A huge congratulations to Alec who has been offered an Internship with Bank of America Merrill Lynch which he discovered from one of our commercial update emails. Here he gives some great insights as well as offers some valuable advice to future applicants.
Why did you choose this firm and this role?
I was so welcomed by everyone at BAML it really felt like somewhere I could see myself at in the future. More specifically I chose the role as I felt a middle office role suited my strengths best. It’s very analytical yet requires a lot of presentation and people skills.
What was the toughest part of the application process? And your favourite part?
I actually received my offer on completion of a spring week, and the toughest part was also my favourite. During the week, we were all together in the great hall for a presentation contest. Our team made it into the final tie-break against another team, and I had the opportunity to speak on stage infront of every spring week intern and several BAML employees. It was nerve wracking, but really gave me a unique chance to demonstrate my skill set.
Were you surprised by anything in the process?
How friendly all of the other applicants were! People will often talk about finance as a cut-throat world, but I really didn’t find this to be the case at all. Everyone was so open about their individual experiences, and would always offer genuine advice when asked.
What three top tips would you give your fellow Bright Network members?
- Know what you’re applying for. You’d be astonished at the number of people that trip up on the question “why this role?” because they don’t actually know what the role entails.
- Be confident. More often than not, a firm wants you just as much as you want them! They’re not trying to trip you up, they’re trying to give you as many opportunities as possible to show off your skills and what makes you a great candidate.
- Finally, have fun. It’s cliched, but it’s so true. Your interviewer isn’t just looking for someone who knows things, they’re looking for someone they think they can spend a full 10 weeks with. If you’re relaxed, you’re more likely to just get along with the person sitting opposite you. More often than not, a proper rapport can even save you from a dud answer to a question!
What was the toughest question you faced at interview?
Tell me about a time you experienced failure and how you dealt with it.
