₦airaland Forum

A group had their final interviews on 18th and 19 of october.

A batch at the training school graduated on friday, 19th.

Just to give an overview of the entire recruitment process.

Interested candidates can apply for existing vacancies or submit their CV's for consideration via the on-line registration form on the Careers portal of the Bank's website, www.gtbank.com. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to go through the Bank's five-Step recruitment process summarized below:
Step 1: Computer Based Assessment

If found eligible, you will be invited to complete a Computer-Based assessment comprising questions covering: Spatial Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, History/Current Affairs, Numerical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.
The assessments are designed to help us determine if you possess the skills to succeed in a role with Guaranty Trust Bank.
Step 2: Pre-Interview

If you are successful at the Computer-Based assessment, you will be invited for an informal chat with a member of the Human Resources Team, where you will be required to provide evidence of relevant qualifications/credentials for verification. You may also be required to write an essay, details of which will be advised to you during the discussion.
Step 3: Panel Interview

You may then be invited to a panel interview which will be competency-based. Candidates are expected to demonstrate key capabilities and also provide evidence of the qualities and skills the Bank requires.
Step 4: Final Interview

This stage involves a one-on-one interview with a member of the Executive Management Team. In addition to more competency questions, candidates are expected to demonstrate industry knowledge and passion required to work in Guaranty Trust Bank.
Step 5: Entry Level Training Scheme

Candidates who are successful at the Final Interview will be offered a place in our four-month Entry-Level Training Programme. Here, participants are trained and tested on practical, social, and technical aspects of Banking. Participants are expected to have a minimum average specified at the beginning of the Programme. Successful candidates will then be absorbed into the Bank.

http://gtbank.com/index.php/careers/why-join-gtbank#recruitment

ballabriggs: Okay, so because "Soludo spent money printing notes", we should stop looking for more and more efficient ways to improve our currency regime? We should not spend money printing notes and spend on agriculture. How will you exchange for your agricultural produce now? Okay, I see, you want us to go back to 'trade by barter' as your forefathers did?

Take this your Matori mentaliy and go back to your shed.

^^^

Your line of thinking is prevalent among govt officials, i wouldn't be surprised if you are one. Just because one policy favours you doesn't necessarily mean it will be in the best interest of the others.Sir, nobody said the CBN shouldn't engage in currency management activities. When soludo came he vigorously pursued a currency restructuring initiative; changing the wordings in the currency, introduced coins, polymer and finally printed the N1000 note. That was about 5yrs ago. Until now Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of such frivolous exercise. Why then are we in a haste to introduce a new currency? Aside the issue of convenience, and efficiency what other benefits do we stand to gain from this initiative? Remember, the cashless policy was designed to address the issue of cost, efficiency, convenience etc. So why the N5000 note, at least at this point when we can barely finance the power sector challenges?

One would therefore expect the current CBN governor to pay more attention to the cashless policy initiative rather spending over N40b to introduce a new currency. After-all, the both have similar objective- which is cost reduction and efficiency. The cash policy will reduce the volume of cash transactions, reduce cost both on the part of the CBN, banks and populace. It will also encourage the use of coins through the establishment of facilities that will enhance its use. You don't put the cart before the horse.

ballabriggs: That is why you are a mugu. We spend 40billion naira, what of the benefits? Do you analyse costs alone without benefits? That is why we are economists and we look at cost-benefit considerations before reaching a conclusion. Most of the benefits we see are even intangible and we don't expect mugu's like you to see it. Some of you people are really daft beyond repair. GOSH!!! Is this what Nigeria has become, that young people cannot analyse issues critically? If you take ten 1000 naira notes and put it into two 5000naira notes, is that not savings? In terms of handling, minting, storage e.t.c. To the aggregate economy, more efficient transactions. We know your Alaba brain cannot see beyond the money you store under your bed.

At times when people like you talk about inflation, I want to laugh. So if I convert 500naira into coins today, the price of pure water will become 1000naira and 500naira will disappear? Ikeja to Ojodu Berger will become 1000naira? Osodi to Mushin will become 1000naira? Stop this your ignorant analysis.

Nigerians do not feel comfortable with coins, what you have not admitted is that it is a waste on the economy that people don't spend coins.

Change is what we want, enough of the waste on the economy. The main issues that affect the value of the naira you dolts don't even challenge. You focus all your energy on a reform that has no effect on prices and interest rates.

^^^

If this is how Economists reason in real life then i would rather not study it. What if the same N40b was spent on maybe Agriculture, rural health facilities, education etc wouldn't it have been better? You have obviously lost touch with reality. Where is Soludo's coins after 5yrs of its introduction? Did you know how much that was spent introducing the current N1000 note by soludo and the polymer notes, of what use are they after 5yrs?

^^^^

you are the one talking rubbish! Yes, complete rubbish. You forgot these were still the same problem the cashless policy was designed to curtail. Why do i even need to carry cash to buy a single computer when i can conveniently order online or pay with card?

Do we even need the higher denomination even when cashless policy is being canvassed? The cashless policy, if well implemented, will address almost all the problems you enumerated. It's not rocket science.

faithin9ja: Which history? we used coins in Nigeria from before independence to the late 1980's. As late as 1989 I was entering Molue from Agege to Oshodi for 10kobo a drop. enter with your change oh! wo le pelu coins oh!!!

Let me tell you something. The fact that coins were used/accepted in the 80s when the purchasing power of the naira was at par with the USA dollars does not mean that people will ultimately accept it now. Times have changed, and the naira is more or less worthless. N20 can barely pay any body's fare currently. So, what are we talking about? What is the usefulness of the coins when they cannot be accepted/used? Soludo tried it and failed. Blacksmiths etc converted the coins to earrings, jewelries etc and made fortunes from there. This is because the jewelries worth more than the currency itself in real terms. This is the classical case of bad money chasing away good money in circulation.

ballabriggs: N1 to $1 in the past, today it is N160 to $1. You want it back to the 1970's abi? Very good!!! With what now, with juju abi? What the hell do you produce in your economy to earn you foreign exchange apart from the crude oil which is subject to fluctuating prices? He should use juju to bring the naira at par with the dollar abi? Without the measures they've taken so far to protect the naira, by now the naira would have been going for about 250naira to a dollar given the global recession. You want me to call Britain and US when you cannot even match ordinary Malaysia in terms of development. Are you still moaning? The world is moving, humanity is moving.

We accept the currency reform for the sake of sustainability.

You seem to me like one ''obodo oyibo'' bred kid! No economy functions in isolation of the socio-psychological disposition of the people. Spending N40b just to print some piece of paper so as to create some measure of convenience is bad economics if you ask me, especially in a country riddled with poverty, inequality, corruption and unemployment. The ONLY benefit of the N5000 is the assumed convenience it creates and the reduction in currency management cost. Aside this, nothing else. Over the last few months the CBN and it's agents have been selling the ''cashless'' policy gospel to Nigerians. This policy was designed to reduce the quantum of cash in circulation, promote operational efficiency, reduce thievery and other vices, and ultimately leads to job creation through the establishment of POS and other payment infrastructures. Now, tell me where the N5000 enters into the equation? Cashless policy and new currency introduction, complete counter-policy initiative!

On the issue of coins, history has shown that Nigerians dont feel comfortable carrying coins. This may be as a result of lack of facilities that will facilitate the use of coins e.g phone boots, train transportation etc. So, reducing N20 to coin will mean outright disappearance of these lower denominations thereby making N50 the lowest denomination with its attendant inflation pressure. So, couldn't the CBN wait for a while to see how successful the cashless policy will be before this new currency restructuring? Why the haste? The cashless policy would have complemented the new currency if adequate time was given for a complete introduction of the cashless regime.

Now, one CBN deputy governor came up to say that the people can reject the N5000 note from the commercial banks if they deem necessary. Reject a legal tender, how possible? The problem we have as a country is that we live in a time when those in positions of authority systematically lie to its people so as to gain little personal advantage. This is the delima of the Nigerian society

You have 4.5m and still wants to go to ''Amirika"". Haba my people, haba

crackhouse: i can bet u, u are a short man, am i right? Nevertheless It's only the short men that go for the tall ladies so as to avoiding having short kids. Prove me wrong.

Lol. Depending on what your description of a short man is.I am actually 5.9ft and I think I am taller than most ladies i know...

I am almost of the same height with my woman. But when she wears her heels she becomes much taller than me and often finds it embarrassing walking with me while on heels Personally, i prefer her to be on heels because that tends to help ''bring out'' her good shapes. But she finds it odd appearing much taller than me.

^^^

Okay. But my reference to your case was to emphasize the relative difficulty in getting jobs in those organisations. Nothing more....

charlsecy4: UGHELLI—OGBOIN-Ama Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, has been thrown into confusion following the death of a bulldozer operator with Setraco Construction Company, Mr. Samuel Onuabuchi, who was stung to death by bees.

Vanguard gathered that the bulldozer operator was attacked by the bees while he was removing trees and debris on the Ogboin-Ama and Akugbene community road that was contracted to his firm for repairs.

A source said Onuabuchi was stung to death before people could come to his rescue, adding that other workers on site with him could not go near him for fear of being stung.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said Onuabuchi was, however, rushed to Bomadi General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by doctors.

Describing the death of Onuabuchi as shocking and painful, a management staff of the company, who also pleaded anonymity, said the company would miss the deceased. Disclosing that the deceased hailed from Anambra State and a father of four, he said Mr Onuabuchi was
aged 44.”

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/bees-sting-man-to-death-in-delta/

This is the most touching part of this story. So, other workers could not help him for fear of being stung? eh, Nigerians can be very selfish at times, after all, the bees couldn't have killed all of them at the same time. Allowing him die just because of not wanting to be stung is very selfish, inhuman and unmindful. It could have been any of them.

Yours is an impressive profile. However, the labour market can be very funny a times. Just few days ago i read a post here on nairaland of a young man with a Masters degree in development studies from the University of Manchester seeking advise on how to get an ''internship'' with those organisations you listed.

Unless you are 99% sure of getting jobs in those organisations you listed then i will advise you tread softly.Jobs in the oil sector don't come easily, even with a masters.

Then i ask, is it possible to get a study leave from your organisation? At least to have a back-up plan?

If yes, then take up the study offer. But if NO and you are 99% sure of getting jobs in the listed in't agencies upon completion of your studies then also go for the study. Also, if you are not sure of getting jobs in those agencies upon completion of your studies, then know that you are only taking a risk-an uninsured one for that matter. Because you will probably be competing with young men who have or even better professional, academic and even volunteering exposures than you and the competition could be very stiff and depressing.

Mathematics

I see! I heard maths grads suck at English language...maybe i just confirmed it But T22 writes and would probably speak impeccably.

How come you? I mean you lamba lamb

Hey adevicks

You probably should know why you aren't getting invites.

Age is a veritable factor in job recruitment, especially at the entry/graduate trainee level.

you need to be b/w 24-26 to be short-listed for most entry level jobs. It's up-to you to do the needful....

Hi Rare!

It's been awhile.

Am sure you must have grabbed your foreign kpali by now

All the best

This writing is just too poor for someone who wishes to make a first class

Aj

You see, this craze for foreign paper by employers of labour is still widespread. Like one of the start-up firms you mentioned in your earlier post,Sabunta, 70% of their new recruits are foreign trained and few guys from lagos Business School. Even their MD is Harvard trained. You see what the rush for foreign degree is all about?

Aj,

You are completely on point. However, i think you are being harsh somehow this days

I think what Nigerian graduates need, irrespective of the class of their degree, is information and a sort of mentoring. This is obviously in short supply in 9ja. I was a victim of the craze for ''foreign'' degree. In fact, i got called by any good organisation you can think of, including the likes of chevron, kpmg, BAT etc upon graduation. But i insanely left these opportunities to pursue a foreign paper.

For someone with a first in mathematics i think the opportunities are endless. Firstly, acing an aptitude test won't be much of a problem, and at the interview, the perception that a first class graduate is almost always ''the best'' will play out.

However, if he is the knowledge hungry fellow he could consider opportunities in reputable institutions abroad, especially when such are on scholarship.

[s]you emphasised the first and the 2.2s what of the 2.1s? where are they in your equation?[/s]

Pls contact T22, I believe he will be in a better position to give insights on this.

However, i would suggest you pick a job why planning to further your education. There are many firms, especially research based firms, that will be glad to have you in their team.

My bros, money is not everything as they say but Money is very very important in every body's life. So, i will suggest you go where the money is.

lecorn: thats the answer

So by your own HND knowledge this was the best answer to...

Boyoorisha: Well, you are very correct. But that does not mean uni grads are not good, one can only get proficiency in accountancy through the method of teaching in polytechnics. They teach technical aspects of accounting in poly which give their serious students a good root in accountancy. As regards the statistics at ICAN, yes ICAN has more poly grads as members than the Uni. May be this is as a result of their efforts to brace up the HND thing

this question (s)

chamber2: ^^

Can you pls provide facts and figures? This conjectures won't lead us anywhere. You mentioned courses, what are these courses?

You said ICAN, can we have a detailed research release from ICAN stating that the poly grads perform better than Uni grads?

Can we have industry reports to that effect?? Employers survey/reports?

Any of these??

All these chest beating is just unnecessary.

^^

Can you pls provide facts and figures? This conjectures won't lead us anywhere. You mentioned courses, what are these courses?

You said ICAN, can we have a detailed research release from ICAN stating that the poly grads perform better than Uni grads?

Can we have industry reports to that effect?? Employers survey/reports?

Any of these??

All these chest beating is just unnecessary.

Do i believe that Poly trained accountants are better than Uni trained ones, NO! Do i also believe that Uni trained accountants are superior to their Poly counterparts, NO either. Knowledge is what you make of it and is not entirely dependent on where it is acquired.

Passing ICAN exams, albeit being the best accounting test-tool we have currently, is not a sure measure of competency.After-all, non-accounting graduates also pass and win prizes in ICAN exams. My lawyer brother aced ICAN without failing any paper. Does that make lawyers better accountants? Accounting, unlike econs, pol sc etc, is industry structured and one can only be adjudged as the ''best'' based on one's industrial exposures and experiences. If you like pass all the ICAN in the world but fail to spot a simple error in an accounting report then you are doomed in my view.

This comparism between Uni and Poly graduates is highly uncalled for, and useless at best. Both institutions are designed for different reasons and objectives. We all had a choice between going to Uni or Poly. If you chose Poly and now all you can do is to complain and compare then you are at lost. It's unnecessary! It's like comparing 9ja used car and Cameroun used car. What difference?

Now, coming to the issue of the quantum of courses taken at both schools, does it matter? Are those who designed Poly courses smarter than those who designed Uni courses? Accounting is Accounting whereever you take it. If not so a 9ja graduate shouldn't then be able to pass courses in ACCA since it's designed in another, more developed country. But yet, our people ace them. It's all hard work my people.

Now, lets look at it this way. Someone took financial accounting(1) in the Uni and did all that was required. The other took took Financial accounting (1) and (2) which is almost the same as (1) but split into to two parts to aid understanding. This person now complains that he/she took ''more'' courses in his/her school just because the same course, with the same content was taken twice! This is the scenario.

For instance, in my school back then, we took about 8 courses in our final year whereas our mates at OAU or UI took about four courses or so. We thought we took more courses than they without realising that those courses were split in our school to reduce the bulk. They all are the same thing.

So, it is highly unnecessary to compare. It's an effort in futility if you ask me. Both are capable of handling accounting related projects and also pass external accounting exams. Except there is industry research, not just ICAN, that posits that Poly Accounting graduates are better than their Uni counterparts. Only then will i consider to accept this position. Otherwise, am out.

^^^^
Bros i dey oh, still dey hustle Thanks

How market na

honeric01: This is partially not true, i believe whether now or later, the banks are expected to employ less human man power while steering towards technological man power and it's gradually happening.. why would you need 3 or 5 CCO when more ATMs and Auto Reception service is now evoke? more banks are setting up e-centers where a customer can walk in on his own to complete a transaction without help from any bank staff, the more of these e-centers, the less staffs banks need. so why would bank retain staffs they don't need when they can simply build more of these e-centers and at the same time save money for themselves?

Bros, even in the face of technological advancement banks do not sack staffs the way it is currently done in our country. Ours is highly unprecedented and represents a collapsing system. Something, other than technology, is obviously behind this. Even in more advanced and emerging economies bank staffs are not being thrown away the way it is done here. It has always being a gradual process. Our banks have not really gone that technological if you ask me. We still do not have ATM deposit and cheque receiving machines here. Consequently, the need for manual staffs remains widespread.

honeric01: Then can you explain what is going on now? if they are that needed, why then are they being sacked? do you throw away valuables? why would you sack staffs you need? they are surplus to requirement.

The current crisis in the sector is self-inflicted, albeit the recession. This mass sack in banks is a reflection of poor regulatory framework and emotion-ladden crisis management approach by the leadership of the CBN. Sanusi, as a risk expert, should have known that the banking sector is susceptible to noise and would have done his best to manage the crises ''administratively'' without recourse to politics and witch-hunting. Now, the banks appear to be broke and can nolonger maintain their workforce due to the reckless spending witnessed in re-branding the banks. If the banks must cut cost there are many ways to go about that. Reducing advert cost, operation cost and the salaries and jumbo allowances paid to bank chiefs can go a long way.

Did you know how much these banks spent in removing and replacing the ATM machines Sanusi mandated them to station only at the banks' premises only to rescind later? This would have paid a lot of staff's salary if you ask me. Did you also know the amount spent re-branding former Bank Phb? All these amount to financial recklessness. Therefore, arguing that it is only by laying-off staffs that the banks will operate efficiently is inappropriate.

Mere visiting just one bank will convince you that those banks actually need more hands to do their job. The service speed, customer satisfaction and promptness in delivery is poo in most banks.

So, the staffs are being sacked because the bank top executives and the regulatory institutions are clueless as to what to do to salvage the self-created deli-ma. Policy inconsistency is also a major factor.

honeric01: The banks were employing people they never needed in the first place, hence the reason for the sacking.. if you are under producing or under-servicing, you won't dare sack. only when you have MORE staffs than production/output that you think of sacking.. simple!

Bros, if you dare approach any banker he/she would tell you how ''over laboured'' they are! So, your argument that '' they wouldn't have been employed'' in the first instance is highly misplaced. No employer will hire people who do nothing. Bankers are among the highly worked-out people in Nigeria. Ask them!

^^^^

Violent is a very smart guy no doubt. I enjoy reading his submissions.

Interesting responses.

Sir Aj,

I have always maintained that one's choice of institution of study depends on many factors, not just JAMB or WAEC scores alone. Some people consider proximity to home, culture, language, finance, family, catchment etc when making university choices. on this note, you are likely to discover many brilliant folks who opted for state/less known unis not because they can't gain admission into schools like Unilag, OAU or the likes, but because of the reasons aforementioned. My uncle insisted his daughter must study in a state uni in the east just because his brother lives very close and would be able to ''monitor'' her. This girl is very very brilliant and is capable of gaining admission into any institution in Nigeria.

In my class for instance, i had many people who scored above 280 and yet, attended state unis. Most of them are children of teachers, lecturers in the uni etc. Most also made top grades in their o'levels. Unilag is most attractive to those whose parents etc live in lagos or those who grew up in lagos. Majority of ''us'' who grew up in the east don't give a damn about Unilag etc. This is because in the east this hype about universities as done in the west are almost non-existent.

I am not trying to disparage any graduate of any institution, they all worth their salt. It is my opinion that a 1st class of any institution will almost always stand his ground. I have been privileged to have interacted with a host of graduates from various institutions who made different classes of degrees-you will only notice minor variations in their intelligence. Yes, minor.

Also, and just as yemmy_ma pointed out previously, our curriculum and mode of exam conduct is not one that would make one conclude quickly that the student with a high score is a top performer. The mode of conducting entrance exams in Nigeria is very flawed i must repeat. So, until we have a standardised assessment method, only then can we adjudge products of such system ''best.''

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....

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

^^^^

Keep pushing, you will definitely get there. The most important thing is to have a plan, then all others things shall follow. I would equally advise you get a job first, build professional network, experience, certifications and then proceed for an MSC/MBA.

Just this week i was invited by one of the major players in the naija IB industry. However, i was unable to attend due to distance, time and chance. I requested for a reschedule and they said they would get back to me soon. I am still waiting patiently.

IB is very interesting and challenging. I just picked interest recently, and i think that's all i need now. Send as many applications as possible, who knows you might be lucky and get called.

Another advantage you may have is your strong mathematical background. So, passing their apt test won't be much of a hurdle.

Best of lucks