Finance Industry Insight: what is interdealer broking? April 2, 2012
Posted by Kirsti Burton in : Finance, Finance & IT, The Careers Group Blogs, city jobs , 1 comment so farOriginally posted at QM Jobs Blog
In careeers you get to find out about new areas of work and new job titles all the time. These come about because of the way industry has to respond to the rapidly changing world. A friend of mine is a Social Media Monitoring Officer. These jobs didn’t exist a few years ago! Sometimes it can be hard to find out about what particular or specialist job involves, because there is so little information out there. One question we had recently was about interdealer broking. This is what we found out:
Interdealer broking is about bringing buyers and sellers together to execute a transaction. In this field there are two kinds of broking: electronic broking and voice broking (human brokers). With the electronic broking the most common deals are FX-transactions ? these are foreign exchange transactions. It?s easy to buy and sell on the FX market. For more complex products, you need a person to negotiate before an agreed transaction can be reached. In these instances voice broking is used. For example, if two banks were to trade with each other the interdealer voice broker would transact the bond based on instructions receive from the traders at each of the banks.
Due to the recent financial crises there is a lot of new legislation around transparency, which the industry will have to adapt to, as well as greater obligation to transact through electronic mediums. Technology evolving rapidly also means that the broking industry has to constantly adapt.
Advertising internship markets me better February 16, 2012
Posted by Andrew Falconer in : Marketing, Advertising & PR, career profiles, employability and skills, networking , add a comment
Royal Holloway Geography student Jack Smale blogs about his internship in education advertising.
My summer internship with a digital advertising company gave me a real insight into the world of advertising specialising in the education sector, and I gained a clear understanding of the competitive and target-driven nature of the sales side of the business. I learned a great deal about the importance of building business relationships, and was given the opportunity to go out and meet a number of clients. Perhaps most importantly though, I experienced what working a nine-to-five job was actually like, and how I would have to adjust my lifestyle after graduation to fit in with the corporate world.
During the three months I spent in the company’s Southwark offices, I worked on a number of projects, which included carrying out preliminary research into accountancy recruitment for a new ACCA-branded website (now launched at accacareers.com); researching, writing and designing articles for the student magazines All-Clear (send to A-level students on results day) and Navigator; producing online adverts on behalf of clients such as Strathallan Independent School; and helping with content development for the StuGlo.com website. Each day provided me with a new challenge, and I think I suitably impressed my line manager as I was invited back to work there the following Christmas.
I was introduced to a number of senior figures within the company, including group heads, directors and the CEO, all of whom were very approachable and encouraged me to ask them questions to help aid my personal development. Even though I’d only just completed my first year at University and was relatively inexperienced, the staff were used to accommodating interns and made me feel as though I had an important role to play within the business.
Although I don’t necessarily see myself going into a career in advertising, I gained a number of transferrable skills from the experience, which have since helped me to secure a part-time job alongside my studies. In addition, I made some good friends, some great contacts, and even managed to get a recommendation for my LinkedIn profile!”
See current internship opportunities on Job Online
Financial Alternatives October 6, 2011
Posted by Andrew Falconer in : The Careers Group, Uncategorized, city jobs , add a comment
During the autumn term careers advisers frequently meet students who say they want to work in finance or “the city”. When probed, the students tend not to know what they wish to do or what options there are. Often a career in the financial sector is seen as glamorous but there is a huge difference between an executive assistant and a trader. So how do you know where you might fit in?
Financial Alternatives is your opportunity to explore. With a small group of other students, you will have a few minutes with each professional. They will tell you about their job and how they got there then you can ask them your own questions. It runs on October 20 in Senate House, Malet Street, London. You can find details and register to attend.
Other useful resources include the wonderful Directions High Street mini-site from the Financial Services Skills Council. This site not only looks good but provides real substance about the different areas that might be of interest. There are job profiles, hints about applying for positions and an understanding of where all these functions fit together.
Catherine Sweet, CEO of 4-CS, talks to students each year about careers in the financial sector. She has considerable experience working for high profile institutions, including the London Stock Exchange, and always gives great insight into how the financial sector works.
There are of course other criteria to consider. Working in the financial sector can provide so many opportunities. Your career path is unlikely to be linear and with each job you’ll see further opportunities that interest you. But some basics to think about include money and material reward (not all jobs in the sector are as rewarding as students like to think), work-life balance (do you want to have a life beyond work?), preference for client-facing or back office, status, type of work done.
Use events like Financial Alternatives to consider these criteria and build an understanding of the sector. These events are also very useful for mentioning the contacts you met when you complete your application forms. Employers appreciate students that have made the effort to attend these events as evidence of consideration of career interests. 
You can also follow the latest information about working in the financial sector and keep up to date with relevant events and opportunities on our Careers in the City facebook page.
Search for the latest jobs and internships in the financial sector on JobOnline.
New careers guide for final year students October 22, 2010
Posted by TCG Info in : Uncategorized , add a comment
Click on the image for PDF
The Finalist Directory is a handy all-in-one careers guide for any student in their final year. It contains advice on:
- Career inspiration
- Job hunting
- Networking
- Personal statements
- Application letters
- Interviews
- Entrepreneurship
- Postgraduate study
It also has listings of upcoming employer presentations in London, and graduate schemes that are currently recruiting. Looking at these opportunities, some of them are closing quite soon in November, and others are ‘rolling’ so they will take applications until places are filled (which might be sooner than you think) so my top tip is apply now, don’t wait for the closing dates!
The idea was to visualize the theme of guide as a helper. This guide answers questions that are asked by students when they’re choosing their own way in future career path, postgraduate education.
Well done Karina!
The Guardian London Graduate Fair from The Careers Group October 18, 2010
Posted by Helen Curry in : Uncategorized , add a commentWe’re getting set for the fair tomorrow (Tuesday 19th Oct, 12-6pm) and it looks like it will be a good one. There are some really exciting employers coming, including Apple Retail, HSBC, Tesco, Ernst & Young, Civil Service Fast Stream, Marks & Spencer, IBM UK, Abercrombie & Fitch, GCHQ… plus many more that you might not have thought of, all keen to recruit.
If you are still considering your options, you will also find universities and further study providers if you want to talk postgraduate or professional qualifications. And there are gap year project organisations to tempt you. There is also a full programme of careers workshops and sector presentations if you are looking for advice for your applications and how to plan a strong start to your career.
http://www.londongradfair.co.uk
The fair is open to all, you don’t have to be a current student, or a graduate of the University of London. It is free to enter – just drop by on the day and sign in, or register in advance online for a speedier entry. It is at the Business Design Centre in Islington – a short walk from Angel tube station.
Check out our video to get a feel for what it is all about:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWb8lU9avvY]
See you there!
The Guardian London Graduate Fair from The Careers Group June 16, 2010
Posted by Helen Curry in : Uncategorized , 1 comment so far
Don’t forget, our big graduate recruitment fair is coming soon! Put the 23rd and 24th of June in your diary, and sign-up online to get in first (and enter the draw for a 737 flight simulator experience – want!).
The fair is free to any and all comers, whether you are a current student or a graduate, a University of London alumnus or from further afield.
We have 96 exhibitors booked and confirmed, so there will be plenty of options to explore, including the Civil Service, KPMG, Waitrose, Haymarket Media Group, The Army, IBM, London Fire Brigade, Teach First, The Body Shop, Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET scheme)… need I go on? Plus, many more further study, training, recruitment agencies and gap year organisations. This makes the fair even bigger and better than last year, so if you are worrying about getting a job this summer, it’s all happening here!
For more information see the fair website – http://www.londongradfair.co.uk/summer/ Where you can also sign up for workshops, and check out the schedule of career sector talks and employer presentations.
For the latest news on exhibitors, follow:
- Twitter – http://twitter.com/londongradfair
- Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/londongradfair
And before you go, remember to check out these previous posts for top tips about how to make the most of the fair and impress those recruiters!
- Freebies – the only reason to attend a careers fair? (of course not!)
- Networking – examples of questions to ask
- Top 5 networking tips
University of London Postgraduate Open Evening October 30, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : postgraduate , add a comment
The University of London Postgraduate Open Evening will be taking place on Thursday 19 November 2009
4pm – 7pm
Senate House, Malet Street, University of London, WC1E 7HU
A range of University of London colleges will have stands at the open evening, so you can ask them face-to-face any questions you have about the courses, student support and general arrangements. These include: Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, King’s, London Business School, LSE, Royal Holloway, School of Pharmacy, School of Oriental and African Studies, UCL, the University of London External System and more – see here for the full list.
Entry is free. You can register online in advance or turn up on the day. Full details are available here.
Have you signed up? The Guardian London Graduate Fair from The Careers Group is on Tuesday! October 16, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : The Careers Group , add a comment
Just a few of the employers coming to the fair
We’ve got some really exciting employers coming on Tuesday, including BBC, HSBC, Sky, Civil Service Fast Stream, Barclays, Abercrombie and Fitch… We’re feeling positive that it will be a great event!
http://www.londongradfair.co.uk/
There are plenty of extra attractions too – employer presentations, careers advice workshops, panel debates, and lots of universities attending if you are considering postgraduate study. Do take a look at the schedules beforehand so you can time your visit to catch the key presentation for you.
My tip: Bring your CV and dress smartly – some employers you talk to will be taking CVs, and at previous events a few recruiters have even taken photos of potential applicants to help them remember faces. Make sure you look like a professional!
Boris launches new careers site for graduates seeking work in London July 28, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : The Careers Group , add a commentLast week the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, launched a new website aimed at helping students find work in London.
London is undoubtedly the place to be for young people and graduates and my clear message is that we want you, we need you and I will work endlessly to keep you here, in the world’s greatest city.
Looking for ideas about what you can do with your degree? Use the Idea Generator to see what careers London graduates went into after taking your subject – both the jobs and the employers.
Looking for more information about an occupation? Explore careers profiles and suggested websites.
There is also an essential list of upcoming recruitment fairs in London.
We at The Careers Group have been working with City Hall on the site for a little while, so it is great to see it becoming a success. We hope you find it useful!
Here’s what The Guardian had to say about it – “Graduate website offers hope to London job seekers”
Five things to do before The Guardian London Graduate Fair June 10, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : Uncategorized , add a comment
- Check out what is going on. The fair runs over two days, 16th-17th June, and there’s more than just employer stands. There are talks from our careers advisers on the job market in various sectors (very useful at the moment), plenty of exhibitor presentations, as well as careers workshops. Check out the presentations programme so you can plan your visit to fit.
- Prepare yourself for some networking. Many people find networking intimidating, but the fair is all about making a connection with an employer and finding out more. Here are some examples of questions to ask well as links to further resources.
- Get your CV checked at your university careers service in advance of the fair. It is worth bringing a number of copies of your CV for employers who ask for them. These CVs should be the real deal – spell-checked, polished, and printed on good quality paper. You can get a CV check at the fair, but the queue does get very long (over 30 mins) and you don’t want to waste time standing around. It’s much easier to get it done beforehand!
- Research. You can see who is exhibiting at the fair here and who they are looking for. Do some research on the companies you are interested in beforehand so you can impress the employers with informed questions.
- Plan to get there early and get to the front of the queue so you can get the attention of employers first. It is easier to make an impression at the beginning, and the employers will still be ‘fresh’ – by the end of the day everyone gets tired from talking to so many people in a busy environment. Pre-register and you can get in an hour before everyone else.
There are many more tips in the recruitment fairs podcast from The Guardian.
