Bright Network recently caught up with Luke, who, after graduating Warwick with a degree in mathematics, has secured himself a grdauate role at the investment banking firm Macquarie as an Investment Banking Analyst. Here's what Luke thought of the application process.
Why did you choose Macquarie?
I chose investment banking as it is, to me, the most holistic, fast-paced and results-driven career in finance. I love the idea of working with and advising the world's largest and most interesting companies, and working with businesses and governments. Macquarie offers a great deal of responsibility from the outset of their graduate analyst program. They also provide principal investments in addition to corporate M&A advisory, so that proposition is particularly exciting to me as it flexes the investing decision-making parts of the brain, which is a welcome additional challenge with great potential rewards.
What was the toughest part of the application? And your favourite part?
The toughest part was probably the M&A case study during the assessment centre day. The case study involved evaluating the takeover of SABMiller by AB InBev to create the world's largest brewing company. Oddly enough, while this part of the process was the hardest part, it was also my favourite! It gave me a real impression of what working at an investment bank would be like and I valued this hands-on experience.
Were you surprised by anything in the process?
The level of interest the bank showed (paying to fly me back from a family holiday to have a final round interview with two senior Managing Directors).
What advice would you give your fellow Bright Network members?
Firstly, preparation on technicals. Secondly, perfecting delivering your authentic 'story' on why you are interested in finance and lastly being relaxed, confident yet humble in person during interviews
Do you have a pre-interview ritual?
I like to get to the address of the bank a couple of hours early to acclimatise myself with my surroundings, maybe walk around the block and nearby areas of the bank, to really 'soak in' the atmosphere and relax myself before going in.
