview Questions You Never Have to Answer (& How You Should Respond) 

      One way is to proactively bring data to the table. For example, research suggests workers continue building knowledge and expertise well into their 80s — traits correlated with job performance. Furthermore, data suggests the average successful startup founder is 45 years old. 

      It’s also important to make sure you have a good understanding of what a fair salary is for your experience and role. Make sure you leverage tools like Hired’s Salary Calculator to understand your value before the interview.

      Related: What Does Your Tech Salary Look Like? A Review of Salary Trends 

      The more nuggets of information like this you have, the more confident you will be when you finally sit down at the table.

      Ready to land your next job?

      With the right mindset and a determination to land a new job, it’s possible to overcome the challenges associated with ageism and start the next phase of your career. Keeping these tips in mind as you begin your next job search. Good luck!

      Continue reading our Ally Series: More

    • 100 Shares149 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Decebal Dobrica, Software Architect

      by

      Why did you choose Hired for your search?

      Compared to other platforms I’ve tried, Hired stands out because of the quality of employers, especially those in London.

      Related: How to Get Approved on Hired

      When searching for a new role, the ability to have a direct contact with the company looking to hire is extremely useful. It’s more efficient to be in touch with a CTO or someone with an active role, as opposed to going through an agency.

      As for specific features on Hired, I love the “Profile Preferences” section. It allows me to filter out specific technologies and characteristics. I can get search results that reduce the need for further filtering after meeting the companies.

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      Hired puts you in front of the best employers in London while helping you refine the way you present yourself to them. Hired gives you tips based on employer feedback to optimize your profile. This makes your edits so much more relevant than what you might come up with yourself, and helps you stand out to companies on the platform.

      Related: Meet Hired’s Candidate Experience Team: Supporting Jobseekers Every Step of the Way

      How does Hired compare to other methods you have used in your job search?

      Hired was the fastest in terms of helping me connect with new employers and streamlining the recruitment process. Companies come to you, instead of the other way around, which I have experienced with many other platforms. When I get matched with an employer, I already know the company wants to have a conversation tailored to me. I don’t have to make the effort to convince them my profile is what they should search for.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      Before Hired, I was jumping between recruitment agencies to get more exposure to different types of employers. Most couldn’t even tell the difference between Java and JavaScript, as most of their own filters were backfiring!

      What tips would you give to other jobseekers using the platform?

      Take advantage of the tips Hired offers and remember to apply them when creating your profile. Most importantly, make sure to be available and be respectful to employers. Being responsive and active helps build employers’ impression of you when making a decision about whether to interview you. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Career Hacks

      How Citi is Paving the Way for HBCU Grads and Black Professionals in Finance

      by

      Ever since Maggie Lena Walker established and presided over the first bank to service Black organizations, Black Americans have been shaping the history of finance. 100 years later, people of color (POC) are still making contributions that leave everlasting impacts on the industry. 

      Although a lot of progress has been made for POC in the banking and finance space, they are still at a disadvantage. The facts of the matter are that POC are disproportionately underrepresented in finance and face a harder time breaking into the industry than others. 

      As a company that emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Citi identifies with these issues wholeheartedly. Citi also knows that if these trends continue, an entire legacy of future Maggie Walkers might cease to exist.  Even worse, the contributions and ideas that these POC would have contributed to the finance world would never see the light of day. This lack of input and improvement would slow down the finance world as we know it. 

       Citi has made sure to create a space where POC not only feel welcome but motivated to succeed as well, creating a virtuous cycle for individuals, Citi as an organization and the financial services industry more broadly. In order to create this space, Citi has rolled out a series of initiatives that are paving the way for POC in finance. The first of which has to do with their recruiting strategy. 

      HBCU Recruiting and Presence 

      To employ the brightest minds, first, you have to find them. That’s why Citi decided to set up an ambitious recruiting strategy at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). And we’re not just talking about free koozies and stickers. Citi is showing up on campuses, sometimes even with school alumni, to share background on their diversity and inclusion efforts, educate students about opportunities and show they are a company that values the success of their diverse employees.   

      Here is what one Global Banking Analyst had to say about the impression Citi left when they visited Howard University during her time as an undergraduate. 

      By continuing to establish meaningful relationships with students at HBCUs, Citi is building a workforce that includes incredibly talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

      HBCU Alumni Network 

      By creating groups and communities that allow people from similar backgrounds to come together and share thoughts, companies can create new environments to help their employees thrive. That’s why Citi established the HBCU Alumni Network. As you might be able to infer, the HBCU Alumni Network is a group at Citi that allows alumni from different HBCUs to connect, network, and help one another grow. Which, for a lot of people, helped them succeed and learn in a lot of ways.  

      My involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network has taught me the importance of being proactive when you’re on a team. I was tasked to work alongside another team member to initiate contact with 19 schools. I hesitated on whether I should wait for him to reach out first since he has been employed at Citi longer than me, but I ended up having the courage to set up the first meeting. He expressed how impressed he was that I took charge right away and set up a strong foundation for the work we’ll be completing together. That experience taught me to never doubt myself or my capabilities, even if I may be the youngest on the team, and if there is an opportunity to showcase your skills or leadership, you always jump at it!  
       Global Consumer Banking Analyst 

      Through her involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network, she not only gained more experience and confidence in herself, but she also made a good impression on her colleague. All around wins. 

      Black Heritage Network 

      Like the HBCU Alumni Network, there is the Black Heritage Inclusion Network at Citi. Within this group, Black professionals can come together, share their thoughts, seek out mentors, and essentially just share space with people who look like them.  

      After you graduate, the number of groups and organizations you can join to socialize, grow yourself, and feel welcome gets cut in half. When these groups are no longer available, especially in the corporate world, some individuals face issues that diminish their productivity and most importantly, their self-worth. That’s why establishing inclusion networks is so advantageous and why Citi chose to do it themselves. 

      POC in Leadership Positions 

      One very direct way to help POC succeed in financial services is to connect and grow them in leadership and management positions. By doing so, you not only diversify the leadership on your team, but you also create mentors, role models, and individuals who people from similar backgrounds can identify with. As a result, students and job-seeking individuals become more inclined to apply for positions at the company. 

      As he said, it’s comforting to grow and be trained by people who are like you. When you can relate to these people, it makes the relationship better on all ends.  

      One Corporate Banking Analyst had a similar experience with her mentor during her time at Howard.  

      When I was a Freshman at Howard, my mentor, who was a Senior, had a full-time offer in Investment Banking at Citi and was the Citi Campus Ambassador. She recommended me for the Freshman Discovery Program, and I ended up getting in. At the time I was not super familiar with Citi or Wall Street as a whole, so I did not really know what to expect. However, when I arrived, I was completely enamored with the experience and completely threw myself into it. At the end of the program, I was sad to leave and knew this is where I belonged. 
      Corporate Banking Analyst

      If it weren’t for Citi putting her mentor into that Campus Ambassador position, it’s possible that she may have never ended up at Citi. By creating this position and ones like it, Citi now has talent pipelines that will draw in some of the brightest minds in finance for years to come. Pipelines that might just end up finding you one day. 

      What’s Next for Citi? 

      While these initiatives may seem bold, Citi has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Much like Citi’s Action for Racial Equity, a $1 billion+ commitment to help close the racial wealth gap and increase economic mobility in the United States, the ideas Citi is putting forth will have a substantial impact on the industry and the world for years to come.  

      If this is an endeavor that you would like to be a part of and contribute to, check out the positions Citi is currently hiring for. Who knows, in just a few years it could be you leading the change.  More

    • 100 Shares179 Views

      in Career Hacks

      How to Secure a Citi Internship in 2023

      by

      As job seekers ourselves at one point, we always wondered what it would be like to get a behind-the-scenes look at a company’s job application and interview process. To know what recruiters are looking for, what the do’s and don’ts are, and exactly what it takes to get noticed by a specific company.

      Forget about one-size fits all resume guides and interview tips. Anyone who has spent a month in the job market knows very well how much application processes differ from company to company.

      One application and interview process that is particularly unique? Citi’s incredibly lucrative Banking Internship; a program that earned a spot on WayUp’s Top 100 Internships 2022.

      Recently, we got the chance to chat with a couple of individuals who participated in Citi’s nationally recognized Summer Analyst program. In our conversations, three Summer Analysts from Citi reveal what they did to secure their positions at Citi and set up such bright futures for themselves.

      Fine-Tune the Resume

      Before you land a Summer Analyst role with Citi, you’ve got to secure the interview, but before that, you’ve got to make sure that resume shines. So, the first thing you should always do, before anything else in the application process, is make sure your resume is in tip-top shape.

      If your resume isn’t up to date or looks messy, recruiters are going to have a hard time giving your application the stamp of approval. Take what a former Citi Summer Analyst did before submitting their application.

      “My initial belief going into the resume process was that I would not include school projects or projects that I thought were small. But what I learned was the exact opposite. You should always consider small projects because recruiters might notice certain skills you utilized during those projects that you didn’t list on your resume.”
      Citi Technology Summer Analyst

      To take their suggestions one step further, we suggest you prepare yourself by breaking down each experience on your resume by what skills were used. Ask yourself – are these skills relative to the job I’m applying for? Are they valued skills? Do these experiences and the skills that come with them deserve space on my resume?

      Tap Your Network

      As the ways to network diversify, so do the opportunities for early-career professionals to make connections that can propel their careers forward. 

      LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, WayUp, no matter how you choose to network, the two things you need to keep in mind are authenticity and speed. Although they might not have said it outright, everyone we spoke to in our interviews emphasized how when they pursued a new contact, they would never ask for something in return. They simply would introduce themselves and stay consistent with conversation over time.

      When you begin a conversation with a request – advice, more contacts, a job – you immediately displace yourself and often end up making the ensuing dialogue transactional and inauthentic.

      In any case, you should offer your new contact something, but coming in on neutral grounds will always be the best way to start a conversation.

      Once you’re confident you can keep things authentic, then you need to get up and start reaching out as much as possible. This speed factor is something a lot of professionals don’t always consider, but when a former Citi Summer Analyst explained it, things began to make perfect sense.

      If you can reach out to people starting early, that’s amazing, especially in the financial realm. Professionals in finance like to get their talent off early, and that doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking later on, but the earlier that you start, the faster you will join the industry.
      Citi Personal Banking Summer Analyst

      Hunt for On-Campus Opportunities

      One very common mistake that college students make is not using all of the resources available to them on campus. Those that do seek out those resources, especially the resources provided by the career services department, oftentimes find themselves on a direct track to flourishing employment opportunities.

      This is particularly true when it comes to Citi as their presence on campus is massive. One of the main ways Citi stays active at colleges across the country is through its Early ID program. 

      After hearing about this on-campus mentorship program through a couple of alumni from her school, one former Citi Summer Analyst decided to apply for the program with the intention of learning new skills and growing herself professionally. She didn’t know if she would get a job from it, but she took the chance, put in the work, and is now a contributing member of Citi’s personal banking department.

      In another instance, a former Summer Analyst with Citi and current Campus Ambassador used her campus event posting board to start making contacts and learning about new opportunities.

      I used a campus job board where you can go on and see different events happening on your campus and different companies coming. I decided I’ll go to as many events as I can, as many as my schedule allows, and Citi was one of them. I went to one of their fireside chats Freshman fall where I met a university recruiter who would later offer me a job.
      Citi Wealth Management Summer Analyst, Current Campus Ambassador

      Almost every college with a career services department has resources like what one former Summer Analyst describes. If you can’t find it immediately, just contact someone from the career center!

      How to Prepare for the Interview

      If you’re able to make that resume sparkle, put on your networking cap, and use as many resources as you have access to, there is a very good chance that you make it to the interview process. This is perhaps one of the most critical steps of the process, especially when it comes to Citi’s Summer Analyst program.

      Although it is subject to change, our understanding of the Citi Summer Analyst program interview is that it has two parts – a behavioral and a technical component. This means you should be able to answer questions regarding both comprehension and knowledge while also being able to deliver on reactive and situational assessments. 

      There really is no way to know for sure what your recruiter or interviewer is going to ask, so the best way to prepare is by educating yourself and rehearsing as much as possible!

      I did mock interviews with some family members to build up my behavioral interview skills. I also watched a ton of YouTube videos about what to talk about and what points to hit whenever you’re being interviewed.
      Citi Technology Summer Analyst

      He knew that he would have to react on his toes and do so with ease and fluidity, so he made sure to practice his presentation and speech-making skills. He also knew that he would be assessed on his knowledge of the industry and space he was applying to. He didn’t know what exactly, so he cast a wide net and tried to gather as much information as he could. 

      These are by far the best ways to prepare yourself for an interview for Citi’s Summer Analyst program.

      Proceed With an Open Mind

      One thing that remains consistent between the three former Summer Analysts we interviewed is the way they approached the Summer Analyst application process at Citi. Each one of them went about it with an open mind and zero preconceptions of what the process might look like and how it might benefit them.

      One former Summer Analyst joined Citi to gain experience, learn new skills, and grow herself professionally. There was no need to assume she would pursue a career with Citi. 

      When you pursue a job just because you want a job, passion tends to dwindle. But when you pursue a job with the intention of learning and growing yourself, you can get more out of it. The former Summer Analyst we are referring to ended up being one of the few Summer Analysts to be extended an offer for a two-year rotational program that she is now embarking on.

      As for one former Citi Summer Analyst, he retained an open mind when it came to interviewing at Citi. He didn’t assume it was going to go one way or another, he didn’t practice a pre-arranged plot structure, he just remained authentic and armed himself with as much information as possible. In this case, his broad scope paid off.

      Below is a perfect example of how an open mind can lead you to incredible success.

      When I came to Georgetown my freshman year, I wasn’t sure which career path I wanted to take. A Citi recruiter told me to apply to their sophomore leadership program, which I hadn’t heard of until she told me about it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be in finance, but I was like, you know, it wouldn’t hurt to apply and just see where this takes me. Maybe I’ll like it. So, I did and then ended up choosing to Summer Analyst within the Wealth Management sector!
      Citi Wealth Management Summer Analyst, Current Campus Ambassador

      Apply What You Know!

      These are the tricks of the trade, the gate code at the secret entrance, and the tried & true methods to secure a position with Citi for their 2024 Summer Analysts.

      We’ve given you the road map, all you need to do now is follow the course to land an Summer Analyst role that might just change the trajectory of your entire career. More

    • 125 Shares159 Views

      in Career Hacks

      How T-Mobile Gave Me The Tools to Grow My Career

      by

      As your career progresses, it is natural to start growing curious about other opportunities and new positions. Whether that’s a new job outside of your current company, a different department within your company, or even a more senior title, these desires have a tendency to appear more than once during your career.

      Given this inevitable circumstance, it is important to know that your company is willing to support your desire to grow. But what does that support look like? And how do you know your company is willing to provide it?

      While we can’t speak for all of the companies in the telecommunications space, we can say for certain that T-Mobile is a place that supports the growth of its employees in any path that they choose to follow.

      Recently, we spoke with a few employees at T-Mobile to hear what that support looks like and how it helped them advance their careers.                  

      Freedom to Follow Passions

      One of the first things that stood out about T-Mobile is the company’s encouragement of employees to follow their passions.

      For example, Kasey Liang, a recruiting coordinator at T-Mobile, started her career with the company in a Talent Acquisition internship. Her initial responsibilities had to do with making sure the backend software used to recruit and hire talent was working and also ensuring a smooth transition to a new platform.

      However, midway through, Kasey realized that she would “rather be talking to candidates instead of dealing with the software behind it.” What Kasey did next was express these desires to her manager who not only met them with positivity and support but started helping her through the steps to make that transition. 

      One thing Kasey’s manager suggested was to start reaching out to those in the positions Kacey was seeking. This would consist of asking questions about how they got those positions, what they’ve done right, and what they’ve done wrong. 

      An Openness to Share Knowledge

      Across all of T-Mobile’s employees is an attitude of support and encouragement. This means that they will always offer help to those seeking it. As Kasey reached out to other employees at T-Mobile, she was able to learn more about the day in the life of a Recruiter.

      The fact that an employee will take time out of their day to show you what they’re doing and even allow you to shadow them goes to show the kind of spirit and camaraderie that takes place at T-Mobile.

      Transferable Skills

      Another great feature of working at T-Mobile is that you’re going to learn skills that you can take with you throughout your entire career. For example, T-Mobile uses software called Workday that helps employees with a variety of work-related functions. Being that Workday is very popular, knowing how to use it will look that much better to your next employer who may require that knowledge.

      As for the recruiting position, one thing you’re going to do a lot of is talking. You’ll be learning how to take large amounts of information like job details and responsibilities, and condense them into chunks of exciting and attention-grabbing bits. In some cases, you’ll have to negotiate pay and contracts. In other cases, you might have to learn how to have complex or difficult conversations.

      One way or another, you will be advancing your communication skills every step of the way. Another way that employees would build skills and learn new things would be through T-Mobile’s their own trial and error and exploration of new concepts.

      No One’s Going to Be Breathing Down Your Neck

      While the environment at T-Mobile is very hands-on and good at offering direct instruction, they also help employees grow by not micromanaging them and allowing them to learn individually. 

      By embracing a culture that allows individuals to think freely, T-Mobile is building employees who are able to take initiative and think on their feet. This creates a future workforce of leaders and individuals who know how to get things done.

      They Want You to Lead

      T-Mobile is a company that has all intentions of expanding and continuing to put its thumbprint on the telecommunications and technology industries. In order to do that, they want to see their employees succeed. Anastasia Byrd participated in a business intelligence internship this past May and today, she is a Senior Analyst. While the road to a senior title is not necessarily easy, it is made more attainable by the resources that T-Mobile provides.

      A manager at T-Mobile even once stated “my job is to help you get to where you want to go next.” It didn’t matter if that meant leaving the team and going somewhere else or into a senior position like Anastasia, the manager’s main intention was to enable employees to do what they desire.

      Navigating your professional desires, especially when it’s early on in your career, can be daunting. But it is made much easier when you work for a company that allows you to follow your passions and gives you the resources to help you attain them.

      If you’re someone who has always been inspired to reach new heights and accomplish your dreams, T-Mobile is an employer that will help you do it. Start browsing open roles today and get one step closer to obtaining your goals.  More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Career Hacks

      Why Choose Stifel?  It’s Simple – You and Your Ideas Are Welcome Here.   

      by

      Success is more than just an ideology here at Stifel.  It’s about taking the ideas of how to succeed and putting them into action.  These actions permeate throughout our organization, within every department, and at every Stifel branch across the nation.  And it all starts with you.  

      Stifel is a place where you can build a challenging, rewarding career with one of the industry’s most diverse, creative teams.  A place where new ideas are welcome and fresh thinking is encouraged.  The kind of thinking that helps us understand and use the forces of the market to be ready for whatever is next.

      To make this happen, our leadership makes the well-being of our associates a top priority.  We actively promote a new and different type of thinking, anchored by a commitment to helping you build strong relationships with your fellow associates across the organization. 

      So, how do we do that?  Entrepreneurial spirit.  Innovation.  And, of course, diversity and inclusivity.  These are all great ideas on the surface – but at Stifel, we put them into action from the top down.  Our leadership sets the tone with each and every associate, and our mentorship philosophy is where our culture really starts to thrive.  We encourage people in leadership positions to step back and ask themselves, “What did I need when I was coming up in the industry?  Who put a hand out for me?  Who gave me guidance?  How can I turn that around and help others that are entering our field”

      At Stifel, if you have an idea, our leadership will listen to it and truly consider it.  Your ideas can actually be put into place pretty quickly.  Our organization is structured like that.  Building on that sentiment, fostering collaboration is another key component to what makes Stifel great.  Our firm is built around supporting not only our clients, but also each other.  This is based on another simple, yet effective, guiding philosophy at Stifel – the “Golden Rule.”  Treat each other the way we would want to be treated and listen with empathy, respect, and with a heart toward understanding.     

      Stifel is often described as a large firm with a startup mentality.  Its metaphorical open-door policy means that a junior staff member can easily call a senior manager and speak with them, for example.  Additionally, the family-like relationship that the associates across departments and branches share is something very special and unique.  

      According to a study conducted by Coqual, organizations rated highly for diversity and inclusion have 57% better collaboration.  We’ve taken this to heart.  Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, Director of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, has been an integral force in championing diversity and inclusion initiatives across the firm.

      “That’s essentially what Stifel has always done and continues to do so well – to help individuals, to help organizations, to help communities, to strengthen their capacity to be difference-makers. That’s why I’m so excited to be at Stifel – because I’m part of a team that believes in the wonderfulness of America and the ability to be able to make things better.”
      Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande More