alanpozar: @T22,
its an entry level position cos am currently a batch A corper. I wrote their test last week.

And you should also update the house on how best to apply to these orgs cos there are many other corps members like me who are longing for this kind of opportunity to impress. Thanks

T22,
U're a leader! Thanx men. I'll do that asap. No doubt i'm still much interested in the actuarial job and would appreciate further info. More grace.

alanpozar: @T22,
tanx a lot. U da bomb! I wud update the house after the interview. As 4 the mental calculations, i need help.

xy*11, where x+y is 9 and below--->x (x+y) y
11*11=1(1+1)1=121
12*11=1(1+2)2=132
13*11=1(1+3)3=143
.
.
.
18*11=1(1+ 8=198

xy*11, where x+y is 10 and above---> Find x+y, then use (x+LHS of x+y) (RHS of x+y) y. For instance, 37*11: 3+7=10. LHS=1, RHS=0. Thus, x+RHS of x+y=4, RHS of x+y=0. So, 37*11=407.

19*11=209
28*11=308
38*11=418
39*11=429
59*11=649
89*11=979

xyz*11, where y+z, x+y are both 9 and below-----> x x+y y+z z

123*11= 1 (2+1)(3+2) 3=1353
426*11= 4 (4+2)(6+2) 6=4686
718*11= 7898
and so on

xyz*11, where at least one of y+z, x+y is 10 and above----> start from the last digit, i.e. z

279*11= (2+the carried 1=3)(2+7+ the carried 1=10 write down 0 then carry 1) (7+9=16 write down 6 then carry 1)9
So, you have 279*11=3069

998*11= 10978. Don't forget to start from the last digit

897*11= 9867

889956*11= 9789516

999 888 9982 966* 11= 109987789812626 (not too sure here. Please cross check)

So, 11 times is finished.

Simpler ones---25*25, 35*35, ---

15*15= 1*(1+1) 25=225
25*25= 2*(2+1) 25=625
35*35= 3*(3+1) 25=1225
.
.
95*95=9*(9+1) 25=9025

105*105=10*(10+1) 25=10*11 25=11025
115*115=11*(11+1) 25=11*12 25=13225
195*195=19*(19+1) 25=19*20 25=38025
.
.
.

square root of -4= -2 ?

For sure, there are tons of such tricks. But you are never going to learn them in one day. Let me allow you digest these ones.


T22

T22
Very nice of you, keep it up.Your reward is in heaven

@alanpozar

congrats on the successful first stage. you could do well to provide hint on the nature/composition of their aptitude test. At least that might help others too.

All the best

Excellent T22, welldone!

[quote author=adevicks]
And you should also update the house on how best to apply to this org cos there many other corps members like me who are longing for this kind of opportunity to impress. Thanks.

It requires u to spend your transport money, effort and time. In my own case, i went on the internet, googled the names of these Ibs/stockbroking firms, got their addresses and went to the island to look for them one by one. Those that had email addresses i forwarded my cv directly, those that didn't, i went there in person (did all these b4 going 4 service in march). In the case of meristem, i walked into their office sometime in december 2011 (just b4 xmas), asked the receptionist whether they were accepting cvs and she said "yes", so i gave it to her and i didn't hear anything 4rm them till now. Not all orgs i tried were receptive. Some wud simply tell u NO. Meaning u need to know a "top shot". So just try this method, be patient and above all pray hard. ONE MUST CLICK! Goodluck!

@T22
Tanx a lot. God bless u plenty.

@chamber2
The test was actually a computer-based I.Q TEST. There was no time limit. But the time u spend on it goes a long way to determining ur final score (and whether u'll be called back i suppose). So the faster, the better. 20 questions in all. Its very easy! U really don't have to rack ur brains studying Gmat. They are things u knw. Maths- sequences & series, english and some logic. Its just to test how intelligent u are.
I got info that the cut off mark is 100. I scored 124. So anything above 100 shud get u to the nxt stage.

Goodluck to future applicants!

@alanpozar,
Great info there! Tanx. Wishing you a successful interview.

tanimola22:

xy*11, where x+y is 9 and below--->x (x+y) y
11*11=1(1+1)1=121
12*11=1(1+2)2=132
13*11=1(1+3)3=143
.
.
.
18*11=1(1+ 8=198

xy*11, where x+y is 10 and above---> Find x+y, then use (x+LHS of x+y) (RHS of x+y) y. For instance, 37*11: 3+7=10. LHS=1, RHS=0. Thus, x+RHS of x+y=4, RHS of x+y=0. So, 37*11=407.

19*11=209
28*11=308
38*11=418
39*11=429
59*11=649
89*11=979

xyz*11, where y+z, x+y are both 9 and below-----> x x+y y+z z

123*11= 1 (2+1)(3+2) 3=1353
426*11= 4 (4+2)(6+2) 6=4686
718*11= 7898
and so on

xyz*11, where at least one of y+z, x+y is 10 and above----> start from the last digit, i.e. z

279*11= (2+the carried 1=3)(2+7+ the carried 1=10 write down 0 then carry 1) (7+9=16 write down 6 then carry 1)9
So, you have 279*11=3069

998*11= 10978. Don't forget to start from the last digit

897*11= 9867

889956*11= 9789516

999 888 9982 966* 11= 109987789812626 (not too sure here. Please cross check)

So, 11 times is finished.

Simpler ones---25*25, 35*35, ---

15*15= 1*(1+1) 25=225
25*25= 2*(2+1) 25=625
35*35= 3*(3+1) 25=1225
.
.
95*95=9*(9+1) 25=9025

105*105=10*(10+1) 25=10*11 25=11025
115*115=11*(11+1) 25=11*12 25=13225
195*195=19*(19+1) 25=19*20 25=38025
.
.
.

square root of -4= -2 ?

For sure, there are tons of such tricks. But you are never going to learn them in one day. Let me allow you digest these ones.


T22

Thanks for this, God bless

alanpozar: @T22
Tanx a lot. God bless u plenty.

@chamber2
The test was actually a computer-based I.Q TEST. There was no time limit. But the time u spend on it goes a long way to determining ur final score (and whether u'll be called back i suppose). So the faster, the better. 20 questions in all. Its very easy! U really don't have to rack ur brains studying Gmat. They are things u knw. Maths- sequences & series, english and some logic. Its just to test how intelligent u are.
I got info that the cut off mark is 100. I scored 124. So anything above 100 shud get u to the nxt stage.

Goodluck to future applicants!

Gudluck, and pls make sure you do update us on the interview stuff. Gudluck.

Hi all,
Very interesting and informative thread I must say. I am here to seek advice on how to break into these I-banks and asset managers in Nigeria. I graduated march 2012 from a U.K uni with a degree in accounting (2.1), finished my ACCA Feb 2010 and writing the level 3 exam of the CFA this June here in London (very confident of passing), passed them all at first attempts.
I have just sent my cv with cover letters to the emails of the career website provided by these banks, I have been called to attend a recruitment fair in London but am sceptical if our banks would be there. Could anyone please advice me on what to do cause I have run out of options on how to break in.
Yeah I forgot...I have done six month internship in an accounting firm in london and I am less than 24 yrs old (thought it might be useful)

Many thanks.

banks1: Hi all,
Very interesting and informative thread I must say. I am here to seek advice on how to break into these I-banks and asset managers in Nigeria. I graduated march 2012 from a U.K uni with a degree in accounting (2.1), finished my ACCA Feb 2010 and writing the level 3 exam of the CFA this June here in London (very confident of passing), passed them all at first attempts.
I have just sent my cv with cover letters to the emails of the career website provided by these banks, I have been called to attend a recruitment fair in London but am sceptical if our banks would be there. Could anyone please advice me on what to do cause I have run out of options on how to break in.


Many thanks.

2.1 accounting, ACCA chartered accountant, almost CFA certified, you alone. hehehe, I have always known that the world has become so crazily competitive. Imagine someone like you not having a job yet. Keep up the fighting spirit man.

Meanwhile, are you specifically interested in our banks? I believe with your background you should get something anywhere in the world. I mean, many professionals can only dream of the level you have attained academically and even professionally.

Did you try Standard Chartered Bank? Have you tried RenCap and ARM? Have you also tried one naija firm that is currently accepting CVs? Which ones have you tried? Please let us know.

tanimola22:

2.1 accounting, ACCA chartered accountant, almost CFA certified, you alone. hehehe, I have always known that the world has become so crazily competitive. Imagine someone like you not having a job yet. Keep up the fighting spirit man.

Meanwhile, are you specifically interested in our banks? I believe with your background you should get something anywhere in the world. I mean, many professionals can only dream of the level you have attained academically and even professionally.

Did you try Standard Chartered Bank? Have you tried RenCap and ARM? Have you also tried one naija firm that is currently accepting CVs? Which ones have you tried? Please let us know.

Thanks for the reply. I have applied for a grad position at Rencap, they said they ate still processing my application, sent my CV's to most banks, Ibtc, chapel Denham, meristem, greenfield, e.t.c. I do not know the one that's currently accepting CVs if you could please tell me which one is. I only started job hunting this month as I was waiting for this period when I would be writing my final CFA exam. I am choosing to come back home because of the unlocked potential Africa especially naija possesses that why it was in the news this week on FT of j.p Morgan wanting to open a branch in lagos.

banks1:

Thanks for the reply. I have applied for a grad position at Rencap, they said they ate still processing my application, sent my CV's to most banks, Ibtc, chapel Denham, meristem, greenfield, e.t.c. I do not know the one that's currently accepting CVs if you could please tell me which one is. I only started job hunting this month as I was waiting for this period when I would be writing my final CFA exam. I am choosing to come back home because of the unlocked potential Africa especially naija possesses that why it was in the news this week on FT of j.p Morgan wanting to open a branch in lagos.

.

banks1:

Thanks for the reply. I have applied for a grad position at Rencap, they said they ate still processing my application, sent my CV's to most banks, Ibtc, chapel Denham, meristem, greenfield, e.t.c. I do not know the one that's currently accepting CVs if you could please tell me which one is. I only started job hunting this month as I was waiting for this period when I would be writing my final CFA exam. I am choosing to come back home because of the unlocked potential Africa especially naija possesses that why it was in the news this week on FT of j.p Morgan wanting to open a branch in lagos.

This one http://www.naijahotjobs (dot) com/f36/investment-research-analysts-associates-124024/. I saw it on that job board. Send to ARM too.http://arm.com.ng/images/stories/AYTP.pdf. I hope your qualifications won't terrify all these recruiters sha.

Have you served?

tanimola22:

This one http://www.naijahotjobs (dot) com/f36/investment-research-analysts-associates-124024/. I saw it on that job board. Send to ARM too.http://arm.com.ng/images/stories/AYTP.pdf. I hope your qualifications won't terrify all these recruiters sha.

Have you served?

Thanks. No I haven't served...hope that won't be too much of a problem

banks1:
Thanks. No I haven't served...hope that won't be too much of a problem

I strongly advise you to perform your national service at ARM. Someone with your same achievements + NYSC discharge certificate will always be preferred to you.

ARM is always happy to take NYSC people, especially very highly qualified people like you. There is nothing they want that you don't have. Package your application well and send it to them. Very, very few newbie graduates are as qualified as you are. In no time, you will become an assistant portfolio manager and later a portfolio manager. I just give you less than 15 years.

ARM will be jocund to have you around. If fact, they may incentivize you to stay, after the completion of your NYSC. Just try not to voice how far you have gone to your new colleagues there, except in very exceptional cases. Many of them are dreaming to be like you. I have seen what a couple of them have, and so I understand my points.

I wish you all the best omo oba!

T22

tanimola22:

I strongly advise you to perform your national service at ARM. Someone with your same achievements + NYSC discharge certificate will always be preferred to you.

ARM is always happy to take NYSC people, especially very highly qualified people like you. There is nothing they want that you don't have. Package your application well and send it to them. Very, very few newbie graduates are as qualified as you are. In no time, you will become an assistant portfolio manager and later a portfolio manager. I just give you less than 15 years.

ARM will be jocund to have you around. If fact, they may incentivize you to stay, after the completion of your NYSC. Just try not to voice how far you have gone to your new colleagues there, except in very exceptional cases. Many of them are dreaming to be like you. I have seen what a couple of them have, and so I understand my points.

I wish you all the best omo oba!

T22

Thanks tanimola22 really appreciate...could you please tell me a bit about yourself and how should i send the application to ARM..via email or cold call? I would also be chuffed to bits to be at ARM but at times I think the email I send are discarded.

banks1:
Thanks tanimola22 really appreciate...could you please tell me a bit about yourself and how should i send the application to ARM..via email or cold call? I would also be chuffed to bits to be at ARM but at times I think the email I send are discarded.

Hi, I was an analyst at a boutique investment firm in Lagos. That's how I got to know a few things about these places and people, not too much sha.

Sure, ARM is one of the above average places to be in naija if you are interested in buy-side finance. They also have some of the finest brains in the industry. But I tell you, you are an excellent candidate for your age whether in the US or UK (I assume you graduated at age 21 or 22 or 23 or 24). You have everything going on well for you.

Send me an email at tanimola22 at yahoo dot com. There is this chick/guy there that should be interested in your impressive profile for NYSC. I reckon that anything other than NYSC would be a long shot.

T22

tanimola22:

Hi, I was an analyst at a boutique investment firm in Lagos. That's how I got to know a few things about these places and people, not too much sha.

Sure, ARM is one of the above average places to be in naija if you are interested in buy-side finance. They also have some of the finest brains in the industry. But I tell you, you are an excellent candidate for your age whether in the US or UK (I assume you graduated at age 21 or 22 or 23 or 24). You have everything going on well for you.

Send me an email at tanimola22 at yahoo dot com. There is this chick/guy there that should be interested in your impressive profile for NYSC. I reckon that anything other than NYSC would be a long shot.

T22

Sure inboxing you within the hour.Many thanks

banks1:
Sure inboxing you within the hour, Many thanks

I have seen it and responded to you. I like the many A1s on your CV. Very few people will resist you.

Meanwhile, can we add some more catchy things to your CV? If you want, I can spare 1.5 hours of my busy time to offer you some more ideas that worked for people I know. I love anything brilliant

T22.

tanimola22:

I have seen it and responded to you. I like the many A1s on your CV. Very few people will resist you.

Meanwhile, can we add some more catchy things to your CV? If you want, I can spare 1.5 hours of my busy time to offer you some more ideas that worked for people I know. I love anything brilliant

T22.

Thanks just got your reply. I promise to respect your privacy and keep all this confidential...am already bounded by that with these professional bodies (LOL). I wouldn't mind. Please feel free to add any catchy thing you think would help. Am still learning anyway.

Sorry guys, i shud have done this earlier.
The meristem interview was okay just that i didn't make it to the nxt stage.
The interview was to test decision making and leadership skills. Got info that the nxt stage is to test intellectual skills.
Guess i was whisked out cos out of the 4 of us dat came, i was the only person currently serving (others had completed NYSC and even had work experience). Or was i just unlucky?

banks1

I am really impressed at your achievements, considering your very young age. The CFA is something most of us still dream to have someday. Yours is an impressive profile and would definitely catch the attention of recruiting firms. Just as T22 earlier stated, you have to spread your net really wide and far and do not limit your scope. ARM is a good place to start a career. Are you focusing on IBs alone? what of accounting/auditing firms? The likes of KPMG etc will be much interested in your skills.

alanpozar: Sorry guys, i shud have done this earlier.
The meristem interview was okay just that i didn't make it to the nxt stage.
The interview was to test decision making and leadership skills. Got info that the nxt stage is to test intellectual skills.
Guess i was whisked out cos out of the 4 of us dat came, i was the only person currently serving (others had completed NYSC and even had work experience). Or was i just unlucky?

[quote author=alanpozar]

Better things are ahead. Aluta Continua....

Chambers2
Many thanks. I have a passion for the industry that's why I am only looking towards IB and asset management. If I wanted accounting firm I would have tried to secure an offer from the internship I had. Accounting is just not challenging enough for me, I want something highly return driven like generating alpha or securing deals...

banks1: Chambers2
Many thanks. I have a passion for the industry that's why I am only looking towards IB and asset management. If I wanted accounting firm I would have tried to secure an offer from the internship I had. Accounting is just not challenging enough for me, I want something highly return driven like generating alpha or securing deals...

That statement is technical. Highly positive alpha=superior portfolio manager

alanpozar: Sorry guys, i shud have done this earlier.
The meristem interview was okay just that i didn't make it to the nxt stage.
The interview was to test decision making and leadership skills. Got info that the nxt stage is to test intellectual skills.
Guess i was whisked out cos out of the 4 of us dat came, i was the only person currently serving (others had completed NYSC and even had work experience). Or was i just unlucky?

Hey,

Rejection is a part of the game. You will always get rejections, unless you are not trying. The most important thing is for you to get that one company that suits you well. This can only be achieved if you smile at rejections and keep on applying. Eventually, one must work.

Keep up the faith.

T22

alanpozar: Sorry guys, i shud have done this earlier.
The meristem interview was okay just that i didn't make it to the nxt stage.
The interview was to test decision making and leadership skills. Got info that the nxt stage is to test intellectual skills.
Guess i was whisked out cos out of the 4 of us dat came, i was the only person currently serving (others had completed NYSC and even had work experience). Or was i just unlucky?

Hey bro, dont worry, this will shoot you to a better and bigger world, believe me, that place is nt meant for you, so just prepare yourself for that bigger place ahead u. It is well.

Banks,
You've got an impressive CV there. A friend, one year my junior in Ife, was just on CFA2(no ACCA, nothing else except Bsc Econs) when Vetiva snatched him from Merristem. Vetiva were impressed by just CFAn he's also smart though. He was just about settling down in Vetiva when Shell also literally poached him. He's now with Shell. He flunked his CFA3, but no longer in IB, so means less to him.

Another mate, though has more certs(ICAN, ACCA, CIS, CFA3, Bsc Accounting, Msc Ops Research Dundee or Edinburgh, can't recall) is doing well in Rencap.

So, you stand a great chance of doing wonders in Naija's IB industry as I can see you have the passion.

T22, pls give her my email add and let me see if I can get it across to my guys in Vetiva, Meristem and Rencap for onward passage to right quarters in their firms.

Jarus: Banks,
You've got an impressive CV there. A friend, one year my junior in Ife, was just on CFA2(no ACCA, nothing else except Bsc Econs) when Vetiva snatched him from Merristem. Vetiva were impressed by just CFAn he's also smart though. He was just about settling down in Vetiva when Shell also literally poached him. He's now with Shell. He flunked his CFA3, but no longer in IB, so means less to him.

Another mate, though has more certs(ICAN, ACCA, CIS, CFA3, Bsc Accounting, Msc Ops Research Dundee or Edinburgh, can't recall) is doing well in Rencap.

So, you stand a great chance of doing wonders in Naija's IB industry as I can see you have the passion.

T22, pls give her my email add and let me see if I can get it across to my guys in Vetiva, Meristem and Rencap for onward passage to right quarters in their firms.

Hello Jarus,
Thanks for the compliment. Its a him by the way. I really appreciate your kind gesture

Jarus: Banks,
You've got an impressive CV there. A friend, one year my junior in Ife, was just on CFA2(no ACCA, nothing else except Bsc Econs) when Vetiva snatched him from Merristem. Vetiva were impressed by just CFAn he's also smart though. He was just about settling down in Vetiva when Shell also literally poached him. He's now with Shell. He flunked his CFA3, but no longer in IB, so means less to him.

Another mate, though has more certs(ICAN, ACCA, CIS, CFA3, Bsc Accounting, Msc Ops Research Dundee or Edinburgh, can't recall) is doing well in Rencap.

So, you stand a great chance of doing wonders in Naija's IB industry as I can see you have the passion.

T22, pls give her my email add and let me see if I can get it across to my guys in Vetiva, Meristem and Rencap for onward passage to right quarters in their firms.

Yeah, I just forwarded your email address to the dude.