Hashim recently managed to secure an internship with J. P. Morgan with the help of Bright Network. We asked him about his experiences and how he prepared for the interview.
Why did you choose a Corporate Analyst Internship at J. P. Morgan?
After doing some research, I decided that an effective working culture was critical to any role I wanted to apply for. Underpinning any successful organisation is a strong worth ethic, and it is for this reason that I chose J.P. Morgan. I am passionate about getting involved with a firm that is opportunistic and forward looking. Given my international upbringing in London, The Hague, York whilst maintaining strong cultural roots to my Pakistani origins, J.P. Morgan is ideal. This is because it is a global leader in financial services, grounded on a strong set of values and integrity. This enables the firm to build a winning culture for all stakeholders involved. I chose the Corporate Analyst Development Programme (CADP) for its diversity. Taking into account the volatile macro-economic environment, I also wanted to understand what operational structures and risk management process the firm has in place to maintain its global operations.
What was the toughest part of the application process? And your favourite part?
The toughest part of the application was preparing for the assessment centre. No two assessment centres are the same. It is like revising for an exam, but worse as you're unaware of the content and assessment criteria. Having said that, the assessment centre was also exciting and intellectually stimulating, being surrounded by intelligent and driven people. This was best demonstrated during the group exercise, where due to high levels of enthusiasm, we were able to produce creative solutions to the presented business problem.
Were you surprised by anything in the process?
I was pleasantly surprised by friendliness and warm nature of the J.P. Morgan staff at the assessment centre. They made an effort to ensure that everyone was relaxed and in good spirits. This helped put me in an enthusiastic frame of mind to tackle the day. It was also a bonus that the assessment centre was held at AFC Bournemouth! So I was able to catch a glimpse of some the footballers.
What three top tips would you give your fellow Bright Network members?
1) Benjamin Franklin wrote, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail" -. To maximise your potential and chance of success, it is crucial that you prepare for the assessment centre, or even when submitting your online motivation to join the firm. Take time to research online on what previous assessment centres have included, how they are structured, and try and gain an idea of the marking criteria. The most efficient way to do this is by understanding the firm’s values and ethos. If you can identify with the core principles, then you'll have a higher chance of success.
2) Be yourself. Looking for an internship is like finding the right shoe. It has to be a comfortable fit, for both you and the employer. Throughout every stage of the application process, whether it is the online forms, telephone interview or assessment centre, be confident and grounded in your values.
3) ENJOY IT! The assessment centre is a unique experience. If you prepare well and be yourself, you will enjoy the experience. Be positive and a team player.
Hashim has very kindly offered to connect with any applicants looking to follow in his footsteps, so that he might offer advice. You can connect with him via his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hashim-syed/
