There is no one set path on the road to employment. Depending on the industry and company you’re applying to, the application processes are bound to differ. So what should you do? How are you supposed to prepare for the wide-ranging types of interviews, tests, and assessments that you might have in order to lock down your dream job? Well, here are the stories, tricks, and tips of people who successfully navigated similar processes.
We had the chance to speak with three analysts that secured full-time summer internships at Capital Group. During our conversations, we learned about their experience with Capital Group’s unique hiring process. By coupling behind-the-scenes insights from Capital Group associates with thoroughly researched tips and tricks, we have created a step-by-step guide to help current students and recent grads navigate the recruiting and internship process for an industry leader like Capital Group.
1. Arm yourself with knowledge
To jumpstart your job hunt, we recommend gathering as much relevant information and knowledge as possible. More often than not, job seekers skip this step and rush to lock down an interview. But what happens when you get to the interview? What happens if the recruiter asks you about your favorite stocks or if you’ve been contemplating any market projections? While there is no way to anticipate the specific questions that will be asked, the best thing you can do to prepare is actively consume relevant information.
Here is what Aleks Ivanova, an investment analyst with Capital Group who successfully secured and completed the internship, suggests.
Keeping your finger on the pulse of the industry will help you maintain an intelligent and informed conversation with your interviewer. Most of all, it will demonstrate that you’re passionate about your field, something Capital Group values in their applicants.
2. Get exposure
Once you feel confident that you’ve prepared enough, cast your reel and start putting out some feelers for opportunities. Look to job fairs, clubs, organizations, and of course, WayUp, to make that first point of contact with employers. For example, Capital Group partners with Women in Investing (WIN) to recruit top talent, such as Aleks Ivanova, mentioned above. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask your professors or your career services department for their advice on what organizations to participate in to make the most valuable connections with employers.
3. Nail the interview
The interview is perhaps the most important part of the application process. One golden nugget shared by multiple Capital Group associates during this part of the process is staying authentic. Capital Group is a company that values personality as much as they value industry knowledge. Be yourself, and don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know the answer to a question. The recruiter will respect your honesty and move on, which is far better than saying you do know something and then fumbling through the answer.
4. Throw yourself headfirst into the internship
One of the many unique qualities of the Capital Group summer internship program is the experience of living the life of an actual analyst. You will participate in the daily activities of a real investment company and at the end of three months, you will be expected to give a presentation on the work you’ve done.
Nishith Kaushik, an investment analyst with Capital Group, stressed how much you learn in three short months.
5. Establish connections with full-time associates
While it’s important to fully commit to your project, reaching out to as many current associates as possible during your summer internship is critical as well. Not only will this help you build lasting relationships, but it will also help you begin to understand one of Capital Group’s core values – collaboration.
Luckily, Capital Group makes it easy to engage with current associates by pairing every intern with a mentor and offering opportunities for coffee chats and sit-downs with other staff associates. Take Nishith for example, who met over 75 people during his internship. Chances are more than a few of those conversations helped Nishith gain the insight and knowledge needed to successfully collaborate with his coworkers today.
6. Send a follow up after the presentation
After you’ve presented your project and your internship has ended, be proactive and reach out to the associates you were engaging with all summer. Establishing authentic relationships will be beneficial, whether you secure the job or not. Talk about what you enjoyed about the internship, let them know if you have a genuine interest in joining the company, and most importantly, communicate your appreciation for the opportunity.
Not only will following these steps help you navigate your first interviewing and interning experiences, but they will also help you build the skills that you will use for the rest of your life.
At the end of the day, when you know how to prepare for new opportunities, you’re able to put yourself out there and apply with confidence. Joining Capital Group means joining a company that is passionate about helping everyone be successful. If that’s something that you want to be a part of, don’t hesitate to check out all of their available opportunities.
