Please wear a suit, when you get the job you're able to wear what you like. I am assuming the culture of the UK offices will be fairly similar to the US ones.
The questions I got were
1) In your own words tell us what our company does (I gave an analogy to explain)
2) Explain our business model
3) Who are our target consumer (educated, females with lots of disposable income)
4) What are your core strengths
5) Tell me about your hobbies
6) What can you tell me about the office environment from just looking around (we have glass windows everywhere so nothing goes un-noticed - work is alot like university)
7) What do you want to do in 5 years?
Its quite common. Personally, I have used my own personal contacts to get work experience. But when you involve money into this matter you are just creating more of a gulf between the rich and poor.
It is extremely common across all the industries in London. Very unfair. Media/Journalism is the worst culprits of this.
'Since the last time we spoke, my role at Google has changed a bit and I'm now quite heavily involved with interviewing and hiring new candidates.
We are looking for top quality candidates with solid degrees from great universities, a passion for the internet and the advertising industry as well as other traits that make them interesting people - open mindedness, self-starters, entrepreneurs, people who are looking to change things.
Experience in (but not limited to) consultancy, advertising, marketing, sales and account management are all desirable. Entrepreneurs are especially liked as its one of the few companies that really values innovators, since we need them to keep pushing the company forward in an ever changing market. I can tell you some great stories of people right at the bottom who have lead global projects from a simple idea - check out Life In A Day for a recent example.
Since you have a great network, I would be grateful if you could pass on my message to your university list and anyone who you feel may be relevant. Candidates are 20 times more likely to get a job at Google with an internal referral so its a win-win situation for everyone.*
I got an interview offer but unfortunately the gig was not based in London so I had to pass it up. Maybe I'll try again in a few years.
I'd recommend joining a start-up as well. Currently I'm employed at a hot start-up and every single day I am being given several projects which are essentially building/architecture projects using excel, mysql and other programming software/languages to make things useful to the business that people can use.
building is what it is about.
With or without Steve Jobs this company is here to dominate the space for the long-term.
Hey guys,I've been thinking alot about plans for later down the line in my career and while I know you cannot pre-plan everything I'd love to find out how I can break into VC at the associate level.Context: I'm working in a boutique financial services firm backed by a late-stage VC fund. As such, I'm working across several functions and since the firm is only 5 years old (and profitable) I'm...
Not a fan of software since i'll try override any settings etc.
Communication - take up toastmasters, possibly stand up comedy and work really hard at telling stories in a compelling and interesting manner
Finance - learn the industry back to front inside out and do as much as possible to build as much skill as possible in the areas of M&A/Investing
Network - meet as many high profile people across London as possible. Have already met two CEOs and an ex-govt minister in the space of a week with more events/introductions lined up.
I finished grad school in 2010 (I'm 23 y/o) and most of my classmates were 25-38 range. Grad school really is alot better for mature students far far better. I felt I learnt alot more not from the subject matter/university but from the peers I was around who were all very mature even at my age.
This may be a good starting point.
- Take far more risk with my own personal investing, play poker more regularly and often & approach more women
- Continue building a phenomenal network of high powered professionals, investors, start-up founders and established business men with a focus on private equity/venture capital. Follow up regularly and build a relationship
- Improve my communication. I'll do this by enrolling on a stand-up comedy course, toastmasters and blogging more regularly
Landed a kick ass job at a boutique investment house in the City of London
Landed 3 Trustee positions
Fixed up my house which is an ongoing project for me
Returned 21% from my investment portfolio and cashed out immediately. Looking forward to starting 2011 from £0
I learnt that I had to keep a very loose structure throughout the year to achieve all these things as accidents were more frequent than I expected. Meticulous planning helped but it could not account for mishaps.
This year I hope to focus on the following areas
1) Improving my communication skills through toastmasters, blogging, writing industry reports/journals and offering my services as a public speaker
2) Taking more risks by playing poker, being more aggressive with my investments and approaching more women
3) Keeping my health in order by eating well, playing football 2x a week and running 3x per week
4) Networking alot more and penetrating specific areas in the City and specific groups/individuals. Starting of 2011 with drinks with several CEOs and a government minister.
Everything to date I am happy about, no reason to complain.
The intelligent investor and securities analysis by Ben Graham are essentially reading albeit abit dry.
I'd also recommend (when looking at equities) that you do lots and lots and lots of research on individual stocks and really get to know them before you take the plunge and fully understand why you've decided to buy.
Also, have an entrance and exit point on all investments. Unless you're going for the 'value investing' strategy buying and holding forever.